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Dad-1

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  1. Dad-1
    At times I feel they are not fit for purpose when it comes to British Outline wagons.
    The wagons are too easily drawn along out of an uncoupling position by 'magnetic creep'
    Many of us have spent ages getting our stock to run VERY freely with thoughts of long goods
    trains. This is the path to absolute failure, mass has little influence, the pressure needed to open
    the knuckles is not reached before your wagon rolls along !!
     
    Well the only answer to my mind is adding brakes to one axle on every wagon intended to be run
    on a layout that relies on Kadees for a slick hands free session. Yes, I've now developed two sets
    of wagons that are dedicated to particular layouts. They can interchange as this video shows.
     

     
    You will need to do a Kadee shuffle quite often as when a wagon has disengaged it will be sitting
    over the magnet which will pull the knuckles into a 'free shunting' mode where they will not re-couple.
    To re-connect it's necessary to push the wagon off the magnetic zone, draw away to allow the knuckle
    to return to the normal position for coupling.
     
    I 'aint no expert and believe me the language has been ripe at times, but this video shows what can be
    achieved with wagons. Note NO comments about coaches as these do not usually suffer magnet creep.
    Also a train of just two coaches creates enough resistance to couple up as wanted. ..... Usually !!
     
    Dad-1
  2. Dad-1
    I always rush on with my ideas, then when it's 90% done I tend to leave
    and start something else - Just like a kid in a sweet shop !!
    This is the diorama from my posting of 23rd April, getting nearer, but also
    shows in the siding another reason for being so slow. Not only the birdcage
    brake van of recent postings, but also this Ratio 12 ton Southern van. It was
    another of my friend Derek's kits, but I have replenished some kit stocks so I
    shouldn't go 'stir crazy' if we have a few wet weeks this summer.
     

     
    No major work required, my stream hidden in this view, more garden shrubs &
    perhaps some bean sticks with small seedlings. The front fence & gates need
    sorting to keep the sheep out ...... and should I add a dotted white line in the
    road ?
     
    Oh and I really MUST weather that cottage.
     
    Dad-1
  3. Dad-1
    Well I've been away for 3 days, but the postman brought my HMRS decals on Saturday, there
    waiting on the floor when we got home this afternoon.
     
    Job done - I suppose not really finished as it needs a varnish seal on the decals and a light
    weathering.
     

     

     
    Modelu rear lamp on.
     
    Not an easy kit and as you can read decals have been a real problem, yet I've thoroughly enjoyed
    making this kit
     
    Even if you bang your head against a wall sometimes it still remains fun.
     
    The HMRS LNER Wagon sheet is as expected first class although it hasn't got some of the required
    decals for certain periods of this vans use.
     
    Dad-1
  4. Dad-1
    O.K not quite a finished NER Birdcage Brake Van.
    That's where the trip comes. The decal sheet was 'dead', a press-fix and for anyone who has used them
    there should be a protected surface film on the underside. When you cut out your required marking this
    adhesive is what you press onto your model to hold it in place, then when located correctly you add water
    to an over tissue. This water both releases the over tissue and activates the permanent adhesive which
    is included with the tacky film.
    Sorry about the teach-in, but it helps you understand my problem.
     
    So ? Well the Cooper Craft/Slaters decal sheet was 'dead', not only was the tacky film not active, but when
    water added the protective tissue lifted away, but the decal didn't adhere to my model, Huh - Dead !!
     
    I have been asking questions in the forum, but although this is a known problem with some press-fix decals
    nobody has a fool proof way of resurrecting them !!!!
     

     

     
    Note the rather prominent lamp brackets that have been added from fine micro strip, 3 to each end and one
    each side near the door. Hopefully this will be finished withing a few hours of a HMRS LNER press-fix decal
    sheet arriving. It has the essentials, but sadly not all the allocation names.
     
    Dad-1
  5. Dad-1
    I'm known for being almost a wagon addict, I've always got at least one on the go, but there comes a time when space
    is running low. In a casual conversation with my local buddy I said I only had 3 kits left in stock and might not buy any
    more with my 'yard' containing around 450.
    Next thing he offered me a Cooper Craft, Ex-Slaters NER Birdcage brake van, would I make it for him ? With it's 19
    pieces of brass wire not an easy build. Here it is as I'm beginning to paint.
     

     
    Still a ways to go, but looking the part ?
     
    Dad-1
  6. Dad-1
    I've always made models from as far back as I can remember, the actual subject not
    a real priority. Here we have my latest diorama without anything on it, just an East
    Anglian dyke with railway & road running alongside each other.
     
    I will be standing on a J50, sheeted wagon and a brake van, have a Spitfire Mk.1 behind
    the security fence and some sheep on the road. Those though are all just additions to
    a quiet country scene.
     

     
    Animal tracks in the grass, signal wire and supports so small you can't see them, 1/4 mile
    yellow trackside marker.
     
    I hope someone other than me likes 3D pictures like this ?
     
    Dad-1
  7. Dad-1

    I've bought one at last !

    By Dad-1,

    Back around 2010 I started a small roundy-roundy layout in the garage. It's rather neglected as far as working on it
    is concerned, but frequently used for running-in and although it uses some 1st radius curves my liking of small tank
    engines means it usually works O.K.
    Now my local buddy is a 'petrol head' and for the last 4 years has been pointing out my little garage needs a car ramp.
    At last I've bought one, Langley do the 4 pillar car ramp at just £5.80 unpainted. Just 10 pieces of white metal that will
    need a little gentle bending back to shape and here we have. Yes this was started just tonight, but I have to wait for paint
    to dry, an hour to build and 4 days to paint ?
     

     
    Always something to do and add !!
     
    Dad-1
  8. Dad-1
    I ask that as an exhibitor. Running ones railway at an exhibition can be quite hard work. Certainly
    any layout consisting of several base boards need thorough checking for any damage that needs
    repair from a previous outing. All electrical circuits need checking, track cleaning, then the quandary
    of what rolling stock to take, sorting and packing and in my case the hiring of a van to get it there
    and back safely.
     
    No wonder that more & more exhibitions consist of smaller layouts, and that's the way I'm going. Making
    something that can go in the average car and not filling the front seat for that much required helper.
     
    Having a two day exhibition in the form of the Weymouth Model Railway Association coming over the
    28th & 29th October I'll be in a more relaxed mood afterwards to decide ........
     
    Track cleaning in progress, 10 boards done, 2 to start :-
     

     
    Dad-1
  9. Dad-1
    I've been very busy, but not actually having anything much to show for it.
    I've added this, a follow on from that last posting in July.
    We added a glowing brazier between two sidings and just a little rubbish,
    not enough really as it's still too clean. This amused me - simple enough
    to make me smile .....
     

     
    a paraffin can, even a box of matches resting on the clay pipe !!
     
    Dad-1.
  10. Dad-1
    November, Oh my what have I been doing !!
    I have this thing, you could call it a problem, of trying to "sell" the hobby.
    Now you don't do that with loads of threatening "Do Not Touch" signs. I agree that
    when you're showing a multi thousand pound layout the last thing you want are
    people poking at things - like a lady who once knocked a signal box off my layout
    onto the floor. But when you do exhibitions it's a risk you take.
     
    About the time I last posted my buddy and I decided to make a shunting puzzle
    layout where members of the public are invited to drive. We have Kadee couplings,
    a spare Hornby Select DCC unit and work began on a test track that we called HS I.
    Difficulties, still not fully resolved, around the Kadee magnets were examined and
    we than built HS II. Quick decisions, rapid track laying, not like the Governments HS 2.
     
    For a public driving layout we may have gone over the top on scenic work and ideas.
    Still why not - we enjoy the building.
     
    Almost finished now so some photographs. First an overall look.
     

     
    Then with some wagons - Mostly Ex-Dapol unpainted kits
     

     
    Note the welding flash through a window - this was a lighting exercise job
     

     
    Looking up the head shunt that is the only line in, getting equal lighting
    was a problem involving several changes of resistor. Happy with this.
     

     
    That my friends amounts to more or less the last 6 months work. We have done several
    exhibitions with our other "Public can drive" layout of Thomas & Friends.
     
    Dad-1
  11. Dad-1

    Stuck in Slow Jobs.

    By Dad-1,

    Almost 3 months since my last posting, although I've not idle during the ensuing period.
    There are so many little slow jobs, the worst from that point of view has been making up
    Ratio signals, basic making no problem, but painting is so fiddly and 18 of them ...........
    that is without a currently unspecified amount of ground signals, 20 currently on my table.
     

     
    I've also added working platform lights, noting as I did so that I must add bodge tape over
    all my hanging wiring to secure thereby reducing the chance of wires being pulled off when
    handling - a penalty from not being as tidy as I should underneath boards !!
     

     
    Lighting can enhance even simple scenes
     

     
    Dad-1
  12. Dad-1
    When I see some of the so called Art I become more and more convinced that railway modelling is very much an art form, yet
    one that we don't explore as much as we should. Good clear photographs are great to see in detail what is being presented,
    but are not exploring the envelope of art presentation. In short we could all do better for artistic pictures.
     
    Today I was taking what was intended to be one of those good clear photographs to show my newly made GWR speed restriction
    sign. The camera though differently, the open garage door had so much light that it burnt the outside into a white blur as well as
    upsetting the automatic exposure and focus. The impressionist effect obtained, to me anyway, makes a superb picture. Yes this
    IS ART.
     

     
    Dad-1
  13. Dad-1
    Sometimes although not everything is on top form a photograph
    shows exactly the ambience you're looking for in a layout scene.
     

     
    Self indulgent I know and the straggling fencing wire behind my
    coach detracts, but I really like this. No doubt when those raw
    fence posts are painted it'll look better but .......
     
    Dad-1
  14. Dad-1
    For years I've been looking for a better answer to uncoupling than I'd found to date.
     
    I decided that nearly all methods of automatic uncoupling are just too limiting being at fixed locations. Even the
    much vaunted Kaydees will only uncouple at the fixed magnet, although it is possible to release and continue
    to push without recouping it's simply not as flexible as I wanted.
    The Brian Kirby method was something I was going to add to my layout, being cheap & effective although single
    point limited. I then had a think that my Neo magnets could lift hooks if a magnetic strip was attached along the top
    of the standard Bachmann small NEM pocketed small tension lock hooks. I cut No.56 staples into 4 pieces, two legs
    and the bridge cut in two half's giving 4 small ferritic slivers, enough for 2 wagons ! At around £3 for 5000 staples
    that would convert 10,000 wagons it seemed cheap enough to try !!
     
    One needs to carefully bury the magnet and make certain it can't touch otherwise you'll lift wagons off the track.
    I have my 3 mm diameter, 3 mm deep magnets in a hole drilled in some dowel, then a small paper plug put in with
    superglue, that depth need to be about 3 mm.
     
    Here is the result.
     

     
    It's always worth remembering all wagons needed a shunter with pole to uncouple so this is no more the hand of god
    than were the standards used by British Railways.
     
    I Hope the long silent video didn't send you to sleep.
     
    Dad-1
  15. Dad-1

    Time For New Skills

    By Dad-1,

    My butterfly personality means I like to switch from subject to subject, at times without always fully finishing a previous project.
    For that reason I have a siding full of wagons awaiting weathering, but heck I've done that and got the 'T' shirt.
    My two little Roxey yard locos are done .... to a level where they work fine doing what I want, weathering ? that can wait.
     
    I've plans for a local yard layout, this will need tight dock & factory yard turnouts. They must however be live-frog and I'm finding
    even short streamline longer than I want and I want irregular turnout angles. That leaves one answer, make my own. Ahhh not for
    the faint hearted. So with a minimum of tools, some old re-claimed track from which I could strip rails, and a mixture of 3 & 4 mm
    copperclad PCB why not just try.
     
    No Templot, No template even, just an opposite side Peco curved set-track point and a minimum of tools. Oh and a piece of cardboard
    where I did have a rough plan I'd drawn. This was the tools and my working desk !!
     

     
    Here is the part finished point. It still needs a tie bar and my hinged attachments for the switch rails.
     

     
    It works as can be seen at
     

     
    Now I have to try again to do it better !!
     
    Dad-1
  16. Dad-1
    I was quite pleased with my wiring and as I'm finishing the last few paint touch-ups
    thought I'd have one last look before this is sealed in forever. The Lenz decoder
    tucked in it's wee void.
     

     
    I did a few internal fittings, although exactly what a C1930 -1940's petrol conversion
    would have is open to suggestions. At least there is something, but with a driver leaning
    out of one side visibility will be much restricted.
     

     
    I recently had the chance to run, but only had a few wagons available, the load of
    6 wagons was obviously very easy. Tomorrow is club night and I may take a box of
    30 wagons to find the absolute limit !!
     
    Geoff T.
  17. Dad-1
    It had to be done. Although the Lenz mini decoder is small there was too much wire to loose,
    even after removing fully those 3 feeds I didn't have a use for it was going to be tight.
    The Hornby decoder is quite small but in comparison it's huge !!
     

     
    I decided to cut down the 4 leads I wanted
     

     
    With a small piece of plasticard blanking off the void I managed to tuck the shortened leads
    and decoder out of sight. All that remains visible are the spud DCC conversion wires that
    will end up with a coat of black paint as will the cab floor.
     

     
    I need to re-address and check out running before I seal the decoder in forever by sticking
    the cab roof on and attaching the spud & body together.
    Still loads of painting to do before the exhaust pipe is re-attached.
     
    Now to the loft to test running.
     
    Dad-1
  18. Dad-1
    Often when I say I hate painting I get a reply saying they like it as it starts to bring a model to life. Well I STILL
    hate painting !! All that work, making, modifying, sits there with great promise ...... and can be ruined with a
    poor application of paint. Such a happening simply knocks the enthusiasm out of me as is happening today.
    Here was/is my Parkside Dundas Southern BY Utility van, sitting in it's malachite green (Humbrol 2 with added
    blue)

     
    Having kept the guards chimney I needed to add orangy panels to each top corner and guards entrance door.
    Well a new tin of Humbrol Matt 82 orange was opened - the new sludge variety. Stirred very thoroughly and then
    some more, but the sludge contents didn't mellow into a paint.
    I tried using a nice small brush, but the paint wouldn't flow, didn't cover well & dried as I looked at it !!. Believe me
    it looks much worse in real life than the picture shows.

     
    What to do !! I hate Humbrol current quality, or should I say lack off. This is not the first trouble I've had in the last few
    years. Like just putting a matt varnish on plasticard, it was a thick sludge when opened & stirred. It only took a short
    while to realise it just wasn't going to work, so I stopped & have yet to return to this building. Back 20-30 years ago I
    had few if any problems with Humbrol paints used on my exhibition quality aircraft models.

     
    Dad-1
  19. Dad-1
    Following my last posting here is the other side of the main road bridge.
     

     
    Road painted, but awaiting white lining. Heavy traffic on a busy holiday wekend. I use several vehicles to judge if the road width gives me what I want. One day, after grassing all the embankments this side I'll be able to start on the river. I wonder how much resin water this will take !!??
     
    Dad-1
  20. Dad-1
    Laying in my shed looked at frequently, but worked on occasionally my 'Big' layout Castell Mawr
    has progressed slightly. One thing so few layouts have is a raised embankment section of any
    length where you can look up, or the camera can, to passing rail traffic.
    Today I finished grassing one part of embankment that is now completed from main road under
    bridge to this boards edge.
     

     
    I am having to look for suitable old brick colour paint, some testing was done with Humbrol 70, but
    I'm not at all happy with it. Looking through the Humbrol range I can see nothing to suit my eye.
    Although expensive in comparison I think I may have to look at War Gaming acrylics unless anyone
    here has a suitable suggestion.
     
    Dad-1
  21. Dad-1
    I've been on a marathon wagon building spree, oh as well as doing the clubs exhibition 'Thomas' layout.
    Wagon kits of all makes, Ratio, Parkside Dundas, Cambrian, Dapol. I can't back-track on all and for
    photography few have been fully finished by weathering.
    Just a taster of photos :-
    3 x Dapol Prestwins

    Dapol Presflo

    Parkside Dundas Plate & LMS CCT

    Thomas Layout


     
    I suppose I should get on here more often !!
     
    Dad-1
  22. Dad-1
    I'm not a frequend poster on here.
    I prefer to be working on something rather than be on-line. Trouble is I've just painted the loft
    hatch and can't get in there today.
     
    Still, it's like this ...... At Warley I saw a Parkside Dundas wagon kit, one promised by Bachmann
    many moons ago, the 22 ton tube wagon. Having spent what seems like a lifetime making scale aircraft
    kits I thought why not .... it's only £9 & could be fun.
     
    It was fun & I kind of caught the bug, purchased 4 more steel industry wagons & since 22nd November
    have made up all 5. I was, & to some degree still am concerned of the running qualities, both pulled
    & pushed, as well as how robust they will be in regular use. I've been adding weight and trying to
    match coupling heights & still have some way to go before I'll be satisfied, suffering some over-ride
    when pushing 10+ wagon trains.
     
    Here we have the set
     

     
    I still need to source transfers & finish painting, but good running was THE important aspect.
    Since that Have bought 3 GWR Ratio 4 wheel coaches.
    What I should be doing is finishing some of the many pending jobs .....
     
    Dad-1
  23. Dad-1
    My little 18" x 10" diorama is getting close to being finished. Had I not left all my stiff glueing brushes at the caravan
    yesterday I would have grassed the embankment last evening.
    Took this and thought I'd share, a nice little Welsh valley rail bridge with mountain stream & pub. I'm still trying to get
    the right quality of Rhymney beers logo to attach to the pub. Also need to purchase Deluxe Products resin water for
    my stream.
     

     
    I love dioramas, they take no more than 8 weeks and then you can move on to other ideas. What was that ? The trains
    don't work ? True you don't have far to drive, but a sound steam loco simmering is very nice !!
     
    Dad-1
  24. Dad-1
    6 weeks since I posted and in truth not a lot done.
    Family members are having the caravan this weekend so I had to do something
    with Shillingstones Lane. Pt.I shown in the last posting was all but finished
    however Pt.II was sitting unloved so I brought home and added some grass, fixed
    (although not painted) fencing around the cottage then planted a real height
    tree roughly a 44 footer.
     

     
    I enjoy the making up of a scene, much more relaxing for me than trying to copy
    some existing location. I think it's been good use of a space 16 inches x 26 inches.
    Now I have to work out the best way to join Pt.I & Pt.II !
     
    Dad-1
  25. Dad-1

    A Shed at Last !

    By Dad-1,

    Well the MKMRS show went O.K, although the Dynamis system failed. Just got it back from Bachmann at a
    cost of £100 !!!
    Anyway back to more interesting things. I returned home with my CM layout after the exhibition and had
    to store in the garage pending arrival of my new shed.
     

     
    My shed arrived on the 20th of last Month as I went down with a rotten cold. This was the largest I could
    get in the available space, just 12ft x 7ft.
     

     
    I have moved one end board into the shed and done a little work on it. Some fencing made up although not
    fixed until all the fields are grassed. Been using various cows while 'playing' - Highland, Fresians, Jersey,
    Dexters, Devon Reds, but they need a re-paint not ginger enough !!!
     

     
    It's good being able to re-start work on CM ..... but I do miss my 20 x 10 garage !!
     
    Dad-1
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