dj_crisp

Hi Alex Thanks for the update. All looking good and assuming all goes well I'll keep an eye out for some samples at Ally Pally Cheers will

Some very smart coaches... I really like them

This is proabably one of my dullest updates but gives an idea what I’ve been playing with as the layout is taking all my modelling time at present. I've always rather liked the Cawoods PFA wagon. So much so that a while back I was building the kit built version even though I've no real reason for needing any. The kit is pretty basic and I was looking at trying to improve it until the Accurascale PFA announcement came along! So the kits were sold and replaced with a rather excellent wagon with superb detail far better than I could ever do! They however need converting to EM for my layout so a bit of modelling is required My first attempt was to try slotting in some DCC concepts 10.5mm wheels. Didn't work well as the axle is longer... so next I took one apart drilled out and fitted brass bearings and tried fitting the DCC concepts wheels… still had axle length issues. So I’ve gone for a simpler approach and turned down the original wheels; This is done in a mini drill with some files as I don’t have a lathe but it seems to come out ok. Only the width of the wheel has been reduced to fit in the chassis. The extra width of being EM still requires a bit of trimming of the wagon axle guards but seems to work ok. The orginal wheels seem very forgiving to this brutal treatment and are nice and true. One wheel needed a spot of super glue to stop a wheel slipping on the axle but there has been no distortion. I'm quite pleased with how they look in place; The first attempt involved taking the wagon frame apart to fit brass bearings but on putting it back together I had a very three legged wagon. Realising one side had glue I cleaned it out and have a much better running wagon. The second one with my new approach involved a fine saw to trim the axle guards… then using a sharp knife seemed easiest. Worked great and they even negotiated my ropey trackwork! So I’ve bodged my way to an easy conversion… which should have been my first attempt! Happy Modelling all! Will

I've just had a go at trying to convert a PFA to EM and not had much joy. First attempt was to widen the existing wheelsets but this doesn't allow the wheels to turn due to the thickness of the wheelset. So i thought I'd try dropping in a DCC concepts wheel and i think the axle is a bit longer so doesn't turn. I just wondered what is the axle length and diameter used on the OO wheelset? Thanks Will

I guess it must be showing that the box hasn't been opened? TBH in this day and age I think both the plastic bag and sleeve aren't needed and you'll have no complaints from me if you decide to save some money and not include either on future releases. A fantastic wagon - I've previously kit built a few in the past and the kit is so inferior to this release! I'm just playing with one now working out the best way to convert to EM. Many thanks for producing such an excellent wagon. cheers Will

Thanks Jack! I always look forward to seeing updates on your thread to keep my inspiration going!! I think as soon as I've got the basic electrrics sorted then I'll feel like proper progress is being made I aim to start some scenic work when it's nice and warm outside (or in the garage) cheers Will

Hi Fran Many thanks for the update! I've no problems with a delay (although it doesn't feel like much of one compared to a 158!) and get it right than rush it out. After your superb PFA I'm totally relaxed you'll all do a great job! Please keep the excellent info updates going! cheers Will

The results of my Christmas endeavours… Not a great deal to show but at least I’m now happy with the sidings alignment . It’s not that obvious that the siding on the left has shifted 1cm away from the bay by correctly laying the point by keeping it straight! Plenty of space for a bay starter signal now. This has all taken quite a bit of effort as I had to move a kadee magnet for one siding. By moving the point and effectively shortening the sidings I managed to keep the same angle of the siding on the right and so at least kept one kadee magnet in its original position. Phew. I haven’t wired the kadee magnets in just yet so that’s a project on the horizon to work out how to do. I think I’ll opt for a simple push button per magnet to power them as doing something with DCC is probably beyond my abilities at present. Getting the track to line up across the board joint also took a day. I’m way too slow!! And there I still have to tidy up the soldering but plan to do that for all baseboard edges when the layout is up and running. You may notice that i ran out of cork so offcuts have been used which may or may not provide interesting balasting. Next up is fitting more point motors so lots to do! I admit this all wasn’t fun! Lessoned learned – get it right first time!

Print for me. No tablet or PC has yet mastered the art of reproducing magazines without the backlighting needed to power a screen.... i just get less eye strain with paper!! Also I've found that I've skim read my digital copies once and then never bothered to look over them again. It could also be that I only buy the magazines i want to read on paper so that could be the same. Mind you digital copies have saved loads of space in the house so my mrs is a little happier

Shed... it's all coming together very nicely and looking quality! An ace last shot to round off 2019! Cheers Will

Hurrah I've managed a spot of modelling over the festive period ! I've not done much but I've managed to bodge a tie-bar for the trap point and soldered on a bit of tube to attach to the point motor. A small L shaped piece of brass on the opposite rail keeps everything square when it throws. Hopefully it's all strong enough to hold together!. It's always good to look at a photo as it shows I've forgotten to isolate the tie bar! Anyway carrying on a bit of momentum I've installed and wired it into the the layout. Photo below is a trial laying down and shows it's a bit close to the branch line but i guess I might get away with it And another section of main line has gone in after I's sprayed an adjustment switch.... (i've run out of grey primer!) The shot above is pre-glueing which based on how cold the garage is will take some time to dry! I hope you've all had a great Christmas and Happy New Year! cheers Will

Both units are looking smashing Thanks for sharing! Will

Merry Christmas Jack! I look forward to seeing your 20 in BRM :)

A nice looking model. For me the groove is the only disappointing feature. Not sure I would do anything about it though! I think there is a little trick of light with the colours. I'm guessing light reflection from the gloss sides in real photos make them look lighter as they look a little dark on the model. I've always wanted a 158 and think I may just treat myself to one in the new year. Cheers Will

A couple of very nice photos - thanks for sharing cheers Will

Many thanks! Always good to share stuff! It's definetly going to stay with a china clay theme just that the more i look at the prototype the more i seem to base ideas on St Erth - however I'm not that prototypically bothered to be that strict so will keep the china clay element with 50s flashing by on the main line cheers Will

Hi David Thanks for your info and good recommendations. I'm also aiming for 1mm clearance as well as that seems to work ok with my stock. When the layout is fully wired up and running I'm planning on an afternoon checking this alignment. It's easy to tweak if needed. So far my test Hornby 09 fitted with ultrascales with a selection of wagons/coaches have managed to get through ok but I'll see what happens when i get the big engines running. My theory is if the rigid 09 can get through then i have a chance with the rest. It's certainly bounced off a few times highlighting my poor track laying skills (my worse bit was a small change in incline!) The biggest problem I've had so far is gauge narrowing on points and I'm not entirely convinced all plastic constuction is ideal. The last FB point has been strengthened with the odd copper clad sleeper so it'll be interesting to compare that one over time with the others. I also found I've needed to do alot of thinning down of the point blades to stop stock riding up and then off as they enter the facing blade. Rounding the point blade tip and thinning the inside a little seems essential for me to try and achieve smooth running. As you can probably tell it's all one big experiment and I'm learning alot as I go along! I don't plan on ballasting until nearer the end of the project just so the layout can be run for quite a while cheers Will

It's been a while since i posted anything on here.... 47s have been taking up what little modelling time I have and the cold garage hasn't inspired me to work on the layout. Anyway I went slightly mad and lifted the sidings point to hopefully improve alignment... then rebuilt it as i pretty much destroyed it as my gluing was pretty good! There really should be a trap point between the sidings and the branch line but the space is a bit tight. Using a lot of modellers license (as there really isn't enough space) I've taken inspiration from Liskeard and built a single trap from scrap rail and left over chairs; I'm quite pleased with the result, and next task is to make it working which should be pretty straightforward. My prototype inspiration is just to the left of the Rat in this photo taken from flickr; Admittedly I'm not sure if this style of trap point is strictly correct for my time period and tbh I've just made up the position of the chairs but i think it will look ok. I've also decided the siding off the double crossover will need one so this will keep me busy over the festive period... Although I'm tempted to have a go at the point in the photo infront of the Rat as this seems to be a good a trap point space saver! It looks a bit too complex for me so I'll probably go for the single as it's a bit more straightforward!! Merry Xmas all! Will

Hi Fran That is stunningly brilliant - sounds like there'll be very little modelling to do when these arrive :) I can't wait for your 80s/90s batches ;) cheers Will

As an EM modeller I'm just wondering what axles you'll be using and if they'll be an easy conversion? Cheers Will

That sounds proper nice! Perfect.

I'm really not bothered about opening doors and bonnets etc. I doubt Accurascale will do a bad job of it but to me it's a bit of a gimic. Getting the glazing right is more important to me. And an area that all 37s have looked naff imo is the front windscreen. I've lost count on how many times Ive fitted Brian's etched windscreens! Every molding in plastic has always looked a bit thick to me. Itll be interesting to see how this one looks

Jules Cracking stuff! I really like your painting of the OAAs Cheers Will

I don't understand why anyone should accept something as flawed as this.... it's not a debatable mistake (i.e. shade of colour) as it's incorrectly positioned and I think it's poor that it got this far to market. Hornby should not have accepted this batch. End of Totally agree with comments from YesTor. As a diesel sectorisation modeller it's the equivalent of putting a nameplate on a chimney to me so has to be moved. Not something thats easy to do or should have to do on an model like this.

I totally agree with your strategy - far better to have time to talk to people on this rather than wasting time announcing stuff. I like your approach... and am looking forward to your 80/90s variants following this successful launch! cheers Will