Progress Report 96

 

I can't believe it is four months since my last update on progress. At this time of year, not a lot happens outside. Rather than full running-sessions, there are occasional part running-sessions and test runs. I have continued shooting the next instalments of the year long video and carried out some repairs and finishing - off jobs in the workshop. I have added a new loco to the roster, but that is currently being rebuilt to improve its appearance and running. A new bit of electronic kit has been added to the workshop and some sound effect modules added to the outside.

Infrastructure

Sound modules

As indicated above, this time of year is not the best for carrying out outdoor work, but I have made use of some low cost MP3 players to add ambient sound effects to the railway.

At present, the sawmill has some relevant steam powered sawmill sound effects and the cattle trucks can be equipped with appropriate sounds of cows.

As the players have plenty of spare capacity on their SD cards for other sounds, which can be made to loop indefinitely, I will probably add more effects and place them at other strategic points around the railway.

For more information see: How I added sound effects to my railway

1930s figures

Most of the 3D scanned and printed figures in 1930s costume have now been painted. The fellow members of the amateur drama society who volunteered have been given a model of themselves mounted on a plaque.

Their twins have been added to my stock of figures for deployment when running sessions resume in the Spring.

Rolling Stock

Cardboard Hunslet 

The major development with rolling stock is the addition of another loco - a Quarry Hunslet(ish) loco constructed from a Rail-Road cardboard kit. Having read an account of a loco constructed from card in the February 2023 edition of Garden Rail, I decided to give it a try by evaluating to potential of a Rail-Road (formerly Loco Lines) kit.

I am in two minds about the card's efficacy as a construction medium. The advantages seem to be the eas with which the material can be cut and joined and also the affordance of having the livery and lining pre-printed. The disadvantages (for me) are the durability of the finished loco and, paradoxically, the added complication of protecting the finish of the loco during the construction process - all to easy to mar the surface with a gluey finger. The kit doesn't include detailing enhancements but these can be bought elsewhere (eg Garden Railway Specialists).

 The chassis which comes with the kit, is just that. It is very rudimentary and underpowered. However, to be fair, it claims only to be a basic chassis and its price reflects this.

For more information see, How I constructed a Hunslet loco from a Rail-Road kit

I am in the process of enhancing the appearance of the loco and giving it a more powerful chassis. 

Refurbishing locos

A couple of locos have been refurbished. Loco #6, Manning Wardle 0-6-0T Harthill, and Loco #7, Fowler 0-4-0DM, Tollemache have had a few minor repairs to their bodywork and various blemishes touched-up. The Fowler has also had its number plates re-attached to the sides of the cab, using clear silicon sealant as I am discovering that Superglue isn't that super and doesn't really glue brass to paintwork securely.

Their bodies have both been given a couple of coats of clear lacquer to add some extra protection and to unify their liveries.

Battery loco guides

I have written three generalised guides to the construction of battery locos:

• Building battery locos from kits
• Modifying track powered locos
• Semi-scratchbuilt locos

Two more guides are in the process of being written:

• Scratchbuilt locos
• 3D printed locos

These guides are designed to complement the information I have already published on batteries and radio control.

Other

Card cutter

The article about the card loco in Garden Rail mentioned the use of a computer controlled card cutter which seemed like a useful bit of kit. In addition to cutting card, it can also cut thin plasticard and self adhesive vinyl with a precision of 0.1mm.

Looking online, these cutters appeared to range in price from £200 GBP to over £650 GBP, somewhat more than my slender budget will allow.

A quick search of eBay revealed a few secondhand cutters for starting prices from £150 to £350. I did consider adding one of these cheaper cutters to my Christmas and Birthday list but I then spotted a cutter with a starting price of £19.99 GBP. It was without a power supply and untested but I felt it was worth a punt.

I won it for £19.99 GBP. A suitable power supply was acquired for the modest sum of £14 GBP, and a new blade and cutting mat for £10 GBP each. The software was downloaded and I used some of my stock of self adhesive white vinyl to create some letters for my goods stock.

I was delighted to find my tentative venture has paid off. Vinyl lettering and masking is the first job on the agenda. I might then explore its capabilities for cutting card and plasticard.

Videos

The History of the PLR Part 6

The latest instalment of the ongoing history of the PLR has now been completed and posted on YouTube. 

I am finding these videos which have now become an annual event, are handy for me in remembering what I've done in the past year. They also act as an incentive for me to get jobs done.

Year Long Video

I have now completed the November, December and January segments of my Year Long video. Having broken the journey from one terminus to the other into twelve sections, I have drawn up a fairly detailed shooting schedule to ensure that there aren't any continuity errors as the train progresses Down and back Up the line. I'm also trying hard to choose the days for filming which provide contrasting weather conditions.

I'm pleased to say that January's session coincided with a cold, snowy spell of weather.

As January marks the start of each journey, the shoots took place at each of the two termini - Beeston Market:

...... and Bickerton:

Now looking forward to seeing what the weather brings in February and March. I've planted some crocus and miniature daffodil bulbs alongside the track earmarked for these two sessions - I just hope they will be in bloom at the middle of each month.

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