Hi all,

Whilst commenting away on the various threads on the new and improved RMweb( well done to Andy and the team) ive been working on my own models.

Firstly a pleasant arrival last weekend of Hornbys' New DVT model of 82150 in Virgin Livery, The model being nice with some work to bring it up to scratch, mainly the Stripes on the end of the vehicle need replacing as they are too thick in appearance, so i've replace the printed ones with Fox Transfers' version with IMHO look better ( pics to follow up )

73101 is going well, the Bufferbeam is almost completely done with the Vestibule Rubbing plates scratch built, as the Lima Moulding lacks Height and depth to it and protrudes out too close to the Bufferheads. Ive now turned my attention onto the underframe, which ive started to build as per 73118. I've decided to keep the roof white on my model for now after repainting the roof after I added the T airiels I built for it. Like with my Model of 73129 Ive drawn up for my 73 fleet the 2 chracter red and white "Bars" that denote the front and back of the diesel, and am quite pleased with them! 73118 had Lithoplan ones added, but for the Class 33, Ive now deemed these too big, so in due course they'll be replaced with my computer drawn ones. the ones of drawn were printed out onto Postcard, cut to size and then fitted into the centre window of the eds and secured in place with PVA glue- lovely!

For my friends Birthday im comissioing him a model of 37429 in year 2000 condition, from Bachmann, which is one of the first models,and has had to have its fair share of work to bring it up to standards, naely lowering down of the roof exhaust panel and the roof fan grill. Also the ends needed to be redone as the bracket for the MU cable and the MU cable its self are missing as well as the Lamp brackets etc all being totally wrong! the L shaped WR style brackets looknig like theyve been constructed out of square tube! rather than the thin size they are, so Ive added Vi-trains' brackets to finnish these off but need another spure or two of these! ( see add in classified:Wanted) I think its pretty much there, with windscreen wipers needing to be added, parking brake lever chain to be added and of course the MU cable from the Bachmann accessory pack, which this model came without when I brought it. With time running out and an imminent cold I fear it'll either be incomplete or It wont be on schedule for my friends birthday; not good!

Finally my pacer is going well, I have decided to model this as 144021, in WYPTE livery in early 2000's condition. The front Hurst Models casting ive modfiyed a bit as there is room for improvement. I replaced the cast headlights with Shawplan etches, and they do make such a difference!! the Hurst ones, didnt go without a fight though requiring to be removed by chisling away at them with the tip of a blunt craft knife, but overall I now have a guise to finnish this unit off!

Thats all for now, as I type this a Cold Ive picked up seems to be taking its course on me so no modelling for me after this message is read until im better again!

Comments welcomed as ever!

NL