Ox Mountain Railway

[trammayo]

Well this little loco also stalled on the same point until I turned the power up to give it some momentum,


It also needed a shove up the main part of the grade (unlike the Stainz which had far better traction!).

Tomas was hiding by the lighthouse...


He wasn't really interested in the train - he's observing the extremely vocal swallow on top of the workshop. There's some lovely birdsongs to be heard but, sadly, (to the cats) they are equal to an advertisement!





The Castlederg & Victoria Bridge loco has both extra pick-up in the little box van, and battery power when the van is swapped for a truck...

 

[playmofire]

Maybe it's a point problem then.

 

[trammayo]

Maybe it's a point problem then.

Yes it could be - I'll have to do a continuity test to see if it's the point blade!

 

[dunnyrail]

Reason that I do not use 0-4-0's or even 0-6-0's is due to the running issues over dead frogs. Most but not all of my track has live frogs but one of my Stations has LGB R3 as does my Fiddle Yard. But I do find that these small locomotives also have issues with less than perfectly clean track on DCC. So I stick to my big lumpy Mallets and 2-10-2's that run with perfection even on dirty track. I guess that now DCC has mived in some Stay Alive Decoders would be the thing as would the Massoth variant for Stay Alive. But stuffing these in is an issue as I found out when I fitted up one of my LGB Steam Trams.
JonD

 

[trammayo]

I have three R1 points in the garden - two facing and one trailing (the point in question). I have some R3s which I was going to replace at least two of the R1s with. The only problem is getting Round Tu-it!

And yes, some locos have no problem with less that clean track, whilst others suffer!

 

[Madman]

I know what you mean, Chris.

When at work, I had (pretty much) control over events and planned my day accordingly in order to accommodate essential events - coffee, lunch, etc...
Retirement has seen my days reduced to a total shambles, where I just stumble from one demand to another.

And I get paid less!

And been g retired, we never get a day off.....

 

[trammayo]

And been g retired, we never get a day off.....

I agree 150%!

Well, I snatched a half-hour to test some of the points on my line (following the Stainz stalling on one particular R1 type).

Maybe it's a point problem then.

And it was the point blade on that and a LGB R3! Did some simple(ish) repairs with st.st. self tappers a couple of short bits of wire....

The Aristo RI ....

.... the LGB R3....


The Stainz was tested - problem solved! But not quite - a Piko R3 has the same problem! Doh.

Now I need some more 2mm self-tappers, some 2mm ring terminals, and some 2mm washers!

 

[trammayo]

I managed a break from non-railway work (trying to remove dandelions from inbetween the paying blocks) to sort out the Piko R3. I'd previously done work on the negative side but was wondering why small locos halted when joining the main line.

A continuity check revealed that the positive side was less than its description, Had to put two jumpers on both the blade and the adjacent rail...

So, for now, all is OK. A few pics of the test train speeding around......

Yes, the (head) light's on and there is someone in!

Then it was dashing around the other pionts - repaired earlier this week - without problem (well, no electrical ones!)...


The only problem I am experiencing is that the loco's coupling seems to sit 2mm lower than the rolling stock. Whilst bouncing over the points it seemed more like the express slipping a coach (or two)!

Just noticed the snail attacking the depot!

 

[dunnyrail]

The only problem I am experiencing is that the loco's coupling seems to sit 2mm lower than the rolling stock. Whilst bouncing over the points it seemed more like the express slipping a coach (or two)!

This is a good thing, what you need is hooks on both sides of all stock and no hooks on Locomotives with the loops 2mm (30 to 50 thou plasticard actually) or so below, end of uncoupling problems.

Not a Dunny original idea but from Dougln a persistent Operator like myself where reliabilty and non slip coaches are a firm requirement.
JonD

 

[playmofire]

Looks like the driver's spotted that coupling problem in the first photo, unless, of course, the train is running in reverse.

 

[trammayo]

Looks like the driver's spotted that coupling problem in the first photo, unless, of course, the train is running in reverse.
View attachment 223535

I must make a door for that side of the cab!

Tested it out in the trailer yesterday and no problems. The loco is quite a chunky lump really...

 

[trammayo]

Although I had cleaned the track after my last outing, I thought I'd just give it a final clean for this weekend's trips out.

My preferred method of cleaning (for removing tarnish) is one of those foam blocks with a fine grit coating. For general dirt, which accumulates quite quickly after six or seven hours running, I use the general purpose kitchen wipes.

The track looked clean....


The wipe before use ...


.... and after....

I used just three wipes to clean nearly 100ft of track. Economical and a saving in brass (rail)

I also use these wipes to clean loco wheels - very effective (for more stubborn dirt, I'll use cotton buds with meths or isopropanol). The only thing about using a wipe or a cloth on rotating drive wheels is to ensure you don't get it fast in the motion - don't ask how I know about the results of this misfortune!

 

[penylanpip]

I hadn't thought about using 'baby' wipes for lifting dirt from rail, Mick.
As you say, they will be kind to the rail and a darn sight cheaper than pouring proprietary rail cleaner onto a cloth.
As ever, I am only too happy to pinch other folks' ideas!

 

[trammayo]

I hadn't thought about using 'baby' wipes for lifting dirt from rail, Mick.
As you say, they will be kind to the rail and a darn sight cheaper than pouring proprietary rail cleaner onto a cloth.
As ever, I am only too happy to pinch other folks' ideas!

They are the kitchen wipes I use - the baby wipes aren't as strong (as I found out).

 

[GNB]

They are the kitchen wipes I use - the baby wipes aren't as strong (as I found out).

Trammayo I prefer to use a bit of old shoddie to wipe the rails.



As you can see it's really effective.

You're right about the baby wipes they tend not to be 'finger proof 'when you try to get into narrow cracks.

PS I've got a rare collection of baby wipe images if that helps?

 

[trammayo]

Trammayo I prefer to use a bit of old shoddie to wipe the rails.

View attachment 223974

As you can see it's really effective.

You're right about the baby wipes they tend not to be 'finger proof 'when you try to get into narrow cracks.

PS I've got a rare collection of baby wipe images if that helps?

Shoddie - by gum, it we'r a big trade in t'woolen district when I wor a lad.

 

[GNB]

Shoddie - by gum, it we'r a big trade in t'woolen district when I wor a lad.

Thought you might enjoy that, but not many others would get the reference.

Reet gradely.

 

[trammayo]

My Friday postal delivery was a bargain (to me at least) L&B coach. It needs some work - steps missing, smashed bogie, missing wheelset, missing footboards, missing details, missing couplings - but I wanted to test it out!

I took the bogies off JS coach, substituted the plastic wheelsets for the 25mm metal B'mann ones, modified an LGB coupling and we were ready to go! Well I would have been if I had remembered where I put the loco! About three hours later, during a re-search of the shed, I found it!

The loco needs some parts to bring it back to its' former glory but, what the heck, that's the pleasure of buying these cast off bargains.

I'm pleased with the coach as the body is in good condition (apart from the afore mentioned discrepancies.

Pics taken with my first digital camera purchased 15 years ago! It's a bit like an Instamatic - two focus settings, camera or video, simples (like me).

Has anybody got any roof top shots so I can identify what fits in the extra holes?

The opposite end has all three steps, and there is a broken one to model from this end, plus brake pipe.

LGB couplings..

No cowcatchers on loco - but unless my neighbour's beasts get into my garden again, I don't need them just yet! ....

And that's yer lot (said the gardener to his onions)...

I think the carriage was a bargain at 32 smackers. If I'm not careful I could end up getting converted!

 

[GNB]

Talking of the good old days in Yorkshire - thought you might enjoy this,..



Took me back, it used to escape into the back ginnel and improve the neighbourhood.

 

[trammayo]

Talking of the good old days in Yorkshire - thought you might enjoy this,..

View attachment 223998

Took me back, it used to escape into the back ginnel and improve the neighbourhood.

The old Yorkshire saying " W'ar than a pig in a ginnel" at least I can still knock my knees together!

They can be swines can pigs. I can still remember ending upside down in a swill bin. It was castration time for the piglets - I was holding them whilst the gaffer had his trusty razor blade and a can of udder cream.

Trouble was, the sty door wasn't bolted. Out shot the sow to see why her offspring were squealing - then saw me and flipped me over. Good job the swill had been emptied into the boiling pans!