O gauge

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’

Pegasus Cement Ready

Kelvin Barnes Uncategorized , , ,

It has been tight, but the layout is now ready for its first Exhibition. The O Gauge shunting plank will attend the GOG Meet Up at Bury St Edmunds on Sunday (15/9).

My part in its development is now over after doing all the weathering of stock and buildings. I have also added an office building above the entrance and some barrels, pallets and loaded pallets.

I think Graham, the owner plans to add a portacabin or similar and some workers. That should pull it all together nicely.

Pegasus Cement Factory (5)

Kelvin Barnes Uncategorized ,

Well, the cement loading Silo is now weathered and below is photographed in roughly the right place on the layout. It is still missing one ladder and safety hoop, but this should be available soon.

I think that there are several things I would do differently in hindsight, mainly revisit the height of the backscene.

I now consider phase one is complete and it will be attending the two Exhibitions booked for this year, I really hope that there will be a phase two next year to put some of the wrongs right!

Pegasus Cement Factory (4)

Kelvin Barnes Uncategorized ,

Today I have added two top coats on the Loading Silo, It is placed on the layout in the photos – but not in the right position. After a varnish, it will be weathered and the bottom part glued to the layout and blended. I will need to check that the highest wagon and loco will pass beneath the loader before gluing! – may even be able reduce the height slightly. We need to turn our attention to signage now and work out sizes and positions.

Pegasus Cement Factory (3)

Kelvin Barnes Uncategorized ,

The 3D printed Cement Loading Silo has arrived, Graham used a resin machine to make this – so no marks on it. Will need to be cleaned, undercoated, painted and weathered. The bottom piece will be attached to the layout and blended, The top piece will go thro the same process, but will not be attached to the bottom as it will be to vulnerable, it will be transported in a box and clipped together for Exhibitions. The bottom will be light Grey – the top will be yellow. We may need to source some transfers. Interesting project as never done anything like this before.