Southwich Posted March 26, 2020 Author Share Posted March 26, 2020 Well another beautiful day of weather outside can only mean one thing - spraying! I managed to get two coats of frame dirt on the wooden sleepers and points and two coats of Plastikote suede on the concrete sleepers this afternoon. After work this evening I managed to touch up the concrete over spray and get the first coat on the rails and pandrol clips of the concrete sections. It could do with another coat and another base coat before ballasting. Anyway onto the photos: Pretty pleased with it so far! Really brings the trackwork to life. Onto ballast this weekend as well as sorting out the backscenes. Kind regards, Will 13 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southwich Posted March 26, 2020 Author Share Posted March 26, 2020 (edited) Duplicate post removed Edited March 26, 2020 by Southwich Duplicate post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southwich Posted March 28, 2020 Author Share Posted March 28, 2020 Ballasting today - I wonder how long it will be till I get bored of rearranging tiny stones? 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted March 28, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 28, 2020 40 minutes ago, Southwich said: Ballasting today - I wonder how long it will be till I get bored of rearranging tiny stones? Three weeks presumably? Mike. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southwich Posted March 28, 2020 Author Share Posted March 28, 2020 4 hours ago, Enterprisingwestern said: Three weeks presumably? Mike. I’m hoping I won’t have to subject myself to three weeks of ballasting given my layout is only 6ft! Turns out it was more like 3 hours and it was time to look at some stock and couplings. Will 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southwich Posted March 28, 2020 Author Share Posted March 28, 2020 60036 testing out the ballasted track at Motts Lane this evening. Back mainline, threeway and the small section of mainline on the right hand board to go tomorrow. Hope everyone is staying safe and enjoying some more modelling time in lockdown! Will 9 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southwich Posted March 30, 2020 Author Share Posted March 30, 2020 Two shots of 56006 down at Motts Lane this afternoon: Kind regards, Will 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southwich Posted March 30, 2020 Author Share Posted March 30, 2020 A nice little distraction from ballasting this evening courtesy of some superb LaserGlaze from Shawplan. A before and after shot on my VITrains 37698 - which needs ploughs and Dinghams fitting tomorrow. Could also do with that EWS door as well! Before: After: As you can see the glazing makes a huge amount of difference! Well worth the effort. Kind regards, Will 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dj_crisp Posted March 31, 2020 Share Posted March 31, 2020 Looks great! The problem I have with laserglaze is that I now dont like original glazing! It really makes a difference! You've probably got this all sorted but if not PH designs make a nice plough that's easy to build. I've given up trying to build their 37 steps though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westie7 Posted March 31, 2020 Share Posted March 31, 2020 5 hours ago, dj_crisp said: I've given up trying to build their 37 steps though. Arrgh! Dont say that Ive some on the way 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southwich Posted March 31, 2020 Author Share Posted March 31, 2020 8 hours ago, dj_crisp said: Looks great! The problem I have with laserglaze is that I now dont like original glazing! It really makes a difference! You've probably got this all sorted but if not PH designs make a nice plough that's easy to build. I've given up trying to build their 37 steps though. So you know you need to get on the phone to Brian and get some ordered! I hadn’t seen them no - I’m quite tempted actually; they look a better option than my idea of chopping the Bachmann 47 ones apart; may give that a go first and then look at Petes. They look really nice I have to admit, were you soldering or gluing as they look quite fine to be soldering if so! A quick progress update from this evening, back on ballasting duties and I’ve done the majority of the threeway point - just the mainlines to go which is significantly easier due to the larger size ballast. Everything will need touching up but pretty happy with the first “coat”. I also had a play with the Accurascale bufferstop - very impressive. Soldered the droppers you’re the track and applied a small dob of superglue to get the thing to stay in the wider track so it effectively ballances - which hopefully you can’t really notice. I thought this was preferable to chopping the thing up! Finally two shots of Motts Lane resident 60500: Hopefully get on with the ballast and get onto some more exciting things! Thanks for looking, Will 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saxokid Posted April 1, 2020 Share Posted April 1, 2020 3 hours ago, Southwich said: So you know you need to get on the phone to Brian and get some ordered! I hadn’t seen them no - I’m quite tempted actually; they look a better option than my idea of chopping the Bachmann 47 ones apart; may give that a go first and then look at Petes. They look really nice I have to admit, were you soldering or gluing as they look quite fine to be soldering if so! A quick progress update from this evening, back on ballasting duties and I’ve done the majority of the threeway point - just the mainlines to go which is significantly easier due to the larger size ballast. Everything will need touching up but pretty happy with the first “coat”. I also had a play with the Accurascale bufferstop - very impressive. Soldered the droppers you’re the track and applied a small dob of superglue to get the thing to stay in the wider track so it effectively ballances - which hopefully you can’t really notice. I thought this was preferable to chopping the thing up! Finally two shots of Motts Lane resident 60500: Hopefully get on with the ballast and get onto some more exciting things! Thanks for looking, Will More great updates here Will,i like your weathered track finish.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southwich Posted April 1, 2020 Author Share Posted April 1, 2020 Hi all, As ballasting continues I have a quick question regarding VGA axle boxes. I’ve heard mention of achievers axle boxes being superb however I can’t seem to find them on the internet. Does anyone know where I can get hold of these to save me hacking apart the originals? Thanks in advance, Will 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne 37901 Posted April 1, 2020 Share Posted April 1, 2020 (edited) Hi Will, A timely post as I happen to be working on some VGAs (and other vans) myself. I think what you're referring to are Chivers axle boxes, these aren't available as Chivers are no longer trading. On mine I used BR hooded axle boxes from 51L Models. Not sure how well it shows in the photo but here's one of mine. Glad to see you're going down the Bill Bedford route - it's the only way! Cheers, Wayne Edited April 1, 2020 by Wayne 37901 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southwich Posted April 2, 2020 Author Share Posted April 2, 2020 (edited) Managed to get another hour on the layout this evening, and to ensure the rest of the ballast had hardened before doing a big Hoover I thought I’d look at something else. I’ve had 3 DG electro magnets sat in a packet from Wizard for about a week so though it was about time to have a play and see how they worked. The answer is pretty good, surprisingly easy to put together and work really nicely. The magnet needs to be lowered further flush with the ballast and then concealed with some form of clutter, but apart from that I’m very happy! A quick video of it in operation; Now time to fit the other two and every piece of stock with Dingham couplings... Kind regards, Will Edited April 2, 2020 by Southwich Spelling 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southwich Posted April 4, 2020 Author Share Posted April 4, 2020 60026 at Motts Lane this afternoon. Managed to get the layout into the natural light this afternoon which really makes a difference! Kind regards, Will 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southwich Posted April 6, 2020 Author Share Posted April 6, 2020 Hi all, Had one of those weekends doing small odd jobs to the layout so I feel like I haven’t really achieved that much to be honest! The list of jobs completed were as follows: - Got the measurements sorted for the laser cut hard standing, - Removed the cork from where the hard standing is going to sit, - Tidied up the “train room” (this was a big one), - Freed up the point blades where glue from the ballast had stuck them together, - Fitted Dinghams to 37698, 60036, one of my CargoWagon flats, two vans and started the BRA/BYAs (these annoyingly weren’t as successful and are going to need some tweaking. - Cleaned the majority of Locos wheels on the rolling road and the track with a microfibre cloth, - Had a play with the CVs on my TTS chip for 60036, it was running really poorly, struggling at low speeds. I’m still none the wiser as to the issue so think it may be a full strip down and service. Any advice on CV settings people have used would be much appreciated. No real photos from the weekend except a few of the ballasted threeway point and construction of the Dinghams. Kind regards, Will 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dj_crisp Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 It sounds like a productive weekend to me! Cheers Will 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saxokid Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 12 hours ago, Southwich said: Hi all, Had one of those weekends doing small odd jobs to the layout so I feel like I haven’t really achieved that much to be honest! The list of jobs completed were as follows: - Got the measurements sorted for the laser cut hard standing, - Removed the cork from where the hard standing is going to sit, - Tidied up the “train room” (this was a big one), - Freed up the point blades where glue from the ballast had stuck them together, - Fitted Dinghams to 37698, 60036, one of my CargoWagon flats, two vans and started the BRA/BYAs (these annoyingly weren’t as successful and are going to need some tweaking. - Cleaned the majority of Locos wheels on the rolling road and the track with a microfibre cloth, - Had a play with the CVs on my TTS chip for 60036, it was running really poorly, struggling at low speeds. I’m still none the wiser as to the issue so think it may be a full strip down and service. Any advice on CV settings people have used would be much appreciated. No real photos from the weekend except a few of the ballasted threeway point and construction of the Dinghams. Kind regards, Will Looking forward to more of this Will 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southwich Posted April 8, 2020 Author Share Posted April 8, 2020 Thanks Neil and Will - appreciate the encouragement! a brief break from ballast this afternoon - looking to try and get some projects finished so 90024 has had it’s top coat of GNER blue, really love this livery! Hopefully (weather depending) I can get it nearly finished over the long weekend. Also managed to glue, fill, sand and prime the valances so there shouldn’t be any lines. More progress soon. Will 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saxokid Posted April 8, 2020 Share Posted April 8, 2020 4 hours ago, Southwich said: Thanks Neil and Will - appreciate the encouragement! a brief break from ballast this afternoon - looking to try and get some projects finished so 90024 has had it’s top coat of GNER blue, really love this livery! Hopefully (weather depending) I can get it nearly finished over the long weekend. Also managed to glue, fill, sand and prime the valances so there shouldn’t be any lines. More progress soon. Will Yer been looking forward to your next modelling job here,ive got two new jobs. flask depot build colmore TMD.. With lots of daily updates now thanks neil.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris56057 Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 Really nice progress Will, particularly the ballasting. What ballast have you used? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southwich Posted April 10, 2020 Author Share Posted April 10, 2020 Thanks for the kind words Neil. 21 hours ago, Chris56057 said: Really nice progress Will, particularly the ballasting. What ballast have you used? Thanks Chris, much appreciated! I have used Carr’s/C&L fine ash ballast for the wooden sleepers and woodland scenics fine buff ballast for the concrete sleepers. Hope that helps. Will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted April 10, 2020 Share Posted April 10, 2020 Looks like a great project, good luck with the PH steps for the 37, they are a soldering job and a half! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southwich Posted April 11, 2020 Author Share Posted April 11, 2020 On 10/04/2020 at 08:34, 37114 said: Looks like a great project, good luck with the PH steps for the 37, they are a soldering job and a half! Thanks 37114 much appreciated! I haven’t got any on order - I believe it was @dj_crisp doing a set! A nice relaxing day of swearing, masking, paint removing and varnishing to get 90024 gloss varnished this evening. Pretty pleased with the result, not 100% perfect but will be good enough once weathered. Transfers on tomorrow hopefully. Kind regards, Will 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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