Search found 1372 matches

by IrishPeter
Tue Mar 19, 2019 1:52 pm
Forum: Garden Railway Technical Help & Advice
Topic: Working with Concrete Block
Replies: 20
Views: 10193

Re: Working with Concrete Block

I was thinking of the standard perforated block used in construction. Not too bad to drill with the right bit and a hammer drill, but a material I have stayed away from in the past. I don't enjoy the racket from drilling operations, and was only contemplating it this time due to the relative small n...
by IrishPeter
Tue Mar 19, 2019 12:14 pm
Forum: Garden Railway Technical Help & Advice
Topic: Working with Concrete Block
Replies: 20
Views: 10193

Working with Concrete Block

This may be a series of questions induced by lack of sleep and coffee, but I have to build a raised section for the Far End Tramway. So, does this sound workable? I need a series of short pillars (approx. 18" tall) to hold up a decking board superstructure, and the good old 16" x 8" x...
by IrishPeter
Mon Mar 18, 2019 3:49 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: Run time
Replies: 39
Views: 20334

Re: Run time

One reason I have a soft spot for pot boilers is that their 'sweet spot' in terms of running is much larger than that of the single flue, internally fired, types. The down side is that they are appreciably less efficient. My Millie will chug away happily for 30-35 minutes after the initial temper ta...
by IrishPeter
Sun Mar 17, 2019 3:19 am
Forum: Railways & Layouts
Topic: The Charnwood Forest Light Railway
Replies: 315
Views: 124447

Re: The Charnwood Forest Light Railway

That is decidedly odd. The first thing I would have fingered is the Filcris because it is known to have a high degree of expansion and contraction. However, I would have expected it to go bananas in the summer not now. Any idea what the temperatures were when you laid first the Filcris and then the ...
by IrishPeter
Fri Mar 15, 2019 3:01 pm
Forum: Rolling Stock
Topic: Rolling Stock for the Far End Tramway
Replies: 106
Views: 49231

Re: Rolling Stock for the Far End Tramway

I'll give the Regner idea some thought. I won't be able to say with certainty what the steepest grade will be until I get out there with the surveying tools, but some sort of geared locomotive would be an idea if I have too much of the really steep stuff. Realistically, if I have to go steeper than ...
by IrishPeter
Thu Mar 14, 2019 1:39 am
Forum: Railways & Layouts
Topic: North Avenue Line
Replies: 159
Views: 65772

Re: North Avenue Line

Much better without the narrow bit. Looks just the ticket now, just needs the accustomed paint job. I used to know what the various banding schemes meant on light houses, but it is a long time since that was necessary information as I probably have not been sailing in 30 years.

Cheers,
Peter in Va
by IrishPeter
Wed Mar 13, 2019 4:09 am
Forum: Rolling Stock
Topic: Rolling Stock for the Far End Tramway
Replies: 106
Views: 49231

Re: Rolling Stock for the Far End Tramway

Andrew, I would really prefer a steam hauled line, but right now all my steamers are 45mm gauge, and there is a certain shortage of mad money for the time being. I think a lot of the problem in Arizona was dust, so I would be prepared to make a modest wager that it won't be anywhere near as bad here...
by IrishPeter
Mon Mar 11, 2019 5:35 pm
Forum: Rolling Stock
Topic: Rolling Stock for the Far End Tramway
Replies: 106
Views: 49231

Re: Rolling Stock for the Far End Tramway

<snip>Looking forward to seeing it all heading up the fearsome grades you describe - I do hope you manage to make it steam-worked... All the best, Andrew I know that I could work it by steam, the question is do I want to torture a rather expensive steam locomotive that way on a regular basis? When ...
by IrishPeter
Sat Mar 09, 2019 1:22 am
Forum: Rolling Stock
Topic: Rolling Stock for the Far End Tramway
Replies: 106
Views: 49231

Mail/Guard's Van

This one is another mésalliance between a KSR prototype and one from the DHR. As usual the body is Bristol board, and as the interior is relatively hidden I decided just three layers - panelling, and then two laminations for the body itself. Here we have the three layer. Drop light layer (top); oute...
by IrishPeter
Fri Mar 08, 2019 3:08 pm
Forum: Rolling Stock
Topic: Rolling Stock for the Far End Tramway
Replies: 106
Views: 49231

Mail/Guard's Van

Drew the aforementioned out this morning. Now I have to get cutting because, if the weather forecast is anywhere near right (you may stop laughing... now!) it will be warm enough to rattle can outside on Sunday - it will be around 65F. For reference, it is currently 31F and snowing gently. I have de...
by IrishPeter
Sat Mar 02, 2019 5:45 pm
Forum: Rolling Stock
Topic: Rolling Stock for the Far End Tramway
Replies: 106
Views: 49231

Re: Rolling Stock for the Far End Tramway

The roof was rolled last night, and left to dry on a former overnight. The remaining hand rails will go on today, if I do not get distracted. It also needs its handbrake, but that will have to wait until I have some more brass rod. (Edit: I didn't get distracted - coach roof was painted and handrail...
by IrishPeter
Tue Feb 26, 2019 4:35 am
Forum: Rolling Stock
Topic: Rolling Stock for the Far End Tramway
Replies: 106
Views: 49231

Re: Rolling Stock for the Far End Tramway

OK, here is the news that is fit to print. The wagons have received a few improvements. Dummy handbrake gear has been fitted, and the location marked for the benefit of shunters and brakemen by the strategic use of white paint. IMG_4461.JPG IMG_4460.JPG The main project at the moment is a four-wheel...
by IrishPeter
Tue Feb 26, 2019 4:03 am
Forum: General Garden Railways
Topic: The Great Forum Railway Inspection
Replies: 22
Views: 12469

Re: The Great Forum Railway Inspection

Hopefully by the time he has made a few other visits there will be enough of the Far End Tramway running for him to come out to the Former Colonies and take a gander. The Skebawn and Castleknox is outside of his jurisdiction, unless there is a McVile kicking about.

Cheers,
Peter in Va
by IrishPeter
Tue Feb 26, 2019 3:41 am
Forum: Railways & Layouts
Topic: The Charlwood Light Railway (CWLR)
Replies: 281
Views: 120432

Re: The Charlwood Light Railway (CWLR)

Nice job that, it looks ready for a Ferret and Dartboard crest, and a number beginning with a heavily serrifed 'D.' I would keep the dinged yellow paint - it somehow looks more realistic that way. Slightly dogeared always looks a little more authentic to me.

Peter in Va
by IrishPeter
Mon Feb 25, 2019 1:55 pm
Forum: Railways & Layouts
Topic: FINAL NEW FWLR LINE
Replies: 215
Views: 91753

Re: NEW FWLR LINE

Duh! The Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway used to operate that way. The loco was always on the South Sea Lane end of the train, and there were usually two carriages on busier days - usually one of the Ashovers and 'the Tub' for those who preferred to travel al fresco. This was their usual mode of op...
by IrishPeter
Sun Feb 24, 2019 1:58 pm
Forum: Railways & Layouts
Topic: FINAL NEW FWLR LINE
Replies: 215
Views: 91753

Re: NEW FWLR LINE

Killarney is probably the best known example in GB&I. There was also a second Irish example - Wicklow Town, but it has been gone for a long time. They were not that common in the UK thanks to the Board of Trade's aversion to reversing moves. Quite a bit more common overseas however. Peter in Va
by IrishPeter
Sun Feb 24, 2019 1:58 pm
Forum: Railways & Layouts
Topic: FINAL NEW FWLR LINE
Replies: 215
Views: 91753

Re: NEW FWLR LINE

Can't you put a run round loop in? Hi Tom, if you look at the photo I have put up, you will see a long blue coming out from the track at the bottom of the photo to run around. There is also a small line going to the lawn, which is planned for the station. All I want to know is, does it matter if I ...
by IrishPeter
Sun Feb 24, 2019 4:47 am
Forum: Railways & Layouts
Topic: Time to build a railway...but where?
Replies: 3350
Views: 1080376

Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Indeed. I can still remember the Emett railway you exhibited at Warley many years ago. I kept going back to it. All my friends couldn't understand me as usually I am known for prototypical accuracy as much as possible but I thought it was the best layout there by far. The slightly bonkers has its a...
by IrishPeter
Sat Feb 23, 2019 1:55 pm
Forum: Railways & Layouts
Topic: FINAL NEW FWLR LINE
Replies: 215
Views: 91753

Re: NEW FWLR LINE

Kurseong (DHR), Killarney, Guisborough all have/had stations that were drive in and reverse/propel out (or vice versa.) Killarney used to be the most exciting of these as IE would cross the up and down Tralee there, so you had a class 141 and a rake of Cravens reversing into the bay platform, then a...
by IrishPeter
Sat Feb 23, 2019 2:40 am
Forum: Rolling Stock
Topic: Rolling Stock for the Far End Tramway
Replies: 106
Views: 49231

Re: Rolling Stock for the Far End Tramway

I bought myself a bit of time on the carriage project by building another closed wagon, which turned out to be roughly the same size and design as the previous one, but I made the (non-functional) door mechanism a little differently. One thing I learned years ago about strings of identical wagons is...