JohnT

Hi I apologise if this question is in the wrong place or has been asked before but all my searches have so far drawn a blank. I am using Templot2 version 2.13.a to design the track for my new yard layout and have used the 00-BF track gauge setting and the design is finished. I now think that 00-SF may be a better option. My Question is this. Is it possible to convert the design from 00-BF to 00-SF automatically? When I simply change the gauge setting nothing much happens except the control template changes and this sometimes swaps ends and changes its geometry. Will I need to re-adjust the whole design to accomplish the change? Am I asking the impossible or simply missing the obvious? John

Hi Guys Well my replacement BG has now had several hours of running, in both directions, through reverse curves of 24incn radius and round other curves down to 22inch radius and it has performed faultlessly. It runs really smoothly now and not a single derailment since I tweaked the pony brakes, I have a few minor cosmetic issues (cab handrail loose, mark in the weathering on the bunker side and the usual steps at all angles and loose) but I will not be sending this one back as it runs so well. One thing that is puzzling me is the way that the rotary bunker enters the back of the cab. It appears to be offset to one side with the loco on straight track. Can anyone comment on this? Is the revolving part of the bunker separate from the tank? Can it be adjusted? I can't believe that it could have been moulded like it. Any of your observations would be much appreciated. Anyway 9/10 to Heljan for the model and a resounding TEN for Hattons for making such a model available and at such a great price! John

But how much coal were they carrying!

My replacement arrived at lunchtime. One buffer and the filler cap laying in the bottom of the box. But, JOY, there is actually some weathering on it! Not like the last one. However I would call it lightly weathered not heavy as it should be. I refitted the buffer and the filler and started some test running. It seems to run even more smoothly than the previous example did - before it locked solid. It does derail on some of my reverse curves but I think this is entirely due to the pony brakes which are at all angles! They seem to catch randomly on the steps or the front of the cylinders. This problem will disappear when the brakes are removed but I dare not do this until I am absolutely sure that there are no serious problems lurking! I can confirm that, as mentioned elsewhere, the rear lamp is MUCH brighter than the front. I'm off to do more running in now. I will report back later today or tomorrow with my findings... John

Sooooooo many more faults are coming to light now that I am getting worried about my replacement which, I am told, is on its way from Hattons. I totally agree that any of these appearing on ebay in the future should be given a very wide birth!

I don't think it was the weathering as the rods were still silver including around all the rivets and other moving parts. It was one of the most disappointing parts of the weathering job as the blackening of the rods had already "fallen off" when I first released it from the packaging!

My lock up did look like the motion was causing the problem but it locked so tight that I decided that a replacement was best. The problem first started on a Peco small radius point (24 inch) which was part of a crossover but it had previously traversed a 22 inch radius curve on many occasions, in both directions, the day before. I am guessing here, but I think that a rivet may have come loose near the crosshead. Not really what we should expect!

Mine suddenly became a dismal failure this afternoon. After running perfectly for two or three hours in both directions yesterday and again this morning the front drive unit started to skid along the track randomly. Upon investigation I could see nothing loose or bent so I returned it to the track and carefully tried again. With no warning it locked again only this time I was unable to free it. So it is now on its way back to Hattons for a replacement. Ah well! it was good while it lasted!

Mine arrived today. I must agree that the 'heavy' weathering is a real disappointment, Hardly any weathering if you ask me! Still it is all there and runs a treat everywhere on my Peco track so I'll just have to get the airbrush out again.

Has anyone here tried, or know anything about the origin of, the Garratt sound files now being offered by Digitrains? Their website doesn't give any clues. As they are for Loksound I wonder if they are the same as Olivias are selleng. John

Hi Gordon Just caught up again with this and I have to say I really like the ideas concerning the addition of the two new junctions. I remember the original ET and I just loved those retaining walls and tunnels. One thing that doesn't seem to have been mentioned in relation to the two crossovers is the possibility of a scissors crossover to contain then both at the entrance to the storage sidings. I'm sure with your track building skills you could knock one up in a couple of hours. John

Hi Gordon At the risk of digging a deeper hole! Brake van spurs off the turntable sounds like a good idea. That solves the problem of adding a brake van to the end of the departing Train but you still need a method of getting the brake van from the other end of the train to the spur (hand of Gord, very droll Mike!). And don't forget to provide somewhere to store the pilot. And also remember that different types of train need different types of brake van: e.g a milk train will use a passenger vehicle like a GUV or even a BG. John

Hi Gordon It is great to see that you are motivated again even if it is another 'start again'. Sorry if these points are a bit late (or even just plain wrong!) but I have only just caught up with all the changes going on at ET. I was wondering how you intend to operate freights in your storage sidings. How do you intend to solve the issue of changing the brake van to the other end of the train between arrival and departure. I had to consider this problem when I built my (really) hidden dead end storage sidings in the garage next to my railway room. As they are truly hidden and boxed in to keep the dust off, operation is by remote cameras so I did not have the option of "the hand of God". Will you be swapping by hand or do you intend to do it with a pilot engine? If the latter, you will need to consider how. I won't waffle on any further as I don't want to waste your time if you have already considered this. John

Hi Iain Just found this thread and I will certainly be following your progress as I also model WCML in the 50's although further north. That shed really looks the business! John