Northpoint

What are you using for your sliding faces? On Northworthy, I used felt under the sector plate sliding on a Formica surface (Can you still get Formica?). Works a treat.

The two surfaces are just plywood - that's probably the problem. I need to find some kind of lubrication. I need a quick fix if possible before the weekend. I don't have time to take it apart and start rebuilding!!

Thanks Nick,

Like what you've done with the sector plate should make movements a little more interesting, looking forward to seeing the layout at Derby next weekend.

Do make sure you say hello.

Excellent photos, Andy, as has already been said.

On the subject of water crane hoses - nothing wrong with what you have done but I remember reading in a very early copy of MRJ (I think) that a good way of representing a "limp" leather water crane bag is to get a piece of brass tube and bash it flat with a hammer and then paint it. Believe me, it works!

Ashbourne

Astley

After some issues with cassettes at Sutton Coldfield, I've been working on a sector plate (that's what was going to be there originally!).

It works electrically, although it is slightly stiff in it's sideways movement - any ideas how to loosen it up (I'm sure it's not the tightness of the bolt it pivots on)? I've seen mention of candle wax elesewhere.

Hopefully we will see it in action at Derby this coming weekend.

Hi Nick been looking at your low relief brewery / warehouse mind telling me who makes them and if there still available- I've had a look through most of the Bachmann scenic models and can't see it there,

 

Thanks Brian

Brian - Bachmann Scenecraft 44-219. Plenty in stock according to eHattons website.

Nick - I hope you aren't planning too many changes to the layout - and I wonder if you will have Andy with you again at our show in Derby - I can feel a 'panic attack' starting and won't feel any better until Monday 9th May when it's all over . . . . . .

 

.

No need to panic, Mike! I've sent you a PM explaining things.

Thanks for a Great Day Nick, Sorry for keep breaking your Point Rod, hahha. At least it ran really well today.

 

Some pics of my Ivatt 2MT Today.

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Andy.

I'm pleased to say that things got a lot better as the weekend went on. However, as is always the case on the first exhibition outing for a layout, I came away with several learning points, particularly with regard to live frog points and cassette storage. Some changes will possibly (time permitting) be made by Derby in 2 weeks time.

Oh, I nearly forgot, this was Andy getting himself tied up in knots whilst shunting yesterday....

Just got home form day 1 at Sutton Coldfield.

A bit of a nightmare to start with. I have to apologise to anybody who might have been vieiwing the layout in the first hour or so for the poor performance.

Despite cleaning the track three times and the wheeels on all the locomotives the number of stalls and finger prods was totally unacceptable.

I have to say that as the day progressed things settled down a bit and we got to the stage where the Jinty would shunt the goods train without having to be prodded every two minutes.

No idea what the problem was, but hopefully things will be OK for tomorrow.

Set up at Sutton.

The layout and all its parerphenalia loaded in the car and ready for the off to Sutton Coldfield show later today.

Do try and come along if you can. It is always a good show, well worth it.

Just realised we're coming home from a family holiday in Yorkshire that day.....now musing over whether there might be "somewhere in the Midlands I can stop for a break...."

 You know where it is, Martyn. We'll be pleased to see you.

Raffle prizes received so far:

Kindly donated by Kadee

Kindly donated by Intermountain

Kindly donated by..... somebody who likes their beer!

From what I understand Nick, they have been up-dated, Jeff, (Physicsman in the Settel and Carlile section / Kirkby Luneside 2) had a lot of problem ones on his first Kirkby Luneside a couple of years back, about 14 not working / not working as they should, out of about 40.

These are the original ones I bought in a pack of 6 about 3 years ago and have only just got around to using. I have heard they can be trouble.

Anyway, in all fairness to DCC Concepts, I got a pretty prompt reply making a couple of suggestions - which I have done, but still no joy - so I'm awaiting the next proposal from them.

So here's a couple of photos in the meantime.

Has any body any experience with Cobalt point motors? I bought a box of six some time ago and got them out this morning with a view to using them on the layout (currently push rods through slide switches). I rigged up a 12v supply - 3 worked fine, of the other 3, 1 didn't fire at all and the other 2 went so slowly and gave up half way through.

Is this common?

I have e-mailed DCC Concepts but with the time difference it could be half past next Tuesday by the time I get a reply!

A new station building is being trialled at Ashbourne -

I understand the man from the board of trade is coming tomorrow to check the distance from the platform edge.

A surprise as larger power arrived on the local pasenger train -

The current line up for the layout is as follows:

 

May 2016 - Devon Freemo

June 2016 TVNAM show at Rugely

September 2016 Armitage Freemo

October 2016 - Furness show

October 2016 - NMRA convention (was going ot be Santa Barbara but they want to do a modular set up)

 

I am pleased that its going out a bit now as the proposed major alterations into two separate layouts just wasnt inspiring me, so now it has a new lease of life, a few feet longer and 5 inches wider which makes a difference.

Re the above Ian - what size is it? I have allocated 15ft for TVNAM!

Latest from here.

I've been working on 2 things:

a covered unloading area for the brewery wagons

and steps leading up to the platform. I'm not too sure what to do about the station entrance. I thought about maybe a photo background but it's getting the perspective right.

General view

Or you could just say "b*****ks" and enjoy your layout....

That's most likely what I shall do, Rich!

Just need a bit more foot room between the bottom of the steps and the hut  .

On the subject of "foot room" the station building is far too close to the platform edge – the Board of Trade would never have allowed that!

Oh well - it looks like I'll have to scrap it all and start over again...

Yesterday's post

Today's post

A bit more MIdland looking!

It's time to start thinking about it again!

I have e-mailed all those that have been before but if aybody is interested in coming (with or without module), please PM me with an e-mail address so I can a: add you to the list of attendees; and, b: keep you up to date with further communications.

Details:

The weekend of 24/25th September.

Armitage Village Hall. WS15 4UZ

For those that haven't been before and are interested, the normal format is to start setting up around 8am on the Saturday, go through until whatever time on Saturday evening and break down mid-afternoon on Sunday. Buffet lunch on Saturday, takeawy Saturday evening, hot meal for lunch on Sunday and tea/coffee & biscuits all day long.

There is a cost attached (venue, refreshments, etc) and it normally comes out at about £15-20 per head, give or take, depending on how many attend.

A guaranteed fun weekend with the opportunity to run trains as close to the prototype as you will ever get. 

I guess it's time to start thinking about the summer - June 1th in particular!

The 2016 Trent Valley North American Modellers show will take place in the usual venue at the usual times. For those unfamiliar with the details:

Saturday 11th June, 10 am - 4 pm.

Armitage with Handsacre Village Hall, Shropshire Book Rd, Armitage, Rugeley, Staffs, WS15 4UZ

Admission: £6

Free car parking; light refreshments avaialble.

The following are scheduled to be there:

Layouts:

Agawam   HO   Dave Long

Brett   HO   Martin Hogg

Burlington Jct   HO   Chris Prior

The Car Works    On18   Arry Dodd

Duncan's Mine II   HO   Steve Grantham

Fort Myers   HO Ian Lampkin

Freemo    HO   Derby Freemo group

Goose Island    HO    Dave Murray

Highland/Lakeside    HO   Chris and Jack Gilbert

Millers Crossing    HO   Roger Nicholls

Modular    N   Black Diamonds

New Field    HO   Jez New

Tilley Yard South    HO   Rob Strachan

Traders:

Anoraks Anonymous - as many of you know, a large selection of pre-owned models.

Mech Models - Barry now has an account with Walthers so there will be much more available from him compared to last year.

John Sammans - another good selection of pre-owned models.

Linda Tinker Books - a large range of pre-owned US books, many hard to find.

Simon Ansell - specialising in N (occasionally HO) laser cut structure kits.

Look forward to seeing you there.

As the sun is shining this afternoon, I thought I would take a few more pics.

The Jinty resting in the siding. A yard crane has been added today as well.

The class 25 arriving on a parcels train.

An overall view of the layout with the 3F arriving on a freight.

The DMU arriving. Were Morris Minors that popular back in the day?

Here's a very fortunate find - Base Toys lorry lettered for BRS North Derbyshire. It could most likely have been seen at Ashbourne (assuming it is from a prototype!).

Having seen Andy this morning at the Gresley open day busy weatheirng, it inspired me to have a go with a couple of wagons.