Robert Shrives

Hi Well I was wondering about remotoring a lima 201 and bought a hornby 59 -latest version , it was an EWS one for £40. The bogies and sideframes less steps match and even the chassis weight holder unit is identical - the 59 does have a pcb for DCC use It is almost right length being just a few mm to long. The problem is the 59 tanks and side of the mainframes differ from the 201 and the 66 differs again and is longer . I am sure if you have the lima 201 then you could cut and copy bits to match. - I am going to cut out parts of a the lima 59 to swap for the hornby 59 and if I get a working camera or friend to take some pics I will up load on the forum. Robert

Very good news sold 30 then !!! Joking. I wonder if this means more vans than a well known leaning project! Looking forward to the arrival of vans. Robert

Hi from ebay I have just got a Hornby class 59 -in DBS colours for around £40 . It was a cheap punt to see if the family likeness between the 59 and 201 worked - well chassis of the new motored 59 - really an ex lima product looks to be a good source. The weight retainer moulding is identically fixed and the new one has a mount for a DCC chip . The trailing bogie mount is slightly different and will require the 201 chassis to be drilled out to take a plastic spring fitting vice the brass pin and retaining clip. The motor end will require transplanting the motor bogie mount but that is a simple cut and glue job. The basic lighting in the lima 201 can be easily upgraded and wires soldered to PCB mount. Downside is while bogies have finer wheels and better details the bogie step in wrong place and will need carving off. Sadly the differences in underframe details prevent a quick swap - that would have been too much to ask ! I will try to sort some pictures before starting and then show work done. Just posting this to promote idea. Robert

I guess no appetite for a community line project as in UK with AcORP , https://communityrail.org.uk/ . Or does some legal issue stop it. As Noel says ensuring route is preserved then the chance of reopening is made easier, if not made cheaper. Robert

Go for it ! and I am sure all will be well and sound ? Good to see work continues on the layout. Robert

I did mention it too them but seems they had their price , but have had MM mk2s at bargain prices before now and they offer MM201s at a fraction of the lima price - ho hum ! Robert

Hi Just 5 by the look of 24850-24854 always a good round number ! and carefully designed to stop the IRM guys doing 3 twin packs - such foresight !!!!! Robert

Thanks for all the info - what about the concrete sleepers alongside, for completeness , and I have some FB rail tucked away I find.. for points I guess I can step back some timbers and would need a few longer longer ones to compensate. Regards Robert

Hi , Just a quick one - at Derby show I got some timber strip, rails and chairs to make a a bit of 21mm gauge bull head track - what length should the timber sleepers be. Plus what is the generally accepted sleeper centres ? With lack of a 21mm track gauge from C&L I was going to make my own usinging studding ,nuts and washers . Track intended for a trail and hopefully will include some pointwork in time. Thanks for any info Robert

Layout starring at Derby show this weekend - great in the "flesh" and running a treat.

lovely spray job , its coming along nicely

Good to see , I know of a selection of modelers waiting the day . As experts on all things Irish do any of the wagon buffer packs have cross over to Irish wagons ? Robert

Hi funny but also shows a lack of care by the staff involved. At Birmingham new st I saw some contractors having a hard time - they were cleaning their paint spills off the platform having made a mess painting lamp standards. It looked like the foreman said no clean no pay ! "ATD" Attention to detail springs to mind. I do like the look of a weed free railway so much better all round then on this side of the Irish Sea! - I am sure there are some ratty bits but NR seems to specalise in the do not care finish. Robert

Yes please ! Good for adding to flats and as yard clutter. Hopefully tanks will be available as well . Would unpainted ones or in flat white with minimal numbers be possible suitable for the modelers to adapt and weather be an option. hopefully the weedspray GSV up next. Cheers Robert

I welcome to the forum as well, lots of gen and worth reading many of the threads. I have learnt a lot and enjoyed it. Robert

Hi I looked at the prints a while back and considered the tomix chassis but too wide over motor - but then considered powered coaches for a roundy sort of layout . The 071 I have has a body cavity 10.7 mm wide. The latest farish class 20 is 10.13 mm over chassis so fits like a glove - and of course runs sweetly. The is 86 mm over the castings - but this could be shortened by up to 6 mm. The area that is over size is a bit that fits in the cab and would need a bit of narrowing - but not impossible . I will have to check with the latest class 31 or a co- co unit if the bogies cross fit to power the 071 . But the class 20 would fo nicely if not correctly for the small GM . You would need to use the latest chassis as the Poole based metal one is too wide over the motor magnet pole pieces.. The 201 is dead easy with a dapol 66 chassis but the yet to arrive 59 should be even better . Farish Mk3s and Electra graphics allow a good set of trains easily and the 4 wheel cement bubbles are made as 3D prints. The latest mK2 bachmann coaches could be repainted into the MK2 set - need to mug a dutch van but I think the steam version is done already. The to come MK2E s could be repainted I am certain - Worsley works etches in 7 thou brass would allow a gen car and catering. Railtec do and can expand N gauge range. 2mmfs 9.42 gauge track would help the perennial gauge scale issues we bedevil ourselves!! happy modelling Robert

Good luck !!! Happy wiring and hope you get it all working as you want first time Robert

Hi thanks , and good to know on beet bank, the bitumen building also helps to hide approaching train as well. As has been said it is a great layout and how it continues to grow and inspire must be very satisfying, thanks from me for sharing. Robert

Hi , An interesting set of changes I like the idea of moving the signal cabin and goods shed ideas. - you will be able to fill the cabin with a frame and token instruments ... Will having the overhead crane at the front risk damage ? I also wonder if the beet platform over weighs the scene if it were shorter and narrower it would allow the bitumen buildings to return to back corner and suggest the developing beet traffic "competing" for space. I can see having the crane front provides a look around view blocker but would a tree or two provide a "soft" option. Whatever you go with I am sure will work and look very good Robert

That looks much better . The Peco one is I guess too straight for many applications - I have done just this in N gauge before. My office layout uses a peco N one in some sidings due to the track layout shape and fits well, so do they do have a use . Your version just works and looks a lot better here - horses for courses I guess . I really like how the layout is progressing and thanks for showing it Robert

To add to the comments a great piece of art and hopefully you are proud of it - I know I would be ! Certainly catches the urban feel to a "T" and I am sure the boys at IRM like the ballast and bubbles ... Certainly watch in awe and with interest. Thanks Robert

Hi Good to know thanks. As you explore the wagon history of CIE it proves to be very interesting and makes modelling just that bit more fun, so thanks for all the information. Who knew there was so much in timber carriers ! Robert

Hi , I neat job and mirrors real life ! Is it a metal underframe - it would a good mass to the wagon given the 3D print weighs very little. In real life was the donor chassis from the same family of wagons that gave wheels to the double beets ? Robert

Well so bloody true - I did just like you and the book was a bedtime read this week as well. The world famous (!) ffestiniog railway up to just a few years ago had the same connections on a couple of the older coaches. two did not have a rain cap so as a guard you could stand up and observe the train ! Fun times , the young have no idea the fun we stopped them having Robert

John , Thanks for information very interesting. The reverse of my simple thoughts - but it does still mean that if the shapeways body only print for the 4 wheel is used then it can be grafted on to a 62`6" chassis and more cradles created. I guess an easy way to make the chassis is to cut and shunt the longer chassis from Nile and add a straps box. Unless Nile beats us all too it and makes a wonderful wagon ! Robert