Well, been waiting a long time for this, and it has eventually arrived. After I had put back all the pieces that had fallen off in transit and straightened the air horns which were bent quite badly, it was ready for a light weathering. This is an O Gauge Maroon Midland Region version and will run with Steam and early Diesel Locos, so could not be left pristine.
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.
This is a narrow gauge O gauge Loco that I have just painted and weathered for Graham. It is a 3D printed Model and a first for me in this gauge. It still has to have its DCC chassis fitted.
Two days exhibiting in a row at two different venues. Firstly Saturday at the Sudbury MRC Exhibition and today at the the Stowmarket MRC, Swapmeet and mini Exhibition. It was a bit tiring but oh so enjoyable!
Photos taken over the two days.
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’
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!
The extra point duly arrived and has been fitted. This gives the final track plan after the extra siding was added. The next job is to reinstate the isolating sections and wire up the new point. I am now happy after the amendments and glad I carried them out, instead of wondering ‘what if’ at a later date.
On Saturday John and Graham were at Shenfield Exhibition – here are a few shots taken by John. There is also a great video on You Tube by SP Rail of the layout in operation. Everyone I have spoken to says it was an Excellent Exhibition – our lads certainly enjoyed it a lot.
The adding of an extra 6″ continues to progress. I have added three of the four extra track lengths in the sidings, I am waiting for another point to arrive to complete the head-shunt and then start the extra siding. After moving some isolating sections the layout will now hold 14 locos and three wagons.
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!!!
