Would electrical type nuts and bolts serve your purpose, Marty?

Expand a bit ddolfelin, if you would?

My only concern - well, 2 of them actually - would be that the ball catches would be too strong and clipping the cassette into them would de-rail the stock and secondly, because of that "strength" would epoxy hold the catch to what is actually a "flexible" piece of metal ?

You could look at the bulldog and aluminium angle idea Marty but don't mount the angles on the top of the baseboard.  As long as both bits are connected to the track electrically, they can be placed anywhere you like.  Afterall, they're only there for a quick easy method of aligning the track.

Thanks Peter, all good thoughts.

The "strength" of the ball catches can be adjusted, there are small grub screws to do this. However, I do agree with your derailment and Epoxy/ flexible metal concerns, they had occured to me too. Build and test I guess.

You've just given me another idea for alignment though, not sure if I can explain it, or, for that matter, build it but sort of a combination of the angle strip, bull dog clip and spring metal… (without the bulldog clip) by extending the angle strip beyond the edge of the cassette it should be possible to slot them into a locating mount on the baseboard made of another bit of angle and a spring metal.

Something else to build and test.

cheers

 

"Expand" OK.

Like most people I have a container full of little nuts and bolts that will never find a use!
It struck me that attaching the female part of the catch would be very easy after drilling appropriately, using a washer if necessary.

Frankly, I can't see epoxy doing the job long term.

Ah, got ya… yes, superb idea.

I'll add it to the list.

I do like this forum :lol:

edit: oh, and sorry, couldn't see the wood for the trees. :oops:

Hmmm, another option, sort of combines the angle iron and spring steel.






Sketch up drawing… thanks Matt for pointing out the wonders of this software.

Whilst that's a good system Marty - a variation of one that one of our members has already used (sorry - can't remember who :oops:), I still have my doubts about slotting the cassette into the sprung connectors.  If they're too slack, you'd risk losing continuity and if too tight, the very light "N" gauge stock could still de-rail.

The similar system I saw on here used sprung wires sliding onto side plates attached to the cassette base - far less like "brute force". :roll::roll::roll:

I posted a photo of the end of a cassette system, which would probably explain better than words, Marty, here it is :-



At our local club we used aluminum angle for the whole of the cassette, not just the end as the above shows.

If you don't use bulldog clips for alignment, take the word of someone with bitter experience and use small brass bolts. Its the only way to ensure accurate alignment 100% of the time. Any other method (including the one you show) will sooner or later allow mis-alignment and a de-rail.

Many thanks Peter and Jeff.

More grist for the mill.

Jeff, did you find any significant drop in electrical conductivity using aluminium angle? Is it worth using brass or copper angle instead?

cheers

Have you been waiting since January 21st for an answer, Marty?

Just to say I've posted some more Henllan reference pics. (they are in the Gallery but I expect someone will kindly get them out and put them on the thread).

A new arrival at Newcastle Emlyn - 7816 Frilsham Manor.

Ixon's Manor's have finally arrived in their new form.

Cookham Manor and Frilsham Manor have been added to the stable at Newcastle Emlyn.

Here's 7816 at the head of a down special passing Pentrecourt Halt on the way to Newcastle Emlyn







Tender mounted motor powering the loco driving wheels via a cardan shaft. Detail is fantastic. Bits and bobs (including Bob and Evan) still to be added.
She motors along very nicely.
The Cardan shaft is quite noisy at the moment but should quieten with wear.
She found all the dodgy bits of my track laying, had to get the fettlers out to straighten a couple of sections and now apart from one set of points stays on the track.

New locos with finer wheels nowdays finds dodgy track very easy - just like cameras do when shooting down the track.

yeah, they may be scale size wheels but they produce prototype crashes!!!

:lol::cool:

The manors look really smart Marty

I Forsee a future header photo there

Brian

They are very smart HP, should be even better once the extra's are added and she's had a bit of weathering.

Lovely model, just think, 5-10 years ago you'd have been pleased with that level of detail in 'OO'. [Or at least I would have been…]

I like the first shot especially.

Doug

Well that's 2 potential headers Doug because I can't make my mind up between the first and second shot - they're both really good Marty. :thumbs

Lovely,lovely loco……I wants one!!! I've got a Manor body kit to work on,once I've got the show out of the way,with the nameplates for 7806 Cockington Manor,but I would LOVE an Ixion one.I've also got a Grange that I need to get name/number plates for.
 (I can't wait to get back to building locos!!!)
Another header photo in the bag,Marty!

Cheers,John.B.:thumbs

Western Yeoman

A very nice present from a very nice sister, Bachmann Farish Western Yeoman D1035 in BR Green has found a home on the Newcastle Emlyn roster and is seen in the video working a holiday special through Henllan heading for the terminus.