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Shedmaster

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Shedmaster last won the day on January 20 2011

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  1. Hi All, I just wanted to share some pics of one of my Stewart's Lane fleet, Mainline Freight 09 019. I used to drive the real thing for a living many moons ago and wanted an appropriately 'abused model' in the collection at home. This Hornby '09' is about to return home from GCWeathering after a request for some in depth weathering and detailing work. I'd be really interested to hear peoples thoughts on this outfit as they don't seem to advertise or be that widely known on this forum, yet, In my personal experience they are the best option out there? When I did the Chester Cathedral stints with the Making Tracks team, again, GCWeathering were kind of.........unknown? Wasn't there a two page spread in a magazine at some point? I guess of course I'd like to put a shout out and vouch for their work, but has anybody else on here used them? Anyways....Stewart's Lane resident 09 019...: To say I'm impressed would be an understatement. This is exactly how I remember it. I find that a very quick look over a weathered and detailed model does indeed tell you that its been weathered and detailed....but, over the years I've started to look more closely, and it became apparent that not all of this stuff is done the same way, or to the same standard or attention to detail! Two things I've noticed about the GCWeathering option, is the greasy buffers and the ever so fine rust patches and streaks, which I don't think other companies offer to the same accuracy. But, what REALLY makes a GC model stand out for me, is their properly faded paintwork and livery elements. You just can't spray this stuff onto a base model and hey presto, look, its faded! This stuff that GC are selling really holds its own, against the competition in my opinion and when you put it all together as a package, I just think it really works. I can't imagine how long this work takes to achieve but I do see it as artwork in its own right, does anybody else offer CREDIBLE faded paintwork, done as well as this? One thing I especially like, is the battered handrails and rain streaks on the cab end chevrons...: Faded paintwork is never uniform or even, every panel seems to weather at different rates, a detail that GC take massive pride in doing well...: It must be so easy to just airbrush dirt and grime onto a donor model, maybe even just using rattle cans, I know that some outfits are happy to sell this 'tat' and call it 'professionally weathered', then charge their customers accordingly! 🤣🤫 For me, I appreciate the individual efforts made on each different panel, such as this exhaust rust and roof panel soiling, the subtlety is key I think...: Finally, there will be times where for whatever reason, either panels/doors are swapped out or repainted. You'll find all sorts of odd 'clear patches' in the filth for no reason at all. GCWeathering have somehow not only replicated this, but they've made it look somehow....right...: These are the reference pics I provided to GCWeathering with my request...: So, all I've got to do now is find some work for it here at The Lane...⌛ That's all for now, I hope you like... Kindest Regards, Shed.
  2. HI, Back in the day when I used to exhibit my own layout, Manor Lane TMD, I had 'procured' all six EWS Class 59/2's, 201 to 206, in full EWS livery. However, at one exhibition, a chap came along for a look and on seeing them all on the layout said "Wow!, You like your 66's don't you?" 🤬 I think less is definitely more sometimes! 🙄 Thanks, Shed.
  3. HI, Just a few pics of 'The Company Train' on Making Tracks 2. Running as 1Z05 with 67 029 doing the honours, 67 006 was also in the area as the booked 'Thunderbird' Loco, as the set was a long way from home... Running this at speed on a properly constructed layout was a pleasure, the 'Railnuts' team being absolutely friendly, accommodating and professional at all times... Kindest Regards, Shed.
  4. Hi, That's how we used to refer to it, as The Company Train. Diary entries would go something like 'Keith Heller wishes to use The Company Train on whatever date, between London Waterloo and Southampton Docks, r.e Hitachi contract renewal', so I guess the underlings would have to set up the actual workings, paths, costings etc. I think a 'skull & crossed bones' may have been a better logo for the DVT though, as there was a period where everything EWS got involved with....died!!!! Very pleased to have left when I eventually did, but truly gutted I stayed as long as I had.... Kindest Regards, Shed.
  5. Hi, My Stewart's Lane based 'EWS HOSPITALITY TRAIN' has been engaged in some recent workings on Making Tracks 2 & 3 at Chester Cathedral... This was in connection with some volunteer work I'd undertaken, the set even outstabling for a few days! Only thing was, 67 029 was later pinched to cover a car carrier working, due to a failed Accurascale 92...a working which it covered for four days solid! I hadn't realised the real one was out of action until somebody asked me where it was, as nobody had seen it for a while. Further enquiries revealed that DB were trying to sell the Mk3 coaches but not, I believe, the DVT. The SLEP had seen Royal use a couple of years back when Kate n Wills travelled the UK but other than that, there are photos online of the coaches stored, one of them with a tarp over its roof. Thanks, Shed.
  6. I think the orange ETH conduit may be the problem here. the NEM pocket can swing one way without issue, but when it swings the other way, it hits this orange pipe worky bit and is therefore restricted. I found this out by turning the coach upside down and observing the range of movement, it is restricted in one direction. hope this helps? Shed.
  7. Hi, I tried a blue Dapol Imperium 3(?) chip in my NSE one and could only get headlights and interior lights working. I swapped this for a green Dapol Imperium 1(?) and everything works perfectly. Thanks, Shed.
  8. Good Evening, Would anyone happen to know how to change the headcode blinds on the NSE version please? I've had a look and it's either gonna be a fight with the glass panel or the Drivers desk to gain access? Thankyou, Shed.
  9. Hi All, Good Morning! I wonder if I may add some un-scientific comments here based on some basic observations while waiting for my saloon to arrive? I have a Heljan 33/1 and a Dapol 73 on Stewart's Lane, parked buffer to buffer. The buffer shank on the Heljan 33 sits higher than that on the Dapol 73, but the roof of the Dapol 73 is noticeably lower than the Heljan 33. I'm advised that the correct scale height from the railhead to the centre of the Loco. buffers is 13.66mm, I haven't measured this myself so don't know if either of these Loco's is sitting at the correct height. Considering what the Dapol 73 actually is, a cross-breed between a 73/0 and a 73/1 and that the Heljan 33 isn't confirmed anywhere as being particularly accurate, I would personally suspect the only problem with the dimensions/ride height of the new Inspection Saloon is that it is actually, probably, spot on and has simply exposed hitherto unknown dimensional errors on BOTH the Heljan 33 AND the Dapol 73? I would suspect the Saloon is not the problem ? Thoughts? Thankyou, Kindest Regards, Shed.
  10. Hi All, I've recently taken delivery of the Bachmann 'Dutch' 37 201SFX and consider this to be an outstanding model. Having driven the real things for many years, and enjoyed the stinging, watery eyes when starting them up from cold after being idle for weeks at a time, for me personally, I'm really impressed with this Bachmann version. In my opinion it looks just about right and seems to be a rugged build quality, every lamp bracket, handrail and NRN aerial for example being perfectly straight and true. The cold start sound feature has to be my favourite 'feature' if I'm honest, it just sounds right to me and is a lot of fun to play with. I know there's a fan base for the Accurascale version as well and do not want to detract from this, I think their sound files may even be of a better quality? But there's one thing I have to add, about the 'tinted' windscreen effect... I'm sorry Bachmann, I just don't get it. You've added a 'feature' that I certainly do NOT remember from Driving the real Class 37's or 47's, and you market this as a 'tinted' windscreen. 37's and 47's had internal tinted sun visors that flipped downwards didn't they? The effect you've added here prevents a clear view into the driving cab and thus obscures all that lovely detail on the new cab interior mouldings. Do any other Drivers on here agree? or maybe you might refresh my memory in this area? As commendable as these latest efforts may be on your new models, I would personally ask for 'clear' windscreen glazing in future, I just think it's what I remember on the real thing. As an aside, Although I've driven plenty of these machines over the years, I remember specifically that I spent many, many hours having a lot of fun with EWS 37051/057/109/114 and 174. I don't remember 'tinted' screens but only sun visors, Did the sun visors replace this special effect at some point maybe? Many Thanks, Kindest Regards, Shed.
  11. Hi, Please Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo RES Class 47 SFX models..........I am weak! 😩 Kindest Regards, Shed.
  12. Hi, As a Trainman 'D' back in the day, I seem to remember that if two or three 33's were needed putting together for a job, heaven and earth would be moved to find ALL full-plough both ends fitted examples, especially for me! It could be a squeeze in between when coupling in full-multi, but there was a cheat we could use for the vac pipes on 33's and 73's, with a 'friendly' Driver. This involved stopping a foot or so short before coupling and getting the vac pipes together first, THEN squeezing up and doing the rest afterwards. Thanks, Shed.
  13. Hi Simon, Good Morning! That would be really helpful if you wouldn't mind please. Although, I do have a copy of your 60 year history of the Class 33's...maybe I should pay more attention to the in depth text and less towards the fabulous pictures? Lols.... Many Thanks for your help with this... Kindest Regards, Shed.
  14. Dear All, You might think after a few years on the job, I might have come across the answer to this obscure and idle question, but no, the answer eludes me still.....🤔 When a Loco. gains, or loses its name plates, WHO is it that makes that decision and is there a specific process? ( I'm not wanting to name anything myself, just curious ) Taking into account these are mounted very precisely and certain technicalities have to be considered, such as the vehicle gauge measurements ie Class 67, is it something that comes from Director level or maybe a publicity department? I'm assuming the vehicle owners have to be consulted as well? I'm curious what happens now versus how it worked under B.R...... Many Thanks, Kindest Regards, Shed.
  15. Dear All, You might think after a few years on the job, I might have come across the answer to this obscure and idle question, but no, the answer eludes me still.....🤔 When a 'traditional' loco. such as a Class 33, 37 or 50 gained, or lost its miniature snow plough's, WHO was it that made that decision and WHY? I'm sure the various fitters didn't just come into work and re-arrange these for the fun of it, so very simply, what was the idea behind fitting or removing these bulky items? Many Thanks, Kindest Regards, Shed.
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