Jack

Beware!!! I have done this on Gough's Yard in order to replace the 48" Marcway's with something a lot more reasonable looking. In order to get the Peco setrack points in I had to remove 5 sleepers from the curve as Nile as has done above. Unfortunately in testing this with a Dapol Jinty the system kept shorting. After much investigation it turns out the Jinty's back-to-backs are a smidgen out. As it goes through the crossover the rear set of wheels end up touching the straight closure rail as there is very little clearance. Being unifrog this is a different polarity to the track around it. Be aware that in order to maintain the tight radius the tolerances are quite tight. Also, I'm guessing Peco haven't tested their points with 5 sleepers worth of curved removed!! Next job is to go through the whole of the stock box checking the back-to-backs ... ... however, I must say the layout is looking a lot better with these in place.

Despite the heat I have some modelling mojo back this week ... and the time to induldge it. I have never really liked the Marcway points ... I don't like the lack of chairs and they were a complete £$%& to set up. However, back in 2011 the only options for me were Marcway or build my own. So, now there is another option ... this week I removed the track on the narrow gauge feeder board and replaced the points with the new-ish Peco setrack. There was a little trepidation given the reports some people had of the first batch of peco points, but they went in a treat and the design is superb, especially the electrickery. Hoping to get the next board done tomorrow.

I have been after a sensibly priced copy of this one for ages. However, after doing some digging I heard that the book rights are jointly owned between the estates of Wilbert and George as co-authors ... and whoever ended up with Georges estate was unhappy with the merchandising deal done with Britt all those years ago, so has vetoed any reprints.

Good to meet you today Tim. I have been playing around with colours and I think Humbrol Matt Grass Green #80 is a good match, is that what Chris suggested? I too have a terrier which maybe about to change colour!

Got there in the end, turned out the 'flattening agent' had seperated. Dashed these secret agents. Hopefully by tomorrow it will be done!

Well done for just cracking on with it instead :)

Excellent news! Looking forward to this. Does "range of similar models" mean will also see some scale opens from the midland et al too ... I know Lionheart/Dapol announced some many moons ago??

Grrrr ... applied some Humbrol Matt Cote to the Solt Van and the silly thing has dried gloss. Right, attempt 2!!!

So, the salt van is all finished and drying nicely. When its safe to handle I'll take some pics. next up are some stock boxes for the wagons, and repairing a Dapol 57xx which I picked up cheap.

I picked up a 9659 Pannier off ebay this week ... however, it was cheap for a reason!! I'm not sure what the last owner did to it. One of the connecting rods has been severed in half, all the brake gear has been smashed off and most of the tyres are wonky on the wheels. Most bizarrely though is that one of the middle wheels has obviously been removed and replaced incorrectly. All said though, the body work, motor etc is in very good condition, so I don't think it has been dropped! Most strange, but definitely a bargain if I can get a few issues straightened out. So ... 1) How do I remove and replace a wheel from its axle without damaging it? Its the middle axle, so has all the fake motion on it. 2) Does anyone know where I could get a replacement con rod? I have tried Dapol and DCC Supplies and there are none in stock until the next manufacturing run at the end of this year, or maybe next.

Thanks!!! Mystery solved. The kit I have didn't come with transfer instructions and I found a scanned copy on the internet, which doesn't include the line about keeping the tissue moist during the 15 minutes. I assumed one left it to dry out. I'll acquire some more and see how I get on. :)

So instead of leaving it to dry for 15 mins I keep it moist with the meths solution? I'll order some more transfers and give it a go. Thanks!

Nice! Looking forward to seeing the layout progress.

Nope, it was the green “Manger’s” one. Replacement set of tansfers arrived and the end lettering is still coming apart when i try and remove the tissue. Its not the age of the transfers, so maybe i’m doing something wrong ... i’m fairly sure i’m following the instructions tho.

I’ve had some kits sitting in some boxes for the past 10 years and have finally got round to starting to build them. First up is a Slater’s Salt Van (the green Manger’s one). It went together really well and i managed to fabricate the roof ok, but i’m struggling with the transfers. i’ve followed the instructions .... remove the backing, apply with 3:1 meths/water, leave 15mins, then remove tissue with water ... except that when i do the last bit the transfer keeps coming off too. The numbers are ok to reposition, but the end wording keeps disintergrating because there is so much. At first i thought it was the age of the transfers, so brought some new ones from Slaters, but these have done the same. Has anyone else had this problem? How have you solved it, or am i doing something wrong? Thanks

It is, but this thread was started in the modular cupboard and has just been moved but the mods.

I think your in the wrong place and might get more repsonse in the main 7mm modelling section.

Right, in an attempt to regain my modelling mojo I decided to finish off the Slater's Salt Van kit I started umpteen years ago. The kit went together quite smoothly, but I have spent this afternoon wrestling with disintergrating transfers. I put them on with a 3:1 meths/water mix, then left them to dry for the requisit 15 minutes, but when applying water to start removing them the numbers just came off with the film ... anyone else had this problem? I completely lost one end number, plus both sets of end lettering. I've contacted Slaters to try and get some more transfers, but I may be out of luck as they appear to have discontinued the kit. Not really surprising with the Dapol RTR version now on the scene. Will post some piccies once there is something to show. The open wagon went together OK. Next task will be to try the Peco GWR box van. I still have 9 unbuilt wagon kits, so am planning to work through them as time allows. Then it will be on to the two brass kits (including the Meteor P which still calls form its box).

A huge thanks to everyone who came along last weekend, as exhibitors, visitors and traders. It was our 30th anniversary show, and we were very pleased with it. And thankfully the weather was kind, if a little nippy!! We're working on a gallary on our website for pictures of the superb layouts which attended, and I'll let you know as soon as thats working. In the meantime, next years show will be on the 18th and 19th January 2020.

Big apologies, not sure how they got missed off ... yes Coastal DCC are definitely there and set up in the upper hall.

I agree with Dungrange regarding era and size of models. I don't really have the space for anything other than shunting tanks and 4-wheel wagons, as do many others. Didn't Skytrex propose an HST and Mk3s a few years back? How far did they get?

Just off to start helping with the setup and looking forward to a fun weekend ... no snow forecast for Canterbury this year

Sadly both Invicta Models and Layouts 4U have both had to withdraw from the show. Apologies.

Wot 'ee said!! Take the Bridge turning off the A2 after Canterbury, then keep right at the top of the slip road and follow the signs back into Canterbury (and the Park & Ride). Thanks

Yes, Dover p&r is well signposted from the Dover side of the city. From Essex i guess you’ll be coming down the a2, in which case your satnav may take you past canterbury and back in frm the dover end (quicker than negotiating the city centre probably). The school is next door to the p&r, and there will be plenty of signs.