M.I.B

A quick check of the RTR bodies has shown that some more window trimming is required in a couple of places. Once that is complete, out comes the glue. I have a target of having these all in final primer (all filling and filing done) by Hogmanay. I've been abroad for work and in Edinburgh for a sad family event, hence nothing has been done for 10 days. M.I.B Snr is very unwell, so as usual, this may all change. I hope that you are all happy and healthy.

Agreed - but still no Saint.......................

I use Mess Dress Ltd in Bournemouth. I'm highly unlikely to get another gong, but happy to refer them on as they always did a great service and also make good frames for displaying them - with a removable back so that they can be retrieved for cleaning and wearing when required. I sent that Malaya GSM off to them for proper mounting today.

And here is what was causing the logjam: Two LMS WELTROLs from Bygone Wagons from Tasmania. Great models which come complete with loads ( as do most of the offerings from them). Not a tough job - bauxite version and LMS Freight Grey version (Humbrol 64). Plus decals from HMRS. These are completed now and re-boxed, so the cabinet has sufficient space for the projects in hand. Next step for today - get the K22 sides (Worsely Works) trimmed out and filed, and line up the 4 needing sides glued on for final pre-glue checks and fettles. Stay safe.

Turned it inside out after a gentle sponging with diluted hand wash liquid. Once they are court mounted (glued to a board) you can't clean the ribbons - you have to send them off for a remount and new ribbons. I use a firm in Dorset for doing my medal mounting. (I have a couple....)

I have managed to find some time for modelling!! First work in 4 months! I have not been slacking - I built a huge workshop this summer, and I'm still looking for time to finish the wiring and roof insulation, and install the log burner. First off, an emergency job that came in on Friday..... a very black tarnished medal, on a scrap of ribbon which was stained with brasso. "Could anything be done with my Dad's medal for Malaya for my son to wear on Sunday........." was the request. No scope for error - I don't mount medals for a living and hence this ribbon was all I had to work with. Cut a long story short,,,,,, some Silvo, a toothbrush, some plasticard and a safety pin......... The medal was worn at the parade this morning. The little boy's grandfather served with the Royal Signals in Malaya and was ambushed and survived to tell the tale. The Centenary full brake was the first item to get modelling attention. The water tank was removed from the roof (no WC on this carriage). The holes left by the roof level destination boards were filled. At the same time I did a similar exercise to the roof tank at one end of the D130 and C126 bodies. Some vents were deleted, and some were added where plastic ones had been knocked off. My plan is to get all of the coaching stock projects up to the same stage of production, meaning that these were first in the que. The two excursion carriages have already had their windows removed and the sides are ready for the brass sides to go on. I also need to put the sides onto the J12 Centenary sleeper, and a K22. Those 4 will all be done at the same time as the next but one task. Then out will come the filler and a couple of other projects will join those 4, followed by priming, which should see all of the projects up to the same level. There are 11 coaches to do: 4 are rescues of attempts done a few years ago where the Araldite just peeled away and the brass sides split off. 10 of the 11 are "brass sides onto RTR" One is a full brass kit - 12 wheel H57. Soldered up by Phil "Mallard" of this parish. Then there are engines to do after that - 3 white metal tank kits need fettling to fit DCC 8750 chassis into them. Them a few engine repaints and re-numbers, and a Dapol mogul to get chopped about to make one of the last batch with the Castle style cab, outside steam pipes, and alternative reverser. It's nice to be back modelling again. On the day when the oldies, and youngsters marched, shuffled and stumbled along, and the Nation remembered, I hope that you are all happy and healthy.

I have a pot of Phoenix LMS Bauxite! Apologies- I updated a few LMS vans a while back and haven't been a frequent modeller since. I have Humbrol 64, so "one of each" it shall be. Many many thanks.

That does sound attractive......... any suitable Humbrol or Revel colours for LMS bauxite (: ?

There is a write up on my North Cranford Post (link below). Look for April 4th 2020. Photos are sadly long gone like most other older posts on RM Web. It's an easy build if you use the 3d printed tender chassis and a 4000 gallon top from a Hornby Castle or Hall because they fit the Shapeways chassis due to matching mount tabs and holes. Trickiest bit (for me) was adding pickups to the wheels. It's ugly under there, but it's unseen and it works.

Thank you both for the suggestions. I can get Revell colours, but I may already have those suggested colours in both R and Humbrol. I am modelling post war GWR, and these WELTROLs are visitors. They will be in the later shade and decidedly grubby to hide the incomplete set of lettering - I will make up what I can from HMRS sheets.

What is the closest standard Humbrol colour to LMS Freight Grey please - only need to paint two wagons so buying a dedicated tin may not be cost efficient. Thanks.

I can't remember when i last saw a 90s Vauxhall on the road - therefore Halford's stock sales vs stock buying algorithm would mean that this is no longer sold in a pre-mixed can

Believed to have gone to Birds with 5904. There are a few small gaps in the history and livery changes to this unique tender, but slowly they are getting filled and completed. I did a fair bit of gap filling a while back before building it for use behind a black WW2 built un named Hall, which it was joined to after WW2.

Many thanks to you all, especially Miss Prism.

An excellent book on this subject and real "rivett counter" info is Drew Fermore's Haynes Manual on the Castle Class. He is a great bloke and does lurk on here from time to time under the name "Castle" but he's a busy bloke - very much involved at the coalface with Pendennis Castle.

I agree on the sight of a teak full brake behind a Great Western tender engine - my pigeon rake is still my favourite looking NPCCS. Fully support your use of a Hawksworth full brake as you well know. Good models from Hornby and had BR been born 2 years later these would have been in full GW livery. Rule 1...... Regards,

Not at all Phil - Needs to be finished - it's sitting on a DCC fitted Hornby chassis. But never say no to another one this close to Paddington.

Yes please

With the impending arrival of the Dapol Toplight Suburbans, please can someone confirm or correct my assumption that a set of 6 ( as sold/produced by Dapol) was coupled as follows: Brake Third, 4 x non brake, Brake Third, Van ends at either outer end of the 6 car set. OR Brake Third, 2 x non brakes, Brake third, 2 x non brakes I know that in later life these were split up and appeared everywhere, but I'm focussing on formed sets doing a run such as Windsor to Liverpool Street for example. Many thanks.

Congratulations John.

Those SIPHONs look great now John. Good work.

I have an old wooden school ruler that works well for this job.

If I were in your shoes I would say yes. I have a Mailcoach K22 in dull brown, but it was painted by a previous owner. They built it well and it runs beautifully.

The K22 sides from Worsley have arrived, and join two Third opens (one is a brake). (one pair of sides is from Bill Bedford, and the other may be from Mozzer Models - will confirm when I do the write up. These are going on two Replica Railways 57' RTR units. They will be easier than the J12 because they are simple due to the removal of most of the plastic side and bonding the brass side in on top. As mentioned earlier, the J12 is harder because of the recessed end doors on Centenary Stock. I am not avoiding the J12 - it would make sense to keep it at the top of the "to do list" but add the other three "sides onto RTR" into that work package due to the almost identical task and routines of bonding sides on. 79 years ago today, a shy truck driver recorded his first retail single at Sun Records' studio. It was a cover version of "That's All Right Mama". Two guitars, one voice and a slap-bass. Thankyurrvurrrymush

Looks like a Ruston Bycarius Probably needs a match truck out front, but its a very good looking and apt load.