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Byford - Trainspotting in The 50s


richard.h
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Loco Kit Building   In At The Deep End

 

Many years ago I built a couple of Ks kits but wasn't really impressed with the results ( probably my fault as my only other experience was Airfix kits) and as RTR improved so much it didn't seem worth it anymore.

Now I want to add to the fleet with something that is not RTR and while conventional wisdom says start with something simple unfortunately that's not what I want so I bought this.

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The plan is to build it very slowly whilst sourcing the internet for tips and techniques.

 

My first hurdle was building a chassis that ran square and true so I purchased a jig to align it in.

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Then fit the wheels and motor and run it on a test track under battery power, fingers crossed.

 

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Everything working OK so far on straight and curved track, time for a break while I plan the next steps.:)

 

   

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  • 3 weeks later...

Not a lot of work done over Xmas period just some tidying up around Oxenholme Station.

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The building has been weathered with powders and lighting added to the Station and Platforms and now we see the evening DMU arriving.

 

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Must remember to remove the label from under the footbridge.

 

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  • 3 weeks later...

A little bit of extravagance today, I'm calling it a late Xmas present, Bachmann's  Ransomes and Rapier Breakdown.

 

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It's an excellent model and it runs throughout the layout without problems, the jib stays in place even on reverse curves.

 

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I made up a Tool/Crew support coach from a Thompsons Brake (transfers in the post).

 

The only question now is, weather or not?

 

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Here is a video of the Garratt in action hauling a long loaded coal train until it reaches the junction where it meets a WD returning with empty wagons.

Its fitted with a Zimo decoder and a Yoochoos sound file with the sounds apparently recorded from South African Garratts so you do get the effect of two sets of cylinders working independently.

The Loco has also been extensively weathered as detailed in previous posts.

 

 

 

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On 19/01/2020 at 22:12, Bill37 said:

Great video Richard.

 

Bill.

Thanks for that, I did actually see a couple Garratts clanking along many years ago (they were running light engine so probably going in for maintaince) but it a sight you don't forget so it was quite nice to get a decent model of one.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Originally Byford Station was bordered by basic midland fencing which was a quick easy way of providing a boundary.

 

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This never looked correct for a Town Station and now I have time to do a better version I started experimenting with Wills Stone Sheets, the important thing was to try and get the colouring correct so I started with a base coat of mid stone.

 

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On top of this there was dry-brushed a coat of light grey then dark grey and finally some tyre black.

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This is the closest I have got so far to the appearance of northern grime that I am trying to achieve so I must remember to write it down in a safe place where I can find it later

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  • Craftsmanship/clever 1
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A couple of photos of the latest addition to the fleet, the Class 24 by Suttons.

 

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It's a really excellent model with great performance and sound although it is still running in ex-works at the moment.

This version comes with a Condor headboard so I cobbled together the seven various conflats that I have (they are not in production at the moment) and fitted shackles to them to try and replicate the Condor Freight, you just have to ignore the fact that the rest of the train is made up of ventilated vans and pretend that they are all conflats.

 

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Things are getting quite serious out here with the virus precautions (Murcia, Spain) we are all confined to our houses for at least a fortnight, only allowed out for essentials such as food, you can be fined 600 euros if caught out without a good reason.

 

Anyway to keep occupied I spent the last day putting together this video.

 

 

 

 

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Now it's back to the Sheds and calling in at  The New Diesel Depot we see a couple of Deltics that have been prepared for work.

 

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Plus The Cheshire Regiment called in for refueling.

 

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Edited by richard.h
incorrect grammar
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Wolf of Badenoch

Back in November I was looking for a new challenge and wanted to improve my modelling skills so I decided to jump in at the deep end and try and build my first kit based loco an A2/2, ( this is documented on another thread)

 

My choice was based on the fact that it was a model I had always wanted and due to its unique design and limited production numbers no RTR manufacturer was ever likely to produce one. Fast forward one month and Hornby announce its planned release.

Never mind just get on with it and I must say that I have enjoyed the challenge, mistakes have been made but I have learned a lot along the way.

 

So here is the model in its 'Paint Shop Finish'

 

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It's extremely glossy due to the layers of matt varnish applied during lining to keep the transfers in place.

 

In this state it is not really suitable for my layout as all my other locos are weathered so I bit the bullet and gave it the full weathering treatment.

Now we have a loco which looks something like the ones I remember and hopefully not spoilt.

 

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There are still some of the small fiddly parts to fit but the intention is to give it a good running in and make sure it performs OK first otherwise I would probably knock something off while making adjustments.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Wolf of Badenoch

 

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A few more photos of The Wolf is it goes on 'running in' trials around the layout.

 

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The main thing left to do is to adjust the pony/ bogie truck and tender settings so that they don't cause any shorts anywhere on the layout.

 

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I think I must be getting 'cabin fever' it has been nearly 40 days of total lockdown in Spain, you can't even go out for walk.

 

So here is a video to I made keep occupied which features a look around the Engine Sheds.

 

 

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Little People

I have previously bought most of my 3d figures from ModelU and have been very happy with them, however their recent price increase from £3.00 to £4.50 per figure  plus a need to stop all the loco staff looking alike prompted me to look elsewhere.

 

I found Hardy's Hobbies priced at £3.00 each or packs of eight  figures for£18.00 so decided to order a mixed batch to see how they compare.

They arrived a couple of weeks ago and due to the staff shortage on 1960s BR have been painted up and put straight on duty.

 

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I think that they compare very well and I now have two quality suppliers and a greater range of figures to choose from.

 

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Point Rodding

The area around the South Signal Box was one of the first sections completed a few years ago now and is starting to look a bit drab and dusty.

I wanted to tidy it up and fit some cosmetic point rodding but without taking up the track which is quite complex there.

 

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The gravel on the layout was secured with water based PVA glue and I found that by using very hot water applied with a paint brush I could soften and remove selected sections so that I could drop in rodding sections without cutting into the track webbing.

 

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It is not a perfect solution but to me it is acceptable from normal viewing angles.

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So now I am just waiting for further supplies of rodding (somewhere in the post for about three weeks now) so that I can finish it off, weather it, and tidy up this section.

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