IanR

I saw this set on the internet but I can't find it listed anywhere in the Hornby catalogue!

I did some maintenance on the K&WR last week. A few small areas of ballast had been washed away which is hardly surprising after all the rain through winter, nothing serious though. I've settled on using Astonish Wood Floor Polish as a fixative. Two or three applications with a pipette and I now put some in a spray bottle and douse the whole lot, avoiding points though. Let it dry between applications. The ballast is now rock hard, although it does have a bit of a sheen! I also repaired a track bond which I had knocked off with the track rubber. Had the first running day this year on Monday and everything seems to be working fine, especially the point motors which as you probably know I replaced with car central locking motors last year.

Just enjoyed a ride around your garden before breakfast, superb! Love the disappearing 4F!

Hi Geoff and welcome, good to see another Yorkshireman on the forum, are you anywhere near Wakefield? I agree with Mick, try and avoid gradients, especially if you like to run steam. Ian R

That's looking great Mick, I see you put the depot plaques to good use.

Ratio make window mouldings for Midland signalboxes, I don't know if they'll fit the Hornby one though. http://www.peco-uk.com/product.asp?strParents=3340,3344&CAT_ID=3345&P_ID=17804''>http://www.peco-uk.com/product.asp?strParents=3340,3344&CAT_ID=3345&P_ID=17804'>http://www.peco-uk.com/product.asp?strParents=3340,3344&CAT_ID=3345&P_ID=17804

I'm looking forward to it too. Great to hear from you!

Hi Mick, I used a couple of images of 63450 from the web for reference. One is taken at Burton Salmon and the other near Pontefract Monkhill, your P05069. 63450 was a Selby engine. Glad you like the model.

I didn't realise that so much time had passed since I did anything with the Q6. Anyway here's the latest photos, just requires weathering now. I've tested it and it is a nice smooth runner.

Very neat job with the steps Mick. It's good to see some progress on Worsley Dale. Ian R

What a wonderful place to live. It puts my small collection of railwayana to shame as you actually live in the railwayana! I've been to Settle and seen the tower quite a few times and I also saw the TV programme. What a great job you made of the restoration. What a great place for a model railway! The tank of a water tower on the Settle & Carlisle railway, pretty unique I'd say! I'll definitely second what Mick and Chris have said regarding the Peco code 100 flexi track. It is very robust and perfect for the job. Did you know that there's a model shop in Settle? Maybe they could do you a deal on the track if they sell it. It's not mentioned on their website though. JDM Models, 24 Market Place, Settle. 01729 823417 Then there's Craven Models in Skipton if you want to keep it local. If I can be of any help please don't hesitate to contact me, and I should think that goes for everyone else on here. Kind regards, Ian R

How about Kent Garden Railways, 66 High Street, Orpington. 01689 891668

Thumbs up to your recent video Iain! Looks and sounds great and the excellent weathering creates a very good impression of realism. Well done! Ian R

Congratulations Jon on getting some trains running, they look and sound great. Is the track fixed?

Did a bit of permanent way maintenance on the K&WR yesterday in the lovely summery weather. A few holes were repaired in the ballast and a brass semaphore signal removed, straightened and replaced... bloody cats!! I also noticed a broken tie-bar on one of the points. Suppose I'll be clearing snow in a couple of weeks time!

Excellent work Andy, very interesting. Any chance of a list of parts necessary to convert a loco, and suppliers? How much would you estimate the cost of conversion? Ian R

Nice to hear from you again Roy. Slow progress is better than no progress!

Here in the UK, Wickes, amongst others sell a product called Aquapanel, would seem to be similar to what you're using. I'm not sure if these products will accept pins or screws, I would be interested to know.

That steel angle looks just the job. With a frame like that I don't think it will matter where you join your boards. I've never come across Hardie board but there seems to plenty of info on the net about it. I'd be interested to know how you get on with it if you do use it.

Well that lot should keep you out of mischief for a while! Good luck.

I have two such cables on the layout and both are standard length cycle brake cables. To operate I just pull the nipple. I suppose you could make some sort of lever frame. GEM do a kit for one. http://www.lytchettmanor.co.uk/mercontrol.html''>http://www.lytchettmanor.co.uk/mercontrol.html'>http://www.lytchettmanor.co.uk/mercontrol.html

Hi Bill, I've used cycle cable on a crossover on the K&WR. Works a treat. You can buy long lengths on eBay. Search for Bowden Cable. Ian R

To be safe from the start I would fix 2x1 or 3x1 timber on edge between the supports. Or better still angle iron or angle aluminium. I think you'll probably regret it if you don't! I used steel framing intended for plasterboard walls. Much better to over engineer it than under engineer. Ian R

Keep up with the great work Jon. Really enjoying watching your progress in pictures. That Ekodeck stuff sounds interesting. Excellent work so far. Ian R

Nothing to report on the K&WR at the moment but the "railway room" i.e. the back garden has had a few more adornments. The signal is made up of parts that I've acquired from various sources. I had a rail trip to West Calder near Edinburgh to collect the arm. It is connected to an electric winch located in the shed and can be operated by remote control. The GW signal finial involved a trip to Westbury, the red lamp a trip to Woodbridge in Suffolk and the L&SW post was one that I collected from Gunnislake. Apparently it came from the vicinity of Tavistock station. The red lamp was complete with mounting bracket which has been used on the semaphore post. The mild ish weather of late has been good for pottering around in the shed refurbishing railwayana, quite enjoyed it too. I must get around to finishing my Q6 kit!