Author: Kelvin Barnes

Class 26 in O Gauge- Long Story

Kelvin Barnes Uncategorized ,

And when I say a long story – I mean it! This Loco is from Heljan’s first run of Class 26’s and as such suffered from major gearing problems, how they got away with such a shambles I really don’t know. Anyway, before Xmas last year I purchased a set of Brass gears from Ultrascale that cost over £60 with the intention of making both this Loco and a similar Class 26 operate of one bogie not two, at least that brought the costs down to £30 per Loco and that works for me as I only have a Depot layout so no heavy trains to pull. This has been achieved with the help of my friend Peter from within our Group – thanks Mate, the other one is ‘in works’ now.

So, rather belatedly I have now weathered it, results as under.

Dark Lane at BSE Cathedral

Kelvin Barnes Uncategorized ,

John and Graham took my layout ‘Dark Lane’ to the Bury St Edmunds MRC 75 year anniversary Exhibition at the Cathedral today. I went over for three hours in the middle of the day, and what an Exhibition that was – probably the best Exhibition I have attended since the heyday of the Colchester Exhibitions many years ago.

Congratulations must go to all the Club members, especially their Exhibition Manager Chris Day on his last show before handing on to someone else.

Today was the first time Dark Lane had been run with its DCC Sound operated through a Mobile Phone – it ran faultlessly all day – thanks Graham for introducing us ‘to the modern way’

Wyke St – OO – Update (6)

Kelvin Barnes Uncategorized ,

I spent the afternoon testing all isolating sections and power feeds with Locos with no auto couplings. This was to check that all locos fit where they should and check clearances, all worked fine. During testing I checked one final time if any amendments were worth thinking about – I identified two further isolation sections that may help – we will see!

Wyke Street – Update (3)

Kelvin Barnes Uncategorized ,

Decision day today. After a lot of thought I decided to lengthen the layout by 6″, making it now 5′ overall. This modification allows another point and siding to be added, and three sidings to be lengthened. It will increase the loco isolations from 6 to 11 on the layout. The reason I did this was because if I had not done it I would have always wondered why not!!! I have also got 15 BR(E) Engines!!!

Wyke St – OO Update (2)

Kelvin Barnes Uncategorized ,

Spent nearly all day working on the Engine Shed Layout. The inner wall has been added to the now one track upper line, it will be clad with bricks or block plastic sheeting. The extra sections of track have been added to the bottom sidings to increase their length. The two engine shed roads have also been lengthened and stops added. I have started to move the isolating sections after track lengthening, I still have some to do.