Garden Railway Forum

Barry came by the Modular Layout at Peterborough to check out his old Pilgrim Merchant Diesel Electric, which I picked up at the show. He seemed well, and in good spirits. Had stocked a workshop, with a view of starting production again. My last contact with him was an electronic Christmas Card, thi...

Sad news to report the passing of Barry Reeves, of the Pilgrim Locomotive Works . He was one of the few people who have successfully made Live Diesel Locomotives successfully on a commercial basis. A sad loss to the hobby.

Hello, Heritage Locos occasionally turn out a batch of Diana's . They are on with one currently. You can see a photo on Lightline's Site. http://www.lightline16mm.com/Manufacturers/modelpages/heritageselection.html Heritage have strong connections with the Essel concern. We ran the prototype on Rowl...

I'm the new owner of the 'Yellow' Pilgrim Merchant Bo-Bo Live Diesel pictured earlier in this thread. It is not running currently, but hope it will after a clean up and a few new bits. Does anyone know what happened to the second Pilgrim Merchant? Is it still running?

Thanks for that Matt, that's exactly the sort of thing I had in mind. Nice square (easy to file) corners! ...... Would suit an axle pump too.

Thanks for those replies - I do realise that there are a huge amount out there. What I was wondering was that if anyone had ALREADY chanced upon a prototype that was uncannily close, either 7/8ths or 16mm? Similar proportions, wheel sizes, spacing etc - or could be easily adapted?

Has anyone out there identified a prototype that is very close in proportion to the Edrig/Ragleth Chassis. And would make the closest to a scale model, utilizing this chassis? Tank, or Tender Locomotive?

In a Christmas Steamup today, one of the member's was being realistically driven by a 3" Tall (approx) Slimmish, Santa. The owner couldn't remember which low cost shop he found it in - has anyone come across such a figure?

I went there last October - It was fabulous, takes a full day to look around. I suggest you get there as it opens! ..... Look out for the working chocolate factory in the first section you see - Switzerland - dishes out free miniature Lindt Chocolates. Lots to see that will bring a smile to adults f...

Unlikely to be Talyllyn, they've done the most suitable for them, but unfortunately not the most popular loco in Tom Rolt. A look at the RH museum shows it was in production for a very short time relatively speaking. Talyllyn and Dolgoch quite small - not really Roundhouse territory. I hope they don...

And a lovely job you have done too, Paul. Have you used wood or plastic? Looks like wood?

Photos useful for inspiration - and beautifully made. But just for the record, none of the W & Ll Sheep wagons had planks above the ramp and none had two ramps. Some had 5 planks and some had 6. Some had no ramps at all. I say this with some authority, as I have spent the last 6 months researchi...

It sounds to me that different Wheelchair users have different needs. Our Wheelchair user used to curse layouts that were too low - as he struggled to bend double to get underneath. He was quite happy using an RC Loco, at a realistic eye level. Difficult to please everyone.

I was very shocked to hear of the death of David Hick in Somerset. He was the victim of a hit and run driver whilst walking his dogs. For those of you who have not heard of him, David was a master craftsman in the locomotive making world, not only that, but he was a true gent too. BBC News reports s...

A great looking layout, with more to come, by the looks of things. Such a shame that we couldn't agree on a common height - would be great to join up with the other 40 Modules South of the Border. Particularly love the Turntable and traverser, not so keen on the tight clearances intermediate halt. A...

Thanks for that Graeme

Here is a photo comparing the filler taken out, compared to a std Roundhouse one. Same thread, but subtly different. I'm wondering whether the vent has become blocked on ours?

Can anyone fill me in on the different types of filler valves please? Dan's Robin has suddenly become reluctant to accept gas! ...... The two spares in my Loco Tools box appear to be different, with the vent hole between the thread and the seal, rather than the one on the Robin, which appears to hav...

Can anyone tell me whether it is possible to check the Pot and Chip of an IP Speed controller with a meter? I've got an 8 AA 1000mAh pack and an Essel Chassis with RS 385 motor. Its run quite well for a while, but suddenly failed the other day whilst turning the wheels slowly to reveal the Wheel Gau...

Quite an undertaking you have taken on here - well done for grasping the nettle. To the Gaskin list, add coal fired 'Rajim'. Heritage steam produced the Kerr Stuart Sirdar, Gas fired. Paul Millington produced a number, Including Merddin Emrys, Linda, Blanche, Russell. All Gas fired, I believe. I've ...