Tanker Wagon Kit - Pt.1

My Grandfather had his own dairy in Manchester and this gave me the inspiration to create tankers for the milk industry and the community serviced by Homestyal Light Railway.

Photo: Swift Sixteen

Swift Sixteen have an excellent choice of detailed wagon kits in their range, all at affordable prices.

Reading the online instructions and accompanying photographs I began by marking out the underside of the chassis for the positioning of the axle holders and coupling blocks.

The axle holders and coupling blocks were fixed into position using the previously drawn lines. If you do not wish to use the coupling blocks in this position, you can rotate them 180 degrees to accommodate couplings of your choice.

The wheels and axles were prepared by firstly removing one wheel from each axle and sliding a bearing tube, lightly oiled, over each axle. Each removed wheel was refitted and gauged to 40mm 'back to back' for my 45mm gauge. Any excess axle was removed flush to the wheel boss with a hacksaw.

The axle bushes were sanded and glued into each axle holder with epoxy resin.

Each 'W-iron' was cleaned and super glued to the chassis adjacent to each axle end.

Part 2
Part 3

L&B Corridor Coach Kit Pt.2

In preparation for painting, all surfaces were lightly sanded with a fine wood sandpaper (P180)  and cleaned with white spirit applied using a lint cloth.

To protect the inside surfaces prior to spraying, masking tape was positioned vertical down the windows and horizontally across the two ends.

The whole coach was then put in an unsealed plastic bag and allowed to dry over night.

Once dry the coach was 'stuffed' with rolled up newspaper to further protect the inside surfaces.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all visitors, Kindle subscribers and friends and family alike, a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year for 2013.

Shades of Autumn

As the last few days of summer come to a close, autumn begins to fall across the sleepy pastures of Homestyal Light Railway.

Here Florence pulls a mixed goods train providing coal and supplies to the villagers of the local communities of Homestyal, Buddleia and Brookwood.

L&B Corridor Coach Kit Pt.1

Photo:IP Engineering

After recent reviews in Garden Rail and other garden railway magazines, I took a fancy to these little L&B inspired coaches. There are three in the range, a two and three compartment coach and this one. After purchasing the Corridor Coach from IP Engineering, this is how I built it.

Superglue or PVA glue is recommended for the assembly for which I chose Evo-Stik exterior weatherproof wood adhesive as it allows slight movement before setting. Ten minutes to set, and twenty four hours for the glue to clear.

The four sides were removed from the fret and the burrs cleaned off with a small needle file. The running board and end supports were then glued in place.

The floor was then located onto the running board whilst checking for square.

An end and then the other side were attached before the second end was located in place and all checked for square.

Using the lines on the inner sides, the outer sides were removed from their frets and glued in place. The same was done for the two ends.

This is how the coach looks at this stage. Next paint will be applied to the outside panels.

Leaves on the line!

With all the rain and bad weather in the area recently, Homestyal Light Railway was closed for the day whilst the emergency services attended an incident on the line just east of Homestyal Halt.

As the rains subsided, leaves descended upon a passing goods train.....

....and an emerging west bound passenger train!

Smoke was smouldering from under the carriage when the fire brigade arrived.

Survivors were removed from the scene as soon as possible...

....but unfortunately some weren't so lucky (being made of plastic!).

W&LLR Romanian No.764.425

After a major overhaul, the return of Romanian No.764.425 - Resita 0-8-0, built 1954.

Here she can be seen departing Welshpool during the W&LLR Steam Gala of 2012.

Don't panic....

To make your own poster, go to Keepcalm-o-Matic

Brookwood Extension - Diagonals

In between the rain, I managed to fit the diagonal struts to one side of Brookwood Bridge today.

The diagonals were fixed in place using the existing nuts & bolts and their respective holes used for the fixing of the horizontal and vertical girders.

A double diagonal strut was fitted to the mid-section.

Summer Holidays

Early morning and all's quiet as 'Big Dan' repairs the gents water closet tank whilst the station master talks to Gladys in the ticket office at Buddleia Pond station.

Passengers begin to gather as the first train of the day begins to pull into the station.

Loco 994605 chugs past the talking crowd of holiday makers before stopping at the end of the platform.

 

The train pulls to a stop whilst 'Big Dan' is oblivious to its arrival.

All's quiet once more at Buddleia Pond station.

Brookwood Extension - Update

The wayside workers were out this weekend laying more track between Brookwood Bridge and the village of Brookwood. Here's a quick update of where they are up to after Sundays work.

Looking south towards the bridge, the newly laid track can be seen cutting through the undergrowth.

Now looking north towards Brookwood.

Aerial shot of the progress.

Florence

Florence approaching Homestyal Halt with a single coal wagon.

Her rear view showing the controls and detail.

Raising steam at Homestyal Halt.

Exiting Buddleia Pond tunnel.

Florence passing by the 'baby tears'.

Photos: Courtesy of Wayne Roberts

Pepsi Box Car

Model: Refrigerated wagon with two large roof fans and brakeman's platform. The doors on both sides of the wagon slide open and latch shut. 

Length: 300mm LGB: 4031

Leuna Tanker

From the beginning, Leuna was an oil company that operated its own tank cars. This model replicates a Leuna tanker operating on the Deutschen Reichsbahn.

Model: Complete with an opening fill hatch and working drain valve.

Length: 300mm LGB: 41406

Brookwood Extension - And the rains came!

With all this rain hitting the North West of England during the past twenty four hours, it was obviously a good idea to build this bridge!

Lynton & Barnstaple Railway

The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway opened in May 1898 and closed just after 37 years in 1935. This 19 mile line and its purposely chosen gauge of 1ft 11 1/2in (600mm) was constructed to follow the natural contours of the North Devon countryside. The one-mile section in use today was reopened in 2004 and operates from Woody Bay station to Killington Lane.

Mixed rolling stock on a siding at Woody Bay station.

The 11:30 from Woody Bay station prepares to depart.

There she goes, Axe 2451, on her way to Killington Lane.

All's quiet looking towards the engine shed at Woody Bay station.

Woody Bay station.

...and back again up the inclined approach to Woody Bay station.

Nearly home, Axe returns.

DR Box Car

This long box car with brakeman's platform was used for many years on the DR.

Model: The doors on both sides of the wagon slide open and have a latch for securing them closed.
Length: 300mm LGB: 4030

Stainz DCC Fitting Guide - Part 4 of 4

19. After removing the bottom half of the plastic boiler housing (two lugs), remove the three wires connecting the cab to the boiler. Remove the two screws holding the weight to the top half of the boiler.

20. Now the circuit board is revealed!

21. Above the circuit board in this photo is the decoder (55021) to be fitted. As the LGB circuit board provides a 'direct socket interface', the four wires are not required and therefore can be snipped off.

22. With the wires removed, offer the decoder to the board (it only fits one way) and firmly press down into the boards sockets.

23. Fitted decoder and main circuit board.

24. For the circuit board to recognise the decoder, all dip switches should be set to the 'OFF' position.

25. Before reassembly, check that all is in working order by connecting the main wire to the chassis and placing the basic locomotive on a piece of connected track. Ensure the light works and that the locomotive moves.

If the basic locomotive doesn't work, check that the decoder is seated correctly and that the dip switches are set correctly, in addition to the track receiving power.

To rebuild the locomotive, just reverse these steps by following the instructions used to dismantle.

Enjoy!

Part 3
Part 2
Part 1