Peterborough North

[31A]

A bit more about the artificial light thing. I did try yet again to see if I could get presentable images under the lights, using Quicksilver as my subject. It was after doing that I forgot to reset white balance. Below is the result of a lot of fiddling and experimentation.

15 artificial.JPG

I still don't like it. It doesn't look natural, which is not surprising, as it isn't.

 

It may not be natural but is quite interesting - it reminds me of the kind of strange light you sometimes get when the sun shines brightly below dark storm clouds!

[Mallard60022]

I have another 2 questions.  The Kirk instructions say to put the Battery boxes on one side only on the under carriage/floor.

Yet Hornby and Steve Banks and others have them on both sides.  Does this apply to all the Gresley's.

I have Michael Harris', Nick Campling's books and other general LNER books and this is hard to see the precise details.

 

Can you post some photos of the under carriages as well?

 

I will leave it as one side only for now as if it is 2 then I can add some later.  

I will continue to search the books, internet and forums, including Mr T Wrights listing.

 

Thanks for your and others help too.

 

Mark in OZ

Mark, I think the Kirks can be glazed using separate pieces for each window if the Gresleys are the same as the Maunsells; I think they are? This is a huge faff but does make them look a little less 'thick sided'. Regarding the Gresley undergarments, Comet's diagrams are generally accurate but can be misleading without a double check from elsewhere.  You can look at the PDFs of the Comet UFs on the website and do some double checking with 'friends' on here. For the Triplet it is worth acquiring the Isinglass Drawings; they are a work of art in themselves and worth framing after you have finished with them.

Incidentally, have you used MJT or Bill Bedford sides for any Gresleys? Worth a look at those.

Sincerely, Phil

Edited December 17, 2017 by Mallard60022

[great northern]

It may not be natural but is quite interesting - it reminds me of the kind of strange light you sometimes get when the sun shines brightly below dark storm clouds!

Reminds me more of moonlight Steve. Still don't like it. Any kind of natural light is better than this, even the small amount available today.

[great northern]

I'm not sure how this has come about, but I seem to have purchased another A3. I do not really need another one, which is what I told myself sternly when I came across this one on a well known auction site. It was a good price for a brand new St Gatien though, which can be relied upon to be of much better quality that the latest  offering with the ski slope front frames. And I apparently have a £10 off voucher which makes it an even better deal. The box is described as a bit faded, but it won't be staying in there for long.

 

Anyway, I kept telling myself sternly that I didn't need it, and that I would only even consider it if it was not sold by today. It wasn't, so now it is. That means ages choosing which loco, researching 1958 condition, finding photos, all that stuff. Disgraceful really.

[OnTheBranchline]

I'm not sure how this has come about, but I seem to have purchased another A3. I do not really need another one, which is what I told myself sternly when I came across this one on a well known auction site. It was a good price for a brand new St Gatien though, which can be relied upon to be of much better quality that the latest  offering with the ski slope front frames. And I apparently have a £10 off voucher which makes it an even better deal. The box is described as a bit faded, but it won't be staying in there for long.

 

Anyway, I kept telling myself sternly that I didn't need it, and that I would only even consider it if it was not sold by today. It wasn't, so now it is. That means ages choosing which loco, researching 1958 condition, finding photos, all that stuff. Disgraceful really.

 

You didn't buy, the A3s simply procreated

[great northern]

You didn't buy, the A3s simply procreated

I don't think so. I've often left two of them side by side* and nice and close, in the hope that something might happen, but it never did.  And even if it worked, how long would it take the progeny to grow to 00 size? 

 

* having first consulted RCTS 2A to establish which race(s) they won, so as to ensure that I paired stallion with filly.

[Mallard60022]

I'm not sure how this has come about, but I seem to have purchased another A3. I do not really need another one, which is what I told myself sternly when I came across this one on a well known auction site. It was a good price for a brand new St Gatien though, which can be relied upon to be of much better quality that the latest  offering with the ski slope front frames. And I apparently have a £10 off voucher which makes it an even better deal. The box is described as a bit faded, but it won't be staying in there for long.

 

Anyway, I kept telling myself sternly that I didn't need it, and that I would only even consider it if it was not sold by today. It wasn't, so now it is. That means ages choosing which loco, researching 1958 condition, finding photos, all that stuff. Disgraceful really.

Oh sh#t, that has weakend my resolve about that Tangmere at Mr Wright's      

Congratulations.

P

[great northern]

Oh sh#t, that has weakend my resolve about that Tangmere at Mr Wright's      

Congratulations.

P

 I thought of an antidote Phil, too late for me, but it should help you. Just think of another loco that you need far far more than another Spam Can. Then of course you will need to find a way to stop yourself getting that. You could build a platform to distract yourself.

[FPH 603]

A bit more about the artificial light thing. I did try yet again to see if I could get presentable images under the lights, using Quicksilver as my subject. It was after doing that I forgot to reset white balance. Below is the result of a lot of fiddling and experimentation.

15 artificial.JPG

I still don't like it. It doesn't look natural, which is not surprising, as it isn't.

Is your backdrop plain grey? If so, I'm pretty sure (with some photo editing) you can change the colour of the background. It might be worth fiddling around with lighting too.

 

I quite like the background as it is though, but it's your decision.

[great northern]

Is your backdrop plain grey? If so, I'm pretty sure (with some photo editing) you can change the colour of the background. It might be worth fiddling around with lighting too.

 

I quite like the background as it is though, but it's your decision.

I've got quite a lot of background skies, which I edit to suit particular images. I tried several with this, but nothing could take away the nasty tint that fluorescent light gives. I don't bother with lights, as normally nature gives me as much, and often more than I want. I'm not an expert photographer, or an expert at photoshopping, you see, so I have my limitations, and frankly that includes how far I want to take the whole photography thing. My camera has its limits too, and I don't want to spend precious modelling cash on something more sophisticated. I'll leave that to Tony Wright when he brings his big professional camera.

[FPH 603]

I see. But like I said before, your photos are good as they are now.

[great northern]

Our friend from Oz is quite right really, I need to get some proper lighting if I'm going to achieve much at this time of year, especially when I keep trying to do the contre jour stuff. It's expensive though, and I'd be tripping over it all the time when it wasn't in use, as I don't have anywhere else convenient to store it.

 

So, it's make the most of what I have, and it might be a good idea to stop moaning about deficiencies. it's just that I feel I have to justify and explain photos which I don't think are up to the mark. Speaking of which, here's another of that type.

The next one though came out quite well, and was worth a lot of photoshopping time.

So, what's going on? Andrew K is running through, but the signal suggests that he will be stopped at Westwood yard. A hot box, perhaps? Likely if Mr Hoole is in charge. Everything else is waiting. The A5 will follow the goods, after which the 01 on the slow may get across and into New England, and the B17 has backed onto the stock for the 5.13pm to March, but there is another train to come through on the Up before it can come in and collect its passengers.

[great northern]

The Scotch goods still features this morning, first in a view from Spital Bridge.

I think this is the first time I've tried this scene since the greying of the desert, and it does show that there is still some touching up to be done.

And one last rather cluttered view as Andrew K heads away.

[St Enodoc]

The Scotch goods still features this morning, first in a view from Spital Bridge.

from bridge correct.JPG

I think this is the first time I've tried this scene since the greying of the desert, and it does show that there is still some touching up to be done.

goods leaving.JPG

And one last rather cluttered view as Andrew K heads away.

I like the View from the Bridge.

[Markeg]

Mark, I think the Kirks can be glazed using separate pieces for each window if the Gresleys are the same as the Maunsells; I think they are? This is a huge faff but does make them look a little less 'thick sided'. Regarding the Gresley undergarments, Comet's diagrams are generally accurate but can be misleading without a double check from elsewhere.  You can look at the PDFs of the Comet UFs on the website and do some double checking with 'friends' on here. For the Triplet it is worth acquiring the Isinglass Drawings; they are a work of art in themselves and worth framing after you have finished with them.

Incidentally, have you used MJT or Bill Bedford sides for any Gresleys? Worth a look at those.

Sincerely, Phil

 

Thanks Phil.

I have seen Kirks with such an arrangement.  Flush or near to flush windows.  He had 3 and I asked him how he did them.  He said he squared off the windows and used digital vernier calipers to measure the size of each.

Yes it will take some time, so for now I will build them with thin acetate inside.  I have allowed for this when building the interiors.  So will check what clear material I have and need and work it all out.

I will look at Comet's website and check coach details.  

 

I should say that I picked up from the same deceased estate two small etch brass coaches.  A 6 wheel GNR full brake and a GER Inspectors saloon coach.  This will give me some to practice on.

 

I have not used any MJT, Comet, Bill Bedford or other etch brass kits yet.  I do have 247 Developments LNER TPO sides.  I have been buying up the rest of the parts along the way.

I have a Mailcoach Coronation set to build and about 6 Loco kits to do.  I think that will keep me going for a few years yet.

Re: the Triplet set, as I think I indicated, I have a Comet kit which was built, I just had to finish off the interior and roof.  SO I can use that as a guide.

Though getting a set of drawings sounds very tempting.  I can add it to my collection of posters.  Silver Jubilee, On Early Shift, A1 Tornado, D10 Walter Burgh Gair and a couple of others.

 

I too like the few from the bridge.  That curve gives the viewer something to look at.  Especially with a few trains passing.

 

Mark

Edited December 18, 2017 by Markeg

[great northern]

Thanks Phil.

I have seen Kirks with such an arrangement.  Flush or near to flush windows.  He had 3 and I asked him how he did them.  He said he squared off the windows and used digital vernier calipers to measure the size of each.

Yes it will take some time, so for now I will build them with thin acetate inside.  I have allowed for this when building the interiors.  So will check what clear material I have and need and work it all out.

I will look at Comet's website and check coach details.  

 

I should say that I picked up from the same deceased estate two small etch brass coaches.  A 6 wheel GNR full brake and a GER Inspectors saloon coach.  This will give me some to practice on.

 

I have not used any MJT, Comet, Bill Bedford or other etch brass kits yet.  I do have 247 Developments LNER TPO sides.  I have been buying up the rest of the parts along the way.

I have a Mailcoach Coronation set to build and about 6 Loco kits to do.  I think that will keep me going for a few years yet.

Re: the Triplet set, as I think I indicated, I have a Comet kit which was built, I just had to finish off the interior and roof.  SO I can use that as a guide.

Though getting a set of drawings sounds very tempting.  I can add it to my collection of posters.  Silver Jubilee, On Early Shift, A1 Tornado, D10 Walter Burgh Gair and a couple of others.

 

I too like the few from the bridge.  That curve gives the viewer something to look at.  Especially with a few trains passing.

 

Mark

I think you may find the Mailcoach set alone could take up quite some time,Mark, especially when it comes to painting it. If you want to hear a professional model builder say something unprintable, you only have to mention Mailcoach.

[Tony Wright]

Thanks Phil.

I have seen Kirks with such an arrangement.  Flush or near to flush windows.  He had 3 and I asked him how he did them.  He said he squared off the windows and used digital vernier calipers to measure the size of each.

Yes it will take some time, so for now I will build them with thin acetate inside.  I have allowed for this when building the interiors.  So will check what clear material I have and need and work it all out.

I will look at Comet's website and check coach details.  

 

I should say that I picked up from the same deceased estate two small etch brass coaches.  A 6 wheel GNR full brake and a GER Inspectors saloon coach.  This will give me some to practice on.

 

I have not used any MJT, Comet, Bill Bedford or other etch brass kits yet.  I do have 247 Developments LNER TPO sides.  I have been buying up the rest of the parts along the way.

I have a Mailcoach Coronation set to build and about 6 Loco kits to do.  I think that will keep me going for a few years yet.

Re: the Triplet set, as I think I indicated, I have a Comet kit which was built, I just had to finish off the interior and roof.  SO I can use that as a guide.

Though getting a set of drawings sounds very tempting.  I can add it to my collection of posters.  Silver Jubilee, On Early Shift, A1 Tornado, D10 Walter Burgh Gair and a couple of others.

 

I too like the few from the bridge.  That curve gives the viewer something to look at.  Especially with a few trains passing.

 

Mark

How will you paint the Mailcoach sides, Mark? 

 

The reason I ask is, having built a few (FO/FO, TO/RTO, BTO/TO, Tourist Brake Third and Silver Jubilee Triplet) is that I brush-painted all mine. It took ages (at least three/four coats of maroon for each side), and the risk of specks was ever-present. Masking off the windows for spray-painting would probably have taken longer. 

 

In my days as a professional model-maker I was once asked would I build an FO/FO pair. I refused! 

[great northern]

It's not very often that our photographers go AWOL, but today they have managed to completely miss the arrival of the Up Glasgow. It is a New England duty though, so perhaps they just didn't bother. Once a lovely shiny A4 had backed on though it was a different matter.

The afternoon Talisman was also considered worth recording too, in spite of, or perhaps because of the use of one of these new fangled diesels.

Shot into harsh light again. Will I ever learn?

[Woodcock29]

Gilbert - I love that view from the bridge - its sensational - please keep your railway photographers busy - they do such a good job!

 

Mark - we must catch up some time - I hope you can find your way over to Adelaide in the next year or so. I was sorry you were unable to make the recent Convention in Melbourne. I have a lot of Kirk Gresleys running on my layout, not to mention a wide selection of kit built/kit bashed locos, including some LMS types (hope I'm forgiven for that!). I also have a Mailcoach Coronation to build but I'm not sure I'll ever build it as I'm far more interested in building brass Howlden GN stock, which I have quite a number of at present.

 

Andrew Emmett

[Markeg]

How will you paint the Mailcoach sides, Mark? 

 

The reason I ask is, having built a few (FO/FO, TO/RTO, BTO/TO, Tourist Brake Third and Silver Jubilee Triplet) is that I brush-painted all mine. It took ages (at least three/four coats of maroon for each side), and the risk of specks was ever-present. Masking off the windows for spray-painting would probably have taken longer. 

 

In my days as a professional model-maker I was once asked would I build an FO/FO pair. I refused! 

 

Hi Tony,

 

I have painted a Silver Jubilee set. Below is the procedure I followed

 

I masked all the windows, by laying painters masking tape across each side and cutting very carefully along the edge of each window.  I then stuck each side to a piece of flat timber with blu-tack and then undercoated them all together.  Then I did the Ends.  Then I painted the top coat on the sides and ends with an airbrush.  Then I glued all the pieces together.  Once the bodies and underframe skirts were done, I used a Silver lining pen to line all the windows and across the bottom and middle beading to look like Stainless Steel.  It requires a bit of practice to get a consistent line I also painted the lower insides.  Not that you see it.

This is the same method I will use to paint the Coronation except that it is two tone.  This will require masking the top when painting the Garter Blue.  So painting the Marlborough Blue will be first, then the bottom half  with Garter Blue. The masking is planned for winter nights if I can make the time.  That is the goal for 2018.  I will paint the insides too.

 

Photo below is an old one from 2008.  The set needed finishing off some small details.  This is a test on the club layout Oakham.  Sorry tony No Lamps.  They are on now.

 

 

Thanks for asking.

 

Mark

Edited December 19, 2017 by Markeg

[Markeg]

Gilbert - I love that view from the bridge - its sensational - please keep your railway photographers busy - they do such a good job!

 

Mark - we must catch up some time - I hope you can find your way over to Adelaide in the next year or so. I was sorry you were unable to make the recent Convention in Melbourne. I have a lot of Kirk Gresleys running on my layout, not to mention a wide selection of kit built/kit bashed locos, including some LMS types (hope I'm forgiven for that!). I also have a Mailcoach Coronation to build but I'm not sure I'll ever build it as I'm far more interested in building brass Howlden GN stock, which I have quite a number of at present.

 

Andrew Emmett

 

Hi Andrew,

 

I had to cancel coming to the BRMA Convention as I was snowed under with work and everything else.  As it happened that I had that dreaded flu that very weekend.  So would have cancelled last minute anyway.  Would not like to pass that on.  Winter here in southern hemisphere. 

 

We will have to catch up.  My wife and I are off to China for a holiday in late April for 10 days, so maybe after that. I have checked out where the Railway Museum is in Beijing, so a visit is on the cards.

A 6 hr Fast Train ride from Beijing to near Shanghai is planned.  Last time I planned to come I got busy.  

 

Mark

[St Enodoc]

Hi Andrew,

 

I had to cancel coming to the BRMA Convention as I was snowed under with work and everything else.  As it happened that I had that dreaded flu that very weekend.  So would have cancelled last minute anyway.  Would not like to pass that on.  Winter here in southern hemisphere. 

 

We will have to catch up.  My wife and I are off to China for a holiday in late April for 10 days, so maybe after that. I have checked out where the Railway Museum is in Beijing, so a visit is on the cards.

A 6 hr Fast Train ride from Beijing to near Shanghai is planned.  Last time I planned to come I got busy.  

 

Mark

Come to Sydney next year! The guest speaker is not unknown in these parts...

[great northern]

We have a lovely morning, the sun is shining, the birds would be singing if they weren't half frozen, and I'm off to try out yet another theory as to why my golf is so cr*p. There is time though for some more views of D209, taken from more sensible angles than the one I posted last night.

[KNP]

Like the second one the best as the colour has come out looking like the old colour pictures of that era.

 

Very effective

[great northern]

That B17 that spent ages by the coaling stage, and finally moved to the carriage sidings has now got the road to move to platform 2 and pick up passengers for the short trip to March.

We can have another look at it as it stands conveniently outside the overall roof, ready for the off.