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westernviscount

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Everything posted by westernviscount

  1. A bit more progress last night. I have ended up concentrating on the crossover before moving onto the next points. The second curved stock rail went in and the first crossing V. This was constructed using a second template, filed and soldered rail into a V then set in place. I have previously soldered wiring to the copperclad but this time I solderd the wire for the frog/V under the rail and passing through the board before putting the v in place. I am no expert and my experience is limited to one previous crossover plus a turn out but so far so good. I said last night that it all looks lovely at this stage. Its when the first wagon pushed through leaps off the rails that the fun starts!
  2. There is something to be said for this approach. You could go for a full purge by using microscope slides for windows. Real glass!!
  3. Possibly late forties early fifties brown would be ok. Could it be like the GWR letters remainimg on some locos for a decade or more after nationalisation? But would BR change the numbering and would the area of the numbering be dramatically cleaner than the rest of the bodywork? Based on the selected quote; a further question..black roofs? Was this ever the case? Are grey roofs simply faded black?
  4. First rails going in... I've started with the stock rails for the crossover at the Wrexham end. The curved stock rail is kinked where the end of the blade meets it. From this point the rail was gentle curved between thumb and finger before tacking in place. Applying heat does loosen the timbers from the template so care must be taken. I am enjoying buildimg the turn outs in situ. There is a set limit on start and finish times which naturally controls my habit of becoming impatient and wanting it finished yesterday! Probably next curved stock rail next, then put the timbers down for the goods yard turn outs then the crossing vees, then the stock rails for goods turns outs etc etc.
  5. Further pics of progress... Just in view is the regulator, in the wrong position but on the bracket as per the kit. I realised as I uploaded this picture that I have made a hand brake and positioned it like the gwr autocoach but forgot this was once a braked van, therefore the handle would be in the guard's compartent. There is no through door from the guard's compartment to the cab. I dont know this of course but I assume I have done it wrong. Shame, because I quite like the effect.
  6. I find that with the brass side thickness, putting the glazing behind the apertures there is still too much recess (even for the droplights). My attempts at setting the droplight glazing further back are I confess, done by feel. I use calipers to get the heighy and width of each window aperture, scribe directly onto the glaxing material using the caliper and cut with a brand new scalpel blade. Edges are dressed with wet and dry and finished with a sharpie pen. The window is a press fit (as best I can achieve).
  7. A couple of pics of the most recent progress. Nothing particularly groundbreaking here. The kit comes with ratio coach seats and I built the compartments in line with the actual model not the plan which the instructions suggest. Here we see the glazing loosely fitted without blackening the edges. I made a regulator copying the dart castings airfix autocoach upgrade kit casting (try saying that after a bottle of red...infact try making a regulator after a bottle of red). And a brake handle also based on the dart castings set. I obviously have no pics of the real a44 interior and have based the fittings on the more common gwr auto.
  8. The track plan is decided and templates from templot put in position. There are five points to build in total. I set Templot gauge to DOGA intermediate which gives the normal 16.5 gauge with a 1mm flangeway. I have decided to build the points in situ. The template was glued down firmly in place, carefully getting the correct alignment. 4mm copperclad point timbers are used and the rail will be soldered to the copper. Once the copperclad is in place some of the template information is obsured. A second template can used to form the blades, wings etc. I have made use of a template printed onto tracing paper to check position from above the timbers and rail which is handy.
  9. I would perhaps use the tender to do the transition between the intercity loco colours and the coach colours like the class 91 and HST power cars. Looks quite nice. Of course, I think this is the best BR livery of them all.
  10. Thanks Stewart. There are pics of these vans with the side mirrors mounted on the doors and wings, one or two with both wing and door mounted mirrors. Of course, most pics are of restored vehicles which one has to be aware of. Chrome, wing mounted mirrors would fit in with idealised representations of the 60s of course which many are aiming for.
  11. I'm working on an oxford van. I have found a coat of matt varnish is the main way to uplift the model. Here I ja e also bent the front wheels, added wing mirrors and replaced the glazing with clearfix.not the best finish but flusher than the moulding. Not apparent in this photo is gently heating the tyres and pressing onto a flat surface to give the impression of the weight of the vehicle. I am yet to perfect this.
  12. Thanks Rugd. The Hawksworth is the comet kit. My logic was that by the time I source a Hornby one, strip it and repaint it, I might as well have a go at a coach kit.
  13. Hey Steve, many thanks. I recieved a box of track and copperclad today from Marcway so track laying and building can commence!! I am really pleased with the coach. I havent got many photos of the original and I think there are multiple discrepancies but I am aimimg for a flavour in terms od stock ans the actual location.
  14. Hi Simon, I have posted lots on this thread. Since you asked, here are a couple of Templefield post 1969... Apologies for repetition.
  15. Iain, your work is superb! Due to a recent change in modelling era I have had to do some lining on a Comet A44 auto trailer I just finished. Thinking about your HMRS issue, I used my Dad's stock which is probably in excess of 30 years old. They still have a Waltons of Chester label on them.
  16. Hi Mike, Caia Road Goods was between Wrexham Central and Hightown Halt on the Wrexham to Ellesmere line (Cambrian Railways then Gw the BR(w). Bottom right on the map which is on disused stations site.
  17. Hi @The Johnster. Ithought you might be interested in progress on the a44. It is virtually finished but for the glazing on the other side and cab details. I have been photographing and playing with it on my home layout and am at risk of not "crossing the finish line" with it. Must press on tomorrow. Whilst playing, I took a few of the 14xx as well...
  18. My visits to Templefield were mostly in the early 70s. However, I did find some earlier shots online taken in about 1962 apparently.
  19. Here is the trailer on my layout, Templefield. Despite being modelled for blue diesels, the coach fits in nicely.
  20. I have completed the main carpentry now and here is a pic from the Marchwiel end. Tonight is club night and I am going armed with some templot prints to try and finalise the plan before getting the track down. I am recording the progress on the A44 auto eleswhere but here it is as of now... Still some interior bits and window wiper to do.
  21. I have glazed one side of the coach with reasonably pleasing results. It is amazing how much a transparent piece of plastic can change the look of a model. The reflection makes it look more believable and reduces the visability of the interior. Luckily the finish is not so pink in reality. The odd window has the permenant marker visible but I think I can live with that for now. Further jobs include... Glaze t'other side Sort a neater coupling to perhaps including a vac pipe and screwlink mockup Cab detail including internal handrail across window and regulator. Passenger (I have painted the seats) I didnt really document the interior that well but it is not glued in so will give a more detailed record when I carry on.
  22. All my modelling is a compromise and some compromises are made because of exhibitions. My layout is much truncated to fit in a fiesta for a start! I went 3 link one year and was miserable for most of an exhibition so went back to spratt and winkle. They are almost as obtrusive as tension lock but the auto feature makes me happy. These examples may be more than a tweak. Frequency of service is the big one. If I ran my layout prototypically my tea break would be quite lengthy! All this said, you cannot please everyone. We must remember that there are folk who are entertained just by the standard and care that has gone into the making of something. Some folk still enjoy subtlety. One lady announced that "there isnt much to this one" when glancing at my efforts. I duly apologised.
  23. I added door grabs tonight. I decided to use a mk1 etch for consistency along the coach side and they look close enough to the original. I have also provisionally added some glazing to see how this will look. 2 sheets of clear styrene come with the kit and I guess it is normal to add the glazing to the inside of the coach as the brass sides are thin enough, however I feel it doesnt look as good as it can do. So I have cut windows individually and use a black marker pen around the edge to reduce "prisming." The panes will be held in by thinned gloss varnish bled in through the inside edges.
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