Author name: David Hagger

Friday 16th February

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Here is the Welsh Wizard’s latest acquisition – which amazingly he did not build himself. Having recently had a chip fitted it was with us to have a DCC address assigned and various features tested, such as the internal lighting which can be turned on as ceiling lights, or sconces on the window pillars, or both. As can be seen, the level of internal detail is excellent.

The Chairman’s 4248 is on the workbench as the gearbox has given trouble with excessive wear of the worm wheel. After carefully dismantling and extracting the gearbox alignment issues were found. The planning of a replacement has begun.

Friday 16th February Read More »

More Preparation

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The NDR brake van is just about finished and ready for duty on Sunday at the Monmouth show.

Luke’s suggestion of a private siding behind the wall looks good.
A hint of what might run at the show.

With the goods shed not yet available a quick mock-up was made to block the view of exit to the fiddle yard.

Meanwhile Wagonman has started on a NE 6 wheel brake.

By the end of the evening the Goods Shed had acquired a rough coat of paint and a wooden FPL cover was fitted (Andrew N also made a hinged metal cover which will be fitted after the exhibition.

And Luke finished building and painting the layout nameboard.

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Tuesday’s Talk

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This Tuesday’s Talk featured various pictures of the colliery line to NCB Graig Merthyr colliery, Pontardulais. MrChairman showed pictures including enthusiasts visits and regular workings. Later MrBell provided various interesting photos including some B&M and Barry locos. There were a select five present, but of course, work was continuing on Ty’n y Coedcae at the clubrooms.

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Further brake van progress

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The full brake gear can be seen with the pull rod running to the handbrake wheel. The folded up long footboards have had the brackets strengthened with wire, though if you look carefully some of the very delicate riveted fixings have broken off. After fixing they are quite strong though. there are short upper footboards too along with the hand brake column and safety loops which were bent up from wire as none were provided in the kit. with these components fitted the van is nearly ready for painting.

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After the mess

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With the Evostik cleaned off the floor more of the cassettes could be assembled. At the front are three loco-sized ones, properly weighted down while the glue sets. The long cassette to the back only has one of the aluminium angles glued in so it can be left to set. It is much easier to check and guarantee the correct gauge over the 1.2 m length if both aluminium strips are not able to shift on the glue.

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Another fine mess

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There seems to be a bit of a theme around glue developing. Back around the 12th LBH made a mess with PVA, ending up with what looked like a Christmas cake. My effort on Monday was smaller and easier to clean but much smellier. (I was attempting to stick some cassettes together)

NBR brake van kit, partially built
The GBV has some wheels now but the bearings are so stiff it really is a brake van.
Here are the real brakes. The safety loops are needed next.

Another fine mess Read More »

Brake Progress

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Away from the clubrooms Mr C pressed on with the ADR brake van, adding detail to the ends. Then the internal partitions were completed with doors and handles.

The two L shaped sections were the tried together to complete the box and the alignment was very good. After soldering together the partitions were slide down in place and fitted after a little trimming. The body is pretty rigid and square.

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It’s hut work

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The newly applied timbers to the back of the hut needed staining to represent the preservative applied. Once that wall was done the others needed further stain too so they blended in.

The resin hut just needs the window fitted. It took longer to find the glazing than to clean up and prime the framing. It can be fitted next session, and then perhaps a bit more colour on the brickwork at the back.

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Quiz Night

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Tuesday was a regular Zoom session which featured the second Quiz of the festive season. Quizmaster StephenB teased us with Welsh based questions requiring a bit of in-depth knowledge of minor railway locomotives – which I sadly lacked. The final question – current TfW stations with a k in them – was also taxing. (there are 18 of them).

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