Clem

I think you are coming at this from the wrong end of the stick. What Tony does to help the bereaved pass on their loved one's treasured collections is commendable and I think he approaches it very much from their point of view. The fact that he has close contacts allows him to know a little better that these models are going to a good home and thus help give peace of mind to the relatives. Being at the end of a queue for such models is a small price to pay for that. Besides, using the word 'clique' does give the connotation of snobbishness and is a little offensive to throw around and plainly and simply wrong. The so called 'clique' is simply Tony's long standing friends and why shouldn't he put them in the know first if it expedites the sales. I hope I'm not saying too much here, but it just seems only right that acts of kindness and generosity to help people should be seen for what they are. Tony: Well done. Thinking of the the time you spend on this for no personal gain, what you do is terrific.

That's a fair point. Here's mine. The layout room is just 7 foot wide (by 21feet long) which limits my options for storage. The hidden sidings on the left, the work-in-progress scenic side on the right. The far end has been a bit of problem for me as for some time, I was not able to see it in my mind's eye. However progress is being mode now. The goods shed is in the workshop at the moment getting a make-over. The removable bridge is in the foreground. In an ideal world, another 2-3 foot on the width would have been a tremendous help. The minimum 3 foot curves in EM is quite a limiting factor. Anything above 7/8ths prototypical load and some engines start to polish the rails. Work is in progress on the scenic part and... Work has to be done also on the hidden side. Mainly using space behind the camera to install a cassette system so that some trains can be stored under the layout until required, alleviating the heavily stock-populated loops and sidings. And rejigging the small sidings in the right corner behind the camera adding a powered turntable and engine sidings. Well, there you have it. As for a layout plan.... er.... regards Clem

Hi Frank. I've used static grass mainly to try it out and for the convenience.I think it's worked quite well on the far side of the embankment and the nearside still needs much more doing to it. But I concur with your conclusion about it not looking entirely natural. I seem to remember Geoff Kent recommending teddy bear fur to me. The other option I've not yet really tried is carpet underlay (the old style) which I think you can still get.

Thanks for the kind remarks. I'm not sure I've got a layout plan but here are a couple more photos, an L1 included as requested (although they were thin on the ground in my era (1954/55 just 3 of them). What do people use (if anything) to do their layout plans in a neat way that I see published everywhere? I used templot to work out what I was doing basing the scenic layout on a combination of Eggington Jct, West Hallam and Kimberley. My wills K3 on an up Burton mixed goods. Converted Hornby L1 67788 (strictly speaking outside of my era - it arrived in 1956 but I remember it quite fondly) Bill Bedford Bachmann conversion O4/7 63699 on a Stanton iron ore. Finally an LRM J5 65498 on an up local colliery working to Leen Valley Junction.

Hi Frank. Thanks for the very kind comment. I'm hoping that there may be a chance to see Clayton before too long? I'm probably going to ExpoEM North this year so if you're going it'd be really good to have a catch up. Say hello from me to Andrew (Headstock) and Chris if you see them. Best regards, Clem.

Hi all, I've just been appreciating Tony's photos of Geoff West's models on LB. What a lovely collection of locos photographed superbly by Tony. A quick update from me, as I've been having a bit of fun with the new camera. Still learning the ropes on it but I thought I'd post a few of the results: Colwick's WD 90000 on an up coal train Followed by a couple of up locals. A J6 64215 on a Pinxton and... J39/1 64762 on an up Derby. Still lots to learn but I'm pretty pleased with it so far. I'm starting to get down to some of the modelling that I started in the last couple of years but remained unfinished (prime example, the signal box which wants a nameboard, interior fittings, roof tiles and guttering.). The new camera certainly gives an extra incentive to get on with it. I'll post one or two more soon. I'm still experimenting. Clem

I didn't notice the wall but I think one of the things that make the two photos work so well is that both the B1 and the A2/3 are so sharp and in focus. I love how you've weathered them also. Beautifully done! Clem

Hi Tony, I don't know how you find the time to do everything you do - and to such a very high standard too. I'm struggling (not so much now) just to make a just little progress on one layout. Well at least I've finished the D&S pigeon van (apart from a tadge of weathering). Here it is on its first run (if the link works that is...)

Just a quick update. My new camera has arrived! It hasn't taken me long to start shooting and here are a couple of photos for comparison with the previous two posted a couple of days ago: I think there's a definite improvement on the depth of field, the resolution and thus also, the quality. Obviously with any new technical addition, there is a learning curve but having a 20 year old Canon before also meant that the setting up of the shots wasn't that different. For anyone interested the basic settings were: ISO 1000, Aperture F29 (as high as I could get with the lens - I'm using my old 18-135mm for the moment), and shutter speed of 1.6". The only problem with having a decent camera for photographing the layout is how it shows up all the flaws!

Hi Ray, I really like the side-lighting and blue sky background for the photos of your new additions (which incidentally really look the part!). It brings back memories of my mis-spent youth going round the sheds on sunny afternoon/evening shed bash trips.

Hello all. It's good to see RMWeb back with all the great postings from Tony and everyone. After taking a break from modelling for a few weeks, I'm starting to get back to it in earnest. And I've bought a new camera (Canon EOS 90D) for photographing the progress, hopefully with greater clarity and sharpness. Whilst I'm awaiting delivery of the new camera later this week, I took a couple of shots (below) on the layout of a returning Mablethorpe excursion of 1954 heading into the sinking sun in the West with my 20 year-old Canon EOS 350. Having had this break, I've come back to a number of semi finished projects and issues to tackle with fresh eyes and renewed enthusiasm. One such issue: I've been looking at ways to try to improve running reliability against derailments. My gangwayed carriage stock had a mixture of Kadee and my own custom couplings and I found that although the Kadee couplings provided greater ease of use, they also seemed to be involved with many of the derailments particularly of trains over 8 carriages in length. So I've been standardising on my custom couplings which owe much to Tony's methodology for Little Bytham. This has resulted in a great improvement.

Hi all, I'm very much keeping in touch with the photos and discussion in the thread on here. As usual, excellent modelling by all of the contributors. I am also progressing with the modelling although there's very little to show yet. In light of the way things are going at the moment in the wider sense, I just wanted to wish everyone a healthy and happy Christmas. (This is my Christmas card to all - I'm getting it in early!) O4/3 63638. A K's kit and one of my first builds and still a favourite, it's a really quiet, smooth runner on a sprung chassis. Stay safe all, Clem.

Thanks for the kind words Jonathan. I suppose it's partly that feeling that you've not done something as well as you ought to have done. For example, I didn't get the flange bend on top quite right on one of the sides and had to improvise a solution which luckily works pretty well. The corner joints also leave a bit to be desired. But you are right I think, it will be good enough to serve its purpose as the BY that was included on some of the services of the line. Do you know if Danny is still making these kits? I know he re-released a few of his kits a while ago.

That's really good to hear Roger. That's inspiring as is much that I see on this thread. I'm afraid my work over the pandemic has almost dried up completely. That's probably more to do with my lack of motivation (and to a certain extent, a lack of confidence) than the physical problem. I keep trying to give myself a kick up the backside without a deal of success. But hopefully that will change soon. These things usually have a way of working themselves out. Goodness knows, I've got a ton of work to do to even finish the basic layout. Onward and upward - albeit rather slowly at the moment. Below - half finished D&S D120 pigeon van

Good morning Roger, Yes that seems to have happened to me also but on my left arm/hand. This has been a bit of pain in the bum, particularly when holding parts in place whilst soldering. I have found that if I lay my left forearm flat on the bench as I hold the piece to be soldered (and also attempt to take any tenseness out of my arm), it does help significantly although not altogether. I've also got a tall stool which I use to lean my left elbow on and this helps too in some circumstances. I'm at present just towards finishing a D&S pigeon van and to be sure, I've not made as good a job of it as I would have a 3 or 4 years back. I suppose we have to accept our limitations when we have no choice.

Yes Tony, it was *the* last survivor being the last and only one for over a year, finally succumbing in November 1961.

Guilty as charged m'lud. (Except offences numbers 6, 19 and 20).

Postscript. The BSL Gresley Diagram 49 has brushed up well within the limits of what was intended. It certainly has a look about it that none of my other Gresleys have and it will get regular running on the layout. It looks better from normal viewing distance. As with many models the camera is far from kind but I am fond of it as it was the first coach kit I built.

Thanks for posting this. The Mk1 looks terrific. Where it's fitted within the frame like your pannier (good job by the way!) I've started using Glue and glaze. I do my kirk carriages like that. It was really for the BSL model and for etched brass models (for which I've previously used evostick). I suppose the point is it's possible to use evostick successfully when you're building it, but when repairing it, the stringiness can be a nightmare.

Should be good at going uphill.

Hi Michael. Would that be Klear, Humbrol Clear or spirit based?

I have a question... I've been sidetracked by a short little project of upgrading an old BSL model of a Gresley diagram 49 that I made ~40 years ago. (Photo below). When I originally put the windows in I used evostick (I think). The glazing material must have been suspect as some of it has warped and others fell out. So, I'm re-glazing the side that's worst effected (as well as converting from P4). I haven't got any evostick in and I've tried bostick contact adhesive but I really can't get on with it being unmanageably stringy. Any ideas to the best adhesive for fixing. What about Glue and Glaze? Would it be reliable enough? When you're repairing, it's more tricky to fit glazing in tight corners with contact adhesive without making the situation worse. Hence Glue and Glaze. Any thoughts? Just a little addendum. I know this carriage is of its time and doesn't hold a candle to the Hornby version, but it has something that says Gresley teak panelled carriage to me and makes it a bit special in that way. I expect many of you did the old BSL carriages of way back when. The sides are stamped out aluminium with white metal cast ends. To achieve the panelling effect, Fablon is cut and stuck to the sides. The beading is very thin strips of Fablon cut to length. But the effect was really quite authentic. I can't remember, but I think the Fablon was supplied with the kit. I converted it to P4 in the late 1980s and although it wasn't compensated, it seemed to run OK on P4. I've just converted it to EM. All the interior compartments have all come to bits so that'll be next task after the glazing. The old wheels were steel and have rusted quite badly. I may use them as a wagon load! Thanks. Clem

Fantastic to see you back in the club rooms, Frank. The Q2 is looking excellent. As always, a lovely smooth runner.

Hi Graeme, That's a nice model of an O4/8! But no unfortunately, its dome hasn't got the height of the originals'. Thanks for the reply though. No, this is more what I mean... I've got fairly close by fettling the K's ROD dome (see below). But I'm really after replacements for Bachmann O4/1s and the modified version, O4/3s. I suppose I do need to get some resin casting stuff in again and fettle up another Ks example to use as a master. The photo above by the way, was taken by my brother Dave at Awsworth Junction and I was standing right next to him having just turned 6 years old the previous month (February 1957). It features 63657 a loco I aim to model using the Bachmann body and a scratch built chassis. 63729 (below) was the first outside cylinder engine I built. It's now got a new EM chassis having been both OO and P4 in its lifetime. I was particularly pleased with the safety valves which I scratch built using a lathe after I climbed up on to the firebox of 63601with a ruler to get the measurements when it was stored at Dinting 40 years ago.

I've done some resin casting, but I really haven't got the expertise to produce something quite as complicated as an LMS hopper although I admit I did go through the thought process. The scratch building isn't too difficult in plasticard (15thou for the body) and I used Archers rivet transfers to detail the reinforcing strips. But if it was done in brass, that might be better to use as a master as it is more rigid. That might be worth pursuing.