April 2024 Update

 It has been a couple of months since the last update, so what has happened around Tumble Down Falls.

During March I had a couple of trains out, the Stainz and PM 4010, and although the Stainz ran well, the PM 4010, would insist on derailing on one particular curve, and in one direction.  The issue with the curve is, it is on a gradient, and require some very minor superelevation, which is achieved by adding ballast under the outer rail, in this instance by trial and error:

 

With the ballast loosley in place test runs were carried, with of course open cab test crews to ensure full visability.

I also carried on the Boot Lane Nancy build, and work progressed in painting and Loco Remote Amberley Brush:

The photos show the finished colour with the Clavey driver in place. This loco has a simple on/off switch, and the battery is removed from the loco to charge it

January 2024 Update

 2023 has been a very busy year, and the blog has been left behind, with very little work taking place on the railway.  However to start 2024 I am building a Boot Lane Nancy in SM-32 the page will grow as the build continues.  I am also build a Loco Remote Amberley Brush, however the instruction and photos provided are so good that I am not providing a separate page for it.  The little engine went together very quickly and this is what I now have:

As this little loco progress I will keep you informed.

March 2023 - Update

 The warmer weather is on its way, and soon, it will be time to get out in the garden.  For me a patio to relay prior to my railway extension, but more of this when work begins.  My Bachmann Railtruck is now complete, and a test drive was completed and it is running well, and now I am in the process of converting a Bachmann Baldwin 2-4-2 Americanized "Lyn" ( part # 91199) to battery remote control, and removing the Americanized items, this  the item as bought:

  

To follow my progress the blog on the conversion is Bachmann Baldwin-2-4-2 Lyn

September 2022 Update

 It has been a few months since the last update, the warm summer has meant that not much work has been carried out inside, However a few trains have been run:

Also the purchase of a Bachmann Rail Truck, this will become a winter battery conversion project, and as such I will document the progress on here:

And finally, work has continued on my OcCre Streetcar finishing and fitting the new bogies, please see that page for further details

April 2022 Update

 So, quite a lot has happened over the last couple of months,  The San Francisco Streetcar has progress to powering up and some initial test runs.  The warm weather allowed me time to get out and fix and wire in the the Kippo Signal Box.  Then there was the surprise event, which started with the purchase of an LGB Steeplecab, and the subsequent radio control battery conversion.

And then there is the ad hoc playing testing in the sun:

September 2021 Update

It has been a while since I have updated my blog with the railway activity, so what has happened over the last few months.

• The extension has had a reverse loop added  more details of that will in Extension "Phase 2" page.
• The remote operation of the points (switches) motors has been transferred use with a Precision RC Train Engineer Revolution, affectionately know as a Revo, I will provide more details further down this page.
• All track power has now been removed, along with isolation tracks and point motor supplementary switches. 
• Wyvern Halt has new station signs mounted in a flower bed with "street" lights:
  
  
  
  
  
• Planning is currently happening for a further extension, though sill in the very early stages, again see further down this page. 
• To enable better operations, I now wish for the loco to "run around" the train in Wyvern Halt Station, and to enable this to happen the loco need to be uncoupled from the train.  As the train runs "double hooked" two uncoupling ramps are required.  Initially I tried with two "passive" ramps, however the loco/train would uncouple every time, so my next endeavour is to try one electrically operated (on order) and one passive ramp:
  
  
  
  
  
• The railway has now gained its own cat:

Revolution 

When the railway was track powered this was remotely controlled by a Crest Train Engineer (TE), and via an auxiliary receiver,  when the track power was removed all the TE equipment went.

I looked around for various methods to control the points, but already having standard G Gauge point motors I was loath to move to a totally different system.  Luck would have it that I was offered a Precision RC Train Engineer Revolution (Revo) transmitter free, so all I would need would be the Revo "Track Switch Control Rx".  Fine Scale Brass were identified as the UK agent and a unit was ordered.

The unit comes as a bare unit with no casing as shown below, so a project box was obtained and the unit fitted inside.

Set up isn't difficult, however my lack of familiarity with the system did mean if took a couple of attempts to link (bind) the Tx and Rx, however once linked the system works so well a second Rx has now been ordered.

March 2021 Update

It has been a few months since my last up update, not a lot has happened, though we have been through the festive period.

Looking for a new project I have bought an IP Engineering Colonial Railbus, I will add a new page and document the progress of the build, and detail specifically where I have diverted from the standard building instructions.

November 2020 Update

November already, and what has been done since the last update. The first thing to mention is the Model Town Engine Shed, as this is just a standard build of a resin building it will just get a mention in the blog, and will not have its own dedicated page. 

Work has also continued on the 10-Wheeler, both the tender and loco body having been painted and the detailing work has now begun, please see Bachmann 10-Wheeler Battery Conversion page for the details of the work so far. 

Model Town Engine Shed 

I found this kit to be one of the earlier ones produced by the company, and a little extra effort was required, however its completion was very satisfying. 

It will eventually have a plinth in the siding😊