Hello everyone,
I must admit that I have been rather remiss and have not updated this blog for over two months, but I have not been idle during all that time, the latest project involved the cleaning up, painting and fitting of no less than nine sets of "Springside Models" fireirons to all steam locos (This is a project that has been 'in the pipeline' for some six months or more) -
The Ivatt 2mt mogul however did not require them, as it has I have found out a purpose made "fireiron tunnel" on the right hand side of the loco's running plate.

Positioning the irons and other tools realistically on some of the other locos required a certain amount of ingenuity, it was certainly easier on the ex GWR classess, using the thoughtfully provided hooks and spaces in the tenders or on the rear of them  I tried to "'ring the changes' a little, so all the locos vary to some extent in the positioning of certain items of equipment.

While I was at it I decided to 'coal' all 11 of my locos using real coal ,- one of the tasks on the 'to be done ' list.
This made a great improvement along with the already fitted full lamp irons and crews that they carry.
The downside is that all this extra detailing requires the loco to be handled carefully....(and lots of little things to avoid dropping off....)

Other jobs attempted at the same time were painting of the internal detail of the Bachmann Hawksworth autotrailer and adding some passengers - this requiring much amputation below the knees....

A few items were 'omitted from a couple of the stud - using the 1950's mantra of 'make do and mend' and these were repurposed around the layout, so, the coal merchant has gained a small shovel, the loco-shed has likewise gained another shovel and there is now a broom leaning against the parcels dock fence beside the Parcels lock-up.

On a different theme, I have been reusing an old worn kitchen scouring pad torn in half roughly with highlights of light green Humbrol enamel paint applied in patches to produce what I hope vaguely resembles heavy growth of brambles trailing down the embankment above the tunnel from along the fenceline.

Well there seems to be very little writing here for jobs that seemed to take a long time, although now being retired it's more a case of - there's always tomorrow... so I will just let the pictures fill the gaps.
Any comments or critiscisms are always welcomed.
Regards,
SIGTECH
(Steve).