Scottish Modeller

Hi all, As a result of my heart attack earlier this week there will be no NGS stand at the show after all. Apologies to those of you who showed an interest in supporting the society at the show, but sometimes staying alive is more important than being at a show. At least I am back home now - fully equiped with meds etc should anything else go wrong.... Thanks Phil H

Hi all, For the control box on Martin Stewarts - Ketton Cement(ish) I went the whoile way on cooling. Toolbox used 15" Stanley with tray. DCC Transformer, 6v Transformer, 12v transformer. Ventilation holes in top and in one end - both fitted with fans. Vent holes on side to take in cool air with fan in Pull mode Vent hopes on top to exhaust warm air with fan in Push mode The tray had a handle and holes already - no problem with obstruction of airways. Keep wires etc in the tray, remove when in use/#. Also keep screw drivers and spare connectersin this tray. That about sums it up! Thanks Phil H

Hi Steve, You are correct - I can remember seeing the advert in Model Railroader. Didn't buy it at the time as the exchange rate was bad and I would have incurred Royal Mail/Parcelforce surcharge for collecting the VAT. In the end I used steel 90deg angle, sharpend up one end to do inside cuts and other end to do outside cuts. Harden after doing the shaping, but if you are only doing a small bit of wotk - dont bother with the hardening process. Thanks Phil H

Hi all, A little idea popped into my mind as I was getting into the loft... Graces Guide - loads of company info on all motor/engineering businesses. A quick check on Auto-Mower Engineering Co. Ltd and variations. https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Auto-Mower_Engineering_Co Give 2 photos and some reference publications Thanks Phil H

Hi Brian, If my father was still with us he would have been able to tell us all about it. However, as he isn't - I'll look back in his diaries in case they are commented on. One of his brothers had the pub that is just under the viaduct and I know dad went visiting quite often as I have seen info on trains passing through the station. Now - just need to find the box in the loft that has the diaries in it. Thanks Phil H

hi Jon, Yes - I remembered this after listening to you. I went home and altered all of the Parkside 4mm kits I had built and my Tope conversions. Thanks fot the reminder though! I must check when I do the 2mm/N ones that the brake linkages are set correctly. Only just ordered the Dapol hoppers - so could be a bit of a wait and see situation. Phil H

Hi both, You should have pm from me. Hope this all helps! I'm about to start doing some in N/2mm - a lot more fiddly! Mike you are correct - no bit of plastic rod to make the brake pipe from in either the 7mm or 4mm Parkside kits. Thanks Phil H

Hi Bob, No worries Wagons Roll by Bob Wallance in Rail 186 (October 28 - November 10 1992) says the sides were cut down by 460mm. If you are a DEMU member - the drawings are in Compendium 1 Thanks Phil H

Hi Bob, If you go here - https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=24&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj82-3XxubiAhV9QxUIHQnXDLQ4FBAWMAN6BAgAEAI&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwebsite.rumneymodels.co.uk%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F06%2FB.28_21T_Hopper_Wagon_Chassis_Instructions.pdf&usg=AOvVaw0T8TkSfbufep2izfd-avcg Then you get a good guide to help you with the chassis. Before the kit or RTR model came on the market I used the Airfix/GMR 21t hopper as a basis for my Tope models. For the conversion I cut off the top reinforcing edge and kept it to reuse. I then took 3mm off the height of the hopper itself. Then stick the top reinforcing edge back onto the hopper. Spill plates were made from 30th plasticard. Thanks Phil H

Hi all, As the current volunteer and stockholder for the ex Modelmaster/NGS decal range, please do not despair! Things are in hand and the range will be available again shortly. The current situation is that I have been sorting out both the decal and nameplate range and it's taken longer than anticipated. If you have any underbed storage boxes that are about 90cm by 45cm by 15cm, then you will understand if I say that there were over 60 boxes of this size and the stock in them was mostly mixed, some packaged, a lot loose. The nameplates are all sorted now and I'm partway through the decals. Once all is sorted and the stock levels known - then there will be adverts to let people know. So - please be patient! Thanks Phil H

Hi John, Options in any scale are limited. For N - the nearest is the Trix/Rivarossi/Atlas/Arnold interfrigo van. It's the wrong sort for the UK but it's all that is available. However, this is one of the wagons I hope to do with my cutter, but it's a fair way down the list! Thanks Phil H

Hi Mark, Don't apologise when your post includes things of interest! I'm interested in the 3 wheel trucks and in the centre cab electric. What more can you tell us? Then - you should set up your own thread or blog about your modelling. Thanks Phil H

Hi Clive, Once again you have delivered the goods! I agree - there are a wide variety of OHLE structures used in the area I am looking at modelling. This is for N/2mm and having the right look and feel makes a big difference when compared to the real thing. The track diagram you have used is very similar to what I intend modelling. I'll post up a plan that I am working on shortly. Thanks Phil H

Hi all, OK - I'm thinking I am a bit thick on this one! I cannot find the right drawings in Clives collection - even though I know they were there at some point. Anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks Phil H

Hi Guy, RBS plus Lloyds &Scottish acted as funding providers for the lease of these wagons. I had opportunity whilst working with Lloyds group to do some archive enquiries but came up with very little. How little? Just a 3 page leasing contract with director details plus the pre-funding checks. This was done in a very timely manner - less than 28 days from initial enquiry to funds being paid out to the wagon company. Thanks Phil H

Hi Clive, Backtrack 1995 Volume 9 has a photo of one of these in Carmine/Cream taken in 1957. I thought I had a copy of this mag - but it's on my missing mags list. Thanks Phil H

Hi all, I am pleased to say the there will be an N Gauge Society stand at this event. What are we up to at the show? We will be providing the following:- The debut appearance of the NGS Mini Shop! Please note - there will not be the full range of products available. However, if you pre-order via the online shop - you will be able to collect from the stand - as long as the shop has stock! If there is anything specific you want to look at before bnuying - let the shop manager know in advance! In addition to the shop we will be doing some modelling demonstrations - subjects tbc Thanks Phil H

Hi Tom, If you use DAS for the surface and want it to be more rough..... Use a fine pitch wire brush in a stipple motion - ie verticle down onto the surface whilst it is still drying. The amount of pressure will need to be judged to get the finish you want. Thaks Phil H

Hi all, I've had some of the signal for a while and they are really good value for money. I had a couple of my initial batch fail though. I contacted the seller and got a partial refund with no problems. They also advised that I should reduce the voltage to them as that would prolong the life of them. So - yes, good well made product, but not of UK types though. Good service - 10 days from China to Scotland! Thanks Phil H

Hi Willy, No worries - welcome to DEMU! I was the memb sec for a while - hence I know how it works. Once you get onto the forum - do give an introduction to yourself! You have no idea how much information you will have access to - there is so much covering so many subjects. Thanks Phil H

Hi Willy, Andy is correct - when you pay via the website the Membership Secretary gets a notification and can then process it manually, He then notifies the webmaster who can then process the info so that you can then gain access to the DEMU Forum. If you try to log onto the forum anyway it will also go to the webmaster and he can then check with the membership secretary before processing your details to get the accessset up. I know - it's a bit of a process - but it works! You have no idea how many people try to access the DEMU Forum who are not paid up members of the society. Thanks Phil H

Hi all, Make that 247 Developments https://www.247developments.co.uk/ Thanks Phil H

Hi guys, On the subject of mixing scales... I have N gauge minerals and 2mm minerals and run them together. The height difference is about 1mm and does not (to me) look wrong. If you look at a train of mineral wagons there is quite often a variation in the visible height of the wagons. A lot of this depends on how long it had been between spring and wheel changes. There is quite a difference in the wheel diameter when new and when near to wheelset renewal. Thanks Phil H

Hi all, Back to the digging.... Did this project get any further? I still have it as a search that runs all the time on Google. Not many more photos found, still looking for some plans - I wat to make one in N/2mm Thanks Phil H

Hi Jools, More info here.... http://ukrailways1970tilltoday.me.uk/mainton_to_stamford_ketton_signal_box.html Not sure how up to date it is but it says the signal is still in use. Thanks Phil H