Totherdale Light Railway

[Paulc]

In the 009 layouts thread I promised that I would post something about my efforts, so here goes.
The facts:
I found my old minitrains bits and pieces in the loft and decided to get them working again.  I bought some more track and laid it on some sundeala  framed with 2x1 and creating a fictional narrow gauge railway Totherdale Falls: see below.
Problems include: Old track being dead frog, which I hadn

[petersmith1942]

based on those pics you will enjoy 009 Soc and this group. I tend to think that poor running due to dead frog points, poor loco pickups and too much track in too small a space are the biggest enemy our Society has. The problem has eased a lot of late and is no doubt part of the reason we are prospering. Personally I tire of "what is the smallest radius possible in......." questions. I prefer to think what is the largest radius I can get in any given space and if it seems too tight the space isnt big enough! I have come round to feeling that a Chris Ward body on a Kato chassis that runs reliably is a much better start than a more sophisticated loco that doesnt run well or constantly needs help from "t h o g"
Peter Smith

[Paulc]

Thanks Peter,

The Chris Ward locos are in my opinion very good (The camera isn't too kind to them in close up sometimes but that isn't noticeable at normal viewing distance) and the Kato chassis runs very well.  It is very difficult to find an electrical/track problem if the chassis only works when it feels like it!  I think you're right, if you can get something running quickly and reliably the rest will follow. "Slob" is my first attempt at scratch building a body to fit an old 0-6-0 n gauge chassis.  It looks like something that would barely move if it ever existed and if anyone ever had the nerve to fire it up. so it's perfect for the chassis. :laugh:

Just worked out that the 300 kb limit is for the total post, not per picture and as I've spent drizzly afternoon downsizing pictures I'll post a couple more so that it seems worthwhile.

A view of the end of the street which shows how the board has warped - the line under the house and pavement weren't there a while ago. It's quite small but I'm not sure that the board isn't absorbing water/drying out causing the top to undulate a bit.

His Lordship's mobile greenhouse - not a great idea.

Paul

[Hugh Norwood]

I think it's rather good - but then I have a mobile garden shed complete with cold frame, seat and crate of beer bottles! (and a copy of 009NEWS on the seat)  :)

[Paulc]

Thanks Hugh - Your  shed and  frame ring a bell - were there pictures in the 009 news - do they tour Angst to provide a change from the diet of cabbage from the Sto plains?
Paul

[Scott Rixon]

The change in the later track is amazing.. I just swapped out an iffy point, with one of the new build Peco ones.. Much better, makes me want to replace more.

The layout is looking good.. Could we see some wider shots with more? I know you want to keep the view tight, but I love to see the whole picture..

I have 2 Chris Ward locos under construction.. They run so well on the kato as has been mentioned before. I am building a railway first, I want it to run well. :)

[petersmith1942]

Scott
well done, I just wouldnt put up with poor points it just spoils your enjoyment and deters progress
Good track and a couple of nice running Chris Ward locos on Kato chassis will get you going. Tomytec have some nice chassis as well
Peter Smith

[Paulc]

Scott  my best attempt at an over all picture below.  As you'll see it's a pretty improbable set up topographically but it did let me try out cast plaster rockwork and plaster buildings - these are great but heavy.

I have bough the new Peco track and points for the new layout and constructed a baseboard on the Barry Norman design of sandwiching wood blocks between strips of ply.  I haven't laid any track yet so it's great to hear that they are so much better.  I also didn't put polarity switches on the old layout which I'm sure would help.  I think its fate will be to be cut up and used in slightly more credible topography! Meanwhile it works as a test track.

I think the Chris Ward locos are good and are getting better, I am currently working on a white metal kit on an N Drive chassis - the chassis is great but the kit ( I won't name it) needs a lot of work in terms of filling and filing etc. and I'm not a complete novice with white metal kits.  You should post some pictures of your locos.

I've heard of the Tommytec chassis, Peter but I don't think I've seen much Tommytec stuff for sale; are they the ones fitted in their N gauge Thomas range?

[petersmith1942]

Dont think they are the Thomas range. They are 2 bogie/truck types with varying wheelbase
Moter has a flywheel but drive is to one truck only . I have bought from the 009 Sales stand and from Osbornes Models. They are sold as chassis in boxes ref TM-03, TM-04 and others. They have alternative truck sides. Cant offhand renenber the wheebases available
Peter Smith

[Paulc]

Thanks Peter, I'll have a look on the sales stand at Swanley

[Scott Rixon]

Thanks. I like the way you have done that. Gives a maximum scenic section and nice changes in elevation.

[tebee]

This lot on Ebay have most of the Tomytec range in. On the longer chassis, the motor drives both bogies. I find them very good runners.

http://stores.ebay.com/Plaza-Japan/Motorized-Chassis-/_i.html?_fsub=10&_sid=169030440&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

[petersmith1942]

thanks for that excellent link; I have bought direct from Japan (Hobby Search) and service is excellent but like everywhere postage is becoming prohibitive and if duty as well with parcelfarce surcharge its as well to buy in UK if possible. Tomytec range looks to be larger than I thought and,as you say. some dual drive
Peter Smith

[tebee]

A tip if you are ordering from Japan. Use SAL postage not EMS. Firstly it's cheaper and secondly; most of the time you don't get charged duty, especially if it's only a small parcel. EMS seems to attract duty every time.

Tom 

[rod335]

I received a loco kit from Japan this week which was sent SAL and was very pleasantly surprised not to have to pay duty, VAT and the iniquitous fee charged by Royal Mail. Parcels from the US sent by UPS don't seem to get charged, US Mail parcels do. Like others, I get incensed with the Royal Mail attitude. Whereas I don't like the concept of Duty and VAT, they are, to a degree, justifiable. What is not justifiable is Royal Mail charging