Scalefour Forum

I was extremely sorry to have missed the show this year, I was supposed to be on the DRAG Test Track operating team, but had to pull out at the last minute due to family illness.

Anyway, here's my Latin contribution:

'Vacca herbam edit'.

Rod Cameron wrote:DRAG's intrepid transport manager, Maurice Hopper, sets off for Aylesbury with the first part of the test track.

I have posted a few more images from our test session over on RMWeb - http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index. ... try2437783

I would assume that the thickness of the buffer beams would depend on the loco and where it was based, and the loads it was expected to haul and over whatever gradients?

I take the point you are making, David, but the photograph you have posted is effectively a most cruel enlargement, showing the very fine model many times it's normal size. Is it really worth the aggro, when at 'normal viewing distances' you may not be able to notice the difference (well, I wouldn't...

Hi - I'd be interested if the conversion pack was suitable for the Sentinel with outside cranks.

Thank you.

Yeh, they are not worth the hassle - completely unreliable, really poor control, motors jumping and stuttering all over the shop. Rubbish really . And you can't repair them as a number of the components are no longer manufactured... I definitely would not bid if I were you... Well thanks for that, ...

Tim V wrote:The lower screw was inaccessible behind the worm wheel!

An annoying situation, agreed.

Where possible, I now mount the motor with the screws right and left of the motor spindle, where this is allowed for (eg. some High Level gearboxes)...

The group (minus myself) had a kind of 'mini-Missenden' day last Saturday, which was arranged by David Brandreth. Almost the whole group turned up to the small hall at Holcombe (this was the room that the actual AGM was held in last June), for a day of modelling on individual projects. The aim was t...

Hi all, As the person who started this thread I should report that my blue Sentinel arrived yesterday to join the Ultrascale wheelsets which had been on hand for sometime (surely a welcome first). Wheel conversion was quick but the sand pipes proved more of a fiddle as having adjusted them the glue...

Hi Jim - I've just had a nice little operating session on Callow Lane this afternoon, and my Sentinel (with exactly the same Ultrascale wheelsets), runs just fine, not a problem on any pointwork anywhere.

Cheers,

Tim

I'm sure most of you know this by now, but Ultrascale have produced an initial batch of their 'P4-F' wheels (similar with EM) and sold out of the lot! I was very lucky, as I e-mailed David Rogers at what must have been exactly the right time, as I'd spotted an entry on the Ultrascale website, intima...

I'm certainly considering giving them a go - I know that it is possible to buy the components and put something together for a lot less but, as a 'plug and play' solution they seem to have a lot going for them... John I will also be giving this a go on 'Callow Lane', to operate the signals (I alrea...

once conversion wheelsets are available. I bought the conversion wheelsets from AG at Scaleforum, I think the main issue with this will be getting clearance in the splashers The footplate is a casting and does not allow P4 wheelsets any sideplay, so it looks like remove plastic splashers, open out ...

well ...what a way to spend a morning. I happened on this thread and had to scroll back to read how it got so heated. I almost feel as if I have to justify why I wasn't at Scaleforum this year. Terry, many thanks for posting the dates for next year. A diary entry has been made. Even though the Sund...

Brinkly wrote:Will Scaleforum be at the same venue again next year Terry? (Thinking ahead for booking accommodation.)

Regards,

Nick

After the major success that this year's show seems to be, I'm sure it will remain at Aylesbury next year, Nick.

Looks like Ultrascale won't be producing 'drop in' wheels for these locos for the time being, based on what they've said on their website. They have done one bespoke set in each of P4 and EM for individual customers, however.

Tim V wrote:I would suggest the Branchlines (other firms produce the same wheels) all nickel wheels. You can press off the insulated one quite easily, then press on the gears.

Did the same with a Heljan Hymek.

Also, exactly what I've just done with a Heljan parcels railcar.

Just done a basic wheel swap on one of the above, using Branchlines wheels and axles, and the original Heljan gears. The conversion ended up being more complex than it needed to be, because I filed some plastic off the insides of the bogie side frames (only circa 0.75mm additional space was actually...

I'm wondering if this is the same etch that (I think...!) I bought from the Society Stores many years ago...? I found out later that the etch (the one that I have) is for flat bottomed point work, rather than bullhead....

Have a look at catalogue number SGLP0031 from the RT Models website - http://www.rtmodels.co.uk/rt_models_019.htm - these look very useful for anyone detailing a Bachmann pannier tank. My order arrived this morning and they seem to be very delicate and nicely etched.

But didn't you pick yours up in person, Ivan (just thinking of a status update you made on RMWeb the other day)?

I've got two sets on order, one for me and one for someone else, but nothing has turned up in the post yet...

Lovely work, Justin, really very nice indeed.

The question of the heavy duty buffers may now have been solved by Dave Franks, who now offers drilled-out heavy duty buffer housings, drilled to 2.5mm, to take MJT sprung heads. They are exceptionally good.

Further and extensive running in of the motor on it's own and then the motor/gearbox combination have yielded results, and it is now much smoother. The chassis itself has now been running in for an extended period, which has also brought about improvements.

It's great to see Ultrascale making this suggestion so quickly, and I am very tempted, but the price is going to make me think twice, unfortunately.

Thanks again, folks. I'll check the gears again, although I have looked at them under magnification, and they seem fine. I will have the option of trying another worm and motor in a few days, when my order to HL has been processed (only posted this weekend). The original brass worm is more or less p...