dave_long

Thanks I had originally planned on using the mjt springs and box, but read about BR split box's on the old rmweb and then ended up in 2 minds. I plan on putting Bill Bedfords on all of them too. Did you remove the side bolts on the 51L roller bearings? Many thanks

Many thanks again Jack. I shall more than likely use Stokers superb drawings at some point. Out of interest I've been looking over old rmweb and there were some good threads on that site. Has anyone found the perfect axle box or box/spring combination to replace the ratio (and/or Bachmann) roller bearings. My first two go to place have these The 51L (wizard) BR split box http://www.wizardmodels.co.uk/images/51lcomp/phsbrc019.jpg This looks the part but looks a little beefy and the blurb stated they are for Heavy dutyw irons W irons. Even if the bolts were removed from the sides they look a little large, for BR open W irons. Its a similar story to the BR plate boxes with the 2 dimples, thats listed as for heavy duty W irons, but they may be ok with the side bolts removed too. Then there's the MJT (dart castings) RCH box and combo http://www.dartcastings.co.uk/mjt/2241A.php and (combo) http://www.dartcastings.co.uk/mjt/2241.php these look small enough to fit the bill and the U shaped impression on the top can easily be filled. So both aren't IMO totally correct but the MJT one looks closest and easiest to adapt. Is there anything I haven't looked at such as ABS or parkside spares or something else? Thanks again

Layout plan has been Templotted and using 12' heel switches I've managed to get it into just under 5' long, I was hoping to get it inside 4'8 1/2" for the scalefour challeneg but its pushing it a little bit, it needs a bit extra to actually make the loop useful I think. I dont seem to be able to get the 2 short sidings at the front like Iain plan, but may be thats a good thing, we'll see. The plain track part of the loop can hold 6-7 clay hoods and 10'liner wagons. I can get 3 VAA length wagons, and 4-5 tanks in there. The loop headshunt will hold a cl50, which is the longest of the planned stock with Westerns and Peaks coming in just shorter than the Hoover. If I stand stock over the turnout to the right which routes to off scene top right, run round and then push the rake in to the head shunt I can add several more wagons to the rake. I think thats an exceptable amount of stock, what do others think? Would such a run round and then push in to head shunt seem silly or is there any basis for it in reality? The slurry loading point will still be on the front siding and can hold 4 TTA sized tank Scenic wise I was thinking of either creating something similar to the Combe station bridge, but putting track through both sides, or going a long the lines of mirror imaging the bridge in to Carbis wharf. Combe station: http://www.flickr.com/photos/actonwellsjunction/5997879543/in/faves-14819322@N06/ Carbis: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=339162 Anyway this is what it looks like so far I've begun looking in to drys and which one to use as a prototype, I do like the older styles such as Iain Robinson's, Wheal Elizabeth and Trerices, probably becuase they're smaller and fit that small style layout. Out of curiosity when was bagged clay first collected in closed wagons? Thanks for reading Dave

Hi Rich I had planned on etched irons for the ratio kit, because its a kit and has incorrect axles. I hadn't really had a chance to inspect the airfix chassis, so hadn't thought about using parkside solebars but I'll certainly look into it. I had thought about new etched V hangers and levers (any recommendations?) so might as well upgrade everything while I'm at it. Best to have lots of detail if numbers are low. So in that case I'll swap the ratio roller bearings over to build the liners. Should save me a few quid too. Thanks.

Right I've managed to find the 51L models split axleboxes and the 2 pip BR plate axle boxes for the hoods, so they're sorted. Does anyone know a version of the roller bearings that are fitted to the 10'wb liner open merch wagons? The 51L rollers all seem to be too heavy looking, and dont look much like the liner photos on Paul site, (BR or pre) I see that some still had spilt boxes, so some of my airfix wagons can be left as is. Anyone managed to lift the roller bearings from the ratio kit (or Bachmann) and fit them to the airfix or parkside 10'wb opens for a clayliner? Regards Dave

Hi folks I've been looking in to wagons kits the last few days, while I've had to search hard for the clayhoods from Ratio, I've managed to find a few, but they're getting scarce aren't they! With regards to the pre-nationalisation clay liner wagons, I've matched up the C107 Cambrian kit ( http://cambrianmodels.co.uk/srwagons.html ) SR Dia1375 5 plank to this on PB's site http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/prenatclayliner/h2b7bd5e4#h2b7bd5e4 and http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/prenatclayliner/h320dc3f0#h320dc3f0 now they look similar to me (not that there is a whole lot of difference in open Merchandise wagons) although there are the tie hoops (?) on the kit that are not on the prototype. One other thing is though the Cambrian site stated they were used on the ball clay trips, but PB's photos clearly state for use in the clayliner. I'd go with Pauls knowledge on that but need to know if fundamentally the 2 are the same wagon? Other than that I've ordered a few Parkside PC02a kits for the BR version and I've also read that the old Airfix 5 plank open can be made to look quite good, any one know what dia can be made from them? Regards and thanks

That's a fine start he's made on Meeth rd I hadn't seen the thread before. So I've had to start somewhere, so a few ratio clay wagon kits are on there way here. My J Vaughan book has not arrived yet, so until I get a chance to have a good read I'll then decide on a clay dry to model, as several of you have mentioned sites I'd not heard of before, so I'll wait and see what the book holds for me and go from there. Thanks again for the help.

Mickey, That's why I was drawn to that plan, it has the right feel to it. Id swap the mainline connection to the front, and have the rest of the works off scene at the back, either for coal or slurry and the head shunt for the dry (exchange siding on the plan). 2 nice bridges and foliage around them and with a bit of luck a curved backscene. I hadnt thought or flipping it 180, with Ullypugs Wheal Elizabeth and Trerice they both have fiddleyards to the left so being opposite would lessen any potential likenesses hopefully. I like the old disused slurry loading gantry that's at the burngullow site, would sit nicely front and center to the layout, would help with setting the scene.

Thanks guys. I like the trackwork outside drier 7 at Drinnick mill, seen on the society's site, great photos and info. (as with most new starters on Cornish railways I have the J Vaughan book in the post). I'll look at those suggestions ullypug, thanks but I may well end up pinching bits from different sites too, its not easy fitting one location in a small space. The plan is probably a dry at the rear and either slurry front of scene and coal off scene or vice versa.

Thanks Rich Still unsure if I'll get garage rights either, our eldest only does 3 hrs of preschool and our youngest doesn't feel the need for sleeping! I've always wanted to build a Cornish layout, but without room for full length xc trains, clay is the next best thing, after seeing what Lee has done to a 08 on his detailing thread. With my parents running a b&b just outside St Austell it would be rude not to have a go. I'm slowly working my way through the Cornwall forum, some great info in there.

Thanks Rich I do like the look of Pontsmill but wouldn't want to tread on Rods of Rev's toes, and he's doing a very fine job in N. I suspect that Pontsmill would be too long for what I'm planning. I'm looking to try and shoehorn something in to about 5' long. My thinking is along these lines: (image is posted in another rmweb thread) Using Iain Rice's top plan only... Instead of it being an exchange siding, that will become the dries (Or other loading facility) siding. The train would arrive along the track from the right (front) and pull forward into the head shunt, while a local shunting loco would pull the wagons forward to release the main line loco and then pulls the wagons off scene on the top right track, and then propell them into the loading siding. Also off scene top right can be another loading facility for slurry etc. The lower front siding can be for coal, or coal ramp ala Drinnick (with a little work) The other small (shed) spur could stay or go or be a cripple siding etc... Regards

Hi all As I know there are plenty of Cornish experts on here. I'm interested in building a small cc layout. What I'd like advice on is what can I use as a subject matter so that it doesn't look like Trerice or Wheal Elizabeth especially as I want to build it in p4. I'd thought about using Iain Rices exchange siding layout which is different to the trerice and WE plans, but still involves a loop, bridges and a clay dry. Era would be 76 to 86. I do like the coal ramp at Drinnick mill. Also I've seen a great model of bag loading facility on Ian Robinsons blog, so that could be interesting. Any ideas, Thank you Regards

Hi Prof I made my own version, using a BIC Biro pen tube, and a set of round neo magnets and brass 1mm rod taped to the end to swing the knuckle, never had any issues attracting to metal grabs, unless I was being silly.

Ha the pointy stick is why I went to sergents, as I almost always knock the stock off the track with a pointy stick.

Perfect Thanks Jordan.

Your right there Cav. I was a member of a club in the mid 90s and we had 3 exhibition N gauge layouts. Although some of the mechanisms were pretty darn good, things like the metcam 101 or even a 25 had some horrible features it just didn't sit right with me hence I never tried it myself, but the sstock now really is top notch.

Your certainly making a good case for going N/2mil Cav. That bridge and Peak are a cut above. regards

Can anyone enlighten me as to which of the traders at the last few Tvnam's sold box loads of HO detailing parts ie DW/DA/Cannon etc, I'm after quite a few bits and growing tired of the growing USPS prices. Regards

More than looking forward to your next part of the US Chris, hopefully such things on the blue forum don't take away your current drive for layout work.

Mark There is actually a foundry lane in Bloxwich. So FL2 isn't too far fetched. Although it should be more zinc related shouldn't it? Ingot Lane?

Did you design it yourself Chris. I've had some good fun designing and printing 3D items.