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James Hilton's 4mm workbench

Entries in this blog

 

Musing over La Meuse... Part 2

Well I don't seem to have posted on here for a very long time indeed and several large scale projects have come and gone in the last 10 months. On top of those (all detailed on my G-scale blog: http://ejklr.blogspot.co.uk) I have also been working on a variety of 009 kits (most featured on my 4mm scale blog: http://paxton-road.blogspot.co.uk)... However for those of you regular readers of my infrequent blog who have not seen what I've been up to, and inspired a touch by Jon's magnus opus entry
James Hilton

James Hilton

2
 

Musing over La Meuse...

Where to go after building a pair of Worsley Works scratch aid kits?   I was looking for a natural progression, but also a nice kit of an attractive prototype... I wanted to find something that used a proprietary N gauge chassis but perhaps needed valve gear... I stumbled upon the Neil Sayer La Meuse quite by accident. It ticked all the boxes, exquisite design, clean etches, based on the GF 08 chassis, quite complicated valve gear, and available direct from Neil with a chassis as well.   S
James Hilton

James Hilton

7
 

Dirty little things...

So about 6 months into my 009 modelling career and the first two models are finished...   Both the diesel (a Schoema prototype, currently based on the Isle of Man Steam Railway) and the railbus (a Baguley Drewry prototype, initially an admiralty vehicle I believe, currently on the Welshpool and Llanfair) are built from etched brass Worsley Works 'scratch-aid' kits. What does 'scratch-aid' mean? Basically you get an etched brass kit with some detailing but you need to source a chassis, detail
James Hilton

James Hilton

5
 

First year in the garden...

This weekend is (approximately) the first anniversary of my garden railway...     The past 12 months have proven that a ground level line, built with good solid foundations, left floating in the ballast can survive the worst the British weather can throw at it, from baking hot summer (well spring!) days, torrential downpours, hard frost, deep snow. It is anything but maintenance free, requiring the ballast topping up, 'tamping' areas where the sub-layer subsides, and regular weeding - but i
James Hilton

James Hilton

3
 

Big progress on small things…

Well my parallel modelling in G-gauge (http://ejklr.blogspot.co.uk) and 009 continues (http://paxton-road.blogspot.co.uk), albeit at a reduced pace with a busy time at work and an even busier time at home (my second child is due in about 4 weeks)…   It does seem a long time since I wrote on RMweb so in the style of Jon020 here is a bumper update. The Worsley Works (WW) kits are cheap, well designed but really are ‘scratch aids’ in that you get a body, possibly a roof, possibly a chassis
James Hilton

James Hilton

6
 

Last brass to Viking...

I got an hour clear to spend on Viking today...   I only had a few parts left to fit in brass, namely the hooks on the buffer beans and the foot steps. These went on without too much drama, using low melt solder and holding the parts with tweezers or pliers whilst the solder took a second to cool.   The steps at the front are formed from two pieces, but went together with ease. There are no locating half etches on the underframe for either the front or back but they went on ok, but I did
James Hilton

James Hilton

3
 

From flat to 3D...

In just four hours modelling time the flat pack Worsley Works kit has become a diesel...   It's gone together really easily actually, and I am pleased with the result. It's not perfect, but it's close enough and what a well proportioned, detailed and designed kit - it basically just falls together. You don't need instructions when something is as self explanatory as this!     I always use 145degC low melt solder - it means you don't have to worry about damaging components from excessive h
James Hilton

James Hilton

7
 

Starting the Schoema...

Well, despite 'Wasp' not being finished yet (it needs priming and painting before I can fit an interior) I've started my second 009 project...   My other modelling at the moment is in G-gauge, as some of you know, and in particular Austrian prototypes. Whilst searching around for a second 009 project I stumbled across the Worsley Works kit for the IOMR Schoema diesel. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/IMR-Loco-17.jpg?uselang=en-gb   A funny and odd looking prototype, bu
James Hilton

James Hilton

9
 

In search of realism...

The wonderful thing about model railways is that it's a hobby with so many different areas to maintain your interest...   Take the garden railway in these photos, a totally different scale, with a totally different prototype - needing lots of research. Then there is the building of a layout and buildings, then modifying or building your stock. Throughout the whole experience there is photography.   Adjusting photographs to improve their realism is nothing new in the hobby. These days with mu
James Hilton

James Hilton

3
 

Rebirth in 009...

I've finally 'taken the plunge' in 009 after many years in 4mm (both OO and a toe dipping in P4) and more recently a G scale (Austrian narrow gauge) project in the garden. The draw of British narrow gauge, in particular the L&B, the L&M and the W&L - big(ish) locos and English (or Welsh!) countryside, rolling hills, trees and not a bit of slate in sight... I have to admit I've been slowly drawn back into smaller scale modelling and have been browsing this site for many months...  
James Hilton

James Hilton

13
 

The Ultimate Shed Pt 4 - The project awakes...

Welcome (back) to part 4 of my Class 66 project...   The last entry was about 9 months ago (http://www.rmweb.co....he-under-belly/) and in that time a whole lot of life has happened, and a fun, energising and exciting new project, scale and prototype has inspired me (http://ejklr.blogspot.com).   But for some reason I found myself picking up the dusty Class 66 this evening and getting further than just a casual inspection of the work completed so far...   Actually if I'm honest I suspect I
James Hilton

James Hilton

7
 

The story of an Engine Shed (Part 1)...

My G-scale journey continues and I'm beginning to really really enjoy working in this scale. It feels much more liberating and the bulk and familiarity of the materials you can use is really refreshing. So the EJ&KLR (read my blog - much more regular updates than on here) needs a shed.   This project is very emotional because although these plans were discussed with my father, I never had a chance to show him the plans before he passed away on the 10th, earlier this month. Buildings and s
James Hilton

James Hilton

7
 

More large scale fun (again)...

I really ought to start a seperate blog for this project, but for fear of duplication I'll stick to this one for now.   So the large scale bug has well and truly bitten - so much so that I'm sat here contemplating selling some of my OO stock to make it pay it's way - however, in the short term at least I'm all spent up having no more disposable/savings before my birthday in August. So what's been happening in the last few weeks? It all started with the repainting of my LGB 2-axle coaches int
James Hilton

James Hilton

2
 

More large scale fun...

This G-scale stuff is quite addictive and I'm finding that you can get as good a finish as 4mm...   Part of me wonders whether to 'thin' and 'focus' the 4mm stuff sooner rather than later?   Anyhow, this blog is about recent progress on the G-scale project, the EJ&KLR. I've 90% completed the brake van and started on the shunter. First up let's talk about the LGB post van that's been modified into this brake van. I've refurbished the lighting circuits, modified the body by removing the ho
James Hilton

James Hilton

3
 

A little larger than usual... modifying moves to G-scale

When I started the LGB project a few weeks ago I wasn't sure if it was going to lead here... But it has - so this first blog entry charts my first steps in transfering my 4mm detailing, painting and weathering skills to the larger G-scale. For those who aren't familiar with garden railways LGB is approximately 1:20ish, running on 45mm track with mainly European prototypes. This project is based upon the ubiquitous LGB post van that has been in the range for 30 years. Today I have str
James Hilton

James Hilton

7
 

Christmas arrivals on the EJ&KLR

Today was the inaugural running of the EJ&KLR (http://ejklr.blogspot.com) and it has been a wonderful day. If success can be measured by the size of the smiles then it's been a triumph. The LGB starter set has run faultlessly, nice and quiet and smooth - and easy for my daughter to play with - expecially with the roof that pops off the coach to allow her to load up her Playmobil people.   The more grown up LGB coaches are lovely and look wonderful behind the Stainz, and my little die
James Hilton

James Hilton

3
 

A nostalgic roadtrip...

I've started a Blogger blog to keep the history of this project in one place so please do check it out here: http://ejklr.blogspot.com/   I will also make updates on this, my workbench thread for those 'smaller scale' modellers more interested in the journey than the details themselves.   My father and I took a nostalgic trip down to Ontracks at Pontrilas today to collect the start of this project. It's a road trip that we used to make every year to see my Nan, Dad's step mother every Christ
James Hilton

James Hilton

5
 

And now for something completely different...

Countess coaling up [CC-BY-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], by fairlightworks (originally posted to Flickr as Countess coaling up), from Wikimedia Commons   European coaches and small powerful steam locomotives on a picturesque line in mid Wales! The Welshpool and Llanfair has been a favourite of mine for many years - especially it's original steam locomotives with the GW rebuilt chimney, dome, safety valve and number plates. Chunky and purposeful.   I have wanted an LGB garde
James Hilton

James Hilton

8
 

Ready for action...

My Mainline freight liveried tractor is finished for the third time and I'm absolutely thrilled! I've really raised my game on this one and she's a worn worn super detailed stunner with faded paint and much finer detail then I've managed before. This evening saw the finishing touches and a dusting of grime over the weather finish applied by hand to the underframe and lower body. This has pulled the previous powder/paint/dry brush/wash finishes together an absolute treat. She started out
James Hilton

James Hilton

12
 

Beefing up brake cylinders...

I've had three models sat on Paxton Yard plank in my study for several weeks with NO progress but a surprise parcel from MG Sharp this week has spurred me back into action. I had some brake cylinders on back order and to be honest I'd forgotten about them so when they arrived it was actually a really pleasant surprise. So this evening I carefully dug out my modelling tools and made a start on bringing 37013 up to scratch. First up here is what the brake cylinders look like on a Bachmann
James Hilton

James Hilton

9
 

The Ultimate Shed Pt 3 - The under belly...

Welcome to part 3 (it's been a long time coming) of my re-working of a Bachmann 'Shed'! Work has been non-existent in the past few weeks, however before modeller's block became a problem I had made some good progress with the fuel tank area that it is worth sharing to show progress so far and the standard I'm aiming for in this area. I made extensive use of the 'Cannon and Co' EMD fuel tank detailing pack - along with various sizes of brass wire (including 0.25, 0.31, 0.9mm). Re
James Hilton

James Hilton

4
 

Does she sound as good as she looks?

Yes! Last Christmas I got myself a Bachmann Dynamis and a RTR sound chipped Class 37 as a bit of a 'treat'. It was quite a novelty but it wasn't until earlier this year when I wired up Paxton Road to DCC that it really came to life for me - it really does make you 'drive' a locomotive unlike just playing trains. So the Railfreight grey body shell was swapped and she became a celebrity. I added my usual 37 bits (Hornby Class 50 detailing pack for the pipework, Hornby Class 31 sprung buffers
James Hilton

James Hilton

2
 

Opening up the other half...

It's about Paxton Road's 3 year anniversary and we're making progress - to the point where I'm comfortable taking photos like these on the 'new' other half, despite it not being finished yet... I was out in the garden with the layout taking some photos - more of which another time - but these two of 09007 seemed easily croppable so with minor tinkering here they are... What you should be able to see is that behind the Mainline shunter ballasting is finished and greenery is springing up aro
James Hilton

James Hilton

6
 

Hello 'details' my old friend...

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I quite often find myself re-visiting models!   This time it's my resprayed Bachmann 37/0 - now masquerading as 37013. I've fitted a DCC decoder this evening as Paxton Road progresses and my Dynamis is semi-permanently installed now, and looking at the details things felt a little chunky and crude compared to my latest 37, Caerphilly Castle.   So I dug out the Hornby Class 31 buffers (a huge improvement over the Bachmann effort) and the 40 links per
James Hilton

James Hilton

7
 

What a lot of (hot) air...

This week I've found myself 'playing' on Paxton Road quite a lot with my sound fitted green 37...   So this evening I did some work on the layout too and started on the security fencing around the warehouse, using the Knightwing plastic stuff. It's quite a close fit in the front siding but I think it looks good - and the cinders ballast needs some weathering and overgrowth adding but I will do that before the fence is fixed in place!   I love my new airbrush too... This is the £99 dea
James Hilton

James Hilton

8
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