Mark90

That's a really splendid scene!

The Fairburn looks excellent, Phil!

What a shame that all the photos that you posted previously have been lost. But, I suppose it is an excuse to take some more! The ones you've posted above remind me why I come back to this thread so often.

This is starting to look really promising indeed. Hopefully you'll feel that it's worth all the effort when its complete - it's certainly looking so!

Many thanks. I am hoping for a smooth process - early days! Looking at pictures of Burley-in-Wharfedale station today and back then - such a contrast. A shame indeed that the old station building has been demolished.

Hello Dave, Great to see an update on Wharfeside. I read through the whole thread a while back as I'm working on stock and plans (I don't have the room to start the actual building, yet, as I'm trying to sell my house) for a layout based on the track plan and buildings at Otley, and running some of the trains from the main Wharfedale line as well as those on the Otley branch. I may have missed where you've said this earlier in the thread, so apologies, but is your layout based on any station in particular? Mark

I've been a way for the day and I see quite a few people have kindly commented - thanks to all for your suggestions. I'll briefly respond to a few things below, but I don't want to hijack Tony's thread any further! Many thanks, Andrew. You have confirmed my thoughts on what I should focus on building. I've already built a few kits of ex-LNER and LMS origins and will continue in this vein. Thanks, John. I agree that a small number of SR/GWR vehicles could be included, and the odd item of rolling stock from further afield will add some interest. Many thanks Simon. I have previously read through the Ilkley thread and David Hey's site, and the ammonia train is on my list! The other links are new to me and much appreciated. I believe there were also regular block coal and oil trains too. Excellent suggestion, Jonathan. I will take a look at Britain from above. I've mostly focussed on photographs taken from the line side thus far. Thanks all, again, for your help! Mark

That is what I will have to find out! Fortunately, I have a number of books about the railways of Wharfedale, that give some information about goods traffic, to help focus my research. Thanks all for your help and suggestions. Mark

That's really useful - many thanks indeed, Jason. Mark

Many thanks - I'll add this to my list! Mark P.S. I look forward to seeing Grantham in action at Doncaster in Feb (Covid willing).

Thank you very much indeed, Bill, for this really comprehensive reply. I will no doubt spend the quieter hours tomorrow searching for some of these online. Hugely appreciate your help. Mark

I've found the recent exchanges on wagons and freight working very interesting, and it has made me think about my own wagon stock and how I can improve things. Research seems to be the key (when is it not?) and I'd like to start learning more about this topic. A few people have mentioned books that they've consulted, but I wonder if anyone (Andrew, perhaps?@Headstock) has a recommendation of a good source or sources as a starting point? I'm currently building stock for a layout based on Otley in West Yorkshire in 1950-55, if that makes a difference. Many thanks, and a Merry Christmas to all on Wright Writes. Mark

Hello Jeff, My first post on this thread, I think, although I've been following and 'liking' posts for a few weeks (and have skim-read all the way from the start). Just thought I'd pop up to say how much I'm enjoying the thread but also how useful your how-to post is. I've done some landscape work but will be adopting some of your ideas for my next layout. I look forward to seeing how things develop! Mark

Both trains look excellent, Phil! I look forward to seeing what you do with the station. Mark

Yes, I think having everything included is a big bonus. Some of the kits are a little older and need some tidying up, but I haven't had one yet that hasn't produced a decent result.

Excellent work! I've done quite a few Parkside kits now, and they usually go together nicely.

I think there is a lot in this - the appeal of the internet, warts and all, must have had an impact on the sorts of hobbies that (particularly younger) people get involved with. But, let me give you a counter-example. The internet (and this forum in particular) is what got me into railway modelling (having owned some models as a child, but not having touched them for 20 years). Lockdown plus some idle curiosity led to joining RMWeb, which then led to purchasing some RTR models, then building a small layout. I've since started building kits and making things for myself - and I'm well on the way to finishing my second Gresley coach from a resin kit and whitemetal/brass components. I wouldn't have contemplated any of this without all the wonderful things that people on this thread and others show, and the advice that they share. So things can run both ways. And undoubtedly, taking up a creative hobby has hugely helped with the isolation of the past couple of years, as Tony has mentioned. Mark

Cracking! Great to see it come together.

Good to see so many posts here recently, Jonathan. I think the weathering job you've done on that coach looks very natural. Perhaps just a hint of dirt on the roof to finish it off? I find a touch of weathering powder around the ventilators tends to do the trick. Mark

Hello Ian, Many thanks - this is very informative. Mark

Hello Tony, Funnily enough, I was reading about this earlier today. The BloodandCustard website (https://bloodandcustard.org) says that the stipulation of the College of Heralds that the later BR crest face always in the left direction only came about in 1959, meaning that the later crest would have been applied with the lion facing in the direction of travel for a few years at least (see the 'Tale of the Lion' section). I would be interested to hear if others think this is correct - I had always assumed that the 'backwards facing' lion was something that came in with the later crest from 1956. Mark

Many thanks! Lesson learned - I suppose we all make mistakes. Thanks for the advice, I will try the rocket max.

Hello. I’ve just found your thread and I think the Isinglass articulated set looks excellent. I’m just finishing up an Isinglass D114 brake and, like you, glued on the roof last. Only, the gorilla superglue that I’ve to fix used to fix on the roof has clouded up all my glazing (I assume from the fumes, as none seems to have dripped down), leaving the final product a mess. Can I ask what glue you used? I don’t want to make the same mistake with the next one, and yours seems to have come out well! Many thanks.

Yes, definitely finials! I think they’re actually a very passable approximation of GN signals that have been modernised with upper quadrants. I think with John’s suggestions of painting the finials and adding a handrail, they’ll look smashing (and what a bargain for £5!).

Great to see progress on this project, Jamie!