Garden Railway Forum

I had to buy another spool of resin-core solder - the first in many years. I tried it and it will hardly melt with my 20W iron. The bloody EU has banned the use of lead and it is 99.3% tin and 0.3% copper. How is that supposed to melt? What a waste of money. The old stuff was 60% tin and 40% lead. U...

Peter Butler wrote: ↑Wed Jan 10, 2024 2:03 pm They are magnificent beasts... wondering now whether I have room for two Garratts ?

Thanks Peter, and everyone else who replied.

There can be no doubt that you NEED two Garratts. Get to it! (ignore the question of room)

Since I had the track all cleaned up from the day before, I decided to get both of my Garratts out for a double-head spectacular. The blue Garratt is seldom run - the last run was in January last year. And the LiPo battery was still fully charged. When run together it's obvious that big blue only ch...

It's been a long time since the weather has been kind. But finally the four of us local GR fans were able to get together and run trains at my place.
It's much more fun with 4 trains vying for track rights!

ge_rik wrote: ↑Tue Dec 26, 2023 9:41 am Do they still "sing" during the summer and all year or is it only during the spring?

Rik

Every morning, 45 minutes before sunrise. I don't always see the funny side!

It is a rainy Christmas Eve, so I ran a few trains on the pottery shed line.

Yes, yes, YES. I love it. Another Garratt version is always good for the soul.

(I am just a little bit glad to hear even you are having weight distribution problems. If the Master has trouble, I don't feel so bad.)

I have now completed the brake van to hold the train on the steep grades.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKgrCmNCSqA

I have ordered a couple of these atomisers. Will give me something to do indoors during hot summer days, experimenting.
IF you don't hear from me again, I have atomised myself.

Geez Aaaron, your post came in 4 hours too late for me. I'm building a tiny brake van and had just finished scribing the 'timber' sides. It would have been much better made from corrugated iron.
Your model looks fantastic.

I'll bet the drivers of steam locos will curse you for having to start on a grade and a curve ...... :shock: :? :lol: Rik The Working Appendix will be altered to require that the Shed Supt (me) only roster a Diesel loco when required to stop at "Lookout". Any steam locos timetabled to sto...

Well it is a tiny layout, so this is a tiny project. Following representations from passengers, a small platform has been built adjacent to the lake so that passengers may detrain to view the gorge and waterfalls. The platform is a whole 3” long (=6’), made from ‘sleepers’ and the safety fence is fl...

That's a good suggestion. But.... 1. I need about 100g weight on the 'spring' to apply enough brake force (five 50c pieces). It's the reason I went for the cam idea. 2. the ball doesn't roll off the brakes going uphill unless the wagon is turned around! I don't have any ball bearings and the only cy...

Having been given the Round tuit by Graeme, I had no excuse but to get experimenting. The problem to be solved is that on my tiny indoor layout there are grades as steep as 1:12 or so. I have to keep my wagons as light and free-running as possible to get up the hill, but when descending, they tend t...

Congratulations for getting it to work. Looks great.
I will put it on my "projects" list
Do you get water droplets condensing on the loco and wagons?

ge_rik wrote: ↑Sat Nov 18, 2023 9:00 am I'm pleased to say that I was Skyping with Greg just now and he was actually the millionth visitor. It was on 999999 - then he visited and it went up to 1000000 in front of my eyes!

Rik

What a privilege be be one in a million. I wonder how many of those hits were mine? (Lots!)

What a beautiful model.
I started to build a Harman years ago but it's still pieces on a shelf somewhere.
I enjoy your 'testing' and calculations part of the build too.

Really great video showing your indoor line in action, Greg. Just wondering if you need a brake van for the descents ...... :shock: :lol: Rik Yes, but I'm waiting for the round toit to be delivered. There you go Greg I have a spare one I can pass on to you. a_round_tuit.jpg Well thanks EX-friend. N...

ge_rik wrote: ↑Sun Nov 12, 2023 8:38 am Really great video showing your indoor line in action, Greg. Just wondering if you need a brake van for the descents ......

Rik

Yes, but I'm waiting for the round toit to be delivered.

It was a bit warmish for trains outside, so Keith and I ran on the indoor line. Keith's small yellow devil loco is finally finished and ran well and really looked the part on the small line. It and my baby Heisler handled most of the loads.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ow61PkAWkjU