I have been at for ten years now and not finished yet. I doubt that many have made so many mistakes as I have. But you can find tons of helpful advice here so, rather than shoot first and ask questions afterwards, it is better to work the other way round. Good luck.

Hi & welcome!  We're a pretty friendly bunch here - so expect nothing but helpful comment.  However, if you have a 'how to' query, I suggest you look at the 'Modellers Questions' forum - where people are just as helpful, and the response is likely to be quicker!

Happy modelling,

Ian

Well thanks you all for you kind welcomes, I will begin my first real blog my giving you a short introduction to what is on this newbie's workbench, well I say work bench it is actually just a bit of kitchen worktop supported by two plastic saw horses. The kitchen top was the waste bit cut out to fit a sink, so sort of sink shaped. I say sort of because my sawing skill need a fair bit to be desired.

Anyway back to the subject I now have a workbench of types so I could start doing some work on it. And for me as a complete novice what better place to start than with one of my childhood favourite model an old Hornby Shunter. The shunter had not be run since I was about 15 or 16 so some 40 years. The first thing to do was to download the service guide / sheets, quick google and job done! Time to set up a file with for my new servicing guides so I don't loose them.

New folder completed, complete with plastic sleeves for the sheets and all marked up with R152 -

Time to open up the old shunter... hold on this that kettle I hear?

So now then where was I... Yes my old Hornby R152 08 Shunter, but what are my intentions I hear you say, well I might if you said it. First thing is to see if I can get it to run. Having not run for over 40 years before I put it on the track a check, I think it would be preferable to give it a service, at least that way I'm giving the old Gronk the best chance of showing me what she can do.

One screw at the back, I note now that apart form the obvious 40 year of dirt there is a bit of damage to the rear around the screw. I'm guessing this is a weak spot, will need to repair this. Should give me a bit of practise. Ideas welcome, but my initial thought are to glue a bit of thin plastic over the area from the inside, and then fill the gap with modelling putty? As the long term aim is to re-spray the engine this repair would be covered / hidden at this time.

With the screw loose, (please...) and now finally out I can lift the body away and find out what we have inside...

Umm not too bad there is an engine and... well there is an engine. On further inspection I note the following:

• Brushes are missing
• Brush spring / clip and insulation strip are missing
• Wire has detached from...
• Oil pads are dry

Hey don't I sound like I know what I'm talking about, and quick shout out and I'm pointed in the direction of Peter's spares, so on line and we have new brushes and spring / clip and insulation strip on order. But... Oh where oh where should that wire go?

Another shout out and I'm pointed in the direction of... The servicing sheet, so kettle on and time to pull the sheet out from my very efficient filing system. I should find it in file R152 -