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3 Foot 6 Models & DCC

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25.01.2022 A little update re the mechanisms. Each wheelbase used by QR is to be produced by us excluding the 1550/2400 and 1700/20 as they are done commercially. Each wheel base is drawn up and a dummy test is conducted to ensure the gears mesh nicely before moving on. This wheelbase shown here is 6’ - 6’ 6 so the class that this will fit under is a 1200, 1225, 1250 and 1270 class.... We have a couple of small hurdles to over come in the next few steps but, and it is with fingers crossed that I say this, we are getting awfully close to a commercial reality. We hope that your body kits will soon be pulled out of the cupboard and together with our mechanism be hauling the Wallangarra Mail or the Texas weekly goods. As always we will keep you posted every few weeks to show you where we are exactly. At this point may I take the opportunity to thank Paul Blake as he has jumped on board the project train. He has already become an invaluable source of knowledge, experience and guidance. Happy modelling. Stay apart to stay safe.

25.01.2022 Australia Post has informed me that a parcel from the USA is to be delivered by next TUESDAY. I certainly hope so as this was ordered on 5 June. Another step towards those mechanisms hopefully.Australia Post has informed me that a parcel from the USA is to be delivered by next TUESDAY. I certainly hope so as this was ordered on 5 June. Another step towards those mechanisms hopefully.

24.01.2022 Replacement valve gear fitted for a Hornby flying Scotsman. We video all repairs and message the owner when completed. Yes we do fix all brands of Locomotives if at all possible. Call for quotes.

23.01.2022 QR End of train marker is now Painted. Fitting set for Wednesday morning. Cannot wait to see the working end result. Stay tuned. PS sorry for the poor iphone6 photo. It is soooo tiny that the camera in the phone is struggling to get a clear close up.

22.01.2022 Missed last weeks Friday Folly but got it in this week. 1754D in workshops for DCC sound and stay alive work also received attention in the form of 4 ground lights as per the prototype. Warm white micro SMD and turned them down on the ESU lokprogrammer to a value of 5 which is about 1/6th of the power normally given to headlights. Why? Because I can I guess. Best finish 1754D off while my grand daughter is asleep upstairs.

21.01.2022 We have had to make more 3D printed gears to effect repairs. This time for Austrains T and Y class locomotives. 12 tooth , 2.4 mm axle, offset gears, 2.25mm wide We now sell them in packs of 5 (just in case a dud somehow slips through our vigorous quality control) for $12.50 plus postage of $3.00... Call us or send us a pm today if you need some. Also available at Aurora Models after Monday.

21.01.2022 I have finally found time to fix a real bug bear for me and obviously my customer. He wanted working ditch lights on his fleet of southern rail models 2300 and 2470 fleet. I have retro fitted two golden white LED’s into my custom made replacement ditch light boxes. Boxes have been painted to match the yellow used on model. I also re flashed his chip, uploaded correct sound files including town horn, increased the volume and re mapped the added ditch lights.... I hope he is as impressed as I am with the outcome. If you would like some of your fleet of southern rail models locomotives upgraded like this then call us or send a PM in messenger.

20.01.2022 No we have not fallen off the planet. The workbench is always active everyday. This On30 Bachmann climax had a split drive component so upon the parcel arriving at the post box after 7 weeks and 3 days in USPS custody the part was replaced. The customer also wanted an ESU sound chip fitted. So we did that too and after testing it will now find it’s way back to the very patient owner. Yes we repair all types of locomotives but be aware during COVID-19 that postage from England and US for parts is a minimum of 6 weeks sometimes 8 these days. Call us if want a quote to repair a locomotive.

19.01.2022 I have just test printed a HOn3.5 wheel gauge and I am super impressed. With a back to back set at 10.40mm these can be printed to within + or - 0.01mm. The handle is firm and strong and very resilient to bad handling such as dropping onto my tiled office floor or banging on the desk. I have tested the gauge on our 25 year old steam era wheels and the gloriously new and shiny wuiske models wheels and both past the test.... I will be sending one to the west of Toowoomba and another to Walloon and if they tick it off as satisfactory we will add these to our catalogue shortly. Stay tuned.

19.01.2022 Well the final paint isn’t quite dry but who would know. My working end of train marker for the Queensland Modeller. Fitted to a SRM VGK class wagon. I think I might do this customers coal wagon next. I suspect Lance Mason you may have inadvertently started something here at 3 Foot 6 Models & DCC.

18.01.2022 My Friday folly. They say that if no two days are ever the same then you should enjoy your work. Well I can concur with this statement. After a full week of installs I ended up doing repairs to a Union Pacific Centennial. Boy o boy are these big locomotives. I used an IDR W class to help you compare. By the way the repairs to the gear tower cost the princely sum $33 labour plus $3.75 for materials.... I hope the owner gets a few more miles out of the old girl yet.

17.01.2022 After a 10 week pilgrimage from Pennsylvania the latest ESU order has arrived. I ordered 20 of the new foam cradles with the magnetic insert to keep screws etc from being lost forever. My how they have saved my sanity on the work bench. 7 are pre sold so that leaves 13 hanging on the wall as the old song goes. $29.95 each plus $15.00 postage and tracking. I can pack two into a box and still charge $15.00 so you can split postage with a mate.... We take credit card, PayPal and bank transfers. Remember to stay apart to stay safe. Stephen Colclough

15.01.2022 Boring update time. I have just sent off the drawings for the bogie pick up etches and I should have these in about 3 weeks. I have also ordered 100 decoders for the end of train markers. They too are in the mail from trump land and hopefully will get here quicker as it is a smaller box. You watch them turn up after Xmas now. God I love USPS. Adam and Bridget have kindly supplied with us with boxes of their exquisite wagon models to put the EofTM in. I am obliged to Wuiske M...odels for their offer. Mechanisms are again underway after stalling on one issue. Having sourced a company prepared to do the cutting and in the correct metal at less than a million dollars a sheet we are full steam ahead. Hopefully I will have some results of my drawing skills back from the laser cutter in 15 business days. We are taking an extended leave from Aurora Models due to TIME issues. This little company is a one man band. So to give the EofTM, mechanisms and building kits the amount of time needed to get things right in time for Bundaberg show I will suspend my pick up and delivery from George. In time we will return but for the next few months we will concentrate on production. Thanks for reading and stay tuned. Stephen and Desley.

13.01.2022 I finally got a Trainorama 42 for a sound install and repairs to the split gears. Here is the 42 class with my gears inside during a shakedown before delivery. A pack of 8 will set you back $17.50 They will fit any trainorama such as the 42, 44, 48, 47, 49, S and GM classes.

13.01.2022 An army of end of train markers! Now to fit them out in their colours! Happy days.

12.01.2022 Just a quick notice that 3 Foot 6 Models & DCC is taking a two week break starting on Monday the 21st September 2020. We will pick up our last repair and installation jobs from Aurora Models this Saturday 11am and will aim to have them back on Saturday the 19th before heading off. Repairs and installations will recommence on Tuesday the 6th of October 2020.... Remember to stay apart to stay safe for their sake.

11.01.2022 We have sent these off to our printer. This is the final version of our single end of train marker for Q.R. We have received the lights and decoders and are awaiting our phosphor bronze pick ups from the metal company. This print of 105 will take just on 8 hours so it is an overnight print. We will hopefully wake up to a good print to clean and cure.... We decided that we can paint 5 at a time with ease hence the configuration. They will be removed from ‘the boat’ once painted. It looks like our next few weeks will be busy then. As always we have designed and manufactured these in house. The process of drawing and printing of items like this is certainly the way of the future. Stay safe.

11.01.2022 Overtime on Saturday. Yesterday’s post about the HO scale UP Centennial has been overwhelmed by today’s repair job. O my goodness this is big. O scale NSWGR 44 fitted with Loksound XL and new speakers. And the client has two of them here for new speakers and better sound file. Hope you enjoy the new Alco sound Pete.

11.01.2022 Well my Friday folly is the final design for our single end of train marker. The small red LED’s have arrived from China. The decoders are at Redbank sorting centre. Adam and Bridget Wuiske have supplied the wagons and the phosphor bronze picks are due this week from the etcher. Work on the next two markers will continue next week. I am so looking forward to putting these markers out into the public arena very soon. I wonder if Santa may want a couple?

10.01.2022 A powerline V class steamer made by Frateschi of Brazil. Not my first choice in a scale model but it runs very nicely with an ESU micro and sugar cube. Enjoy Col.

10.01.2022 It is funny how things work out. Did not get an On30 repair for months and now in three days I have 3 to do. I am getting Bachmann USA to restock my spare parts inventory. Want an On30 loco fixed. Better contact me ASAP as order goes in tonight. Let us see how long it takes USPS to deliver this one.

10.01.2022 I have a On Track Models sprinter car set on my workbench. The universal rods have let go and needed replacement. Someone had had a go prior to me and came up with a solution which didn’t last. I have designed and tested a one piece 3D printed replacement to prevent the original problem.... I plan to sell them in a short while. I am sure there are more sprinters out there needing this fix.

08.01.2022 The second in a series of three end of train markers for Queensland modellers. I wonder if this will make the jolly jandowae kid smile. I am heading out to the never never land tomorrow so will be able to show him in person. This version is much easier to paint although still difficult. I will try some paint pens Thursday.... Available very soon.

08.01.2022 Austrains NR class axle gears. Batch 1.

08.01.2022 My Friday folly for today is that I finally completed 1754D with SMD type lights over the bogies. Why? Because it was a challenge I guess. It was fun and I am hoping that Adam Wuiske may be tempted to make this standard in future releases..... bahahahaha Actually if he just makes the holes in the mould I would be happy.

06.01.2022 For those wishing to get your hands on the first of our end of train markers I will be doing a small run of them in the next 4 weeks prior to xmas. This will be for the single light version only. I will be selling the actual 3D prints as an unpainted item in packs of 5. Price is $20... I will supply two (2) end of train markers unpainted, just in case you brake one. (If you don’t break one paint it up and put it against the fence in the yard. Great little diaorama feature). As well as a SMD red light with wires pre-attached, a 5,000 ohm resistor, bronze phosphor strip, and a brand new ESU lokpilot decoder that will be pre-programmed for flash rates etc. Price is $75.00 As above but also with a 100 ohm resistor, diode and 2200 uF capicitor (basic stay alive) Price is $85.00 I will supply and fit a RTR train marker in a brand new Wuiske Models wagon. Price is $135.00 (add $10.00 for capicitor option) I will also fit a RTR train marker with or without capicitor in your wagon if it is deemed viable to do so at my discretion. Check with me first. Price dependant on wagon. Call for a quote. As always postage is at the set rate of $15.00 per parcel which includes tracking with Australia Post. I currently have very limited stocks (about 1/2 a dozen decoders and lights) so until the post delivers items we will just take expressions of interest once supplies on hand are exhausted. My goal is to have all three types of markers available for Sale and Display at the 2021 Bundaberg Model Train Show. I will be excited to see the boys and girls at Bundy. It has been long time between drinks.

03.01.2022 Well well well. Lookie here. Straight out of the thingymejibie machine. Believe it or not I have made painting as easy as I could but it will be nightmarishly hard without telescopes fitted to your eyes! The outside ring is red with the inside ring yellow and the light red and the battery case yellow with white frame and backing. The backing plate is 0.2 of a millimetre thick. The outer ring is 0.25 of a millimetre and the inner ring is 0.3 of a millimetre.... Man o man this is fine. I wonder if that Jolly Jandowae lad is as excited as I. Stay tuned for painting and fitting this week.

03.01.2022 Another tiny project. A customer wants ditch lights fitted to a Southern Rail Models 2471D. I was silly enough to say sure why not. The printed replacement part and the original side by side. A warm white SMD will be fitted to each print. Pictures of finished product later this week if all goes to plan. By the way the hole for the wires is 0.75 of a mm. The whole thing is basically 3*2*1.5 mm. Seriously tiny to print. In fact the computer program asked me if this is supposed to be inches instead of millimetres. Bahahahahaha

01.01.2022 A working Qld Rail single light end of train marker. I just could not wait till Wednesday. Might have to rearrange worklist today to fit these in. Very excited.

01.01.2022 6029 would not budge according to the owner. Throw away the installed decoder and fit ESU. Actually found that someone had set momentum to 255 and start voltage to 19.2 and the throttle curve looked like my heart monitor in December. Well after a full service and wheel clean and a full decoder reset and then a little tweak it runs as good as new. $50 versus $400 and the owner is jumping with financial joy. What can we fix for you?