Just Playing Trains

 As Bruce once sang … two steps back. The liquid lead referred to in my last post, combined with the softening effect of the Uhu, has caused the rear bonnet to bulge and split. My fault, I think I overdid both. So where do we go from here? Well I’ll be cutting out the two affected sides. thankfully both flat and sqare, and replacing them with plasticard. I’ve dug the lead out and I’ll use something else - a chunk of white metal maybe once the repairs are complete.

Its alive! After some persuasions, the chassis now fits snugly in the body and holds the motor firmly in mesh with the gears via the two rubber strips under the bonnet cavity. The video shows a short run, back and forth on my test track box.   See the range for yourself at Fourdees website. Since filming this, I’ve packed the remaining space with liquid lead, and washed my hands. I used Uhu to availed poisoning myself from the PVA/lead reaction. Next step is paint and markings…

 I’m very impressed with James Hilton’s work, his gentle and mindful approach to modeling, and his  blog  which always inspires me. This particular article really caught my attention: An industrial hinterland where roads and railways meet and cross, levels change and BR meets private lines, all in the space of a metre long shelf. The possibility of adding a stream, or a canal, lots of undergrowth, and detritus make it even more attractive. I really must try and concentrate on the current projects though…. I REALLY must! Some good news to report - the Kato chassis has now been persuaded to fit into the Fourdees loco body and it works a treat. Once again, thanks to Dan at Fourdees for his help. More about this loco, and my plans for it - that’s a laugh - I don’t have any.  

 I’ve had to temporarily give up my workspace, aka the kitchen table, while we sort out some storage. While I’ve no space, as opposed to next to no space, I have been tinkering with a few ideas and assembling a 009 “Peverill” diesel from Fourdees. It’s a lovely 3D print in resin and comes in a small square box. The body is one piece with just a few small details to add on, and the roof is separate to allow glazing and painting. I also have a Kato 11-109 chassis to power it, providing a budget locomotive for around £60, albeit one for which I have no layout to on. Yet. The process has been a little fraught. The chassis is powered by a coreless motor with a tiny flywheel. It appears to rely on downward pressure from the body to keep the worm engaged with the gears… Yes it’s worm problems again - see my various blogs and posts on this subject in recent months… Dan at Fourdees has been very helpful, steering me along as I approach the issues. It’s no fault of theirs, the motor just nee...

 Following on from my previous post, I've been considering the operational rationale for the layout I've proposed and found it to be unlikely. I'm also doubtful that a new crossover would be built across the station approaches.  Also, as intimated previously, the two sections cannot meet in the space I have. So I'm thinking of moving the station a few yards up the line, towards the Mill, and into the modeled scene. This will give an interesting foreground, some operational interest, and an excuse to run a DMU. The line extending towards Shipley Wharf can stay and the rest abandoned... So this version, pictured, isn't going to happen. I've also found the bulkhead rail I thought I had, and I've salvaged a turnout from the test build which is now officially abandoned.