DLT

Thanks for the tarpaulin description Neil, just what I need. Looking forward to seeing photos of how you rope them down as well. Many thanks, Dave.

Fitted new pickups to the S15 this evening, and after some tweaking, lubrication and wheel cleaning it runs like a dream. So next job is to re-fit the cylinders and motion. This is all in one piece sub-assembly, and although it worked nicely before I removed it, the motion plate wouldnt sit flat on the top of the frames, and was causing a bend in the whitemetal footplate. This SHOULD be fairly simple to resolve. Cheers, Dave.

Thanks guys, I wasnt aware of any problems with the PDK version. So far on this model I've modified the frames by filling in the triangular cutouts where the open frame motor fitted, (just visible in the photos) and added extra frame spacers to attach a decent copperclad pickup plate. The pickups previously fitted were a more than a little delicate, and disintegrated as soon as I touched them. Photo shows the new motor/gearbox in position. All the best, Dave.

Thanks everyone for you kind comments. Yes indeed, I would always recomend the PDK kit, theres some pictures of mine on page one of this thread. The resin boiler is a good casting, but does detract a bit from the weight of the loco. I managed to conceal lumps of lead in various places though. All the best, Dave.

Yes there are, as I found out with the previous new-build DJH S15. However the intention this one is simply a mechanical and cosmetic upgrade; the kit is very nicely (and solidly) soldered together so bodyshape/dimensional alterations are not on the agenda this time. Cheers, Dave.

Hi Mark, I've only just come accross this thread, and although I havent had time to read it through, I'm very impressed with the layout. You have created a huge amount of atmosphere for such a small space. All the best, Dave.

A bit like this you mean? Actually this is my next project, upgrading an elderly S15. Built pretty much as per the DJH kit, it was definitely feeling its age. The pickup assembly disintegrated as soon as I touched it, and the open frame motor (Anchorage D11 I think) and Romford worm & wheel are being replaced by a Mashima and Highlevel combination. Oh, and it will be BR black as 30845 Cheers, Dave.

U-Class 31610 is finished at last, although I will always be spotting things that need doing. For instance, a bit of lining has come of the cab on the drivers side. Thats a job for tomorrow, in the meantime here's a selection of photos. Please say so if you spot anything amiss. Thanks for following this build, and for all the "likes". Cheers, Dave.

I can remember walking along the quayside with my grandmother, on a day when a whole load of tomatoes must have fallen from a crane. There were tomatoes everywhere, strewn, rolled and spread all along the quay, and in the epicentre an enormous pile which to a small child looked like a tomato mountain. Dave.

Unless you can think up an excuse (offstage pointwork? Headshunt?) for having to shunt wagons in the platform road occasionally? Hope you resolve things, Dave.

Hi John, I really like the new carriage shed. Have you considered joining the Narrow gauge Online Forum? http://ngrm-online.com/forums/ Its a very friendly site, and I'm sure Keadue would be very well received. It would also answer your questions about corrugated iron, there is a thread on there for everyone to put their prototype corrugated iron photos on, here: http://ngrm-online.com/forums/index.php?/topic/1257-corrugated-iron-photos/ All the best, Dave.

Lovely set of photos, very effective. Thanks, Dave.

Thanks George, I will give it a try. The terrier looks terrific. Cheers, Dave.

Its all coming together now, and very neat it looks too. I particularly like the stained/varnished finish. All the best, Dave.

Just finished the lining at last. With the new satin varnish drying completely matt, I rapidly recovered the old tin from the bin and diluted the slightly jelly-fied contents until they were useable again. Its now giving me an almost matching finish. Cheers, Dave.

I Like to see tha trains as well, helps to give it a sense of scale, especially with an eight coach mainline train lost in a landscape. All the best, Dave.

Its not obvious, but you can just make out in the photos how the sharp corner of the grey stone house has been shaved off roughly parallel to the track, showing how tight the clearances are (were). Cheers, Dave.

Not obvious in the photos, but this hut sits on the original alingment of the Bodmin branch, before it was rebuilt and straightened out to become a Southern branch line. Cheers, Dave.

The lining is done, on this side anyway. Easier than I expected, but worth taking the time to get everything aligned correctly. The blown up photographs show all the discrepencies in alignment, but its not so obvious on the real thing. The cabside panel was given a coat from a brand new tin of Humbrol satin varnish, and its come out completely matt! I guess it wont show when theres a bit of dirt and muck around it. I've always had problems with varnishing, particularly satin, and theres been long discussions on the subject recently on the narrow gauge forum. Suffice to say, "the jury is still out." Cheers, Dave.

Hi Adrian, Maybe if we could see some more photos of it The Stationmaster might be persuaded??? A stunning job Adrian, particularly in the finishing. I couldn't judge what scale it was from the photos, and thats always a sign of excellent modelling. Do you have a thread running on the forum, or an online gallery anywhere? Thanks very much, Dave.

Lovely layout John, and great to see some more progress. All the best, Dave.

I'm starting to get a repetitive strain injury from clicking the "like" button in this thread pictures (and modelling!) are just getting better and better. Wonderful stuff guys, Many thanks, Dave.

Thanks very much guys, lining is continuing. No, I came up with a few more new ones as well.... Dave.

Well that nearly drove me round the bend! The power classification codes are so small you can't read them without a magnifier. Getting them on striaght was another matter, in which I appear to have failed. The cruel enlargement shows up every blemish, every speck of dust and every fugure thats out of alignment.... It does look a lot better from normal distances, and remember that lining panel is only 12mm high. Cheers, Dave.

Hi Graham, I enjoyed seeing Tormouth Quay at Exeter over the weekend, and discussing Beattie Well Tanks. Very remiss of me that I've not come across Tormouth before, do you have an RMweb thread on the layout, or an online gallery anywhere I can look at? Many thanks, Dave