Garden Railway Forum

This is going to be good!

Big Jim:103952 wrote: Did you manage to change the gas valve?

I forgot to mention that I made a special tool to replace the gas valve but so far have not tested the unit.

Latest news is...... servos fitted to loco, lining transfers begun (fiddly and slow but very effective!) RC gear arrived in the post and miniature conifers from Lidl planted to add to the scenic effects.
Off now for a weekend away at the Rowand Emett Convention in Birmingham so no further reports or photographs until I return.

Have fun in Birmingham. Looking forwards to seeing the lining transfers in place.
I have been looking at a set or two for my fleet and will be interested to see how you got on with them.

Have fun in Birmingham - we are off to Egypt in the morning - 38 degrees all week with lots of snorkelling in the Red Sea!!

Back from Brum, I'm pleased to say!   Not my favourite place..... far too many people and not a friendly face amongst them.

Anyway, final work on Billy.   Bodywork is now re-fitted, along with RC gear.  The transfers look well and I am really pleased with the finish....


 A Busybodies figure stands in the cab...

 
 I have altered the handrails from short to full height on the cab sides....


 




Billy has undergone 'Gender Correction' and become 'Lady Andrea'.
As locomotives should be female I think this is much more appropriate.

This afternoon was the first opportunity to try 'Lady Andrea' under steam. She performed very well after fixing a slight steam leak on the new regulator. Also some adjustment on the reversing lever servo will need to be carried out as the travel is too great. This will probably mean removing the whole body again to get at the servo and altering the position on the servo arm.
The gas valve is now perfect and not leaking as before.
The photographs below are taken in a lower light level than those above and give a truer colour of the loco.

Looks good Peter

I took 'Lady Andrea' to a weekend event at Pembrey Country Park where there is a steam railway operated by the Llanelli and District Model Engineers. This comprises two gauges of track on trestles and another two on floor level. Both are extensive circuits and were extremely busy both days. Also there is a SM32 raised track which was built for younger members. I spent many happy hours on this line and ran RC battery, Emetts and RC steam. The 'Lady' performed brilliantly and I am well pleased with the control system.
Whilst there I saw a model vehicle trader friend who had saved me three Maisto cars to add to my collection of suitable road vehicles. Typically they were all LHD but no longer!


The dash-boards needed some filler after chopping them about and some Miliput left over was put to good use in the cattle dock..

Very impressive as usual Peter.
The droppings look particularly good!

Lovely but of detailing there Peter! Now I know how to use the my left over milliput!

We may need to start a sub-forum for all you 16mm scale dung modellers - that's two posts on the subject in a week. I may join in myself at some point, manure was one of the goods transported on the Welsh Highland. It was discussed somewhere and I think I'm inclined to agree with the Marquis that it would have gone in sackloads, not sure I can resist an open wagon full of a great steaming heap though - ooh, just thought, maybe it could actually steam, with one of those smoke units that 00 modellers use?!!

Anyway, lovely looking loco Peter, glad it's running as well as it looks.

Andrew.

Some short lengths of fishing wire stuck up on top of the great steaming mound with tiny 16mm scale bluebottles on the ends would fly around around as the wagon went along...

Andrew:104535 wrote: not sure I can resist an open wagon full of a great steaming heap though - ooh, just thought, maybe it could actually steam, with one of those smoke units that 00 modellers use?!!

Anyway, lovely looking loco Peter, glad it's running as well as it looks.

Andrew.

I did that about 30 years ago with a 4mm model of a GWR manure wagon. It had pick-ups on the steel wheels and at exhibitions we used to leave it sitting in a siding, steaming gently!

The manure itself was a painted gunge of chopped sisal string, polyfiller and epoxy, supported by a piece of car body repair expanded ali mesh.

Feeling a little sheepish at the moment....


I already have a cattle truck but thought a sheep wagon would look good on the railway. I found a drawing on line and used it as a guide. The chassis is yet another from the toy train set I butchered before and I just made the body to fit it.

The drawing only showed a door on one side which I thought a little odd! My rendition has doors on both sides so loading is possible whichever way the vehicle is facing.

Since the photograph was taken I have added strapping and hinges and applied bolt details using the plastic castings from Cambrian but unfortunately ran out. More are now on order but there is likely to be a delay!

Keeping up to date with progress, this is the current situation waiting for the bolt heads to arrive. Cambrian's invoice arrived this morning and has been paid, so perhaps I might receive them within a few days?



These little bolt heads are a great detail and finish the model really well. A selection of types and sizes are supplied on the same sprue and are very fiddly, but worth the effort.

Certainly do look the biz, Peter.

Hello,

what dimensions did you use for the plastic profiles?

Markus

Very nice wagons. Might be tempted myself

looking good peter how did you get the platic card to look like wood ???.how's the castle going ???