[Honley Tank's Two old C13s resurrected]

I am also pretty sure that Branchlines supply conversion wheels for the Derby Lightweight and other Bachmann DMUs.

[This is actually quite fun...]

The Foden lorry is a great initiative and great model - but whilst it hurts me to mention it, a Foden is not a Foden without the distinctive logo on the radiator grille

 

See

 

http://www.lovelanelives.com/index.php/blog/entry/the_legendary_jim_smith_on_the_10TH_OF_SEPTEMBER_2010_his_100th_BIRTHDAY

 

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=148104

 

http://trainsferriesbuses.co.uk/images/2012_07_29-glr-lorries-1.jpg

 

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Foden_truck_%281959%29_at_Weston.JPG

 

Apologies - this is not a criticism, just a suggestion, take it or leave it

[Judith Edge Ruston 48DS - ready for painting.]

Many thanks for a very informative blog. I am building one of these kits myself and have found the tips and images very useful indeed.

[Oh I Do Like To Be Beside The Sea Siding]

Having built bullhead turnouts in several gauges, I find the robustness of soldered construction really does take some beating. It then makes sense to build short interconnecting sections of plain track the same way.

 

For longer sections of plain bullhead track, Easitrac is superb for the job - just as long as you can put up with the difference in appearance to the soldered pointwork.

 

For flat-bottomed track in 2mm scale, soldered turnout construction seems the only real option to me. For plain F/B track, Easitrac has large blobs of plastic to hold the rail in place - understandable in practical terms. With careful construction, plain soldered 2mm track looks marginally better to my eye, but this has to be weighed against the time it takes to build long sections of it.

 

Glad you have the confidence to learn from operating St Ruth and make it even better than it already was.

[Building the King's Arms - 2]

This site gives some interesting insights into building elaborate buildings in plasticard

 

http://www.stummiforum.de/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=73945

 

It is in German, but well illustrated with photos

[The Permanent-Way Forward]

You are making good progress.

 

If you want something a bit different for the scenery on your little test track, why not consider something like a mirror image of this.......

 

https://plus.google.com/photos/109299397625935615448/albums/5867146786603519249/5867151026486084802?banner=pwa&pid=5867151026486084802&oid=109299397625935615448

 

I had thought of doing something similar myself, but probably never will.

[Groundwork]

You can't trust chicken wire these days -it might be contaminated with horse wire

 

You seem to be making really good progress with this layout - it certainly shows the merit of not being too ambitious.

[A West Country Hero]

I didn't realise until I saw this shot today that Warship windscreens were hinged for additional ventilation.

 

Nice piece of modelling!

[Starting the build]

No need to motorise it - just needs a smoke unit

 

Seriously, looking very good for a first attempt. I will follow this with interest as I could do with one or two myself in the future.

[A couple of steps forward and a small set-back.]

It is really refreshing to see a project like this. Just as you finish it, Bachmann or Dapol will probably bring out the RTR version, so don't take too long about it

[N - still tempted, Dapol class 27]

TBH more or less all the recent diesels from Farish and Dapol look great - especially compared to old Farish, and even compared to 4mm scale! There is more to come with the upcoming Class 25. Even I am tempted to have go at something.

 

I do worry that maybe the Highlands have been done a bit to death though. There are plenty of other Scottish areas worthy of consideration, including the old HR lines south and east of Inverness, the old Great North of Scotland, the borders and the South West. More opportunity there for other locos like the new Farish Class 20s and the Class 101 DMUs, for example.

 

Still, not to say that something great could not be done in the Highlands! Looking forward to more of your idea.

[1308 Lady Margaret - scratch build part 1]

Why didn't you use the N Brass kit, which is 4mm scale?

 

http://www.nbrasslocos.co.uk/ooloco.html

[2012 - 2013]

In my experience, logic, discipline and common sense aren't all that enjoyable. Go with whatever takes your fancy at the time!

[La Rocque JER - Planning]

The JER is a really interesting prototype - are you modelling the stock too?

[Enjoying building the PCB turnouts]

Looking good!

[Class 22 - Part 11 (The End)]

Looking at Friar T's photo link, I suggest a black felt tip pen is all you need to represent the hinges!

[Natural Window Light]

Wonderful photo!

 

Please don't take this as a criticism, but I think the strong shadows in the foreground do expose the limitations of a 2-dimensional backscene more than with normal layout lighting. I subconsciously expect the background to have similar shadows to the foreground, as they would be exposed to the same direction of sunlight if this were an image of the real world.

 

It is still a wonderful photo though!