
Search found 88 matches
- Thu Jan 14, 2021 3:43 pm
- Forum: Layouts and Operations
- Topic: Brimsdown-The last grand project.
- Replies: 466
- Views: 98924
Re: Brimsdown-The last grand project.
A trick I was taught is to short a large, charged capacitor across the unwanted short circuit, the theory being that the discharge current would vapourise the fault. It got me out of trouble once but try at your own risk 

- Wed Dec 23, 2020 7:22 pm
- Forum: Tim V
- Topic: Re: Tim V's workbench - latest shenanigans
- Replies: 418
- Views: 153529
Re: Tim V's workbench - latest shenanigans
While a lathe is the best way to skim the wheels, it can be done with hand tools: Kitchen table P4 conversion of RTR loco wheels
- Tue Oct 13, 2020 9:07 am
- Forum: Chassis and Suspensions
- Topic: Kitchen table P4 conversion of RTR loco wheels
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1251
Re: Kitchen table P4 conversion of RTR loco wheels
Could you post some close-ups of the wheels and chassis in question? If DJ used the same factory as Heljan then there's a good chance that this will work.
- Wed Oct 07, 2020 10:30 am
- Forum: Chassis and Suspensions
- Topic: CSB for a Single Driver
- Replies: 50
- Views: 5495
Re: CSB for a Single Driver
Hi Stephan, in my mind the anti-pitch bar can't bear any weight because it is free to rotate in its chassis mounted bearings; a bump lifting the front axle would also lift the rear axle (which might be a problem in itself) and the loco will pitch nose-up to a new equilibrium attitude. Correctly appo...
- Tue Oct 06, 2020 9:10 am
- Forum: Chassis and Suspensions
- Topic: CSB for a Single Driver
- Replies: 50
- Views: 5495
Re: CSB for a Single Driver
Been following with great interest. It seems to me that even 30/40/30 might put too much weight on the leading & trailing. Clearly, going too far would lead to oscillating. 1/98/1 for example. But I'm wondering if 20/60/20 would work, or 25/50/25. Stephan I'm picturing an anti-pitch bar - like ...
- Wed Sep 09, 2020 8:32 am
- Forum: Starting in P4
- Topic: Making a Start - The Peak District Midland / Monsal Dale pre 1903
- Replies: 1221
- Views: 249321
Re: Making a Start - The Peak District Midland / Monsal Dale pre 1903
The laying of the stones seems much more random and un-coursed than Daves Cotswold version I've done a bit of walling. Stones would by picked up nearby so you get what the local geology gives you to work with - lovely square slabs in the Cotswolds or irregular angular blocks in the Peaks for exampl...
- Mon May 04, 2020 1:05 pm
- Forum: Railmotors, Railcars and Multiple Units
- Topic: P4 Conversion of Bachmann Split-axle Bogies
- Replies: 7
- Views: 5598
Re: P4 Conversion of Bachmann Split-axle Bogies
Yes, should work for the EPB too but the length and width may need to differ.
- Fri Mar 13, 2020 5:41 pm
- Forum: Railmotors, Railcars and Multiple Units
- Topic: P4 Conversion of Bachmann Split-axle Bogies
- Replies: 7
- Views: 5598
P4 Conversion of Bachmann Split-axle Bogies
Some Bachmann RTR vehicles come with split axles with electrical pick-up through the axle bearings. They run very freely but, unfortunately, some types are too narrow for P4 wheelsets. Here’s how I widened the bogies of a Bachmann/Kernow 4TC. 1. The bogie as supplied: DSC_0998.JPG DSC_0999.JPG 2. Po...
- Sun Feb 09, 2020 5:37 pm
- Forum: Chassis and Suspensions
- Topic: Kitchen table P4 conversion of RTR loco wheels
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1251
Kitchen table P4 conversion of RTR loco wheels
There has been much discussion about converting RTR loco wheels to P4 by machining the original tyres on a lathe and press fitting P4 tyres. I thought I would see if this could be done with just hand tools. My guinea pig is a Heljan class 07 0-6-0 diesel shunter with 3’ 6” diameter wheels of a quite...
- Tue Nov 26, 2019 5:01 pm
- Forum: On My Workbench
- Topic: High Level 03 Chassis Build
- Replies: 44
- Views: 12265
Re: High Level 03 Chassis Build
Very easy, the only slight difficulty is fabricating the three legged ones; suggest making drilling and bending jigs as there are several to do.
- Thu Nov 14, 2019 9:09 am
- Forum: Exhibitions
- Topic: Wakefield Exhibition Nov 16/17/18
- Replies: 10
- Views: 3923
Re: Wakefield Exhibition Nov 16/17/18
The 2019 Wakefield RMS Exhibition is this weekend and we'll be flying the P4 flag with Birmingham Moor Street. Do come and say hello
PS. I know there are a lot of shows in Wakefield but how come this year's show is the 58th if 2018's was the 50th?!

PS. I know there are a lot of shows in Wakefield but how come this year's show is the 58th if 2018's was the 50th?!
- Tue Aug 06, 2019 9:33 am
- Forum: Track and Turnouts
- Topic: Modern Era Concrete Track
- Replies: 26
- Views: 4459
- Fri Mar 08, 2019 9:13 am
- Forum: Semaphore Signals
- Topic: close up photos of GWR tubular signals
- Replies: 13
- Views: 3263
Re: close up photos of GWR tubular signals
Thanks for the answers. Honeybourne is just down the road from me. There were several boxes for its incredibly complex set of junctions, maybe this signal was repeated in a box the other side of the bridge.
- Thu Mar 07, 2019 1:14 pm
- Forum: Semaphore Signals
- Topic: close up photos of GWR tubular signals
- Replies: 13
- Views: 3263
Re: close up photos of GWR tubular signals
Just curious, what's the rectangular box with wires going in to it?
- Mon Mar 04, 2019 10:04 am
- Forum: Track and Turnouts
- Topic: Printing Track Templates.
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1422
- Sat Feb 09, 2019 9:54 am
- Forum: Steam Locomotives
- Topic: GWR 1366PT - Heljan Model
- Replies: 27
- Views: 7154
Re: GWR 1366PT - Heljan Model
I'm converting a Heljan 07 diesel dock shunter at the moment. I expect this has a similar chassis to the 1366. The 07 has 3'6" wheels so I'm grinding the Heljan wheels down to 13mm diameter which allows me to press on Gibson coach wheel tyres. So far, so good!
- Thu Dec 27, 2018 3:38 pm
- Forum: Tools and Techniques
- Topic: UV cure adhesives
- Replies: 0
- Views: 855
UV cure adhesives
My dentist now uses UV cure fillings which seem a much simpler process than the previous two-part epoxy ones so I thought I'd see if there was something similar publicly available. The most popular product seems to be '5 second fix', readily available on Amazon and eBay for less than £3. It comes as...
- Fri Aug 24, 2018 12:02 pm
- Forum: John Donnelly
- Topic: Structures for South Pelaw Junction
- Replies: 33
- Views: 10049
Re: Structures for South Pelaw Junction
I'm not sure, I just happened to come across this article on riveted structures that mentions the hole clearance in the 20 August comment by 'p'. Perhaps a rivet can achieve a higher tension than a bolt. After all, you don't see many bolted together ship's hulls or boilers. Coincidentally, I am in a...
- Thu Aug 23, 2018 12:50 pm
- Forum: John Donnelly
- Topic: Structures for South Pelaw Junction
- Replies: 33
- Views: 10049
Re: Structures for South Pelaw Junction
There should be clearance between the rivet and the hole after the rivet head has been formed. The rivet's job is to create friction between the parts being joined by pulling them together, not to align or reinforce the joint.
- Fri Aug 03, 2018 8:40 am
- Forum: DCC
- Topic: Intermittent running, Hornby J15 on Gaugemaster Prodigy EXpress
- Replies: 8
- Views: 5869
Re: Intermittent running, Hornby J15 on Gaugemaster Prodigy EXpress
Intermittent running sounds more like a pick-up problem than a DCC chip issue to me. My first step would be to check for obvious faults, then replace the chip with the blanking plug and make sure it ran properly on DC. It may be as simple as the loco needing a long run to bed in bearings etc. Where ...
- Mon Jul 16, 2018 9:39 am
- Forum: Steam Locomotives
- Topic: Dapol LSWR B4 0-4-0T
- Replies: 23
- Views: 7051
Re: Dapol LSWR B4 0-4-0T
This post has links to changing the tyres on Heljan loco wheels and might provide some pointers for the Dapol conversion. I need to do something similar for the Heljan 07 shunter so will be interested in how you get on too.
- Wed May 16, 2018 8:21 am
- Forum: Tools and Techniques
- Topic: How not to break a 16BA Tap?
- Replies: 24
- Views: 6234
Re: How not to break a 16BA Tap?
Can you drill a recess then solder a nut inside?
- Tue May 08, 2018 10:19 am
- Forum: Electrics
- Topic: Pentroller repairs
- Replies: 50
- Views: 14469
Re: Pentroller repairs
I expect the burnt resistor acts as a current sensor and provides an input to the control circuit, needs replacing with a higher wattage rated part as suggested.
- Tue Apr 10, 2018 8:26 am
- Forum: Electrics
- Topic: Pentroller repairs
- Replies: 50
- Views: 14469
Re: Pentroller repairs
Could it be the same as the one next to the switch on your working controller? Mind you, that one looks 'thermally challenged' too...
- Wed Jan 10, 2018 3:46 pm
- Forum: Diesel and Electric Locomotives
- Topic: Dapol Class 68 conversion
- Replies: 6
- Views: 2406
Re: Dapol Class 68 conversion
Hi Tony,
I've had success using a 2mm ID, 2.5mm OD sleeve for the gear loctited to a 2mm axle, saves altering the bearings.
Simon
I've had success using a 2mm ID, 2.5mm OD sleeve for the gear loctited to a 2mm axle, saves altering the bearings.
Simon