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Bigger shed? Just a thought..... Martyn.

Amazing, just amazing . Martyn.

Being that I've been in this hobby for so long and the fact that the layout I'm building is still my first using DCC, I still find it magical that you can buffer up to another loco without them both running off together !! ( How sad ). Also in my opinion the slow running is so much smoother, and being 7mm it gives that sense of weight and inertia. Keep up the good work Chris. Martyn.

Yep, that's fine now. Martyn.

l Thank you Michael, So the LBSCR rebuilds to diagram 1580 were the ones with windows? Regards, Martyn.

Hi Michael, Just a question, I think your Queen Mary brakes look great, but I have never seen them with windows fitted only what looks like metal panels in there place. Have you any history on them as to when the windows were covered up. All the best, Martyn.

This is the only CRT kit that I have built, but I found it enjoyable to build, lots of etched parts and an RSU comes in very handy. A solid coach that rolls/ free wheels along nicely. Hope this helps, Martyn.

Hi Chris, On the subject of fouling bars, below is a grainy diagram of one, although it seems they were classed as a part of a facing point lock and also called a locking bar. In google search there are a couple of photos in images, so not a lot to go on. Regarding the bridge chairs I'm fairly certain the only GWR 4 bolt chairs were the slab and bracket chair which was fitted under the vee's and some of the elbow chairs. The bridge chair ( L1 chair ) was just a 2 bolt chair. Martyn.

I have built their Southern gangwayed bogie luggage van, and I must say I enjoyed the build which is nearly all brass construction. There were loads of parts so it's not a quick build, but it still looks the part to my eyes. There is a couple of photos of it in my gallery if you want to see it. Martyn. PS. An RSU is a god send with the smaller parts.

Hi Don, I remember a EM layout at an exhibition with working point rodding, I think it was owned by Uckfield Model railway club, over in East Sussex. Cheers, Martyn.

Hi Chris, I take my hat off to you, those C&L stretcher bar brackets and the Ambis versions are far to fiddly for my sausage fingers, so what material are you using for the actual bar? Thin strip of copper paxolin? Cheers, Martyn.

Outdoor day, the dogs had already had their 2 mile walk along the beach before I wrote the first post this morning. : ) Martyn.

Hi Simon, I agree, but sadly missing from a lot of coaching stock, and rolling stock incorporating bogies, as you can see this is a pet hate of mine.... : ) Hopefully making a return to the workshop this morning, think mojo' s on its way back fingers crossed...... Martyn.

Hi Chris me again, A good friend of mine has recently brought a SR Queen Mary guards van from the above, it was already built and I must say very good quality for the price, even the bogies had brake shoes and rigging fitted which a lot of suppliers still fail to include. Martyn.

Just as good and possibly cheaper, I fitted one of their larger motors to a 42xx I built, and it's now earning its keep pulling lengthy goods trains around Mr Watermans Leamington Spa, a good endorsement if any. Martyn.

Hi Chris, Yes I use them and in my opinion they are the best on the market, I have one of their motor g/boxes waiting to go in my 2251 when I finally get round to it. I use the one they stock that was originally from Ron Chaplin and has helical gearing, so smooth and quiet, also they did and probably still do, give you 10% discount if your a member of the guild. Martyn.

Hi Chris, Are you going to use the sprung wire supplied to drive the turnouts, or are you going to beef them up a bit. I had to with the ones in the fiddle yard, I had built these using copper clad sleepers and that might have made the blades a bit more rigid than the C&L built ones. I have yet to power the C&L turnouts, so I cannot give you any advice on these yet. Martyn.

Hi Tony, I have only used Loctite 601 before, I note you have used the 480 do you use this instead of super glue or Araldite? All the best, Martyn.

Hi Simon, So the main difference between the relays and the micro switches is that the micro switch is operated though a lever or similar whereas a relay is operated through the voltage sent to the terminals? Regards, Martyn.

Cheers Duncan, They do look interesting, the only off putting thing is it says 2 amp max at the frog, I have a Lenz 5 amp jobbie powering my layout at present. Also it seems to think your using track manufacturing points where mine are C&L , maybe I'm being to critical..... One positive is Gaugemaster is only a 15 minute drive from home. : ) All the best, Martyn.

Hmmm, would relays be more reliable than micro switches ? Albeit a grey area to me, I know Chaz chose relays because there are no moving parts, is that right ? I'll stop now because I feel like I am digging a hole....... Regards, Martyn.

I think most of the C&L templates were based on LNER practice, so unless your modelling that region you just take the template as a rough idea of what goes where. I have used those templates without problem and I model the GWR which use 2 bolt chairs. As for " pricey " kits, well once you get the hang of building these turnouts, have a go at filing the blades and the vees yourself. Then you can knock them out at a very cheap price, I think I worked out I built a tandem for around £12 , so beat that Peco..... Can't beat handbuilt track. Martyn.

Love the Moggie Traveller....

Yes, it's called " no full time work ". : )

Hi David, Always look forward to reading your updates, the cab looks amazing and your work is an incentive to us all. Regards, Martyn. PS, Your magnetic uncoupler is earning its keep, and has come in very handy.