Matthew Cousins

Very nice work, but just one question, is it better to have the compensation beam soldered to the centre bearing as you have, or to let it just bear on the axle bearing allowing some axial movement of the axle? 

What a lovely garden railway! I've promised myself that one day I'm going to build one, what could be nicer than sitting in the garden and watching the trains go by:-)

Have you posted up any overall pictures of the garden, I'd love to see how it all fits in.

 

Dave

Hi Dave, I shall find a suitable photo of the garden that shows how the railway fits in, but basically it occupies the top third of the garden and when the green lifting bridge is out, you can't really see it from the house. 

I'm hoping that the railway will feature in the August Railway Modeller, with plan etc. Cheers, Matthew

Belt drive? Sounds like DAF Variomatic transmission!

I kid you not, a Daf would be quicker!

That A3 is simply that-it looks just like any A3 you'd find working in the early 50s, and I think nails the look perfectly

Agreed absolutely about the A3 and although the B17 looks almost too shiny and clean, I'm loath to weather it down, so that it reflects the 1930's condition, so It's ex-works!

Yes Jon, but another problem has cropped up, which I shall be curing pronto, will be running within a week!

Thanks for the kind comments.

Looks like a Gresley K2 mogul, I've been trying to finish one in 0 gauge for around 10 years!

The P2 does look good like that-let's hope the Doncaster group build the new CotN, so we can see it like this!

Agreed, have you got any further with your P2 type profiles?

I caught on that the show was on a a little late matthew... I'd have popped over otherwise with my two in tow... but getting them out in the sunshine was possibly the healthier option  - for them and my wallet ;-)

 

Hope to see you on Friday

 

Jon

Yes - much better to be outdoors, but it was a nice little show - will go again next year.

See you Friday.

Very good work, I like the artist and easel, he must have to paint quickly to capture the trams going by, or do they stop for a pose!

Pheonix P54 LNER Silver-Grey is (I believe) the right colour.

Many thanks!

Is that lining panel on the cabsides correct? I thought it extended up towards the roof?

There were two types of lining to Red Duchesses, this is the earlier style that emulated the lining on green locos.

I agree Jerry, but that's the drawback of a one-man stand, I was almost asleep after the lunch!

Agreed that this show has a great atmosphere and I had a good time there too, plus that great Sunday lunch!

Matthew That looks great. I hope your friend Peter is still uour friend!!!

Hi, Yes, Peter has fortunately kept a sense of humour, but will never touch a P2 again I think, so I compensated with buying a top class kit (David Andrews Peppercorn A1) for him to build next, which he says goes together just fine. Mind you, I have also given him the parts of a P1 that I got so far with, then felt it deserved a better builder than me! - I'm too busy painting anyway!

Glad that you like it, can't wait for him to tackle the Peppercorn A1 in BR blue! I'm doing the reverse of the Tornado boys I got the P2 built first!

Don't forget the window grills Josh - some are now missing from my full size GBL, but I can get you a pic of what they should be like. 

Oops just noticed what the Roxey mouldings link was!

Hi Matthew,

 

I am sure he would and no doubt he would make a better job of it than me but the building is where I get my pleasure.

 

One of these fine days one of his kits will be come up (when I can afford it I hope) and I will add it to the stash.

Hi Rob, It may be worthwhile getting one of Mikes kits while he still has a stock of 0 gauge kits, I'm sure that he would help if you really wanted one.

Very nice, it's a real shame that Mike withdrew these kits from sale

I agree entirely, but Mike will build them for you, I understand.

Nice piece of work! Is that a compensation beam on the inside of the chassis?

You can still compensate the front and middle axles. use side beams as long as there is room to get them in beside the motor. I have done this with my 3130, works well. You just need to support the motor so it is able to move with the axle but rotate.

 

I would if you can drive off the rear, compensate the middle and front. No side play on the front and rear, and have the middle with side play, and if you can replace the flangeless wheel. Quite whay it was built with one I do not know.  This set up should still go through peco points.

Thanks for the advice, I had thought of replacing the whole chassis, but will show what I do when I get some bits. I wasn't sure why the builder had used flangeless centre drivers either??

This large scale modelling is like rocket science to a simple N gauge modeller like me, I look on it though with envious eyes

And for me I admire the ability of N gauge modellers - as my eyesight and thick fingers deter me from the smaller gauges!

I would advise getting lots of insulation in with a plasterboard ceiling -  we used some foil based insulation (which is far thinner) in the summerhouse and that stays warm in the winter with minimal background heating.

Sorry to hear of your problems Matthew with prolong wet weather followed by a dry spell and high temperatures  it is not too surprising. It is rather late in the day for you but one of my friends Dick Dimmock advised puttung some heaving galvanised wire under the track in concrete subbases. The idea being it the concrete shrinks and cracks the wire tends to hold the pieces in line so the crack can just be filled if the alignment either side shifts it is much harder to fix.

Don

Thanks, Don, in the main I've had very few problems with the sub base and now I've gone for a plastic base under the ballast there should be no rot but there is the odd bit of movement, but not bad after nearly 4 years! My main problem has been the uneven expansion of the resin holding the ballast and it acting adversely if curing in hot weather. Matthew

By the way the N2 and B1 were both built by Mike Russell of DMR models, who did a fantastic job of them and I'm looking forward to receiving my DMR B17 soon.

It is a pity that because of some bad comments from one individual, Mikes B1 is not available for others to build, as it is a lovely loco!