Search found 2383 matches

by Big Jim
Sat Oct 05, 2019 6:27 pm
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: Brian Dominic
Replies: 12
Views: 6634

Re: Brian Dominic

Very Sad,
Requescat en pace.

Top bloke and at one time a prolific contributor on here.
by Big Jim
Wed Sep 18, 2019 8:23 am
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: On the move again
Replies: 7
Views: 4363

On the move again

I know I have been a bit quiet over the last few months. A combination of various things have caused this. The major one has been an ongoing problem with BT being unable to keep a working telephone line into the house for more than a few hours at a time. I have mobile internet but I can only get a s...
by Big Jim
Sat Sep 14, 2019 7:00 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: 5" gauge 0-6-0 Sweet Pea
Replies: 139
Views: 73625

Re: 5" gauge 0-6-0 'Sweet Pea'

Have fun with that. The cartridge system used on these engines for the grate assembly is a brilliant design. Both my engines have grates that drop out of the bottom and are fiddly to get back up. Handy if you need to drop the fire quickly though. Don't forget that steam engines are normally referred...
by Big Jim
Mon Aug 19, 2019 10:46 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: 5" gauge 0-6-0 Sweet Pea
Replies: 139
Views: 73625

Re: 5" gauge 'Metre Maid'

Looks great Tom, the Metermaid is a cracking engine, well appointed and well designed.
You will have some fun with her.
Now, when are you coming down to Wales to have a play?
by Big Jim
Mon Jun 24, 2019 4:42 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: Larger scale Stuff
Replies: 49
Views: 26786

Re: Larger scale Stuff

I have seen some wonderful pictures of people driving 31/2" on the ground. Standard procedure was to lie flat on a long riding truck.
by Big Jim
Mon Jun 24, 2019 10:21 am
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: Larger scale Stuff
Replies: 49
Views: 26786

Re: Larger scale Stuff

Interesting Locomotives. Are they a pair of Russells? Narrow gauge on 3 1/2" can make for some very large engines, my Mountaineer is a two man lift and is capable of public haulage all day long and the club's Dholpur is about 5ft long and 5" gauge. It's sister engine was used at an IMLEC c...
by Big Jim
Fri May 31, 2019 10:56 am
Forum: Garden Railway Technical Help & Advice
Topic: Glue
Replies: 10
Views: 6054

Re: Glue

I have used various grip fill adhesives over the years and they can be quite good. Screwfix have a good range and they are not overly expensive.
by Big Jim
Fri May 31, 2019 9:23 am
Forum: Railways & Layouts
Topic: The Circle Line
Replies: 106
Views: 44396

Re: The Circle Line

As mentioned in my intro, I have started building what is probably the world's smallest 5 inch gauge ground level ride on railway. Basically it is a 9 foot radius circle slightly elongated with two 5 foot straight sections for a halt and shed. The plan is shown below, drawn using xtrkcad. It is ten...
by Big Jim
Fri May 31, 2019 9:18 am
Forum: Railways & Layouts
Topic: The Circle Line
Replies: 106
Views: 44396

Re: The Circle Line

tom_tom_go wrote: Fri May 31, 2019 8:38 am Note the price of it compared to 16mm scale offerings...
I have mentioned this before. RoR stuff is very good, Hercules is a powerful engine and quite suitable for regular use.
by Big Jim
Wed May 22, 2019 9:49 pm
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: Dan's Rob roy rebuild
Replies: 48
Views: 32362

Re: Dan's Rob roy rebuild

Does your Rob Roy have any kind of drain cocks fitted at the moment?
by Big Jim
Thu May 02, 2019 8:05 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: Larger scale Stuff
Replies: 49
Views: 26786

Re: Larger scale Stuff

The regs for small scale live steam are pointless, we discussed this a while back: https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11193 Heaven knows I agree with you Tom. Unfortunately a number of people jumped on a band wagon and have caused us all a lot of unnecessary pain is the best way and most...
by Big Jim
Wed May 01, 2019 6:42 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: Larger scale Stuff
Replies: 49
Views: 26786

Re: Larger scale Stuff

tom_tom_go wrote: Wed May 01, 2019 6:19 pm
Big Jim wrote: Wed May 01, 2019 5:59 pm I think it is the oft held views of some in the ME fraternity that seems to dislike new ideas and are quite vocal about it.
Sounds like 16mm lol
Now, now.......
by Big Jim
Wed May 01, 2019 5:59 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: Larger scale Stuff
Replies: 49
Views: 26786

Re: Larger scale Stuff

I am certain that they will become more popular in time. They are more common in other countries. As to the reason why?
I think it is the oft held views of some in the ME fraternity that seems to dislike new ideas and are quite vocal about it.
by Big Jim
Wed May 01, 2019 2:59 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: Larger scale Stuff
Replies: 49
Views: 26786

Re: Larger scale Stuff

There is much argument going on about this at the moment. I had a look - the debate has been going on for a couple of decades at least. There seems to be quite a bit of emotion mixed into the discussions which can make it hard to discern the facts. Absolutely, I had a chat with one of our club boil...
by Big Jim
Wed May 01, 2019 7:17 am
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: Larger scale Stuff
Replies: 49
Views: 26786

Re: Larger scale Stuff

Ahh, the great steam boiler debate. In UK model engineering copper is the main material used for boilers, steel is used for some boilers fitted to larger engines, normally those above 7 1/4" gauge and larger scale traction engines. There is much argument going on about this at the moment. The p...
by Big Jim
Thu Apr 25, 2019 10:03 am
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: Larger scale Stuff
Replies: 49
Views: 26786

Re: Larger scale Stuff

As I have said before, all my large stuff has cost me less than some 16mm models. One of the members of the club has built a 4 wheeled, 5 inch gauge battery loco for around 200 quid. He did make the wheels and axles himself but even if he had purchased them the loco would have still come in at under...
by Big Jim
Wed Apr 24, 2019 10:57 pm
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: Fine detail
Replies: 6
Views: 3604

Re: Fine detail

Good grief. Very impressive.
by Big Jim
Mon Apr 22, 2019 5:43 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: Larger scale Stuff
Replies: 49
Views: 26786

Re: Larger scale Stuff

I wanted to paint with leopard spots. But the co owner wouldn't let me.
by Big Jim
Sun Apr 14, 2019 10:55 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Electric
Topic: Rail Car for Dirranbandi and Toowoomba Light Railway
Replies: 10
Views: 7246

Re: Rail Car for Dirranbandi and Toowoomba Light Railway

This looks very interesting. Thanks for sharing it with the forum.