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- Today
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Another short running session today but not before I'd managed to cross off another couple of items from the 'to do' list. Firstly the point forming the connection to Cattle Leys terminus. The point itself, operated by a car central locking motor, is a Peco live frog type under DCC control but I hadn't installed any form of frog power feed switching. I had toyed with the idea of using either a microswitch or a 'frog juicer' as I had done with the 2 other outside points. The frog juicer worked out rather expensive, especially since I have already had 2 failures which admittedly are likely to have been my own fault as they were left outdoors over winter! I then noticed that Gaugemaster had started selling their own Autofrog modules and at a very reasonable price meaning I could obtain 3 Gaugemaster Autofrog's for the price of a single 'frog juicer'. So about 12 months ago I purchased three and today I finally got round to installing one. The above photo's were taken after I had installed my first module, hence the reason there are only two left in the packet. The bottom photo shows each side of the module, the rear comprising three solder pads to which you solder your track feeds (top left and right) and frog supply (bottom centre). I had read elsewhere that the wire carrying your live frog feed should be as short as possible which would mean having to locate the module outdoors adjacent to the point, something I was keen to avoid if at all possible. I decided to try it with the module inside the shed and wires approximately 8 feet in length extending outdoors. It seems to work just fine. I can't fault it and the module is better protected under cover of the shed. I had a sticky solenoid point motor inside the shed and discovered I had installed it at a slight angle to the tie bar so managed to realign that and it now works much smoother and more reliably. Watching trains circulating is very enjoyable and the little Heljan blue class 26 seems like it could go on and on forever. It runs faultlessly whereas most of the others like to have a little stutter now and again which can sometimes become rather frustrating. However, I do find operating the layout much less appealing. Most of the time it is done completely oblivious as to what is actually happening outside the shed because once trains pass through the entrance/exit holes they are out of sight unless you actually walk around following them. Fortunately the wireless handset allows me to do that when I need to keep a close eye on one of them. Remote camera's and track circuits are out of the question I'm afraid. Anyway, here's just a couple of photos from today. 37408 'Loch Rannoch' heads towards Watch House tunnel having just passed beneath Trundles bridge with the West Highland line set. This is the location where the track bed is in a sorry state although it's still good enough for running trains. I'm not sure why there's so many missing sleepers. I do like the lineside areas here with the rotting logs and decaying vegetation beneath the other greenery. It's how I always wanted the layout to appear. Below is a favourite spot for photos as it's easy to access and not too bad on the old knees. Loch Rannoch again this time passing over Low Shott viaduct
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Hi Mick, glad to see you back and Worsley Dale back up and running again, will have to agree with roddy that viaduct is pure awesome especially to see a train on the viaduct . I fell a little better now when you said Worsley Dale started construction 6 years back, I have being at Camdale for over 4 years, getting very close to finishing the smaller decking construction of my layout, some time this year, had a sad set back last year. Thomas uses Tyro foam or WPC for decking on his layout, might be a way to go, I am glad I turned to a module garden railway instead of a permanent railway, with wood not fairing too well with humidity heat and rain. Tony from very cold down under.
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Great to see trains running again on Worsley Dale. Obviously a child near the railway was much more dangerous than your late lamented Scottie dog.
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WOW! That last picture is impressive.
- Yesterday
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Early morning Thomas, yes the track is flexi track , be taking both off, replaced with single, actually the curved decking was part of the old Tehachapi loop I first started modelling, 7 foot radius curve , be awesome to see the train tackle the spiral. Have to get a move on hopping the construction of he spiral wont take too long, I nearly saved a lot on the buying the two boxes of peco flexi track $98 from that show in Perth, he did the same deal that was in their eBay store, I rang them up, because was also buying Revel 1/87 scale big boy kit, my wife broke the model I had. As close as I get to owning a Big Boy , RTR one is out of my reach at the moment, unless our lotto numbers com e up tonight, big draw, just like win a share be nice. Tony from cool down under keeping on moving a head.
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It's taken me far longer than anticipated but I have just managed to spend a couple of days on the layout. I can't remember how long it's been since it was last powered up but you can imagine how relieved I was to discover that the months of neglect hadn't taken too heavy a toll. However, the first job that required my attention was a short section of parapet wall on Stack Gill viaduct which had succumbed at the hands of a young child. Luckily it was just the parapet wall but my garden was never designed or built as child friendly. I'd been putting it off for several weeks (the tulips hadn't yet flowered in the above photo) but the nice weather finally persuaded me that it was time to sort it out and while I was at it I reattached the sections of log roll that had come adrift along the base of the viaduct using some of that acclaimed 'Gorilla' adhesive. So with the parapet wall duly repaired the route was finally clear and it was time to bring out the trains. Now it's been six years since Worsley Dale was started, although the final section from Stack Gill viaduct along the bottom of the garden to the shed is more recent, but there were still a number of track joins that I hadn't bonded and they were playing up so before going any further it was out with the soldering iron. Now with a fully bonded circle of track surely we can get something running? I'd been looking forward to seeing the Scottish coaches out together so chose a suitable loco to get things started in the form of 37025 'Inverness TMD'. This is fitted with a 'Legomanbiffo' class 37/0 sound chip and really sounds the part. In fact I couldn't put it down and found myself using hardly anything else all day. I'll add a few photos from a selection just added to my photo gallery. 37025 INVERNESS TMD rounds Low Shott Flatts hauling a rake of six green and cream West Highland Line MK1 coaches on its approach to Shieling Bridge station. A little further on and 37025 is seen crossing Low Shott viaduct as it slows to enter Shieling Bridge station. Crossing Low Shott viaduct in the opposite direction, having just departed Shieling Bridge station, 37025 is seen here hauling a rake of 6 Kyle line coaches 37025 on its approach to Stack Gill viaduct. 37025 appearing somewhat insignificant as it nears the end of the imposing Stack Gill viaduct. You'll notice that only the main part of the layout has been used over the past two days and that I wasn't running into Cattle Leys terminus or using the passing loop. The reason was that I just wanted to get something running and not spend the whole time trying to get things fully operational. It all looks great in the sunshine but there is going to be a need for some repair work on Worsley Dale in the very near future. The section between the two viaducts is causing me some problems with track alignment although I'm not sure whether it's the plywood base or simply the roofing felt that's rippled. I really would like to replace the plywood base with something solid and weatherproof. It could be done a little at a time if I need to keep things running. I'll keep you posted.
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One question: Are these curved tracks or flex track on your pictures?
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Finely started work on constructing the spiral today, didn't start to late morning, was on the phone to a hobby shop in Perth WA and ordered two boxes of 25 peco flexi track and Revell 1/87 scale Big Boy steamie kit, sadly the one I have my wife knocked over and broke the front drive set, wasn't happy, tried to sit it back in place couldn't, so bought a new kit . With these two boxes will give me three boxes and 5 lengths of track plenty to finishing the the layout. That took me quite a while to get right before cutting the long piece of ply, next step is to cut the piece that will join the curve to the straight piece and to keep the track join lined up every time I join them together. The curves deck will half way between the first and second hand rail, grade be starting from the corner module , need to get up to the second hand rail which is the height of the bridge, plenty of clearance from the lower deck to the water line. The next curve piece will have a 12 foot quarter curve, 7 foot in curve, onto a straight and other curve and another straight onto a curve linking the bridge, take a while, the double track will have to come off the single track in the middle.to the last curve onto the bridge will have double track branching off to the reverse loop and vertical staging yard third stage. Tony from cold down under keeping on moving ahead.
- Last week
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Modelling Tor Corona Ro ,Ro vessel in 87 scale
aussietmrail replied to aussietmrail's topic in Members Workbench
Back on track with the ship where I had to cut the bow keel off the main deck, rebuilt the bow keel, happy with the the out come, next step is to ill in the other side between the main deck and water line bottom . Looking a lot better with the second bow bulkhead stopping the raised deck sagging at the sides, there is one more bulkhead to cut out and glue in place, and also sitting much better to the first one e I build. Still a bit more work in re cutting the support pieces that will brace the the bow keel in place, can see in pic 5, I cut 10 mm strips of card to strengthen the bow keel to the bulkhead, didn't do this last time., once in place and the other side done the same way can start closing in the sides of the bow, going to be a challenge, have mark and cut out the anchor hosing too . Hopefully in pics 3 and 4 will look like the last pic, be glad to see the end of the bow section, next two sections be very easy to build and hope to finish the hull close to when the layout is finished, sadly layout will not be finished on the dates I as is, wiring taking up too much time, I am not rushing the build, the 1 mm sheet cardboard adds up. Tony from down under. -
Southern electrics in the Home Counties For a change, this week's visitors were a multitude of emus and Class 73s, adding unusual colour to the layout. The striking Network SouthEast livery always looked good against a background of high summer greenery: These 4TC sets ran on the Waterloo-Weymouth services and were hauled by a 4REP unit or a diesel or electro-diesel loco (or, very occasionally, two): These 4CEP units (also Class 411) ran on services to Portsmouth: One Class 73 ran in Pullman livery from 1992 onwards. Here is "The Royal Alex" heading an excursion train of Pullman stock: After so much activity, a bit of track maintenance is always a good idea:
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https://youtu.be/oS64mH5SNZs Video filmed tonight after a small garden opening to raise funds for the church I work for...
- Earlier
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There hasnt been much, so far, this year, but I had a short running session earlier this week. If you are a fan of "Sulzer" powered traction, this is for you! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nr3MmTH2muk Next time, something for those who prefer the sound of English Electric traction.
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Hello Roddy! For the german-speaking world my answer is: Thomas made it to TV, Sammy did not. From Sammy I had just never heard anything up to your post. Regards Thomas
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Hallo Tony, I answered to the "cable topic" in Deano's thread. If we want to deepen the subject, we should do it better here. 😎😉 Thomas
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Hello Tony, So you use cables as they are installed in cars with 1mm² ?? I use cable with 0,25mm² and these should be at 16 to 20 volts for min. 5A be good. That would be about 100 watts of transferable power (or 0.1 kilowatts). That seems to me sufficient even for DCC. For cables with 1mm², you could chase through 15 to 16A at 16V, so an output of about 250W. I do not know a transformer for DC which creates more than 70W. For a cable of 1mm², the price is okay. However, I do not want to offend you, but I think you spend money unnecessarily. It is not a problem to use thick cables, I also use house cables that I have from the construction of our house still there. But spending a lot of money in my opinion is not necessary. Best Regards Thomas
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A pleasant afternoon in middle England Yesterday was a good day for running trains, dry but not sunny. Had to deal with plenty of bird poo before trains could run, and there were lots of insects risking their lives by trespassing on the railway, as well as several of those snails. The scene was 1950s Stanier territory, which allows for a lot of locations (although the regional prefix of the first passenger coach is "Sc"). A Jubilee romps across Foxdale Bank with her passenger train... ...before setting out across the Northern Viaduct... ...and passing a goods train waiting at Throstlebeck Sidings: The Black 5 takes its train out onto the main line... ...and heads round Sycamore Curve, where the occupants of Sycamore Cottage enjoy a great view of passing trains... ...after which the train's slow progress across Foxdale Bank gives the crew plenty of time to enjoy the lush summer vegetation. No danger of starting lineside fires here:
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Hi roddy, great to hear from you, how is your layout going, happy 70th birthday, I don't remember Sammy the shunter you still can get those books like every thing something else always takes over another. You are 6 years on me, my 64th birthday is at the end of June, always ask for money so I buy what I want, will be will buying a two boxes of Peco Flexi track have enough track to complete the layout . Keep tuned, soon the running of the first test loco. Tony from cloudy down under keeping on moving ahead.
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Hi Deano, Thomas, I have being told to use heavier wire for the main line, some modelers use house wire, too thick for me, the thickness wire I use is about 1mm thick for the main line and using thinner wire for the station track blocks close to the panel., that price is pretty good, I buy by the meter , working out on the length of the module . I buy at time enough wire for a few blocks , so there isn't too much wastage. Did a bit more work on the corner module today, two more blocks to make bus wire harness. Tony from cloudy down under.
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When I was a small boy in the early 1950s (I was 70 last weekend) my favourite books were Sammy the Shunter. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sammy_the_Shunter I wonder why Thomas the Tank became so popular when Sammy just disappeared?
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Hi Thomas and Deano, yeah Thomas goes way back to my childhood days, never got any toys mainly books. I managed to get some bus wire harness made up yesterday and today , stapled the wires in place and pushed then through he hols in the ply, just two more blocks to do on the corner module, then turn the module over off its side and star soldering the feeder wires to the track, got the feeder wire soldering down to a fine art now. Then move onto the approach module, a bit more work needed here, then onto the final module being the hardest module, this module will be the module that connects to the main control panel, will be using those block strips for all the blocks merging onto, be neater this way. I the mean time I be drawing up a track plan onto a piece of MBF board and the blocks be coded so, I may look into lights on each block when has power ,more wire., this panel will act for the point switched as well. Tony from cloudy down under keeping on moving ahead.
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Hello Tony! I do not know what you mean by "heavier wire". But 100m for 95 Australian dollars (61 euros) sounds extremely expensive for me! The thickest cable I use, copper strand of 0.25mm2, costs here 8.50 euros for 100m. Thomas
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Hi Tony, Thank you, I live in Derbyshire uk weather men say today will be hot and sunny I do hope so got some jobs to do on my layout today. I do plan to build and an extension inside the track I have already layed using a separate controller so I can run 2 trains at the same time but due to financial reasons I scaled down my plans. keep up the great work Tony. Cheers Deano
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Early morning Deano, that roofing felt you did a good job, looks real effective indeed, I may just sprinkle some gray colour sand as ballast, don't like too much ballast, if you ever want to change some of the track hard to lift up and clean.. Yesterday I made a start on the bus wiring, ran out of heaver wire for the main line track, will work out how long the module on how much I will buy so there isn't a lot of wastage, to buy a full roll 100 meter roll $95, don't want to pay that much, have to buy a bit a time. Might do a bit more today before the meeting I have to go to mid afternoon, I make up wire harnesses and turn the module on it's side and push the feeder wires through and staple the bus wire in place, makes it pretty easy that way. Bugger about the weather over there, what part of England do you live, Melbourne Adelaide and Canberra can have three climates in one day in summer , drive ya nuts,. Keep the pics flowing, do you have any plans to extend your layout out into the yard. Tony from sunny down under, that will change showers predicted for this afternoon.
