Chris_nicole

I have cleaned the wheels and oiled the gears.

Lil' Donkey now runs much quieter, with less swagger and better response to the controller. 

I have no plans for a German layout, but I do wonder what sort of rolling stock ought to run with it?

Cheers,

Chris

Thank you,

That's helped me find out a bit more about it.

Cheers,

Chris

Hi,

I found a small 0-6-0 tank locomotive in my N gauge collection.

IIRC I bought it at an open day at York MRC about ten years ago.

It looks Germanic to me, but I am more familiar with British stock.

It's black with red wheels and underframe, but has no markings or branding that I have found yet.

Diecast metal body, brass pinion gears and simplistic driving rods, no coupling rods. 

It's a good willing runner, but rather noisy with a distinctive gait.

I apologise for the muck and dust, It's been in storage since I bought it.

At this point I can't recall why I bought it as it's way outside my usual interests. I can only say I was charmed and intrigued by it!

I am not looking for sale or valuation, I would just like to know what I have got.

Also any advice on cleaning and maintenance.

Cheers,

Chris

Hi Mike,

did these change colour after you put them on the layout ?

Sunlight will fade some colours or printer inks.

I have some Bilteezi platforms that are fading from dark weathered red brick to weathered yellow brick!

On the other hand, you could call it Engineering Brick blue...

Spectrum Noir do a range of spirit based felt tip pens in useful transparent colours that may be helpful in recolouring your walls without distorting them.

These are available at decent craft stores for card making and artist supplies.

You would need to test them first of course.

cheers,

Chris 

In hindsight and having checked my posts, I may have unfairly slandered Hobbycraft foam core.

I actually got my larger problematic A1 foamcore sheets from The Works.

I still stand by the black foamcore from Staples. That's good stuff.

Cheers,

Chris

I used foam core and Extruded foam for my layout. There are photos in RMWeb if you search for Jenswell (or click the link in my sig.)

The main baseboard was a 50mm slab of Knauf pink foam 1200 x 500 mm with a layer of aeromodeller light-ply beneath the track.

I used Hobbycraft foam core wrapped with Fablon for the layout surround. As noted it is not as sturdy as other brands and it does warp if it gets wet/pva.

I had used Hobbycraft foamcore for a building base. It bent like a banana and had to be replaced with mount board.

I used Staples black foam core for some of the structural modelling, platforms, ground surface and loading dock. Also for my Fiddle Sticks.

This is great stuff, it stays rigid and has a better paper/card surface than Hobbycraft white foam core.

I would use Staples black foam core again.

Cheers,

Chris

Those do look rather nice. Just thinking, the Hull and Barnsley used to run four wheelers and have one under restoration.

What are the chances? ...

I may have to forgive Hornby for shutting down the Humbrol factory.

Cheers,

Chris

That looks very good. I didn't know you could get A5 boxfiles.

I am curious how you made the water surface in the canal ?

Thanks,

Chris 

On 13/03/2020 at 17:04, Ton37401 said:

Hi. Sorry for the old topic drag but did you ever fix this? I've just bought one and it's doing the same thing. Definitely a gearing problem. 

 

Thanks

 

Chris

Hi,

Sorry, I never got around to opening up the gear box. The model went back into its box and has not been run since.

It had been an impulse buy after our first show. It was the most expensive model I have bought so far.

So when it started going clicky, I was rather disappointed to say the least and the missus was not impressed!

I would have liked to get a Class 14, but after this I am very reluctant to buy from Heljan again.

Thanks,

Chris 

Superquick brick papers can work with other kits. I have used SQ Slate papers on the roofs of Metcalf kits because I prefer the look and it makes the roofs consistent across a variety of card kit buildings.

I have a couple of Micro models sets, but I have not tried Millimodels yet.

1/200 is a minor wargames scale so there is a fair range of white-metal military figures and vehicles available mainly for WW2.

https://www.skytrex.com/10-action-200-ww11

Wargames 10mm scale (referring to figure height) is slightly larger than true 1/200 but has a much larger range of suppliers and figures.

You might find some of the WW1 sets useful.

For example Pendraken miniatures produce figures and vehicles for a WW1 trench railway.

https://pendraken.co.uk/world-war-i/trench-railway/

Have fun,

Chris 

I have used Superquick Slate paper on the roof of Metcalfe buildings.

I feel that Metcalfe's roof slate pattern is one prominent area that really lets down their models.

I have also 'deconstructed' Builder Plus kits, using a paper photocopy of the BP kit to skin a mountboard carcass.

Try it and see how you get on.

Chris

I'm just wondering if one of the plastic gears either side of the brass one has split, as is quite common with some N gauge locos. This can lead to a clicking sound, and would cause the next gear in line to 'jump' since the mesh would not be maintained. If this is the case getting a replacement might be difficult, but I do believe they can run quite well with just one powered axle, as others have had to do. They are certainly heavy enough to provide enough traction this way.

 

Izzy

Thanks Izzy,

I will have another look at it when I get home and try running it without the intermediate gear.

I will let you know how I get on.

Regards,

Chris

All I can suggest is trying Howes (they have been very helpful for my queries) or going straight to Heljan ( where I have not found great help).

Thanks Alan,

I have emailed Howes for further advice.

Regards,

Chris

I have a W&M Railbus too. Now it has started clicking and 'hiccuping'.

Taking the cover off the gearbox on the offending axle appears to show the intermediate brass gear jumping out of mesh.

I have had this model for over three years now.

Is there anything I can do to fix it ?

Chris

Hi there,

 

I have a different problem with my own W & M railbus and I hope you forgive me for posting it on here.

 

My model started making a loud clicking noise from one of the axles.  I removed the keeper plate and the gear on the wheeled axle appears to be loose.  When I checked the Howes website for spares, I can't find anything listed as a replacement wheel set or gear/axle.

 

Does anyone know if it can be repaired or if spares can be sourced elsewhere?

 

Many thanks,

 

Paul 

Having built something similar, my biggest regret was using set-track points.

They are very easy to set up but can give you running issues with small locos losing contact and larger locos not liking the sharp angle.

If you can get streamline or live frog points now, they will save you frustration later.

Have fun,

Chris

Jenswell 

I have renumbered my Sentinel. LNER 8151 was a Hull shunter and spent most of its working life in Sculcoates goods yard. I have given mine its LNER number on one side and its BR number on the other so it serves double duty!

Chris

Wow!

While I am impressed with the detail you have achieved on these models, it is the underside shots showing the practical simplicity that really takes my breath away.

You are demonstrating something very achievable here.

Heck, even I could have a go at something like this!

Thank you.

Chris

Anyone looking for a Christmas train project might like to try the following models:

http://www.delta7studios.com/Delta_7_Studios/Christmas_Models.html

Seasons greetings,

Chris

These are very impressive modelling.

What kits are they ?

Chris

Finally managed to find and upload the Norwich Tram. This is a bit of a mix up, the superstructure largely being plasticard, with printed card skin for the fancy panels, but it's a good example of how far you can push a silhouette. It's certainly revolutionised my scatchbuilt work.

 

I'm really impressed by the card wagons and vans. I have been thinking about having a go myself to produce some private owners to go on our new club layout.

 

I have tended to use less detailed methods for my own 4mm scale card rolling stock, but they look okay. I've posted a couple of shots below.

 

These are both straight from the kit SLM vehicles with a few extra whitememtal castings, and some scrap card for the rainstrips and steps. They are both on Bachmann Mk 1 bogies.

I got departmental 57 from the first batch. It's a lovely model but only had it's first real run out this last weekend.

It attracted some very favourable comments.

I was regretting not getting 68150 as that's sold out.

Renumbering the GSR Sentinel is definitely an option, then I could have one of Hull's LNER allocation...

I ought to look out for a Sentinel railcar too...

Chris (Black Hat)

An acquaintance of mine has recently produced a card locomotive kit that might be of some interest to this group...

I mentioned these before when he was developing the kit. now it's available through E-bay.

He is offering a card kit of Bulleid's Leader locomotives in a range of liveries.

Look for Item number: 140794020641 on Ebay.co.uk

http://www.ebay.co.u...1#ht_582wt_1394

I intend acquiring a couple myself with a view to motorising one of them if I can find a suitable chassis..

Glad to find I am not alone.

 

I arrived at card modelling when I wondered if an inkjet printer could be converted to print on tinplate and so produce tinplate models. Did not get far as I realised that card models would do. I like playing around with various chassis in various gauges so have created some simple basic bodies now fro, TT to G gauge.

 

Wanting to keep my modelling simple and compact I realised that trams fulfilled my wish for sing vehicle four wheeled vehicles. Rather than railcars.

 

Some of my efforts can be seen at

 

http://tramweb.yolasite.com/

 

No claims for realism or quality, but feel free to use.

Trams seem to be a popular subject for card models.

Most of the card model publishers seem to include a few trams in their range.

Also, I'm very pleased to see you found a use for Underground Ernie.

That's a handy chassis unit if you can find a suitable body to go with it!

Regards,

Chris

I am quite happy to model in card when I can and am tempted to try rolling stock. What type of card and gauge can people recommed? I am thinking of 4mm panelled coaching stock.

I would suggest you try some of the printed card kits before scratchbuilding.

Alpahgraphix and Elro both produce kits for card rolling stock, mainly in 7mm or OO scales.

Elro are sold via Ebay.

They specialise in Manx railway subjects but also have stock from various British and American railways as well as trams.

Last time I looked at their range, they had an attractive pair of midlands POW open wagons as a single kit.

Alphagraphix are mainly mail order, its well worth getting their catalogue.

They stock a great range of building kits as well as locomotive and rolling stock kits:

Alphagraphix,

23 Darris Road,

Selly Park,

Birmingham

B29 7QY.

Regards,

Chris

Whilst I am aboard the card train, I came across the following web site :

<http://www.zioprudenzio.it/fok-train.html>

This has several small scale paper models of Italian locomotives to download.

[click on the red downward pointing arrows to download each model as a pdf file]

It may be of interest...

I am adapting a Builder Plus GWR station building kit for Jenswell atm.

Have fun,

Chris

Black Hat