Today on the CFHC

A quick update. The steaming area is concreted with under rail pit.

Zelda in position for firing up ....



Her carriages await ....

I have built a base next to the pond for "Domaine d'Etang" Station ( a scratch build based on Chamby, still awaiting completion ...

Here's a shot of the sidings area which is now going to be a goods yard...



As you can see from the temporary "threepenny bit" curves I'm still awaiting the track bender - sorry Mikey !

I called Jeremy at Dragon this afternoon, and he's still waiting delivery from Massoth. Bit naughty of him as I paid for this nearly two weeks ago, believing he had stock, cancelling an order with Modell-Land in the process!

C'est la vie!

Brian

It's fascinating watching these 'réseaux' come together.
Imagination and planning turned into reality.

And from almost nothing a few weeks ago.

I have a railbender if anyone wants to borrow it.

coming on in leaps and bounds now Brian!

Mikey

Damp weather and a day out watching Paula and John competing in an Attelage (Carriage Driving ) Event just North of Angouleme have meant little progress this weekend. However have built the high level raised track using fence posts, sawn level with a chainsaw, topped with boards (all materials I already had to hand). And bullt the lower descending loop from bricks salvaged from the old collapsed bread oven. And been having fun running Zelda around the temporary (non curved - still awaiting rail bender) track ...





I think somebody's in the hut watching progress !!!!

Thats a very neat bit of brickwork Brian. Gets frustrating doesnt it!

mikey

Hi guys

I think you're all well aware of the Rail Bender saga on the other thread so I shan't rant on about it here. I'll concentrate on the other bits and bobs I've been doing in the meantime amongst other distractions like the visit of the Equine Dentist Peter Smith to deal with Zelda (the horse)....

I mentioned the plywood box cassette system I've been building to run trains straight onto the layout ....

I've also been planting some trees - not quite as mature as Carl's yet!

Looks like a good tool for bending rails I reckon.

carl hibbs wrote:

Looks like a good tool for bending rails I reckon.

Horses hooves are quite good too!

But not always in the plane you'd like them bent

The trees mature very quickly. Many of mine are too close to the railway.....now!

Some great weather the last few days, but still frustratingly waiting for the track bender (six weeks and waiting).

Have however come up with a logo for the CFHC incorporating the the historic Charente flag, a griffin on a white and black ground ...

I've also taken delivery of three Pola buildings off German ebay...

The engine shed which happily fits Zelda and my Mallet ...



A watermill ...



And a very pretty little Playmobil house - looking very prestigious by the "etang" ...

Despite saying the r/c set from Carl was glitch free, the very next weekend, the second servo would start reacting to full forward on the first servo and firing the steam whistle unexpectedly, so mods were required.

So I finally took the plunge, shortened the antenna, insulated the new cab roof, and connected it to same via a couple of phosphor bronze pick ups and an insulated bracket. Result fantastic, not even a tremor on either servo and predictable response at 100 metres. Fortunately, given the state of the current finances, 2.4 Ghz not required!

Antenna pick up ....



Unfortunately had to scratch paint off underside of cab roof for contact ....




C'est la vie

B

the character of your line is developing Brian,It looks a nice place to live. Not sure about the parking arrangements!!

Mikey

mikeyh wrote:

the character of your line is developing Brian,It looks a nice place to live. Not sure about the parking arrangements!!

Mikey

Didn't you know Renault Vivastella's had VTOL back in the 30's

That's a good idea with RC antenna. How much did you shorten it by.
This can be quite a critical measurement when dealing with radio (speech) transmission....SWR and all that. I just wondered if you calculated it or guessed it.

I have glitch problems but not really with live steam strangely enough. Only the diesels, especially the live diesel. Seeing what you've done I might try something similar with a brass plate in the roof or bonnet.

I see your Edrig has weathered nicely and lost it shiny toy appearance. It looks the part in the shed.

carl hibbs wrote:

That's a good idea with RC antenna. How much did you shorten it by.
This can be quite a critical measurement when dealing with radio (speech) transmission....SWR and all that. I just wondered if you calculated it or guessed it.

I have glitch problems but not really with live steam strangely enough. Only the diesels, especially the live diesel. Seeing what you've done I might try something similar with a brass plate in the roof or bonnet.

I see your Edrig has weathered nicely and lost it shiny toy appearance. It looks the part in the shed.

Pure guesswork, probably about 150mm, I just trimmed it to reach the roof contacts. Got the idea from the Brian Jones site

www.brianjones.free-online.co.uk

I think terminating in the brass sheet the actual antenna wire becomes redundant, but I have no knowledge of radio electronic theory!

Edrig was just oily rather than weathered, she'd just had a run and not been cleaned up properly, and you know how messy Accucrat Loco's are!

I would imagine its the roof itself acting as antenna then? Would that have the effect of strngthening the signal (more than just a wire?)

Mikey

I had a shiver of fear just reading about aerial chopping, my old Flight Sergeant instructor at No 1 Radio School would have done his nut if it had not been all calculated beforehand, on a slide rule mind you.
But never mind he can't get me now, can he?

Been avery busy day today with Geoff's rail bender, but I've completed the track laying at last albeit loose laid and in need of levelling in parts. But at last I have sweeping curves so here's a few pics...






A Stainz- KOF consist hauling a goods rake on the high level whilst an E Lok ascends from Domaine de Tang


Mallet with the La Courriere Express sweeps round Coin de Peche


Mallet descending from La Peche towards Etang track maintenance department need to trim the undergrowth and level that track.

Finished just in time as Van and Mikey plan to descend on Friday for the second gathering within the CGT West Coast Chapter!

GWhizz wrote:

I've posted these pics before, but they show where I'd got to last Autumn...


I'm standing where the stream and bridge are going

Baguie the dog is lying on what will become the passing loop

Tomorrow I'll take and post some pics to show development in the raised sidings area

I hope to make progress over the coming weeks, I had 4 Cubic Metres ballast (for concreting) delivered today and Flexitrack and rail bender should be en route

B

Aren't those the standing stones at Carnac? (GRIN)

Best

Mike Ousby

deantwerpen wrote:

Aren't those the standing stones at Carnac? (GRIN)

Best

Mike Ousby

They were........