[Heljan Mk 1 conversions]

Thanks - it's not updated as much as I'd like though.

Best,

Howard

[100,000!]

Glad to hear it arrived OK.

Best,

Howard

[It's Been a Long Time]

Very nice Martin.

[A trailer for the yellow peril]

Swanwick Jn is at the MRB

 

My brain wasn't engaged when I typed that...

[On guard! - More fencing]

Anymore progress on Penmeanmwar Howard?

 

Hello Tom,

Yes, as you'll seen in the Jan issue of BRM. The station building is looking better.

[The Yellow Peril (Part 2)]

Thanks for the encouraging comments Huw, it was nice meeting you at the show.

Soldering is a subject that comes around every once in a while. We ran a series on soldering two years ago, covering most aspects from a beginner's point of view. Whitemetal soldering was one of the topics covered.

Saving a whitemetal kit from the heat of the iron is harder than a brass kit if some detail is lost (ie. window frames etc.), but not always impossible. I suppose it depends on what state the kit is currently in/ how much work to repair is needed and how much a new replacement part can (if possible) be bought for.

If you don't mind taking a few snaps of the kit, I'll let you know your options.

In any case, yes, like I said at the show, we'll certainly build on your idea and see if it develops into something for the magazine.

Thanks,

Howard 

[Bachmann Open Weekend Success]

Mick, I think you are right.

[Bachmann Open Weekend Success]

Like the Inspection Saloon.

 

Yes, so did I. A really good model with interior seat details, the beauty of these coaches is that they lived for so long.

[Bachmann Open Weekend Success]

Like the container crane a lot. Will it be done in "N" gauge.

 

Well, I suspect that will depend entirely on demand. Given the current backlog of products announced, Bachmann are slowly getting back on top of things, hence this years slightly reduced number of announcements.

The OO crane is expected to retail around the

[Bachmann Open Weekend Success]

Well spotted and duly corrected! Thanks for pointing out Dave.

Howard

[The yellow peril (Part 1)]

I did not know they made black beetles that big?

 

No use of black beetles on this project Pete.

[The yellow peril (Part 1)]

Don't forget to have a couple of Pway workers at on top of the cab

 

I also thought NR had banned the use of log grabs for moving rail sections following an incident a year or so ago ....

 

I was planning on putting a driver in the cab (although one on a diet as this is a 1/50 model and it's a squeeze), but I hadn't heard about the log grabs...this photo was taken in mid- August 2013, so possibly before the 'incident'... who knows?

[On guard! - More fencing]

Thanks Martin. Always plenty to do...

[Pale fencing for the yard]

Fantastic, never seen it done before either.

 

Thanks, I must admit neither have I, but I'm sure somebody might have done something similar somewhere...

 

Though have crashed into it at pace on a pushbike (when younger) and on skis at Glenshee more recently!!

 

Somebody must have crashed into the fence at Pen a few times too looking at the state of it!

[Pale fencing for the yard]

Yes I do! Very nicely done!

 

Thanks, not much to look at I know, but there are so many things like this to do on the layout.

[The yard lineside hut and storage container]

Hi Stu,

    That's fantastic info! Anything else you can share info wise on Pen would be appreciated (mishaps, stories, photos etc...). It will all come in handy when the layout is exhibited.

Thanks

[Dogfish wagons]

Thanks Peter, it's nice to hear encouraging comments.

[Dogfish wagons]

Pugsley,

   True! I'm glad you noticed, it's spotting things like that that separate the men from the boys! I haven't got round to doing it just yet but using weathering powders like you say is just what I planned on doing. I'm waiting until the rake progresses though so that they look a little more harmonious when they are all done together, especially the rusted ones.

    I acquired another two last week (old RJH version so need modding), onwards and upwards eh?

[Dogfish wagons]

Thanks Tom, yes I was rather busy at London.

[Dogfish wagons]

Nicely done.

Certainly brass better in larger scale.

Plastic would have been too thick

 

I agree, just takes longer to assemble though.

[Dogfish wagons]

These are absolutely fantastic, the second one in 'rust livery' is particularly good. I've been detailing a couple of the old Cambrian kits in 4mm, but ultimately I think only brass can do justice to ballast hoppers like this.

 

Thanks.

[And So It Begins]

Martin, I was wondering what was happening with the 37! Good to see an update.

  Howard

[Ballasting and signal box shots.]

Hi Howard, there is a piece of diamond grid to the left of a window on the box. It's the same pattern as some I need but not sure what size it is. Could you put a ruler next to it so I can see, and can you remember where you got it from please?

 

Cheers

 

Tom

Hello Tom,

    The layout has stayed in France for the time being, so measuring right now might be a little tricky^^ it is 3 courses of bricks high x 1 brick in width. It was originally a loco side grille from part of the MMP loco detailing set. I hope this helps you a bit.

Regards,

   Howard

[Ballasting and signal box shots.]

Could you take an overall pic which shows the entire length of the layout please?

 

Cheers

 

Tom

 

Hello Tom,

 

Yes that can be arranged I'll post a few up soon.. I just need to de-clutter first, but that's not a problem, it's due for one anyway. There won't be much to show though as none of the other buildings are permanently fitted, just the station platforms, but it may give you an idea of the length.

 

Regards,

Howard

[Ballasting and signal box shots.]

Thanks, yes the stairs were a bit slow to do. They are concrete pre-fab's on the prototype, the box being of a 50's design. The original was destroyed during a train crash.