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Getting underway!

Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2019 9:22 am
by NGPete
As mentioned in my introduction, I was given some L&B coaches and a small diseasel to start my foray into the garden. The coaches are L&B kit built coaches and the loco an IP engineering 0-6-0. Obviously not an ideal match, but it's a start. The loco was poorly built with the first obvious problem, the quartering was out. The coupling rods were at 180 degrees to each other, causing it to lock up every 3rd or 4th rotation. I decided to upgrade the control from the "switch on and run" set up to RC.
Being of Scots descent, I try to work on a tight budget! The battery (nicad) that was in the loco left much to be desired, the Tamiya plugs were green with verdigris, I assume due to not having had flux cleaned away, and on closer inspection one cell was leaking! A visit to Drayton Models, near Portsmouth, provided a budget priced NiMH pack fitted with Dean's T connectors. I bought a 4 channel RC unit from a local RC car specialist for just over £20, and ordered a pair of no name ESC through FleaBay for under a fiver.
With the quartering sorted and the mish-mash of connectors unified to Dean's T, it was cobbled together.
It runs"OK" although the ESC has an annoying set of function beeps when in use! As soon as I work out how to I will add some photos . Once I have given it a thorough test run at our club circuit, Bognor Regis Model Railway Club, I plan on bashing the loco body to make a Steam outline, but that will be with my June pocket money as I have a 40 year old 0:16.5 layout to get ready for S.W.I.N.G., the annual show of the Southdowns Area group of the 7mmNGA, in Littlehampton on the 18th of May!

Re: Getting underway!

Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2019 10:39 am
by IanC
It's a good start. My own modelling pace is very slow. Pictures are always appreciated. See Tom's guidance on how to post pictures if you're struggling to post them when you've taken some.

Re: Getting underway!

Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2019 12:30 pm
by -steves-
Sounds like you are well under way PeteNG and at least know what you are doing, which is more than I did when I started out about 8 years ago now.

Things can be picked up cheaply if you are prepared to put the time and effort in and build them up yourself, which clearly you do. In no time at all (in the grand scheme of things) you will soon have a number of bashed loco's and stock which suits your requirements. :thumbup:

As mentioned it would be great to see some pictures and there are instructions on the site on how best to achieve this. Hoping to see them soon. :D

Re: Getting underway!

Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2019 8:24 pm
by markoteal
Sounds an encouraging start Pete

If you are looking at bashing from a diesel to steam, there are a few examples on the forum - mine can be found at

https://gardenrails.org/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=11561

Re: Getting underway!

Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2019 8:55 am
by jim@NAL
Sounds like a great start