Leaderboard

The track bed for the back siding is now raised up and I've cut some foam board to fix the platform edging to. I think I might have overcooked it and made it a bit too high. What follows are a few pictures from different angles, some of which will be similar enough to those presented previously. Above: A couple of views looking approximately south over the east end of the platform. Below: Another view looking east similar to some of the photographs from the last entry. Apologies for the shakes. The platform surface will actually sit on the lip in the top of the platform face/edge mouldings. I fixed the edging to the foam board with a glue gun. It was quick, convenient, and didn't seem to have any ill effect on either substrate. At the moment all the platform construction is removable. What is that vehicle that I've used for gradient testing? It was what was being worked on at the bench; one of my longest standing works in progress. I make no apology for it being another milk van (I have some strange fascination with NPCS). This time an O13 from a Blacksmith (ex-Mallard) reduction. They were introduced in 1921 so would be almost brand new in service for my time period. There are a number of things still to do but that list is getting shorter.

The topic of duplication of models between ready to run manufacturers regularly raises its head within the hobby especially on the many online forums. It has once again recently been mentioned in light of the National Railway Museum’s announcement that via Bachmann they have commission a model of their Midland 4P compound 1000, when Hornby has already this year reintroduced in to its “Railroad†range their 4P from its 1980’s tooling and have started to promote it in the same livery as the NRM model [insert your own conspiracy theory here]. Last Christmas when Hornby announced their version of, the quickly becoming iconic, new build A1 Tornado, there was much online disgust as Bachmannalready had a model in their range. This to me shows that some within the hobby do not understand market segmentation which is a classic marketing strategy tool: This is an extract of the latest entry on my modelling blog click here to read the full entry My full model railway and meanderings blog can be read at www.grahammuz.com

Good evening, Just a small update to end the week. The next level of detail has been added to the station building. Slithers of evergreen strip have been used to create the verticals and framing to doors and windows. Windows will be (I think) formed of individual 'cut to fit' clear perspex with a paper or thin plasticard frame mounted on top. I would like to have gone the etch route, but I have one eye on the clock as I would like to keep the project moving until christmas time and seeing as its almost November that equates to about 16 modelling slot evenings for me. I then aim to get back on CJ-M in 2012, allowing this to fulfill its role as a mini operable layout with small detailed fleet of rolling stock...errr...most of which is still in flat pack etch format I have given the station building the requisite misting of grey primer to see how it fairs. The roof tiling will probably be strips of paper overlaid. I am now considering revisiting the colour scheme and perhaps will finish it in cream with all timber joinery picked out in green. The blue I think represents Kyle of later years, whereas I will sort of pitch mine early eighties, with the Kyle of Lochalsh blue sign...which I believe Michael Palin has hanging on his garden wall I attach a few pics (terrible light as its been persisting it down here) of it having its grey mist coat and a little stock as garnish...where's Bryn's tasty grubby class 24 when you need it? Have a good weekend all... Class 24 arrives on parcels... And a little more zoomed in...platform due to be resurfaced and will close the gap... Farish GUV rewheeled and with DG's awaiting collection...