Recent posts

#91

Locomotives / Re: Transportation/Storage Box...

Last post by Andy Lowman - March 10, 2026, 15:22

Thanks Julien, most impressive.

#92

Locomotives / Re: Transportation/Storage Box...

Last post by JulienW - March 09, 2026, 20:42

This is a bit 'Rolls Royce' but may be of interest...



It's a Samsonite flight case with layers of Plastazote foam (a closed cell polyethylene foam used in museums for packing objects for transport) with custom cut recesses (I used a hot wire cutter).





I suspect it would withstand quite a bit of rough treatment but has the disadvantages that it isn't cheap (though the case was being thrown out) and should I get rid of any stock I'm left with a hole.

That being said I have used the same foam cutouts in the small business card boxes mentioned by Graeme for small (0-4-0 and 0-6-0) locos.

#93

Locomotives / Re: Transportation/Storage Box...

Last post by Andy Lowman - March 09, 2026, 17:50

Great, thanks very much to one and all.

#94

Rolling stock / Kato 11-606 N gauge wheelsets ...

Last post by S Wilkinson - March 09, 2026, 12:45

I didn't realise that N gauge wheelsets came in different axle lengths and I bought a couple of packs for some 3D printed model I bought from Etsy.

It turns out that I needed Peco wheelsets as the Kato ones aren't long enough, so I've got some wheelsets I need to find a home for.

Does anyone know of any 3D printed kits that will take the Kato wheels, or some free CAD files for some rolling stock please? I've got a friend who's very good with 3D printing so I would imagine he would be able to modify CAD files to the correct size required.

Many thanks,

Steve

#95

Locomotives / Re: Townsend Hook from EDM

Last post by Mike Oehlers - March 09, 2026, 12:30

Brian - that looks smashing - thank you for sharing. I've snagged a 0-4-0 Fleischmann engine donor - and many thanks to Robin W for sourcing that at such short notice, so let's see where this leads.

Other advice I have had suggests using a TT ("Normandy") body and making an HOm/12mm version, which is also closer to the original Betchworth gauge for this particular part of the quarry (3'2½"; they ran standard gauge and three narrow gauge lines within the quarry), so decision time draws closer.

Thank you to all that have offered advice and commentary on this - greatly appreciated.

M.

#96

Sales / Re: How do I sell a loco ?

Last post by Dave G - March 09, 2026, 12:05

Thanks

#97

Locomotives / Re: Townsend Hook from EDM

Last post by Robin Webster - March 09, 2026, 11:45

That looks smart Brian.
Robin.

#98

Locomotives / Re: Townsend Hook from EDM

Last post by B.Meldon - March 09, 2026, 08:23

Here is my completed loco. I used tin sheet for the cab roof with the rear upright supports soldered on to the roof before fitting to the body, again this was done to help with the structural strength at the rear of the body.It was a lot of work, but I think that it was worth it.  As it happens I do have another one of these bodies, but without the extra parts ie the smokebox and firebox that were missing from the first one I purchased, but were kindly replaced by EDM with a complete kit! I may make this body up at some point using my own parts.

#99

Locomotives / Re: Townsend Hook from EDM

Last post by B.Meldon - March 09, 2026, 08:22

I also modified the Fleischmann chassis to help with the installation:

#100

Locomotives / Re: Townsend Hook from EDM

Last post by B.Meldon - March 09, 2026, 08:18

Here is a before and after photo showing how much needs to be removed to fit the Fleischmann 0-4-0 chassis as well as the additional tin strips added to the footplate, rear buffer beam area and inside the outer surface of the tanks, without this the body would loose structural integrity. These need to be added before all the material is removed to avoid the body cracking during the process.