[1. The story thus far .....]

BTW I see my 16-year old half-built semaphores are still standing. Don't feel any obligation to keep them for my sake, I'm sure you guys could do a better job now (as I also could!).

[1. The story thus far .....]

Very nice work by all concerned, although I nearly shed a tear over the demise of the original 3-arch bridge (it needed a refresh/replacement though). Very impressed with the fencing wire dispensers - Mark you should build a working model of a cotton mill! Look forward to seeing it again soon. (Ahem) when will you be on the exhibition circuit?

[Engine Wood - put up for testing this morning]

Where's the 2BIL?

[Progress Report 2013]

Thanks for the end-of-year report Mark, although it seemed for a minute that Eridge was turning into a blue diesel railway!

 

On Mk1 we did sometimes back a rake of hoppers from the down into the headshunt (even during exhibitions!).

 

Let's hope the change of premises doesn't curtail progress in 2014 - I don't think it will.

[Major Road Delays and Train Cancellations Expected Part 1]

Nice going Mark, it's good to see these things starting to take shape after all the other stuff dominating 2013.

[Talking Stock #25 Marsh got one Atlantic 4-4-2 tank right with the I3]

Very nice Muz, I've got a couple to build for Eridge (or even the viaduct).

 

One of those oddities that the I1s, I2s and I4s were unsuccessful and the I3s such good performers.  Wasn't it the I1s that were nicknamed 'W@nkers'?

 

And Marsh I think was also an odd character, embezzling stuff from Brighton works for his family laundry business or something similar.

[A trip round the circuit]

TBH I can't see that wagon's movement any worse (or less realistic) than any of the others, nor any distortion from the video process.

[A trip round the circuit]

CK reminds me that in fact only the wagons after the refrigerated van are rigid.

[A start on Balcombe station]

Thanks - notice how I've craftily manipulated some of the solder to represent accumulated grease and gunk around the corners (!).

[New canopy structures]

Yes, not quite sure what the hammer was there for!

[New canopy structures]

Thanks Mike - this is a KAG production rather than DRAG (aren't I a busy boy!) but we are hoping for a return to the exhibition circuit in xx years where xx could be >2 or 3.

[More work on main bodyshell - some fitting issues]

Rereading Tim Shackleton's build article in MRJ #171 I see that he had some similar issues with the guide strips and filed them off altogether! His 'bare metal' photos also have some less-than-perfect fits around the cab. So I feel a bit better now, especially when he glued his rather than soldered!

[More work on main bodyshell - some fitting issues]

Just noticed the short bonnet end isn't flush at the top either - I'll fix that with epoxy and plasticard though since there's no other detail there. When all the soldering is finished of course!

[Well I had to start sometime]

I didn't see the kit in Dave's list.

 

Tim

 

You'd struggle to find it if you didn't know it existed - it only appears in the 'De Luxe' list under 'Terms and Conditions', I've never seen it in the main part of his website.

[Well I had to start sometime]

Simon

 

It will get a run on the viaduct of course, but its 'authentic' duties will be on Eridge.

[Well I had to start sometime]

Tim

 

It's a kit of 10800 - Alexander do kits for the similar but not similar enough Class 15 and 16 also. Tim Shackleton did a build/review of this Alexander kit for MRJ #171.

[Well I had to start sometime]

Thanks Simon, there's some prototype information here http://www.semgonline.com/diesel/10800_01.html

 

Dave, I hope to be able to dispel some fears about whitemetal soldering, as I've never had any trouble. I use a dedicated 18W Antex iron (most people say you need more power) through an old SRB temperature 'controller' with Carr's 70 degree solder and (at the moment) red label flux. The components are big enough to make for good heat sinks and I am able to just seam and fill with the solder, which is a bit like spreading soft butter.

 

Find a couple of pieces of scrap whitemetal, or a wagon kit, and give it a go, it's quite satisfying! And you can hold the bits with your fingers with minimal risk of burning them!

[Well I had to start sometime]

The kit doesn't come with a power unit, although they can supply Tenshodo bogies if needed but I think they are far too small. I have a Beetle + dummy but that might also be lacking in grunt. Maybe a Bullant would be better.

 

TBH I haven't decided on this yet - my original thought was to use a Heljan Class 15 chassis since they are dimensionally very close, but the Class 15 has a lot of solid Mazak protruding into battery boxes etc that 10800 doesn't have (or at least not in the same places) so a lot of heavy duty carving would have been required.

[Landforms developing - and other progress]

(noticed the box for a Gibson Fairburn kit in one of the photos....;-)

 

 

That was the box the 28xx came in - we have the Fairburn on the active roster.

[Getting ready for Taunton]

Thanks guys - yes it's 4mm scale.

[More fun at DRAG last night.]

Good stuff! And you're right - you can't hear the joke I was telling Mr Harrap behind you at the time!

[More on 'The Great Lift']

Thanks Tim - working on repetitive tasks with limewood/basswood can actually be very calming in a Zen kind of way! (just as well).

 

I've also spotted another flaw in the pavilion design which I'm not going to elaborate on, and there's nothing can be done about it now anyway.

[A visit to Pendon]

Lovely pics Ian. Have they relaxed the 'no photography' ban then (as with a museum) or does that only apply downstairs and not to the Vale scene?

[Callow Lane - playing trains]

Wot no 6PUL?

[Scenery encroaches while long goods are propelled]

I think Eridge is pretty basic these days

 

Hi Ian - yes, certainly not the P&C and sidings it once had, but at least the main buildings are intact and with the Spa Valley now there it is in quite neat condition.