Moonan Flat

cmcan wrote:

Hi Cameron
Toilet facility's No still the original one actually the first structure that was for the layout it spent a bit of time on East Maitland whilst I built Moonan Flats.

Rolling stock a few more items from my storage box and some others put away, plus I got a delivery this week of some new couplers as I had run out, so I can start fitting them to the built wagons waiting to join the roster, also though I would change it up so as to start with mixed freights that then forms a passenger with and then is split up again to be a mixed.
Gives a few more opportunities for interesting operations especially with the link / auto and transition couplers.

Operating session any time you like won't be a group one for a while, but if you feel like a shunt yell out I'll get some Stickys in for a crib break I'm home tomorrow night if you want.
Same ally's to anyone else that wants to have a night let me know and we will schedule.

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Ron wrote:

Stickys any sort of food that sticks to your fingers

Includes chocolate mud cake
Sticky tea buns coated with icing
Donuts etc
Really anything that can be classed as supper worthy

 

gormo wrote:

Sorry Gormo I forgot reply to this when you posted apologies.

The majority of photos I post are taken with a iPhone6 it's about 4 years old now and taken in excess of 15000photos so is due for replacement as a camera as if I compare it to Shelleys one that is the same but only taken a few 100 photos you can see the difference in the image quality but it still dose a great job of Train photos.

Now for something new at Moonan Flats
Something that has been missing and I could probably get way without due to the size of the display area as it would be in the non modelled area off scene in reality.
A signal
An offering from the Signals Branch on Shapeways of an accurate 3D print of a NSWGR bracket signal, this will be placed at the end of the platform just in front of the bridge providing a Main starter and a Bay platform starter.
The signal is designed to be operational so I will look at installing it with a set of solenoid's to operate the arms

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cmcan wrote:

Hi Cameron
It dose look big but when it's planted just of the end of the platform in front of the bridge it won't look so big.
It also doesn't look as big with all the sprue removed
I started building it tonight to discover a part missing
I contacted the designer, turns out it was missed off the 3D cad a spare, part is on its way.

Should have it finished and in by the Running night.
That will be on Friday 14th July, 7- 7:30 pm start so put that on the calendar

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Ron wrote:

Yes Ron the sprue that holds the parts and the signal post in transit make it look very bulky with it all removed and a light sand with a emery board it's come up OK starting on the roding now.
The missing part mentioned above can be installed last so lucky and won't hold up construction.

 

Ron wrote:

Hi Ron, yes once it's painted and a ladder and a hand rail fitted it should look good.

Working model,
Yes it dose now actually work just up loaded a clip to YouTube testing it bit Fiddly holding the signal making it work and holding the iPhone to filming it but pulled it off
Link
https://youtu.be/nCKMO0lj-pU


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An oldy but a goody returns to Service. 3074
Whilst looking for some bits I found a sound decoder that I had put on one side for a loco that is still in deep overhaul NSWGR 3531 that has had extensive Chassis mods to get its sitting right, work is progressing slowly when I feel motivated.

So decoder in hand I thought I wonder how hard it would be to sort out the Chassis in my very old 30class tank loco as it sat very high a result of originally being a 3rail Chassised model now converted to 2 rail with correct size driving wheels so sat 4mm to high at the buffer line. Turned out it was only a matter of adjusting the footplate with, above the Chassis Assembly by 0.25mm on each side and due to the tank arrangement most of this is hidden so in with an hour work I had the loco back on the track with a Jaycar 3030 speaker with a ModelOkits speaker enclosure installed in the boiler. The 3030 is 30mm X 30mm in size and produce great quality sound.
No lights on this loco yet, so only 4 wires to sort out
Will eventually get a firebox flicker and marker lights.
The decoder is a TCS WOW sound 101v3 so it's a couple of years old 2014 by the build data in the decoder so it about time it went in a loco.
Going to need some paint work repairs and some weathering but good to have the 30+ year old loco back in service.
Here she is in the platform at Moonan Flats on a set of cowboy cars. plus quick video
link https://youtu.be/ZmXeEiM0fOI

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Best laid plans Mmmm well

I was thinking I'd start the earth works to plant the signal today all it needed was a large hole drilling I had a few spare minutes before having to go to a family members Birthday.

Got the drill out, the dyson to suck up any dust then looked under the board to see every thing was clear when I did all the electrics I placed a connector block to terminate all the bus and point power etc and it was right where the Signal post hole was needed not 5mm to one side smack bang in the middle

So it's going to need moving and the wiring adjusting as it's all held neat in retainers mounted to the board.

Job for another day as there was no getting out of the family do even if I thought it was a good excuse not to go

 

Signal earth works.
Out with the big gun step drill for the 18mm hole required.

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After the hole was dug, It was time to test fit.
As this is a cork base I think it will be worth cutting the cork to sink the post base level with the ground instead of building up the scenic's around it.

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Thanks Gormo
You are right, It is actually very strong I was a little dubious about it being 3D printed as had seen a HO one knocked down by a derailed train but I don't think that's going to happen with this O scale signal the main post being quite flexible so if a erant operator arm or finger it should have no problems standing up to a bit of a knock.

A photo with a train in the shot and the signal doesn't look as big my guess is that it will look smaller once painted.
Shaking the paint pots now

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Hi Gary yes it's a bit easier the parts whilst looking very fragile are really quite robust

Some paint on the signal, its starting to look at home, no that wrong it's a Starter
I can't find my stock of brass ladders ?? Don't want to buy more when I know a have a packet or 2 somewhere safe

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And with a train in view for perspective

I used a flat off white, flat signal Red, flat Buff and Flat Black.
All Humbrol enamels

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