Large Scale Central

Quick run at TARR

Electronics Live Steam
#1

I had to go across Alligator Alley to collect the wife from MIA, so I took the opportunity to drop in at the Tradewinds & Atlantic RR in Tradewinds Park. They have a nice big G-1 layout, as well as a fine 7.5" gauge ride-on around the lake. It was Wednesday afternoon, so no-one was there, except me and Jon, who dropped by to see how I was doing.

I was doing just fine. The new De-Winton with its 7/8ths scale driver puttered around the track.

(When the sun went in, my phone had problems - it really wasn’t as gloomy as that pic suggests!)

Here in FL we don’t get to make snowy photos - here’s the De Winton cooling down.

Then I got out EBT #7, a back-dated Accucraft C-19, which hadn’t seen any track time since last time I visited Coconut Grove. Due to the strong wind, I elected not to unpack my wooden hopper - the superstructure is balsa and has a bit of windage, as we say in the boating biz.

I lightened this photo to reflect the adundant light - it was only 4pm.

One final shot, with the white thingies that have appeared since my last visit. No idea what they are for - Jon didn’t know either!

Enjoy!

#2

Thanks for ther pics. Locos look nice. Looks like a nice RR also. Later RJD

#3

Open air?

Playing trains?

STEAM trains?

What’s not to love?

Best

tac, ig, ken the GFT & The Grafham Water Boys

#4

Pete, I love that De Winton;)

#5

Ron Tremblay said:

Pete, I love that De Winton;)

The driver is pretty neat too!

#6

Yes Pete the driver is nice, he would look nice in any one of my live steamers. must cost a pretty penny though.

#7

Ron Tremblay said:

Yes Pete the driver is nice, he would look nice in any one of my live steamers. must cost a pretty penny though.

If you buy him painted, it is pricey. But I think unpainted he is only $15-20.

#8

They are here…Not only 7/8ths either.

http://www.robbennett.org/seveneigthsfigures.html

(by the way…any reference to “fag” in the captions refers to the UK slang term for cigarette!!..)

#9

Thanks for the info guys. but does any one sell them in the states? Regards,Ron

#10

Ron Tremblay said:

Thanks for the info guys. but does any one sell them in the states? Regards,Ron

Not sure,but send him an e mail…the postage cost should not be a great deal. I post aeromodel lighting to the US and a 10 x 6" bubble envelope costs about $7 airmail. Of course. IF he packs in a box the cost escalates as here they now charge for size and weight as opposed to just weight and destination as previously.

#11

Rob Bennett made me a figure of my grandfather, Sam, overnight. I emole him a photograph, and got the figure the next afternoon. You can see him driving the loco named after him on my YouTube channel - tac’s trains Accucraft Edrig .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAWNAYbMAVo

He is fast, and not expensive, particularly for a one-off custom figure.

His work dominates the world of 16mm and 7/8th here in UK - one famous exhibition layout, based on the Darjeeling & Himalayan Railway, has about 300 of his figures, mostly ‘natives’.

I cannot recommend him enough, AND he’s a great guy too, as well as a forthright advocate of the ever-growing 7/8th format.

tac, ig, ken the GFT & The Maelor Hospital Workshop Boys

#12

Ron Tremblay said:

Thanks for the info guys. but does any one sell them in the states? Regards,Ron

No. He is not a factory, but one man, making each figure by hand. No dealers - hence his prices are only what HE wants them to be.

We’ll be coming over to OR later in the year, if any of you want anything that I can bring with me and save the mail costs.

tac
Ottawa Valley GRS

#13

Thanks Tac, I just love the way they have there own personality.

#14

Tac.

Ring up Rob and tell him Noel is still waiting for his 7/8ths Ventilator castings. Already paid for a couple of months ago.

Noel in Snow Bound NE Maryland USA

#15

Hi, Noel. Will do, but it’s still Sunday here, and a man needs a day off!

tac
Ottawa Valley GRS

#16

Great pictures Pete. Looks like you are having fun.

#17

I’ve had a somewhat different experience with an order from Rob Bennett for several 16mm figures (some of his standard driver figures, not special order). Ordered and paid for them back in June/July 2013 and still have not received them. Numerous emails (some of which Rob has responded to) have not resulted in delivery to me. Promises, promises from Rob, but no action.

I am not well known in the GR world, nor do I post much on the various forums. I do not like to air grievances “in public” and until this time I have not stated anything except to Rob himself. I am not disparaging Rob Bennett – his modeling and support of 16mm and 7/8ths is top notch, as tac says, and I love his figures – just relating my experience.

Greg Monroe

Boulder, CO

#18

Good pics, Pete, in your opening post.

Regarding the figure. He has been shown on a Forum , maybe here, recently. It is, I am pretty sure, a representation of the late Fred Dibnah.

There is only one thing wrong, as far as I can see, with the figure. Fred was very much a ‘hands on’ type of man. There is no way he would be on a loco footplate without either his hand(s) on a valve, regulator or just simply holding a shovel ready to stoke the boiler.

For anyone unfamiliar with Fred and his fame, this resulted from his passion with steam rollers, traction engines and anything that required steam to make it work.

He first came on to UK tv when he was a steeplejack and was demolishing cotton mill factory chimneys in north western England but of course his passion for all things steam soon came to the fore. His tv programmes were entertaining and very factual. He brought the world of steam engines, of all types, their associated industries and his humour to an new audience. He gained a knighthood from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and managed three of marriages. It seems that not all women take to being railroad widows.

#19

Thanks TAC

Yes a man needs a day off. Sunday here now…Think I need a nap.

LOL

Noel

#20

Alan Lott said:

He gained a knighthood from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and managed a couple of marriages.

Sorry Alan…

Fred was never Knighted by the Queen.

He was awarded the MBE however.