Dikitriki
Flying Squad
Hi,
OK, what do I mean by a 'shits and giggles' workbench. It is a term Steph Dale used to describe my modelling in this respect, and I embrace it wholeheartedly. I take it to mean a fun diversion, not to be taken too seriously, and with only a faint nod to finescale aspirations.
It's come about because I rather like outdoors narrow gauge live steam. My outdoor railway is to 45 mm gauge, Gauge 1, and mostly 1/32, so there is immediately a problem with gauge. I very much like the Ffestiniog Railway and the original NWNGR - all the heritage stock - which at 16mm scale should be 32mm gauge. So I have immediately created a visual problem with the gauge being a whopping 40% out. It shows, and knocks the S7 debate into a cocked hat. The stock is nearly all laser cut wood, and compared to 7mm finescale kits rather crude, so I immediately have to curb my 'detail' urges. How far do I go? I don't know yet, that's part of the journey. With the kits avalable, I shall be mixing periods and liveries, even railways, so that's another cross in the realism box.
But....but, it is great fun to knock something together quickly, and I am looking forward to playing with my only (currently 32mm gauge) live steam narrow gauge loco. Yes, 'shits and giggles' describes it to a 'T'.
First off the mark to explore the waters were some very modestly prices Line Side Hut Ffestiniog slate wagons. (as an aside to the Heyside Group, if ever there was a wagon for Clive to build, this was it) They look odd because of the gauge issue, but I guess over time it will come to be normal to me!
The axles are intended to run in MDF axleboxes, with no bearings, but given the amount of running they will do and the length of the circuit, I thought this a bad idea and added Slater's 1/8" top hat bearings. Quite how long the (glass reinforced?) wheels will last is anyone's guess. I haven't put any couplings on yet, but I gather a bent bit of wire and loose 3 links are de rigeur.
Richard
OK, what do I mean by a 'shits and giggles' workbench. It is a term Steph Dale used to describe my modelling in this respect, and I embrace it wholeheartedly. I take it to mean a fun diversion, not to be taken too seriously, and with only a faint nod to finescale aspirations.
It's come about because I rather like outdoors narrow gauge live steam. My outdoor railway is to 45 mm gauge, Gauge 1, and mostly 1/32, so there is immediately a problem with gauge. I very much like the Ffestiniog Railway and the original NWNGR - all the heritage stock - which at 16mm scale should be 32mm gauge. So I have immediately created a visual problem with the gauge being a whopping 40% out. It shows, and knocks the S7 debate into a cocked hat. The stock is nearly all laser cut wood, and compared to 7mm finescale kits rather crude, so I immediately have to curb my 'detail' urges. How far do I go? I don't know yet, that's part of the journey. With the kits avalable, I shall be mixing periods and liveries, even railways, so that's another cross in the realism box.
But....but, it is great fun to knock something together quickly, and I am looking forward to playing with my only (currently 32mm gauge) live steam narrow gauge loco. Yes, 'shits and giggles' describes it to a 'T'.
First off the mark to explore the waters were some very modestly prices Line Side Hut Ffestiniog slate wagons. (as an aside to the Heyside Group, if ever there was a wagon for Clive to build, this was it) They look odd because of the gauge issue, but I guess over time it will come to be normal to me!
The axles are intended to run in MDF axleboxes, with no bearings, but given the amount of running they will do and the length of the circuit, I thought this a bad idea and added Slater's 1/8" top hat bearings. Quite how long the (glass reinforced?) wheels will last is anyone's guess. I haven't put any couplings on yet, but I gather a bent bit of wire and loose 3 links are de rigeur.
Richard