Further progress with the ongoing wagon construction, the first 3 wagons are now working models, with the sprung w irons all fitted and tested.

The ratio 5 plank is riding slightly high relative to the two coopercraft models, which is handy as it is being modelled empty whereas the other two will be fully loaded (to hide the inaccurate floor)

I've also dug out a second Ratio kit that was built up earlier in the year to the basic shell stage, which will now get w irons fitted followed by the break shoes.

Having finally got a copy of Geoff Kent's 4mm wagon pt1, there are lots of photos of suitable prototype wagons to model using the ratio kit. Including very long lived examples with the pre war large G W logo. (I am quite glad to see a fair few survivors of each of the big 4 wagons in early liveries to break up the monotony of the post war liveries

Unfortunatly its not all been good progress, the Coopercraft 4 plank has been a nightmare, there was a slight issue with the modified chassis, resulting in the w irons not fitting square. Its now been broken down and will be my first candidate for a full etched chassis. I have also dug out a Ratio GW van, which was originally built with a solid chassis which I now wanted to spring. Unfortunately the solbars had other ideas and split during the attempted modifications, so this will also need a full etched chassis...

Just need to find a suitable etch now, I am very interested to see how it compares with the current method of thinning solbars to accept the Bill Bedford units.

Having moved house last weekend, this weekend I set up the new modelling workshop (ie bedroom four), taking the opertunity to pack up a few more projects to take back to Chester to work on in the week once the wagons are done.

This includes my second pair of E116 B Sets and a Bachmann tank wagon for which I am planning to open up the chassis webbing to model a National Benzole tank shown in the 4mm wagon pt 2 (pre war livery with red solebar)

Seeing that Shawplan have now released laserglaze for the E145 B Set, including a special piece for blanking the extra window) I am planning to buy 4 sets next week post payday and hopefully crack on with getting some coaches finished!

One plus with the new room is that I have found space for a small shunting plank/test track on top of a shelf unit. It will work out something like 700mm by 500mm (off the top of my head), with a cassette fiddleyard extending down the back of the workbench. It will have a single 3 way point, short head shunt and sidings. The idea being to test wagons/ locos through pointwork, and be something of a desk toy. I also want to use it as a test bed for scratch building points, and for the point rodding, along with period ballasting (as a test bed for Cheddar)

Just need to finish the house first before I will find time to start...