dj_crisp

Hi Days like today I just want to give up on the hobby. My setup is a DR5000 & Z21 app. I have a DS64 decoder that I'm trying to hook up to some tortoises. I'm following the instrustions but I have no idea how to program the DS64 to work with tortoises let alone change the CV address using the Z21 app. Is there any way to do this? Thanks Will

Always good to look at the real thing but i find Brian Daniels albums of flickr are tremendously helpful! https://www.flickr.com/photos/brianews/albums/72157626904805057 I do like this view! And i think this one is nice front view of 007 Throwing it back (and I'm not a Heljan basher as I like them alot) do you think Heljan have nailed the subtle nose curves and windscreen angles? It'll be really interesting to see a comparison of the fronts as I've not really looked at the O gauge version. I've attempted to model the nose curve on my Hornby 50s and know its really hard to get looking right and have happily compromised!! BTW love the railfreight 26 - one day I'm really tempted to try and do something scottish! cheers Will

Most certainly is.. Been a very painful two weeks on the markets. Oh well back to work I suppose

I haven't bothered to fit brass bearings in these. I did when I took on a BDA (or whatever it was) and that was a bit of a faff to fit so have taken a shortcut here. My thoughts are that I'll run them until i have problems... Interestingly though the polybulk behind my 09 in the photos has a different bogie to the rest which are dark grey. The wheels have a really sloppy fit so I'll probably have to fit brass bearings. I found that one in a bargain bucket at a show unboxed so it could very easily not be original. I always do spraying out doors so am waiting till the weather is a bit warmer before taking on any weathering! Kernow china clays are next up for conversion - looking forward to getting those onto the layout (which truth be told is fully running as i need to motorise about 6 points) cheers Will

The stands look great. I'm rather tempted to try some myself too.

It's been a few weeks of converting a few wagons to EM. I'm taking on nice and simple tasks while work is busy.... The PFAs are smashing... now done and ready for weathering. Photos are snaps on my mobile in a dark garage - it's amazing how good they are as the light for these shots is terrible! Just converted my Polybulks as well.... I might even be able to start to have a bit of a china clay theme Conversion has simply been hacking the brakes a bit to allow 12mm branchline wheels to fit. I have some small details to fit but they're also nearly ready for weathering. I'm going to run a few in fixed sets so to save on Kadee costs I've fitted a few instanter couplings. I'm probably going to spend a bit of time on the layout for a while as I need to motorise a few turnouts cheers Will

That's ok... you haven't. I've even read some of your posts

This has to be the funniest thing I've read today.... "I'm no nerdish expert". Proper funny.

Spot on comments

Thanks for the advice...

For a Defined Benefit scheme you should just ask for an early retirement option which as mentioned earlier should be free (well at least one per year). My previous contract was building models to value DB schemes and tbf the figures they quote you should be at fair value. (the example above shows why it's reduced and there are many more complexities that influence the final amount) The problem is the benefits of each scheme vary massively and there are alot of government rules so the values quoted are often hard to understand. And some of what constitutes fair value is down to the trustees of the scheme. I expect there are a set of early retirement factors that are loaded onto an admin system to provide quotes etc. to allow easy quotation. These should be updated reguarly but some schemes might not. Should you choose to retire you can always opt for a 25% tax free cash sum.... but at a simple level means you've reduced your income by 25%. I've no idea on tax and the amounts you'd have to pay if you worked and drew your pension etc. so always a great idea to get proper professional advice (certainly not from me!!) Good luck! Will

Im thinking the roof arc is off which isn't allowing the shape of the front windows to be right.

I expect the Accurascale, 37s will provide plenty of weathering jobs to compensate!

Some excellent atmosphere being created! Looks very promising!!

I've just been looking at the photo here https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/news/tmc-to-retail-early-versions-of-derby-sulzer-peak/ Always nice to see a test press so to speak to see how the model is developing. Lots of good things and a few areas that may benefit from some tweaking Hard to tell from the photos but is the top of the cab door too flat and missing a gentle curve.... which suggests the bodyside to roof arc is more aggressive than the real thing and a bit too high on the bodyside. Hopefully this photo explains what I'm on about as the light highlights the arc the shape of the roof might be influcening the cab windows - but tbh it's really hard to tell with the thick glazing in place The nose is interesting as it looks a bit too perfect on the model! I don't see such a sharp perfect curve on the real things but painting will probably make this look better. I hoping the side grills are better on the final version as they're rather distinctive on the real thing. Also the bogie detailing could be a bit more crisp.... such as the bogie springs. Again hoping this is just because it's a pre-production example.

All sounds good to me. Sorry I have no experience with sprat and winkle couplings but I do have some old stock with some on. I'll have a look at the end of the week to see if I have anything that may help

Thanks Wayne It's not very innovative! Although it's so easy compared to finding the right axle length. I really should do some china clay conversions as that should be more in keeping with my layout.... damm accurascale

I know what you mean.... time is flying by! Looking forward to seeing your 08... a favourite of mine. As you say when weathered the base paint doesn't matter so much. After all it's a weather beaten gronk

Working my way through my PFAs Half now converted.

That looks really good - great work!

Indeed it does! Thankfully I can't use it on the end of a rake as the kadees are the wrong height

It's just a sprung corridor connection by keen systems.

I think I'm going to have to apply some modellers license

This is a great announcement! I'm also looking for evidence for any of these venturing down to the southwest

That's interesting as I had thought the colouring was class related rather than the type of coach.... but i have to admit i haven't researched this! Thanks for pointing that out as it'll make me look more closely at the ends This is a centre coach of a rake which I fit Keen corridor connector end plates. A gap between coaches really bugs me (sad I know) and as they're sprung they give an illusion of being connected as the coach moves. Hopefully the photo below shows the effect I'm trying to achieve...