Heaton Lodge Junction

[HeatonLodge40]

It’s more electrics this week, boring stuff, relocating Digitrax boosters etc. Marvellous.

 

However I’ve finally unboxed the 50 Accurascale HUO’s I’ve had for the last 18 months stuck on a shelf.

Studying pics of the real thing I’m simply speed weathering these by airbrushing dark rust over the whole wagon before I’ll take most of it back off with a paper towel. Then I’ll probably airbrush dirty black over the top and add some blobs of thicker rust. I’ll let you know how it turns out. 
 

Ive also been trying to source 60 pairs of Corridor Connections to fit the Heljan MK1’s. 
Finally found Modellers Mecca who’ve been extremely helpful in making these to order.

I’m amazed at what a difference they make. 
 

Finally thanks to Manchester Model Railway Society who invited me over on Tuesday.
I was made to feel extremely welcome and was delighted to see ‘Dewsbury Midland’ again (I grew up there, somebody had to) a really fantastic piece of modelling.

I must confess I’ve always viewed clubs like committee's - I’d only be on one if I was the only one in it.

But I’m probably wrong and I need to learn to be more sociable in my old age. MMRS underlined that. Thanks again to them

[steve4rosegrove]

1 hour ago, HeatonLodge40 said:

It’s more electrics this week, boring stuff, relocating Digitrax boosters etc. Marvellous.

 

However I’ve finally unboxed the 50 Accurascale HUO’s I’ve had for the last 18 months stuck on a shelf.

Studying pics of the real thing I’m simply speed weathering these by airbrushing dark rust over the whole wagon before I’ll take most of it back off with a paper towel. Then I’ll probably airbrush dirty black over the top and add some blobs of thicker rust. I’ll let you know how it turns out. 
 

Ive also been trying to source 60 pairs of Corridor Connections to fit the Heljan MK1’s. 
Finally found Modellers Mecca who’ve been extremely helpful in making these to order.

I’m amazed at what a difference they make. 
 

Finally thanks to Manchester Model Railway Society who invited me over on Tuesday.
I was made to feel extremely welcome and was delighted to see ‘Dewsbury Midland’ again (I grew up there, somebody had to) a really fantastic piece of modelling.

I must confess I’ve always viewed clubs like committee's - I’d only be on one if I was the only one in it.

But I’m probably wrong and I need to learn to be more sociable in my old age. MMRS underlined that. Thanks again to them

I wonder if using only 1-off corridor connector per gap would enable closer coupling and a more realistic gap?  Still looks infinitely better than no connector at all of course.

Loving this thread.

Steve

[TheSignalEngineer]

10 hours ago, steve4rosegrove said:

I wonder if using only 1-off corridor connector per gap would enable closer coupling and a more realistic gap?  Still looks infinitely better than no connector at all of course.

Loving this thread.

Steve

I've tried shortening some of my couplings so that the coaches (4mm scale) are about 1mm apart on the tightest fiddle yard curves then fitting corridor connectors at one end with and a plain rubbing plate at the other.

On coaches with buckeyes don't forget that the side buffers should be retracted except on the outer ends of the train or next to a screw coupled vehicle.

[HeatonLodge40]

On 16/02/2022 at 22:12, steve4rosegrove said:

I wonder if using only 1-off corridor connector per gap would enable closer coupling and a more realistic gap?  Still looks infinitely better than no connector at all of course.

Loving this thread.

Steve

That’s a good point I’ll try that when the corridor connectors land.
There’s enough strain on the coupling with 12 on anyway without two connectors adding more. And I can do more coaches with just one. Cheers 

[Gilbert]

10 minutes ago, HeatonLodge40 said:

That’s a good point I’ll try that when the corridor connectors land.
There’s enough strain on the coupling with 12 on anyway without two connectors adding more. And I can do more coaches with just one. Cheers 

Given the unique characteristics of HLJ I think you have to go for reliabilty over fidelity....IMHO...

Chris

[steve45]

On 16/02/2022 at 20:16, HeatonLodge40 said:

 

Finally thanks to Manchester Model Railway Society who invited me over on Tuesday.
I was made to feel extremely welcome and was delighted to see ‘Dewsbury Midland’ again (I grew up there, somebody had to) a really fantastic piece of modelling.

I must confess I’ve always viewed clubs like committee's - I’d only be on one if I was the only one in it.

But I’m probably wrong and I need to learn to be more sociable in my old age. MMRS underlined that. Thanks again to them

 

 

Model Railway Clubs are the same as local model shops, we need to use them (i.e. become a member) or we will lose them. Clubs contribute so much to the hobby, education, mentoring, friendship and not least model railway exhibitions. A lot of clubs are coming under increased pressure to survive, including the one I belong to as premises to rent become more expensive and membership numbers dwindle. 

[fail safe]

Following this thread with great admiration. Awesome project. Would it be seen more if it was under 7mm+Modelling, rather than Scenery, Structures & Transport heading?  Put me straight if I'm wrong on this but I always have to search for it.

[Nickey Line]

1 hour ago, fail safe said:

Following this thread with great admiration. Awesome project. Would it be seen more if it was under 7mm+Modelling, rather than Scenery, Structures & Transport heading?  Put me straight if I'm wrong on this but I always have to search for it.

 

if you 'follow' the topic it will appear in your 'My Activity Streams - Content I Follow' when there are new posts.

[HeatonLodge40]

5 hours ago, fail safe said:

Following this thread with great admiration. Awesome project. Would it be seen more if it was under 7mm+Modelling, rather than Scenery, Structures & Transport heading?  Put me straight if I'm wrong on this but I always have to search for it.

Probably, it’s just historic since the late great Allan Downes started it here so I’m loathe to request moving it! 

[HeatonLodge40]

Another 20 HUO’s weathered.

 

These will run as empties although they are way too light in my opinion to run reliably. Lead strips in the interior bottom spoils the look of the coal chutes & lead balls makes the chutes drop out so looks like I’ll have to butcher the underside after all. 
This weekend I’ve also fitted 12 new point motors for the diesel depot/DMU siding and serviced another 40 wagons plus fitted 6 new working tail lamps.

 

On the servicing wagons I’m a bit shocked as to how many bits are missing after a solid two weeks running in December.

I collected a cake tin full of debris on the tracks after the Wakefield exhibition, I’m hoping the Bath one (being three days) will be a lot easier on the rolling stock. 
As it stands I’ve 15 wagons with vital missing parts like axleboxes so they are being stored until I can get some more bits

[37260xbhrIS]

On 19/02/2022 at 11:54, steve45 said:

Model Railway Clubs are the same as local model shops, we need to use them (i.e. become a member) or we will lose them. Clubs contribute so much to the hobby, education, mentoring, friendship and not least model railway exhibitions. A lot of clubs are coming under increased pressure to survive, including the one I belong to as premises to rent become more expensive and membership numbers dwindle. 

Also note that due to covid many clubs have not run shows for the last two years - and therefore funds are even tighter.  I am even hearing of a few clubs that are no longer planning to run shows, which is a great loss, both financially and as a means of attracting members.

Great that HLJ is out there spreading the word for us all!

[Gallows Close]

On 18/02/2022 at 21:17, HeatonLodge40 said:

There’s enough strain on the coupling with 12 on anyway without two connectors adding more. And I can do more coaches with just one. Cheers 

 

Wouldn't some sort of buckeye coupler be stronger than the screw link?  (and true to prototype too)

 

Best wishes,

Chris.

[Kris]

....

Edited February 21, 2022 by Kris
Misunderstood post.

[St Enodoc]

25 minutes ago, Kris said:

Screw Link, (instanta) is correct here. UK railways were slow at going to buckeyes.

Not for SR, LNER, Pullman, BR Mk1 and later gangwayed stock, which is what I think we're talking about here.

[Kris]

26 minutes ago, St Enodoc said:

Not for SR, LNER, Pullman, BR Mk1 and later gangwayed stock, which is what I think we're talking about here.

Whoops I though it was about the wagons above, must read the posts with greater accuracy. 

[HeatonLodge40]

Makes me smile every time I see this pic.

Heaton Lodge c1985.

Few enthusiasts on board!

Taken by Terry Campbell (whose seen the layout a few times)!

[AY Mod]

8 minutes ago, HeatonLodge40 said:

Makes me smile every time I see this pic.

Heaton Lodge c1985.

Few enthusiasts on board!

Taken by Terry Campbell (whose seen the layout a few times)!

 

I think it's the first coach that needs a sound decoder rather than the loco.

[eastwestdivide]

39 minutes ago, AY Mod said:

 

I think it's the first coach that needs a sound decoder rather than the loco.

Need their heads examined - it's only a 47!

[fail safe]

22 hours ago, Nickey Line said:

 

if you 'follow' the topic it will appear in your 'My Activity Streams - Content I Follow' when there are new posts.

I Know! I was thinking of new people discovering it.

[fail safe]

1 hour ago, HeatonLodge40 said:

Makes me smile every time I see this pic.

Heaton Lodge c1985.

Few enthusiasts on board!

Taken by Terry Campbell (whose seen the layout a few times)!

Its a great shot, iconic.

I wonder if with a few 3D printed 7mm scale enthusiasts doing arm thing, you could repliacte this. Would be entertaining thats for sure!

[Nickey Line]

But you said...

 

On 20/02/2022 at 14:40, fail safe said:

I always have to search for it

 

I'm confused! 

[HeatonLodge40]

A couple hundred yards west from the pic of the 47 (above) and I’ve been relaying track panels to smooth out rough joints. 

Must be a couple years since I ballasted track, it’s oddly quite therapeutic 

This section is awaiting some light weathering 

[HeatonLodge40]

More of the same, wiring point motors & stuff this week. 
About the only interesting aspect has been more weathering.

 

A Class 50, 03 & two 47’s have been in the paint booth today. Once again, these have only had a dusting of dirty black and a lick of frame dirt on the bogies. 
‘Ajax’ runs a 12 coach charter with the other 50 ‘Sir Edward Elgar’, so trying not to make this one too filthy.

The layout is back up and running in the basement again now after a smallish flood last week meant spending half a day vaccing up water. Most of it was at the far side of the dungeon though and not near the trestles.
I say the layout is up and running - only part of it is - since on reassembling it took a few short cuts measurements wise in my haste to get the fiddle yard up. Needless to say the tracks wouldn’t fit at one end and I found out soon enough the alignments of the dive under lines was way out. 
Goes to show that skip a step or two on assembly can result in disaster. Thank goodness it’s not a show set up.
Lesson learnt 

 

[HeatonLodge40]

A day of working on wagons ..

 

I wanted to cover with a ‘tarpaulin’ around five of the 14 huge steel carrying Cargowaggens that are pulled by 2 x 37’s. 
 

It’s really easy making tarpaulins for loads. Just need some toilet paper, drape it dry over the load then paint on a 50/50 mix of diluted PVA. 
Once this is dry you can paint it black/blue or any realistic tarpaulin colour.

The one I’m doing here should be dry by the morning and it’ll get a coat of Tamiya dark blue.
I’ll post the finished article later this week but once it’s painted just requires the miniature chains thrown over it.

 

The previously weathered HUO hoppers are getting their lead weights hot glued in situ before a false floor made from foam board is fitted on top. 
I’ve ordered another cheap blender to crush some coal to sieve over the top. Must be on the fourth one now!

[sb67]

Look forward to seeing the Tarpaulins finished, I've got to do that on some 4mm scale OAA's, I wasn't sure how to do it but that looks pretty straightforward.