The SCGR - "Perchance it is not dead, but merely sleepeth (under a ton of ivy)"

Hi all,

First off, for those more recent members of this august forum, I should introduce myself and explain that but a few years ago I was almost permanently camped on these pages. If you've a care to sift through some of the older posts, it will be apparent that I did have a fairly active, if not that large, outdoor layout.

The simple fact is, that an unfortunate combination of a lack of free time, some of the worst weather in my memory, and indeed my various infirmities made it increasingly difficult to get trains running and keep them that way. So it has been that the last time the Scampington & Chipside saw any service at all was back in 2010. The last time I even took any photos of it was 2011... until this weekend.

A rather sorry sight, I would freely admit:

https://s211.photobucket.com/user/clive_t/slideshow/G%20Scale%20Railways/SCGR%20Archives/2014

However, it's true to say that events have a habit of overtaking me (as I suppose is the case for most of us) - in mid November last year I was fortunate enough to acquire one of these:



My first grandson.

It didn't take long before gentle (and some not-so-gentle) hints were being dropped regarding the restoration of the SCGR to its former glory; specifically, that I should 'extract a digit' and get on with it. I did point out that it was not the ideal time of year to be doing such things, particularly in view of the large expanse of water where the garden should have been. Furthermore, given that said grandson was due for a dunk in the font in February, it fell to me to make a christening cake topper on a theme of Mr Disney's 'Finding Nemo' film - with not a lot of time in which to deliver on my rather rash promise. But, that's all done now, and who knows, with a reasonable span of warmer weather, some new joints in my shoulder/elbow/knee and a flamethrower to remove the ivy, we could be in business... I guess you could say that in just taking the photos, I've already taken the first faltering steps down that road.

Cheers

Dense jungle, we would all agree. Steady, the buffs, and out with the strimmer, or perhaps the opening scene to Apocalypse Now Redux, although napalm is technically forbidden according to several international treaties. The end justifies the means, etc. etc.

P.S. Blimey. Just seem that we´re practically the same age. Have to have serious talk with daughter ....

Hi Clive
Happy to have news and to see you here again.

Great to see you back Clive and good luck with the second generation train enthusiast.

The SCGR looks damn realistic in places. The 'tin can' buildings are even better now than before!

I´ve just realised what the slideshow reminds me of. I have a DVD somewhere which show the last days of the Tal-y-llyn: Unknowingly, you have recreated it. I´d be careful that someone doesn´t slap a preservation order on it.

Thanks chaps, he's only 5 months old and already he loves trains although he doesn't realise it yet of course!

On the subject of slide-shows, and not really to do with trains, I took a bunch of photos of the making of the aforementioned 'Nemo' cake-topper. Quite lengthy, but my daughter and son-in-law were quite pleased with the result:

https://s211.photobucket.com/user/clive_t/slideshow/Non%20Train/Cake%20Topper%202

I guess all the endless hacking of Preisser figures was a useful exercise after all!

clive_t wrote:

Thanks chaps, he's only 5 months old and already he loves trains although he doesn't realise it yet of course!

On the subject of slide-shows, and not really to do with trains, I took a bunch of photos of the making of the aforementioned 'Nemo' cake-topper. Quite lengthy, but my daughter and son-in-law were quite pleased with the result:

https://s211.photobucket.com/user/clive_t/slideshow/Non%20Train/Cake%20Topper%202

I guess all the endless hacking of Preisser figures was a useful exercise after all!

Amazing show and tell slideshow! I was wondering what I should be doing on the K&NWLR, but I´m afraid Nemo isn´t going to get a look-in.

I would agree - that's amazing ! No wonder you are good at making figures....

Welcome back Clive, wonderful to see you again!

Your railway isn't overgrown, just developed a bit of character that's all.

Kind of the SCGR meets Tolkien 

GWhizz wrote:

Welcome back Clive, wonderful to see you again!

Your railway isn't overgrown, just developed a bit of character that's all.

Kind of the SCGR meets Tolkien 

 

More like SCGR meets Jurassic Park! 

Having surveyed the scene again this morning, it occurred to me that the biggest barrier to running trains (until the wall of ivy presented itself) was always the perpetual search for and fixing of the myriad electrical continuity problems - dirty track surface, dirty wheels, dirty skate pickups, dry joints etc - more often than not, I would spend more time doing that than actually running trains.

So, I think I will have to look into converting my LGB locos to battery power... if anyone has any war stories about doing that, I'd like to hear them!

*Edited to add*
Just did a quick search, and turned up this thread:

http://www.cgtrains.com/t806p60-rc-battery-for-lgb-stainz-some-advice-anyone

So I shall have to delve into that a bit more, but in the meantime if anyone does have some other advice etc I'd like to hear it 

clive_t wrote:

So I shall have to delve into that a bit more, but in the meantime if anyone does have some other advice etc I'd like to hear it 

The Lipoly battery packs 3 cells (3s) give 11.4 volts which is a nice running speed for an LGB loco.

I've used the two rear plug sockets intended for wagon lighting on the back of my Stainz, supplying power via a hook up wire from a towed wagon.

Remembering to remove the pick up skates and one side of the pick up brushes from the loco if you're going to run it simultaneously on powered track!

I get my Lipoly packs from HobbyKing who now have warehouses in UK and Holland so no more unexpected import tax surcharges and long delivery times.

You will need to get a decent charger, Lipoly packs have an extra terminal to balance the cells whilst charging.

The average loco so converted will run for hours even towing a 7 wagon rake!

Thanks for that, Brian, I will take a look at hobby king and see what we can do. I think, if I can, I would like to try and fit batteries into the loco body. I am not particularly interested in radio control, so hopefully that will make life simpler.

clive_t wrote:

 I would like to try and fit batteries into the loco body. 

That's a bit of an ask in a Stainz with its narrow boiler unless you invade the cab!

Others like the Kleine Dicke are ideal - loads of room in the body!

I think i'll leave the Stainz - mine is already in bits anyway. I think I will either start with the Spreewald or the U-class as I think there will be more room there. I would do the Corpet as it was always my favourite loco, but it still hasn't recovered from a stripped gear.

I was looking for some idea on pinterest when I ended up on some pictures I know :

http://fr.pinterest.com/pin/379709812305777526/

http://fr.pinterest.com/pin/379709812305777531/

http://fr.pinterest.com/pin/379709812305777524/

Fame at last!

Hi again folks, another age has passed, but with a bit of luck I am now definitely on the road to getting my line back up to scratch...

https://s211.photobucket.com/user/clive_t/slideshow/G%20Scale%20Railways/SCGR%20Archives/2016

Still a ways to go, but now I have 'slipped the surly bonds of business administration/working away from home' I have more time so hopefully a better chance of completing the mission.

I still need a reliable (ie less likely to rot away) bridge-building material, but I have some fledgling ideas on that so 'watch this space' as they say

Nice pictures, maybe you ould re-open your post about your line with new pictures on your work on it.

Hi Laurent, I had a look in the post history but I can't find my line's main thread anywhere. It looks like I may have to start a new thread and make some 'retrospective' posts to remind people - including me - of the history of its development.

After looking at it, you opened a lot of post on project i think.

Yes, I think you're right... no matter, I will open a new thread and post in there.