.jpg.39bdeb0f4590433c28aa87d745975f8d.jpg)
DavidLong
-
Posts
1,395 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Blogs
Gallery
Events
Exhibition Layout Details
Store
Posts posted by DavidLong
-
-
It looks like TPE could be in the market for some electro-diesel (sorry, can't bring myself to use bi-mode) trains. Trains to Scotland, both west and east coast will be 125 capable but also Middlesboro' and Scarborough. As the latter is unlikely to be electrified and Manchester - Leeds via LNW route electrification is delayed they are going to need some non-electric capability. Could be an open goal for Hitachi as other manufacturers only offer either/or. That's if Hitachi have the capacity at the new factory.
Also note that Cleethorpes/Hull will get 'fully refurbished' trains, so I assume that this will be the future use of Class 185s.
Pleased to see that my local station at Atherton will finally get four trains an hour to Manchester. As a suburban station, eleven miles from its associated city this should be a minimum requirement and certainly would have been under London Overground or Merseyrail. Currently two trains an hour with a clumsy forty minute/twenty minute split.
David
-
young37215, on 09 Dec 2015 - 09:41, said:
Biggest issue for me is what will happen to the Cumbian Coast loco hauled services. Nothing I can see in the announcements addresses this point, is anyone aware of the timescales for the loco hauled services?
You have to look into the detail in the announcement. It says:
"the locomotive-hauled carriages used on the Coast will be refurbished."
And also:
"up to 6 extra services will be provided per day to stations on the Cumbria Coast route between Barrow-in-Furness and Carlisle, with more capacity on the busiest services and the timetable better suited to employees at Sellafield and Whitehaven"
Interesting that they may continue as I had read that there were reliability problems with the current arrangement.
David
-
Following my previous comments, I made this jig for straightening rails. A couple of brass rods pushed into a couple of holes in a block of wood. By experimenting with the distance apart, I successfully was able to straighten some very dodgy pieces of rail in both horizontal and vertical plane. Don't use it too often, I deformed the rail head by being over zealous.
Thanks, Tim. As a matter of interest, what diameter are the rods? I may give this a try.
David
-
I've noticed that rail is a very small section and is often bent or curved. Anyone got any ideas on how to straighten it out? I'm thinking I've seen some rollers somewhere, but can't remember where that was.
To illustrate the problem that Tim was talking about I've attached a photo of some of the lengths that I have. These are some of the better ones and I have many other lengths which are much worse. This is looking at the rails side-on and most of them describe various forms of curve. In 2mm scale, even more than larger scales, it is essential to provide a reasonably flat top to the track as an aid to good current collection. The rail is pretty much straight along its length (which if it wasn't is fairly easy to correct) but in the vertical plane is anything but straight.
The rail is all nickel Code 40 bullhead from either the Association or Marcway. They have all been stored in a tube in which I received one of the consignments.
It's a rubbish photo 'cos its quite difficult to photograph but I think you get the idea.
David
-
I don't normally post pictures of customers layouts but thought this shot was appropriate. I snapped it on the phone whilst working on Paul Stephens layout earlier in the week and whilst there is still much to do I think this shot of the Exmouth Cleethorpes leaving Devonshire Tunnel and dropping down the bank into Bath behind a 4F and 7F really captures the location. This really demonstrates the potential of N gauge.
Jerry
Jerry,
Nice photo. There's a four page article on the Exmouth - Cleethorpes in the December issue of Back Track. I hadn't realised that it only ran for three years, 1960 to 1962. Judging by the photographs there were some truly amazing carriage formations with all manner of Gresleys, Thompsons, Bulleids, Mark 1s and probably a few more that I can't recognise but then I get a bit hazy if a vehicle has more than four wheels and carries people . . .
David
-
You could also get the wheels turned down by the Association service.
Chris
Agreed. Gordon can turn down any metal rolling stock wheels and reset the back-to-backs.
David
-
-
queensquare, on 20 Oct 2015 - 22:47, said:
I'm looking for something a little less cumbersome to take to shows.
Jerry
NCE Power Cab, for example . . .
David
-
Chris,
I guess with 3D printing it is not too much of a problem to do both versions as John B-S has done with his Star.
David
-
Chris,
Is that to go with a Farish body and your etched chassis? Looks like an interesting idea.
David
-
does anyone do pro N gauge repaints for these types??? any examples of their work?
For N/2FS look no further than Ian Clenton at Mercig Studios:
http://www.mercigstudios.com/gallery/28/class-86
He's a real artist and his detailing work is excellent. Not necessarily the cheapest but certainly the best.
David
-
"Simply stunning" - the price may be but as for the model . . .
David
-
1
-
-
Here are some pics of a MR 6 wheel brake van I built from a David Eveleigh etch, now ready for painting.
The handrails are from 8 thou steel, and seem to have rusted a bit. I had quite a battle with the solebar/ step assemblies, and they won. You can tell they are a bit wobbly.
Nig H
Very nice, Nigel. About time you got onto some wagons!
Rather than wrestling with steel wire you could try some Albion Alloys 0.2mm/0.008thou nickel silver rod. It comes in straight lengths which makes it ideal for handrails. Here's an example of a seller but there are others:
David
-
Trap points are facing points designed to deflect loose vehicles running from a siding onto a main running line.
Catch Points are usually sprung trailing points situated on the uphill portion of a gradient and designed to deflect ('catch')vehicles that have broken away from a train. These were essential in the days of unfitted or partially fitted freight trains and are, as far as I am aware, now unknown on the British system.
Traps are still in use especially at the end of loop lines but are more usually a simple crossover with the run-off line ending in buffer stops.
David
-
Lovely work as usual, John.
Referring back to post #293, if it is 1959 that Vanwide will have to go!
David
-
Excellent, Jeremy. Look forward to more updates!
David
-
I can't remember the name of this layout. It was a bit different as it was viewed from the end. Taken at the Kidderminster Show in 2004.
Tim,
The layout is 'Queen Street Goods' by Richard Chapman.
More info here:
http://www.2mm.org.uk/layouts/queenstgoods/
David
-
As for the Ivo shots of the Hymek on the Portishead coal, they are indeed classics and I would love to reproduce them - need a stretch of single line in open country - watch this space! There are also some lovely ones from the early 1970s in the Limpley Stoke valley with Westerns and Warships in charge.
Jerry
I first came across these photos in Mike Vincent's 'Through Countryside and Coalfield' and I've just begun to give it a re-read. I was shocked to realise that I bought it in 1990 when it was published and that is a whole quarter century ago! I think that I had designs on Camerton as an interesting prototype to model but as, for me, that applies equally to about fifty per cent of the entire rail network . . .
David
-
Chris,
Can I ask what gears the M7 chassis is designed to use? I can then pick them up from the central shop at Expo next week.
Thanks,
Steve
Steve,
Did M7s ever make it onto Rhymney tracks or is this another 'show me a side-track and I'm off' moment?
David
-
Mmmm . . . Hymeks!! Hooray
(but is that the sound of Kim sobbing in the background . . . ?)David
PS Any chance of reproducing the classic Peters shot of the Radstock to Portishead coal train?
-
2
-
-
Observed, and travelled on, on the West Highland extension, Easter 1969 Mixed Train headed by a D61XX composed of the passenger vehicles followed by 1x16ton min (unfitted), 1 x Class A Tank Car, 1 'other wagon (I can't remember what it was offhand), 1 x freight brakevan.
Mike,
A D61xx! Did you make it to Mallaig?
David
-
A few examples from John Vaughan colour pictures.
September 1960 4F 44386 at Harecastle. 1 x Unfitted High, 1 x 16T Mineral, 7 x Unfitted Class A tanks then rest of train in view is 16T minerals.
August 1963 D6508 near Worcester returning Class A Tanks to Fawley. Two Highfits behind loco followed by long block train of Class A tanks.
September 1964 31632 (U Class) at Yeovil Junction. Mixed freight. 2 x Vanfits, 2 x Highfits, 1 x Tube, 2 x Class A tanks, 1 x Class B tank, 1 x Highfit, 1 x Plate (I think) and 1 x SR 'Pill Box' Brake.
September 1965 D5197 at Harbury Junction. 2 x Class A tanks, 2 x Conflats then endless sheeted Highfits.
September 1965 D6549 'en route' from Fawley at Southampton Central. 1 x Class B, 1 x Class A, 1 x Class B, 1 x Class A, 1 X class B, 2 x Class A, 1 x Class B then picture cropped. An eclectic selection especially as the Class Bs are 35T type and Class A are early 45T type.
By the way, all the above, except 1960 photo, are Esso tanks.
David
-
Just a progress report.
The M7 and underframes for Farish BR CCT and Dapol SR BY are on the same sheet.
Chris,
Any info on the other underframes such as Fruit D and grain hopper?
David
-
The photo at East Farleigh. Is the car parked near the crossing (perhaps belonging to the signaller!), or is it moving? Either way, its either illegally parked or is being poorly driven & is too far to the left.
I've no idea, Kevin, except that its not mine which was safely tucked away in the old goods yard!
The road through East Farleigh isn't one that could be recommended to take at any sort of speed. This is a photo taken from the footbridge (as was the one of the signalbox) looking to the right of the crossing which the small van has just crossed. IIRC the road on the other side has a steep hill down to the crossing. All in all one to take carefully.
Looking towards the crossing from Paddock Wood bound platform:
David
-
4
-
Northern Franchise the winner is?
in UK Prototype Discussions (not questions!)
Posted · Edited by DavidLong
The 'Northern Connect' services are part of the fallout from the decision not to amalgamate the two franchises and TPE losing services such as Barrow/Windermere - Manchester to Northern. The result is:
"a new high-quality ‘Northern Connect’ service, meaning new or refurbished trains on longer-distance services, faster journeys and stations staffed daily with catering services and free Wi-Fi at each one – as well as serving the 5 major commuter cities, this network will also serve other destinations including Bradford, Halifax, Blackburn, Accrington, Burnley, Lincoln, Worksop and Retford" Newcastle - Carlisle is also mentioned in the detail of the document.
The Barrow service is specified as new diesel trains and Windermere as new electric trains after electrification.
David