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It's been a long time since I updated this, but progress is ongoing. I have a couple of bits of brake gear to add to the prototype, which should be getting a decent test run tomorrow night. I'll post some photos when I get chance, but it's coming together. The etched cross heads worked, and the chassis is running reasonably well Chances are I'll be ordering some more of the etches for myself in the next month or so once the first loco is fully completed. There's a couple of little issues that have cropped up on the current etch, but I'm happy enough that I can work round them so I doubt I'll be doing any further revisions. Cheers Mike

Seen while grabbing some lunch at Expo EM

We take it in turns to not operate....

Because he was fixing it...

A small update on this. I have found one or two small corrections to make to the etch, the cylinder mounting needs raising slightly and a couple of pieces need a small change in size. Also I now feel confident on the slide bar dimensions so these will be added, along with some balance weights. These alterations will mean only the cylinder castings and crosshead are needed from the wrightlines chassis. Once I've built up a chassis from the revised etch I'll be in a position to offer it to others. So far there's nothing major wrong with the current version that can't be easily solved with a file or some packing which is a relief. Once the new gearbox arrives I can finish this test chassis and see if there's anything else that needs altering. Thanks for reading Mike

A quick update on the chassis. I managed to complete the rods this evening and test the chassis with the current motor. It is just about capable of moving the whitemetal loco body but it was struggling, so a bigger motor in the boiler rather than the firebox is going to be needed, along with a different gearbox. Here's a photo of the body test fitted on the chassis. Some packing will be needed but its looking like this should work, smaller bogie wheels will definitely be needed. Cheers Mike

Thanks Giles, Once I'm happy with it I'm quite likely to offer it for sale, I currently think a different gearbox and larger motor may be required based on comments on the NGRM forum. It appears there are a few people interested, although I'd probably be just supplying the etch and a list of recommended components Cheers Mike

A couple of days ago I received a test etch for a replacement chassis for a Wrightlines Baldwin 4-6-0 It is designed round a high level 54:1 gearbox which will drive the rear coupled axle. I'm building this to 14mm gauge although 16.5mm might be possible. There's a chance it might also fit the CW railways 3D print, although I don't have one of these. Each frame comprises 4 layers to achieve a scale thickness of the real loco's bar frames. The layers are pinned together with small pieces of 0.45mm wire, 2 of the frame spacers and the bearings, then tack soldered together. Once both frames have been assembled, the chassis looks like this In these photos the rear bearings are soldered in place and the inside is filed back to the frames to allow space for the gearbox, the others are currently an interference fit until I have finished the rods, then I can check the spacings with jig axles and fix the bearings in place. A couple of parts from the Wrightlines chassis will be needed, the crossheads and possibly the slidebars, although the slidebars may need to be done from scratch. Finally, a photo of the chassis that was with the Wrighlines kit for comparison Thanks for looking Mike

Is this better? http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/12234-diesels-in-the-duchy-aka-st-blazey-dcc-em/page-183&do=findComment&comment=1159320

post 6817 http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/12234-diesels-in-the-duchy-aka-st-blazey-dcc-em/page-273&do=findComment&comment=1518288

Two from the Tanfield Railway

Somewhere near the front lines... Taken at Apedale during Tracks to the Trenches (Using a phone camera)

You could try their electromagnets, although they are a bit pricey, otherwise you can hinge an under track magnet https://www.kadee.com/html/308ins.pdf Personally I use a BBQ skewer to uncouple them, I tried under track magnets and had the same steel axle problem, then the electromagnets, which my psu doesn't like, hopefully some of the above might help Mike

Apologies if it's been mentioned already, but has anyone had any thoughts about converting a P2 to EM or P4 yet? My P2 may get converted if it's feasible (Edit) I've emailed Alan Gibson and it appears it may be possible in the future Cheers Mike

About a year ago, after post 75, it turns out the 17th was an Australian operating company, the area the layout was based in was operated by the British so we picked the next available number Thanks Mike

A photo of the layout taken yesterday, more to follow after the show If you head along to the event tomorrow please say hi. (We don't bite!)

Here's a few photos from yesterday, although my phone was really struggling during the night photoshoot

Just about to set off to finish setting up for the show, it looks like it's going to be a good one. http://www.ww1-event.org

A copy of the WDLR album arrived a couple of days ago, it's an excellent book with really clear pictures, many of which I've never seen before.

It's progressing quite rapidly at the moment, although it needs to as we're exhibiting it at the tracks to the trenches event from the 12th to the 14th of September. http://www.ww1-event.org Cheers Mike

This afternoon on a construction site in Edinburgh... Within 10 metres there's been diggers and dumpers all over carrying out ground works

If they'd masked it differently it could almost have been a repaint in Loadhaul colours...

Thanks

Thanks, I'll look into that