Big John and we attack the track again

Lots bubbling away here but a lack of posts.

One thing I've acquired in the past week or so were my first Woodland Scenics G scale figures via Ebay.   The resin has that tough but brittle feel to it but size wise and anatomically I'm happy so far.  I managed to get the Hilow Surveying Company (Pack A2556) cheap and I'm very pleased.

First up is "Big John"

When Ann first saw the pack then she said "Ooo, is that a Trainspotter figure....?".  I pointed out that the answer was not and suggested that she look at the rest of the pack, but I have to say that I admire the hat and the pose.  A long time ago I had a friend who was taken away at a young age by Cancer and whilst John would never have worn a (stylish) hat like that, he was most certainly a train spotter.  For me the figure has the aura of the silent, quiet, strong type.  

I was also reminded of one of ht songs that was on the radio as I as growing up...

Big Bad john...

This is from 1961 and yet somehow its one of those songs from my childhood.  

 

Here's the full gang...

Part of me feels that there's a "Hank" in the man with the pole.   The figures don't come with bases and on one of the forums there was talk about miniature railroads and why run and model trains (with some lovely staged photos that might, just might, be real railways).   Another post talks about running sessions.  

I think for now the Hilow Surveying Company will end up with another name, and if I can pick up a cheap caboose then I fancy a respray job and re-lettering along the lines, say of "ATSF, Pagoso Springs, Engineering department" and a man with a coffee pot on the balcony....  I have no idea if in reality the survey teams had dedicated cabooses - from a space viewpoint then a drover's caboose may be more likely but given the size/cost issues then in Iscatalbahn land a "bobber caboose" may have to be settled for.

Today also saw another attack on the track. 

My problem is that  I want to have a "temporary" layout down whilst I learn and perhaps ultimately move house.   The initial weed barrier on its own after the last lot of garden improvements suffered and ended up somewhat shredded.  There is a need to put some sort of topping down keep the light out = and also keep the barrier in place.  The Mk2 answer is stone chipping.   The pictures below show two sets - larger (say 2-3") green stones, and small (say quarter inch) white chippings, just because I'd run out of the green stones and had some weed barrier left.  I think putting in a barrier of plastic lawn edging both sides is the way forward - to stop the stones being washed away in the rain/winter...  More news (much later) if this works, unless its a complete disaster when there will be something in a matter of weeks.  

Also trying out Ann's new camera - as light was fading - hence the blurry close up picture.  

  

Bachmann Short line vs LGB

Back in May  said that I had bought the Short line railroad set cheap:

http://patiorails.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/north-american-modelling.html

A posting elsewhere said that the coupling height was different and it could do with having spacers (as  believe are supplied with the Thomas stuff) to lower the height.  Here's a photo to show what that means.

Bachmann short line on the left, LGB tanker on the right. 

Have sent an email off to Bachmann customer services to see if I can get the spacers. 

The surveyor gets to work

So, the garden is neither square nor level but not enough of either to be "interesting", just enough to be difficult when planning.

Friday I succumbed and bought a 30m tape measure to be able to measure things reasonably accurately.

Went out today and measured various dimensions and its well worth it.  

Also when investigating railmodeller further discovered that it can cope with flexi track, but also has a layers system (akin to photoshop, elements, paint shop pro etc) enabling me to have a base layer of garden, and a second layer of track.   I can lots of happy days ahead....

However, today was like much of last year and essentially rainy !!

New arrival - Liliput V3

After the Exeter Model railway club show I took stock of what locos I had that were digital and with soun. Ideally I wanted something that would also demonstrated the second tier of buttons available on the Dimax Navigator, and which also came at a cost that meant I was preapared to take it to shows etc

The following loco which had been advertised previously on one of the forums I frequent met some of those conditions - namely price.  It also replicates the sound of a petrol mechanical (gas Mechanical in American jargon) rather than traditional diesel loco which sounded quite interesting.  Given the relatively modest price then I'm quite pleased with it.

It's the Liliput V3 - their European version of the Davenport.  The sound is by Dietz - I don't  have the exact details with it being second hand but after some listening I'm tempted to say its the standard Feldbahn dieselok...

Dark Arts reference sheets

Comments on implementation of the Dark Arts today.

A while back I was asked for help on solving a problem with a wireless network (turned out to be European vs American frequency on the transmitter) but following that I produced a quick reference card on selecting the right train with the Dimax Navigator.  The start up screen also sometimes shows "Analog Loco" amd I need to determine when that happens and update the card.

Changing point decoders will be next and then perhaps advanced stuff like consists.  The manual is a walkthrough of the functions but not especially "user task friendly".

The other thing are my DCC sound sheets.... probably nothing very new but each locomotive has its own A5 card (and I have some A5 clipboards) in two different versions (LGB - 8 button, Dimaz 16 button -red/blue side stripe) for ready reference for users.   Spreewald and U class shown.  

The Track has been lifted.... The new beginning so version Mk 2.0

Ok, so last year was a washout.... After a promising start we had rain and more rain.   However, I kept shopping on ebay, waiting for the reasonably priced bargains after I ran out of larger curves and longer straights.  This year we are starting to see a glimmer of normal summer (i.e. sun and no rain) and I've lifted all the track.  There is nil, nada, zilch in the garden at the moment.

Why ? Basically to clean, test and check (e.g points - I already think I have a suspect 3 way point) track, motors and levers etc.   (Also to get the garage sorted but that is another issue).  Get my SPROG working and test (and re-number) the second hand decoders I've bought.  If I'm really clever I'll get my (second hand signal) to work and control track (at the moment I don't fully understand the instructions).

So, pictures of the track in boxes etc....  Some of it still could probably do with a wash, and some of it certainly still needs a clean and a fishplate check.

I've discovered that HP laserjet cartridge boxes from work are the ideal size to take second hand unboxed R1 points.  

So, we move to version 2.0.   This will be nothing more than a simple oval (single track) with passing places and the odd shunt siding, so that I can have trains run around the garden whilst I deal with cleaning etc what is left and planning.  The most tarnished track and points (R1) will get chosen for this task.   Even bought a surveyor's (30m) tape measure yesterday so I can  accurately measure the distances in the garden before playing around with the rail modeller software. 

Essentially, try and learn to walk first before trying to run, even if running is the eventual aim......

Whilst also having the track design sketchplan with the ideas and comments and work through the issues that it raises.  

(And I'm waiting excitedly for a new -well s/h - loco purchase to arrive.....)