Neilgue

You’ve got a fair bit of the track work done…

I have been lurking here for quite some time. I even commented once or twice. So I can't say that I knew Jonathan personally, but I certainly admired his work and he came across as a really good bloke that I would have quite liked to meet. Thank you Jonathan. Cheers, Neil

Another option is to replace the glazing with laminated glass - the interlayer cuts down a lot of uv light. It’s worthwhile making an enquiry to see if it can be done easily and for the right price.

Slightly OT, but I lurked around the Bacup thread back in the day, but being from the other side of the world I am not sure how to pronounce Bacup. Is it Bake-up Back-up or something completely from left field?

Physicman's latest build is Gill Head. He has been a bit quiet lately, but the viaduct was completed a while ago. The earlier pics on the thread were lost in the great crash, but I think he has managed to reinstate them from this page: .

You have only scratched the surface. I worked in the design side of the domestic window industry in Australia. There was little consistency in the terminology between individual companies and the construction industry at large, never mind other countries. And don’t get me started on the Americans. We used to have some interesting discussions at the technical committee meetings at the window industry association when trying to formulate standards. Fun times. And FYI, an astragal is an extrusion used to form the meeting stiles of two hinged door panels. In my version of reality anyway.

“figure out how to make the detail extend down on to curved surfaces in F360. “ Have you tried the engrave/emboss commands? (From memory, actual commands may vary…). They are similar to extrude, but from a surface instead of from a plane. You start with an offset sketch which is projected onto a curved surface. You can even project right around a cylinder. Cheers, Neil

A second post to beat the 10 MB limit... I had a nice time clambering around the vicinity of the viaduct. The slopes are a lot steeper than I thought and I had to be careful not to slip and plummet to my death. I had a bad bout of vertigo a few years ago and my balance has never been the same since and so I could not get to some of the places I wanted to. But anyway I had a great time and took lots of pics. These have had some preliminary tweaking. Probably a bit overdone and will probably be toned down a tad when I get home to my desktop. Cheers, Neil

Guess Where I went today...

In January 2013 I posted some pics here during my visit to Kirkcaldy. (Yes, some people go on their holidays to Kirkcaldy...) Anyway I'm back and the diesel at Muir's in Den road is still there, though it's getting harder to see. The steamies are still there, but you can hardly see the chimneys over the wall through the undergrowth. Cheers, Neil

Hi Jeff, I have been caught up with other things and not been around here for a while now. Not even a quick lurk! Things have moved along nicely and it is good to see the station buildings reappear. I wondered a bit about the tunnel when I first saw it (too short, too shallow) but in following the build I could see that it made sense. The road bridge has come out well too. I had some questions about the stonework, but a closer look at the prototype pics showed that we both share a very close eye for detail. What looked like an improbable detail was indeed found on the prototype. Having lived in Australia for most of my life, I can’t really comment on the greenery. It looks way too green for my uncalibrated eye. Things are as green as they get here at the moment, but nothing like in the UK. But I’ll have that sorted in a two or three weeks. We fly out on Thursday to Scotland to see my Mum and I have a side trip all arranged. Three nights in Dent, just down from the viaduct. I’ll be having a close look around and let you know where the prototype got it wrong... Any suggestions as to interesting things to see and do will be gratefully received. (Including local ales.) Cheers, Neil

This is moving up to a whole new level Jeff. You certainly have been blessed with an eye for detail. I hope to be able to have a look at the real thing soon. We have taken the plunge and are finalising the bookings for a trip over in a couple of months. To hell with the prospect of WW3. Until then, I’ll be spending a bit of time on Google Earth checking out exactly where it is and how to get there!

This is my one. It extends to 3.5 m. I cant remember how much it cost, but it was dirt cheap. It's far from professional standard, but then I'm not a professional. Cheers, Neil

Hi Jeff, I was just passing by… The “plank” is certainly going to be perfect for photography. To me, those few pics show that the traditional back scene is going to severely limit the number of viewpoints that don’t include the world outside the plank itself. I think you should have a look at a photographic backdrop which can be had on eBay very cheaply. A blue background will blend into your existing back scene and would enable further photographic trickery if so desired.

Hi Jeff. When I first saw what you were up to with this project I wondered if you might regret not regret doing it before you started Gill Head. I saw further back in the comments that you might replace some of the more prominent walling. That's one of the problems with raising your game! The new walling looks amazing and the trees are looking very good. They certainly add another dimension to the landscape. As far as backscenes go, have you considered using a solid blue or pure white one? Then you can combine your model photography with photographic backgrounds from the area. Just a thought. You will be pleased to hear that I have finally started something. I got myself a 3D resin printer and I have been learning to use it while reacquainting myself with 3d solid modeling using Fusion360. I found a full set of engineering drawings of a 1923 RCH 12T wagon online and I am planning to design a running version. But first I have been making an exact virtual model. So far I have completed most of the underframe with just the drawgear and brake gear to go. It is probably too fine to print out at 4 mm scale, but I am going to try tomorrow. I have already done the wheels at 4mm and 7mm which both turned out well. Many hours of work so far. Every component and every rivet modeled. Who would have thought that being obsessive could be so rewarding... If you will indulge me, here are a few pics.

I’m pleased the radiator came out looking so well installed on the loco and painted. I have been an armchair modeller for many, many years and it is nice to see something of mine come to life, even if it’s someone else who did it! Cheers, Neil

It’s nice to see what you’re doing here Jeff. The new method is certainly a step up from from the previous. The old way was certainly spectacular, but I always felt that the stones had a few too many sharp edges. I’m looking forward to seeing a length of wall in 7mm. I’m having a lot of fun with my new resin printer, though I have been spending most of my time in Fusion 360. Virtual modelling is just as much fun as in the real world. Cheers, Neil

There is something I was wondering about. In some of the last lot of real life pics you posted it looks like there is a small retaining wall at the foot of the cutting. Am I seeing things properly? Its not like you to miss the chance to do some stonework.

When I say model up, I mean put something together in Fusion360. Give me a couple of days and I’ll have something for you. I would imagine the largest size would be the most appropriate. I can print one out, but given that I live in Australia it might take a while by post. I can send you the file if you can get it printed locally. Cheers, Neil

It doesn't look too difficult to model up. Do you have any drawings or the like with sizes? Cheers, Neil Edit: What about this: https://www.castlepumps.com/pumps/pump/binda-excelsior-g-semi-rotary-hand-pump/

This looks like a bit of fun. I’ll watch this with interest.

It’s looking very convincing Jeff. It’s amazing how realistic the textures of modern scenic materials are. Things have moved on a lot from green sawdust. Have you run any trains through it yet? Cheers, Neil

I didn’t know you did that. I’m off to have a look.

Of course we want them. I think you say things like that just to get a rise out of us. “Feeding the chooks”, as one of our former state premiers used to say…

Is it just me or has this thread morphed into some kind of corporate team building exercise where we all have to introduce ourselves to the group? It made me laugh to think back to some of the awful management courses I used to have to do. But seriously, I have been lurking around KL for some years only commenting very rarely. In doing so I have come to know the names of a lot of the regular participants without ever really knowing who they are and what they do. It has been interesting to hear a little bit about what some of the other participants get up to.