Dad-1 - Workbench - West Bay Wagon Works

[Dad-1]

Bigmet,

https://youtu.be/eQMpZKfqeXQ?si=dPsyECfomnncKYpJ

Tried it under the loading gauge, no need to drop the chimney.
The decoder is still giving problems as I can't change the address from default 03.
Kevin at DCC Supplies had the Zimo decoder back when the loco just ceased to work.
He checked it and said there was no problem and suggested perhaps a continuity fault
on the power pin connections. As the loco was stored in a shed where the humidity has
been high it was a possibility. Although with the blanking plug back in it worked fine in
analogue form !!

Geoff T.

[Lysander]

I think that the Matchbox 'Model of Yesteryear' traction engine is an Allchin [Northampton], Geoff.

Traction engines did travel by rail although their chimneys, which were usually hinged, folded down forwards and were then secured to something like the font axle or smoke box with rope. I have reposted here a photo of my recent road engine / Loriot build which may be of interest to others. I think that the low deck of the Loriot just keeps the ensemble within the loading gauge. But even if it doesn't, I'm not cutting down the chimney! The unit awaits steering chains, chocking and chaining down.



Tony

[Dad-1]

First the 'funny' decoder problem.
The new 6 pin Zimo decoders have to be programmed on a programming track.
You can't programme on main - which I was trying to do. Still not certain why
it failed to respond initially. Re-programmed and working fine now.

Track and modelling stuff being prepared for a demonstration table.
Can't seem to access my photo hosting ????

Geoff T

[Bufferstop]

Geoff. Your decoder problem may well have been down to the effect of humidity on the pins, or the sockets they were in. It wouldn't affect the DC with the blanking plug in. Back in the day we had to put away our trusty Avos and their DC continuity test. We knocked up our own testers which squirted an HF signal down the line and picked it up with a receiver that beat it with a second signal to give a continuous audible tone, then tweaked the connections to see if the joint was good or not.
I wouldn't suggest it for the lone modeller but a club which is into DCC might very well invest in an oscilloscope and signal generator, and some training to use them. When you are working with digital pulses it's useful to be able to see them if you think there's a problem with their transmission. My party piece used to be telling the installer with cable clip he'd hammered in too hard when he couldn't get a signal.

[Dad-1]

All decoders working John, although I'm on thin ice with my 'demonstration' board
where I have mounted a code 75 Set-track geometry crossover that has frog juicers
to switch polarity. Seems to be working with my 'Anna' Ruston 48DS. There was no way
you could demonstrate a loose bit of track with dangling juicers.
Still undecide if I should ballast and add a cess with grass edge - Hell it'll look so much
better, but it's trying to introduce others to trying some track work and not to look pretty.



I'm also preparing a set of various wheels to show differences and possible incompatibilities.
To go with that there is a board with assorted sections of track to exhibit :-



P4 Phosphor bronze bull-head code 75 on Ratio plastic sleepers
EM NS bull-head code 75 soldered onto copper-clad sleepers
00 SMP RTR NS bull-head code 75
00 NS bull-head code 75 soldered onto copper-clad sleepers
00 Peco code 75 flexi
00 Peco code 100 flexi

Should be an interesting conversation piece ?

Throw in a Metcalfe kit and a couple of wagon kits - the day won't be long enough !!

Geoff T.

[Dad-1]

Progress, just slow.
The crossover in that last posting has now been ballasted. The little Ruston will
cross on speed step 1, exactly what you need on a shunting puzzle, or even a yard.
The geometry is tight as it's exactly what you have with Set-track points that are
only available in insulated frog and code 100 rail. My Derry's Yard is spoilt by the
failure of small locomotives running reliably. That's when I decide it should be quite
easy to make code 75 live pointwork.
Looks much better
reliable running
Quite easy to make
Hence my encouraging others to at least try.



To go with my plans to build a point at the Bridport club's exhibition on 13th January
I have prepared a visual display board of trackwork and will have a sample set of
various wheels. For best running you need to try and match your wheels with the track.



Back to the work bench, adding Kadee couplers to some kit-built wagons, all part of my
'Modelling' table plans for the 13th.

Geoff T.

[Dad-1]

A video of the finished demonstration board for our exhibition at Beaminster on 13th January.
The Railway modeller back scene will be mounted on thick card and screwed into the board.
I don't suppose I'll 'sell' the idea and get anyone else building track, but it's not that difficult.

https://youtu.be/3Wh1qbhzpPg

Geoff T.

[Phred]

Beautiful smooth running at a crawl, and the demonstration board is a smashing little diorama in itself.

[Bigmet]

...I don't suppose I'll 'sell' the idea and get anyone else building track, but it's not that difficult.

I should think it is more likely that some commercial interest is attracted.

Surely there must be one of the new entrants that realises that the UK's set track is a very dated design (essentially from the patterns of superseded 1950's design HO which Triang got cheap) and extremely limited in what it offers, especially when it comes to making good running quality layouts for the smaller locos that have proved so popular. Over 60 years ago, my continental cousins had motorised double slips on their HO layouts, and now HO set track offers a vast range of options in types of (motorised) points and curve radii.

[Dad-1]

I drift off in strange directions,
My eldest son bought a very old kit built 'O' gauge wagon at least 2 years ago.
It had one buffer missing and just sat in what was his bedroom until he got
his own flat about 6 weeks ago. Residing by my archive computer gathering
dust - Time to fix !! Couldn't find any matching buffers, but in the end bought
a set of Midland bottle type. This wagon has a timber frame so I thought these
would do and are now in place, just need blending in with the existing rather
tired weathered look.



To meet some new friends here it is with a couple of my 'O' gauge stock.



Now back to reality and my somewhat more compact '00' workings.

Geoff T.

[Lysander]

I can smell that old cattle van from here Geoff!

Tony

[Dad-1]

Hi Tony,

May keep that one in the garage !!

Well not new, but old kit built wagons I never intended having Kadees, now being fettled
to work well with Kadees and be part of my "Modellers" table at my Club's Beaminster
exhibition on 13th January.
Needed 2 x 16 tonners, one with opening doors to show one more advantage of building
your own stock.



Anyone got a spare Railway Modeller free back scene ? I used just under half here and fancy
using on a new shunting layout.

Geoff T.

[Dad-1]

Kadees on old kit-built wagons.

https://youtu.be/d4GSNkWulsY

Geoff T.

[Phred]

Love the rainy backscene. Nice to see Anna working effortlessly as usual.

[Dad-1]

Phred,

Those little Ruston's are amazing.

Right, still not a certain goer, but planning is advancing with this piece of bookcase
now trimmed back to 60" and the initial drawing resting on it. The idea, still to be
drawn is a 3rd line linking into the loop somewhere. As it's intended that the turnouts
will all be Home-made I HAVE to have the drawings right.

The first 'cut' of 2024 !!



When/if this is built it has to be easily moved by one person, resting in the front foot-well of my
car and laying over the front seat.

Geoff T.