LNERandBR

If articulated engines include those of the narrow gauge then I would vote for the Ffestiniog Railway's Double Fairlies. If it's strictly Standard Gauge only then I'd say the U1.

You do lose some 'flex' between stock when going around curves however I've seen no issues on the stock I've fitted these to so far. This includes pulling and propelling through standard Peco medium pointwork and second and third radius curves. The trick is to choose the length of coupling to suit the stock your fitting it to. So for Bachmann Mk1's and other stock with cam couplings that move out on the corners you can fit a shorter coupling. (the 'Close' coupling mentioned on the WHWG website). For fixed stock like HST's the coupling bar and therefore the gap between the coaches is longer however this gives them room to move on the corners without clashing.

Does one of the existing couplings work for the Bachmann Intermodals? An inner coupling for those would also be awesome.

Many people use Kaydees for fixed rakes too. That's where they are a viable alternative.

I think it pretty clear that these are for use in fixed rake formations. Both my HST's now have them, my Hornby Mk2D's and Oxford Mk3's too. Seriously looking at rolling them out throughout my Bachmann Mk1 and Mk2 sets too. Just because they are so much easier to uncouple and couple up then the current Roco close couplers I've got on those sets.

I think your point rodding looks brilliant Tony. It was well worth the effort you put into it. Only thing I could suggest is the colour looks a little uniform grey. A little variation to the colour wouldn't go amiss. Although that was probably your plan anyway

https://shop.nnrailway.co.uk/ Link to the NNR's appeal page where donations can be 'purchased'.

I would think it's the responsibility of the layout owner/operator to ensure these things are correct just as much as the photographer. If the layout owner wants their layout to be portrayed in a favorable light then they should be just as much on the ball as the person taking the photos. Having had Tony taking photographs of one of my own layouts I can certainly say that he is very professional in the way that he captures his images. Yes, he questions what he sees before him but this is always given in a constructive manner. He also makes it quite clear how the images will be used.

Tell me that someone is a 'lad' and I think of a primary/early secondary school boy. Hence my reaction to the post by Steamport Southport, apologies for any misunderstanding. I have heard people being called "little old boy" too. Although the 'old' makes it clear that the term is referring to someone past retirement age.

Issue there is trying to not upset the young lad given that he really should be encouraged. He could have little to no idea of the fact his diesel is out of period for the layout. All depends on his age and how mature he is. Of course it's completely right to educate him. But the problem is doing it in a tactful manor that leaves him happy.

I saw this morning that there was now a version specific for the Oxford Mk3's so have snapped up a pack, along with another HST pack for my second HST. However, I now note that they're now once again out of stock such is the popularity of these new couplings. The pack of close couplings I had have been fitted to my Hornby Mk2e's. The gap between the coaches is now much, much reduced but under test they were still able to traverse the club layout with no issues. Even propelling through medium pointwork and double slips were no issue. I did have a couple of couplings let go of the NEM pocket but none of the magnets came out. I presume the time left in the open allowed the plastic time to properly cure and adhere to the magnet before they were put under load. Whilst you could argue that should be done at source I think they're basically trying to churn out as many as possible to meet the demand currently. Those which let go of the NEM pockets were soon sorted with a spot of glue. By that point I was pretty certain that they'd be staying on the rake so gluing them in place wasn't an issue.

Well, it is 'unique in the world' but only because of its single chimney. A very important detail that they keep missing off the narration. Also giggled at the 'GRAND Central Railway' sending the Hall That said, it's still a very entertaining series and I hope the NYMR get's plenty more passengers from it.

That's excellent news, I'll continue to save my pennies for them then

Is there likely to be another run of the Cawoods version at somepoint? They're fast running out and it's looking increasingly like I'll not be able to afford them before they do.

Oh there are certainly annoyances when it comes to taking layouts to shows. Being up at the crack of dawn to drive to a venue and set up on a Saturday morning isn't the best part. Similarly knocking everything down then having a long drive before unloading the other end because the van needs to go back first thing Monday is another. However, I personally find enjoyment from operating at an exhibition and getting good comments from people about the layout too. I suppose anyone who doesn't enjoy the operating side would get far less enjoyment from shows. Hence why they aren't compulsory, if you don't enjoy it then you don't have to do it

That will be because everyone has a different opinion on how a layout should be operated and what constitutes a 'good' layout. Our wonderful hobby is very diverse in that respect and I personally think it would be poorer if there was just one option and one opinion. We'd certainly have fewer lively debates here for example

I think prople glue metal kits together because they are afraid of soldering. The fact your dealing with something hot that can and will burn you if you handle it incorrectly has to be a factor there. Many times someone at the club will ask me to solder something electrical for them. When I say 'why don't I show you how' they reply with various variations of 'I can't do that'. Completely agree that metal kits should be soldered together. There's a reason why plastic glue is often called 'plastic weld' as it melts the two peices together. You can't melt metal with glue.

I can't take any credit at all for the modelling as it's not my layout. I'm just a willing helper and snook a few of my own locomotives on there Keeping things moving and interesting for viewers is also one of our main aims.

Thanks, I've also found the below image of the same working.

The image on Accurascale's announcement page of their website with a metals 37 on the PTA/JUA tipplers. What working is that?

Painting is certainly my Achilles heel. I'd build far more kits if I felt I could paint them to an acceptable standard. Weathering meanwhile is far more up my street. I suppose it's one of those practice makes perfect things.

Have had a really good weekend helping operate Wolds Way. A few cameraphone images of the layout. Had great fun showing people the Hornby Ruston running along the fiddle yard ofg the track thanks to it's stay alive unit.

The show is well underway now. Some very high quality layouts from what I've seen so far.

Including specific couplings for the HST power cars was indeed a nice touch. I had no issues with mine coming back out after plugging them into the Power Car pocket although I did fit them to the HST a few days before being able to run it. Possibly therefore they had time to cure more before I ran mine. I did note a few of mine had a bit of a deposit on them but that was the minority. They are being purchased faster then they can make them so it would make sense if they're basically shipping them out as soon as they possibly can. Looking at my set of 'close' couplings I can see the same deposit. I think I'll take them out the packet now and leave them in the open air for a few days before fitting them.

Our club layout has a double track mainline and a lower level yard. Usually we will operate with one operator per mainline, one on the yard and a fourth on the fiddle yard. The layouts showpiece is an operating coal loader. Therefore the Fiddle Yard operator's main role is to empty the loaded wagons and prep them to be returned to the yard. Whilst I agree that having an additional operator on each mainline is possible with DCC. In terms of manpower and phisical space in the operating well it's a much harder proposition. In a wider context, I also suspect many converts to DCC will still be thinking in terms of analoge for operating positions. Then there's the keeping things simple approach