The Charlwood Light Railway (CWLR)

[RobRossington]

Was that a scratch build Rob...

It is, but not by me. There’s a guy who sells them from time to time on eBay.

[quote=FWLR post_id=152392 time=<a href="tel:1585811140">1585811140</a> user_id=1833]
Was that a scratch build Rob...

It's nice, isn't it? Looks like it probably works too?
[/quote]

It does indeed! I just need to get a battery box for it.

[RobRossington]

A Scottish headboard for a Scottish themed loco;







The Mull and West Highland was a railway that I was very fond of, so much so it was the first railway I ever volunteered on. Last time I was there I bought this badge to use as a headboard, it’s nice to remember such a special place from time to time. I paid a visit to the site of Craignure station last year. What is left (or rather, what isn’t!) is absolutely heartbreaking.

Anyway, a couple of images from the last few days;







No.4 even came out for a while. I’ve finally ordered a battery and the RC kit for it, so hopefully it’ll be up and running in the next couple of days. In the meantime I’m working on finishing touches. The cab interior has been painted (and will be detailed) and a real coal load has been added to the bunker.







And to finish off, a spot of chain shunting!

[Andrew]

Great pictures - and some ambitious operations by the looks.

I like that the Torosay Castle Express appears to be a goods train - there can't have been many named goods trains? I can think of The Condor, the Night Mail (I guess technically passenger) and The Flying Kipper!

Andrew.

[LNR]

I like the idea of chain shunting, been thinking I might have to use that with my timber mill.
Grant.

[FWLR]

Great pictures Rob. They take my breath away with those low level shots, they are truly amazing.

[ge_rik]

A great set of pictures Rob. Looks like some interesting running in evidence.

Rik

[Soar Valley Light]

Lovely Pics Rob. I love to see a railway being operated - as opposed to one where trains are just being run.

All the best,

Andrew

[RobRossington]

Thanks Guys, you do flatter me!

Not much to report over the last few days, although today I spent a few hours installing the batteries and RC gear into No.4 so that it can finally enter service.

The speed controller and receiver arrived a few days ago and were set up temporarily to make sure everything worked. For this I used the Li-Po from my Baguley diesel.

Today I completed the proper installation. The good news is that it works. The bad news is that I can’t get the battery to charge. I’m using the same battery charger as LOTI, and I’ve wired it the same way. The only thing I can think of is that the switch I’ve used to switch in the charging circuit is dodgy, so I’ve orders a couple more (I need one for my 009 layout too).

After a few hours of heads scratching (I hate electrics with a passion) I decided to finish the cab interior so I could at least put the bodywork back together.





Detailing parts are from GRS.

The Futaba receiver is on the cab back, in the bunker essentially, and the viper marine 10 speed controller is in the firebox. Batteries are from Strikalite and are in the tanks.

[FWLR]

Looks great Rob.

I also hate electrics with a passion also...

[RobRossington]

Looks great Rob.

I also hate electrics with a passion also...

Thanks Rod. I’m glad it isn’t just me! I was saying to my Dad last night that I love building layouts, but I hate woodwork and electrics! Electrics more so! With my new 009 layout I’ve now finished to woodwork and track work, and am now onto the electrics.....

Anyway, No.4’s charging issue has gotten me completely flummoxed, so I’ve started a new thread in the electric loco section of the forum...

[RobRossington]

The guard of this afternoons goods train noticed something unusual when crossing the midday down passenger this afternoon....

The long awaited return to service of No.4 ‘Old Man of Storr’;



The first couple of trains were double headed with No.3 just to see how it got on. It’s a little rough but does seem to be improving as time goes on;

[LNR]

Some nice pictures once again, you like your Baldwin's. Glad you got No. 4 sorted out.
Grant.

[FWLR]

Great photo's again Rob.

Love the Black and White photo a lot, very atmospheric..

[ge_rik]

Really like that first shot looking down the train. You did well to get the focus and depth of field right. I find AF settings on my camera tends to focus on precisely the wrong thing.

Rik

[philipy]

Yes, I agree that the first shot has a certain 'something' that I really like.

[Andrew]

Lovely locos, and they look great with those coaches. Nice to have two very similar engines too, kind of adds to the realism of the back story - "back in the day" I guess it was pretty rare to have a line where every engine was unique?

Anyway, congratulations on getting No. 4 back up and running!

Andrew.

[Jimmyb]

Seems you have sussed the charging, looking good

[RobRossington]

Thanks for all the kind comments guys, it’s much appreciated

Really like that first shot looking down the train. You did well to get the focus and depth of field right. I find AF settings on my camera tends to focus on precisely the wrong thing.

Rik

Thanks Rik. I’m quite pleased with that shot too. They seem to be working quite hard!

Believe it or not, I just use my iPhone for photos of my models despite having a considerable amount of high end photo gear upstairs. It’s just easier to get the phone into smaller spaces.

Lovely locos, and they look great with those coaches. Nice to have two very similar engines too, kind of adds to the realism of the back story - "back in the day" I guess it was pretty rare to have a line where every engine was unique?

Anyway, congratulations on getting No. 4 back up and running!

Andrew.

Thanks! Absolutely, the L&B, the FR, the WLLR etc, all had fleets of similar locos. Standardisation is more efficient after all! In this case the second Baldwin is purely accidental!

Some nice pictures once again, you like your Baldwin's. Glad you got No. 4 sorted out.
Grant.

Thanks Grant! I do very much like Baldwins. The Na class locos are very high on my list of favourites. When Heljan announced they were doing a 009 ‘Lyn’ a few months ago I preordered one quicker than you can say Baldwin!

[RobRossington]

No.4 has been out on a running in turn this afternoon with a short rake of goods wagons.

I’ve changed the rear coupler from an LGB type (it wasn’t articulated so was struggling with the R1 curves) to a white metal centre buffer, same as the front.

I’ve also removed the cow catchers and replaced the front one with a brandbright gunga-din type as I felt it looked a little less American, and is a hefty weight so should help to cure the balance issue the loco has. Essentially when running in reverse it does a slight ‘wheelie’ when it stops.

The original Bachmann ones can be easily restored should I decide to, the new one is stuck on with silicone at the moment so can be easily removed. This also means I can change the height easily if needed.

[RobRossington]

A couple more shots;