Leaderboard

I've had a few requests to see the 2-8-2 in unlined "as built" black, so in homage to Hornby's latest Britannia offering here's 91000 before lining out and naming Keen eyes will observe the digitally removed cylinder lining and the fact that the return crank is not actually soldered to the crankpin

Work progresses with detailing the HST stock. With the progress on the boards and track, I needed a break and have kept work on the stock moving forwards. The first power car is just about done and ready for storing until the rest of the stock is ready for painting blue. It'll all get painted in one go for consistency's sake. The van door is 10 thou plasticard, a similar one has been made for the cab. The exhaust work mentioned previously here is complete, complete with struts inside the outlets. The chassis has been lowered - much improving how the model sits. The upper body shows some of the work involved - I've removed the cooler group on the roof, ready to fit the mesh on top, and filled the mounting lug holes on the cab door along with the guard van windows. I've found that there are some big steps along the mould join lines on Bachmann produced shells, so the next one will use a Poole Farish shell. Three different variants of mk3, all based on a trailer standard. Top is the normal TS, middle the early style disabled toilet conversion and bottom is the micro buffets recently introduced. The various windows are blanked with plasticard. The toilet windows are glued in as they provide the roof mounting pips The conversion for the interiors of the last two types. Disabled loo (with the curved door) top, micro buffet bottom. I'm more creating a representative view here, as the side windows will be tinted, but these details will be visible through the end doors, which FGW had removed at refurbishment. The trailer firsts retain end doors (as do the TGS) to the best of my knowledge as they need locking to prevent public access to the power cars. This is the end of one, fitted with a Mictrotrains coupler in the buffer beam and some wire representing the air pipes. ETH sockets will follow, along with power car air tanks - watch this space! Work has also been continuing with the various transfer artworks - last night I cracked on with the bits for the HST stock Now I am beyond the stage of doing the first power car and carriage as test conversions, it really feels like the project is moving forwards. I bought another 08 the other day to spray up in FGW green and fit with buckeyes The sprinter bodies have also been stripped and cleaned up ready for spraying That's it for now, jo

nevard_110404_brewhouseQ_IMG_9560_web, originally uploaded by nevardmedia. Brewhouse Quay Project: The brewery management (Foster, Dent, Marriott & Jones Celebrated Ales) are captured there having their bi-monthly tour of inspection in their recently purchased ex-LSWR brake van that was found on the Isle of Wight. Well actually, they're in the brewery tap on the right so that's why they're not in shot. The real reason for this snap is to show off the new aerial walkway and associated building knocked up from the plastic card and foam board. It's been primarily built to serve as an additional scenic break. I've used different material to the brewery buildings because there's no way that I'll be able to match what Messrs Bachmann and Co. and the skilled Chinese workers have produced. Obviously it still needs to be painted. It's also a chance to show off the lightweight looking hand built track using code 55 flat bottomed rail and DAS (modelling clay) used to replicated ash ballast and cobbles. The Caboose Hobbies actual working ground throw is showcased nicely here and much much bigger than it is in real life. With hindsight I maybe should have chosen to use the N gauge ones as recommended by Mr Burkin in April 2010 Model Rail instead of the HO scale one here. I'm not going to lose any sleep over that, and in any case not every operator will have tiny fingers. I don't always post here, but you can catch up here http://nevardmedia.b...h/label/Brewery

No - not a jingoistic outpouring, but a model being built in tribute to a very nice man - a true 'Brit' and an ex-master mariner to boot. Not only is Jim my father-in-law - he's also my uncle. Before anyone gets a banjo out, Zoe my wife had the good fortune (her words) to be adopted by my aunt & uncle. The reason for building this kit (a Martin Finney 'Bulldg') is explained in the last section (to date) on the MSWJR 4-4-0 build. So now an appeal - if anyone has any photo's or references to 'Kingfisher (3448) as running between 1920-1930 - I'd be delighted to be aquainted with them. Usually I enjoy the research almost as much as the buiild - but in the circumstances time appears to be pressing. So onward... As usual I will start with the tender... This is the Churchard '3000 gal' variant. Whats in the box? I'm tempted to say 'the usual Finney product'... Superb cleanly-etched shiny brass etches, very nice castings and a set of instructions to drool over... Martin states that from this kit you can build ll variants of the prototype and I doubt I will prove him wrong! First step (for me) is to lay the parts out in a desk tidy (of which I have several!) - this ensures that no parts go astray. Next step is to order the wheels (Gibson) and motor/gearbox (High Level) - will speak to Chris this a.m. for advice - the kit was originally designed round a portescap, but I'm guessing that Mr Gibbon's got something in the armoury! Tommorrow evening will be spent poring over the instruction-sheets (which include a nice guide to the etches), and familiarising myself with the various parts. Who knows, I might even get some soldering done! However, whilst I do feel somewhat 'under pressure' I will resist the temptation to rush it... Regs Ian

Final assembly tonight. I'm quite pleased with this. A few details to add, crew, coal, route discs and a few spots of paint required, then I can call it done. May have to tweak the chassis a bit when I get it out on the layout for a good run in (the crossover on Wheal Elizabeth's always the killer). Something to haul coaches when I get round to converting the Hornby Maunsells.

Whilst searching for more info on RAF Chilmark for a layout plan I'm thinking about I came across the following: RAF Chilmark visit by 28dayslater site Another visit report The photos show some interesting aspects of the Narrow Gauge railway in the facility. Not sure I'll model the NG stuff, but interesting non-theless. Kelly

Ian, that's a rather nice thing to do for your father-in-law. When I reach 87 I hope I'll have a son-in-law like you (maybe I should introduce the idea to my daughter!). Must require some careful balancing of time and effort to have three locos on the go at once. Let's hope they don't get mixed up. Not sure a "Galloping Bulldog" would go down well with GWR fans .

the other side of the tender is already done

Have taken the plunge and built the lighting rig extension for Wheal Elizabeth. The purpose of this is to bring all the supports forward allowing the front line to be used for a through passenger traffic in the future. I've only had to bring this forward about 100mm and the effect is a rather nice 'chunky' proscenium arch. Still needs a topcoat of blue gloss in time for its next outing at Trainwest, Melksham next weekend and after this, the next step will be to crack on with the necessary bridge & trackwork sections. Don't know if I'll get this dome by Railex in May (I doubt it) but I've now cleared the major hurdle in starting. Oh, and the O2's drying off after its weathering session. Need to assemble and post a photo.

If your using Phoenix paints i have found to get the best colour is to use white primer I use halfords