Just thought I would post a little bit about the rolling stock of the FLR, the Fenland Light Railway (when set in Norfolk), haven't quite decided where else the layout could be set, perhaps Cumbria? The Frizington Light Railway could work. Alternatively I may change the name of the railway completely, and go for the Slugwash Light Railway, as a homage to my old 00 gauge layout which was one of the earliest layouts featured on the original RMWeb, nothing like a bit of nostalgia!

Anyhows, I digress, locos currently number 1 at the moment, a Connoissseur Models Starter loco kit (http://www.jimmcgeown.com/Loco%20Kit%20Pages/Starter%20Loco.html), this is FLR Number 1, 'Nellie'. She took me about 3 days to build, not bad considering she was my first loco kit, but has taken me about a year to get around to painting her! There's still a few bits to paint such as the steps and the valance, and the wheels could do with another coat of red paint. I originally intended to line her out, using some old Methfix 4mm coach lining from PC Models (I think), its the yellow/black/yellow version. She is lined out on one side, and plain on the other, I'm not too sure about the lining, and may just remove it.

FLR No.1, Nellie. Still a few things to add paint and detail wise, like vacuum pipes etc.

Ideally for the next loco I'm thinking of either getting one of Jim McGeown's GER Y6 kits (http://www.jimmcgeown.com/Loco%20Kit%20Pages/Y6%20Tram%20Loco.html), as I have a wee bit of a soft spot for tram engines, not surprising given that Toby was my favourite character in the Thomas books! It'll either be that or something Manning Wardle in design, as also have a soft spot for those! Not too sure where I'll get one from, I've looked at Slater's and I like their 0-6-0st version, but having to buy the motor and gearbox separately (and their own version is very expensive!) is a bit of a turn off, does anyone know if the motor and gearbox combination sold by Connoisseur Models would fit? (http://www.jimmcgeown.com/Motors%20and%20Castings.html), I have of these spare so would rather use this.

Likewise I've also looked at S&D Models website at the Manning Wardle kits they produce, I like the look of the K Class Manning Wardle they produce, but it says you need to source wheels for these, and they ones they recommend are solid castings that have to be machined, not my cup of tea unfortunately. Does anyone know if it is possible to use wheels from Slaters with these kits instead?

If push comes to shove I may try my hand at scratchbuilding a loco, perhaps one of the charming Hudswell Clarke inside cylinder 0-6-0st so favoured by industrial and light railways.

Anyway, coaching stock at the moment is a pair of Slater's Midland Railway 6-wheel Clayton arc roof coaches, a Brake Third which is 95% complete and an All Third which is part finished, I may however sell off the All Third and buy one of Slater's GWR 4-wheel coach kits, perhaps the Brake Third? The Midland coach is being painted in a livery of blue and cream, but I don't know what livery the other coach will emerge from the workbench in.

Ex Midland Railway 6-wheel Clayton arc roof Brake Third.

Goods stock is a bit of a mish-mash to be honest. A mixture of kits from Slaters, Parkside Dundas, Peco, and a few scratchbuilt items. My most recent project has been a Furness Railway diagram 52a Brake Van, this is completely scratchbuilt from plasticard, the only bought items being the wheels and buffers, the axleboxes came from a cooper craft wagon that generously decided to donate itself to the project. Took me about a week or so to build it all, just needs a couple of handrails adding and then a coat of paint. Must say though I'm quite pleased at how it has turned out. Livery will probably be a dark grey colour to match up with the rest of the stock that the railway company owns when I eventually get around to repainting it all.

Furness Railway Diagram 52a Brake Van. Scratchbuilt from plasticard. The Furness Railway brakevans were quite unusual in that they only had one opening on each side, at the right hand end. Still needs a few more details adding such as handrails on the other side, and then a coat of paint.

I've found that the Peco 9' wb chassis is a useful basis for building wagons onto, ok so it might not be 100% accurate but I think it serves a useful purpose, I have about 5 of them in use so far, most of them under Furness Railway stock, Diag 19 10T box van, 3 plank and 2 plank opens, with another one intended to become a Furness 5 plank, and the last one I'm undecided about at the moment.

From left to right, Furness 3 Plank open, Furness 2 plank open, both of these have scratchbuilt bodies on Peco underframes. The underframes have been modified to represent wooden underframes. Next wagon is a Furness 4 plank, this one has an odd history, being a kitbash of an old Websters (now Peco) GWR 4 plank open. At the end of the rake is a Parkside Dundas North British 4 plank open.

North Western Railway 4 wheel slatted side milk van. Scratchbuilt around a Tri-ang Big Big mineral wagon underframe. Body is from plasticard, with roof from thin card. Plenty of added weight inside from lots of Skytrex whitemetal milk churns, its blooming heavy!

Anyway, enough of my inane ramblings for the time being, I'm off to do some more work on the layout!

TTFN.