Garden Railway Forum

Hi,

I'm very new to all this so apologies if this has been asked before.

I have a Roundhouse Laddy Anne, and have recently acquired some nice etched brass nameplates.

What's the best way of fixing them?

Does the fix have to be permanent?

Do I have to remove some paint for adhesive to bond?

Any suggestions and advice most welcome

Thanks

martin.retired

On mine which I did the other week I used clear household Silicone, the sort which you put in a squeezey gun.
Sticks them down well enough, looks OK as long as you don't put too much on, but comes off without damaging the paintwork if you change your mind!

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.

That sounds pretty good to me. Something which enables me to change my mind is an attractive proposition.

Tiniest spot of superglue works for me, you need to be very careful not to set it on the bodywork though as it's very difficult to remove...
Also made a cardboard jig to ensure the plates were straight & central.

I shall definitely poach the cardboard jig idea.

Am I alone in being frightened of doing stuff to my Lady Anne? A good bit of my retirement savings were spent on her, but it's not just the money. I suppose I have a lack of confidence in my ability to not make a mistake.

At the moment the cardboard jig combined with silicone glue is favourite, so thanks guys.

martin.retired:70973 wrote: At the moment the cardboard jig combined with silicone glue is favourite,

Sounds like a plan.

Don't get impatient though. Do one side at a time and leave the loco on it's side until the Silicone Sealer has cured properly, which may be more than the 24 hours they put on the tube.

Confidence comes from experience. Go for it.......

Graeme

martin.retired:70973 wrote: Am I alone in being frightened of doing stuff to my Lady Anne?  A good bit of my retirement savings were spent on her, but it's not just the money. I suppose I have a lack of confidence in my ability to not make a mistake.

No you are not! Likewise I have just bought the loco I posted the picture of above, and I darn't do anything to it! Sticking the nameplates on mine was bad enough, I now have a little tool box to plonk somewhere. I would love to add extras like handrails and lamp irons on the smoke box but I don't have the confidence drilling into something so expensive!

martin.retired:70973 wrote: Am I alone in being frightened of doing stuff to my Lady Anne?  A good bit of my retirement savings were spent on her, but it's not just the money. I suppose I have a lack of confidence in my ability to not make a mistake.

You are NOT alone. Garden steam locomotives are bl**y expensive!

Good choice of retirement activities, though! Having a nice live-steam garden railway is my cherished vision for my post-retirement years.

I've stuck my name,numberplates and toolboxes on with clear houshold silicon and never lost one of them but can be removed if you so wish.

I use double-sided carpet tape, at first there a bit loose but after a steaming or to they harden up and go solid, if you ever remove the plate it just peels off leaving a tiny glue mark which cleans straight off.

Clear silicone adhesive and cardboard jigs worked a treat.

Thanks for your help everyone.