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Dad-1

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Blog Entries posted by Dad-1

  1. Dad-1
    What happened to July, August and September ?
    Not a lot, yet I seem to have always been doing something, although often not a lot to look back on.
     
    First following my last posting our club exhibition was a great success, always a worry when you change
    venues. I ended up winning the Best in Show award, that has a dark side as I'm told it's my duty to be
    back with Castell Mawr next year to defend my top slot. I was looking forward to doing some demonstration
    modelling, no need for a hired van, no hours of set-up, but I fear I'm committed !!
     
    I was supposed to be making a 'N' gauge layout for the club, but life and the clubs '00' West Bay Layout
    got in the way. We started West Bay back around last september, a friend had made the baseboards, laid
    the cork and fixed all the Marcway points, SMP track, plus wiring.
    We did start ballasting at club, but you can't put baseboards upsidedown when they're running in PVA/water
    adhesive. After severa months of stalling I decided to bring home so I could finish laying the yard surface,
    adding greenery, plus making up the cattle pens. In 6 weeks there were considerable changes, which I suppose
    is where half of August and virtually all September went.
     
    I suppose some pictures are needed now ? Shortly after getting home :-
    Board 1
     

     
    Board 2

     
    The original scene C1920, we're ignoring the fact that all passenger trains ended in the early 1930's
    and will have a flexible approach to actual layout over the last 100+ years
     

     
    I'll have to add another posting due to photographs spread over 2 different computers.
     
    Dad-1
  2. 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
  3. Dad-1
    Again I ask myself was it really back in January when I last posted on here ?
    As all good modellers do I've been doing a little of this, and some more of that, yet had nothing much to show
    unless I did a brush stroke by brush stroke commentary.
     
    This is still very much a Work In Progress as I'm just getting into the Council Road Maintenance Yard segment.
    The finger post is sitting high without it's legend and mileages. Embankment needing grassing, gravel yard surface
    to be finalised, gates made to open & close, DERV tank and all the odds that one may expect to find to be added.
     
    I did think this picture of a busy time on the A4042 was worth sharing.
     

     
    One day all 12 boards of this layout will be finished ...... I'm worried about that, because what would I do then !!
     
    Dad-1
  4. Dad-1
    I suppose the 'hacking' problems with the associated down time made me leave on-line things well alone.
    Meanwhile progress has been the usual snails pace. No apologies as this is a hobby to be enjoyed at whatever
    pace the poster wants. We do so often let ourselves be pressured into actions we may not want. I suppose we
    oldies become rebels as there's nobody who can dictate to us (except the dear wife that is !!)
     
    Castell Mawr rather than becoming a joint GWR/LMS route is becoming more or less GWR. I find I have no
    LMS locomotives or carriages, but bought a job lot from a club member that included 6 sets of GWR traction
    and 7 coaches - the bargain price was such it would have been rude to refuse !!
     

     
    Styrene formers going in to develop the cutting around this end of the layout.
     

     
    There is a nice operating desk space with twin sockets mounted in the back wall. This has now been painted black.
    Currently only 1 socket is live and initially all DCC point and track will be powered though it. The second socket is
    for a future mod of putting all the points onto an independant bus. Our operating systems will be either NCE, Dynamis,
    or Select depending on how we feel.
     

     
    As the desk area was cleared for painting all the usual rubbish was pushed further along the nearest boards. Never
    enough space, unless your name is Pete Waterman, but then perhaps he also would like more space ?
     
    Geoff T.
  5. 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
  6. Dad-1
    We're rushing towards the 5th birthday of my Castell Mawr layout. I'm in no real hurry to finish because what will I do then ?
    It is however booked into the Milton Keynes exhibition in February 2017, so I really do have to get a move on. There is a window
    of opportunity open at the moment as a large garage has become available for me so I can join all together to double check the
    extent of work needing to be done.
     
    Thought I'd include the odd picture since my last Blog posting back in June .......... Look almost the end of August now where has that
    time gone ?
     
    One of my favourite pictures, just a rural road scene with background tracks.
    This was taken outdoors in decent light
     

     
    While the basic layout is quite boring, just a big twin track oval I have tried not to cram, giving space for each element. I do find
    stations with just enough room for 4 coaches frustrating as they can't represent the space actually taken.
     

     
    One of my other problems is the space usually wasted with big non-scenic fiddleyards. I have made a scene out of the back straight
    rather than just bare boards. The sidings are crammed in rather than a 10 ft spacing, but why waste the opportunity ?
     
    Dinners ready - must go !!
     
    Dad-1
  7. Dad-1
    I've just spent 10 minutes trying to find my Blog, there used to be a link found by ones name icon, but I can't find it now. Perhaps they're old hat and destined to vanish ?
    Thought I'd add what I've been doing since lock-down, O.K it started before that.
    With my mate Derek we made an inglenook shunting puzzle layout, always popular with club members and went out a few times without myself, or Derek present. It was
    damaged and I then put my foot down at the end of last year saying it would never go out again without me being there.
    There was then pressure for us to make a specific Club layout. It fell to me as the requirements are very exacting and it was supposed to be a club project. Just before lock-down I was presented with the 48" x 16" layout board.
    I laid the track, tested, and sorted out the problem resulting from using Frog Juicers. In the very limited track the frog juicers were creating spikes that disturbed the locomotive decoders. I had to make up a small circuit to dampen out the spikes. Wasn't expecting that little problem !!
     
    After 5 months it's almost finished, scenics as well, just tidying up now, although the list of minor jobs is longer than I'd expected before I began putting it on paper !!
    Here we have a few pictures :-
     
    The Headshunt end.
     

     
    The crossing
     

     
    The sorting end
     

     
    A rescued building from a 'late' club member, salvaged from a dismantled layout.
     

     
    I wish I could do better signs, but 4 point type face is my printers limit and I can't do white on a black background that's readable.
    Just before 12.00, waiting for the gates.
     

     
    It's the driving that counts !!
     
    Geoff T.
  8. Dad-1
    I'm struggling along, and at times feel rather defeated by the sheer amount of work still to be done on Castell Mawr.
    In fact there are frequent times when I regret starting something this large, offering a 45 foot main line run. Yet how
    else can you get the feel of even a local 3 or 5 coach train running 'somewhere', let alone a 30 wagon goods train ?
     
    To keep spirits up I'll occasionally just have a little play, get some people, a train, or two and set up some simple cameo
    scenes. At times the focus is slightly out, but I enjoy most of the results.
     
    Here is Grandfather with Grandson having a look inside the cab.
     

     
    Another from the same 'play time'
     

     
    I always have batteries recharged after these sessions and resolve to get on and progress further !!
     
    Geoff T
  9. Dad-1
    My current excuse for being so slow with that main layout is that I get easily diverted on to other jobs.
    This makes 2 posting in one week .................
     
    Bridport & Dist MRC had it's main exhibition on Saturday, I had a call on Tuesday to see if I could bring a layout to
    replace a cancellation. Later I found out that there was a 12 foot space which was no good as my layouts are both
    somewhat longer than that. I suggested that I could do some demonstration work, with a couple of dioramas on display
    alongside me, Thursday I had confirmation ....... I looked around for a small piece of waste ply & decided on a small
    rural/farm scene and roughly stitch drilled a hole for a small pond. I made a small piece of rising ground from packing
    sponge foam and sealed down using strips of kitchen towel soaked in PVA, from neat to ballast strength. I even used
    one small piece of uncovered foam and laid grass over it ........ Wait for Saturday to check results, it worked out fine !!
     
    Here is the article made up during the exhibition !! Not perfect, but with ballasting a track sample & making a plastic
    6 x 8 garden shed not a bad days work !!
     

     
    Still have a croaky voice from talking too much ........
     
    Dad-1
  10. Dad-1

    Just playing silly beggars

    By Dad-1,

    Having recently had a couple of holidays, bad back and general lack of energy I've not done any real work on St.Oval for several weeks. Tonight I went to the garage and just fancied running something ........ but what ? few laps with a Baccy 56XX, no didn't feel right, Vitrains 37's phew only just make the 1st radius curves. So I got out Marilyn my favourite loco ...... forget 9F's, Collett Goods, 37's, 47's, 33's, single wheelers, I'm in love with Marilyn !!
     

     
    Hope it didn't freeze while loading (I often have that problem) But you must admit she packs a punch, some may like it hot, but Marilyn can do it all !!
     
    Mad Modeller Geoff T.
  11. 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
  12. Dad-1
    I should have got so much more done, but when the layouts 165 miles away it's difficult. So the cars packed
    & I leave first thing tomorrow morning for MK.
    With compact layout storage so much has to be detachable, giving other storage problems. This is my pile of
    'stuff' for Saturdays exhibition.
     

     
    It's almost embarrasing that there is still so much to do scenically, at least it should run fine with a couple
    of sound locos this year (not mine) a 4F & Ivatt 2MT.
     
    May see someone there ?
     
    Dad-1.
  13. Dad-1
    Today I went to open up the caravan for the 2014 season. The site is closed from the end of October until 16th March. Tucked under the double bed is my Shillingstones Lane diorama that I'm looking forward to working on again as I extend to double the original length.
    Here is the first half, photographed back in June last year. Loads of green fields with bronze age barrow & other
    hidden shapes in a field.
    I have contemplated adding a simple roundy extension behind a high green hill to allow a continious tail chaser, but also the scope to change stock & loco ?
     

     
    The caravan needs some attention, but at least it survived the storms of spring 2014,
     
    Dad-1
  14. 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
  15. Dad-1
    My decoder arrived today with quite a few points, but I shall be lucky to get soldered in this
    weekend.
    My radiator has it's grille, but somehow the top edge is not fitting neatly into the beading.
    I'll probably have to attack with a new scalpel blade, but seeing anything this small is a strain.
    The camera shows every little error, if only my eyes were that good.
     

     
    The 3/4 windows are in, but I wouldn't be surprised to dislodge as I build together. Because
    internal access will be almost impossible I've also painted the interior sections cream. Obviously
    the internal corners will need painting after assembly, but I think I'll get away with that.
     
    Dad-1
  16. Dad-1
    Not the best summer is it ?
    Firstly I have too much going on, or stored in my garage to do much work in there. Hence this summer being a wash out is severly delaying my layout progress.
    For all those who enjoy seeing someone elses mess here it is :-
     

     
    2012 weather is not the only bad news, as a member of the Milton Keynes Model Railway Society I have joined in the running of our railways as part of the Bletchley Park code breakers museum for the last 4 years. We have now been given notice to quit and last weekend was our last session open to the public. We now have until December to strip our rooms bare and remove all out accumulated possessions from the site. Even at this level politics and money rule the world !!
    17 years there with 233,000 recorded visitors to our club displays has now come to an end. I tried to get my wife to let me have a full size home signal and lever frame in the garden ..... but she put her foot down !!!!
     
    Dad-1
  17. Dad-1

    My Wagon Works is still on Short Time

    By Dad-1,


    Blog Entry
    I have finished a few more wagons, usually by stripping couplings from either Bachmann RTR, or earlier kit builds.
    This one used a pair of long couplers that I found in a box of spares. With a longer overhang I could set the mounting
    blocks slightly further back to keep my closer coupling in line with earlier production.
     
    So my Parkside PC49 LMS goods brake van :-
    Some 'rough' interior colour in case anyone is daft enough to try and look in.
     

     
    Seen here alongside it's brother a duckett less version.
     

     
    I only had 1 length of wire for grab rails and finished off using my slightly thicker 0.5 mm wire.
    I've never bothered to add entrance safety rails before, but this time I thought I'd try.
     

     
    I'll have to weather slightly at some time, but otherwise an easy build.
    Somewhere in the lost dates between postings I made a Parkside 21 Ton hopper. One that had been opened and
    one of the inner hopper sections missing. I think I managed a half decent job so perhaps another posting soon ?
    Still early enough to wish all who sail at times on RMWeb a Happy New Year - Stay in doors & build kits !!
     
  18. Dad-1
    I think it's neat anyway and it's my railway !!
    With that rocketing cost of rollingstock I'm quite pleased I started kit building. The current Bachmann BR std brake vans
    are coming out at close on £21. No denying the quality, but when the same Liverpool shed has the Dapol (ex-Airfix) brake van
    going for just £4.39 it's worth trying. I feel I'm an experienced plastic model maker so decided I could afford to invest in a
    Train-Tech module at £15. I bought the flicker module AL2, O.K I got 2, but only one used at present in the Dapol van.
     
    Here it is with the LED glowing on the lowpower output. Easy enough to cut off pins & solder onto dolls house twin flex.
    There is a second output that has a yellow LED which I used to light up the van interior. Still have to fix the side step boards
    and find a suitable way of having a secure, but removeable roof to replace the battery if/when it needs changing. They do
    have a movement detector and switch off when no movement, either stored, or left in a siding for a while.
     

     
    Oh, behind that is a Cambrian Kits Southern Borail wagon with some 60 ft lengths of new rails ...... Wagon building won't save
    you much money, but it'll add interest to you stock !!
     
    Dad-1
  19. Dad-1

    Never Enough Time .......

    By Dad-1,

    The latest information is that we should be moving around the last week of November. So much to do & so little time, as a result I've started simplifying some areas.
    I've now grassed the small bank behind the goods line and to try & keep the enthusiasm up photographed while still wet with adhesive !
     

     
    I had a small accident back in February when one station board toppled onto it's scenic side destroying the ratio fencing stuck all along the rear platform retaining wall. Now all replaced and always stored in it's 'pod' and away from any similar accidents.
     

     
    Time is running out and all locomotives with the exception of a Lima small prairie in GWR and a Collett Goods in early BR safely packed away into boxes, a sobering thought that the three loco boxes each has a content approaching £1000 in original cost !! I suppose I have 4 boxed Hornby sets still laying around, but Caledonian 123, GWR Royal Soverign, 101 DMU are not quite right although the 14XX with 2 autocoaches could appear on film soon !!
     
    Dad-1
  20. Dad-1

    Never Enough Time +1 Day

    By Dad-1,

    I took a few snaps last evening, showing the few odd jobs that I've been doing.
    We all like photographs so here are a couple more.
     

     

     
    just 6 foot 8 inches of it !! The station platforms measure 6 foot 1 inch straight, a little more because of the curve.
     
    Dad-1
  21. Dad-1
    At Beaminster Exhibition on 12th January the new 'West Bay' will have it's first outing.
    Currently still in my shed, but with the Kadees almost behaving, lighting fixed and
    functional, even a couple of wagon kits finished except weathering (That may not get
    done in time) I'm no longer stressed !!
     

     
    As I write the fiddle-yard board is in my kitchen for a few prettying jobs. Why ? It's a
    fiddle-yard ? Ahh you should see how hard visitors will try to see what's behind the
    scene - Been there and done that !!
     
    Dad-1
  22. Dad-1
    When I started this in October I don't think I realised just how much work was involved in making a large portable layout.
    I had worked out the track would probably be 1K when points, decoders and all was built in, but this has just seemed to
    go on forever. However today I pinned down the last points by completing the south station throat with it's 6 assorted
    turnouts that includes a double slip and a 3 way.
     

     
    From above it shows main lines to the right, with the left siding to serve the builders merchants & timber yard, with a spare
    siding between.
     

     
    This layout was/is planned to be as compact and portable as possible, while offering some 45 Feet + of main line running
    with some sidings and 'industry' to serve by freight movements. As such there will be almost no back scenes behind the inner
    buildings. This way it is hoped that perhaps 2 small family cars can transport, at the most 3 vehicles meaning no hired vans.
    Hiring vans becomes a problem insurance wise when you pass 70 ..... and for that I have just 7 weeks !!!
     
    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
    Well, with the programming track "End of the line" finished I'm back working on my simple oval. Everyone should have a roundy, roundy, or how do you run a new locomotive in ???
    It was started early this year, but having nowhere large enough to work on under cover it was dependant on good weather. Then a halt while my old garage was demolished and the new one put up as well as playing around with what I'll now refer to as "End of the line".
    Now up in the garage and live, seemingly not having suffered in my sons shed under a couple of bicycles. My new work being the bridge masonary, while doing that I had Marilyn the blue 06 pulling a few wagons around at under a scale 2 mph - across 3 insulfrog points without stalling.
    Rather than try a layout thread I thought from time to time I'd show in this 'blog' bit what I've been doing.
     

     
    Geoff T.
  25. 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.
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