Dad-1

Hi E3109, I tend to agree. On my big layout I use a small neo-magnet buried in a drilled out kebab stick, sealed in with superglue and sanded to a nice round end. I can then uncouple my Bachmann small tension locks that have a sliver of paper staple glued along the hooks top anywhere. That is important when you're pulling perhaps a 40 or 50 wagon train and wish to split in sidings somewhere, anywhere. I find the limitations of fixed uncoupling zones annoying. Those long trains are not just in my imagination - my longest (and reliable) was 59, you couldn't do that with brakes on !! Then I suppose like everything there are exceptions and a slick shunting puzzle is much better with Kadees when you've managed to tame them. We're building Kadees into the clubs new West Bay layout for exactly the same reasons of it being a short shunting puzzle type of operation. Dad-1

I really should have added to this when it was still good pre-event advertising. Sorry Weymouth, but I've been busy ! I ran my 'Kids Drive' Thomas layout this year. I had a fun weekends entertainment. Then today noticed the exhibition guide cover picture was taken on my last years entry !! Chuffed. Dad-1

An interesting way of getting 2 out of a pack ! I thought '0' wouldn't have as much of a problem. Proves me wrong.

Sorry Richard, I don't see how else one can retard free running stock. A friend of mine used a small shred of sponge to act as a brake, but a brake it still is. Remember though coaches are a different animal ! I have reason to believe the between the rails magnets are weaker as they seem to work much closer to the trip pins. I've not played around with them as I don't like the visual effect of something between my rails. 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

Sadly Kadees offer a great solution to an insurmountable problem of finding a cheap simple way of uncoupling. The original OP was specifically interested in coaches and I have run a friends layout where working with bogie coach stock was very reliable. I don't uncouple my passenger trains as I only run them on a Roundy-Roundy. For a short siding weeds can activate the standard tension lock couplings. As with every system there is a problem ! What you can't do is run a locomotive over the weeds, they stand too high for the limited clearence under locomotives. Here is a short video - For my large layout where I run trains of 40+ and need to separate at any location around a 45 ft + circuit I use a manual method. There is some derision regarding the 'Hand of God', however there was no automatic uncoupling in BR freight yards. They all relied on a shunter with his pole, so in actual fact shunting with a magnet on a stick is much more prototypical than an automatic magnetic, or weed activating system !! The difficulty is being within easy reach - NOT always possible and as good a reason as I can think of for trying, and trying again to succeed in finding what Kadees need on YOUR layout Dad-1

Kadees CAN work, but in my opinion are a flawed system for use with '00' British outline freight stock. O.K. This will almost certainly cause a storm, but it's true. It can easily be said that the problem is caused by ...... everything BUT the Kadees !! Get the fitted height right to within 0.04 of a mm ? Perfect central alignment ? Remove any slack in the axle boxes so the wagon always tracks EXACTLY over the centre-line of your magnets. Keep B2B's to a level where there is little lateral slack. What a load of rubbish !! The idea is great, the engineering of components is commendably good - SO WHATS WRONG ? Whats wrong is that British outline freight, in fact almost any piece of rolling stock has magnetic metal wheel sets, wagons are also usually ballasted by mild steel weights, all this is prone to producing Magnet Creep. Magnet creep stops the Kadees from working as planned due to a piece of rolling stock following the train and not fully disengaging. I have heard it's always the modellers fault - Too much magnet, or conversely too little magnet. Well, to operate well into the free shunting mode there needs to be enough magnetic pull to separate the knuckles. This is already enough to cause creep, reduce the magnetic pull until there is no creep and the couplings won't function fully !! As to super free running stock, something that I've always thought as being the ideal (and I have run a 57 wagon train at an exhibition) it is a curse for Kadees, accelerating the magnet creep problem. I do have them working to around 90 - 95%, but this is achieved on a shunting puzzle where all the stock used has been fitted with brass wire brakes. The down side of that is a light Hornby sentinel 0-4-0 is unable to pull 6 wagons without slipping to a halt. Luckily that is the absolute limit of train length only used very occasionally, and with 5 wagons it will just manage. The principal is good, the engineering is good, but the sad truth is they are not really compatible with the British outline wagon, be that kit made, or from any of the other RTR manufacturers. Yes I do have a big choice of wagons (close to 500) from up to a dozen different sources. Dad-1

You can see why I'm not very good at online postings, but into Pt.II on my old and clogged up system. West Bay hasn't changed that much and needs a lot of grass and gravel surfacing, hence being essential to move somewhere where it can be left undisturbed for days if necessary. The yard end where it joins Marsh Barn Lane, once a gated road. Station building and signal box made by another club member. The garden is still there today, but we need to get planting ! I have this 'signature' fencing on most of my models. Drilled matchsticks threaded with invisible sewing thread. Don't take any notice of the 'test' traction, it just happened to be Kadee fitted and easily to hand. Every one of those cattle pen fence rails had to be sanded to an exact fit ! We are now into the saga of trying to get reasonable results from the Kadees. Also found that none of the clubs old locomotives will run through the Marcway points. As a result new stock is being created and looking for a first class condition 57XX as it seems all 'new' stocks have been sold !! 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

For me the real 'Rub' is that I really wanted a 48XX for the clubs new exhibition layout. Personally I have a Dapol 14xx as well as a Hornby version. Surprisingly perhaps for some they both run reliably as they bounce along. I had hoped a 'New' allegedly improved version would be an improvement in accuracy AND running. When I buy a new locomotive I expect it to run ...... in an acceptable way. My previous 90 have, so it was regrettable and one can't fault Hatton's in giving a refund, They did however ignore my letter asking if they could check one before sending ............ MMMmmmm. Dad-1

Yes Brinkly, It's going back, You can't knock Hatton's, I had their reply at 09.13 this Sunday morning !! My concern is that THIS IS what we want for the layout, BUT it must be a good one as it's for the clubs new West Bay layout that I'm currently working on in my shed. NHY581 obviously has problems with the same version - HOW many do I try before we give up ? Dad-1

MMMmmmm Just got this one ? Simply not good enough, I hope Hatton's have some 'good runners' Apart from waddling and wallowing along both my Hornby & earlier Dapol versions run well enough on DCC Dad-1

Thanks for the comment pushpull33, Your very nice compact layout made me envious on the day !! I took 4 hours to fully set-up. We will be back at the same location in 2019, probably 27th July, but that has yet to be confirmed. Dad-1

What can I say ....... all the exit comments were that it was good and so much better than our old accommodation in the United Reform Church hall in central Bridport where parking is so difficult to find. Signing off Summer exhibitions until the last weekend in July 2019 - Same venue !! To cap it all my Castell Mawr was voted best in show by the visiting public. We ended with a Hornby 42XX pulling 57 ...... To think a guy once told me he'd read in some review that they didn't have very good traction ?? - What ?? Special thanks to all our visiting layouts, traders and guys in the club particularly Terry for spending much of the day outside monitoring parking. Dad-1

'Tis as rocketron55 says ........ Saturday 10.00 Hrs to 16.00 Hrs for exhibition opening times For set-up Friday from about 16.00 (allowing for marking out 'bays') BUT the caretaker wants us out 19.00 Hrs prompt !! We should have access from around 07.00 Hrs Saturday and I'll need every one of those precious hours. Dad-1

Ouch devonseasider, That's not what you want ! Most of the Bridport club members have jobs to do, but we should be able to find someone to help for a while ............ How easy is it to set-up ? When were you coming to set-up ? Friday evening, or Saturday morning ?? Dad-1

My last shout for this our first enlarged exhibition, we hope to be the first of many at this new location. Currently working my way through 6 pages of 'check lists' to have everything required on hand - like a battery powered soldering iron !! Please come and enjoy, including having a go on the 'U' drive shunting layout Look for the sign ! Dad-1

Back to realizing just how much work can be involved in running a larger layout at an exhibition. It's freight ..... HOW many wagons ? Currently sorted out 164 that are going, and hankering after at least another 20 !! Currently stacked in the shed :- Now to find and box all the buildings and nit-knacks, animals, builders merchants stock and ............. Just as well I still have 2 weeks !! It'll be a good day after which I think I'll need a holiday !! Dad-1

We've been waiting for times before announcing that this year to help getting visitors to our new venue we will be - Running an open top bus service This will be free, but we are asking for donations towards the costs of fuel which we expect to be in the region of £70 The timetable has arrival & departure times but I shall only show departure times Beaminster (square) 09.30 Exhibition 09.50 Bridport Town Centre 10.00 Bridport Bus Station 10.10 West Bay (George Hotel) 10.30 Bridport Bus Station 10.50 Exhibition 11.10 Bridport Town Centre 11.20 Bridport Bus Station 11.30 West Bay (George Hotel) 11.50 Bridport Bus Station 12.10 Exhibition 12.30 Bridport Town Centre 12.40 Bridport Bus Station 12.50 Exhibition 13.00 Arr 13.45 Dept Bridport Town Centre 13.55 Bridport Bus Station 14.00 West Bay (George Hotel) 14.20 Bridport Bus station 14.40 Exhibition 14.55 Bridport Town Centre 15.05 Bridport Bus Station 15.10 Beaminster (Square) 15.40 Exhibition 16.00 Bridport Town Centre 16.10 Bridport Bus Station 16.20 West Bay (George Hotel) 1635 It's also day 2 of the Bridport Folk Festival so this bus will allow transport over and above just the exhibition. Dad-1

Parkstone Goods will be there ....... You'll know more of this layout next year. Just a teaser .......... Great for me - I LOVE freight !! Dad-1

Apart from the weather acting as a disincentive to do much, I'm now looking ahead to my clubs Summer Exhibition, a new venue in the Bridport Colfox Academy, I still tend to call it a school - how old fashioned !! I'm taking my big layout Castell Mawr which in all honest will probably never be fully finished, although the casual onlooker probably won't notice. It's not been out for 8 Months and I've been cleaning all tracks, making certain all points work on the DCC addresses allocated, and then the problem area making sure that the polarity switches operate - several have played up and needed many vigorous back & forth movements to do what they should ! Of all my quirky dodges the one thing I'd change if making now, would be to use frog juicers, but there's no way I'd go to that expense and trouble for one exhibition a year. 12 boards now cleaned, in the sunshine, which tempted me to get the camera out, natural light works wonders. In this one you have to look for my test locomotive ! Yes a cheap - I think £23 Hornby S&DJR Jinty, still available now at £38. In all it's glory ! Don't knock it, DCC'd and runs very well and slowly, still crashed it off the end once !! Loco hidden again ? Oh and apart from a slight mark on a cab corner it survived it's fall. In the station ....... Still loads of preparation work, even sorting out what freight stock to take will take me ages. Currently standing at 177 wagons !! Anyway always nice to see photographs ? Dad-1

Currently working in the sunshine cleaning tracks and checking electrics - A month to go, but at the speed I work that's imminent !! Photo's in the sun are so much better, wish I'd bothered to add the 5 trees that live on this board. The loco ? somewhere up on the embankment. This is Wales 'N' layouts coming :- Bincombe Cutting Longmoor We'll be adding the listings of all later. Dad-1