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sykarost

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Everything posted by sykarost

  1. Thanks Mick, much appreciated & it will hopefully be onward & upward. Yes, I think I probably got carried away with that idea & tended to try & rush things as doing it throughout the winter meant I felt compelled to exploit each opportunity that the weather allowed. On reflection I think I was concerned about losing 'momentum' which could have caused my enthusiasm to wain, in hindsight, a mistake. As you say Mick, it can be easily remedied and will be eventually. Although we cannot be sure that spring has actually arrived to stay, this lovely week (& predicted to continue!!) has enabled me to score a few 'brownie points' by getting a lot of general repair/cleaning etc done in the garden........ this will enable me justify time spent on the railway with a clear concience . I will look forward to seeing how progress takes shape on Worsley Dale so here's to a decent summer for us all. All the best....
  2. Hi Mick, pleased to see it's not only me who has been a bit neglecful for a while.I guess this decent spell of weather may encourage us out of 'hibernation' but no doubt everything will be buried under snow in a few weeks time just to remind us that it's still actually winter. My Wife & I have had an Autumn & Winter we would prefer to forget healthwise. Following my own issues & hospitalisation, my Wife was diagnosed with a rare abdominal cancer (Sarcoma) for which she had surgery in January and is now recovering well but not sure what the future holds as yet...... I think our first priority will be a few holidays with our caravan but some effort will have to be made on 'Oakdale Valley' this year & preferably before the plants & shrubs flourish to the point of obscuring it from view. I have to confess Mick that your reservations about my 'canted' return curve have proved correct. I think I will dig out my concrete track bed & return to the more conventional method to hopefully reduce de-railments in this area at 'compost corner'!! The rest of my construction seems to have stood up well to the neglect & just needs a good clean as does my very much under used 'Oakdale Jct' layout in the garage. Best Wishes to yourself Mick & all other forum members & heres to a progressive 2014. Brian.
  3. Sadly Griff, very little (in fact nothing) has been achieved since my health problem conspired to prevent much activity. As it was built throughout last winter but requires certain 'modification' I have decided to sit it out now til the spring when maybe I'm in better shape both physically (& mentally) to do what is needed. Other problems have also arisen to explain my absence from the forum, my wife has recently been diagnosed with a rare cancer for which she will be having major surgery on 3rd January...... We are uncertain of what the future holds for us right now but all my efforts will be directed at her treatment/recovery before I can concentrate on the railway (outdoors or in!!). Many thanks for the Christmas Wishes & we hope you too have a wonderful time and this is also extended to everyone on the forum along with sincere best wishes for a happy, healthy & successful 2014. I'll Be Back Brian.
  4. Cheers Guys, it's times like this when you are pleased to have taken up the 'Technology Challenge' which opens a window on the world & maintains our friendships & common interests. I was reluctantly introduced then self taught into 'Windows 98' but cannot imagine life without it (not 98' ) now ........... Still resisting an iphone though as it would need to have a 17" screen
  5. Cheers Roddy, I guess we probably are. I cannot believe I started to build my railway this time last year & joined the forum at the same time. Worked all through last winter to get it up & running & was fit as a fiddle. Had it been this year It would never have happened as I can barely contemplate even the task of cleaning 100 (ish) feet of running track right now. Suppose I should be thankful for the timing as at least it's there when/if things improve. I respect the fact that many on the forum have health issues & I certainly don't want to gain a boring reputation for whinging about my health ...... However, I guess I'm more ticked off about the fact that this condition affects only 1 in 10k (approx) & I would really have preferred to be 9,999 OR 10,001...... if you know what I mean Anyway, a few local MR shows coming up so if I cannot do much work on it I can at least go & spend some more money on things I want but don't need!! If my Wife questions me on that one I just say I'm showing my 'feminine side'
  6. Hi Andy & everyone, I went to visit my Consultant on the 11th & have just arrived home YESTERDAY from 16 nights in hospital. I think I was more ill than I realised as he admitted me on the spot as I was almost powerless from elbows upwards. I was transferred to another (brand new) hospital, The QE in Birmingham on the 13th where followed much intensive treatment through various feeding tubes & Cannula (could not even swallow pills) with ICU on standby for breathing failure (but I managed to keep them at bay). After ten days I began to respond & my muscle functions kicked in one by one (including speech). I'm now on a wide range of different coloured 'smarties' for life probably & have to radically try to manage a new life style but at least I still have a life. The treatment & care i received was excellent & could not have been bettered in private care, however it's good to be home & contemplating a very slow general clean up of Oakdale Valley & maybe a maybe a run or two before winter finally sets in. I just have to find it amongst the plants that Sylvia has allowed to run wild. I really must try & catch up soon with the latest events & progress on the forum...... but maybe next week !! Best Regards to You All, Brian.
  7. Many thanks Mick for those kind words of support & for being tolerant of my use of the forum to create awareness of this quite rare but very debilitating condition which not only yourself but many GP's etc are unaware of. I have had the Ocular MG since May last year but it was manageable & did not prevent me building the railway throughout last winter as you know. The last six weeks however have turned life on it's head as it has now become generalised & currently preventing me doing almost anything never mind 'playing trains'!! I had noticed that you had been rather 'quiet' Mick but then you have a large long term project & are apparently (unlike Me) in no great rush to complete it especially if (unlike Me... again) your still working & trying to fit it all in. Yes your right Mick. I had 'purloined' a limited space & felt compelled to make it 'fit' within those parameters........ with the inevitable hindsight, not ideal. It works reasonably well & if anything a little 'over engineered' in places but maybe I should have stuck to an all ply trackbase rather than the combination of concrete/wood inserts which have lead to some unevenness but als as you say, the tight (24") radius don't help as it causes buffer locking with the older type of (tension lock)stock (& two smoking barrels... ha ha). Oh well, something for the future once I get this MG stabilised (proverbial optimist that I am) because as you say Mick, they are always 'work in progress' & at least the real hard work is behind me now. Again, thanks for all the encouragement & support from yourself & all the members on this forum. As Arnie says...... "I'll be back"!!
  8. Seems like we are in the same boat one way or another Ian Sorry to hear of your difficulties with the arthritis & faced with those odds perhaps best to avoid surgery for as long as possible. Although like mine, the railway is suffering some inactivity, you are certainly keeping busy. I'm hoping to get to a couple of local MR Exhibitions in Oct/Nov, I don't bother too much with the layouts but love to trawl through the 2nd hand stock while listening to those very same comments you mention !! All the best mate, keep soldiering on (and taking the pills) as they say!
  9. Many thanks Ian, the reason I have chosen to 'go public' with this is simply to raise awareness to something I had never heard of myself til it got me. It has now become more generalised so apart from the visual difficulties it pretty much affects all my activities. It won't beat me but has just become an obstacle to my continued progress on the railway & yes, the garage layout has been a bit neglected too so that may have to become this years 'winter project' so will keep you updated. Thanks again Ian for your support & encouragement.
  10. Hi Chaps, just realised it's been over two months since I posted on the forum........ With good reason I'm afraid as there is nothing new to add. Having built 'Oakdale Valley' throughout last winter I was looking forward to enjoying the fruits of my labour but things are not going according to plan. We have been fortunate to have enjoyed several holidays during this eventually very nice summer, one of which was two weeks in the USA. On our return the garden had flourished so much that most of the railway was totally obscured & the bit's you could see were smothered in bird dung so it will be a hosepipe & brush job once some cutting back takes place. I also still have some relatively minor track renewal & alignment to undertake to eliminate some pretty erratic behavior from some of my stock & therein lies the problem........ ! Please forgive me for going way off topic here because I know that there are friends on this forum who have health issues they would prefer not to share. In my case, I am choosing to reveal my condition in the hope that it might create awareness & a correct diagnosis amongst ALL my family & friends wherever in the world they may be. Whilst I sincerely hope those who read this have nothing to fear..... forewarned is indeed forearmed !! I'm not going into detail but the condition is called 'Myasthenia Gravis' & this is the best link to find out more if you choose to. http://www.mga-charity.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; It's not a rare condition but it is uncommon ( 1 in 10000 approx) & not always recognised by GP's. My Wife first spotted my early symptoms 15 months ago & I'm undergoing treatment but life is indeed difficult & has restricted my ability to enjoy our wonderful hobby...... and other pursuits for the time being. Please forgive me for using the forum as a 'soapbox' Mick (& everyone) but I assure you it's only with the best intentions & I fervently hope that I've wasted my time. Many thanks & Best Regards, Brian.
  11. Have to agree with previous comments. You have what on the face of it is an 'unworkable' area that most folk would have spent months trying to clear in order to find 'space' for a railway. You Guys have broken the mould in making the railway fit into what you have & at the same time giving us all a wonderful insight into your technique & methodology. I'm guessing that the power source to run the trains will be....... A plywood 'Windmill' with elastic bands driving a Dolomite Alternator to charge a 12v battery giving power to a 1978 H & M controller BUT, I could be wrong!! Great stuff, looking forward to seeing it completed & running (but it's going to need some very skillful 'driving')!!
  12. Very nice Andy, what a difference it makes when they are surrounded by the 'greenery' which has finally burst into life after our never ending winter! I have a few 'glitches' to sort out on my trackwork & what with holidays intervening I'm not sure when I will find the time, perhaps when things cool down a bit as they surely will & not long before we will be getting 'leaves on the line' again !!
  13. Can I just say while on the subject of smoking. I smoked fags from 14 to 40 then switched to a pipe which i enjoyed (the rituals as well) for about 15 years although I had made several half hearted efforts to quit. However, the clincher for me was when my then eldest Grandson (who was 7 at the time) asked me to stop as he did not want me to die !! That shook me to the core & I binned everything within a week & have not smoked since & don't even miss it. My chest & lungs are clear as though I've never smoked & my Grandson is now 18 and made me very proud today when he got his exam results & is now off to Uni. Guys, it can be done but there has to be an incentive!!
  14. Well Steve, I think that explains things fairly well !! It would seem that the 'Dolomite' is going nowhere soon then. Actually, with the usual hindsight I wish I had cut out my 24" radius return curve instead of cement with wooden inserts for track pinning. I was trying to avoid having ply near the ground to minimise it absorbing moisture. I was probably influenced by the fact that I built it throughout the winter when things could be pretty wet. I think I will tolerate it for the summer then maybe rip it out & build a nice curving 'Glenfinnan Viaduct' with a one piece wooden track bed. On the subject of video cams, I have not checked it out yet but 'GOoutdoors' are selling a 'Muvi' mini-cam at £60 (if you have a discount card). The brochure only came this morning & the offer is from 17th to 23rd only if anyone's interested although I guess there's plenty of similar alternatives on the market. Anyway, cannot wait to see the trains running & I sincerely hope your Loco's & stock 'stick' like glue to the rails or you might need loads of the stuff!!
  15. Ha Ha, I just love this !! It has to be said (but not disrespectfully) that it all appears to be a bit 'Heath Robinson' in construction but the 'Science' is more 'Einstein' !! My brain went into meltdown when I read all those measurements........ A 'feet & inches' man myself but I'm looking forward to seeing this up & running.
  16. Ha Ha, sorry if I mislead you Roddy but Griff' 'Plumbing' really IS Plumbing of the underground pipe sort. I assumed you had seen his thread & was aware of his difficulties, obviously not. It was just my weird sense of humour I'm afraid !! Sounds a bit unpleasant to say the least but keep trying to joke about it because 'laughter really is the best medicine'!! My 'Oakdale Valley' is only 3' above ground at it's highest point but I did that on the edges with treated battens. I also incorporated 'fencing' by using that black plastic mesh used for protecting gutters from leaf blockage & available from £1 shops. It's easily cut with scissors for whatever depth/length you want. I built mine throughout last winter (which we are still in I think!) & probably did it a bit to quickly , I did however make sure the woodwork was well protected (as your doing) & the minor issues I have can be rectified through the summer (hopefully). You just have to work at whatever pace suits so it remains a hobby to be enjoyed rather than a job of work and it beats watching telly ..... Take care.
  17. Showing some great potential there Roddy & you certainly are putting some thought into it's development....... Another one for us to watch with interest & I can almost visualise trains sweeping round those curves (but hopefully not plummeting to earth). Wish you well with the surgery & rest assured, your 'project' will be a great 'motivator' in your recovery. Your not the only one with 'dodgy plumbing' on here but I think Griff is the one suffering the most ..... His is stopping progress completely & He ain't even had surgery!!
  18. Well, I have to say that was an interesting & entertaining 'experiment' & I look forward to seeing how 'Plan B' takes shape!! I'm equally interested to know if those 'Dolomite's' will ever be restored to running order (one weekend maybe )
  19. Cheers Ian & many thanks for that kind offer. As I see it, I have two options, either move nearer to you & rebuild (with your help) OR pay your train fare & give you B & B Yes, I will sort it given time & patience but I only have myself to blame as I wanted those sweeping reverse curves but should have 'negotiated' a bigger land grab to gain a larger radius. This is all part of the challenge & will be overcome. I have in the main avoided joints actually on the curves except on the top return curve where it was unavoidable, it's mainly the levels of the sub base which I was probably a bit too hasty for my own good in the construction. the down side of my winter work being that it was tempting to rush things on the days when outdoor work was possible not knowing when the next opportunity would arise...... This gives me the 'summer' to carry out the 'rectification', at least the straight bits & points are OK so only a reasonably small problem area to sort out..... between our holidays however!!
  20. Just watched the 'crash' video Craig, very cleverly done & enjoyable. I got so engrossed even the mishap caught me by surprise just as I thought how well everything was riding 'kerpow'!! I thought it was only me that had those incidents. well done & thanks for showing us all that 'accidents will happen'!
  21. Much appreciated Ian & yes, now the plant growth is flourishing it certainly looks like it's been there a while. However, as mentioned in my earlier post it is not yet 'trouble free' . The pleasure of running trains has been marred by a few spots of troublesome track & temperamental rolling stock. My method of setting wooden blocks into cement for pinning down has not been a total success & using 1 metre flexi track means that a few joints have not aligned properly & created small kinks which lead to derailments. I am in the process of renewing some sections & doing some mods to the trackbed but due to an eye problem I'm struggling with detailed close work & creating more problems than I'm solving in my haste to get it sorted. I was hoping to bond the joints but no point until these issues are resolved & I'm not really capable of this detailed work so my Son might help out sometime. Maybe I need to take a break as I think my efforts through the winter have caught up with me. Funny, I remember commenting last year on one of your videos & if you recall Ian, you sent me to this forum. Lo & behold, I am now posting videos of my railway which was not even conceived back then. Not sure if I should thank or curse you at the moment but glad you liked it nonetheless & thanks for the intro!!
  22. Many thanks Ian, I don't have any newer Bachmann's so that solution is not an option but I will no doubt 'experiment' with the single hook theory eventually & may be able to limit it to just the most problematic vehicles. As most Loco's now have the smaller plastic coupling I guess removing the metal hook on the old type wagons & relying on the loco hook is the way to go. A bit of trial & error engineering I think because I have not got Mick's patience to fit 3 link 'instanter's' on my wagons
  23. Well, it's been a month now & not much has changed apart from the weather..... has summer really arrived? I decided on Sunday to have a running session & maybe produce some video rather than photo's..... ermmm!! Having hauled all of my stock from garage to shed in order to 'show off' as many Loco's & stock mixes as possible I soon became somewhat disillusioned with the whole procedure & decided that you can either operate trains OR video them but trying to do both (especially without full vision) is hard work with an analogue set up in a fixed control point (the shed). I do however use the points at the 'V' intersection as an emergency 'kill switch' in the event of a derailment and yes I had a few : The problem is (as Mick anticipated) my top canted curve which is quite severe at 24" radius for some of my stock & the problem is heightened by the variation of tension lock couplings which are literally pushing themselves off. Apart from the fact that life is too short & I'm struggling with detailed work, I don't want to change all my couplings unless a last resort so am considering a rather radical solution. At the moment I am in the process of renewing the track & trying to 'ease' the alignment but as this will not make a significant difference to the radius the coupling problem will no doubt continue to prevent the use of some stock. So, has anyone tried what I'm considering which is to remove one hook from each vehicle?? This will obviously influence how a train is formed but my line of thought is that if each is coupled by a single hook it is free to slide laterally along the bar unobstructed & the 'tension' element still exists plus the fact that they will be easier to unhook. Am I thinking 'outside the box' or am I considering a step too far ..... Answers on a postcard please!! Anyway, here's what video I managed to cobble together, the main purpose being to show how nature has in just a few weeks turned my 'outdoor construction site' into a true garden railway..... enjoy!! "> " onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
  24. Takes Me back Ian, had two Heralds in the 60's & my only ambition was to get a 2litre Vitesse.... never did! When I was on BR we used to work carflats full of Austin Motors (before BL) & watching the guys loading was hilarious as they would race along maybe 20 flats as though it was a motorway & if the tailboards over the buffers were not totally flat would sometimes flip in the air & drop over the side. The 'wrecks' would eventually be returned 2 miles to the factory & salvaged for spares or repair.... which is why I never bought an 1100/1800 or Maxi!!
  25. My sentiments entirely Ian & this is the country that put men on the moon As lead pipes are now obsolete & difficult to repair the 'stent' is of course a solution but how difficult would it be to connect a new plastic pipe from the stopcock to the rising main thus bypassing the original completely..... After all, YOU have done all the hard work Griff & would no doubt be happy to do the back filling afterwards. Tell the 'Authorities' they are guilty of obstructing railroad development ..... that should confuse them if nothing else!!
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