RTJ

Coming along... It's a good kit-- lots of excellent etches...only let down by my poor skill and some 'open' instructions with very few pictures. Good value for money there's an 'OO' version for £140 and this the 7mm version (from a different manufacturer although I suspect some cross-fertilisation) is 'only' £185. There's more details of the build and history of these diminutive locos on the GoG site. Richard.

Well, it arrived in the post this morning. It's in queue - after the Ivatt tank. R

I'm tempted to go for this 'easy' kit whilst under 'lockdown' in a few weeks time. I've asked the owner (John Percival) if the kit comes with oval buffers - rather than the round ones that are evident on the photo of his model. It's tempting to base the model on 'Joyce' at Midsomer Norton, now been fully restored and working well! However, be warned, there are some minor differences between the two 'Radstock Sentinels' and 'Joyce'. A list can be seen here: http://sentinel7109.blogspot.com/p/7109-vs-radstock-sentinels.html Hope that helps others. I'm hoping there's room for a DCC chip inside! Richard. Edit: John has sold out at present. He's also informed me that it was the S&D that changed the original round buffers to oval. Still hoping to hear from someone who has built one...

Has anyone built any of these? (They come complete with motor and Delrin chain). Any feedback? Somerset & Dorset Sentinel | Walsworth Models The distinctive 'bonnet' of this loco is pre-formed for you.The RTR price, built to your specification is £244.95p Free post and Packing to uk addresses on this Item www.walsworthmodelservices.co.uk Thanks, Richard.

Has anyone built any of these? (They come complete with motor and Delrin chain). Any feedback? Somerset & Dorset Sentinel | Walsworth Models The distinctive 'bonnet' of this loco is pre-formed for you.The RTR price, built to your specification is £244.95p Free post and Packing to uk addresses on this Item www.walsworthmodelservices.co.uk Thanks, Richard.

Hi, I have both Dapol and Connisseur. I like both. The Connisseur model was easy to make thanks to Jim's excellent instructions. It still has 'his' fold-up gearbox and it runs very well. He is a little scathing of 'XYZ" gearboxes. I think if one is making a simple 0-6-0 loco then a fold-up box is fine; anything more complex then I would go for a more advanced unit. If I can upload some pics you'll (just) see the Connisseur loco is 1-2 mm taller. I have lightly weathered this on but not the Dapol -just picked out a few copper and brass details...and yes, somehow I have bent one of the buffers.. Now all I need is a layout to run all my rolling stock on!!! Apologies for the dust on both locos.

Thanks Jon. Richard

Apologies for two pics...I only uploaded one - so not sure what's going on here! R

Hi all, Feeling somewhat guilty over dismantling my OO Gauge Wellow layout, I was thinking of a simple S&DJR inglenook-type layout that could be easily stored and moved about. However, I have now 'moved-up' to O Gauge and cannot find a suitable off-the-shelf yard crane, Peco/Ratio do a similar one to my enclosed pic (from Mike Arlett's 'The S&D at Midford') but only for oo gauge. It may be that I buy from the Peco range (but it doesn't look like the real one), or scratch build. If the latter has anyone any idea where I could source the various wheels etc? Thanks, Richard

Hi Chris, thanks. You are correct...the Smartfrogs do need a 12V DC supply. I have a Gaugemaster 16V AC supply with the supplied rectifier which is supposed to supply 12V DC (in fact it's 16V DC) and I wonder if that's the problem. I have a lab bench supply somewhere that I can use for a stable 12V supply (when the Cricket and Rugby have finished!). The track is suplied by an old H&M controller (12V DC). When /if I get it all sorted I'll revert to DCC. If it all fails I'll try microswitches and thus ditch the 4 Smartfrogs. Thanks again, Richard

If I do that Andy I get my locos either stopping or juddering over the frog. Thanks, Richard.

Andy, thanks; I too have use both DCC and DC - and still no joy. I use DC for testing as it's easier for the multimeter to reflect an accurate- and speedier - response. BW R

(Apologies---I posted this initially under the 7mm banner. Mods please delete as you see fit) ...essentially I can't get it/them to work! I have the controller board ("SmartSwitch") wired up and all 4 switches operate the 4 servos OK (in fact, very well), BUT I cannot get the 4 Smartfrogs to work. I have checked all the wiring...but there is just no voltage at all on the output terminal to the frog(s). I assumed the fault was with the Smartswitch but that has just been replaced FoC under warranty by RailsofSheffield, (very good service btw). The new one doesn't work as expected either. I've got microswitches as a 'belt-and-braces' answer if all else fails. If anyone else is contemplating this system I would say that the 4 frog switchers @ about £10 each is an extra expense that seems poor value. The basic system ("Smartswitch") is fine if you can buy it as a special offer (which I did). I would then either mate it with a Megapointscontroller (https://megapointscontrollers.co.uk/product/servo-controller-4r/) or go the full hog and buy their complete Megapoints system outright, (other similar systems are available). Usual disclaimers. In short, has anyone else had similar problems and been able to overcome them? Thanks, Richard.

...essentially I can't get it/them to work! I have the controller board ("SmartSwitch") wired up and all 4 switches operate the 4 servos OK (in fact, very well), BUT I cannot get the 4 Smartfrogs to work. I have checked all the wiring...but there is just no voltage at all on the output terminal to the frog(s). I assumed the fault was with the Smartswitch but that has just been replaced FoC under warranty by RailsofSheffield, (very good service btw). The new one doesn't work as expected either. I've got microswitches as a 'belt-and-braces' answer if all else fails. If anyone else is contemplating this system I would say that the 4 frog switchers @ about £10 each is an extra expense that seems poor value. The basic system ("Smartswitch") is fine if you can buy it as a special offer (which I did). I would then either mate it with a Megapointscontroller (https://megapointscontrollers.co.uk/product/servo-controller-4r/) or go the full hog and buy their complete Megapoints system outright, (other similar systems are available). Usual disclaimers. In short, has anyone else had similar problems and been able to overcome them? Thanks, Richard.

Thanks.. .I went there and was initially frustrated by the signage (lack of) and parking (ditto). I put a link to this page from the GoG site. Hope that's OK. BW Richard.

Thanks Martin. Regards, Richard

Thanks Ade. Regards, Richard

Just got back from the BRM show at Doncaster. If you thought Guildex is busy... An unexpected purchase...a Dapol (early BR) Jinty with DCC + Sound for £275 ...I thought that good value. Some questions: 1. No coal in the bunker. Is that normal? It's not that important as I would have put real coal in the space anyway. 2. What was the colour of the internal frames? These are black. I wonder if they were red? 3. Similarly the cab interior is black. Were there original ones a dirty cream? Thanks, Richard.

Another vote for the NCE system. If you are keen on electronics then the MERG system is also very good I hear (and cheaper).

I always use these: https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/desks/table-tops-legs/finnvard-trestle-with-shelf-beech-art-00225293/ Strong and easy to build; adjustable BW Richard

If you fancy saving a lot of money and building your own, look at the MERG site. eg : https://www.merg.org.uk/merg_resources/cbus-dcc.php Richard

Yes Mike, thanks; I'll do that...it's just that I didn't want to waste my time in trying to make a silk purse from a sow's ear....if the metal was inferior etc I'd rather buy the Haff. Thanks again, Rich

A gas torch? R.

Hi all, I am soon to start painting and lining a DA Patriot in 7 mm. Some time ago I bought a set of bow pens and compasses. They are marked "Temple of Wolverhamton". The model I have is the Debrett series. Does anyone have any knowledge of these? Google doesn't help. Is it worth my while persisting with these or upgrading to a Haff pen? Thanks, Richard

Nick, I think Red Oxide is the preferred undercoat for LMS Crimson Lake (aka Rover Damask Red). I have no idea for the midnight blue, but seek to recall it was a dark colour that was preferred. Rich.