Time to build a railway...but where?

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Phil.P
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Phil.P » Tue Mar 28, 2023 10:26 am

Peter,
How delicate is the vinyl lining?
I would imagine it still takes a steady hand, and good eye, to apply?

Is it quite robust to handle (does it stretch?).
And,
How easy is it to adjust, once you start applying it?

Lots of questions, sorry!

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Peter Butler
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Peter Butler » Tue Mar 28, 2023 10:59 am

In answer to your questions Phil,

1. The lining isn't 'delicate' (see below)
2. It does need a good eye to place correctly (see 4)
3. It is self adhesive so is attached to a release backing sheet with a semi-opaque top sheet which assists positioning. Because it remains supported whilst fixing
it doesn't stretch.
4. If lightly attached at first, and before the top sheet is fully removed, it can be carefully peeled back and re-positioned without causing stretching or distorting.

Once attached I use a burnishing tool to firmly press around rivets etc. Finally, a light spray coat of lacquer (I prefer clear satin) to protect.
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Phil.P » Tue Mar 28, 2023 1:51 pm

Thanks Peter,
I had not realised there was a top-sheet, which obviously greatly assists in holding the shape during application.

The thought of peeling 'sticky-back plastic' off a backing-sheet, and attempting to wrangle it to a loco boiler, would be a nightmare.

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FWLR
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by FWLR » Wed Mar 29, 2023 6:48 am

Nice kits there Peter. Lucky you having a friend that gives you free stuff.
Wish I had a friend like that :lol: :lol:

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Peter Butler » Wed Mar 29, 2023 1:44 pm

FWLR wrote: Wed Mar 29, 2023 6:48 am Nice kits there Peter. Lucky you having a friend that gives you free stuff.
I have known Brian for many years and tried to support him when constructing his garden railway and assisting with his stock collection and building. Unfortunately he is now in a position which prevents him form continuing with his outdoor activities and he had promised to pass on his collection to me in return. I'm sure we all have friends who share our interest and give support, this Forum has proved that to me many times.
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by FWLR » Thu Mar 30, 2023 9:34 am

You are so right there Peter. I have been lucky enough to have friends on here who have done so much for me. :thumbright:

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Peter Butler » Thu Apr 20, 2023 11:08 pm

For me, it is quite early in the season to begin to tidy up my railway. The winter weather and the early weeds have left their mark, as well as various creatures digging holes and tunnels underneath the track. During the past week or so I have been dodging the wind and rain to sort out the chaos, this is now complete and the village has been re-installed on its foundations, all necessary minor repairs having been carried out last year when they were removed into storage.
All this in preparation for a visit by a most important guest.... the real garden railway inspector! Yes indeed, not the one who travels the world in a smart wooden box, this one is flesh and blood and an esteemed member of this very Forum!
I'm really looking forward to this meeting and hope all goes to plan. If so, I suspect a first-hand report might well make an appearance on these pages. I am delighted to play host and anxious that the weather will be kind on the day.
All will be revealed soon.
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by FWLR » Fri Apr 21, 2023 4:56 am

Looking forward to this Peter. Sounds intriguing... :thumbright:

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Andrew » Fri Apr 21, 2023 8:42 am

Peter Butler wrote: Thu Apr 20, 2023 11:08 pm All this in preparation for a visit by a most important guest.... the real garden railway inspector! Yes indeed, not the one who travels the world in a smart wooden box, this one is flesh and blood and an esteemed member of this very Forum!
Perhaps you should offer a wooden box though, just as a courtesy??

Looking forward to seeing your line up and running again. I'm hoping to sort mine out this weekend, at least for goods trains - I need to do some serious track repairs before I can open to passengers...

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Peter Butler » Thu May 04, 2023 11:16 am

Phew!!! I can now relax..... the Inspector has been, close examination conducted and report submitted. Not such a daunting experience after all as he acted most professionally and made the occasion a real pleasure. I believe he may have been sufficiently impressed to make a follow-up visit on the pretext of checking something a second time! In reality I believe it was the expectation of another helping of home-made cake which was the reason behind the repeat visit.
Fortunately, the weather was kind and much of the railway rolling stock was made available for inspection, along with opportunities to interview members of staff.
The report is now available for viewing on the Forum in the appropriate section.... 'General Garden Railways'... 'The Great Garden Railways Inspection Reports'
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by FWLR » Fri May 05, 2023 6:36 am

It was a brilliant report Peter and I throughly enjoyed it. It was in someways even better now that your line has aged brilliantly. The naturally weathered building, gates, walls and everything else looks so real.

Looking forward to more of your superb line Peter. :thumbright:

PS I have started on our line, but it may be some weeks or even a couple of months before we get to run anything on it.

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Peter Butler » Sat May 13, 2023 8:31 pm

Another recent addition to the BURPS fleet was a hardly used, mint condition, Roundhouse 'Little John' in black. It came as a gift from my good friend Brian (again!) and had been with him for just a few years from new. It was supplied with R/C fitted and I have seen it working on Brian's railway, although he hardly used it unless someone was there too. Covid made such gatherings impossible so running time was minimal.
When sorting out his gifts to me we could not find the transmitter, but I seem to recall it was of the trigger and wheel type, which I dislike anyway!
This is the background to my latest loco transformation from this....
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To this....

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Initially I was undecided whether to move it on or modify it, as I was not an admirer of it at all. I will run through the changes I have made and can say how pleased I am now it has a new appearance.
Please watch for more....
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by FWLR » Sun May 14, 2023 7:58 am

Thats another excellent change from a drab looking engine to something that as some style there Peter. It's looks great in it's new livery.


BTW. Nice write up in the 16mmToday magazine. :salute:

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Andrew » Mon May 15, 2023 9:41 am

That looks great! It really looks the part with that industrial backdrop, putting me in mind of childhood glimpses of grotty diesels shunting on the Silvertown Tramway in East London, glimpsed from the top of a 101 bus.

I rather like my RH "Little John", which remains largely unmodified, but it has a bit more razzmatazz than your original plain black one, being dark green with yellow cranks and rods, and wasp stripes on the buffer beams. I look forward to learning more about your mods (I particularly like the spectacle rings!) - and no, I don't like the "car wheel" RC either!

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Peter Butler » Mon May 15, 2023 10:48 am

Without a transmitter I had two choices.... source a compatible one, which would possibly be of a type I detested, or change the system. No contest!
Out with the old...
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... and in with a new Micron DSM2 from Phil P. Now I can operate with my RC Trains transmitter. The existing batteries are good so can remain in their holding box, which is screwed to the chassis above the running plate....
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I did remove it temporarily to add a new Plastikard running plate which is slightly wider and longer in order to add a girder frame all round. I think it adds the appearance of strength to the chassis. This becomes more apparent in the final stages. The motor is powerful and the nylon gears are chunky and smooth.
On top of the running plate I attached tread plate (Slater's plastic) and a row of rivet heads and replacement springs (Cambrian Models) to the chassis sides...
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Also shown above is a new plastic 'timber' cab floor.
And there's more...
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by ge_rik » Mon May 15, 2023 10:50 am

Great transformation, Peter
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Peter Butler
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Peter Butler » Tue May 16, 2023 11:39 am

This shows more clearly the planking added to the cab floor, the tread plate around the edges and the additional row of rivets fixed to the lower edge of the chassis frame...
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The next job was to add louvres to the access panels either side and on top of the bonnet. These are also Cambrian Model's detailing parts and make such a difference to an otherwise plain surface...

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Brass spectacle plates, from Roundhouse, and clear styrene glazing are an important addition to protect my driver....
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And finally, weathering and adding wasp stripes to the radiator. The stripes on the buffer beams are yellow tape but the radiator had to be masked and hand painted. It has turned out much better than the picture appears to show as it is pixilated quite badly and looks rough, I can assure you it is better in real life....
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Conclusion: I am really satisfied with the appearance of the model, far more than in its original state. No doubt it is a well built and powerful loco, but it has to be attractive to me to be in my collection. Remember... artist, not engineer!
Any 'Little John' owners will be aware of one problem, the charge socket inside the cab is a real pain in the @rs3 to access and I missed an opportunity to re-site it during the build.



Time for the next project.
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Andrew
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Andrew » Tue May 16, 2023 1:22 pm

Peter Butler wrote: Tue May 16, 2023 11:39 am
Any 'Little John' owners will be aware of one problem, the charge socket inside the cab is a real pain in the @rs3 to access and I missed an opportunity to re-site it during the build.
Has your charger got an "L" shaped plug? That does the trick for mine, reducing the issue to merely awkward!

I also have an RH Hercules of a similar design. That will give up its chassis to the Kerr Stuart diesel I'm working on, but it didn't fit in neatly in its original configuration, so I've turned the chassis round, and now the charging socket and on/off switch are at the front, accessed via the hatch in the sloping bonnet!

You've inspired me though - once the KS is finished I ought to return to my Little John - I'm torn between an industrial finish like yours, or lining it out and making it a bit "posh"...

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FWLR
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by FWLR » Wed May 17, 2023 6:32 am

Thats just so brilliant Peter. It's worthy of the time and effort you have put in. The weathering is superb also, but I have yet to see a radiator cap that is shiny, it just needs a little bit of rust maybe. Or did you not want to spoil what is astounding paint job on the radiator wasp stripes. I think I wouldn't want to as well.

Yet again you inspire us with your builds. It keeps me wanting more of your work, so I can try to achieve something close to what you build. :salute:

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Peter Butler » Wed May 17, 2023 1:41 pm

Thanks for your generous comments Rod, you are always most supportive.
You don't need to visit Specsavers if you picked out such a small detail as the radiator cap. In fact the whole loco has been sprayed with a matt lacquer from 'Games Workshop' which gives a beautiful, even finish. The cap hasn't been given a rusty look as it probably would have been opened quite frequently with an oily rag? That's my excuse anyway! (In truth, that level of detail wouldn't occur to me)
I also failed to mention the grey colour is just Halfords Primer, which has altered slightly under the clear lacquer.
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