McGomez Posted September 15, 2014 Author Share Posted September 15, 2014 Stratford was one of my favourite spotting locations during the late 70s/early 80s and even though a Duff was only a Duff, a Stratford silver (off White) roofed version was always a welcome sight and they were often seen on London – Norwich or King´s Lynn services. I lived on the Great Northern section of the ECML and from time to time the odd Stratford namer would break the monotony of FP and GD ETH Duffs on express passenger turns and with this in mind I always thought I´d renumber one as 47172 County of Hertfordshire, my home county. I based the conversion on these 2 superb photos by Karel1999 just after her naming but dirtied up the bogies and tanks. https://www.flickr.com/photos/brblueperiod/5275573718 https://www.flickr.com/photos/brblueperiod/5275780892/in/photolist-93bGgy-9c1dsD-7bgq1b-93cKRw-97duND-cK1KFq-dksAy7-tYuFL-9c1dvv-9Psg9u-aJbs5T-nrDxxV-fj819i-cgswXY-cfz2mw-9Anw6F-bQJJmP-xzG9o-5dBWKv-fBiVA2-ojFsvg-nUFtQ2-9gR73Y-o7w1VU-bsp8HN-ayMyzm-bBUdKL-nrfRm4-fo7xDd-kmCjM8-dribcP-b7wyjp-oyx6u8-dribvD-h7BDgL-gjJ15J-eWRBb3-eVVdjt-biD3ra-a4VELo-gzBGZw-bBUdLj-baqPZg-cmTvwf-ogr7cb-bBUdLf-96cwx3-v8f2F-8U78fF-ff2QE5/ The base is a Heljan BR blue un-numbered 47. The plates, crests and works plates are from Shawplan and it has a Zimo sound chip on the inside. The domino headcode is from a Precision decals sheet. I removed the Heljan PCB and that frees up room to install a custom built sound chamber around an Allan Butcher 40x28mm 4 ohm speaker. The 2 pictures below show the chamber before the sides were added. I also installed some 0805 white LEDs that replaced the standard Heljan GoW bulbs. This has been done with very fine enamel coated wire and deemed a success (by me). The red marker lights were done using cut down 3mm lighthouse LEDs that have been wired together on an auxiliary function but I wish I´d used the same small LEDs as the marker lights because you can’t see them at all! The roof was airbrushed using 75% Vallejo ModelAir matt white and 25% Aged white. The sound chamber was fettled (otherwise known as fixing a cock-up) to the size below. Still some little bits to do but it´s basically fit for service. And a video... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobster Posted September 15, 2014 Share Posted September 15, 2014 Very nice Andy Cheers, Bob. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold fishytrains Posted September 15, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 15, 2014 That is a lovely sounding 47. Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
7APT7 Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 Hi Andy Great photo's and excellent sounding 47 on the YouTube Clip, nice layout even as it looks... its looks huge and as no problems climbing the helix with the 7 coaches... Thanks for sharing with us, nice. Jamie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
50042 Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Looking good Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McGomez Posted October 6, 2014 Author Share Posted October 6, 2014 Thanks for the comments guys. Here are some recent developements on the scenic front. The retaining wall behind the station has been replaced. It used to be a Scalescenes brick wall that had been ravaged by silverfish. It is now SE Finecast English bond plasticard brickwork painted with Vallejo model Air blue/grey. There is a small panel that has been weathered (over weathered?) and is removable so I can get to a plug and switch behind. I finally finished painting the last 2 panels. A Dapol weathered Western blends into the background. The latest bit to be done is some cable troughing. I bought a pack of Peco troughs but using the amount of proprietry stuff I need would seriously damage the bank balance so I knocked up some of my own. The majority will have the concrete lids in place but this little section has recently been removed for some cable renewals. Edited to enlarge photos. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
7APT7 Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Hi Andy Nice photos of the station length.... I like to see full length trains in stations... well done mate and great work Jamie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hybridangel77 Posted October 11, 2014 Share Posted October 11, 2014 The 47 looks smashing andy, as does the walling. Terry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ridgeback Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 Hola Andy First visit to RM this year . Great to see your progress with the scenery. Keep it going. You are doing a fine job. Rob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McGomez Posted November 23, 2014 Author Share Posted November 23, 2014 Hola Andy First visit to RM this year . Great to see your progress with the scenery. Keep it going. You are doing a fine job. Rob Hi Rob. Hope you´re keeping well. I finally got around to installing sound in your First NorthWestern class 150. In other news I had a rethink/repaint of the slowline platforms at Portland Grove after seeing Pete 75C´s Croyden North Road patchwork of repaired tarmac. I still need to paint a white line on the platform edge to complete. I also toned down the paving slabs that I´d originally picked out in varying shades of grey by overspraying with a grey/brown concrete shade. And here is a recent addition to the overseas fleet that gets a runout from time to time. A series 63xxx SNCF Roco repaint into 1980s RENFE colours that comes in a DCC starter set that a lot of shops seem to be splitting. DCC fitted for 79€ is a bargain in this part of the world. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 Just catching up Andy. I'd forgotten how monumentally long your platforms are! There really is nothing like having the space for full length trains in a full length station. Jealous? Oh yeah...! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimleygrid Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 Hi Andy, County of Hertfordshire looks very nice, love the video! The sounds is great. Being a GEML boy I have to confess that the SF spoons did get a bit boring after a while! Always nice to see foreign 47s, especially GD or IS! Stratford always looked after Great Eastern, I might have to have a Stratford 47 on Boxenby after seeing your beast! Scenic work is coming on, the retaining walls look very good, nice colours. It must be very hard to get some modelling done instead of having a quick play?!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ridgeback Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Hi Andy, just seen the video of my class 150. sounds very good . Thanks very much. The platforms are really taking shape. Will speak soon. Rob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
60059 Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 Just discovered this layout, enjoyed watching the videos on the youtube! It truely is a fab layout, love all the different levels and the helix. How does the long trains cope with the gradients? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McGomez Posted November 30, 2014 Author Share Posted November 30, 2014 Just catching up Andy. I'd forgotten how monumentally long your platforms are! There really is nothing like having the space for full length trains in a full length station. Jealous? Oh yeah...! Hi Pete. They are about 2,4m long IIRC. The platforms at the back with the bays were made in 5 pieces. The “fast” platform was done in one piece just to see if I could do it. The only thing I didn’t think of when making it was the painting. I’ve got quite a full garage and I usually take stuff outside to paint so I have to be quite careful not to knock other bits when manoeuvring. Also, if it’s windy, the damn thing is like a hang glider!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McGomez Posted November 30, 2014 Author Share Posted November 30, 2014 Hi Andy, County of Hertfordshire looks very nice, love the video! The sounds is great. Being a GEML boy I have to confess that the SF spoons did get a bit boring after a while! Always nice to see foreign 47s, especially GD or IS! Stratford always looked after Great Eastern, I might have to have a Stratford 47 on Boxenby after seeing your beast! Scenic work is coming on, the retaining walls look very good, nice colours. It must be very hard to get some modelling done instead of having a quick play?!! You can never have too many Stratford Duff´s Alex. A bit like Grids. I´ve got another Heljan un-numbered blue duff that will be turned out as 47460 Great Eastern with the black wooden plates and car number plate letters she wore for a few weeks at the end of the 70s. Atleast that is the idea. I agree about the scenics being held up by a quick running session. I had good intentions this afternoon but started running the trains again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McGomez Posted November 30, 2014 Author Share Posted November 30, 2014 Hi Andy, just seen the video of my class 150. sounds very good . Thanks very much. The platforms are really taking shape. Will speak soon. Rob Cheers Rob. I´ll see if I can do some more vids. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McGomez Posted November 30, 2014 Author Share Posted November 30, 2014 Just discovered this layout, enjoyed watching the videos on the youtube! It truely is a fab layout, love all the different levels and the helix. How does the long trains cope with the gradients? Glad you like it Phil. The majority of diesels can take a rake of 6 mk1s up the helix without problems. The smaller diesels like a 20 can´t so you have to double them up!! A good excuse to buy another loco in my opinion. I have one kettle, a Hornby std class 4 and that will take about 3 coaches up the helix. There is a video on YT of it performing badly. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McGomez Posted December 5, 2014 Author Share Posted December 5, 2014 No modelling done recently but I did finally edit this video together. A blue 56 with Howes sound and a bass reflex (IIRC). The Hornby PGAs have had brass tophat bearings installed this year to stop the constant squeeling that came from their nether regions. They´ve all been converted with Kadee #5s too. Far less pushing and shoving whilst going down the gradients. A 31 with Coastal sound and an ABS 28mm round speaker. And finally a ViTrains 37 that runs nicely in one direction but sounds like a bag of nuts and bolts in reverse. I also put together another vid featuring the Coastal sound fitted 47 giving some thrash around the layout. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McGomez Posted December 10, 2014 Author Share Posted December 10, 2014 Some of the stuff I was doing at the weekend. I managed to mask and paint the white lines on the platforms. I´m still not 100% sure of the grey colour I´ve used for the main part of the tarmac. May darken it. The "fast line platform" on the right hand side needs a yellow line added to keep the H&S man happy. I also made a start on the footbridge. (Ratio kit) It will finally dissappear into the rear retaining wall where there are some steps up to the ticket office. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 10, 2014 Share Posted December 10, 2014 Nice work Andy. I like those "Travellers Fare" resin buffets - they really suit the platform. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimleygrid Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 Loving the Grid action Andy, the horn is superb! Platforms are looking good. Great Eastern, I remember seeing her, 47581 as it was then, a few days after Stratford had released her in their version of Large Logo: 47581 Great Eastern 21st Feb 1986 Ipswich by Ian Sharman 1963, on Flickr Not sure if I preferred her in Large Logo or Original NSE?!!! Although this might be more what you would prefer: 1979 - ''Great Eastern'' by the Hotel.. by Robert Gadsdon, on Flickr Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McGomez Posted December 12, 2014 Author Share Posted December 12, 2014 Hi Pete. They are nice little resin models. Makes you want to nip in for a Wagon Wheel and a Maxpax coffee . I thought you might like the Grid action Alex. As much as I like to see a large logo 47, the version of Great Eastern is this one. http://www.class47.co.uk/c47_zoom_v3.php?img=1372051007200 http://www.class47.co.uk/c47_zoom_v3.php?img=0492051147200 It was one of those home made plates that I reckon was done to wind the management up as much as anything as it didn´t last very long on the loco. I´ve got as far as buying another Heljan un-numbered 47 and recently made the plates with Corel. Just got to paint the roof white and sort out the plated headcode box. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McGomez Posted December 15, 2014 Author Share Posted December 15, 2014 This weekend didn´t see much done but the footbridge now straddles some tracks. I had a bit of a bridge clearance running session just to make sure nothing fouled the bridge. A recent addition to the fleet is 58006. (Alex won´t like this!!) I also thought it was about time to install the headcodes on my Dapol Western. 1021 at one end and 1C07 at the other. A South Wales - London working if Flickr is to be believed? I also installed a driver and secondman in the leading cab. These are from a Preiser set and it has to be said they look a tad Germanic although they are well defined. They all come with a large drivers bag which has been positioned against the bulkhead. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimleygrid Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 Hi Andy, bridge is coming on. I do like the 37 on the Inspection saloon and you are right, I really like your new addition! Very nice. I can just imagine being on the platform as 58006 passes through on MGRs, lovely! That livery really suited them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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