Recent content by Jeff Law

  1. J

    Mike Rowe Tramway Museum

    Thanks for the kind words guys Since posting the original message, I've fitted Micromark IRDOT infrared detectors to control the starting/stopping of trams. These replace the original none-too-reliable reed-switches. The trams now run flawlessly using the IRDOT devices - great! I've...
  2. J

    Mike Rowe Tramway Museum

    I thought I should share my 'Mike Rowe Tramway Museum' with you all. This micro ('mike rowe' - get it?) layout is due for some electronic changes in the near future, but is currently pretty much as shown on the site at Mike Rowe Tramway Museum Jeff Law New Zealand:wave:
  3. J

    Beat the high cost of On30

    ... and, of course, 3'6" gauge is the 'regular' gauge here in New Zealand. It is still in use in some parts of Australia too, as I recall. Jeff Law New Zealand
  4. J

    Atlas DCC Turnout Control (stationary Decoder)

    NCE Switch-It Have you considered the NCE Switch-It or Switch-8? The former handles two turnouts, that latter handles eight. I've used a bunch of Switch-It's and am very happy with them. See http://www.dcctrains.com/products/nce_dec_stationary.htm Jeff Law:thumb: New Zealand
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    Keystone Shay NWSL upgrade

    Yes, this is the 'broken' one, but before it broke! I've made the new frame from brass and re-assembled it to about the same stage as the photo. I need to get it run-in before proceeding. For your interest, here is a photo of my first Keystone/NWSL Shay (#1).
  6. J

    Keystone Shay NWSL upgrade

    Shay T-Boiler Here is a picture of my second, partly-built Keystone/NWSL Shay. This one is being modified into a T-Bolier, to offer a bit of variety on my railroad. It's nearly ready to be painted since I photographed it - the shaft drive is installed now.
  7. J

    Plank and Tie Mill

    Hi Ron, Speaking of Donkeys, I have an idea that I sketched out to make an operating Steam Donkey, driving a high-line rig on a pair of spar trees. The Donkey's motor would be DCC controlled, using a sound decoder, so that it could sound all of the correct whistles, etc. Is that getting a...
  8. J

    Plank and Tie Mill

    Actually Ron, that is the manufacturer's pre-production prototype! However, I hope mine will be just as good. The nice thing about these Backwoods Miniatures kits are that the etchings are done in Nickel Silver, not Brass, which makes soldering a breeze!
  9. J

    Plank and Tie Mill

    Take a look at http://www.backwoods.dabsol.co.uk/xhc2.JPG to see the pre-production prototype of the H-C. Mine is almost at that stage, complete with Umelec DCC Sound Decoder and Speaker! These locos were used on the sugar-cane railways in the north of Fiji.
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    Plank and Tie Mill

    Class B Climax Hmmm, the Climax, it was only a matter of time before someone brought it up! I ran into a problem a few weeks ago when, despite all of my careful planning, I found I had the jack-shaft (the transverse shaft) rotating the wrong way in respect of the wheels. Rebuilt the drive...
  11. J

    Plank and Tie Mill

    I built the same kit for my HOn30 Bigg & Orsum Railroad - see http://www.datamasta.co.nz/hon30/b_and_o.htm for a photo. Like most Woodland Scenics structures, it is relatively small and thus ideal for a small, narrow-gauge layout.
  12. J

    Standard or narrow gauge

    I model in HOn30, but have a section of dual-gauge so that viewers may see the size difference between narrow-gauge and standard-gauge stuff.
  13. J

    ho "climax style sideframes"

    My sideframes (as mentioned) earlier, were made to fit NWSL (Shay) trucks. I've just received some casting metal, so may try making some with that. If it works, I'll post some photos!
  14. J

    ho "climax style sideframes"

    I made a master for some Climax sideframes some months ago, and then cast them in resin. It's my first attempt at a casting, but it's not too bad, although I've had problems with consistency of quality. I'm planning to cast some in metal in a few weeks (when I get the metal), so will see how...
  15. J

    Keystone Shay NWSL upgrade

    I doubt that soldering would be any better than epoxy, so I'll use the remains of the frame to use as a master for a milled brass frame. I have a Clisby Vertical Milling Machine (see http://www.clisby.com) so making it shouldn't be too difficult. I've already made a similar one for the Class...
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