HeavyDuty

Ooof - now I see. Hopefully the Settrack points will be out soon - I emailed Peco a few weeks ago asking about them, but haven't heard anything back yet.

I'm surprised - it certainly gives the impression that a LH turnout would fit.

Good point. My only concern here would be that the values of the chokes are in some way essential to the operation of the PCB.

I've seen mention a few times in this thread about relocating the suppression chokes to the underside of the PC board to better fit a decoder. I know the UK has regulations regarding EMI suppression, but we don't - and I've had cases where removing the chokes in a model improved running. Has anyone tried simply removing the chokes instead of repositioning them?

Andy, for the short term I've lined the ends of the box foam cutout with paper, but I think I'm going to have to shave the foam away from the dangly bits. My two are almost an interference fit to the box! Good for shipping, but for everyday transport - not so much.

Look - it's a squirrel!!! ;-)

Aha! We here in the colonies rather cunningly call that "paper towel."

Has there been discussion regarding what year the ladders started disappearing? I think I saw reference somewhere that it was when OHLE appeared someplace, but I'm not sure when that would have been.

Thanks, Andy - what is Kitchen Roll called when it's at home? I suspect it's called something different here. We have a thin, clingy film used for sealing cooking bowls known generically as "Saran Wrap", but it's not like the stuff I see in model packaging.

08202 arrived yesterday to join my earlier green one. It runs just as nicely as the first; I'm already in talks with Paul to get the sound decoder ordered. I do wish the slippery plastic liner Dapol uses in the box were a little larger to better protect the end details. Does anyone know of a source for this material in larger sheets? I've often wished I had more of it.

Paul, I'm looking forward to seeing what you do in 7mm. Do you have an idea of the size of the new layout?

Thanks - Zimo/Chetter it shall be!

Out of my area, I'm afraid - but Nearholmer's suggestion of using street view is a great one.

What region of the US, and what era?

I'm lazing today in my recliner enjoying my last day off work and browsing RMweb, and much to my surprise the doorbell rings - it's Juan, our local DHL courier with a box from Hattons. (I wasn't expecting it until tomorrow, DHL was supposedly shut down today.) Now, off to unbox my unnumbered plain green gronk and test it! The blue one should be here later in the week, it's stuck in customs. I'm a DCC user, so the next step is to decide what sound decoder and speaker to order. (Edit) It had a slight hitch to start, but I found one crank was slightly out of quarter - light finger pressure resolved the problem and it now runs quietly and smoothly at all speeds. I'm still not quite sure what I'm going to do with it - from what I can tell no 08s were assigned to Norwich in the early 1960s, and I'm not sure if I can justify having a loco shedded at March with where my fictitious chunk of railway is located (just east of Dereham off of the route to King's Lynn.) So, selecting a number will need to await some research; luckily, I'm interested in many areas so I'm sure I can find a fit.

Chris, any updates you can tell us about? Blackhurst is beautifully done.

I just checked the thread for the first time in ages - sorry to hear it is being retired, several times now it has come very close to inspiring me to give blue era parcels a try. I have faint but fond memories of watching same when I was in the UK in 1975.

A new discharge valve for these is being considered from a well established supplier, too.

Tove, by all means - the more voices the better! That is unfortunate about Appleby, his discharge valve was beautiful. Does anyone know of a good substitute?

Thank you, Brian - I saw the photos you posted in your workbench thread a few years ago (they were the inspiration for this project), and am in talks with Skytrex in the hope the PCAs will be offered again. Pete Harvey has also already responded to an inquiry I made about the etches that you used. I am now searching for a few wagons on the used market. Do you know if Appleby Engineering is still trading? I rather like the discharge pipe and buffers you used on yours.

I'm casting about for a good concept for a small blue era 7mm shunting plank, very likely an Inglenook. One idea I keep coming back to is a small cement terminal. I've always liked V tanks, they would look great being shoved around by an 08. How is the Skytrex PCA? I think it may be my only option for a V tank in O. Little chance of me finding one locally to examine, if I order any it will be a leap of faith based on advice. Thanks!

Pffft. -13F here right now a few miles to the east of Rochelle!

Funny you should mention Shell Island - that was the one that opened my eyes to the potential of small layouts all those years ago!

Has anyone heard more about these?

David - any further progress, or more photos you can share?