A spare and rather playworn Dublo 4MT Tank that is in the process of being refinished as 80135 (as preserved):
Different parts of the layout are at varying stages of completion. This is one of the corners that has had a reasonable amount of work done on it:
Work is slowly proceeding, with more fences erected and trees planted. I put two jacaranda trees in full bloom next to the cottage, the reason being that our eldest grandson loves the real thing. The colours of the trees are a bit more realistic than they appear in the photo - the artificial light has made them look a bit too blue.
Some photos taken earlier today. First, evidence of Sir Nigel Gresley. The three A4s are Dublo (Mallard and Sir Nigel Gresley are in their original Dublo finish, and Silver King is a repaint in wartime LNER unlined black). The Flying Scotsman is a Trix model (the later one, not the earlier AC one with steamroller wheels). The teak coaches being somewhat improbably hauled by Cardean are rusty Dublo originals covered with paper overlays. Dublo 8F meets Cardean (GEM whitemetal kit on Tri-ang B12 chassis). Looking towards the MPD and goods yard. And, last but not least, a Scottish themed photo, with Cardean passing a Highland Railway "Barney" 0-6-0 in a siding.
Dear Wolseley, Very nice. Your table top layout has come along very well, and is a great credit to you, and enlightening for the rest of us. Could you please advise us of your source for the teak coach paper overlays ? Regards, Echidna
Unfortunately, some bad news. They were from Laurence Hogg Productions and are not currently available, as Laurence Hogg passed away in 2018. I am not aware of anyone producing coach overlays at the moment.
Considering less than two years ago you were only bolting the base board together, this has developed into one very nice layout ! With all your rebuilds in between you have done yourself proud. Keep up the great work. As for coach overlays, there is a chap in the UK who has produces a few. Here is a link to his ebay page : https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/surfingtuskasurf/m.html?item=114252088028&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562 Cheers Gary.
Thanks for that link. I was waiting for someone to step in to fill the void in the market left by the passing of Laurence Hogg, although I have been trying to stay away from eBay of late, as it's too easy to find things to spend money on.
80135 has now been fitted with its front pony truck and trailing bogie (the package was mailed from Dundonald in Ayrshire on 15 November and arrived here yesterday!) and is running flawlessly. It seems though that I have ended up with a Dublo bogie and a Wrenn pony truck, albeit fitted with a Dublo coupling. I do have some spare Dublo and Wrenn wheels, so I could swap some over, but later, if at all, and not now. I fitted a neo-magnet (I have a few unused ones in my spares box) as the loco was running very sluggishly with the original in place. All I am waiting for now is a set of transfers from Fox Transfers, which hopefully will get here next week (fingers crossed). Here she is at the head of a rake of Dublo crimson and cream coaches:
Dear Wolseley, question - do you only use the Dublo or Wrenn wheels, or have you also used Romford or other replacements ? Regards, Echidna
Most of my stock has the original Dublo wheels, which work perfectly well for me, as I am using Dublo track. Some stock with Tri-ang wheels run OK as well, although a few don't like going through Dublo points. My Wrenn locos have their original wheels (shorted out on one side so as to aid current collection on three rail track) - there is not much difference between Dublo and Wrenn wheels, although I believe the angle of the flange is slightly different. My kit-built locos (or, in most cases, kits that have to be built) use Romford or Markits wheels. No problems there. A couple of present day Hornby locos run with their original wheels with no problems, although my Bachmann ROD 2-80 will need two pairs of flangeless drivers before it can do anything much other than adorn the engine shed. Trix are the funny ones. Their convertible wheels and early "scale" wheels should be OK, but aren't always good runners. Early Trix steamroller wheels have to be replaced before the vehicles will run on anything other than Trix track. Fortunately, the wheelsets used on early Trix carriages and wagons use axles that are dimensionally identical to Dublo, so swapping Dublo wheelsets for Trix is pretty straightforward - although you have to be careful, as Trix mazak castings don't like being bent..... In present day terminology, I believe (although I could be a bit out) that Dublo could be described as Code 110. Jim
They arrived today, so I might make a start on it tonight. I also have to apply some transfers to my Caley brake van, although the transfers I have for that are the old HMRS "Methfix" ones.
Loving this layout! I was a little late to the planet to have a 3rail layout as a youngster, but having read through this thread and seen a couple of Hornby Dublo layouts at shows (the last being at Locomotion, Shildon in 2019) there's defo something about it which captivates me. Can't quite put my finger on it, but I think it's maybe the overall unity of design and the feeling of it being a complete system, along with a certain honesty, if that's the right word, about its functionality that appeals. All the best Graham
As you say, it's hard to put your finger on why three rail Dublo has an appeal that others don't. For those old enough, nostalgia would play a part, but perhaps it's just the sheer quality of the product, with the use of tinplate adding the sense of a bygone era - and there's something appealing about having a small screwdriver and a pair of long nosed pliers and knowing that you have all you need to service the models - and models they were, even although their intended use was as toys. Anyway, 80135 is almost finished, and just needs a spray with clear satin varnish to finish her off: Jim
Not quite finished I'm afraid - I just noticed I have the 3 and the 5 the wrong way around. My next decision therefore is whether to fix it up or leave it as it is......