WEST ORTON

[Steve M]

A day out with granddaughter no1 ended up with the two of us at the Hornby Visitor Centre. I had intended just to buy a couple more decoders but I also picked up a very tidy 8F with a missing buffer for only £90. There are a pair of matching sprung buffers in my parts box.
After a wander around the museum we rejoined the memsahib who asked her what she thought of it.
The reply?
“It was a bit boring, but don’t tell grandad.”

[Steve M]

It’s only a little thing but while doing some testing for HM7K the other day, my NER railcar kept hitting the underside of the station footbridge. This kit is designed to be platform standing, so I obviously left my platforms (18mm MDF) a little shallow.
Yesterday I quickly designed and printed a set of feet to add to the footbridge uprights plus an extra step - adds about 3mm to the bridge height. The feet have a recess in the top to create a slide on fit to the supports.

2023-06-06_12-38-29 by Steve Mumford, on Flickr

[Carl L]

Going back to your water; it looks very nice indeed. Whilst I was content with the pva on my quay side, it looks like it’s going to have to be changed

[Steve M]

Going back to your water; it looks very nice indeed. Whilst I was content with the pva on my quay side, it looks like it’s going to have to be changed

Looking at your photo of the water on page 13 of your thread the dry PVA looks a bit cloudy - just as mine did. Did yours clear over time?

[Carl L]

Not one little bit, I suppose I can say it looks like a filthy, polluted dock, as opposed to your crystal clear river. Or just re-do it.

[Steve M]

Not one little bit, I suppose I can say it looks like a filthy, polluted dock, as opposed to your crystal clear river. Or just re-do it.

Clear maybe but still only 3mm deep. I have mine a tint by adding a pinch of Humbrol weathering powder to the resin before adding the hardener. Needs a good mix though
If you do change yours, just paint your PVA layer with acrylics and let it dry thoroughly.

[Steve M]

Some may remember that I added signal post wires to the layout some months ago - well that hasn’t worked out too well as after a period of running, I have realised that I have set them too high and, in a couple of cases, too close to the track. A couple of locos snag two or three posts.
This means I will have to reset some of the wire runs. I took the opportunity to design and print some new posts but I got the scale all wrong and the first batch are more suited to O gauge. The second design is bang on scale although I made another error in the layout as the posts are thicker at the base than they are at the top. But as the ‘wrong’ bit is in the baseboard I should get away with it.
176 of these now drying in the sunshine.

2023-06-11_01-39-55 by Steve Mumford, on Flickr

[Steve M]

It must be said that there are some lazy bu##ers on the layout.

2023-06-17_02-01-36 by Steve Mumford, on Flickr

For those that don’t know, ModelU are considering opening up some of their 3D files for home printing via the Patreon subscription service. As part of this they currently have a free download of one file - the fisherman taking a break. Different colour schemes mean he and his workshy accomplices now have permanent homes at West Orton.

[Steve M]

Not a particularly elegant installation but this is the Dapol LMS diesel prototype fitted with a Hornby TTS decoder via a 21 pin adapter that I put together a few years ago. The new bit is an adapted Hornby HM7K powerbank stayalive. In reality, all I have done is remove the plug from the powerbank and solder it directly to the decoder following online tutorials.
It seems to work and has completely transformed the performance of this particular loco.

Now for the risky bit - I plan to try building my own stayalives for use with my TTS decoders. Absolutely no guarantee of success so if a small mushroom cloud appears over Rochester, you will know it didn’t end well.

20230626_122056 by Steve Mumford, on Flickr

[bulleidboy]

I'm sure it will work well - however I will spend tomorrow in the bunker