Les Johnson

From the sublime to the ridiculous! Here is my unfinished as yet feeble attempt! All card except for wheels and boiler fittings. Les

Thanks so much Penlan. I knew one side was quarter past but didn't know which! I'll post a pic when I've finished it, but don't hold your breath! Cheers Les

Nice garage Ken. You'll soon have to find a real place that size for your layout! Can I pick your brains please? What is the orientation of the coupling rods on the 439? Looking at it side on with front to the left, if rods are at 12 o'clock , what time is it on the other side? Cheers Les ( hope you are well)

Rich, have a look at Severn Models for your shed 'acootrements' (!) ie. Benches and tools etc. No connection etc. The shed is coming along very nicely Les

Mirmic, just caught up with this build. As everyone who has seen it has said its stunning, or to use a Liverpool expression ' I am gobsmacked!' I am just about to start a build in cardboard using a brass kit as a pattern, although I do not have your skills or obvious engineering knowledge of locomotives. If my 'sad' attempt comes anywhere near your brilliance, I will be more than happy! Thanks for your inspiration, keep modelling, and keep posting! Les

hi Ken, they didn't look half bad before but they look great now. Finally got my 439 kit from Telford on Saturday. Now all I have to do is build it! I've actually got some temporary movement on Arbroath shed as I've part wired a couple of roads. Nice to see the old 'visiting' Crab moving backwards and forwards ( not sideways, fortunately, ha, ha). Have you been hibernating like me? That was nice of Phil to comment on the photo you sent me. Cheers Les

Sorry Ken, I should have been more specific, but your answer's great. Many thanks Les

Thanks Ken, sounds like you've had a good break, apart from your hospital stay! Fortunately the bear came quietly. It was Roger de Courcy we had trouble with, but a single shot to the temple soon sorted him out! A service to mankind, methinks! Grass bank needs more trimming and colouring, and I haven't even started on ballasting and ground cover etc. Justo e question, how many men would have been 'stationed' at the shed? Any idea? Cheers Les

hi Ken , meant to send you a photo of my bothy last time, but it didn't work! So, here goes again. I've done a bit more scenic also, grass and sleeper fencing, as you can see (hopefully, if it transmits!) Your canopies are looking great. Hope you're all well Les

Shed is slowly coming together. I've fitted smoke hoods(?) , support columns and some flooring (expensive!). Roof half slated. Inspired by your good self , I've just finished the windows and doors in the bothy. Just need to add some chimney outlets to shed, but as there are18 of them,might take some time! Also two chimney stacks to bothy need doing. Your station canopy is looking really good. I do like York products. I have their footbridge tucked away for when I'm bored! Ha,ha. It's not quite the one outside the shed but it'll do me.

Hi Ken, brilliant modelling as usual, especially the red sand stone building. So typical of the area. You are so prolific! I don't know where you find the time or patience. Cheers Les

Many thanks for painting tip Duncan. Hope I can make my wagons look half as good! Les

Duncan, brilliant slow running on the Jinty. I've only just caught up with this, so you'll have to excuse me if you've already mentioned it, but how did you get that fantastic rusted effect on the coopercraft chassis? Was it talc mixed with paint? Or is it powders? Can you take us through it if you haven't done so already? Many thanks Les

Hi Paul, many thanks for info on hanging lamps. Don't worry, I'll just have to keep on looking. The layout looks fantastic, everything from stock to track to buildings to signals. Wish my meagre efforts looked half as professional. Mine are more impressionist than realist!! Thanks once again Les

Sorry guys, many thanks for your replies (and LNWR modeller) but I meant the hanging ones under the canopy in post 40? Are they still DCC? Many thanks Les

just caught up with this David. Looking really good so far. I've used exactly the same technique on my Arbroath shed roof.(see below) I can also remember the original Scotland Street layout and very good it was too. One of my favourites from tho old days. I don't know whether it was EM or not but certainly had the appearance of fine scale. Les

Couldn't get in yesterday for some reason, just to wish you and yours a merry Xmas! Les

Hi Ken, you're very quiet! Hope everything is Ok? Meant to compliment you on your 439. It looks very straight/balanced. Some pictures of model 439s I've seen look a biit 'humpty backed'? Can I say that these days? What are you working on? I haven't done much, still working on shed roof tiles( model that is!) Cheers Les

Having just read your magnum opus over the last few 'weeks' all I can say is WOW! Although not my period or gauge or area,the quality of the modelling is, to borrow a phrase from our American cousins 'awesome', AS I've said before somewhere, railway modelling is not appreciated as an art form, but it surely is. keep up the good work, can't wait to see how it unfolds! Les

Yes sorry. I just love Crabs! Did I send it to you, by mistake? Les

just been watching several episodes of the Telegoons on YouTube! Don't know if you ever got that over there? Have a look. It's supposed to be the original scripts with the Goons voices but over puppets from early 60s. I can remember watching them and thought they were hilarious then! Sorry to ambush your blog! Last time honest! Les

When you reply, you click on 'Reply with attachments'. After that you choose a file to put into your post, then you have to click 'Ads to Post' on the file (you have a 'add to post/cancel' option) when you see it uploaded. That will put it into the text body. After that you hit the black box that says Post and that will work for you. Trying again Newts! Colonel Bloodnock sits down and puts one leg on a stool, turns to Bluebottle and says 'Take my boots/welling tons off, Bluebottle' then shouts 'And don't wear them again!' Sorry about that, couldn't resist! Les

also very impressed with your Goon reference! I thought you were only the age of your Shakin Stevens photo? Love the Crabs! Here's mine(if the pic comes through) and another go at my shed(?). If it works! Black 5also looks very impressive in its first coat. Les Don't know what's happening to my pics!