Garden Railway Forum

Good morning!

You create videos faster than I can watch them Rik, but I treated myself to a catch-up over the weekend - and what a treat it was!

I really enjoy your "day in the life" kind of films. It's occurred to me that I watch them in the same way that I do murder mysteries on the telly - I don't really follow the plot (whether it's complex motives for bumping off the vicar or the late-running of the mixed goods to Peckforton), just enjoy the process and soak in the atmosphere - and you've got tons of that going on. I notice something new every time, but with these films I was particularly taken with how you've got the approaches to stations just right, the way grotty huts and overgrown sidings with the odd wagon gradually "solidify" into platforms, whole rakes of wagons, station buildings etc.

I really like the commentary too - I think I've said it before, but there's something comfortingly Oliver Postgate-esque about your narration!

The live steam made a nice change, nice to see DVLR motive power out and about too. With your GE leanings, are you ever tempted to stick a Wisbech-style tram body over that Regner Chaloner?

Thanks for the film fun,

Andrew.

Thanks Andrew. Good to get such constructive and useful feedback.

I'd not thought of modifying the Chaloner, other than maybe adding cladding to the boiler and radio control. The issue for me is that the loco is a tad over scale. Probably more suited to 7/8 scale than 16mm or even 15mm. I suppose they needed to increase the dimensions to enable it to create sufficient steam. I suppose disguising it as a tram loco could overcome its scale issues.

However, I do quite enjoy seeing it pottering about and it's a bit more controllable than most live steamers owing to its geared mechanism.

Rik

Old Man Aaron wrote: ↑Sun Sep 12, 2021 11:38 am Zach, I noticed your momentum van wasn't behind River Butley, but it seemed to handle the line well?

Yes indeed - I was all prepared for it to end in disaster - I allowed rather more speed on the straights than I'd have liked to get it round the bends but the loco performed really very well indeed without the flywheel, I was surprised.That said, River Butley has a short wheel base and the upgraded cylinders so tends to just plod away. I suppose the only loco I wouldn't run without it at all is the Millie, River Deben, with it's long wheel base and tendency to stop and build up a head of steam and then sprint away.

My latest update



Rik

Another excellent production from the Bennett Studio. Most enjoyable and informative. You tell a good story Rik.

Well that was a treat for New Year's Day, thanks Rik!

I really like the format of looking back over the year - it's got me thinking about what I achieved railway-wise in 2021, and what I ought to focus on in 2022. Whether I will or not is another matter...

Cheers,

Andrew.

PS How about a KS "Brazil" on that other motor block???

Thanks chaps.
When I thought about doing this retrospective, initially I was under the impression that I hadn't really done very much, but when I started compiling it, I realised I'd achieved more than I expected.

Surprising how lockdowns focus the mind

Rik

Andrew wrote: ↑Sat Jan 01, 2022 4:24 pm PS How about a KS "Brazil" on that other motor block???

Very tempting. I got the Kerr Stuart catalogue as a pressie. They did turn out some attractive little locos.

Rik

I've always fancied modelling a vertical boilered loco like a de Winton or Idris ( https://www.16mm.org.uk/resources/drawings/locomotives/ ), but the wheel diameters on the Lyn block are way too large

Rik

A welcome surprise to have stumbled across that over lunch the other day.

Most enjoyable Rik. You make me feel like a slouch

Lonsdaler wrote: ↑Mon Jan 03, 2022 12:25 pm Most enjoyable Rik. You make me feel like a slouch

I'm sure you aren't. It'll probably surprise you what you've actually achieved if you looked back over the year.

Rik

I think I've covered everything ...... unless of course I've missed the most obvious ....



Rik

So now I know.... I think you have read my mind Rik, and been able to put my thoughts into words. Although we are all different our aim is very similar to achieve our ambitions.
A superb video again which illustrates what can be done.

That is what I mean to say but don't have the vocabulary. Brilliant.

Another video in the can ......


Rik

Another brilliant description of how to make our hobby unique to our needs and affordable to achieve. Well done Rik.

My latest - a sort of Son of ..... sequel



Rik

Most enjoyable Rik, interesting comparison and well edited to show the changes.

Very cleverly put together. The old and new videos were woven together so seamlessly.