Garden Railway Forum

gilfachphil wrote: ↑Sat Oct 14, 2023 7:46 am One way to find out Peter! Some dry days forecast soon so we could have a running session.

Phil

Those coaches look terrific Phil, as does the platform. To minimise loading gauge issues, I made all my platforms so that they are level with the tops of the rails. I've not had a visitor yet whose stock overhangs below rail height (it would make points interesting)!

Do you have a link for the source of the recycled plastic sheet you've used?

Thanks Phil,

The plastic is Stokbord which I got at my local Wynnstay Farmer’s shop.

Peter has been over this afternoon and we investigated the platform with some of his locos and rolling stock. I think I will take up your suggestion and reduce the height by half below the plastic top. This should bring it out of harm’s way since the longer bogie vehicles should then pass over rather than collide with the edge at the curved end of the platform.

Phil

Some pictures from this afternoon

.... And a wonderful afternoon it was too, thank you Phil. Your photographs show how bright it was, despite being slightly chilly. The layout looks great and performs well. The platform issues have now been identified and will be corrected promptly I'm sure.

Very nice. Well done both of you.

gilfachphil wrote: ↑Mon Oct 16, 2023 6:17 pm Thanks Phil,

The plastic is Stokbord which I got at my local Wynnstay Farmer’s shop.

Peter has been over this afternoon and we investigated the platform with some of his locos and rolling stock. I think I will take up your suggestion and reduce the height by half below the plastic top. This should bring it out of harm’s way since the longer bogie vehicles should then pass over rather than collide with the edge at the curved end of the platform.

Phil

Thanks Phil,
We don't have Wynnstay's locally, but I'll have a mooch at WCF. If no luck, I'll add it to my to do list when I next visit friends near Craven Arms And I'm glad the suggestion re. platform height is helpful.

At long last the Hunslet has some cab fittings. Brass dials very kindly turned for me by Keith in our local group and other items cannibalised from odd white metal spares.


Phil

A great improvement Phil, gives the cab a workplace look.

It's all coming up very well, sir!

Another visitor today

I am really impressed with your progress Phil and with the help of the master builder, Peter, you have got the beginnings of a line that anyone would be proud of. I certainly would be.


Need to try and come and visit when we get around to visiting Peter next year sometime.

Rod,

you and Anne will be very welcome.

A picture of the reduced platform height, it's now only a couple of mm above rail height so hope that works. Not finished fixing yet.


Phil

I think that looks better Phil, I'm sure everything will get past now.

gilfachphil wrote: ↑Thu Oct 19, 2023 12:55 pm Rod,

you and Anne will be very welcome.

A picture of the reduced platform height, it's now only a couple of mm above rail height so hope that works. Not finished fixing yet.


Phil

That looks good Phil, and more prototypical for NG I feel.

Riveting fun for a wet Friday morning:-


I have a Plateway Narrow Milk Van in construction (it's in the paint shop now!) which has lots of hinges. Taking comfort from the fact that I have glued rivets to a couple of engines I decided to have a go at the hinges. I ordered some 3mm nail art to do rivets on the ends of the van, they have not arrived yet, and in my searches saw that a chinagraph pencil is sometimes supplied with them. I tried using one to pick up a rivet to dip in some PVA, very successful but it would not deposit the rivet again. Next I tried using the point of a scalpel, dipping the rivet in glue and placing in situ. This worked well for a few rivets then I started leaving them in the puddle of glue, ho hum, small paintbrush used to dot the glue in the printed circles and place with scalpel. That was reliable.

Phil

I have not documented the building of this van, it was my first attempt at such, perhaps when I build another one I'll be braver!

Lonsdaler wrote: ↑Fri Oct 20, 2023 1:23 pm
That looks good Phil, and more prototypical for NG I feel.

Thanks Phil,

I sometimes listen to good advice!

Phil

gilfachphil wrote: ↑Fri Oct 20, 2023 1:36 pm Riveting fun for a wet Friday morning:-

I have a Plateway Narrow Milk Van in construction (it's in the paint shop now!) which has lots of hinges. Taking comfort from the fact that I have glued rivets to a couple of engines I decided to have a go at the hinges. I ordered some 3mm nail art to do rivets on the ends of the van, they have not arrived yet, and in my searches saw that a chinagraph pencil is sometimes supplied with them. I tried using one to pick up a rivet to dip in some PVA, very successful but it would not deposit the rivet again. Next I tried using the point of a scalpel, dipping the rivet in glue and placing in situ. This worked well for a few rivets then I started leaving them in the puddle of glue, ho hum, small paintbrush used to dot the glue in the printed circles and place with scalpel. That was reliable.

Phil

I have not documented the building of this van, it was my first attempt at such, perhaps when I build another one I'll be braver!

I use a little 'dibber' fashioned from a blob of 'blu tack'. I find it works quite well.

I find a cocktail stick works well for me. A little PVA on the end of the stick is enough to leave about 6 spots in the correct position and still sufficient to pick up a rivet to place on the spot.

Thanks both,

more ideas to try out,

Phil

Large needle works for me, but then it's whatever works for you Phil. It's always good to try things out, although I don't relish doing those things, my eyesight is getting worse and sometimes I miss the point of the needle onto them and they go flying away never to be seen again..