Wright writes.....

[St Enodoc]

9 hours ago, Steamport Southport said:

 

Humbrol Clear is virtually the same stuff.

 

They made it due to demand from plastic kit modellers when supplies of the original Klear dried up. Pun unintended.

 

Also available in Satin and Matt. Cheaper from shops though.

 

https://www.humbrol.com/uk-en/shop/coatings-thinners/varnishes/humbrol-gloss-clear-125ml-bottle.html

 

 

 

Jason

Thanks Jason, I didn't know that. I'd better get some as my bottle of Pledge One-Go is running low.

[St Enodoc]

2 hours ago, Barry Ten said:

Or this Fireflash from Thunderbirds:

With working undercarriage?????

[micklner]

9 hours ago, LNER4479 said:

It's definitely glazed - including the clerestory lights. Trust me on that one ...

 

Well, you're actually closer that you might think with that. The clerestory is actually an ECJS Dia.19 TK and, in GNR days, it was a ECJS liveried vehicle so it's actually a bit of nonsense to have it lettered up as GNR at all! However, the intended owner wants a 'representative' GNR train (to run with his Locomotion Atlantic No.251) and we agreed to letter the vehicle up as if it were a GNR vehicle. The real ones were taken into LNER stock in 1925  and so the number is based on the LNER number for one of the vehicles - 41638 - with the '4' simply left off.

 

And if that hasn't sent you to sleep, nothing will. Good night!

 

 

Do you know as per my earlier reply ,what the end compartments were actually used for ? It must have had folding seats ? . I have never seen a single side compartment before ? . Lovely coach as well !!

[dick rowland]

11 hours ago, PMP said:

Sold Shelfie1, completed Shelfie2 (above) and started Shelfie3 (below). Shelfie2 was very satisfying, it’s operated completely hands free, with Dingham couplings and all points electric. It runs without the hand of god to a high 90 percentile reliability.

 

 

 

The old Airfix platform canopy, I have not seen one of those in years. Still quite effective, especially the 'Warren' truss girder work. 

[Tony Wright]

10 hours ago, Barry Ten said:

I'm surprised at how many non-railway modelling projects I worked on, or finished, this year, such as this 1/24th Focke-Wulf F1190:

 

 

Or this Fireflash from Thunderbirds:

 

 

Or a 1/48th US Coast Guard Dauphin:

 

 

Another 1/48 P51D:

 

 

A 1/350th USS Nimitz and Eighth Air Wing:

 

 

A 1/16th radio control KV-1 tank:

 

 

A  Comet chassis for a Fowler tank:

 

 

Mostly finished the painting and lining on this E1:

 

 

And largely completed this rake of LSWE carriages:

 

 

A friend and I also collaborated on this 1/8th radio control Mustang, which is still going through the works:

 

 

And I spent a bit of time helping with the servo setup on this even bigger P51:

 

 

Apologies for all the non-railway stuff, but hope that some of it's of interest. Personally I've found that building these models usually ends up with me learning a new skill or dodge that can be applied to railway subjects, so it's all good.

 

Thanks to Tony and all for the inspiration and distraction during what has been a very difficult year.

 

Al

Great stuff, Al,

 

Thanks for showing us. And, never feel the need to apologise for great modelling!

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[Tony Wright]

11 hours ago, Chuffer Davies said:

Do tell?

Good morning Frank,

 

Both Gibson kits - a 'County' 4-4-2 tank (never built one before) and an outside-framed 'Buffalo' 0-6-0ST (built two in the past). 

 

Both will form part of my Christmas projects.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[Tony Wright]

What a fantastic array of modelling on this page.

 

Many thanks for showing us all.

[thegreenhowards]

1 hour ago, micklner said:

Do you know as per my earlier reply ,what the end compartments were actually used for ? It must have had folding seats ? . I have never seen a single side compartment before ? . Lovely coach as well !!

Single side compartments were quite common on the LNER. The standard Gresley 61’6” CK had one just to make the lengths add up while keeping to a standard coach length. Here is my take on one (Mousa sides on a Hornby donor).

 

 

Also the Preserved GNR 1922 BCK which runs in the SVR Teak rake has one such cpt. This coach makes a visit to the railway worthwhile on its own!

 

Andy

[St Enodoc]

Just now, thegreenhowards said:

Single side compartments were quite common on the LNER.

And on the SR, where they were known as coupés.

[jwealleans]

They were coupes on the LNER as well.   I think Mick may just have been confused by end doors on an all door vehicle, which is quite unusual.

[LNER4479]

2 hours ago, micklner said:

Do you know as per my earlier reply ,what the end compartments were actually used for ? It must have had folding seats ? . I have never seen a single side compartment before ? . Lovely coach as well !!

If it is the inner end of the brake coach you're referring to Mick, then perhaps what might be fooling you is that this was an open (not compartment) area of the coach On these vehicles (Dia 218DD), this was actually a mini-buffet area and there were two bays of open seating. The other bay had tables but obviously that would not have been possible where the doors were. Hopefully the pictures will explain.

 

Green Howards is also right in saying that the composite vehicle of the twin had a single (coupe) compartment, making it a 2 1/2 First; 3 Third configuration. Very interesting vehicles. These and the similar 218CC twins were notable as being the first purpose-built Gresley articulated vehicles.

 

For completeness sake, I should explain that this is a Rupert Brown (RMDB) kit, available in the Wizard catalogue. The clerestory is a Bill Bedford kit. All vehicles are running on standard Bachmann Gresley (Thompson) bogies as a bit of a sop to the overall construction challenge (the rest of it took me long enough!). Also honourable mention to Mr Graeme King of this parish, one of whose resin generic clerestory mouldings was sacrificed to the cause to help create the roof on that vehicle.

 

Congrats on your own 2020 output Mick. Like the 4-6-2T and especially the 0-4-4T. Seen pictures of the latter at Garsdale at the turn of the century, at the very western end of a long run along Wensleydale and back. Must have been quite a trip on one of those. Eventually superseded by the G5s, as in many other locations, no doubt.

  

Edited December 12, 2020 by LNER4479

[LNER4479]

10 hours ago, Iain.d said:

For 2020, my first modelling completions were these two SR vans from Parkside, a PMV and a CCT. Both have had a reasonable level of additional detail added which includes improved brake gear and undergubbins, handrails, brake pipes, screw couplings, etc and substituting plastic parts for metal such as step boards and roof vents.

 

 

Then I managed two former GWR special cattle vans, again Parkside. These look the same but are different diagram numbers – not hugely apparent side on. Their level of detail has been improved as the per the SR vans. I’m not a fan of identical rakes of vehicles, I will always try and vary vehicles of a type, if only ones that will be neighbouring. For example if a CWN states 3 x TO, I will make each of the third opens to a different diagram number.

 

 

And then I did this Parkside SR BY.

 

 

All of the above vehicles are intended to run in a representation of the mid 1950s 8.35pm Templecombe to Derby perishable service.  Vehicles of this type are listed in the train make up although I suspect the cattle vans would be southern ones rather than GW ones.  In addition all of the above have MJT rocking axles at one end. Not sure if they’re really needed but being longer wheelbase, they could have issues on non-level track and point work. They all need some weathering and the transfers on the cattle vans need replacing.

 

Next up was a SR Maunsell 3 coach set from Roxey Mouldings. I’m pleased with these and think they turned out quite well. On opening the box they seemed quite daunting but by breaking them down into manageable chunks they were quite easily completed.

 

 

For my intended layout I needed a two coach set to form the 6.05pm Bath Green Park to Binegar service. So I added sides to an old Airfix non corridor composite. It rides on Comet bogies and I scratch built the underframe and painted it crimson. I think it pairs quite nicely with the Hornby brake third on the right, which in itself has been slightly improved by painting the edges of the glazing (to reduce the prismatic effect) and spraying with a coat of satin varnish. This has lifted the otherwise dull Hornby colour.

 

 

Following on from the Maunsell 3 coach set, I did a former LSWR set

 

 

Below are three former 1980s Hornby Stanier coaches that have been completly updated; only the ends, solebars and roof remain, everything else having been replaced. The brake is a D2123 and the third open a D1999.

 

 

The composite (D1903) will be paired with a Restaurant Car. I have since added corridor connectors / bellows.

 

 

Just about finished – and will be before 2020 is out, well assuming I can find a can of Tamiya Primer (having not  been able to purchase any for some months now from my local shop) is a GW A44 Driver trailer

 

 

and a D1938 Restaurant Composite

 

 

Apologies for these being ‘old’ photos (from November…). The builds are complete and the models have been cleaned pending painting but I don’t want to handle them to photograph them. They’re currently in a sealed Tupperware type box just waiting for the weather to be cool enough to spay them! It’s been quite warm recently; Perth has been in the 30s all week with a high of 39 on Tuesday or Wednesday. My garage, where I spray, is currently 27 and its 7.30am – mind you that warmth has accumulated through the week. I'll post some pictures when they're done.

 

On compiling this post I just realised, this for me, was quite a productive modelling year!

 

Thank you to all those who contribute to this thread and share their work, suggestions and nuggets of modelling knowledge – it has been an inspiration to me. Long may it continue.

 

Kind regards and stay safe,

 

Iain

Some nice coaching stock there, Iain. I'm just tackling my first (and last?!) Roxey Mouldings kit myself at the moment - a Dia 1778 50ft LMS brake.

 

I'm naturally drawn to the LMS stuff - the CO vehicle (D.1903) looks lovely - a very common pairing on the LMS with a 12-wheel restaurant car.

 

I've just taken delivery of a Comet (Wizard) 12-wheel LMS sleeper first vehicle so I'm hoping that might see the light of day (ha!) in 2021.

[Jack P]

My year in wrap up involves a lot of repainting/weathering RTR stock, mixed in amongst are some other activities, detailed below

 

Donor sides onto a RTR coach, to create an R1 Maunsell Tourist Open, seen here in 1947 condition with 2nd class markings

 

 

Built my first etched brass kit; 1/3 vehicles needed to go with my Ransom and Rapier crane.

 

 

 

An SECR J from an ex Chivers fineline kit

 

 

 

An LBSCR I3 from the updated Finecast kit, this is still waiting for a more appropriate looking smokebox door to be printed.

 

 

My first etched bras loco kit, a PDK W, also my first attempt at Walschaerts valve gear and Alan Gibson driving wheels 

 

 

I finished the tender of my Oil Burning N15

 

 

As i've already posted, my original cab conversion of a Hornby West Country.

 

 

Most recently i've been following the Mike Trice method to replicate 'Teak'

 

 

And built this D120 Pigeon van, which was the whole reason I wanted to learn the 'teaking' process

 

 

Finally, I made a start, and some progress on my H1 Sleeve valve project 'Hartland point', still much to do.

 

 

Not quite at the level of some of those on here, but i'm making progress!

[Michael Edge]

In response to the "show and tell" posts above this ahs been a very different year for me, I've actually built far fewer locos for work than usual. However I have also done a great deal of work on a new layout and the kit business has gone berserk since the start of the lockdowns - I've also done nearly 3000 miles cycling (my touring bike has done more miles than my car this year).

Much of this year's output below.

A sample of kit development work - the 7mm version test etch of the small Harton loco.

EF1 built from one of our kits.

7mm GKN 0-6-0T

GW 0-6-0ST from a Gibson (ex M&L) kit, 00 gauge

7mm ROD 2-8-0

BR 02 from a Craftsman kit, I painted this one as well.

MR Kirtley 0-4-4T from a much modified London Road kit, P4 gauge

Another EF1 from one of our kits, this time in 7mm scale and beautifully painted by Dave Studley

To be continued later.

 

[BMacdermott]

On 22/10/2020 at 07:34, Michael Edge said:

GT85 does everything we used to use WD40 for, without the damage that caused. I've been using it on everything (and more) Barry mentioned for years now with no detrimental effects whatsoever. It will be in use later today for all the recently ballasted pointwork on Wentworth Junction - liberally sprayed all over the tiebars and point blades to make sure they move freely.

Hello Michael and all readers

 

Many thanks for the tip. 

 

Do you use it on the wheels/flanges of hauled rolling stock too?

 

I have used it on axle bearings with good results, but wondered if it would 'rub off' to track and maybe cause slipping and/or electrical problems. You say above that you are using it on pointwork.

 

Many thanks

 

Brian

[LNER4479]

A few more 2020 completions from me:

 

 

This was rather a sweet little thing. From the London Road Models (Iain Rice) kit.

 

My 'Covid challenge' loco, built in 35 days (equalling my personal best). The coaches took rather longer and, even now, still await their class numbers on the doors before I can finally say 'complete'. Loco is currently in the paint shop.

 

And, at the other end of the scale, made from a Revell HO plastic kit (with a few embellishments) as a homage to having seen #4014 in action in the USA last year.

 

What was that you you were saying Tony about people not building things any more? What a fantastic showcase from all on here in the last 24 hours.

 

Edited December 12, 2020 by LNER4479

[westerner]

As Tony has asked us to show what we have done in 2020 I thought I'd show the additions to my O gauge layout Blakeney. most of which are not in the article that was published in the November BRM.

 

First the Dapol Vanfit weathered

 

Second the Dodge lorry ,Slaters Vanwide and a couple of characters

 

3rd the Intentio lamp hut and bike and yet another character

 

Parkside Ply Van

 

A Parkside ex PO wagon

 

Parkside mineral wagon (ex MOWT)

 

The old tramway bridge

 

I don't do locos apart from weathering and renumbering RTR

[Michael Edge]

42 minutes ago, BMacdermott said:

Hello Michael and all readers

 

Many thanks for the tip. 

 

Do you use it on the wheels/flanges of hauled rolling stock too?

 

I have used it on axle bearings with good results, but wondered if it would 'rub off' to track and maybe cause slipping and/or electrical problems. You say above that you are using it on pointwork.

 

Many thanks

 

Brian

Axle bearings are lubricated with car engine oil (I think it's Castrol GTX), GT85 is mostly for mechanisms of one kind or another. I do spray it liberally over point tiebars, it doesn't seem to spread along the rail head but that is regularly treated with graphite anyway. The graphite (extensively commented on elsewhere on here) removes any electrical problems and doesn't seem to reduce adhesion much - and the current layout does include 1 in 40 gradients.

[Barry O]

Been busy this year. Lots of locos reworked with new motors and gearboxes

 

Wills  4F  with a Tender cab

 

Gearbox and motor fitted easily

 

 

Then another 4F. Wills kit with a "Inncocentman/Comet" Hi sided tender

 

 

same High Level/mitsumi motor combination.

 

 

I tidied up my Hornby 8F and finally got it weathered..

 

Then a  DJH 8f ( I built this demonstrating at Hull Show many years ago sat beside Mike "Captain" Cook)  New motor and gearbox fitted.. again a High Level box with a Chinese "long" can motor 

 

then.. I fitted it with DCC Sound.

 

Moving on to coaches. Period II Unclassified Restaurant Car. A bitza.. etched sides, aluminium roof, 247 ends, Comet Bogies

 

 

It needs lamps and curtains..

 

 

then the Period II First Class version.. again awaiting curtains and lamps (I have ordered some lamps but  need to get them fitted.. as for curtains  Any ideas on the best way of fitting them?)

 

Another Bitza - a Period III LMS Porthole 3rd (second one I have built the other is in Blue/Grey for use on Shap

 

and a memorial to Adrian Swain... an LMS Van

 

on top of these I have got rid of the "squeal"  and unseized two  Portescap Gearboxes. refurbished a number of other locos and undertaken a few weathering/sound fitting commissions.. It has been a very busy year due to very limited opportunities to umpire!

Baz

Edited December 12, 2020 by Barry O

[Northmoor]

Another year of not achieving much model-wise.  Working from home with an "office" that has to be built/dismantled each day (which takes seconds, to be fair) and no workshop space; I'm even less inclined to erect and take apart a "workbench" daily.  I was looking forward to making use of my son's room while he was away at University, except that he returned after a couple of weeks to avoid being quarantined. 

 

My efforts in the summer were limited to my first rake of Hornby tank wagons, trying to turn them into something more realistic, perhaps I'll finish them off this Christmas.  I did manage to complete the Airfix Series 1 Grumman Wildcat which was probably started over 35 years ago.  I can highly recommend cheap kits for painting practice if nothing else, also coffee stirrers: used here to "hold" the aircraft, they are probably the greatest free modeller's tool/material ever invented.  Other than the slight paint bleed onto the canopy I was quite pleased with the finish.

 

 

In the meantime I'll continue to look forward to one day having the space and time to devote to modelling and enjoy the inspiration of others' work posted on RMWeb.

 

[Tony Wright]

34 minutes ago, LNER4479 said:

A few more 2020 completions from me:

 

 

This was rather a sweet little thing. From the London Road Models (Iain Rice) kit.

 

My 'Covid challenge' loco, built in 35 days (equalling my personal best). The coaches took rather longer and, even now, still await their class numbers on the doors before I can finally say 'complete'. Loco is currently in the paint shop.

 

And, at the other end of the scale, made from a Revell HO plastic kit (with a few embellishments) as a homage to having seen #4014 in action in the USA last year.

 

What was that you you were saying Tony about people not building things any more? What a fantastic showcase from all on here in the last 24 hours.

 

Good afternoon Graham,

 

'What was that you you were saying Tony about people not building things any more?'

 

I think the last few pages on here have just put that myth to bed!

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[Michael Edge]

This year continued

7mm 1361 0-6-0ST, one of a pair ordered but the other one will be built next year

3mm (TT) B17, not fully detailed in line with most of my 3mm work.

LSWR C14 00 gauge, this might well appear as a kit next year.

LMS Kitson 0F, another one of our kits, this time in P4

LMS Stanier 3P, this one will be 40127 for Brunswick - when I get round to painting it.

LNER C14, this was originally etched in 7mm but I thought I might as well do a 4mm version - I think we'll have the production etches here next week. Now painted as 67450, it's not really appropriate for either Brunswick or Wentworth Junction, at the moment it's pulling an enthusiast's special on the latter.

One of the compounds which ran with the experimental high sided tender, 40936 is appropriate for Brunswick.

Lastly another superb paint job from Dave Studley. This Hunslet 0-4-0T had been part built for more years than I care to think about but this year it got finished in time for it to be Don Townsley's birthday present.

That's all for now but there's still a few weeks to go this year and plenty more on the bench...

[Tony Wright]

11 minutes ago, Barry O said:

Been busy this year. Lots of locos reworked with new motors and gearboxes

 

Wills  4F  with a Tender cab

 

Gearbox and motor fitted easily

 

 

Then another 4F. Wills kit with a "Inncocentman/Comet" Hi sided tender

 

 

same High Level/mitsumi motor combination.

 

 

I tidied up my Hornby 8F and finally got it weathered..

 

Then a  DJH 8f ( I built this demonstrating at Hull Show many years ago sat beside Mike "Captain" Cook)  New motor and gearbox fitted.. again a High Level box with a Chinese "long" can motor 

 

then.. I fitted it with DCC Sound.

 

Moving on to coaches. Period II Unclassified Restaurant Car. A bitza.. etched sides, aluminium roof, 247 ends, Comet Bogies

 

 

It needs lamps and curtains..

 

 

then the Period II First Class version.. again awaiting curtains and lamps (I have ordered some lamps but  need to get them fitted.. as for curtains  Any ideas on the best way of fitting them?)

 

Another Bitza - a Period III LMS Porthole 3rd (second one I have built the other is in Blue/Grey for use on Shap

 

and a memorial to Adrian Swain... an LMS Van

 

on top of these I have got rid of the "squeal"  and unseized two  Portescap Gearboxes. refurbished a number of other locos and undertaken a few weathering/sound fitting commissions.. It has been a very busy year due to very limited opportunities to umpire!

Baz

Interesting stuff, Baz,

 

Thanks for showing us.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[Barry O]

2 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

Interesting stuff, Baz,

 

Thanks for showing us.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

First lockdown saw loads of progress, the latest one has seen progress slow but @LNER4479 got a running line sorted on my layout before the lockdown so lots of "testing" being done!

 

Baz

[micklner]

1 hour ago, LNER4479 said:

If it is the inner end of the brake coach you're referring to Mick, then perhaps what might be fooling you is that this was an open (not compartment) area of the coach On these vehicles (Dia 218DD), this was actually a mini-buffet area and there were two bays of open seating. The other bay had tables but obviously that would not have been possible where the doors were. Hopefully the pictures will explain.

 

Green Howards is also right in saying that the composite vehicle of the twin had a single (coupe) compartment, making it a 2 1/2 First; 3 Third configuration. Very interesting vehicles. These and the similar 218CC twins were notable as being the first purpose-built Gresley articulated vehicles.

 

For completeness sake, I should explain that this is a Rupert Brown (RMDB) kit, available in the Wizard catalogue. The clerestory is a Bill Bedford kit. All vehicles are running on standard Bachmann Gresley (Thompson) bogies as a bit of a sop to the overall construction challenge (the rest of it took me long enough!). Also honourable mention to Mr Graeme King of this parish, one of whose resin generic clerestory mouldings was sacrificed to the cause to help create the roof on that vehicle.

 

Congrats on your own 2020 output Mick. Like the 4-6-2T and especially the 0-4-4T. Seen pictures of the latter at Garsdale at the turn of the century, at the very western end of a long run along Wensleydale and back. Must have been quite a trip on one of those. Eventually superseded by the G5s, as in many other locations, no doubt.

  

No I mean the ECJS single Coach, the end doors marked 3rd with no windows either side  . I am presuming, it is not a Corridor vehicle.