Tullygrainey

Thank you jhb, At the risk of hijacking this thread... a few pics. It's a fictitious yard somewhere between a quarry and a quay. No name so far, beyond "the narrow gauge one" Alan

Patrick, If it helps with the decision, here are some pics of Peco's dedicated O-16.5 track, firstly alongside the standard Peco OO stuff and then in situ on my O-16.5 micro layout. Alan

Thank you. Yes, give it a go. And let us see it if you do. Best Alan

I'm pleased you like it. Thank you J-Mo. As I said in the original post, the starting point was a Hornby 0-4-0 Caledonian Pug though there wasn't much left of the superstructure by the time I'd finished with the razor saw. The body mods are mostly plastic card, brass wire and bits from the spares box. The tank needed a lot filed off each side to get the profile I wanted. it was then skinned with 0.25mm plastic card so as to extend the tank forward over the smokebox without having an obvious join. The rivets are Archer 3D resin transfers. I used a Hornby spares pack for the crossheads and sliders - Part No. X8834, Class 28xx 2-8-0 valve gear set. They're a bit large and there might be better alternatives. The cylinders are sections cut from the barrel of a disposable propelling pencil, the sort you buy in 10 packs at the supermarket. They're just glued to the chassis. It's DCC chipped which tames it a bit and it runs reasonably well. It's probably a bit over-scale but that's what you get for starting with a Hornby Pug Alan

I saw this layout in Donaghadee* yesterday. Really inspiring stuff! The accuracy and attention to detail are brilliant. Thanks for the chat and the chance to see it Gordon * Andrews Hall, opposite Shore Street Presbyterian Church, until Saturday

Thanks Eoin, those look a bit more refined than what I've been using! Alan

Apologies if this is a question with an obvious answer but can anyone recommend the best tool or technique for stripping the insulation from fine wire, such as decoder wire? My present wire stripper is too clumsy for the job and I'm forever cutting the wire along with the insulation.

I used bits from an MJT wagon compensating fret Alan

I'm enjoying this thread. Using the Slaters 4mm kit for a MR 8 ton 3 plank dropside and working from a photo in Des Coakham's BCDR book (Colourpoint, 2010, pg 207), I had a go at a BCDR 8 ton open BCDR 8 ton.HEIC Whoops, not sure what happened to the pic there

In the railway station in Venice back in November 2008, I saw only one piece of graffiti. Sadly, this was it...

Hi Colm I've only just discovered this thread. I really like your BCDR fleet. Having played on the abandoned trackbed out of East Belfast as a kiddie in the 1960s, I also have a soft spot for the BCDR. You've done a great job with No 26. I had a go at that one using a London Road Models L&Y Barton Wright 2F 0-6-0 kit as a starting point. I'm reasonably pleased with it but I think the proportions are wrong. Two foot rule applies! It also runs like a dog at the moment so some more work needed there. Can I ask how you handled the BCDR number plates on the cab side? Best, Alan

Thanks for this Leslie. Hope by the time you read this you're back on the grid . Best wishes, Alan

Sorry to hear that Leslie. You will be missed. By the way, have you abandoned your website or has it just moved somewhere else? Apologies if I've missed something along the way. Alan

Thanks everyone for the encouragement and the kind comments. I have a love/hate relationship with kit building. I love it today Yes Leslie, I'm very pleased with the rolling stock. Maybe see you at Bangor in April? The layout is a small fictitious dock scene vaguely inspired by Dundrum. Called Loughan Quay (say it out loud) Alan

Ah now that's a question. I've long wanted to have a go at BCDR diesel D1/No. 2 in 00 (Might that be your project too?) but I haven't been able to find a 6 wheel chassis without rods that might do. Yet. . I'm sure there's something out there.

Well, it took a while but I got there eventually

Thank you. I have to admit this one is pushing my skills to the limit. Yes, the instructions recommend driving the front axle and I've used hornblocks and a compensating beam on the other two. All a bit of a squeeze! Alan

Ah brilliant. This takes some of the guesswork out of it. Many thanks Alan

Yes please. I've only been able to find b&w ones Alan

Many thanks for this. I'm building the Judith edge kit at the moment and approaching the painting stage. Alan

What livery did the Harland & Wolff shunter carry, either as LMS 7057 or NCC 22?

Thank you very much. You are undoubtedly right about the livery. I have to confess I bottled out of that particular challenge!

That's a wonderful piece of work. And a really innovative way of tackling the job(s). Must have needed a fair bit of fettling to get it to fit!

And here is a 4mm approximation of No. 16 using a Hornby 0-4-0 Caledonian Pug as a starting point. Alan