richard i

A lot of that is based on the face you do not notice if it is missing but you do notice if it is there.

Finished the figures who will be loco crew or inspectors the poorer quality will be in the enclosed cabs where they will not be so obvious. It is noticeable how much better the higher quality figures paint up compared to the ones recovered from my first layout of 25 yrs ago even though they have been treated the same way in their repaint. The man on the corner is the better one, if it is not obvious. Richard

It shows how little modeling has been achieved when you can no longer see your thread on content you follow. Busy at work. On the plus side my Christmas present from swmbo arrived. Mousa model GCR 4 wheel coaches. First and third. Must get the composite and brake for my birthday. Looking forward to the build. If it is as good as the wagons, it should go together really well. Richard

Is the map to help you find your way around the enormous room?

Hair? Blonde preferably

It depends who the parent is. My three would certainly have known that I disapproved of what they had done. Have been told I run a tight ship where kids are concerned. I took it as a compliment. Richard

I gave built one, and had no instructions. It is a fairly simple model. So I worked from the big pieces to give the outline and then photos for the smaller items. Sorry I can not be more helpful, but the approach did work Richard

I have not really been near the model desk for ten days as i was busy and could not find my modeling mojo. I did today get to finish off the second improved director today as kids are ill and i am at home watching over them. I know it needs a crew which will be the next job. It is 507 to go alongside 506. I tried to ring the changes with weathering level and amount of coal loaded, the crew will also be differently positioned. Still need to make the chassis for the D10 and the carriages that the engines will pull for that matter. Richard

That is called growing older. It is all natural and looks most realistic.

I have used the drawings to make buildings and gates etc. they were / are indispensable

I am in the middle, it seems a couple of years older and it is all imperial, and a couple of years younger only know metric. Mine is a mish mash of small measurements in metric and over thirty cm I am in feet and inches territory.

Well thats convienent how nice of the whole country to stay imperial and yet put measurements in metric on the packet just so i can have a simple way to get a rolling tender chassis. I knew i liked the Americans for a reason.

Yes who would have thought 9.5 by 9.5 mm would be a standard size and the correct chassis width for oo. Richard

The simple chassis, use 9.5mm by 9.5mm plastic squaire tubing and overlay with the drawing. Drill through bothsides and a chassis you have. Well at the fourth attempt anyway. Still as chassis go even including the mistakes it cost me less than a couple of quid, (dollars over here). It runs well , the only other add on which cannot be seen is the extra weight in the tender to give it a smoother ride. Not bad for a GBL i think. Worth the effort anyway. I have put off the chassis to complete the other D11 which will be 507 and then i can set to task. Richard

Lining is fox transfers LNER lining and on the curves and corners sheet there are two long gentle curves, about two thirds of one was used on each side, the pointy bit at the front uses two of the shaper curves coming in from opposite sides, overlaying each other and a small piece of single white line laid at the end, then with a fine sharpe I colour in the white line I do not want that cuts across the black mid lining. Worth it as the forward tick was quite a distinctive part of the lining. Richard I may get on to red, I find the single lines do not hold together well and so are the very devil to do.

its all over bar the shouting. Well the conversion wok anyway. Just need to build the chassis for it, i think i will use a kit d11 chassis as the rest can be canabilised for a B3 which is pipe dream territory at the moment. onwards and upwards Richard

Yes I have been building a GCR steam rail motor off and on for the last couple of years, more off than on at the moment I must admit. Now the question is what did the tea pot look look like, and was it carried on the firebox back plate to keep it warm, I feel a little plasticard project coming on. Thanks for the info, as always it adds to my understanding of the era. Richard

Thankfully it is not just me who thinks that is wrong on so many levels. Pray tell, without sniggering, what lactating your crank is in modeling terms? Thanks Richard

Just me then.

D10 progress. Or why progress has been slow. My son brought droids with his christmas money which needed building and motorising. However they needed extra weight to work effectively. Where have i heard that before? For the geeks amongst you, you may spot the sides of a Bachmann 9f firebox being used as the extra weight. The D10 has moved on, having said i was going this route to save having to reline eveything, the boiler has been through the works and the cab, for that matter the tender too just leaving the tender sides, and the wheel arch as the only untouched parts. I have heard people say that it should be a cheep conversion so they do not put on all the bells and whistles to save expense, but appart from the hand rail knobs (2.50) name and number plates ( a tenner) every thing else has been filler and scrap etch. It certainly looks the better for it IMHO. Just the bottom half to go/ safety valves. The other thing is by altering its original cab it has kept the little swish forward above the wheel splasher which is lost if an o4 cab is used, (or difficult to do as an add on). I believe it was worth it. Is it just me or does it have a touch of City of Truro about it in this state? Richard

A kit section would highlight good kit offerings, buildings in brass and laser cut. High level and mike edge have some new locos/ chassis. It is a missed opportunity to reward those cottage industries that move our hobby from collectors to craft. I have been told by an art teacher ( not TW) that it can not be art as building two kits of the same loco would come out the same.

I agree, i do not need convincing how good the 4-6-0 were, they had a long life and were chosen for top link at gorton. They also look great too. Richard

Thank you this is really helpful and simple to crack once you have the key. Richard

Great, I have asked for ( hinted ) that I would like the four wheelers for Christmas, so we shall see if FC was listening. Is there an easy way to work out what six wheeler it is from the coding? Forgive my ignorance. Richard

I would take the plunge and add the detailing kit, put in real coal and repaint the tender back, it makes such a difference/ improves the look. I did not say that my original choice for the d10 conversion was another NRM d11 but changed my mind as it comes apart into less conversion friendly bits.