The crane looks excellent.

I assume it is a 6 ton GWR crane. If so, is there any chance of me being able to buy an etch from you as I need this size crane for Tavistock and was struggling to work out how I was going to make it.

Best wishes

John

John Brenchley

Perth, Western Australia

Can i second john's request. As I said at Ally Pally, I could use one of the cranes for Cockett Goods yard. Wonderful work on the crane, and I'm sure the City etches can be redesigned.

Can't really add much to what has already been said - so "me too".

I would certainly like one of those cranes - a nice challenge for my slowly improving soldering skills

I can't find any justification for a City on my layout, but if you do proceed with the smaller-wheeled alternative a Bulldog would suit me fine (and going down one size smaller to an Aberdare would be even better, but that involves a minor change in the wheel arrangement too...).

Whilst searching the floor under the 2mm Roadshow tables on Sunday for a lost solebar we encountered a tiny etched coupling of DG-like appearance, which we assumed was one of yours - I think Noel has it now. Unfortunately beyond my photographic abilities to capture such a tiny beastie...

David

Ahhh... the joys of etch design, no matter how many times you check your work there is always one glaring error. The crane is spot on, looking forward to seeing on the layout.

I would try to build as much as possible to test as much as you can (even if you have to modify some bits to get there. (I'm sure you are already aware that writing everything down - I have a personal preference for annotated illustrations - is desirable so that nothing gets forgotten when you get back to the 'drawing board'). There may be other errors further along and you will reduce the number of iterations to a completed etch. I find it even more demotivationg to find further errors once corrections are made.

P.s. It looks really nice, but everyone else said that and I'm trying to be constructive for a change!

Hello Guys

That crane jib is wonderfully spidery doesn't look 2mm at all. Pity about the City I wonder if the errors mean it would suit one of the other GW 4-4-0's they had quite a few Abatra's, Flower's etcDon

If I can 'crack' this engine then hopefully the enthusiasm will be great enough to have a go at another. You have to bear in mind that this is only the second time I have really got anything etched and I am on a seriously steep learning curve!

The crane is looking excellent. I'll PM you a pic of the real thing so you can see the colour to paint it.

Thank you VERY much! I remember seeing some photos of yours of the crane in a thread sometime ago but cannot for the life of me remember where! Do you know by chance when Fawley will be open to the public again? BTW it was very nice to chat to you again at the show, I really value your help and advice.

The crane looks excellent.I assume it is a 6 ton GWR crane. If so, is there any chance of me being able to buy an etch from you as I need this size crane for Tavistock and was struggling to work out how I was going to make it.

Sounds like I went through exactly the same thing as you and I didnt know how to make one until I figured out how to draw things for etching. Its the GWR crane which the drawings were published in issue 0 of a wild swan publication, I think it was the Great Western Journal? As for making it available to others, like with my other stuff, if there is enough interest then I could put something together. It would be rather cool to think something I have designed will end up on your exceptional layout though.

Hi Missy, that is a beautiful crane. A whole work of art in itself. An congratulations on taking the plunge with the CoT kit. Are you just making a few, or will you be marketing it more widely?I have to tell you, though: A 1 Pound coin of that size really isn't prototypical ;-)

As above really, if enough people show an interest then I could be persuaded to take it a little further if you know what I mean? As for the pound coin I was planning on using a penny but I felt that would give the impression I was cheap!!

Watching with extreme interest...

Really Pete? I am intersted to know why, is there something you arent telling?

I'm sure the City etches can be redesigned.

Im working on that already!

if you do proceed with the smaller-wheeled alternative a Bulldog would suit me fine

As you know I have a half drawn one of those somewhere! I quite like them too (plus they were seen on the DNS)

Whilst searching the floor under the 2mm Roadshow tables on Sunday for a lost solebar we encountered a tiny etched coupling of DG-like appearance, which we assumed was one of yours - I think Noel has it now. Unfortunately beyond my photographic abilities to capture such a tiny beastie...David

Ahhh, that sounds like one of my failed NEM DGs that I need to 'tweak'. I dont need it back so if you can let Noel know please?

Wow, quick work with the crane! It was still very much 2 dimensional when I saw it in the morning! Exquisite work as usual Tom

I can be quick occasionally, especially when I am enthusiastic!! That and the fact I dont like half build things littering my workbench..

Ahhh... the joys of etch design, no matter how many times you check your work there is always one glaring error.

That is so true! I am guessing it gets better with experience like most things. It feels like I am learning the hard way though ATM. How are your designs comming along Bryn?

I would try to build as much as possible to test as much as you can (even if you have to modify some bits to get there. (I'm sure you are already aware that writing everything down - I have a personal preference for annotated illustrations - is desirable so that nothing gets forgotten when you get back to the 'drawing board'). There may be other errors further along and you will reduce the number of iterations to a completed etch. I find it even more demotivationg to find further errors once corrections are made.P.s. It looks really nice, but everyone else said that and I'm trying to be constructive for a change!

Thank you for the advice Rich, that is very useful. I have been tweaking the drawings as I go so hopefully I wont miss anything but I will carry on with the build to see what else is wrong.

M

Not done any etching for a while now. Between your inspirational work and Pixie's general ear bending this might resume shortly

Not done any etching for a while now. Between your inspirational work and Pixie's general ear bending this might resume shortly

Good!

M

Hi Pete

Ahhh ok, I thought for a moment there that you were going to dabble with some nice looking engines for a change!

M

(how is you class 37?)

In my ebay box for selling!

They are the old skool models (I have 2 I think). Not sure about the 08 though, need to get the Nigel C auto uncouplers finished off sometime...

Missy that crane is looking fantastic.

When I saw it it had just the jib and that was the neatest bit of soldering I think I've seen.

Thank you Chris.

Getting the bits etched has helped tremendously, I couldnt even imagine how to make something like that jib without an etch! You should have stayed and chatted for a bit Chris, I could have sat down with you and helped out on a few things. Thats what I go to those things for!

Anyway Im just about to add another post about the crane...

M

You should have stayed and chatted for a bit Chris, I could have sat down with you and helped out on a few things. Thats what I go to those things for!Anyway Im just about to add another post about the crane...M

Well I passed by a couple more times and you were busy so in the end I just stopped off to say hello.

Anyway I daren't loiter in case you noticed and asked me what those lengths of C&L 4mm flexitrack were doing in my backpack!!