The Final Track Pin

I have completed the track laying on the narrow gauge side of the 'test track' layout.

The final section was a couple of sidings into the shed area, for which I had to raid Himself's stash of joiners for the handful I was missing.

It's strange to think that it's exactly a year since my son received his first proper 'train set' for Christmas and now I have a permanent layout in my home for the first time in more than thirty years.

Its *ahem* just for testing, of course, but I've found there are a surprising number things that require testing on a regular basis, and it's a burden I am willing to bear....

The locomotive in the pictures is the only one I have to hand to pose a couple of shots that emphasis the diminutive size of the smallest 009 locos, even though they are to the same scale as the standard gauge ones.

It was purchases a few months ago to use as a donor for its Minitrains F&C outside frame chassis.

I have a idea for a couple of locomotives for the 'test track' using the aforementioned chassis and a 3D printed body designed in the Alps - I will tease you with that and you can try and guess what I have in mind.

Slide Bars

Himself has been working on fitting the new cylinders, slidebars and crossheads to the Minitrains chassis on our Robex Lilla.

He told me there were a few adaptations required, but then we never had time for him to actually explain to me what they were, so you'll just have to look at the pretty pictures instead.

I've yet to see it run but from what Himself tells me it is sensationally back-heavy which is obvious from the position of the motor which is positioned vertically in the cab area,

Fortunately for us there is a lot of space inside the saddle tank, and even the smokebox which can be stuffed with weight, which as well as stopping it doing wheelies every time it moves should also do wonders for its tractive effort.