Jack374

Congrats on 300 pages Jim!! Thanks for the heads up, I’ll try and get out and see you on the Stenson-Sheet Stores line at some point. Thanks, Jack.

Correct…I’m not sure of dates or how many each day etc, but light loco training runs have taken place to Cleethorpes, and a full set went recently. If proof was ever needed, you can see the sea in this pic! Pic by Corin Paul, linked from Flickr (click pic to follow). Thanks, Jack.

...and a bit later at Barrow on Trent... Jack.

Found this, linked from Flickr… There’s just something about the background that looks like a painted backscene, although when I look at it again maybe it’s more "when the real thing looks like train sim"!! Thanks, Jack.

Thanks very much for the kind comments guys! It’s been a long time in the making…but I’m ready to say I’ve finished the 222… (…bar a light weathering, when the airbrush makes an appearance) The final push to get it ready has meant a stall on any other modelling, apart from one 'quick win' task I had. I’ve been meaning to rewire my 37716 for some time, to allow independent control of all the lights. What this means in practice, using a LokSound V4 (6 functions), is that the tail lights, marker lights and headlight at each end have their own function output. This required 2x 2N7002 transistors, as explained previously on 60065, since aux3 and 4 are 'logic level' - not powerful enough to drive LEDs. The task was made easier since I’d done the lighting boards myself when I converted the noses from centre headcode to ex-split box, so I disconnected the headlight from the markers and gave it its own feed, then the circuit board on the chassis was butchered. The results, I think, were worth it… I've also altered the function output modes and on/off delay, so each set of lights turns on/off differently, like the real thing! Now to the 222. First job was to finish the transfers, mostly from my custom sheet from Railtec. I have to say, they went on a treat - even the cant rail - which I was really surprised about because I’ve struggled with it in the past. Practice makes…partially perfect! Here are the transfers for the DMF before they began their bath… Then I re-fitted the windows. Each coach required a couple of windows to be chopped about…the centre cars due to the smaller 'half windows', which are about half size on a Voyager but around a third of a full window on a Meridian. On the drivers, the cab side windows had to be hacked around as they’re a complete different shape to a Voyager. That completes the build, then. It’s been fun, challenging, testing at times, but I’ve learnt a lot from it for sure. Roll on the next major project! Actually, think I’ll have a break first and focus on some slightly smaller projects… Thanks, Jack.

That’s a great set of projects Andy, really nice casting and 3D printing work on the MPV, and the lights on that 70 look superb. Looking forward to more! Thanks, Jack.

Ta for the tones and wave Jim... Thanks, Jack.

Looking good Jules, very nice work on your scratchbuilt steps, pipes and coupling gubbins! Your soldered steps look very accurate to the original moulding. Merry Christmas! Jack.

All the best Simon…thank you for furnishing us with top notch photos of Dallam and your projects this year, I look forward to more in 2022. Cheers, Jack.

https://www.redbubble.com/i/socks/Network-Rail-HST-Locomotive-by-CraigMatthews/44344857.9HZ1B Jack.

Dull loco, dull day…only reason I went out was to phot a working with an MPV in the consist! Jack.

The 222 now has one coach (MC) transferred-up with my custom sheet from Railtec. Before application, the whole coach was brush-painted with Pledge floor polish (ex-Johnson's Klear) and another coat was brushed on after the transfers were applied. First are a couple of shots of the transfer sheet, drawn by yours truly and manipulated, enhanced and printed by Steve @railtec-models for a very reasonable price. Many thanks Steve, I know it’s been months in the making (mostly due to my dodgy artwork!) but well worth it: Below a few shots of the coach finished: Windows were glued back in using Deluxe Glue N Glaze, but before this I went round each aperture with a black Sharpie, just to simulate the rubber surround and not show up any dodgy painting where the inside edges may have been a different colour to the body! Since the smaller windows are more 1/3 size on a 222 rather than 1/2 size on a voyager, the windows needed were chopped down from some spare full size originals and sanded to fit the individual ( different sized!) apertures I’d created: Thanks to Pete @Powerhaul 70 Pey, the 222 had its first run as a painted unit on Pete's superb layout Durrington (featured on this forum). To say it went smoothly would be a small lie…the inter-coach couplings basically derailed it on every curve. I’ve already sorted 2/3 of the problem by investing in a Really Useful Box which can hold 2 coach-length trains. Therefore only the centre connection will need to be unplugged after every use. I’m working on it but probable solution is to move the connector inboard so only the wires go between the coaches. Anyway, some pics in the urban environs of Durrington Central: As of this evening the rest of the coaches have been varnished with Klear, so transfers will be applied over the coming weeks. Thanks for reading my posts this evening! Jack.

As usual, apologies for the time between updates! Aside from the 222, I’ve had chance to do some work on a couple of wagons. First up was securing the RHTT modules on a Hattons FEA set. The easiest way I could think of was some very thin wire, twisted at the bottom. This will allow removal if needed but forms a permanent bond for now. They need some serious weathering! Next project was my MRA side-tipping set. The bodies have never sat properly due to the poorly-mounted side rails, which the bodies sit on top of rather than straddling the chassis with them. Instead of moving them out I decided to take them all off and glue them to the chassis. The issue: And once glued on: Each chassis top was sanded smooth to ensure a snug fit. The other mod was to remove all the handbrake wheels, then remount half but with about 1mm less protrusion. The other half were glued to the other side of the bogies with wheels re-mounted, so in the end half the bogies had wheels on both sides, and half had none, as @newbryford showed in the Dapol MRA thread. I discovered an easy way to remove the wheels was to poke through the bogie frame with a 0.7mm drill bit, and they just popped out with a bit of pressure: I also noticed the chassis sat a bit low, with the buffers marginally lower than other stock. Since more gap between the bogies and chassis will allow more room for the handbrake wheels to fit, some 0.8mm crude washers were made: Another small mod is to address the poor stability of the wagons because they derail often! I noticed the bogies seemed quite rigid horizontally, and this is due to two small lugs on either side of the bogie which prevent any rocking. These were removed, since there is a ~10mm wide bogie pivot mount on the chassis which provide well enough stability. I’ve yet to test the wagons on a layout, but more rocking yet still stable is an improvement for sure. Finally, I cast my eye over the couplings. I’d already removed the originals and they’ve been in landfill for the last 8 or so years. I drilled some holes underneath just behind the buffer beam, allowing some 1mm copper wire to be bent to a [ shape, with one leg longer than the other, which will be bent round to secure one end permanently. The other simply hooks into the hole. I’ll do the 222 in a separate post… Jack.

I asked EMR this as I’m currently doing a class 222 Meridian. They replied and said 'aubergine' RAL4007. I got a Halfords rattle can mixed up and it looks very convincing. There are pics in my workbench thread in my signature. Thanks, Jack.

ROG's 37611 was commandeered today to haul a 5+DVT rake of MK4s, in the livery of the short-lived Grand Central west coast project, from Doncaster Works to Eastleigh Works, presumably for a new lease of life after a lick of paint. Jack.

I thought he’s a bit messy too, Andy…at least your mess is useful stuff. Mick needs 3 different pens, 3 knives, 10's of drill bits…for tracklaying!!?? I reckon he puts it all there to make it look like he’s been busy Looking grand Mick Jack.

From Flickr. Jack.

The 31 looks awesome Pete! I like Reggie Rail colours too but I'm too young to have seen any for real. Regarding the decoder, it could well be the speaker as Adrian says. A £5 upgraded speaker from Roads and Rails makes a world of difference, especially to TTS decoders. Thanks, Jack,

This is true - it’s not only the sole surviving maroon one but also the only un-refurbished (non-super) sixty to have run in recent years. It definitely sounds better than the quieter 'super sixties' IMO. Unfortunately, word is that it failed with low power on the return 6M08 to Wolves, which only got as far as Toton, and very late. It was entrusted with a service train, but didn’t quite make it…such a shame as I’ve got a soft spot for this one. Jack.

A very rare occurrence today…the sole working maroon class 60 was allowed to leave Toton, and with a load no less! 60065 'Spirit of Jaguar' made a spirited departure on the 6E02 steel 'pig pens' to Boston Sleaford Sidings… Thanks, Jack.

Cheers Tom…I’ve seen models of the purple one but no plans from me I’m afraid…I don’t own any HSTs! SoMeONe mentioned they might like an EMR 156, all they need to do is ask for the rest of the can! Jack.

Ta much…already thought of that…Freightliner rake can be 18 vehicles long and the GBRf-ish rake can be 16, so think we’re good! If it’s not long enough I can always mod and weather another of my stash of megafrets…. Jack.

Gulp… Thanks for the comments guys, much appreciated. The end is in sight now which I’m thankful for…been a bit of a mammoth project. As a small interlude, I finished the second Dapol pocket wagon, by weathering the interior as per the first. I’ve yet to decide if it’s too bright…it might get a dirt dusting next time the airbrush is out in a few months: Recent attention has turned to through wiring the Meridian and adding lights. Each coach has 5 through wires: track + and - (so 3 of the 4 coaches supply pickup power - 12 axles!) then lights + common and FOF/FOR. I’m not doing independent lighting on this for sure. The MC has 7 wires with an extra pair for a sugar cube speaker, to have a speaker in the leading vehicle and provide a bit of balance to the bass speaker in the centre (ish). Connectors are IC sockets chopped up: …and wiring in the MC (which has no pickups) with hot glue to secure the wires. It’s not all this neat… MSRMB completely wired: Now to the lights. My usual affair of copperclad with 0603 SMD LEDs. The white/red marker/tail combo were soldered close together to shine through the same hole… The top lights were done using the original lenses (cut short) which were around 3mm diameter, and some 3mm LEDs in cool white. Some aluminium tape was wrapped around, simply securing them together and reducing light bleed completely. And the results! The light bleed in the other lenses really isn’t too noticeable in reality. I’ve yet to paint black around the insides to stop light bleed being visible. The hue of the top and RHS headlights is less blue than it appears below, but still cooler than the large headlight, which is warm white. Oh! I received a letter the other week from Belper way on, which can only mean one thing…Steve has been busy turning my amateur CAD doodles into professional quality transfers. They are certainly worth the wait…they’re superb. All credit to Steve and Railtec. They’re so good, you could say they're… With apologies for the cruel close up. I’ll show them fully in the next update. Next jobs are finish detail painting (I’ve done some silver and black since these pics), then seal it all with gloss and slap on these transfers. Following glazing we should be there…in theory… Thanks, Jack.

Mick's eyesight isn’t what it once was… Trying to read loco numbers to key into the controller at shows is bad enough…imagine if they were half as big! Jack.

Hi Jim, great to see you back modelling and tackling a Lobster! I did 4 a few years ago from scratch…I found VW Mars red a good match and it’s readily available being a popular colour. I started a thread to suggest Halfords (or other) rattle cans which match railway colours, with pics where I’ve used them. Link below: Looking forward to seeing your finished wagons! Thanks, Jack.