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#11
N Gauge Discussion / Re: BR (Western Region) Brake ...
Last post by Roy L S - February 25, 2026, 12:08:44 PM
Quote from: chrism on February 25, 2026, 11:56:17 AM
Quote from: Newportnobby on February 25, 2026, 11:50:22 AMJust checked and I have 25 brake vans including:-
7 x BR 20T standards
4 x Sharks
2 x Queen Marys
3 x SECR (1 of which is the Dance Hall version)
4 x Toads

Jeepers - do you have space for any non-brake freight stock, or do you just run brake van rides?

I had forgotten that I have two EFE Sharks as well as all the others!
#12
N Gauge Discussion / Re: BR (Western Region) Brake ...
Last post by chrism - February 25, 2026, 11:56:17 AM
Quote from: Newportnobby on February 25, 2026, 11:50:22 AMJust checked and I have 25 brake vans including:-
7 x BR 20T standards
4 x Sharks
2 x Queen Marys
3 x SECR (1 of which is the Dance Hall version)
4 x Toads

Jeepers - do you have space for any non-brake freight stock, or do you just run brake van rides?
#13
N Gauge Discussion / Re: BR (Western Region) Brake ...
Last post by Newportnobby - February 25, 2026, 11:50:22 AM
Just checked and I have 25 brake vans including:-

7 x BR 20T standards
4 x Sharks
2 x Queen Marys
3 x SECR (1 of which is the Dance Hall version)
4 x Toads

A right mixture of bauxite, grey and black
#14
General Discussion / Re: what are you listening to ...
Last post by kusojiji - February 25, 2026, 11:49:52 AM
Hadn't heard that one. I'm familiar with this one, though.


https://youtu.be/xwtdhWltSIg
#15
General Discussion / Re: what are you listening to ...
Last post by Newportnobby - February 25, 2026, 11:43:12 AM
Another band not getting much of a mention - REM
(not to everyone's taste, I know)

#16
General Discussion / Re: Dremel / Rotary Tool Sugge...
Last post by Newportnobby - February 25, 2026, 11:38:10 AM
Quote from: ntpntpntp on February 24, 2026, 10:38:17 PM
Quote from: Newportnobby on February 24, 2026, 10:13:54 PM
Quote from: ntpntpntp on February 24, 2026, 10:07:23 PMTo be honest, for cutting rail across board joints I would use a metal-tooth razor saw rather than a cutting disc in a mini-drill.  The saw is easier to get a vertical thin cut.


I would agree with Nick there, but only if the track crosses the baseboard join at a right angle.
The angle makes no difference at all with the razor saw.  Many of my joints are cut at angles across the join.

I know my limitations :-[
#17
General Discussion / Re: Dremel / Rotary Tool Sugge...
Last post by NOE 544R - February 25, 2026, 10:18:08 AM
Quote from: ntpntpntp on February 24, 2026, 10:48:14 PM
Quote from: NOE 544R on February 24, 2026, 10:41:59 PMInteresting! Can the razor saw be used for track already laid down? This may be a cheaper route given my only use for it is to cut track across boards.
Yes that's what I said: use the razor saw when the track is already laid, the cutting disc when cutting loose pieces to lay :)

If you DON'T want an isolating gap at the rail joint, insert some thin card (the same thickness as the saw blade) in the joint before laying the rail across and cutting.  Then when you remove the card the gap will close up.

QuoteDo you have any recommendations at all please for a suitable razor saw?

X-Acto or Expo brand.  Any modeller tool shop or show trade stand should have them, you need a set with a handle.  Just make sure you buy a set with a fine tooth blade for metal.

https://www.expotools.com/acatalog/Razor-Saws.html

The Zona saws  shown on that link also seem to be good.  I received some as part of my late friend's estate bequest, I notice my son's been borrowing them over the last few days for track laying etc. :)  Again, go for the fine tooth version.

Many thanks, just ordered one to try L.

Appreciate the help!
#18
N Gauge Discussion / Re: BR (Western Region) Brake ...
Last post by PLD - February 24, 2026, 11:57:45 PM
Quote from: Cols on February 24, 2026, 11:30:54 PMMy question is: were these through-piped Toads painted bauxite or grey in BR days?
Per the manual, through-piped vehicles were painted Bauxite because a limited number could be included in a fitted train (IIRC 1 in 4 vehicles), but the brake pipes and hoses were painted white Vs red pipes and black or red hoses on fitted stock.
#19
N Gauge Discussion / Re: BR (Western Region) Brake ...
Last post by Cols - February 24, 2026, 11:30:54 PM
Some of the ex-GWR/BR(WR) Toads were "through-piped", i.e, not fitted with vacuum brakes - just the hand-brake, but they could be run in a "fitted" train, thus preserving the vacuum's continuity.

My question is: were these through-piped Toads painted bauxite or grey in BR days?

Regarding the use of the ex-LMS brake vans, I can clearly recall seeing them occasionally on the Newport to Ebbw Vale iron ore trains on the Western Valley line, the BR standard type was also employed on the mineral (coal or iron ore) trains in the Valley, however the ex-GWR Toad did seem to predominate. Certainly, in the Bristol area, the ex-LMS brake vans seemed to be as common as the ex-GWR Toads, as was the BR standard type based on the LNER design.

Another question: did the ex-SR "Queen Mary" bogie brake vans frequently work off the Southern Region? A retired Southern Goods Guard once told me that they were rather jealously guarded and were kept to the Southern, "...as they were the very best brake vans ever to run on BR!"
#20
General Discussion / Re: what are you listening to ...
Last post by kusojiji - February 24, 2026, 11:24:25 PM
Bonnie Raitt - agree. Haven't listened to her for a while though. Thanks for the reminder.
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