Penrhos1920

And the Arriva one which still has the wrong windows

Is Hornby/poco code 75 or code 100? Thanks

Yes I want to play wheel clack sounds, but different ones depending on the type of train. Looks like I'm going to have to rejoin merg! Thanks

I've been eyeing up the Bachmann L&Y tank as a donor for a conversion to a tankie of one of my favourite railways. So much so that I've bought an LMS version of the Bachmann model and the 3D printed parts arrived from Shapeways yesterday. I've had it printed in High Definition Acrylic rather than Frosted Ultra Detail which I've previously used. It cost slightly more, but the improvement in quality is amazing; flat surfaces are smooth, curved surfaces barely have any stepping and small details are as good or maybe better. The down side is that there are lots of places where the model is attached to supports during printing and these leave small pips which need to be sanded smooth. Shapeways will do this but I've seen photos where the sanding has scratched the surrounding area so I chose to do it myself. The roof is the only disappointment as it has printed rather warped. But that is the only disappointment. The poor fit of the cab to the tank top is because I haven't removed all to the support pips from the bottom of the cab sides yet. To fit the new parts a couple of alterations to the Bachmann parts are required. The new bunker is narrower than the L&Y bunker, so the mazak footplate needs to be narrowed. The new tanks are taller and the moulding along each side of the boiler needs to be cut off with a sharp pair of edge cutters. The detail of HDA is amazing, as shown by this 0.3mm holes around the cab windows. The rear of the bunker was tacky after I had cut off all of the supports, but left overnight it has dried, but picked up a bit of dust, and is fine now. Although there is diagonal 'hatching' on the flat surfaces it is so fine that I can't feel it when I run my finger over it. As the loco will be paint in BR maroon I think I need a red primer first. The question is who sells a red primer that is suitable for acrylic plastic?

I want to play a sound clip every time a wheel goes over a track joint. How can I detect wheels at the joint?

225's had very good acceleration when first introduced. But that was when they had a125 power car on the other end as well. I wonder if there are any spare 125s around

Have you plotted their location on a map to see if a certain area of the country has less shows? I think you'll find there are less in the north east.

Got an offer today using GREETINGS5 - gives 5% off.

I thought it used to be an RMA with trailer from central London?

Brilliant. I thought Shapeways HDA was always black? Your PAA is brown. When you used 3D Hubs did you find that you paid the price that was originally quoted or did it go up?

Have Bachmann issued a 64xx with GREAT WESTERN livery, as opposed to GWR? If not has anyone reliveried one?

I have considered BHDA. I've seen some good examples but also some bad ones with too much surface roughness. But I'm going to give it a try as my latest model is cheaper in BHDA than FXD.

No be familiar with Craftsman, which Craftsman kit did you use to convert to your Barry tank?

Where is the green envious emoji??

Almost, well spotted. Blackbrook Rd is the road that crosses Penrhos. But to truly be Penrhos the viaduct should be straight and almost tangential to the lower lines.

Try http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/coaches/416/416pic_02.html

I'm looking for an alternative to Shapeways FUD. This is spurred on by the lack of print quality consistency, but also worries about the potential for crystallization of the model in years to come. I've had some really good prints in FUD of small parts like a smokebox handle and lever, but I've had large tank sides and bunkers that have needed hours of filling and sanding. What I'm looking for is a printing process that produces smooth flat surfaces and fine details similar to injection molded polystyrene kits. One problem I've encountered is that some require thick walls and I've got used to the thin walls that FUD can produce. So far I think the best I've found is printed on the Form 2 machine using there Standard Resin. Are there any other options I ought to consider?

I've also been working on Templot. This is the track plan. On the left are road bridges over the 3 double track lines which are all in cuttings. The lower line crosses the other lines on a bridge and forms the backscene. Viewing will be from the left. Viewers will be asked to lean on the bridge and look over the edge to watch the trains. There will not be a black curtain, but instead 5 tons of stone, brick and mortar of the parapet. The tracks to the hidden fiddle yard will turn under the parapet.

I've been working on the baseboards by reusing some from an abandoned project. As it turns out, by remodelling the old baseboards I've solved the problem that caused the project to be abandoned.

How do you see / change the orientation in FUD. I can only see the WSF orientation setting.

So I've been on the Shapeways site this morning and the FUD prices haven't changed.

Is the new cost printed bath tub or upright or as viewed?

Well for some unknown reason I've decided to put Penrhos on hold and build a cameo layout. Blackbrook Rd is a typical non-station train spotting location looking over a road bridge to watch trains go by. Set in 1920, just like Penrhos, it features trains from several companies. The scenic width about 4’6” with a fiddle yard to one side and short engine and van fiddle yard on the other side. I haven’t finalized the depth yet but it will be bigger than most. Not only will the scenic area be framed by a proscenium arch, but there will be scenery in front for spotter to rest against.

The cost of FUD will drop for 70% of models. Well I've tried working out how much my latest model will be after the new pricing structure. It has 8 parts. It all appears to depend upon how much support is used. If it only uses a small amount of support the cost could be 60% of todays cost, but using a lot of support will lead to a price increase. So do I buy now or wait?

Now I know why the price of these coaches has rocketed on eBay. Don't forget that C4 and E17/8 have arc roof for the clerestory. It makes a nice change. Looking forward to seeing them all