Pix Gorge

More scenic grass laid there is a marked transformation from the last post work o the roadway is scheduled for tomorrow. 

Gorge us

Ok time to unveil Pix gorge, most of the formation and riverbed is complete and painted. I have touched up the greens that the camera picked up. The rock needs flatting with matt varnish and the “water” applied to the river bed. I propose a set of working traffic lights to control the single carriage way over the bridge.  

The J72 saga carries on

The J72 saga carries on; one of the new motors gave up after 20 minutes running on DC at only 6 Volts. I have resigned myself to the fact that the J72 is a pig and I will get one the new releases when they are out. To day I have a go at ultra low relief industrial type units to fill a void by Arelesworth Station. 5 units printed onto photo paper mounted onto 2mm card.

Pixvalley railway update

 A slight tweak with the layout at the side of the shed, and the installation of a coal staithe for the steam locos which seem to be in abundance on this line. I have finished the rough blanks for the terminus at Western Hill all 16 feet of platform  I have three stations on the Pixvalley railway left to right on the plan Western Hill next Rushmoor and finally Arelesworth

Q1 tender mod

Having checked EBay for a replacement X9221 Hornby Spare Tender Chassis Bottom I decided to cut mine to raise the height of the coupling bar. The photos are self explanatory the only thing to note is the fact I had to open up the fishtail so the NEM pocket fits. The result is the coupling is now about 1.5mm higher. 

While I was doing the tender mod I was pondering of making some magnetic coupling using 2mm neodymium magnets to make uncoupling easier. See sketch 

a bit of a downer

I thought I would chip Pug No2 brand new chip out of the box grey cable not connected ah rats more fiddly soldering!

And finally it’s all coming together

I actually got around to making an enclosure for the main DCC control box, while Stobart Rail attends to the river bank!