Dargan

Discussion in 'Members Personal Layouts' started by Davoetype, Oct 24, 2017.

  1. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    Hi Folks
    Still plenty of Covid 19 provided spare time so I was planning to get on with the next wheat transport in NSW video but when I did a few shunting trials my wheat silo siding proved to be too short for a realistic loading and shunting operation. I had been thinking about using a neglected refuge siding and cutting it into the silo line but a difficult task cutting into an existing line. Oh well, it would be worthwhile so get on with it!?


     
  2. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

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    That worked out rather well Richard........:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:
    and nicely presented too.!!!
    :tophat:Gormo
     
  3. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    Hi Folks

    Finally reached the stage where I can see the end of video Episode # 8. What started out as the next evolutionary stage of covering wheat transport in NSW, became a very challenging exercise in being able to shunt 17 relatively light and unstable four wheelers (even the prototypes were top heavy!) up into the loading bins that I covered in Episode #7. Precise adjustments to the kadees were required (had to be the perfect matching heights) and the addition of weight in precise places has achieved success!!! The final consist under the control of my standard goods loco 4.8.0 #5165 now runs consistently in both directions and particularly in DCC yard mode. With all the running I have done to get things right it is probably the only loco in my collection that is properly run in.

    When faced with this type of scenario, the hobby mojo can take a beating. Thankfully it is now back to normal and I look forward to final completion of the video. Also I need to get on with a bit of model railway retail therapy?

    Cheers

    and happy modelling

    Richard
     
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  4. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    Hi Richard,

    Do your four wheelers have scale couplers or do you use #5s ? I know the NMRA have a weight ratio calculator for weighting up rolling stock. Some of the weights used seem quite heavy for some wagons. You wouldn't get the new Casula Hobbies Z19 or the Wombat C30T pulling twenty wagons weighted accordingly to the NMRA specs !

    Cheers, Gary.

    ps, D50 : 2-8-0 ;)
     
  5. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    Hi Gary

    I am using standard #5s. The standard goods loco was rated for 17 RUs plus guards van to cope with a 1:40 grade. My standard goods just makes it but for purposes of the video, I will be using 16 under the guise that wet weather on the track convinced the crew to be a little conservative. I also forgot to mention that a lot of the axles were slightly out of gauge but I guess we are all used to that.

    Cheers

    and happy modelling

    Richard
     
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  6. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

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    G`day Richard,
    When it comes to shunting four wheelers, I think quite often something is overlooked, yet it can play a dramatic role in how your wagons negotiate all parts of your track.
    Wheel back to backs.........if they are not just right, they can cause all sorts of trouble.
    Wagons with the back to backs out of gauge may run well enough on their own or even with a weight applied, however the same wagon inserted into a train may give trouble.
    In my opinion, when force is applied horizontally to the wagon...ie.....pushing or pulling a few wagons...that extra pressure is enough to derail a wagon whose wheels may be slightly out of gauge.
    I think until the last couple of years or so, I blindly assumed that a wagon fresh out of it`s box and placed on the track would naturally be set up to the right back to back measurement.......I was wrong and I think it comes down to quality control in those far eastern factories that produce these items now.
    The same applies to replacement wheel sets, straight out of the packet......don`t assume that they are all set correctly.
    A back to back gauge is a good investment and can save a lot of grief.
    These days, if I have trouble with four wheelers derailing , the wheel back to backs is the first thing I check.......and usually that is the answer to the problem.
    Hope this has been of assistance.
    :tophat:Gormo
     
    Last edited: Feb 5, 2022
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  7. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    Thanks Gormo and I have experienced that problem not just with four wheelers but also with what we now have to regard as quite expensive brand new locomotives. One diesel in particular was well out of back to back gauge and I fixed it with my NRMA gauge. It lasted about two minutes and then went out again. Finally had to remove the bogie and dismantle all to get at the offending axle. Rectified by placing our good old glad wrap over the nylon gear and forcing the axle into place. Has not missed a beat since.

    I am now 50% through the new video Episode # 8 and back to enjoying myself again. How you made so many videos without losing your cool is beyond my understanding. You missed your media calling I think. Like you I have been through a period of family issues that has required my dedicated attention. We are through the worst and now have a clear line ahead to use a railway term. I was better than 50% ahead on the new video but the last few takes showed up a problem. Not seen during filming but a section of my back scene had come adrift!!! Naturally those scenes were the complicated shunting operations, all of which now have to be taken again. Comfort was taken by trotting down to the shed this evening with a very passable glass of red and enjoying a night time running session. Naturally everything ran perfectly as there were no visitors present to invoke Murphy's Law.

    Will get back to the video tomorrow provided the forecast rain, barking dogs or noisy cockatoos do not hamper the audio.

    Cheers

    and happy modelling
    Richard
     
  8. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

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    G`day Richard,
    Sorry to hear of your family woes but glad to know you are through the worst.
    Not all my videos go smoothly.........re-takes often occur because of fumbled lines followed by expletives, and or you think you`ve nailed it and when sitting at the editing desk you notice some issue, which means back to the shed......or sometimes....stuff it....leave it in.
    Sometimes I think it`s worth leaving the mistakes in. The viewer ( sometimes a novice ) will be encouraged by the fact that even people with years of experience make mistakes.
    Good work on solving the issue with the diesel......that is so frustrating when it`s a new item.......as I said quality control is lacking at the factory.
    Looking forward to #8
    :tophat:Gormo
     
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  9. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    Hi Folks

    Finally completed Video Episode # 8 which covers the start of bulk wheat handling in NSW. Certainly not without its problems, the first being the need to install new turnout and trackwork which was covered in Video Episode # 7. And then the ongoing saga of getting the string of light weight RU four wheelers to behave themselves during the shunting process. Success has been achieved but it required detailed attention to back to back wheel gauge and kadee coupler height, both of which had to be perfect. Weight also needed individual modification along the way as the RUs are a mixture of RTR Trainorama and Casula Hobbies kits ( real fun with the kits installing all the steps and hand rails) Anyway it is finished and I hope you find it worthwhile.





    Cheers

    and happy modelling

    Richard
     
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  10. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

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    One word Richard.......Excellent ...:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:
    The wagons look terrific and shunt well and the video is a first class production.
    There are a good many, who inhabit YouTube, that would be well advised to watch your video if they wish to learn how video production should be done.
    Pretty to watch.
    :tophat:Gormo
     
  11. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    Thanks Gormo
    And a big thanks to my collaborator JollyOlly who loves mucking around with videos. We make a good team.

    That was a difficult one but the next few should be a bit easier as the rolling stock starts to enter a more modern era.

    Cheers

    and happy modelling

    Richard
     
  12. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    Please refer to a separate thread....Dargan Disaster for an update. I do not want that phase on this thread which is a happy one.

    Cheers

    and happy modelling

    Richard
     
  13. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

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    :thumbs:
    Gormo
     
  14. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    Good video Richard. I'm guessing the rake of RUs are from the Silvermaz range (Casula Hobbies) ??

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  15. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    Thanks Gary
    Most are the Silvermaz range but there are a few of the hard to track down Trainorama models. Either way they both needed a fair bit of fine tuning to be able to shunt without any problems.

    Cheers

    and happy modelling

    Richard
     
  16. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    Hi Folks

    Project Update #23

    The final episode of "Dargan Restoration" was completed last week when the roof contractors arrived. Temporary solutions were removed and the whole roof, fascias and gutters have been replaced with nice new Colorbond. The offending trees have been consigned to the firewood stack. So now onto the fun of regular modelling and running trains!

    The Dargan Restoration thread was completed with the commissioning of the new round house. Since then, the workers have returned to the site complete with high viz vests and are getting on with the job. The first few trees and foreground greenery have been completed as well as the base of the turntable. I think the base area needs a few old beer cans but Gary has found some bottles which probably suits the era better. Next will be the asphalting of the roundhouse when the 2mm black neoprene sheets arrive. This is what I have used for level
    crossings and it works well.

    IMG_2246.jpg IMG_2248.jpg IMG_2249.jpg IMG_2250.jpg IMG_2245.jpg IMG_2242.jpg

    Cheers

    and happy modelling

    Richard


     
    Last edited: Nov 19, 2022
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  17. Sol

    Sol Full Member

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    I like that un-finished roundhouse. :thumbup:
     
  18. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    Excellent video :thumbs:
     
  19. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

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    G`day Richard,
    That was an inspired decision to leave the roundhouse unfinished.
    You get to see an example of the frame work that went into it, much like visiting an historic home where they have some internal parts of the wall exposed to show how things were done in the old days.
    Plus you have a reason for it being left unfinished, because we still have the builders and there equipment onsite.......a really good idea for a cameo....:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:
    This is what makes a model railway interesting to look at.
    :tophat:Gormo
     
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  20. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    Thanks Gormo
    For all of my scratch built structures, I use the same approach where I try to create a scale framework as the skeleton and then progress from there. This way, it just seems like I have built a miniature version of the real thing but then I cover it up with the external skin and only see the internals when I lift them up for cleaning. A bit like doing some neat drainage plumbing around the house then filling in the hole! But following a suggestion on the PFM1 facebook page that I leave some part unfinished so it could be seen and appreciated, I decided yes but I needed a story line to cover it and hence the work in progress with crane and workers. Hard to now think of another excuse for future buildings but time will tell. Perhaps a variation on your ruined castle theme could be a possibility?

    Cheers

    and happy modelling

    Richard
     
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