2A-Rail

Well I've decided to go for a Caledonian Jumbo, or at least to build something that captures the look of the class. It will never be an accurate model but considering so far it's cost me £30 including the chassis, I'm not going to complain. So far I've removed the splashers so that I can reposition them, started to remove molded detail so I can replace it, altered the smokebox door and removed the buffers so I can replace them with ones that match the prototype. Just need to look into getting some castings for the loco now. Chassis is currently free rolling as I am changing the position of the motor to allow for loco drive. Johnny

There were a few at ASDA Rugby this morning so I picked them one as I want to try and build something ex-Caledonian with them (I know it won't be accurate but it'll pass if it looks the part.) Think I'll try and motorise it using a Bachmann 57XX chassis, will need to make a new cab and shorten the boiler/footplate at least to get it in line with what I want to model. Johnny

I'm glad I saw this topic, as I had started converting an Emily into a Stirling single and never completed it due to lack of parts, meant to design some bits for it myself but only got as far as the smokebox door. It's not based on any drawings, I merely took the dimensions from the face and designed one that would just cover it, still needs some work yet but I'm going to order the parts above to complete it. Done a J70 from a Bachmann Toby and currently making a Wisbech and Upwell 04 from the Mavis they make, I just find the models good conversion fodder for what they are. Not a patch on the work you've done Mike, but I may have to complete mine now! Johnny

Wagon and loco chassis come from the Hornby toy story train set. Reworking the loco myself for O-16.5 but I don't think it's worth that much.

It's the cab I'm worried about, the cab doorway is already rather fragile. Have decided, like all of my products, to offer models in either FUD or WSF, which suits the majority of people I deal with. Johnny

It could be but I'd be worried about it affecting some parts of the model. If you want a good finish then Frosted Ultra Detail is the one to go for. Johnny

Yes, if you select to buy it in frosted ultra detail you'll get a finish not unlike ready to run models. I'll be ordering another one in this material for comparisons sake. You buy the model through Shapeways, all you need is a PayPal account. Johnny

If I was making the kit to suit my own needs then I'd go down this route, however I'm building it as an example to show how it looks built up. I'll be building more so I'll try and polish them up a bit, although from normal viewing distances the surface texture isn't too bad. I'll look into it, but for now the kit will be available in either White Strong & Flexible or Frosted Ultra Detail. Please note this is how you need the chassis, just remove the body and use plasticard to raise it up a little. Quite happy to say the kit is now released. I've fixed a few areas, such as giving the final model a boiler which can be filled with weight. If anyone wants one, you can get it on Shapeways right now. https://www.shapeways.com/model/2648909/4mm-scale-peckett-w6-Dapol-pug-chassis.html Johnny

Peckett got some adjustments along with the first coat of paint today. Off work resting after a toenail operation so I'm modelling to pass the time. Was going to go for black with red lining, but instead went for red. Guess I'm just fond of red locomotives given I've grown up in a town which is former LMS territory. Just need to make a boiler section now and paint and add a few more details. Any thoughts/comments so far? I know the chassis sits a bit too far back compared to the prototype but it evens out with the fact the chassis is ready built and no assembly is needed in that department. Johnny

And as for Standard Gauge, here it is. This print works fine in Frosted Ultra Detail but not so for White Strong & Flexible. Will do some slight alterations to fix this mesh, hopefully nothing too major here or there. As for the Y5? Still very much a work in progress, but at least I've got an idea of how to go about it now. Johnny

Right, time for the narrow gauge update... OO9 - Kerr Stuart 0-4-0T This kit is based upon drawings for the proposed Kerr Stuart 0-6-0T for the Talyllyn Railway. I have designed it to use the Fleischmann 7000 chassis to make a smart looking steam locomotive that doesn't use tram skirts to hide a Kato 4 wheel chassis. Of course for those who wish to have it as a 0-6-0T, the Minitrix chassis will fit with some modification. I'll build a second one using this. O9 - Unit Models tank wagon conversion I've recently bought an O9 layout and needed some stock to go on it. Locomotive wise I am toying with the idea of making a Heywood locomotive for one of the many Graham Farish 0-6-0 chassis. Also designed a loco to use the Minitrix 0-6-0T chassis, based upon many newbuilds used today. The Unit Models castings are great for what I need, but the range is rather limited. From what I understand they are bringing out more items soon but for now I have a closed wagon, a open wagon and a flat wagon. The reason for the flat wagon is I want to have a tank wagon to use of the layout. Quickly created a design and had it printed, not too great detail wise but it'll be weathered and toned down eventually. Not based upon any particular prototype, just went for something that looked right. Johnny

Now working on another commission kit, being the LNER Y5 (Formerly GER Class '209') Unlike the Peckett above, this kit will come with a custom chassis as there is nothing suitable ready to run. It's my first time doing a chassis with 3D printing, so it's more or less a test in order to see how it works. Please note these renders show the part finished model, and some details are not yet present. Still plenty of work to do yet, but it's certainly looking like a Y5 now! Johnny

Just completed a design by commission, not 100% accurate but certainly looks the part. Seeing as one operated locally to me as well, I'll be building a model for myself. Peckett W6 is now available for 4mm scale, and is designed to take the Dapol/Hornby Pug chassis. Will look into producing this model in 3.5mm scale too. https://www.shapeways.com/model/2422982/4mm-scale-peckett-w6-0-4-0st.html Will have to do an order with Narrow Planet too at some point so I can finish off some of my kits Johnny

First up, finally got another O-16.5 kit near ready to sell. Joining the Quarry Hunslet and Talyllyn Merseysider, we have "Quintina", a Manning Wardle based on one used on the Furzebrook Railway. This kit uses a lightly modified Fleischmann Anna chassis, which is far superior to the Hornby 0-4-0. Details and price to follow soon. Along with that, I've also got two for OO too. As part of our starter range, we will be offering conversion kits to bring "toys" to decent standards. The first kit is for the Hornby Percy, and allows for conversion to a generic 0-4-0 saddle tank locomotive. The second is for the Bachmann Toby. This kit allows you to produce a LNER J70/Y6 with minimal effort, and as such create a locomotive not available in a Ready to Tun form. Details and prices for both will follow shortly. Will paint these up soon so I can display them on my website. Johnny

Have been toying with the idea of producing some of the smaller 2 foot gauge locomotives as 15" gauge ones. Whist so far I've planned to do the Groudle Glen's 2-4-0Ts in this manner, some other locomotives I've looked at would also suit the same treatment. Taking a tad of inspiration from Brack and his Bagnall and Annie models, it scales nicely to Heywood's estate stock. Looking at the Farish 61XX chassis, this seems to be a logical choice for powering the locomotive but I'll look at it when I have a basic body drawn up. This was my previouis model of Heywood's "Ella", and I shall be redrawing it at some point to sort some issues out. Johnny

Hi all, currently sorting through several planned models I will be drawing up at some point, all of which will either be used on a planned layout (just a base board at the moment) or simply because I fancy a model of them. Unless stated otherwise, all are 7mm scale. O-16.5mm Locomotives: Lagos Steam Tramway Hunslet Locomotive (chassis tbc) Kaunia-Dharlla Railway 0-6-0T (possibly Bachmann/Mainline J72) Fairymead Sugar Mill 4wd Diesel Mechanical Locomotive (chassis tbc) O9 Locomotives (Miniature): RHDR No. 4 "The Bug" 0-4-0TT (Fleischmann 7000 chassis) R&ER "River Esk" (chassis tbc) R&ER "Bonnie Dundee" (chassis tbc) R&ER Basset Lowke 4-4-2 (chassis possibly going to be 100% custom) O9 Locomotives (Estate): Groudle Glen Railway Polar Bear & Sea Lion (small enough for O9, Modified Farish 61XX chassis) R&ER Ella 0-6-0T (chassis tbc) R&ER Muriel 0-8-0T (chassis tbc) Stock: O9 - R&ER styled open & closed coaches (12 seater bogie) Hopefully you aren't bored yet, so I'll supply some photos of my currently complete locos (awaiting them being printed) to bide the time. Johnny

After finishing 10 pints I was dangerously weaving in the middle of the road. I thought, "It'd probably be safer to make this cane chair at home." Johnny

Whilst not mad in a bad way, I'm loving the ammount of Tri-Ang Blue Pullmans being sold given the upcoming Bachmann model. Shown here is a complete (as far as I can tell) rake for a fraction of the Bachmann price. £125 for a 6 vehicle rake would have been unheard of a few years ago, at roughly £21 for each item it's going to be a bargain for someone. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TRIANG-6-CAR-DIESEL-PULLMAN-00-GAUGE-/400335170008 Johnny

Should update this as he's moved out of the Garden Centre, been away from it for a good while now. The shop can now be found at Studio 3, The Locks, Hillmorton, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 4PP. It's just as good as before, nice shop to have locally. Johnny

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hornby-No-R057-CR-0-4-0ST-LOCO-2-COACHES-BOXED-/260947039876 Surely no more than 10 pounds at a trade stall? Johnny

I hate to pester, but is there a chance of a unlettered, unbranded model in plain black with red bufferbeams? I'm not too sure if there are other people who would like this idea, but I feel a plain one could be quite useful. Johnny