Some (more) new rolling stock is in the erecting shops! If I could actually finish some before starting more, it'd be good! Anyhow, here's an update...

I decided that the Sandhutton coach I built at the beginning of my layout's creation needed a partner, but that a full length bogie coach would be a bit of an expense for a small railway (in it's earlier days at least!) so I have begun construction of a four-wheeled version to a similar design. It it a full open with bench seating, but with a semi-partition in the middle for strength. It also has the verandah ends as-per the bogie version and will be painted in the same dark brown livery.

Those of you who have been following this will also be aware that I had started to build the FR Carriage 22, well this is still ongoing, but has been re-started as I wasn't really satisfied with the windows.

I have instead used evergreen strip to form the beading and window frames as demonstrated so very ably by Rob Waller of 'Ddaullt' and 'Bron Hebog' fame (http://bronhebog.blogspot.com/) which has left me with a redundant bodyshell.

After spending quite a while watching the brilliant County Gate at MRLive on Saturdayt, and having a nice long chat with JdF, my brain (!) came to the conclusion that the LNER may well have tried out a narrow gauge DMU on the Sandhutton line (well in my version of history they did!) And this redundant carriage body will form the start of it. The window frames will be removed and a new framework built, and a cab built into one end. I will of course have to build another coach for it, to a similar pattern, but with motor compartment and so reduced seating. I have measured and found that a Tomix TM-13 chassis is almost a direct fit, with bogi centres at almost the same as those orignially envisioned for the carriage, lucky or what?! I have roughtly planned out on the bodysides what will go where. Double doors midway down the car and big 'picture' windows. Liverywise, I'm thinking of two tone blue like the LNER's Tyneside electrics and Coronation/West Riding Limited set

Hopefully I'll get somewhere with all these ongoing projects and not get too distracted by everything else that is running around in my brain too!

J