Search found 2193 matches

by Chris Cairns
Mon May 08, 2017 8:44 pm
Forum: Mamods & MSS
Topic: Is the mark 3 a good locomotive?
Replies: 21
Views: 16488

Re: Is the mark 3 a good locomotive?

Colours and specifications may change without prior notice by Mamod Limited under its policy of continual product improvement Some frustrated Mamod owners refer to this policy as 'Work in Progress'. I have not seen a Mark III since April 2016, and although I do not have a Basic Series Roundhouse lo...
by Chris Cairns
Tue May 02, 2017 10:27 pm
Forum: Rolling Stock
Topic: WDLR C Class
Replies: 10
Views: 6031

Re: WDLR C Class

Swift Sixteen does the correct 7 curly spoke wheels (I think Andrew is still using Binnie wheels with his kits, although he has 3D printed some as well). Those stick on weights are ideal Jim. I picked up a roll of lead roof flashing cheap some years ago, so just cuts bits off as required. The B Clas...
by Chris Cairns
Mon May 01, 2017 9:06 pm
Forum: Rolling Stock
Topic: WDLR C Class
Replies: 10
Views: 6031

Re: WDLR C Class

Nice to see how Andrew Mawer has organised the frets for these kits - I received my 3 x B Class & 1 F Class loose (Andrew is in the same 16mm NGM Group as myself). How do you find the acrylic bearings Jim ? I opted for supply my own wheels (Swift Sixteen), axles & bearings (HGLW), and it too...
by Chris Cairns
Mon May 01, 2017 8:35 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: Calor gas
Replies: 6
Views: 4842

Re: Calor gas

There are some details of an adaptor for the 4.5kg gas bottle on the 16mmngm Yahoo Group (attached here). Suggest you get in touch with Keith Bucklitch for more details (contact details on the 16mm NGM DVD). I use the camping gas canisters with an asian converter for EN417 fittings - B & M curre...
by Chris Cairns
Mon May 01, 2017 8:21 pm
Forum: Garden Railway Technical Help & Advice
Topic: Rechargeable batteries
Replies: 5
Views: 2749

Re: Rechargeable batteries

The C size adaptors have no additional contacts, as C batteries are nearly (0.5mm shorter) the same length as an AA battery. So it is dependant on the length of your AA batteries and the C battery holder. I have some 7DayShop AA rechargeable batteries which are slightly shorter than their alkaline e...
by Chris Cairns
Wed Apr 05, 2017 1:09 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: Regner Chaloner and Mamod Brunel
Replies: 4
Views: 4299

Re: Regner Chaloner and Mamod Brunel

The Mamod Brunel is not based on any prototypical locomotive, and is certainly too large for SM32. Here's an early Mark I Brunel (on the current Mark III the engine unit has been lowered but the boiler/chimney is about the same height) running with slate wagons - https://youtu.be/JHmlCPxFo1o?t=8m53s...
by Chris Cairns
Wed Apr 05, 2017 12:57 pm
Forum: Photographs
Topic: Llechfan Garden Railway 19-03-17 - New Little Engine
Replies: 9
Views: 7401

Re: Llechfan Garden Railway 19-03-17 - New Little Engine

My Silver Lady is currently fitted with a Hitec 40 MHZ FM system and I was actually rather hesitant to run it at all given the frightening experience of its last run. This is only the 3rd 40 MHz system I have experience of. The other two suffered from some glitching which was manageable, but have be...
by Chris Cairns
Tue Apr 04, 2017 10:31 pm
Forum: Photographs
Topic: Llechfan Garden Railway 19-03-17 - New Little Engine
Replies: 9
Views: 7401

Re: Llechfan Garden Railway 19-03-17 - New Little Engine

Great selection of photos Doug - Thanks for sharing them with us. I can see the benefit of running manual locos there allowing ' hands free ' camera operation. On my visits to the Llechfan Garden Railway I've always run an R/C controlled loco. I had to ask a friend to take control of my R/C Silver L...
by Chris Cairns
Tue Apr 04, 2017 10:19 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: The New Arrival - No.4 - a Roundhouse Bertie!
Replies: 22
Views: 14654

Re: The New Arrival - No.4 - a Roundhouse Bertie!

dougrail wrote:Chris -- bufferbeams blacking are being painted today.
Well done Doug. As I bring my locos out of winter hibernation I'm slowly painting up those that are still in red.

Chris Cairns
by Chris Cairns
Tue Apr 04, 2017 10:13 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: Roundhouse Alco
Replies: 9
Views: 7029

Re: Roundhouse Alco

Hopefully 3rd time lucky posting a reply. Just so we are on the same page, I time a run from when the burner is lit, to when the gas runs out....... bring Alco up to 25–30 PSI & clear cylinders of water/condensate. Turn off burner & refill gas tank. Wait about 2 mins for gas tank to settle, ...
by Chris Cairns
Wed Mar 29, 2017 4:36 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: The New Arrival - No.4 - a Roundhouse Bertie!
Replies: 22
Views: 14654

Re: The New Arrival - No.4 - a Roundhouse Bertie!

Tip I was given regarding fitting water sight glass fittings, is to use drill bit upended (or piece of rod) the same size as the glass tube so you get the top & bottom fittings aligned correctly before fitting the glass tube. Also melt the ends of the glass tube in a naked flame to seal them - r...
by Chris Cairns
Wed Mar 29, 2017 4:14 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: Roundhouse Alco
Replies: 9
Views: 7029

Re: Roundhouse Alco

Replaced the gas filler valve, and weighed my gas canister on analogue scales which gave approx. 20g, so no problem with the gas tank. Just have to accept that it does have a shorter running time, and if I need to run for longer whilst operating at shows, then stop for a convenient water/gas refill....
by Chris Cairns
Wed Mar 29, 2017 4:10 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: Ragleth; adding radio control
Replies: 29
Views: 17225

Re: Ragleth; adding radio control

Briefly discussed this subject at last weekend's running day. What seems to be missing with some of these generic/unbranded servos is proper dimensions (not just the mounting holes), so you can work out a direct replacement for the HS 81 (or HS 82) when there is no stock of the Hitec servos availabl...
by Chris Cairns
Mon Mar 27, 2017 6:49 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: Roundhouse Alco
Replies: 9
Views: 7029

Here's my Alco front after 2 runs last Saturday. My sealant has reduced, but not eliminated, the condensate that now collects on the front running plate. http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w283/CCairns_2007/Roundhouse/Alco%20Condensate.jpg The 2 runs were again just under 20 mins each, so no differe...
by Chris Cairns
Mon Mar 27, 2017 6:37 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: Ragleth; adding radio control
Replies: 29
Views: 17225

Glad I stopped by with this Topic as I've now got a couple of 'To Do' items completed. 4 x AAA battery holder now fitted to the Ragleth, replacing a 4 x AA battery pack, making it more accessible for recharging/removal. Finally cut an extra slot in the display board so I can now store this loco in 3...
by Chris Cairns
Wed Mar 22, 2017 3:12 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: Roundhouse Alco
Replies: 9
Views: 7029

Graeme, Many thanks for your comprehensive reply. The Alco was sold 2nd hand by a reputable trader, listed as ' Hardly Used '. However it was obvious that it had never been used since purchase from Roundhouse. It does not have a full body cast smokebox like the Billy one, or the Katie/Lady Anne one....
by Chris Cairns
Sun Mar 19, 2017 11:30 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: Roundhouse Alco
Replies: 9
Views: 7029

Roundhouse Alco

What would be the expectant running time for this loco? I’m aware that its gas tank (Type L?) has a slightly smaller volume (30ml) compared to a Type A (32.29ml) but the running time I’m getting is much lower than my Billy, Katie & Silver Lady. So I’ve adopted part of my Accucraft running techni...
by Chris Cairns
Thu Mar 16, 2017 3:27 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: Ragleth; adding radio control
Replies: 29
Views: 17225

Hi Mike, Think you might have missed Don's ( Boustrophedon ) point of having the regulator servo mounted under the cab floor (do not see one in your Ragleth above). I have a preference to use loose cells for battery packs where possible. Here's my Accucraft 0-4-0T set ups - Caradoc - Fitted by origi...
by Chris Cairns
Thu Mar 16, 2017 2:40 pm
Forum: Rolling Stock
Topic: Finally completed
Replies: 6
Views: 4606

I had a few problems getting the brass etched tub sides to fit with the cast whitemetal ends without leaving huge gaps I was recently talking with a fellow 16mm NGM Group member, and that's exactly what he said as well about his kit. Not seen one in the flesh - is this something that could be corre...
by Chris Cairns
Thu Mar 16, 2017 2:30 pm
Forum: General Garden Railways
Topic: boiler certificates!
Replies: 15
Views: 12552

Many Association members do not bother to do an annual test, and even fewer record it There is currently no mandatory requirement to complete either to be covered by the Association's Insurance, and even less members (at least here in Scotland) paint a red line/mark on their pressure gauges either ...