Strange and exciting things are afoot in the train room this week.

First up, I took delivery of a custom made book case thanks again to my neighbour. He also made those modifications to my work bench that I alluded to in one of my previous entries. I now have all of my books in one place and not spread throughout the house (Believe me, they were!) and a work bench that stays put and nothing can fall off the back of. Seems I could use some more books though!

Now for the strange bit. I went out to the train room today to think out a few construction points for the layout. Next thing I know, I was looking at some long forgotten projects that never really got off the ground. Amongst them was a pair of Hornby 4 wheel coaches that I picked up off Ebay some years back as spares/repairs units. I had cut open the centre door of one of them with a view to using it as a grounded van somewhere. However, that idea changed somewhat today when I also found a Pola kit of a building under demolition. The kit has a sprue of some interesting items of interior fittings so I though to myself, "why don't we have some fun here?" What was going to be a workman's hut and store is now in danger of becoming a three room dwelling! A quick rummage through the bits box produced 2 doors (1 of which is actually 2 sided) and a few other interesting bits and pieces. Some hours later, the coach has a solid floor, 2 internal walls have been cut out and the interior has been planned out including a bath room. I only wish I could find a 1:76 scale cooker or stove for the kitchen. I'll just have to keep my ear to the ground for now.

The book case. We planned it with 6 shelves but it only needed 4 it seems. I guess I could always get more books!

One of the 2 Hornby coaches I picked up on Ebay. I don't remember the provenance of these but the white plastic is unusual.
Maybe I shouldn't be cutting one up.

But cut it up I did. This is the second of the 2 which has also had the lugs removed from the bottom.

The donor kit for interior bits. Strangely there are no doors in this kit which I thought a little odd.
Maybe the demolition company sold them first.

However, You'd think they'd sell some of the other fittings as well. The kit had 2 of these sprues in them.

A quick mapping out of the van to get a feel of the spaces. The chairs and table, I think came from another kit for a cafe that I had many years back.
I might repaint the table though.

A quick floor made from a piece of styrene sheet to cover the various holes moulded into the floor of the coach.

Test fitting the bathroom wall and door. The lovely wallpaper also came from the Pola kit. I'm going to have to find a sofa for the sitting room too.
I will have to assume it to be a sofa bed as there is no actual bedroom.

I'll post more as the project continues. I'm not sure where this s going to lead so it will be just as much a surprise/disappointment for me as it will be for everyone else!