Silver Sidelines

Thanks Keith, yes I would guess the tooth is there to keep the mechanism lifted up..  Trouble is that in this one case the tooth was too long and catching in the channel above the Cam.  Easily sorted when you realise.

With regards to sound on analogue most LokSound and Zimmo sound chips are set up to play basic sounds and a selection of random sounds when running under analogue control.  Raising the analogue input voltage moves the chip to the next speed step increasing the speed of the motor and moving the output to the next sound slot.  A little patience is needed to adjust the chip settings for analogue running to match the voltage conditions on an individual layout.  Hornby TTS sound does not play on ananlogue.

Yes the poppy seeds, keep looking, they haven't sprouted yet.

Regards  Ray

On 14/04/2024 at 20:46, ikcdab said:

The Hornby pullmans have a similar mechanism and mine were also derailing in the same way.

Thank you for that confirmation.  I suspected that Hornby would have used a standard design and there must be many more coaches out there with similar problems.  The use of the 'lip' or step on the cam seems an unnecessary complication but might mean that Hornby can use the same close coupling mechanism over their whole range of coaches.  In contrast Bachmann had to make different couplers for their Mk1 and Mk2 coaches to accommodate different thicknesses of coach floor.

I started off by trying to smooth the inside lip of the cam.  It was only then that I realised that the rubbing 'post' on the close coupling mechanism was no where near touching on the cam because the tooth  was poking out too far.

Regards  Ray

15 minutes ago, franciswilliamwebb said:

The firebox flicker looks particularly effective in that video👍

Thanks for the interest.

It's great isn't it.  Even my sister commented.  It is such a smooth runner, quite a contrast to the 15xx from thoses other people.

Cheers Ray

5 hours ago, The Johnster said:

 

..... respond to the Welsh climate by staying indoors with cups of tea until the train has not only arrived,

 

 

Love your descriptive writing!  Very entertaining.  Now, let's have some pictures, especially of the sheep, since all your travellers are still indoors!  Ah Pink Floyd - after my time.....

17 hours ago, John Tomlinson said:

Excellent Ray, good to be able to read about the whole project in its different facets in one place.

 

John.

Thanks John, I think it is old age but I find it difficult to stick to one task and get it completed.  Regards  Ray

17 hours ago, hmrspaul said:

.. Mum and Dad with a small child inbetween being swung along would also be a nice design.

 

Paul

I'll let Martin know , cheers Ray

1 hour ago, MikeOxon said:

I always enjoy reading these 'worked examples', showing how you actually did things 🙂

Thank you Mike, I also enjoy seeing what others have done.  Cheers Ray

On 22/01/2024 at 12:03, Budgie said:

How do you keep the track in the tunnel clean?

 

Do you have a trackplan of the complete layout?

Hello Budgie - apologies, I missed this message coming in!

All my track is relatively clean and only gets 'spot' cleaned if there is a local issue.  As regards cleaning inside the tunnel I can get my hand and wrist a good way inside.  If it was to be a big issue a cloth and a stick would probably sort the problem.

Now finding a track plan is a big problem.  The layout as now extended is too big for A4 at 1/2 inch to the foot.  There have been subtle changes with time but the diagram below and the links should give you an insight to how it is laid out.

Thanks  Ray

3 hours ago, Methuselah said:

I have ended-up with both versions of this coach. I'm considering converting the first version into the original NER configuration. Livery aside, the details to change seem to be the removal of the duckets and alterations to the bogies.

 

• What are the correct bogies - and where might they be obtained I wonder....?
• Is there any known information source for the coach as built.....drawings...........and livery....?

Any info' gratefully received.

Thanks Methuselah for the comments.  If Bachmann had offered a maroon livery coach at the start I may well have chosen to buy that one. However rereading my potted history above suggests that the coach was withdrawn in Decemeber 1954 so I am thinking to myself why was it painted in all over maroon - and when., since blood and custard would have been the standard coach livery up until 1956 or more.

As to your questions I am sorry but I know not the anwers.  I wrote the Post in 2018, so five or more years ago.  There will probably be more information on the web.  You might find that the LNER Coach association can help  https://www.lnerca.org/home/about-us/  They have a list of drawing sources.  They should have someone more knowledgeable than myself.

Regards  Ray

On 23/10/2023 at 10:36, wappinghigh said:

How is yr model of 5239 going?

Hello again, I have been searching out my old models and I am still not impressed.  I am guessing that they were put safely away because they don't actually haul very much.

I have put together a video which starts with Rapido's 15xx.  You can see the chimney waving from side to side as it emerges from the tunnel but it is super smooth and hugely powerful.  In contrast the only way I could get Hornby's 2-8-0T / 2-8-2T tank engines to haul my train of ICI tank wagons up the hill was to double head them.  Other wise they just sat at the bottom of the incline with their wheels rotating.  Finally I have added a clip of a decent Heavy Goods Engine - a Bachmann 9F.  These are not without their issues but they can be made to be very good.  All the clips were made with the controller on essentially the same setting (Gaugemaster DS).

Enjoy - and yes I need to see how to add more weight.

Cheers Ray

8 hours ago, wappinghigh said:

So back to the original post.

 

Let's face it - if you have paid for an accurate scale model of a locomotive - particularly one in preservation - where the actual locomotive can be seen - is it good enough that a purchaser has to "shave off bits", cut and refit other parts to straighten (an otherwise bent) footplate?! 

 

No it is NOT!

 

Come on Hornby - where is the re-tool to set this right? 

 

 Hornby or is it history has a habit of repeating itself.  I remember when I first wrote this post being amazed at how plastic the model was - very flimsy.  A marked contrast to the latest 78xxx offering.   Regards  Ray

9 hours ago, 5735guy said:

Absolutely cracking job with the Sprung Buffers. It's one of the annoyances with the model. I have the Railroad Duke of Gloucester and would love to do the same but alas is beyond my skills with shaky hands.

Thanks for the compliment.  It must be a long time ago when I wrote this Post.  You would have to check and search the web to see what Hornby spares are currently available.  Changing the front buffers is not too onerous provided you have some equipment to form the slots in the front of the chassis to accomodate the buffer travel.  One of lif'e little mysteries as to why they were never made sprung.  It was of course the 'Design Clever' era - for example where the cab windshields are part of the cab glazing.

A glass of wine tonight to steady your hands?

Regards  Ray

50 minutes ago, Phil Mason said:

 

 

 

Well done Phil, that is some model.  Captures the atmosphere brilliantly.  Regards Ray

54 minutes ago, Phil Mason said:

Similarly, I've copied the Walthers blast furnace. This time I made it 3/4 scale ;probably nearer Z gauge (?) because the Walthers one is MASSIVE! 

 

Phil

 Cheers Phil - I wonder if you have a link to a picture of your furnace?  Having grown up in Middlesbrough I am familiar with the outline of steel works.  By coinicidence I later worked alongside colleagues who designed the foundations for the last biggest and now deceased blast furnace at Redcar.

After writing the Blog Post I have rediscovered some more pictures from my West Midlands days  - https://flic.kr/s/aHsm1UB2Bk  The Sandwell Holder had a lift up the side.  I cannot see any steps which would simplify things for the modeller.  I don't know how that worked Health and Safety wise.

35 minutes ago, Phil Mason said:

Brilliant, I am totally amazed, well done.  Regards Ray

1 hour ago, Modelu Chris said:

 

We are trying to do some figures for RTR models that have been out for a while, i

Thanks Chris, I keep an eye on your site, lots of tempting items.  Last time I was searching for a top feed for an Earl to convert Bachmann's model to 9004.  In the event I opted to renumber to something else.  Regards Ray

12 hours ago, YK 50A said:

 I'm mnded to see if I can remove the passengers. 

Thanls Alun - your comments made me smile.  It is certainly a different 'take' on the subject.  However open cabs as used by the GWR really do need to be populated.

Regards  Ray

3 hours ago, Mikkel said:

I can imagine how fitting loco crews must be quite a task for such a big layout.

 

Edited as earlier comment made no sense! 🙂

We will need a production line!  Might even need a 3D printer.

Regatds  Ray

3 hours ago, Mikkel said:

 

So, having added the great way round I expect the next project is to add some cut-off lines, as  the real GWR eventually did? 🙂

 

Cheers Mikkel, I think I have laid all the track that can be sensibly laid.  I think the next 'project' will be to finish more of the scenery.  My wife is still bothered about all the driverless engines and keeps referring to your work with model figures.  So lots of options.  Regards  Ray

7 hours ago, YK 50A said:

 Keep it coming, I never get bored.

Thanks Alun, shall do. Regards Ray

2 hours ago, Sasquatch said:

Excellent job!

Thanks Shaun, with care and good fortune.   I shall tell more in the next installment.

Regards Ray

2 minutes ago, YK 50A said:

I'm still marvelling at this simple but ingenious solution.  Hats off!

Thanks Alun, if this damp weather continues I might have to write about the Great Way Round.

Regards Ray

On 18/06/2023 at 21:28, Halvarras said:

 

Ladies and Gentlemen........or is it now "Hello Everyone!".........I present.......um.......this contraption:

 

Well done Halvarras - definitely a labour of love.  I see you are not going to be taking orders.  I wonder what the next challenge is going to be?

Regards

Ray

2 hours ago, NFWEM57 said:

I was using a wheel puller, might have another go using an alternate method but US wheels already purchased so may as well use them.  Below is my Mainline conversion, which I sold on a while back.  Direction sensitive cab lights (Aux2) and switchable red running lights (Aux1) both enabled by the lights function. 

 

 

Cheers Patrick - certainly an inspiration.  I would not have used wheel pullers but would have prised the wheels apart probably using a big screw driver bit between the backs of the wheels.  The plastic gear being already cracked could be sacrificed.  Keeping on posting.  Regards Ray

21 minutes ago, NFWEM57 said:

RTR wheels are accurate shape wise but almost impossible to remove without damage.

 

Wow - what a task.  When I fitted the Ultrascale brass gears the Mainline wheel sets easily pulled apart with no damage.  That might well have been because there is an insulating bush on one side.  Certainly the model in my video was running very well after having the Ultrascale gears fitted (and the wheel sets pulled apart).

Cheers Ray