Mike Boucher

Not sure how many people in the UK will know/remember "The Jerk", starring Steve Martin, but my brain has an amazing ability to pull up old movie references like this... (BTW - might be NSFW language...)

So, the ground signal says that that you can proceed along a route that might be blocked before you can get to the next signal? All its basically doing is giving the driver an indication as to which way the points are set? Mike

Fascinating bogies there. Were the prototypes pressed steel? (I'm thinking similar to "Fox trucks" here in the US.

There really needs to be a "WOW" button for posts like this. Fantastic piece of work.

Hi folks, Unfortunately, the Treatment room is opening up again. A little while ago, the doctors found that my leukemia has relapsed. I'm going to be starting new treatments, which involves both a daily pill and 10 infusions over 6 months. Depending on a few factors, I'll either start the infusions next Thursday (11/3) or a month later (12/1) So, after processing this for a while, I starting thinking, "what am I going to build this time?" I went back and forth between either a bunch of "easy" Slaters or Parkside kits, or something more complex, like the C&O Caboose (which still isn't finished, but if you look at my workbench thread, its close!) or the N scale factory (which I did finish! Here's a picture) I've decided to stick with O scale, but I've chosen two somewhat challenging kits. The first many will recognize, a Slaters 7mm Midland 57' full brake. I bought this kit because this photo captivated me from the moment I first saw it. Can't explain why, but it did. It's probably a combination of really liking Stanier designed locos, plus the "modelable" length of the train, plus the passenger brake, and then the angle of the photo somehow gives it a sense of motion (looks like its leaning), plus the fog give a certain atmosphere (no pun intended) to the picture. Just a wonderful image. I've also acquired Slaters kits for the 3 3000 gallon and 1 2000 gallon milk tanks. (but still need the Black 5!) So, I'll have a prototype train. (although it doesn't look like the tanks are in the blue "Express Dairies" paint scheme, the transfers which came with the kids, but close enough!) The other is a US prototype, so its 1:48, but its significantly smaller. An On3 (NOT On30!) Porter side tank with tender, both from Grandt Line kits. I've had these kits for probaby 20+ years, and they're now discontinued at Grandt, so hopefully I don't mess anything up! I've started building modules for a 18' x 30" On3 switching layout, and building these kits seems like a good motivation to work on that more and start laying track. Hopefully I'll have track laid so I can test run when I get to that point. The drawing shows the tender with a slightly different Porter than I have, I have the square side tank version, as shown here. So, wish me luck, and I'll post updates as I go along. If I don't start treatment for a month, then there will be a bit of a pause before my next update. I also don't expect both kits will be finished within the 6 months, but I'll burn that bridge when I get to it...

This reminded me of one of my favorite comic strips... http://calvin-and-hobbes-comic-strips.blogspot.com/2011/11/calvin-asks-dad-about-old-black-and.html

Not to hijack the thread, but there's another standard 4 which has recently been finished. not MOK, but 7 1/4" gauge... http://www.steamworkshop.co.uk/portfolio/7-14-standard-4-tank/ And video, (not sure if you can see it unless you're on facebook) https://www.facebook.com/livesteamworkshop/videos/ If you like these locos, its worth your time to check it out.

Yeah, but GPs are 2 axle trucks, that sucker got a single 3 axle truck. I vote for SP as a better designation

I have DA's Stanier and DJH's Fairburn. I'm gonna be watching this one as well...

Could you clamp it against an angle plate? Kinda hard to describe, but here's what I'm thinking... If you want it perpendicular to one side of the cone, then clamp that side against the vertical face of the angle plate. Support the "bottom" (which is really one side of the boiler) with 1-2-3 blocks, with the appropriate thickness shim on one end, so your center line is parallel to the table. Clamps across the top. quick, bad drawing of what I'm thinking... Red is the angle plate, blue is the 1-2-3 block, black is the boiler. Angle exaggerated... Obviously you need packing against the angle plate so you don't cut into it.

The markers are what makes that engine look so unique. I would say either wait or scratchbuild...

And another radical diversion. From a US based comic strip called "Pearls Before Swine..."

Ah. I had it basically right, just didn't see it... Thanx!

Sorry for the slight derail (again), but I have an English->English translation question... What the heck is a BLT? My American-English brain translates this to either "BuiLT date", (as in what's stenciled on the side of a freight car), or "Bacon-Lettuce-Tomato" (as in a tasty sandwich you order at the diner). I'm guessing its "Branchline ..... Terminal", but I'm having a hard time filling in the blank...

Not being familiar with Bodmin at all, what the heck is that huge, castle-like structure?

Have you considered operating from the other side? that is, spin the layout 180 so you're looking at the track side of the station when operating...

Thanks! love beam engines. Such elegant motion, they run slow enough to really enjoy the motion, and they're usually old enough that most are beautiful as well as functional. I also do model engineering, I've built a small "freelance" one from brass and wood, and have castings for a second, much larger one, and building the "M.E. Beam" is on my bucket list. Got to see the big one at Kew Bridge operating back in the mid 1990's when I was in London on business. That was well worth the price of admission!

If its drawing a lot of current as just a bare chassis, you're really going to be drawing when that heavy body is on it. I had a friend with a couple of these, and the A-A pair drew about 8 amps, IIRC, and that's without a train. (it was definitely more than 5, as my 5 amp transformer blew its circuit breaker. We borrowed a 10 amp supply and that would work... I'm going to suggest that you replace that old open frame motor with a modern can motor. You're still going to need a fairly large one, but it'll draw a lot less power...

Any pictures of the beam engine?

Was just going to comment that I was the one who posted that photo, but pH beat me to it!

A friend of mine is a well known railroad artist here in the states. His latest work is titled "Drama on Washington, Syracuse, NY", and features street running in the age of steam. Here's a pic of it, copied from his web site. I've seen the original, and this picture really doesn't do it justice. (the original is 24" x 36") Copies are now available to order, either a giclee on canvas or a print on archival paper. If you're interested, info on ordering is available on his web site at http://www.tutwilerfineart.com/New-Release.html Disclaimer: David and his wife Line are friends of mine. I own copies of several of his paintings. I don't have any business relationship with him.

Here's another one for you, courtesy of the B&M facebook group... Photo by David K Johnson. Woodsville, NH, sometime the early 1950's. The Aloutte is in the distance. B+M 44 tonner 112 is working the head end of #5 after the B+M E-7 had cut off. The train will head out to Montreal with CP E-8 pulling it.

On the other side of the spectrum from Unimats... If anyone has a REALLY large shop. http://www.industrytap.com/worlds-largest-lathe-sale/14280

Great looking signals. On a different site (LMS yahoo list), someone sent out this photo, requesting the location. Notice the wires supporting the top of the signal. Might be something to consider modeling for this signal... (BTW - location was quickly identified as Tutbury, with Nestle factory in the background and the loco facing Uttoxeter) https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/53690251/JSD-120-0671-41277-UNK-1959.jpg

Agree. Commonly found on bridges, sometimes on tight radius curves. The two outer rails are the running rails. I'm assuming they are there so, in the case of a derailment, the cars don't run out into the road and block traffic. Can't think of any other reason to have guard rails there. Of course, if there's a derailment on the tracks IN the road, you'll have those issues...