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rail
Rail
DECEMBER 2017
ISSUE
MARCH2802016
ISSUE 105
>
Incorporating GARDEN RAILWAY WORLD
12
The
www.garden-rail.co.uk
9 770969 952085
Ashford High Line:
A railway that floats
Issue 280 December 2017 above the plants
mountain railway
Publisher: Steve Cole
stevec@warnersgroup.co.uk Ralph Pitcher
Weathering: Getting down and
Editor: Phil Parker dirty with a Gauge 1 Terrier
phil.parker@warnersgroup.co.uk 20 a cheapncheerful starter GardenRail 280 cover.indd 1 01/11/2017 09:14
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West Street, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE10 9PH Next Month Douglas Roberts takes us to a steam up at the Butterley Garden Railway Association.
D
ecember signals time for me we are running The Cake Box
to wish all our readers the Challenge, a competition to
compliments of the season. build a diorama that will fit into
Hopefully tis the season to be merry a standard 8 inch square, 6 inch
but for most, at least in the UK, tis the tall cake box. Each scene has to
season to retreat to the workshop in include at least two railway items,
front of a roaring log fire and indulge in anything from a locomotive to a
some model making. tail lamp is acceptable, but apart
Some of these models on the bench from that the only limit is your
will be presents from Christmas past. I imagination.
know I have a few kits that have been Entries will be posted
maturing for a few years, but that on the forum
doesnt mean Im any less pleased to find and judged
a new one under the tree. by votes
Family and friends should be grateful towards
to our hobby. When the question, the end of
What would you like for Christmas? 2018.
is asked, we dont struggle for ideas. No This might not
socks or amusing ties for us. Railway seem like much
modellers can simply brandish a copy of space for garden scale
Garden Rail to suggest that something modelling, but with some imagination, Cakebox mockup and 8 inch square board
from any of our advertisers would be its perfectly possible. Small scale doesnt seem a lot for the scale we tend to work
perfect. locos will fit in but not all lines used in, but with a little imagination, an attractive
scene is possible.
With potential gifts to suit every mechanical power people pushing
budget from model cats (whos layout wagons, horses, all make excellent
couldnt find space for another scale subjects for a non-moving scene. Garratt Scratchbuilt over 20 years, this
moggie) to live steam Garratts (Santa has Since the competition was my idea, fantastic Garratt was running on Portmadoc at
the Elsecar show.
failed me every year on that one so far) Ill going to have to build something
the choices are endless. A wagon kit is large scale just to prove it can be done.
both welcome and easy to wrap up too! If you fancy joining me, head over to
This month, we have the busiest www.rmweb.co.uk and look in the
Product News section for some time Modelling Zone for the BRM/RMweb
my present to our designer Neil Cakebox Challenge area for rules and
will have to be a shoe-horn to squeeze inspiration.
everything in! In the meantime, a Merry Christmas
Dark nights and weather that sees to all our readers.
only the hardiest of souls operating their
railway mean indoor pleasures appeal
and whilst something for the line is a
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p005_GRDec17.indd 1 30/10/2017 13:27
LAYOUT FOCUS
1:32
T
en years ago I was attending a radius curves look unrealistic, and in The railway that floats over the flowers.
model railway exhibition and I any case smoke and steam and carpets
thought I smelt coal smoke. In dont mix: the natural home for live
a corner I found huge oval of track and steam is the garden so in 2015 I built and then pretty much disappear under
a live steam Garratt locomotive which, a simple Gauge 1 track in a small the ground in winter. That represents
whilst big for a model railway show, was garden. My particular interest is in a challenge, because I didnt want
tiny compared to the ride-behind live engineering rather than modelling. the railway to dominate the plants in
steam locomotives I was used to. Whilst I very much appreciate the summer, or to stand out too much in
This was my introduction to Gauge 1: super-detailed, beautifully turned out winter when the garden is dormant.
mainline (not narrow gauge) engines models that many of my friends run, Typical G1 garden railways are double
running on 45mm track. Since then Ive I dont think I could realistically face tracked affairs running on plywood
learned the intricacies of G1 technology, spending thousands on a model that I bases mounted on 75mm square fence
from simple pot-boilered spirit burner was going to set fire to and run round posts. In a large garden that can look
tank engines to water-jacketed fireboxes in the open. Similarly, constructing terrific, but on my small plot that would
for coal. beautiful outdoor models of stations be pretty ugly.
These days Im the one inside the track and infrastructure is not my thing. My Why fence posts? Well G1 engines
at shows, and I still find the spectacle of preferred style is to find an old unloved move fast. The scale is 1:32 and so a
a long train running at speed through engine, restore it to running order, and train doing a scale 90mph is running at
a reverse curve unmatched by anything then take the thing out and see it go. 3mph which is a determined walking
in the modelling world (real steam, real What I wanted for myself was a pace. If they start to run away, then they
smoke, and real sound: not effects) or simple, and relatively cheap, track on can go a lot faster than that, and indeed
even in the model engineering world, which I could test my engines, and on take off if you are really unlucky. You
where budgets almost never allow for a which I could perhaps run a train round need to be able to adjust the controls
detailed engine and a long rake of well whilst tending to the plants. Actually whilst they are running, and if they are
modelled coaches. the plants are the problem. Im a keen at ground level that is very hard on your
You would need to live in a mansion gardener, and my particular thing is back. G1 mainline tracks are usually
to build a complete G1 layout indoors: herbaceous plants and annuals that elevated to about 1m above the ground.
anything tighter than 3m (10 feet) put on a terrific display in the summer, (There are 16mm narrow gauge ground-
6 Garden Rail 280 | December 2017
LAYOUT FOCUS
1:32
level tracks with lovely scenic effects, then soaks up moisture again in winter, The garden cleared and ready for trackwork.
but those engines move slowly, and the levels shift. Thats why houses have good
preferred gas-fired technology is perhaps foundations.
a little more well-behaved than G1s Some soils are worse than others. For
traditional meths and coal.) instance, Salisbury Cathedral famously The reverse curve.
What I really wanted was a floating
track that would waft round just above
the flowers on slender supports. I dont
think my design is the last word in this
respect, but it certainly meets that main
criterion. It was also simple and cheap
to construct, at least by G1 standards. I
thought stainless steel and aluminium,
with a decking board top might do
the trick, but stainless steel tube is not
cheap. However, a few years ago IKEA
made a shoe rack with stainless runners,
and two of those provided enough tubes
to support my track, with one side
running on stainless steel shelf brackets
screwed to the fence posts.
I discussed the design with my good
friend Alan England, and in particular
some ways that I might arrange some
height adjustment. The problem is:
what looks like a nice calm bit of garden
is really moving around all the time. As
the ground dries out in summer and
Garden-Rail.co.uk | 280 December 2017
7
LAYOUT FOCUS
1:32
Meet the
modeller
The real source of the name though
is the New York High Line. This was
an elevated freight line that ran down
the Hudson River side of Manhattan
until the 1980s. They even punched
it straight through existing buildings:
the Bell Labs building on the Lower
West Side had freight trains running
through it.
Much of the rest of the line is now
an elevated public park; I like the
juxtaposition of technology, trains and
public gardens.
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If you are looking for the complete garden railway experience call us, visit us , look at our website for helpful information where you can see more pictures and videos of customers railways like those
above, find news on the latest products and enjoy secure on-line shopping. We understand garden railways and are happy to give impartial advice to help you get the most from your hobby.
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which could be easily relocated.
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I
n my last previous article I
mentioned I hoped to finish the
turntable extension project by the
end of the year. But why did the line
need a turntable?
I had previously constructed a small
16mm scale turntable from a Ford
Escort wheel rim and felt that with
more space available it would be a
challenge to build a much bigger one
that would accommodate a G Scale
K27 or my Roundhouse Darjeeling
B, together with four wagons. That
was just an idle thought until I was
planning the track work on the final
extension and wished to utilize all my
surplus track. There was enough for a
long passing loop but I now had two
spare points and more spare curves, so
I needed to consider how to use them
and fit them into the loop. The points,
which were 10ft radius, could only of the main turntable bridge. The drop blocks and concrete infill that would
be fitted into the new passing loop in frame cradles would in turn be carried be needed, but would involve more
locations which would be too closely at each end by a pivoting bogie that ran time being spent on designing and
spaced to accommodate another on the circular track. constructing two made to measure
outer passing loop, so after much Needing to keep the weight down, I bridges. These would, however, provide
thought, my earlier idea of a large decided on an inverted arch span bridge two very accessible steam-up bays.
scale turntable was the only solution design because it would only have to Me and bridges, no clues here as to
to connecting the two tracks. The be wide enough to carry the track, which option was taken.
turntable of course would be an all any other form of bridge would need At last work now really began with
round asset (please excuse the pun) in side clearance and end up much wider much digging of the foundations for
turning trains around. and heavier. Another advantage of this the block work turret. This was a 6 inch
design was having the centre of gravity deep concrete pad which also required
Design thoughts of the bridge well below the circular a drain underneath that would carry
The obvious thought was to just build a carriage track on which it would be rainwater away from the centre of the
larger version of the previous turntable. rotating, thus making it very stable. block turret, hence more digging. Then
I could utilize a 42 inch diameter there was the new section of concrete
tractor rim and cut it down, but that Work begins pathway going around the turret to be
would not be large enough, so thoughts The obvious place to start is the laid, meaning even more digging and
of basing it on a circle of 4ft diameter bottom, or correctly speaking, the shovelling. I drove several lengths of
track appeared to be the easiest solution. foundations. I estimated that I needed steel tube into the ground to prevent the
I was kindly given the track and it a 6ft diameter width of blockwork to concrete foundation pad from drifting
seemed an obvious requirement to have support both the turntable and its outer away from the existing wall. The tops
four two axle bogies, two at each end of retaining wall. But, should I just build of the tubes I kept to a precise level that
the turntable bridge. an extension bulge to support it and corresponded to a block course of the
Copying previous welded structures the two approach tracks, something perimeter wall. Thus the turret block
on the CMR, I planned to use a solid which would consume a large amount wall courses would all correspond with
20mm square steel bar for the main of building materials, or a simple turret those in the existing wall.
turntable bridge and the two drop frame with two approach bridges? The second After the concrete foundation pad
cradles. They would each carry one end option greatly reduced the number of was laid and set, (with my drainage pipe
Garden-Rail.co.uk | 280 December 2017
15
PRACTICAL
1:22.5
in the centre) I built the wall with the The turret construction
blocks end ways on, giving a wall width begins. To avoid the
turntable pit becoming
of 18 inches and the centre left hollow. a swimming pool, a
Every other block being used on the large drainage pipe
end curve had to be tapered which was was included.
quite time consuming and hard work.
The ground plan of the turret was half
circular at its outer end with straight
sides joining it to the perimeter wall of
the extension. At four courses from the rain water. Hence my initial drainage measurements being the same. The
top I bricked the turret completely over. work and the 4 inch diameter pipe, circular carriage track would not be
To bridge the 3ft wide centre void I which would empty into a ditch. fixed down but free sitting, relying
had built a centre arch of blocks, which These top three courses would have to solely on the outer retaining slabs to
was then able to support two lines of wait until I had finished the complete hold it in position.
18 inch long blocks. These I set 10 mm turntable. Until I knew the exact height
apart so that rainwater would drain difference between the circular turntable Constructing the
away, down into my drainage pipe. carriage track and the track level of the turntable
Upon this layer I would later build passing loop which the turntable bridge I decided to start with the four bogie
the ring of bricks, two courses deep, that had to join with, I could not proceed units, suspecting that they would have
would carry the circular carriage track. with the brick work any further. to carry a lot of weight, so heavy duty
Around that would be a higher level of The circular brick base supporting and coarse scale wheels were the order
stone slabs cut and shaped to the outer the turntable carriage track would of the day.
curve of the track. This would hold the have to be at the exact height to ensure Searching through our store of
circular track in shape whilst leaving it that the turntable track levels were all steel offcuts I found a length of box
free to move a tiny amount sideways for the same. It also had to be absolutely section which was the required width.
temperature expansion and contraction. level and in a completely flat plane, By cutting length wise through it I
Finally, higher up again would with no undulations, otherwise the produced a channel section. Once cut
be the outer top guard course of turntable simply would not function. into four lengths each piece would
perimeter bricks which would ensure The circular track itself needed to be be slotted in the sides to take 45mm
that no loco could ever plunge off the a perfect circle to prevent derailments gauge Accucraft Lynton and Barnstable
end of the turntable! of the turntable bogies. This meant gondola axles. These would run in brass
The base of the turntable was that the outer retaining stone slabs channels that would be set square on
starting to resemble a model Roman which would limit the sideways to the track (parallel to the sleepers)
amphitheatre, which at its lowest centre movement of the track, also had to and not the frame of the bogie. This
level, would collect a large amount of be perfectly circular with all diameter would be a simple arrangement with the
16 Garden Rail 280 | December 2017
PRACTICAL
1:22.5
common diameter all around. I then together. I formed the two bow sections weight, at least changing a failed axle
positioned their centre drill holes over of the arches together as an identical would be quick and easy!
opposite rail joins on the track circle right and left handed pair. These were I now had the vital measurement
to ensure an accurate measurement. made from the 25mm angles that I cut which was the height difference between
This was checked at different points and shut to follow the template and I the upper deck track of the turntable
around the track circle thus giving me used a finished one to clamp the other bridge and the lower circular track
the distance needed between the bolt to it before welding. They were then on which the whole turntable steel
holes which would be drilled at either clamped to the deck edge members that structure would rotate. By measuring
end of the turntable. If the end cradles ran the full length of the bridge. The down with a gauge stick against the
were bolted to the turntable bridge deck edge members were cut from the existing level of track that was adjacent
even 1mm too far apart or too close 20mm square bar and they, in turn, to the blockwork turret, I would now
together, then one side or the other were clamped down on top of a short be able to finish the circular tracks
of the bogies wheel flanges would be length of steel girder. This ensured that supporting brickwork at the exact
binding against their rails. In a nut shell, there would be no welding distortion. height. In the event, it required two
all of the measuring was about one basic With the main welds completed, the courses of second hand engineering
requirement, which was the need for turntable was freed of all of the clamps bricks plus a layer of heavy, slate
all four of the bogie pivot points, not and the lighter steel braces could be coloured, floor tiles that I cut to shape.
only to have an equal length of radius added with no worries about the bridge Before cementing these down I checked
out from the centre of the turntable deck not being completely straight and the levels very carefully and with double
but also of the exact length of radius in flat. glazing plastic shims placed and glued
relation to the diameter of the circular The cardboard template was where required (different colours for
track. Another measurement was the invaluable in checking the various thicknesses) it was possible to
clearance of the circular track and measurements of all the internal braces achieve a very flat and level surface. The
the ends of the inverted arch, which and cross struts. Two heavy cross beams, stone sections that would support the
naturally had to miss each other. Also if each situated near the ends of the outside of the circular track also had to
I got the depth of the inverted arch too bridge deck, could now be drilled to be cut to shape and fixed very accurately
great, it would contact the surface of hold the fixing bolts of the step down so as to not push the track unevenly in
the lower block work. I was now able to cradles - hopefully the right distance one place and make it egg shaped.
measure that the best overall length of apart. The holes also had to be exactly Next came an outer and higher
the turntable bridge and its track would equal distance from the turntable bridge course of bricks at the same level as
be 4ft 8 and a half inches! With all of centre point and also equal distance in the turntable deck, followed by a final
this information, I marked out a full from either end, otherwise one end of higher perimeter course that would
size template of the bridge profile on a the turntable would be longer than the guard against any engines going over
length of cardboard. other, which obviously would not do. the edge. As the internal brick work
A mass cutting session with the When I picked up the completed had progressed, I had built up the outer
mechanical hack saw followed, and a structure, for the very first time, I was wall of the turret using more of my
mix of 20mm square bar, 25mm steel staggered to discover its heaviness. engineering bricks. I had corbelled out
angle section and various width steel Worries grew about the poor bogie these courses to add some detail to the
strap pieces soon awaited being welded axles that would have to carry all of this turret. But the very top course needed
18 Garden Rail 280 | December 2017
PRACTICAL
1:22.5
to be curved on its top outer edge to when an engine was moving on or off it. The amount of time spent thinking
make it more user friendly. My sister With the turntable being so heavy it was problems over, did however keep the
had salvaged a number of blue half absolutely rock solid when moving an old brain busy, which will hopefully
round engineering bricks from a skip engine from one end it to the other. So, prevent future daffiness. I do make lots of
and brought them where she knew they for the time being, no track alignment mistakes at times, but then I remember
would be used again. I carefully cut mechanisms are envisaged. a saying of my father, The trouble with
them in half, with a diamond cutting clever people is that they find too many
disc, and they finished off the turntable Was it worth it? reasons for not doing things. Well I
turret with their nicely aged patina. Was it worth all of the time and effort? cannot be accused of not doing things,
It took many times longer to construct only just not having a precise plan in
The turntable in use than I had originally thought. The place before starting. On the other hand
Now the big moment had arrived, simple notion of using a circle of 4 I did not have to spend much money on
after all the building work, would the foot diameter LGB track seemed an the construction, the blocks were from a
turntable actually work? To set it on appealing idea at the time as short demolished building and cost nothing,
the circular track, the bogies were first cut over other possible methods of the steel was mainly off cuts from a local
approximately placed on the rails, then constructing the usual basis of a steel fabricator and my own time was free.
the whole of the rest of the assembly turntable, a wide diameter single rail. One unexpected plus point was
was lifted on top with the pivot bolts In retrospect, I walked into the the visual surprise element. From a
being inserted one at a time as the turntable build with a blind faith that it distance one can see very little of the
bogies were each brought into position. would simply all work out. But having turntable, only the profile of the turret
My previous, much smaller, turntable a notional idea and then relying on wall. Although 9 inches in depth, the
used a centre spigot, but I had been measuring, cutting, and working things turntable remains hidden, deep down
apprehensive about using one in this out as I went along, was always likely below the top level of the turret with
construction. With the track not being to cause me problems on this complex only its track deck being evident. It
fixed down, a fixed centre spigot might project. Because of the larger diameter is only as one comes up close that the
have caused complications, especially over the previous turntable, I had turntable reveals all of its steel structure
if it was not absolutely dead centre. In assumed it would be easier to construct. together with its accompanying levels
the event the turntable did rotate, but Having, a 1mm margin of error in a 4 of circular brick and stone surround.
I found that it was quite heavy to push feet 3 inch diameter turntable would However it is the thought that this great
around. I was unsure as to the exact be proportionately tiny compared to heavy mass can now actually rotate
cause of this difficulty. I had used a having the same margin of error in my gracefully and safely with an engine on
dry silicone spray lubricant on the axles earlier 1 foot 8 inch diameter turntable. top that I think made the whole project
and their brass housings that hopefully But, in hindsight, trying to keep within worthwhile.
would not attract grime, but despite the that margin of error on that great It was a project that, once it was
lubrication I still needed to push both expanse of circular track was always started, had to be seen through to the
ends at once to whiz it around like a going to be very difficult. The bogie end. Although it is now finished and
childs roundabout. In the end I built axles were always going to have the same will be a useful addition to the garden
and installed the centre spigot which tiny gauge tolerance unless I went for railway, I am happy that the CMR
could be adjustable if necessary. It did much wider and coarser wheel rims. In will not require another turntable. Of
not carry any of the turntable weight the end the centre spigot came to the course when I say finished, there is still
but just acted as a rotating spindle. rescue but it was luck not judgement the little matter of the two approach
The moment of truth had arrived, that it was fixed dead centre. bridges... n
would it improve the turntables rotation.
One spin of the roulette wheel so to
speak would reveal all resulting in either
much happiness or upset. The result was
much relief as I could now happily now
spin it around quite freely. With even a
sudden, harsh push from only one end,
there was just a smooth motion with
no hint of derailing from the turntable.
This was for extreme test purposes only.
Of course with an engine in place, the
turntable would be moved very carefully.
One good result about the turntable
being so heavy is that whilst moving at
speed the inertia would keep it going. If
I moved it slowly it wanted to stop and
I did not think that it would rotate at all
A cheapncheerful
starter 16mm loco
Bill Watson builds a Houstoun Gate Locomotive Works kit
C
alled in on HGLW the other
day, David had left the gate open
again, and I could smell laser
cut wood in the air. I looked in to see
a brand new body and chassis being
cut. This is HGLWs latest offering, the
body was originally designed to fit on
an old Triang Big Big chassis, and then
the grey matter kicked in and low and
behold a new chassis was developed and
added to the catalogue. GORDON
was born!
I usually have to buy my own
birthday present, so therefore decided
on an early gift this year, and after
parting with some of my Bawbies
(Pounds, shillings and pence to those
of a non-Scottish upbringing), I said
cheerio to Mr HGLW with a smile and
a little package under my arm.
On coming home, I downloaded the
instructions from the website, made a
cup of tea, and sat down for a read. painting with your favourite colours. axles driven, and with the addition of
One can press or twist most of Davids Remember to use acrylic paints, the some lead to give it a little more traction
laser cut parts out of the sheet, but I like sealer is acrylic based, and enamel paints it performs beautifully. n
to just cut the little pips with a scalpel, if dont like going onto an acrylic base
your fairly confident you can cut them The kit comes with a battery holder Garden Rail Resource
all out, if not just cut what you need for a pair of AA cells and an on-off-on
according to instructions. Its all very switch, which is fitted in the cab. You Houstoun Gate Locomotive Works
straight forward, and you can use PVA can wire it up as you wish, but I like 66 Buchanan Crescent, Houstoun
for a slower build, or break the sound switch up for forward and fully down Gate, Livingston, EH54 7EE
barrier and use superglue so the model is for reverse. These two cells will keep www.hglw.co.uk
finished in less than an hour. (Make sure your loco in power for hours. Please mention Garden Rail
you wear a mask when sanding the pips I added a radiator cap, an air when contacting suppliers.
off, sanding dust is not good for you!) filter case and a simple
The body kit is available as a separate
Give the body and the chassis a coat exhaust, turned item. Its laser-cut in MDF so benefits
of MDF sealer, once dry you can fill up on the faithful from a coat of sealant before painting.
any blemishes with knifing body filler, Myford lathe. Note
and then give it a light sanding before this loco has both
The four-wheel
drive chassis is designed as a
replacement for the now rare Triang
Big-Big loco chassis.
Summary Specication
Silver soldered copper boiler Sprung axles
Gas red, ceramic burner Cylinder drain cocks
Walschaerts valve gear Hand-pump and axle pump
Etched brass body 4 working cylinders
Lubricator Reverser
Length 40. Ideal size for showcase display
Buy with condence... Paint is applied using a stove enamel process and packaging. This is circa half the price of a one-
resulting in a quality, hard wearing, nish. o professional build.
With over 400 live steam models delivered since
2012 Silver Crest Models is now rmly established Hand-built to order... We have provisionally reserved a production slot
as the UKs leading supplier of ready-to-run large We are able to provide high quality at a great for the manufacture of just 50 models. Order
scale live steam locomotives. We are pleased to value for money price by building our models in reservations will be accepted on a rst come, rst
announce our latest release the magnicent LMS reasonably sized batches using the latest CNC
Duchess Class for Gauge 3 (2.5 gauge). served, basis. Production is presently scheduled to
machinery. Of course, state of the art production
start December this year with delivery June 2018. If
Ready-to-run... can only take you so far. The models are assembled
and nished by hand in the traditional style. Each early demand is high it may be possible to increase
All our locomotives are delivered ready-to-run, model takes hundreds of hours to manufacture and the batch size, but this is presently unlikely.
painted, and fully nished. We do not oer kits. assemble.
Your locomotive comes complete with a multi- Free p&p if you order early
tube, silver soldered, copper boiler. Each is subject Because so much time and expense is involved in
Order within 28 days and we will give you free
to a hydraulic shell test to twice working pressure. the production we only commit to building a model
against a rm customer order. Once this years delivery.
Choice of names and liveries... batch is sold there are no further deliveries of this Reserve your model now for a deposit of just
We are pleased to oer this locomotive in a choice G3 model planned until 2021 at the very earliest.
995.00. We will request an interim payment of
of names and liveries. Order early to avoid disappointment.
2,500.00 in January as the build of your model
No more than 10 of each name will be Great value... progresses and a nal payment of 2,500.00 in
manufactured. The LMS Duchess is priced at just 5,995.00 + post June 2018 in advance of delivery.
RAGLETH
REHASHED (Part 3)
Tag Gorton finishes his modifications with a look at the body beautiful
Y
ou too can have a body like mine lined boilerbands and other items we whistle itself. The only thing I would
and this article concentrates mostly will come across later, produce simple say is that a template is supplied with
on the bodyshell. The Ragleth is a rain strips for ones roof. This is simply the kit. Before one starts then put a bit
comparatively inexpensive generic model a matter of drilling four holes, using of masking tape on both the front and
and is therefore fairly plain as found - but the strips themselves as a template then rear of the area to be drilled and there
to me, this is an opportunity to be a little bolting into position. Once fixed, I is a certain amount of offering up to
bit creative. give the roof a coat of semi-matt or do. You see the whistle has to be sited
Now I will say right away, that eggshell for the reason afore mentioned. so that it does not conflict with the
I generally follow the line of least The most difficult job of the lot is to spectacle window (and we are going to
resistance. The lining mentioned in a drill the holes for both whistle and the do something with these in a bit), or
previous instalment is an example. I ejector pipe on the spectacle plate. This the safety valve bonnet and we must
could certainly have a go but even an operation is dodgy, partly because of the also ensure that the resonator chamber
inexpensive loco is not cheap by any difficulty of manoeuvring the bodyshell in the cab does not want to occupy the
means and, trust me, a bad lining job for drilling in ones drill press. If one same space as the steam turret. Having
is quite expensive to row back from. drills from the back then, if one does done this then mark and pop the holes
There are however, many items available not have a suitable extension, the drill to be drilled. If you have picked a spot
from a range of suppliers to customise chuck will hit the top of the cab. If equidistant from the edge of the window
ones new pride and joy. Be careful drilling from the front then the chuck is (without the brass ring) and the safety
however, not to hang white metal items very liable to hit the side tanks, thereby valve (bonnet on) then you should be
around your loco like baubles on a damaging the paintwork. Now, I am no able to drill with little trouble.
Christmas tree. There are only so many engineer and so I can only tell you what
buckets, toolboxes and jacks required. I did here. Remove the Coal Bunker
Lets start with an easy one. There is no need to go through the To set up for drilling, then remove the
Locoworks, apart from their slim-line instructions for drilling the holes for the coal bunker/basket (you will have to
Garden-Rail.co.uk | 280 December 2017
23
PRACTICAL
1:19
do this anyway later) and also remove shafts, then push into place
the Accucraft tank filler castings. Wrap perhaps with a drip of Loctite
some thick card around the sidetanks on the resonator shaft and
and secure with linen masking tape. He there you are a very neatly
reason for this is that if your hands are fitted whistle!
not rock steady and the chuck touches Next job was to sort the
the side tank you will remove a bit of spectacles. I do have an
paint. Better card than paintwork! The excellent spectacle kit from
hole for the ejector pipe is too close to Swift Sixteen, but given
the side tank to allow front drilling in the extra real estate on the
this way. It is also too long a distance platework required for
from the back and luckily, I had acquired this kit and the fact that
and extension collet designed for small I have fitted a whistle
size drills from the local Pound Shop. it made things a bit The basic
This enabled me to drill a very small hole tight. I therefore had bodyshell (lining
in the correct place. Unfortunately the a bit of a think. and coachwork by
extension could not cope with a suitably Normally I use the Berry Hill Works) is
prepared for fittings
sized drill bit and so I had to open out to spectacle lenses
but I have only
size with a needle file. This takes a while provided by ACME just noticed that I
but then my time costs nothing. Think Engineering and it had not yet drill the
how much all this would cost to have struck me that, if I got holes on the front of
done professionally! a friend to turn down the sidetanks for the
Locoworks oilboxes.
Offer up the resonator to the inside the standard Accucraft
of the cab and screw fix from the front. spectacle rings so that
If you have drilled really accurately they would actually just turn in the working spectacles. I rarely close them
then you should be able to push the holes I could sort some sort of hinging completely but they look fine when I do
whistle shaft through the platework and well it was easy! Drill a 1.5mm hole no different to my previously standard
into the chamber. Realistically you will top and bottom of the turned down trick of just turning the rings round so
probably need to do a bit of adjustment ring and pop in the ACME lens. Cut that the smaller diameter part of the
with a needle file. The top hole should 6mm (ish) sections of handrail wire ring was external. Mostly however they
be a slightly larger diameter to allow for and push into the holes. If you then are open because we all like to show off
a millimetre adjustment up and down set up the bodyshell on its nose you our work a bit dont we?
(dont worry you wont see this when we can carefully position the windows
have finished). centrally in the hole, resting them on Diamond Plate
To cover any adjustment filing, I use the two items of wire. Given that these I had already ready ordered a set of tank
black silicone fuel tube to slide over both items are not under any sort of strain, I front oilboxes from Locoworks and
shafts. These need to be about 6mm removed a strip of paint around where these went on next. Like most of their
long and an easy way to get sharp square the wire would sit, then permanently stuff dead easy to fix and a check of the
ends is to slide a length of tube onto a fixed the wire top and bottom with two photographs will show you how. An
bit of rod, put it in your drill press and part epoxy, I didnt need much. Once alternative is to make a step and use the
just touch it with a craft knife at 6mm dried overnight, I touched in the cream little sheets of diamond plate from Swift
intervals. Slide the lengths onto the two paint inside the cab and there I was, Sixteen to put on the top. If you have
decided on a step then of course you
will need a short handrail on top of the
side tank for the driver to pull himself
up. I have actually replaced the standard
Accucraft tank fillers on this model, but
I cannot remember where I got them.
What I do know is there are various
brass or white metal items that may be
used or indeed, you may wish to retain
the Accucraft version.
I do an otherwise fairly standard fit
Locoworks.
5 Bowburn Close, Wardley,
Gateshead, NE10 8UG
www.locoworks.co.uk
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500,000 SHADES OF
COAL - PART TWO
Mark Thatcher concludes his build of a Flexi-kit Gauge 3 seven plank RCH PO wagon
from Williams Models
I
hope you enjoyed part one of this
review last month. This is a really
well detailed model and will build
up into a fine looking wagon, but you
will need to invest time in the early
stages of this build to prepare all the
components, prior to assembly, if you
want a really first class result. There was
still a little left for me to complete on
the chassis before I could move onto
the building, painting and adding
transfers to the body. This is the part
I particularly enjoy as the kit starts to Masking up the wheels prior
really come to life. to the red oxide undercoat.
Fitting of the buffers into their guides
was a breeze. The instructions mention selfish lot eh? the buffer beam ends. After that it was
that you may need to clean out the The fact that the an easy job to refit the buffers, attach
guides so the buffers are a nice sliding solebars and buffer the brake levers, which have to be bent
fit, but mine were fine out of the bag. beams are yellow, meant I had to mask to shape, and brake supports. I added
The buffers have a spring, slid down these areas after a red oxide undercoat, a bit of chain to these, to represent the
their shaft, and are inserted into the and before spraying the chassis satin chain and locking pins, which may not
guides, being retained by a small nut on black. Once the chassis was painted have been present on the original, but I
the inside of the buffer beam. I test- black, I had to remove this masking like them!
fitted these prior to painting, and re- and re-mask the chassis, Looking at a reference photo supplied
fitted them later. I also chose to leave off so I could spray on by John Candy, who has been a great
the brake levers and supports as I could the yellow authority on this kit and
see these would get in the way of the colour. resource for the build,
painting of the yellow, on the solebars. In fact if it looked
you look
Bumble bee paint scheme on -line, you
Painting the wagon did need a little will find examples
thought, particularly, if like me you in OO gauge of
prefer to use rattle cans. For folks more this wagon, with
adept with an airbrush than myself, black solebars and buffer
this will also apply. The Derbyshire beams so they had the same
Carriage and Wagon Company, who problem too.
in 1936 came up with the original Next, I hand painted the black details
bumble bee paint scheme, obviously like the buffer guides, hook plate and
gave no consideration to the Gauge 3
modeller when painting this wagon After the primer coat, further masking where the yellow top coat will be.
slides through the buffer beam from half way between the V hangers and the
the outside, then I needed to hold the buffer beams, also on the solebar, and of
spring on the inside, whilst inserting a course makers plates too could be added
split pin to hold this whole assembly in if one wishes.
place. The split pin provided is overly
long, but even cutting this down, there The London Plank
was simply no wiggle room to get this The building of the wagon body was
inserted through the hole in the hook, very straightforward with one caveat.
as there was only 10mm between the Regrettably the instructions in this kit
two frame stretchers, and cutting the referred only to the building of the
pin down to say, 4mm would be too chassis, and there was no mention of
short to hold the spring! I had thought the body, but it is pretty easy. Before
of twisting the brass hook through you start any assembling, you must
90 degrees, fitting the pin and then thoroughly clean any mould release
untwisting the hook but did not want agent off the resin parts this is a must
to risk snapping the brass casting. do job otherwise the paint wont stick.
Fortunately, John had alerted me to this I found the release agent particularly
issue and showed me his work-around, stubborn to remove on this model. Then
which is what I ended up doing. I roughed up the insides of the side
Using a rotary saw blade in a Dremel, panels to ensure they would stick to the
two slots were cut into the underside end sections.
of the frame, which allowed a short If you wish this wagon to by an
brass rod to be inserted laterally in the empty, then now is the time to scribe
slots through and super-glued into some faux plank lines onto the inside
place. Next an extension coil spring was of the body, as the detail is on the outer
threaded through the draw hook and face of the part only. An alternative
stretched to snap over the brass rod. would be to add some real wooden
A box of 150 Rolson assorted springs, planking from a dolls house shop. The
costing a couple of pounds, is useful end sections fit into the inside of the
A handy tree is used to let the top coat dry! to have in stock. I then used a dab of side panels, and the bottom corners
Isopon P38 to fill in the slots, filled may need some fettling so they locate
them back to their original profile on properly on the frame. Four vertical
like the outer faces of the wheels were the frame, which put some strength body supports were provided. These are
picked out in white, although I chose back into the assembly, and touched up located on the ends of the wagon, and
not to do this, as it would look out with black paint. helpfully, two scribed lines are provided
of place when sat in my rake of other Looking at a reference photograph of to locate these in position. However,
PO wagons, as they dont have this the original wagon, there are a couple of without any instructions to refer to I did
highlighted. Apparently wagons often other bits of detail which I could have not know if these were located inboard
had such wheels highlighted for their added, but due to pushing along with or outboard of these lines. I quick call to
works photo, but in practice the wagon this build did not. There is a hook for Mike Williams confirmed my guess that
would not run with the white rim. horse shunting, probably around 10mm they go inboard.
long, which could be added to the left If you want to model the London
No wiggle room end of each solebar, around 2cm in plank, then this is best done prior to
The final job was to fit the sprung hooks from the buffer beam (a suitable casting
through the end of the buffer beams is available from Williams Models).
which sounds simple but was actually There are also two L-shaped body The stages involved in modifying the hook
rather tricky. The challenge is, the hook support brackets, which sit pretty much assembly.
Masking tape
now removed,
ready to re-mask
everything again!
Weathering a terrier
Real steam engines are rarely clean so Matt Scrutton add a bit of dirt to his Gauge 1
model with weathering powders.
I
n my quest to model the railways of
Colonel Stephens in Gauge One, it
was inevitable that I should buy a
Tower Brass Terrier. This excellent little
model is of what I would call a generic
A1X tank; with condensing pipes and
standard bunker/toolbox arrangement
(Isle of Wight and some Col Stephens
engines were altered to suit their
respective roles, having altered bunkers
among other things).
Before I started weathering the
model I converted it from 2 rail track
power to battery powered radio control
using the Peter Spoerer kit to facilitate
this. I wont go into this as it is an
article all in itself, suffice to say it went All photos Shelley Putterill
relatively smoothly, and the loco was
soon running happily up and down the the bright unpainted wheel tyre rims a blowtorch and some old engine oil
kitchen floor! and shiny coupling rods. Both were (heat with the torch, plunge in the oil).
As supplied the model comes in easily dealt with, the tyres being painted This produced a huge improvement in
several options, unpainted bead blasted satin black following degreasing, and the appearance for minimum outlay, and I
brass with painted chassis, plain satin rods and crank pin heads with a mixture felt I was off to a good start.
black or specific liveries (SR, BR or of grey, black and leather enamels, the The next thing to do was apply
pre grouping). I wanted to letter it colour being arrived at by referring transfers for the railways initials plus
up for my Ferndale Valley Railway to photos of real Terriers at the Kent numbers. These were generic lettering
so plumped for a plain black version. and East Sussex Railway. Great care from Fox Transfers, being red backed
When it arrived I was impressed with was taken to avoid over painting these gold Franklin Heavy font. These were
the quality and finish, but a couple of parts and causing them to gum up with applied and varnished using Humbrol
things had to be addressed immediately, paint. I also blackened the buffers with Glosscote, thinned 50% with white
spirit. Why use gloss varnish on a
satin painted model? All will become
Looking down on the cab roof. clear! I also picked out boiler fittings in
brass colour to lift the model up a bit.
After that I could start thinking about
mucking up this spotless loco.
The first thing I did was to find
period pictures of as many different Col
Stephens Terriers as I could to see what
sort of state they got into. As it turned
out they were kept in relatively clean
condition which I found somewhat
surprising; I am only familiar with the
WC&P engines. They went through
patches of varying dirtiness but on the
whole were as clean as those on the
mainline. Clearly the Colonel had
standards. I started by applying a light
dusting of Humbrol soot weathering
powders using a medium size modelling
paint brush. Now I implore you, this
is best done in the garage or outside,
36 Garden Rail 280 | December 2017
PRACTICAL
1:32
W
e are very fortunate as a group We have noticed and confirmed maybe telling you that you have
to have a permanent railway at with other hobbyists that it is often the wrong livery on a loco in a most
Bressingham Steam Museum the Mum with children in tow who matter of fact way. I recently had an
which any 16mm member can use if the are the most forward when it comes to 8 year old telling his mum all about
museum is open. To show our gratitude asking questions, the male of the species my Garret K1 and he was spot on.
to the museum for hosting the layout we tending to remain aloof and silent as Another member, who had no driver in
as a group try to run most weekends and if asking a question or taking a slight the cab, was told in no uncertain terms
more intensively during special events interest may be a sign of weakness. that this was dangerous.
like the Santa specials which the museum People are generally very Equally we have knowledgeable
runs as a Christmas attraction with their appreciative and occasionally we can people who will tell you where youre
narrow gauge Hunslets. convert one or two into the hobby. going wrong in a more vociferous way,
Running frequently for the public The keen gardeners (typically the and we patiently explain that we are
is a mixed bag. You may often not see wife) are quick to see the possibilities just a group of blokes (for we sadly lack
a single person all day, or you may that a garden railway present, though any female steamers yet) who like to get
find you are the only operator with a too often we hear that people dont together and yarn, drink tea, eat cake
sea of people to entertain. Its unlike a have the room or the garden planning and run trains.
dedicated hobby show as we are mostly authority would not approve, which For we have no committee, no rules,
running for joe public who initially we counter with using the permanent no agenda except to be safe and have fun.
think the trains are track fed electric like layout as an alternative. But we are However even the most entertaining
their 00 train set; the most common used to this by now. We do it for the hobby can wear you down, after a few
question is what makes the smoke. kids mainly anyway and the look on weeks of constant running leading up
When we show them that they run on their faces sometimes fills you up. to Christmas, we all need a rest. The
butane or even coal it blows their mind. Once in a while we will get a real locos need some maintenance too, along
But you mustnt make it complicated, or little brain box who knows more than with the rolling stock which we have
you will lose them. you, which keeps you on your toes, dedicated to the layout.
But it is also very rewarding. An
unforeseen aspect of the railway is that
we often attract families with disabled
children who enjoy the railway perhaps
more than most. They will also come
back time and again. The parents are
often relieved when we show them
that we are very comfortable with their
childs sudden outbursts perhaps, as
often they will be autistic and perhaps
not able to speak, and behave in
excitable fashion. It helps to talk to the
parents and reassure them (I also have
an autistic Child) so they can relax.
Theres something about little steam
trains which captures the mind, and
soothes.
I wish I could bottle it. n
Web link
Bressingham Steam and Gardens
A typical day at Bressingham. We steam up www.bressingham.co.uk
as close to the public as possible to engage
them in the practicalities. Please mention Garden Rail
when contacting suppliers.
Peter Robinson find a good use for tatty old Hornby O gauge models.
I
ve nursed the ambition of creating cuttings, bridges and embankments. A few My grandchildren range from 2 to
a garden railway for many years but shrubs and bushes planted along the front 10 years old and putting myself in
have always found any excuse not garden wall would solve the security issue. their place I know that they would love
to start anything. Although our back To spur me into action, I bought an LGB to see the trains running around the
garden is a reasonable size, it has too Starter Set, some extra track from eBay, garden, but not as much as seeing locos
many untouchable areas for vegetable as well as a couple of Brandright battery and stock tumbling off embankments
patches, greenhouse, runner bean frames powered kits. and bridges and disappearing into the
and a flagged area for family socialising. Many trackplans were sketched to use pond! This prompted me not to use
This leaves little space for only a small this space, trying to make the circuit electric or even battery power locos as
and quite simple track circuit; not as interesting as possible, including replacements would be too costly. I
enough to keep my grandchildren, or climbing crossovers, double tracking, looked for inspiration from back issues
me, interested for long. a siding and a turntable. This was total of GR and remembered an article which
My front garden already has an pie-in-the-sky rubbish! Measuring the mentioned using old Hornby clockwork
interesting rockery with a waterfall and garden, it was clear that even using track to create a disused mine railway
tumbling rapids that empty into a pond. I minimum radius 45mm curves, I could alongside the 45mm trackway. I already
had originally discarded the idea of using only create a very simple loop which had on display some clockwork locos
the front due to perceived security issues, wouldnt touch the more interesting and stock and I soon found some track
as there is only a small wall separating areas of the rockery and water rapids. in a previously forgotten cardboard box.
the garden from the pavement. However, So, all the 45mm stuff has been put Because I was now working with O
the more I looked at it, the more I could away until we downsize the house and gauge with its smaller radius curves, a
envisage an interesting track circuit with upsize the garden. circuit could be designed that used all
Garden-Rail.co.uk | 280 December 2017
41
RAILWAY FOCUS
1:19
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21-29 Chesterfield Road - Sheffield - South Yorkshire - S8 0RL - UK - Tel: (0114) 255 1436 - Fax: (0114) 255 5982
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From the
Trade information on new products for
the garden railway modeller...
If you are a trader with any new product,
then contact phil.parker@warnersgroup.co.uk
Works
Please mention Garden Rail
when contacting suppliers
Mamod
Summit Crescent Industrial Estate,
Summit Crescent, Smethwick, Warley,
West Midlands, B66 1BT
www.mamod.co.uk
IP ENGINEERING
Steel wheels for Binnie tippers
Hot off the press this month from IP is not a new kit
but something that many people will like in the shape of
steel wheel sets plus bearings for those lovely little Binnie
Engineering tippers. Not only will this lower the centre of
gravity and make for smoother running, but also provides a
nice sound when running.
Cost is 10.00 per wagon plus P&P from stock and IP tell
me that these may be purchased as an option when buying
skips from their online shop.
IP Engineering
Carousel, Spilsby Road, New Leake, Links PE22 8JT
www.ipengineering.co.uk
MYLOCOSOUND
New soundcard range
The range of soundcards MyLocoSound
have been selling for five years have
received their first major upgrade with
a new fast processor and expanded
memory. They are calling the new
soundcard MyLocoSound Blue, as
a result of its blue coloured PCB, to
distinguish it from its predecessors.
The steam soundcard is designed to
suit a wide range of North American,
European and Australasian locomotives.
Sixteen pre-selected whistles are
included, all of them adjustable in
pitch and volume. These include GWR,
LMS, SR whistles plus a host of chime
whistles from Gresley, the US and
Australasia. Other sounds include a
bell, guards whistle, All aboard, safety
valve blow off, live steam injectors,
Westinghouse brake pump and brake Both Blue soundcards are designed crossing sequence at appropriate places
squeal. The chuff can be set for 2, 3 and for both battery, radio controlled locos on the layout.
4 cylinder units including geared locos. and for analogue DC track power; A 10 TV remote control is used to
Similarly, the diesel soundcard is but not DCC. With radio control, select and adjust all sounds. A tiny IR
also highly adaptable. Adjustable horns all sounds can be triggered using the receiver on a flying lead is included so
include US, European two tone and transmitter function buttons or, if that users can adjust soundcards which
small diesel hooters. Engine sounds are buttons are lacking, can be set to trigger are totally enclosed within the loco
also selectable and adjustable and include automatically depending on what the without having to take it apart.
industrial diesels, EMD, Alco, English loco is doing. These automatic modes Price: 55
Electric and railcars with automatic are particularly useful for analogue DC
and manual transmissions plus optional track power where the ability to trigger
start up sounds. Other sounds include sounds is usually limited to magnets MyLocoSound
a bell, All aboard, airbrake release, under the track. For example, a magnet www.mylocosound.com
turbocharger and brake squeal. can be set to sound the US grade
Modellbau-Werkstatt
New G3 products
Gauge 3 track
64 mm gauge track pointwork either
RTR or in kit form.
Length of the points: 810 mm
03401 Regular point: Ready made
249,00 , kit 165,00
03431 3-track-point as shown on the
photos: Ready made 499,00 , kit
270,00
Skytrex
G scale oil drums
Resin cast oil drums.
38mm tall and 28mm diameter.
G3 A/001 Plain drum
G3 A/002 Groved drum
Price: 5.50 per pack of 3
Skytrex
Unit 1, Charnwood Business Park,
North Road Loughborough
United Kingdom LE11 1LE
www.skytrexmodelrailways.com
A Timber Tunnel
When Matt Bourke went out gathring winter fuel, he came back with a tunnel!
M
y girlfriend Erin and I were
battling the bitter Australian
Winter in the Snowy
Mountains when the requirement to fill
up our wood stock drove us out into
the cold. Making firewood with my
chainsaw around here is a fulfilling and
fun side line to my railway hobbies. I
was sawing away, having a great time,
when she points out two massive hollow
logs and quips, thatd make a cool
tunnel!
I honestly laughed and said No way!
then I looked again, and the old grey
matter kicked in.
We dragged them into the car and
carted them home. As soon as we got
there I unloaded them, fed a coach
through the middle of it and crikey, it
was a perfect fit!
So I got to work and started work on
them them up with the saw. Essentially secure the line. 30mm screws were then utilising stone from the Snowy River for
I made two cuts down the sides, parallel placed through pilot holes in the sleepers authenticity.
to each other at the width of the and driven into the stakes. This was I also added some buttressing around
sleepers. I then squared the cuts off to then covered in 5mm rough blue metal the outside, planted some shrubbery
make a smooth surface for them to lay ballast. This technique allows for a very and moved a couple of attractive
flush on the ground. I also squared off stable and heat resistant right of way, flowering plants on top.
one end of each so they made a snug fit. which my live steamers absolute love. For price (free), appearance (riveting)
The outside ends remained untouched Once we had made a final and general effectiveness I have to give
to preserve the weathered tunnel mouth visualisation I took the logs and laid the credit to Erin for this one, but in the
appearance. I especially liked this effect. them into position over the track. So end the team effort paid off. Thats the
Laying the track was next. I built up far so good, it was starting to come best thing about this hobby, creativity
a slight embankment to maintain a together. The next step was adding some and like minds.
reasonable gradient and placed the track back fill against the fence to give the Now for the elevated loco shed
for some spirit levelling and a string Line effect of a natural piece of landscape, branchline - Ive noticed a really
to ensure level and straight track. After a very important consideration for my attractive boulder just outside town
this I sank 20mm x 200mm dowelling garden rail construction. Aiding this that might fit the bill....lucky I have an
into the ground at 250mm spacing to was the addition of a natural rock face engine crane and truck available... n
See Website for our range of Professionally built Brand new R-T-R Locos, plus great second-hand electric and Live steam models
Accucraft Gauge 1
Wagons
RCH 7 plank Wagons, In BR
Bauxite & the Big Four
liveries - 75.00
BR Mineral Wagons, Bauxite
& Grey liveries - 75.00 Happy Xmas from all at GRS
PO Tankers, In BP, Shell, & Xmas opening hours: -
Esso liveries - 80.00 December 25/26th and January 1st Closed
December 22nd & 27/28/29th 9:00 - 17:30
We also stock Locos from December 23rd & 30th 10:00 - 16:00
Finescale, Lovelace, and Accucraft, January 2nd 9:00 - 17:30
see website for current stock
Gauge 1 Live Steam Locos Roundhouse Live Steam Accucraft Ready To Run
Dates and prices may vary Booking Now