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Kelly

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Blog Entries posted by Kelly

  1. Kelly
    Over the weekend of 7th/8th October Hornby Magazine held their annual model railway show. Once again it was at the impressive British Motor Museum, near Gaydon. Natalie and myself were invited to help out over the weekend with two DEMU layouts, Rannoch Moor and Bere Banks. Unfortuately as it turned out we weren't really needed…… Continue reading The Great Electric Train Show – 7th/8th October 2017 – British Motor Museum, Gaydon
  2. Kelly

    Scalefourum 2017

    By Kelly,

    The weekend of 23rd/24th September 2017, saw Natalie and myself return to Aylesbury for the 2017 Scalefourum show. For those unaware, Scalefourum is the main show of the Scalefour Society. I was eagerly looking forward to it after last years excellent show. Layouts booked: Brettell Road by Jim Smith-Wright. Industrial byway in the West Midlands…… Continue reading Scalefourum 2017
  3. Kelly
    After a bout of  illness and being busy with preparing for and dealing with a new canine arrival to my other halfs house, I've not been to any shows or done much modelling as a result. However, I did manage (with assistance from members of the Scalefour Society and the Templot Club forum) to finalise…… Continue reading Finalising plans and choosing a name.
  4. Kelly
    Whilst updating posts on the P4 layout planning, thoughts turned briefly to the Nuclear Flask Terminal I'd been wanting to build for a while. Thoughts turned to it being made as a self contained extension to the P4 Layout plan, adding between 3 and 5ft extra to the 9ft length of the P4 Layout in…… Continue reading Returning to other ideas briefly.
  5. Kelly

    Evolving the plan…

    By Kelly,

    As with all such things when designing a layout, plans evolve and change. A quick run down on what has occurred: Boards have been given a coat of while emulsion to protect them from damp (living in an old '60s council house it is a bit of a problem in some parts). All boards have…… Continue reading Evolving the plan…
  7. Kelly
    Not done a great deal on the P4 layout plan due to other committments recently. However, the plan has evolved a bit more to better reflect the prototype location and avoid problems with carriage siding being too sharp. Adding an extra 1 ft x 2ft and 1 ft x 3ft boards shouldn't cause a problem…… Continue reading P4 Layout changes, MERG, and shows
  8. Kelly
    The Scalefour Society AGM moves around the country each year, with the North London Group hosting it this year with a small show. DEMU were invited to the show and so Natalie and myself set off to set up the stand on what proved to be a very hot day. The show was fairly quiet…… Continue reading Scalefour Society AGM, Watford 18th June 2017
  10. Kelly
    Once again first weekend of June came around and that means DEMU's premier event Showcase, showcasing the best of Diesel & Electric modelling (sometime termed Modern Image by some, though personally I hate that term). Layouts in attendance this year included: Acton Parkway (4mm OO) Alderford (4mm OO) Cripple Sidings (4mm OO) Deadmans Lane (4mm…… Continue reading DEMU Showcase, Burton-Upon-Trent June 3rd-4th 2017
  11. Kelly

    Modelling thoughts

    By Kelly,

    I've recently gotten the bug and inspiration to get back into doing model making after a number of years out of the hobby.
     
    Primarily I've an interest in Aviation modelling - WW2 and/or Cold War mainly - and the majority of my modelling output may well be in that direction.
     
    However I've been thinking of seeing if there is a way to have a 60s to 80s era RAF dispersal diorama with some element of railway modelling to it, maybe for transport. Possibly a narrow gauge line bringing armament? I've as yet not been able to find any record or photos showing anything like this, so not sure if I can manage it and remain prototypical.
     
    Of course at present I haven't got any models of either type (other than an Airfix 1/72 Avro Vulcan and a Star Trek Klingon Bird of Prey) that I can get on with, so till I've the money to buy a few small kits my output is likely to be nil. However I have been making sure I've got a) an area to do such work and tools to do so, buying where needed.
     
    Kelly
  12. Kelly
    I attended (with Natalie) the Diesel & Electric Show on the 19th and 20th of February, the first time it has been held and first time I've been to the Telford International Centre. We were there helping out on the DEMU stand all weekend. On the Sunday I started working on my 465/2 conversion from Hornby spare Networker (466) bodyshells, but more on that later. First a quick report.
     
    The show itself was good I felt, though I felt it could be improved in a few areas. Parking (particularly attendant/security communications in relation to directing etc) was a bit of an issue on the Saturday, but less of an issue Sunday. Aside from that the quality of layouts on show seemed good, with a good mixture I felt. The balance of traders could have been a bit better, would have liked to have seen a few smaller traders (reasons have been given for why this wasn't possible on the thread for the show on rmweb, which seem reasonable). I didn't buy anything model wise, but just a few tools and some books that were a good price for second hand.
     
    Glad to have attended and the DEMU stand was fairly busy for most of the weekend, with a number of queries and interest. What was nice was to see a good number of children interested and parents asking questions about how to get them started etc.
     
    On the Sunday I took along the parts for the Networker conversion I'm working on and made a start on one of the center cars (the non-toilet one). Part of the initial reason for taking the items along (I forgot to grab them for Saturday and detoured back home on my way back Saturday evening) was to ascertain which parts I'm still needing (one non-toilet bodyshell short!) after talking with Paul Wade (LyddRail) who had kindly sent me plans and detail drawings for the Networkers which will prove helpful as I progress. Hopefully I can manage to track down some more bodyshells (ideally I'd like to make 2 465/2 units (which means I need another 4 or 5 bodyshells)), they do come up occasionally on eBay, but seem to attract some silly bids at times.
     
    My efforts on the 465 center car were fairly productive, with the parts for one of the center cars cut out and temporarily glued to the rest of the body so as to get the underframe lined up. I managed to glue the end on the body a little out of line, so it'll have to come off anyway. the underframe was cut ever so slightly too short on one half, so a gap will have to be filled. I am however considering making a new underframe from plasticard due to the difficulty of getting the underframes (I can get them but they're a bit expensive now at nearly £10 each!).
     

     
    For the other car I am short a bodyshell (non-toilet car) to easily make the end of the center toilet car, and with how difficult it is proving to get extra bodyshells now, I am thinking I might have to cut up parts from the left over shell:
     

     
    Having scale plans will certainly help matters now (thanks to Paul Wade (LyddRail)), I will have to print them off and reduce them down to 1/76th from the 1/25th scale they're drawn in. I only wish I could find any plans for the 376s so I could have a stab at scratchbuilding one, suspect I might have to do that from photos/eye etc.
     
    Thats all for this update. Hopefully won't be so long between posts, but life (particularly my health) has rather gotten in the way in recent years.
     
    Attached are a few photos of the progress.
  13. Kelly
    In the previous entry I posted that I'd mothballed this plan, and whilst that's still true for the majority of the plan, I've had a few thoughts on one aspect of it.
     
    If you'll ecall there was originally 3 parts to the plan:

    Narrow gauge bunker/exchange
    Standard gauge sidings/exchange
    Main line running from Waterloo

    I still ish at some stage to see the 2nd and 3rd parts realised, but it isn't going to be possible at the present time without some alternative location for storage and more funds available - this is why i turned to the london 3rd rail plan.
     
    However recent micro-layouts on RMweb have inspred me to look arond again for suitable stock options for the narrow gauge part.
     
    I've found that cwrmodels do a Hunslet 60hp loco that would be a good fit, and Narrow Planet do a 3D printed 99hp Baguley-Drewry
    deisel, ith a 60hp model planned. The 60hp model will be just right for the plans I think. Also Narrow Planet have a brake van in development that is also a good fit for the Chilmark system.
     
    The plan hasnt been figured out yet, but a small single track line, with a siding going into the bunker will be about right I think. Possibly with the standard/narrow gauge transfer shed at one end and the line going off scene the other end towards other bunkers.
     
    I think this plan is certainly viable for using foamboard wihtout much issue or worry due to the size and storage shouldn't be an issue. As long as it's left feasable to extend later to model the exchange sidings on the other side of the transfer shed it should be ok, I have a WD diesel shunter etched kit (i think from Mercian) that will go well for that and a Hornby J94, which whilst not entirely accurate will suffice as I just like the look of them.
  14. Kelly
    Following on from my previous post I've been thinking on stock for this layout.
     
    As it is planned to run Networkers as test rains and on shadow timetables alongside the EPBs a translation vehicle would be of use. So to that end I've pre-ordered the pair of limited editions from Invicta models, interestingly I used to live not far from the shop in Barnehurst 78-00.
     
    The translator vehicles will allow a 465 or 466 to be on a delivery run to Slade Green depot, which as the layout is being based on the Woolwich Dockyard area, is the right lines for Slade Green. The question then is what loco to haul. 33? 73? 47?
     
    I've also ordered some underframe parts to go with the two bodies I have from a networker, still missing bogies tho and the bodies have their cabs missing so I'll have to build that bit back up again or take it from another body.
     
    Stock I think will initially need to consist of:
    2 4EPBs
    1 465 - maybe two
    1 466
    1 2EPB - maybe two
    Networker Translator vehices
    Suitable Diesel/Electric loco(s) to haul the translator vehicles and other departmental stock

    I think this will be a good start sock wise. I already have the following:
    1 blue with yellow ends Bachmann 2EPB
    1 set of body shell/cab parts from Replica for a 4EPB conversion.
    1 Hornby Networker - runs well considering how poor these tend to run
    2x Networker Translator vehicles - on pre-order

    In the coming weeks I think I'll be adding a Bachmann 4CEP and another Bachmann 2EPB to that list, the 4CEP will be surrendering it's chassis for the 4EPB conversion. If that proves a success a second will follow so 4EPBs can pass each other for extra interest and appearance of a busy SE London commuter line.
     
    Natalie, aka Chief Research Manager, is researching other departmental stock information and other items. Hopefully at some stage the NSE Polar Bear train can be modelled, as well as other departmental stock, such as a de-icer. The chosen time period falls within a period of very harsh winters (especially 1987).
     
    Thats all for now.
  15. Kelly
    So, with putting other plans on the back burner after a recent move I've started to think on what is more feasable in the shorter time scale compared to the other ideas I've had (or Natalie's had).
     
    So with that in mind I've decided to start looking into a layout based upon the woolwich dockyard area.
     
    Why Woolwich Dockyard? well I was born in Woolwich and grew up in Barnehurst, so have an affinity with the area. Mostly I recall Networkers over EPBs as I wasn't relaly paying attention to trains back then! computer games and aviation modelling had my eye far more (still do to some extent). But I've always loved looking into the history of where I and my family grew up. I'd use the North Kent lines almost daily in the late 90s and they were the only option if going further than Bromley or Eltham usually. In my final year at University in London, I lived in Woolwich, not far from Woolwich Dockyard station, so Networkers and other traffic were familiar sights.
     
    For ease of stock buying/costs initially I think it'll be easiest to go with the late 1980s to early 1990s period when 4-EPBs/2-EPBs were common and 465/466 were still in testing. So a couple of 4EPBs and a single 465 should cover running needs initially. I've one 4EPB on the 'workbench'* and the Hornby Networker awaiting attention.
     
    At some point back dating to the 40s/50s/60s would be nice, to have a mix of earlier electric units (4SUB?) and steam (C class?), but that's a longer term goal. But with it in mind I'll be aiming to make buildings etc removable (which will aid storage).
     
    Features will be:
    Time period initially late 80s/early 90s - i.e. just before privatisation.
    EPBs main units with one 465 or 466 on trial runs.
    No stations. Just simple track work running lines.
    Level crossing for interest (based upon sand street)
    Junction off to the dockyard
    Cassette fiddle yard
    Portable/modular to allow easy storage - thinking about IKEA INGO tables or old dresser draw fronts for main boards to save money.

    I've still to finallise a plan and have been discussing it with Natalie for advice/input.
     
    I've already got one Hornby Networker, with parts to hopefully make a 465 unit. I'll likely add another 466 to the fleet. I might look at remotoring the Networkers as the Hornby unit isn't that good at all really. Wondering if spuds or similar would work, or using a 73/bil/better power bogie and changing the sides?
     
    I've also got a Bachmann 2-EPB, and have the parts to do the Replica 4EPB conversion plans. At some point I'll source iether a Bachmann 4-CEP chassis or get a Replica powered chassis for the 4-EPB.
     
    That should give enough stock to start with.
     
    Thinking handbuilt/C+L/SMP track with PECO code 75 off scene. Thankfully idea only really has 2 points excluding any off scene! With this in mind would Templot be best bet to plan with?
     
    * My 'workbench' is currently unusable due to having moved recently sadly.
  16. Kelly

    Ponderings and stuff

    By Kelly,

    After having a rather busy last few weeks with DEMU Showcase and a DEMU airbrush/weathering meetup in Tamworth haven't had much chance to sit and do anything at the newly cleared workbench alas.
     
    However, conversations with Natalie have progressed on various aspects of both the Salisbury/Chilmark layout plans and possible subjects for the RMWeb 2011 Diorama Challenge.
     
    My thinking now is to work on the Diorama and put the Salisbury/Chilmark idea on ice to some extent and continue researching it as it will be a longer term project I think, especially the exchange sidings/main line bit!
     
    the Diorama will be a small, easy and simple way to get back into the hobby and both myself and Natalie have a few ideas we're passing about between ourselves at present, some rather exciting.
     
    As well as this, have been looking at Warship (Cl 42) details with the aim to update/detail an old Mainline model, and repaint it Maroon as D827 ' Kelly', as the Salisbury/Chilmark idea can feature warships as a later period, allowed by the
    ideas floating around about multi-eraness of the layout by having items such as buildings and signals removable (also to aid storage).
     
    Am currently working way through photos taken at DEMU Showcase, so they should be on flickr
     
     
    (http://www.flickr.com/photos/geekgothgrrl/sets/72157627000402774/)
     
    and here fairly soon.
     
    Kelly
  17. Kelly

    On back burner for now

    By Kelly,

    Due to finances and a house move it's been decided to put this layout plan on the back burner for a time. I'm still working to getting stock as money allows however, but work on the boards, track and buildings won't start till probably next year now.
     
    The other aspect causing headaches is where to store it when it's started/done in the future now I've moved to a 1 bedroom flat. So that will maybe cause a bit of extra research in terms of size and construction at a later date I think.
     
    In the meantime I'll look to work on the as yet unnamed SE London Woolwich Dockyard plan as it is liable to be a) cheaper to build b) I already have enough stock to start with (2EPB, networker) and a 4EPB and 465 planned c) smaller/easier to store.
  18. Kelly

    An update of sorts..

    By Kelly,

    I've not been active on RMweb for a while due to a mixture of health and other matters taking precedence.
     
    Owing to financial situations of both myself and Natalie, layout progress or building sadly hasn't occured. But with enough plans in our heads collectively we will manage something eventually.
     
    Out of all the plans we do have, we are likely to hopefully sometime in the next few months or so start on the simplest of the ideas. That being a small layout set around Woolwich Dockyard on the North Kent Lines in South East London. The idea being to set it around the time of the introduction of the Networkers replacing the EPBs. It being a simple stretch of track with not much else other than a siding off to the docks it will be much easier to actually get a start on. It's also helpful that I have a Hornby Networker and a set of body shells as well. With some work a 4EPB and a 465 should provide a motive power starting point. I'd also like to back date it at some point to get earlier stock and steam too. But simple start for now hopefully.
     
    Before any of that can happen though I need to finish the current moving house I'm in the process of doing. Hopefully the new flat will help my health (being a ground floor flat) and allow a start to be made perhaps.
     
    Hopefully I'll be about at the next Warley show and see how things pan out.
     
    kely
  19. Kelly

    Warley Model Railway Show

    By Kelly,

    So, today I went along to the Warley National Model Railway show. I had a good time there catching up with a few people and grabbed a few bargains and some tools. Didn’t really get chance this year to see any layouts as I wanted to also check out the memorabilia convention on in hall [...]
     
    Source
  20. Kelly
    Unfortunately my health has been poor in the last 6 months or so. I did manage to go to a few exhibitions when health allowed. These included Alexandra palace and rmweb members day. I’ll be at the Warley show on the Sunday this year hopefully too. Sadly I missed this years Model Rail Live, after [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=d827.wordpress.com&blog=24582877&post=303&subd=d827&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />
     
    Source
  21. Kelly
    Sunday just gone saw Natalie and myself go along to the Nottingham show. This show has always been a highlight I’ve found. It seems for me to find the right balance between the number and variety of layouts and the trade stands. It also I find is much easier to navigate than bigger shows such [...]
     
    Source
  22. Kelly

    Illness stops play

    By Kelly,

    There is a saying in Cricket ‘Rain stops play’. [i don't like or watch cricket myself]. In my case, recently it has been my ill health that really is stopping play. Too much pain, too tired all the time and not sleeping well don’t make for making even the slightest attempts at doing any kind [...]
     
    Source
  23. Kelly
    So since last year myself and Natalie have been planning a layout based upon RAF Chilmark near Salisbury.
     
    We discussed names over and over and struggled to come up with one. Natalie suggested Winterbourne, I forget the reasons for this now, but I like the name.
     
    I think Winterbourne Exchange sounds about appropriate.
     
    So a recap:
     
    3 modules.
    Module 1 narrow gauge with storage bunkers and a loop off scene to others.
    Module 2 Tranship shed, where narrow gauge and standard gauge meet
    Module 3 exchange sidings with BR Salisbury-Exeter mainline.

    It is to be set in the mid-60s, when steam was coming to an end and interesting new diesel types were coming in. An interesting change over period for sure.
     
    However, as multiple eras appeal, the layout is going to be designed so that it can represent earlier or later eras with tweaks. Exactly how this will work out I'm not entirely sure on presently, but as theres no station, etc it should be feasabile, with only the stock needing changing and maybe a few other items. If buildings and features are made removable as well it'll be able to be managed this way also.
     
    The multiple eras option will also, give us the ability to run during 1940s, 1950s, 1980s and maybe even privatisation, but i think that might be pushing it myself! certainly being able to run a 1950s set of stock would be interesting, as would the 1970s/80s.
     
    I'll update here in future when there is news. But it might be a while, as West Cromwell Road will be first priority as that is a more viable option at present. This plan is a longer term vision i think.
     
    Attached are the track lans that were drawn up. They need tidying up and improving, but give an idea of what is planned.
     
    This is a joint venture with Natalie.
  24. Kelly
    Recently I've been giving thought to what to use for the boards/storage for West Cromwell Road.
     
    I had initially thought about using a combination of plywood and foamboard. Whilst this would be very light, with my health, it'll require more effort and time. I intend to use it for the Chilmark layout however as the IKEA APA boxes I've decided upon wouldn't be suitable for that layout.
     
    So, yes, I've decided to go down the IKEA APA box route. As they're cheap (£10.99 each) and not very big they seem like they could be the idea compromise between size and convinience for me. And if they don't work out I get extra storage for my flat
     
    The plan is to use two APA boxes for the scenic portion, and one for the fiddle yards/storage. They should be able to be stacked on top of each other in a corner out f the way when not in use also.
     
    When I get around to ordering one I'll have chance to look and see how easy/difficult to use they might actually be before taking a saw/drill to one.
     
    I rather like the idea of the layout being a few seperate modules that are mostly self contained. The idea with West Cromwell Road is to keep it fairly simple anyway.
     
    Basically it will be the steam shed, based upon Lillie Bridge (2 roads), with a coal staithe etc and a 4 road electric car shed, which is opposite the steam shed. It will be fronted by a retaining wall, which the District Line would pass beneath, but won't be modelled. Natalie is working on plans at present, and one will be uploaded when she has finished it.
  25. Kelly
    Been giving some though to West Cromwell Road again today, whilst not being able to get much else done due to being too ill.
    The main stock/train movements is going (possibly) to consist of:
    LT pannier tank (ex-GWR 57xx)
    Rolls-Royce/Sentinel (0-6-0DM (Judith Edge Kits) [3 aquired by LT 1971, one a Lillie Bridge, replaced Panniers]
    Ballast motor/battery loco with engineers train stock (ballast hoppers, crew carriage)
    Pilot motor
    Weed killing train/de-icer
    Breakdown/recovery train?
    Track replacement train?
    Other LT steam stock as I determine what stock was around at the time chosen (early-mid 60s)
    Possibly some underground stock, forget what stock exactly, as in later years the electric shed was used to house stock as well as engineers trains
    coal wagons for loco coal delivery from BR

    There are probably others, but they espape my mind presently!
    In the case of the LT pannier, I have a Mainline 57xx I plan to convert to the LT L9x type. It'll need the following doing:
    Trip cocks adding
    Paint stripping and repaint in LT loco red
    Renumbering as L9x (not decided on actual number)
    Cab roof/profile altering to match LT version
    Other detail enhancements to bring the model upto scratch
    Replacement wheels to cope with finescale track

    Some might say 'why don't you buy the Bachmann one?' and I would agree if I could afford it. Besides, doing the conversion could be a fun excercise. I may well get a Bachmann one at a later date to complement the fleet and relegate the Mainline one then to a lesser role on the layout however.
     
    There were other steam locos that LT had, but I'm not certain which ones are available in model format or if they were at Lillie Bridge '60-'65? more research is needed on that.I know they had a few Peckett saddle tanks, and maybe a hunslet tank. They had a few other oddities stock wise, which I might well try to model. Such as this!
     
    I'm not sure if there was any of the former Metropolitan Railway locos/stock at Lillie Bridge at that time or not, but some models of some of them are available I believe.
     
    EDIT: Seems all apart from the E and F classes of the A-K Met classes had gone before the early '50s. And the E and F went by '61/'62. Not sure about the Met Peckets though, think they might of gone about the same time or sooner, need to research a bit more.
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