Brass0four

This echoes so much of what is happening in the UK - not to us, thankfully. We live quite close to the River Tyne, but the banks are very high - 100' or more. Is the local Fire Department involved in such issues? Are you in an area known for such incursion on a seasonal basis? Our thoughts are with you, Sasquatch. I'm sure you'll do whatever it takes. Take Care, Tony.

*looking forward to this, button* - you are gonna go so far, so quick! You'll be addicted to scratching's joys.

It is lovely! I particularly like the way the light glows where the wave's curl makes it transparent. I'm normally comfortable enough with anyone's abstract/impressionist view of any subject, but not the sea. The sea says everything about his/herself that is unique at every moment. It's also the subject I'm most nervous of. I hate the sea in my warship painting! lol Tony.

Absolute cardy-catchers, but telegraph poles make one of the biggest differences of all IMHO. Tony.

OT I'm fascinated by what I can see of the painting? Having lived close to sea all my life, seascapes do it for me...

Alex, essentially my ECML layout is similar. 1955 to 62, all the infrastructure is filthy and looks ready to fall apart. Even the new diesels were very quickly as dirty, with the possible exception of the Deltics. But it's a period that "does it for me." I particularly like the image of the vehicle left to rot where it stopped, and no one in charge giving a damn. I saw stuff like that everywhere. Tony.

What's a "bed-time" ?

I agree with Jaz and Duncan. Although simple on the face of it, a night-shot taken from one location, with proper pauses for uncoupling, etc., is a difficult thing to pull off. But it is very real and atmospheric - much more so than my 4 lane Scalextric! Tony.

That'll teach me not to post till I've read all previous entries! Nevertheless... ;-)

An excellent use of available material. The Hornby stairs are fine - better, when doubled, than their original purpose - and particularly so given their sub-terrainian nature. Looking forward to future developments. Tony.

I'm particularly impressed by the correctly delicate nature of the sash/glazing bars, etc. This so often wrong elsewhere. I'll check back in your blog for the details. Tony.

credible J: I've flown planes, etc, and racing buggies over the clarts is very violent, and I've not had issues. But, your final point about simplicity, Kal is KISS. At the moment I'm using mechanical rods and levers in my yard. Shunting demands physicality in my book.

(STRIP not GREYED OUT!) OT The older I get the more I'm stunned by bitter-sweet pangs from the early fifties. BBC Home Service and Light Program et al... No TV and - a nostalgic favourite, the pop of it's time, progs for BFPO (British Forces Overseas) requests by troops and their families... I'll not list any for fear of causing a flood (too much of them just now) of *tears - Just an observation. "Deep sigh emoticon" Tx *mine

Hi Sasquatch, Magnificent job! I wasn't going to say anything, given your health issues, but - whenever I can - I use Humbrol enamels, particularly when I want a matt finish. I only use acrylics when I have to. Uncomfortable, but I use a mask if it is necessary, such as when spraying. I have a face mask which I use when building my boat, using really toxic fibre-glass resins. That IS uncomfortable, sanding for hour after hour, sweating like a pig! Needs must. Tony.

Thanks, for that, Sasquatch. I didn't notice the laddies but they are a delightful crew. The dark-skinned might have been digging coal? I think a young 'un crawls under the wagon with a hammer and knocks out the on-chain bolts that secure the doors, then dodges the 16 tons. Times have changed.

Peeping from behind a bolder... shivering with fright... - it says the body and solebar are painted grey- the running gear (chassis and wheels) are painted black. The connecting-rod between the axel-boxes is part of the chassis - there is no running board. And you were being your usual, helpful self. -sorry. "waiting for the bullet emoticon"

What makes AV so special is your refreshing views, behaviour, and passionate wish to learn and grow. If some of us trip over ourselves in wanting to help you even make a *positive* out of that, as you, Kal, have just done. There are some (many?) topical threads where such accidental comments such as mine and ChrisN's would have you a laughing-stock and be dismissed from any future discussion forever more. I recently ended following a topic I've followed for years when I realised the nature of the beast. We all bring different things to the table, eg: - and just single examples - Kal brings a technical expertise relevant to DCC and other eletrickery LOL! Google images. As simple a search as, and I quote: "old coal wagons UK". I love Google images... edit: I was actually in mid-draft when Julian interfered! To conclude, (and you've already rated my post) you, Jaz bring a scenic quality which is particularly admirable, a work-rate that is jaw-dropping, and a "have a go at anything" courage that encourages the rest of us. Me? I've never made a single field of grass, but I've a canny eye - and a load of bull-####. But this is all about to change - when I hoy the lap top out the window! (Don't you love my jesters! They have certain élan - a joie de vivre - no one else's has.) 'Bye for now

I think I'm trying to send a message to myself... "Keep your ####### nose out!

Jaz: I got nothing from my (made up word) caudron. I Google imaged old coal wagons. They're nothing like yours! But are standard(ish) The *tapered-body wagon is the sort I was trying t describe with that word. They do have the more limited brake-gear demonstrable for the era. Sheesh! I think I'm wasting your time here! *I meant the curved end.

Not impossible, but it has a sort of standardish look. The older caudron(sp?) wagons and similar look quite antique, lacking dual-braking, etc. I think it might be a toy (I don't use that in a derogatory way). With Thomas, etc, old mouldings are sometimes used to get more life out of them. I guess the main thing is at this stage is that it gives you - or anyone - the opportunity to perfect your skills, although I know, personally, that while we are engaged in the process it has a sort of vital life that we don't like to dismiss.

Jaz: The step - sole-bar - is unusual. It's almost as though the wagon was married to a brake-van chassis... Strange edit: Forgive me for not trawling back, but what is the origin of this wagon? - a Railroad break-down crane/train or something like that? The only reason for the sole-bar is to allow some sort of access by persons from the trackside. So... ?

Hi Kal, (What? - my edit(?) bar is clear and not greyed out! How come! I should be happy but I'm not) Sorry. The issue with Vi trains looks like it might be very frustrating. Might it be worth a *status* shout to appeal to the RMweb masses? There are experts who don't see AV, (I know,, hardly credible)

Regarding the 11" risers: sometimes the visual effect is more important than the factual. Occasionally, the "correct" can look wrong... This is an view which would horrify some people, of course.' #### em! Tony.