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Nuvolari

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Everything posted by Nuvolari

  1. I came upon this old film footage. And have a look at the signaling school, who does would not like a layout working like that? http://www.britishpathe.com/video/railway-signal-school-aka-railways I found this footage searching for a good book on British semafoor signals, preferably LNER type. What I'm looking for is the way they are placed, especially junction signal and speeds connected to certain signal images. Does anyone has any tips for me? I already have found a few good websites like "Signalbox" http://www.signalbox.org/index.php But it's a good book on the topic that I'm after, who has a tip for me? Cheers, Danny
  2. Hi Tony, I also start at all funny hours of the day. We are allowed to make maximum shifts of 11 hours, but only 9 hours are effective driving. Most of the times we sleep over in Germany and return next day. Maximum length is about 700M, longer trains aren't possible here in Europe, due to that this is the general maximum length a station can take. Maximum pulling on flat surface is about 2000 tons with one single locomotive. Sometimes we drive in double traction, but than again 2 locomotive are the maximum and they must always be in front. Of course than the maximum pulling weight is than 4000 tons. Also the rail infrastructure is much more dense and busy here, so freight must be at high speed to avoid conflict with passenger rail. I predict that in the near future freight will go even faster, the locomotives are already up to it. Only the breaking system on the wagons aren't, but a new generation is on it's way It's a dream of many companies here to go bigger but infrastructure is not adapted and to expensive to change. Probably like In the US and canada, containers can be put up double hight in Australia, but than you almost got no bridges. And if there are, only replacing a few is acceptable. Cheers, Danny
  3. Thomas, Rome wasn't build in one day. I to, don't have always the time and resources to work on my railway as I want. My garden is also jungle at the moment, I hope to find enough time this Autumn to give all the trees and shrubs a serious cut back. At the moment I'm buying every month a few packs of flexi track, I've calculated that I need about 450m of track. As I mentioned, at the moment I'm doing experiments with signal, block systems everything controlled one DCC. But I do hope, that by next year the first foundations will be seen.
  4. Hi Thomas, You're building a very impressive track there. Although high speed is not my thing, I guess I'm confronted to much with it on a daily base . It's nice to see people like you, and some others here on the forum, specializing or showing intrest in this era. Keep us up to date, I will follow this with great interest. And If the offer still stands, be sure want I to visit you one day, although the few modern rolling stuff I have is of little use on your track, as it all Is AC. I'm sure your garden railway will be an inspiration to the modern railway fans, and defiantly an enrichment to this forum. Cheers, Danny
  5. @ Tony, Prepare for a long scratch build, I think. Thomas would be the best person to tell you, if there is any modern material that comes near to it, but I doubt it. It is not my field of expertise, as I'm personally am more interested in steam. The most modern material I have to run on my garden rail are two diesel class 40 models and those are only part of the cleaning train. Although I have a few pieces of this modern passenger rolling stock AC, but I'm not an expert in it as thomas The only thing I can do, as I see this modern material pass me by on a daily basis, is take some photos them. I hope these photos are an inspiration to those who are interested in this high speed stuff? The material I drive with, are mainly international freight trains. Coming from mainly Antwerp or Rotterdam harbor going deep into Germany , from their sometimes German or swiss colleges take over with or without their own traction material. These train compositions can go as far as Italy or somewhere in the east European countries. The locomotives I run at the moment, are the NMBS type 28/29 Traxx build by bombardier, also known in Germany as the type 186. The difference between a classic German type 186, is that a Traxx can run on in several countries whit their specific security systems and tensions. You must not compare the European rail system to the Australian for instance , their is no unification between the EU countries, although a lot has been invested to unify, but it will take years if it ever will come to that. Each country has their rules, so for every country I know I had to learn the rules from start again. That makes a train driver so valuable, the more you know the more you're wanted. It will take up 5 years of training and learning, to do the job that I do. Just like the high speed trains you're interested in, the Traxx drives the same, except that they are build for freight purposes. Although you'll find a few running passengers trains between Brussels and Amsterdam, due to the disaster oder and scandal of the Fira train. The Traxx has about 7000 Hp and is a real working horse, designed for freight. Normal speed with freight is around 100 Kmh, alone 140Kmh and passengers 160Kmh "> The Traxx model is available in HO made by Pico. Cheers, Danny
  6. Hi, what some people do with their models sometimes is not understandable. I don't have anything against number change or even a repaint. But if you start such an undertaking, know what you're doing, or keep your fingers of it, that's my opinion. I recently bought such a model where a change was started with a good intention, but was treated badly. The Dapol BR black 0-6-0 saddle tank lettering and BR logo was very rough removed with a scalpel I think. Above that aggressive glue was spilled on the roof of the cabin. After filling with Tamiya putty and some careful sanding with water and 1500 grit sandpaper all the uneven parts as good as removed. Than the to be restored parts where primed. I choose to restore the model back as it was intended. And after the finishing varnish layer, I was pleased with the result. Let me know what you think of the job that've done. Cheers, Danny
  7. It was finely delivered this week, and what a beauty it is, see for your self. I also found out what kind of 6 pin DCC decoder fit's this model. Unfortunately the manual Bachman provided with this model, only mentioned a 6 pin decoder. So, I rang up Bachmann help services and they where so friendly to give the information I was looking for. For those who are interested the Bachmann 36-558A should be a perfect fit for this model. I just ordered it, we'll see when it's arrived. Cheers, Danny
  8. Hi, Last Monday 08/08 seen at Aachen West (Germany) a brand new Eurostar on it's way to Belgium for delivery. Cheers, Danny
  9. Hi, I recently bought an old airfix castle class locomotive where the motor is hidden in the tender. Altough the body was still in good condition it had so mechanical problems, like broken wires. But my bigest problem is that it misses one small pinion between the motor and the axle. One is still their, so it puls on one leg so to speak. Is their perhaps somone who has such a pinion spear? All help is welcome. I've seen complete motor blocks for sale on ebay, but 20£ is redicules. Cheers, Danny
  10. I know that the wire can be infected by direct exposure, but hidden away I do think It will work. It is not moisture sensitive, that's for sure, and a great plus. Anyway like I mentioned all is in experimental stage, and has to be tested.
  11. Yes you are correct Thomas, I just had a look, everything is stored away here, I had to dig them out, I suppose I must run my models more often I bought the set at the time when I was in training as a train driver, I have a model of all types of trains I drove, but these types do not come out of their box as much as they should do. Specially the ultra modern stuf like the Thalys, It's a beautiful set but it needs long stretches to become realistic, like a garden rail. But than again your garden rail should look as modern as your material, and that is not what I'm aiming for.
  12. Finely I found it back again! Preparing for my future layout I was searching for a product that was called smart wire. It basically comes down to a wire as thick as a hair, that when put under an electric voltage starts to shrink. How much it shrinks depends on the length of the wire. I first saw it at a model fair here in Belgium around 2000. I always had it in mind, when I would build a layout, I would use it. I had to go though some old magazines, but due to some good order, I soon found an artikel on it back It's not a product that you will find in an average model store, that's why I had to look it up. I found the practice of it phenomenal, you could use it to move all kind of things like semaphore signals, points,rail crossing, even apply it to coaches, so the doors automatically open at a halt. The nice thing is that it gives you a realistic motion, not as an electro magnetic motor, where the movement is so fast, that it looks unrealistic. I know that there are slow moving servos on the marked, but they come not cheap, and perhaps more importend for us, are not moisture friendly. The smart wire in comparison is cheap and moisture friendly and can be DC or DCC applied. I recently ordered some ratio semaphore signal kits, as soon as I receive some of that wire, I'll make a few samples and keep you posted For those who want to know more about it, look at following link: http://users.skynet.be/pro-rail/ukcafam0.htm Cheers, Danny
  13. I totale agree with you Thomas, but your are speaking about composition in reality. I refer to how Mehano sells them.
  14. I already mentioned that the total set is 12, 2 engines and 10 coaches. So 3 boxes and each box contains 4 vehicles. But what really raises questions with me, why would you motorize the dummy loco? The one loco in my set is powerful enough to give motion to the total train, and has more power than realistically required. Is it perhaps that a Märklin type 3 rail AC system has more grip? Perhaps Thomas knows a good sound decoder as they are not my field of intrest. @ traingeekboy, thank for sharing the news footage of your local train store, and boy what a store it is, I can imagine that you loose a few hours walking around in that store. Yes, I really can understand you that the disappearance of such a shop I a real sad thing. I do hope though for you, that perhaps a new location can be found, as there was a small chance, according to the news footage Cheers, Danny
  15. Hi, I just bought the Bachmann/NRM Exclusive 31-166NRM Lancashire and Yorkshire Tank. http://www.locomotionmodels.com/british-model-railways/oo-gauge-4mm/nrm-exclusive-editions-and-collection/bachmannnrm-exclusive-31-166nrm-lancashire-and-yorkshire-tank.htm The model is shipped and should arrive later this week. According to the website it needs a 6 pin DCC decoder. Now it being a Bachmann production, it seems that Bachman has two types of 6 pin decoders, horizontal and vertical ones. Does anybody know which of the two, is the correct one? Cheers, Danny
  16. Hi Thomas, My friend who has the address of the DCC filter in Germany, is on a holiday at the moment. So you have to wait for a few days, but don't worry, I promise you'll get it. Cheers, Danny
  17. Hi Thomas, Yes, the Lenz system is really good, I saw it last spring when I went to the international model building fair at Dortmund. Because I work with British rolling stock and track material, I also decided for the Hornby eLink. Not really know in Germany, but the system comes down to a device that is commanded over the computer with a program called Railmaster. But at the moment I'm in the UK and saw a very good system made by Gaugemaster, that is very popular over here , and this really caught my attention,so I haven't really disided yet If possible I would like to use the two systems next to each other. As for the decoder inplanting, one of my colleges told me last week that he always turns to somebody in Germany who does it on professional level. I forgot where it was, but I believe somewhere in the neighborhood of Dortmund. If you want I can get you the address? Cheers, Danny
  18. Hi Thomas, Welcome to the forum from Belgium. I to am very isolated, if it comes garden railways. Although I have huge collection in AC Bavarian Märklin/Trix epoche 1 rolling stock, my choice for the garden went out to British rolling stock. I'm also at the planning stage. Although I've been working analoge for almost 40 years, the DCC part is the most difficult part to work out. As I want it to run almost full DCC, with fully automated parts. I do hope you like it here on the forum as much as I do, and if you want to write me in German, feel free, as I know that language to. Cheers (beifall ), Danny
  19. Hi Paul, welcome to the forum from the other side of the pond I have the same problem as you for more than 40 years, with the lack of space, I'm now in the planning face of a OO gauge garden rail with British rolling stok. I hope to have something running by next spring. I hope you enjoy it here as much as I do. Cheers, Danny
  20. Yes, wire handrails could be an option, but personally that's something I won't do. Because if you want to do that, you got to sand away the old plastic relief handrails. This also means painting or at least varnishing with the risk of repainting the whole coach. And these new parts are so fragile that they could break off or bend very easy. Corridor connectors are really nice and realistic, but unpractical. On eBay you find these black laser cut paper ones they look very nice, but the downside is that you must leave your train as a complete composition. This I can't do, as I must store my material away when my garden rail is not in use. Beside that, If you ask me what do you not like on British OO gauge material? Than I have to answer you, Hornby type couplings. Ok, if you talk about this old Tri-ang material, here I find it normal. If you look at other brands of that era in HO, they are as primitive. But now, with these super detailed models and universal NEM couplings, you would think they developed something new, that Isn't that obvious or at least a bit more realistic, but no, nothing. Look at how close these TRIX coaches are coupled, and that is standard, no need for paper Corridor connectors. And Price compared with new Hornby coaches not a real big difference. How does it work, simple, the coupling runs in a V shape, when a train goes in a curve, the coupling is pushed out creating more space and the buffer bar follows the coupling. This makes that it looks as if the buffers are nice prest to each other al the time. I've seen people use 3 eyes of chain, at this moment it's the most realistic option, I think. But If it comes to coupling and decoupling I find unpractical. But then on the other side, if a new system would come out, what would we do with our old stock. I think beside the beautiful British models that are on the market, and are released every day, we have to live with the old Hornby type of coupling. Cheers, Danny
  21. Well, the oval window has changed. Some coaches did get an other name decal, as I got ceveral coaches with th same name. This one was first "car N°79" and is now renamed to "car N°86". And of course every coach is cleaned up from years of dust, with a water/disch wash soap. and that's about it cheers, Danny
  22. I recently bought 10 old Tri-ang pullman coaches. I know that Hornby produces very nice pullman coaches with integrated light and every thing, but at an average price of about £30 a piece. So nice, but expensive. Looking around on the net a bid I found these old Tri-ang coaches, standard a far cry from the modern Hornby product, but they came at a good price. After close inspection the first thing I replaced where the plastic wheels, they where switched for new Hornby metal ones. This was an immediate improvement, and they all became smooth runners. Next thing that I didn't like where the oval windows. So I started with making a master, out of brass insert. Here I made a rubber mold of. And now I can produce as manny resin inserts as I want And this is the result. Also the interior could do with a bit of color. Of course the plastic interior is a far cry of how the original pullman coaches look inside. But still with some paint and imagination you can give the feel of luxury. So this is what I did. I also have to mention, if you look at these coaches for reel, they even look even better than on photo, but you get the feel. Also if you look at the real pullman coaches, the color use of the interior differs from coach to coach. So with some paint and new wheels these coaches can have a nice second happy life. And you can make them look unique if you make the interior in different colors. Let me know what you think of this face lift? Cheers, Danny
  23. @Tony Do you mean the HO Mehano Thalys model? If yes, I also got the complete set, but AC version. That is a very nice train set. At the beginning of my career, I had the chance a few times, to drive the real thing. Now and then I still take it, when I have to turn back from Köln, when there is no return train for me. A normale complete set would be bought in 3 different boxes to complete 1 train, and normally there should be only one powered engine. Each box contains 4 coaches (Mixed wit the engines) Or 10 coaches and 2 engines (only one powered), making it a very long train, idle to run on a long modern garden railway. It seems that what you've bought is a not complete, but mixed set. In this case you should have two the same numbered engine's, or the numbering has been tampered with? Of corse that is something not to worry about,it still is a very nice set. I think these sets are still available here in the local model shop, if you want I can have a look if they still have bar coach set? Or if you're patient, I'm sure going to find it at the Köln or Dortmund (Germany) model fair. It's even possible I get it at a bargain price there. Let me know if I can help you? As for anyone, if you look for a continental European model, you always may ask me, I know a few interesting addresses to turn to. If I can help someone in his quest, I would be glad to do so. On an other steam toys forum that I often visit, it is a common practice where we help each other to find things or help to drop shipping prices. Cheers, Danny
  24. It seems there is quite some negativity towards the internet. I do understand it up to a point, but un the other hand If it wasn't for the internet, the hobby was as good as finished for me. Living here in Belgium as for the rest of mainland Europe, you wouldn't find a single UK model in any of the model shops. All I find here are overpriced German/Swiss models, if I want to go for Belgian models I even have to dig deep in my pocket. It just has become to expensive. So the internet offers a good way to get hold of stuf I find interesting. And not alone on the new stuf but also on the secondhand and the really rear models. It is indeed so, as Tony mentioned, that the shipping prizes can be a real fun breaker. I hardly buy something from the USA, not that the prise itself is bad, most of the time it's a real bargain. But if you than have to calculate shipping and import taxes, makes that the item goes for 3 times it's own value I think we could in general say, If it has to come from another continent, it better be super good, because good is to expensive. Almost all the material I buy, I let come together with relatives I have in the UK. The down side is, that I sometimes have to wait half a year, to see what I have bought But un the other hand when you finally receive all the stuff you order, it's like waking up on Christmas morning, and that happens to be next week for me At least now I know how the Australians feel at Christmas, when they celebrate it in high summer But when I'm in the UK with relatives, and their is a very nice model shop in their neighborhood. It's always like to go there, it's like entering Aladin's cave, jou don't know where to start looking, it's the magic, the atmosphere, the social contact, expertise and that is what you mis on the internet. I have found a good balance between internet and model shop. But I can't agree more, than to say that the shop is always the best, and most pleasant place to buy your stuff from. Cheers, Danny
  25. Hi, Very sorry to hear you're loosing a familiar place that you could turn too for your hobby. For some of us these local shops are like family, one knows the owner, ask for any advice etc. I'll think that is something we will see more and more happening in the near future. We have to face the fact that this hobby turns grey, models get more expensive and the internet offers a sharp price war between the retailers. No wonder that a little bit of sad back force the small retailers to close. For us it's a hobby but, they have to make a living out of that. But I do hope despite the lost of your local store, that you'll find an other place where you can turn to. And lets face it, it's still a great hobby and joy Cheers, Danny
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