Time to build a railway...but where?

[FWLR]

Very good Peter… I just love the way you imagine the world in 16mm…. Just the master of making something come to life in 16mm in my humble opinion….

Waiting to see this run and colour scheme…. Maybe all white with some yellow or blue with flashing red or blue light…on second thoughts maybe not….

[LNR]

I used to be able to do it in two steps, the system now requires eight

The computer people who write this stuff seem to think two steps to eight is a progressive move.
I too do not agree, you have my sympathy Peter.
Grant.

[Peter Butler]

Very good Peter… I just love the way you imagine the world in 16mm…. Just the master of making something come to life in 16mm in my humble opinion….

Waiting to see this run and colour scheme…. Maybe all white with some yellow or blue with flashing red or blue light…on second thoughts maybe not….

Interesting comment there about blue light Rod, in fact one of my friends has made a rail-mounted 'Black Maria' police van with a shifty looking character peering through bars in the rear window and rotating blue light on the roof. I dare not copy or compete with his wonderful van.
My own van has been given a more peaceable purpose....

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I do seem to have a subconscious attraction to the colour blue. It is only when I put out a selection of models I notice they are in the majority.

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In this case the strong colour certainly makes the diagonal planking stand out and enhances the white lettering...

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[Phil.P]

I was going to ask about the finish on the radiator, but assume that came from a novelty radio?

I am trying to build an arsenal of metallic paints, but many are not particularly effective.

That is 'metallic' as in imitating metal.

Phil.P

[Peter Butler]

I was going to ask about the finish on the radiator, but assume that came from a novelty radio?

I am trying to build an arsenal of metallic paints, but many are not particularly effective.

That is 'metallic' as in imitating metal.

Phil.P

Yes, Phil... the radiator is from a novelty radio and comes in a very shiny gold finish. I have lightly sprayed this with Hycote matt lacquer to flatten it slightly and it is much better.
To imitate metallic finish, e.g. brass pipework etc. I use 'Citadel Layer paint, Brass Scorpion with a touch of Citadel Layer paint,
Auric Armour Gold . Clear lacquer to finish.
I think it looks OK and was commended by an engineering friend saying it was the best paint imitation he had seen.

[Phil.P]

Thank you Peter..
Added to my notes.

Phil.P

[FWLR]

Thank you Peter..
Added to my notes.

Phil.P

Vallejo metallic are not bad Phil. I have used them for a lot of my wagon builds. I’m sure you will find some that is suitable for you as there is a lot of choices out there now from lots of brands, Army Painter has a lot to. I could go on but Anne is telling me to get of my computer

[Phil.P]

Funnily enough, Jane is suggesting something similar, here.


Have to keep the Domestic Authorities, on-side..

Phil.P

[FWLR]

Funnily enough, Jane is suggesting something similar, here.


Have to keep the Domestic Authorities, on-side..

Phil.P

[Wobbly Wheel]

I'm really very sorry to question such an accomplised builder from the position of my armchair - but I see no means of securing the doors of the parcels van.
When ever the vehicle has to stop, signals crossing gates etc. neferious individuals could easily open the doors and make off with the goodies, I can't believe this has been overlooked perhaps there's a consealed interior lock.
Steve

[Peter Butler]

Well Steve, I'm not familiar with the behaviour of personnel on your own railway, but I have taken great care when selecting my own 3D and sculpted drivers, passengers, pedestrians and others, ensuring they have no criminal records, are respectable and responsible individuals who will not cause damage or harm to others. This has resulted in a safe and crime free environment where we have no need to lock our doors.
I notice some manufacturers and kit makers also adopt this attitude towards their products, so you may have had a bad experience with your own people?

[FWLR]

Well Steve, I'm not familiar with the behaviour of personnel on your own railway, but I have taken great care when selecting my own 3D and sculpted drivers, passengers, pedestrians and others, ensuring they have no criminal records, are respectable and responsible individuals who will not cause damage or harm to others. This has resulted in a safe and crime free environment where we have no need to lock our doors.
I notice some manufacturers and kit makers also adopt this attitude towards their products, so you may have had a bad experience with your own people?

Well pointed out Peter. Our lines are safe and crime free, although there are those pesky pests who dig up our borders and put all their waste onto our buildings and lines. I’m afraid they are never going away

[ge_rik]

I'm just in the process of painting a policeman figure for the PLR. I wonder if this means I'm expecting a crime wave.

Rik

[Phil.P]

Pigeon 'graffiti', perhaps?

Phil.P

[Peter Butler]

Can someone please identify this computer connection? I have been looking for a small, four pin, plug and socket to install in my Garratt loco to replace the ones I originally fitted which have proved to be unreliable.
Names of any suppliers of such items would be useful too.
I need both male and female so the two motor bogies can be separated if required....

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If anyone can suggest an alternative I would be happy to follow any suggestions.
The female socket can be permanently sunk into the chassis and the male part remains on a four core flexible lead.
Many thanks.

[Phil.P]

That is a mini USB connector, Peter..

I think you may have difficulty finding what I think you are calling the 'male' connector, without a fairly bulky housing or strain relief..

We are resting, post Llangollen, but I will have a ponder, and see what I can come up with.
Four connections? - Track Pickup and Motor, I assume?

Phil.P

[Peter Butler]

Thanks Phil, I have searched for small four pin connectors with little success and this is the only one I could imagine might be suitable.
The diagram shown is how I think it could be done... The boxes marked 'LOCO' are where the wires need to pass through the main body of the Garratt from batteries located at either end on the motor bogies, which need to be detachable.

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I hope you had great success at the show, sorry I missed it.

[Jerry]

TRY THESE.... EBAY LINK:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/297003634276 ... gIC1vD_BwE


OR SEARCH EBAY FOR :

JST SM 4 Pin 2.54mm Pitch Male to Female Connector with 150mm Wire Black

Regards

Jerry

[Peter Butler]

Thanks Jerry, great to see you back and keeping an eye on me.
The connectors look most promising and I have ordered a mixed pack of sizes to give me options in future builds.... you never know!
If you have completed your relocation perhaps we will hear more from you now?

[GTB]

I have searched for small four pin connectors with little success and this is the only one I could imagine might be suitable.

I use JST-RCY connectors for the higher current wiring in my locos, as they are rated for 3 amps. (a mini-USB connector is rated for only 1.5 amp.) They are only 2 pin connectors though. If I use more than 1 pair I label them to reduce the risk of connecting them up wrong sometime later, when I've forgotten how I connected things.

Some of the JST range of connector types are commonly used in R/C models for connecting batteries etc and are easily found in shops catering to the R/C enthusiasts. My local one carries pre-wired JST-RCY lead pairs as well as y cables for connecting two lines into one, which are useful for bendy locos.

I use the RC hobby shop range of connectors mainly because there is one 10 min away down the freeway, instead of the fortnight to get anything by mail order....

If there aren't any RC hobby shops in the wilds of Wales, Phil P lists suitable connectors on his website for wiring RC battery locos, as does Micron Radio.

Regards,
Graeme

ps. Just saw Jerry's suggestion of JST-SM connectors. They are rated at 3 amp so would do the same job as a couple of JST-RCY connectors, but may need a larger hole to pass through.

This Wikipedia page has links to the specs for the JST range of connectors. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JST_connector