Dinmore Manor

Oooops, been playing trains again... Have progressed the footpath bridge and turned up some tank vents though so not all been play time. To some extent the testing etc is most needed as before long I need to set uncoupling magnets in place in specific locations to be able to operate the layout effectively, keep finding places where another magnet will be required! I've seen no name suggestions forthcoming, damn...! Mike

Spent a couple of hours yesterday making a start on the front fascia/lighting board. Quite pleased with the light, a 50/50 mix of cool white and warm white LED's, now needs finishing off with a hinged joint in the middle (instead of the clamps....!) and wire in the power properly. More wagons have been built recently, another loco chassis kit purchased and the Lady Anne stripped for detailing and repainting. Ignore the naff greenery, just random bits from an old bag dotted about to give a bit of colour for now! Still not thought of a name for the layout ... Any suggestions!?

Picked up another three swift sixteen resin wagon kits to assemble for the stone train. Shall try and get on to these over the weekend. More progress has been made with the fiddleyard too but yet to take any pictures.

A stunning series of pictures Bob, love it!

Not had a huge amount of time recently due to being away a fair bit, however, I have managed to get a bit more ballasting and infilling done. I am having to leave a few gaps here and there ready for the installation of uncoupling magnets which can then be covered over. I also purchased a nice wagon with a shiny new tractor ready for delivery on. Next up I want to complete my coaches as these have sat around part finished for far too long now. Also managed to take the Lady Anne for an extended test run of the inertia device on a garden railway, lovely set up there: Mike

Really do like the look of that Peckett inspired engine, cracking bit of work! Mike

Cheers, I must state I have no intention of making them to sell, for one I simply don't have the time to be honest between current work. SSP have put a lot of effort in to designing their units, I most certainly wouldn't want to tread on toes as that's just not my style. The units they sell fit very easily in to the models that they provide for without modification. I have had to move the regulator servo in to the left hand tank to be able to fit my somewhat more agricultural device. To be able to make them the way he does you need access to CNC machinery for it to be cost effective. I fell in to the trap of thinking that the gears would just be a few quid but there are well over £80 worth of parts in that unit. I can see where the cost comes from and good luck to the chap, such a revolutionary idea. It is a shame there isn't a UK importer though I must say. I have already been invited to an exhibition but I have had to decline as there is no way that the layout would be ready let alone atleast another 2 steamers to build etc. But something for the future if there is the interest. Have had another little go with the engine earlier, what did I say about getting on with scenics and not playing trains.............! In my defence I have done a bit more ballasting so maybe it's justified?! Vid below at 40 psi, steady crawl achieved. Cheers for the interest and good to see Steve posting on here too, his layout is well worth seeing in the flesh if you get the opportunity.

Hi Phil, The Jack isn't mine, it's one of the Hambleden stable, for use on that layout each loco has a timer set at 30 minutes then it is swapped out for another loco to avoid the embarrassment of an engine failing 'on scene'....! However, his Billy has run for 50 minutes, though granted this isn't hard arduous non stop work as per non stop running on a garden line. usual sort of 30-40psi is fine, will run happily lower though. Kevin, one of the advantages of running on an end to end/shunting type layout is that the gas can be kept down extremely low as it doesn't matter if you lose a few psi whilst on the move as it will be regained whilst stationary or crawling around slowly. In an exhibition hall its actually quite hard to adjust down low enough because you can't hear it over background noise! Lower pressure certainly helps control but nothing comes close to the docility achieved with an inertia device fitted in my opinion. Mike

Cheers David, I can of course take no credit for the slo-mo idea, but being a tight so and so and not wanting to wait for one to come from AUS I thought I'd have a go at putting one together as an experiment. To fit it in the Lady Anne I had to move the regulator servo in to the cab as this was previously mounted under the floor. Once it is proven and reliable I shall detail and re-paint/weather the engine plus change the radio for a smaller hand held device with rotary knob control which also helps smooth out control inputs. The inertia certainly makes a huge difference to the running, as above I had always been put off by the rather lively nature of these types of models which is why so many opt for roundy roundy type layouts which just isn't for me. Hambleden Valley is superb, I fell in love with it and have been lucky enough to be invited to be one of the operators at exhibitions, however, it is rather more grand in size than I have the room for. I'm hoping to prove you can have a worthwhile, interesting layout in less space than many would use for OO, and for it to be predominantly live steam operated too!!

Got it in one, looks a bit like a whistle: http://www.summerlands-chuffer.co.uk/

What a cracking railway, some lovely engines too, really like the saddle tank...!

Not done a huge amount to the layout itself in the last week or so but have instead had a go at making my own inertia device as an experiment. First test run has shown I could do with skimming a few grams off the flywheels as from a scale 15 mph or so the loco will free wheel over half the length of the layout....! Also need to change one gear to delrin to reduce noise, but like I say, all an experiment Few construction pics and a little video below of first test run: Must get on with some more scenic work instead of playing trains!

Cheers Will, I was exactly the same, totally put off by the usual tail chasing type of layout which are common place but seeing Hambleden Valley was a breath of fresh air. Shall be trying my best to make the layout as detailed as possible.

A bit of background info, last year I had started to collect a few O gauge bits and pieces, I had been doing the usual of doodling trackplans for hours on end etc and had just made a start on making some baseboards to suit, then I visited Warley.... Did some further O gauge shopping in the morning but then mid afternoon I spotted something I hadn't seen before, Hambleden Valley, with R/C live steam running and shunting in a prototypical manner thanks to an inertia device fitted to the locos. A chat with the builder, Stephen Howard, left me hooked but thinking there was no way I could use such a scale in the space I had available. One of the locos in action on Hambleden Valley showing how docile they can be: Once home and doing some research I started to realise that a 3 compartment coach in this scale is shorter than an O gauge Mk1 and a tank loco no longer than a Prairie/Std Tank or similar, so why couldn't it work?? The recently acquired O gauge stuff was moved on in short order and SM32 track etc purchased. I followed Stephens innovative idea of using clear roofing sheet for the base board, strong enough to walk on but very light which is important for me as due to the track plan/point locations I am stuck with a board 5x3. Overall scenic section is 10x3 with a fiddleyard of 5x3. Whilst I could have just about got away with sticking with the 2'6" width I was intending for O gauge the additional depth has made a big difference. Track laying complete and platform base going in Points are controlled by wire in a tube via a ground frame that shouldn't look too out of scale. A start made on the rock faces, under the rock face are two hidden storage sidings. Lots of work, chopping, weathering etc still required on the rock, plus a gentle upward slop extending to backscene plus the continuation on to the second board, tapering out toward the back corner. General overview, bridge near exit will carry a footpath, a working stone loader may be used on the siding nearest the camera. A bit of progress on the platform/station Recent over view, hell of a long way to go.... Next up needs to be placing uncoupling magnets in the right places prior to ballasting, complete the rock faces then crack on with building more engines and stock. Bit of a back burner project in between many other things but steady progress is being made, I shall keep the thread updated if there is interest. Mike

Quite! I'm looking forward to picking mine up from my local model shop later in the week, it's not as cheap as the likes of Hattons/Tower etc but I'm more than be happy to be supporting my local establishment. No wonder so many model shops close down....

A very fine effort Mark, it was good to see it up and running over the weekend and sounding very sweet, nice crisp even exhaust beats. I like to steam/test run my engines at the earliest opportunity to Iron out any little niggles, far better that way than completing 100% and risking damage to paintwork whilst solving issues so you've done the right thing!

Great post Mark, especially the very first picture Keep up the good work with the Pannier, coming together well. Paul, just wagons isn't good enough, you need to bring your engine too....!!! See you both at the weekend

Mark, that looks to be a very nicely built engine, should make a good'un once you have finished it, look forward to seeing it running. Please do paint them tyres and cranks bosses though Silver tyres seems to be a real model engineers fetish!!!

I recognise that engine in the last picture Mark

I knew about the model/release for some time and was trying to drop a few hints with my comments but nobody seemed to clock on! Still, doesn't it look fantastic, well done to Bachmann, I wonder what's next?!

I would expect a product launch where COT is currently, GWSR Toddington, in short order if all that has been said is correct.

Something tells me this thread is listed in the wrong section.........