Popular Post Unicorn1 Posted June 13, 2017 Author Popular Post Share Posted June 13, 2017 (edited) The branch pannier at Canal Lane Crossing with a short freight for Bishopscombe. Taken using a mirror placed on the the layout, so not all that easy to focus on the background, but it does show one of the new trees. Les Edited June 13, 2017 by Unicorn1 23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn1 Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 Some more trees, and some new angles. Pannier viewed from the lane with the morning goods. The farmer loads the morning milk churns for delivery to the station. 17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Unicorn1 Posted December 17, 2017 Author Popular Post Share Posted December 17, 2017 (edited) A few new pictures from the 'Combe. I managed to acquire not one but two S6 fish van kits via a well known auction site. I always supposed that Bishopscombe was on the coast, so I thought it was time the local fishermen had a chance to send their catch up to town. Here are the two finished vans. They're both Ian Kirk kits. The furthest one is from the more 'basic' kit, and had a roof that wasn't brilliant, and once made square lost a bit of coverage. I guessed the position of the vents (Dart Castings) on this one, so it's numbered as a S12 diagram van - there appears to be no photographs of the prototype! The nearer van is from, I think, a newer kit with a better roof. I found a photo of an S6, so the vents on this one are more prototypical. Both vans were finished with Dart castings shell vents and lamp irons, Lanarkshire Models vac pipes and buffers and CCTS transfers. Also on the workbench has been a B-Set modification. These have been 'cobbled' together from a pair of old Mainline coaches. They were stripped using Bio-Strip - just the most reliable paint remover I've ever used - (no connection etc). The 'extra' windows were filled in and Ford Rosso Red applied over red primer. Roof is Humbrol RC412. The molded underframe 'detail' on the Mainline coaches was removed, and new trusses made up from brass l section, new battery boxes, vacuum cylinders and V hangers an dynamos put in the right (?) places. The regulator boxes are scratch built. Making the headstocks square meant better coupling distance between the coaches, and simple plastic rod connects the two using the old Mainline coupling set up. They now couple nice and close, but can still negotiate the the 24" radius curve that is off scene. The bodies still need a little adjustment to reduce height differences! They may not be perfect, but I think they give a fair impression of an early BR livery B Set. So here is the branch pannier collecting the first load of fish for attaching to the early passenger departure. the layout at Bishopscombe isn't contusive to tail traffic in the up direction, so the van goes at the front. Lets hope its well insulated! So that's the latest news from the 'Combe. I hope to have some more scenery developments next time. Les Edited December 17, 2017 by Unicorn1 23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold sjrixon Posted December 17, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 17, 2017 Looking very nice.. Would you share a close up of headstock on your B Set? I'd like to do some of the same, but I've not been sure how to make it square when the coach end has quite a lot of taper on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn1 Posted December 17, 2017 Author Share Posted December 17, 2017 Looking very nice.. Would you share a close up of headstock on your B Set? I'd like to do some of the same, but I've not been sure how to make it square when the coach end has quite a lot of taper on. Hi Scott, thanks. A Cruel close up of the coach ends. The old underframes were cut along the red line in my rather naff drawing. But only cut off the sole bars and the ends - not the floor. The centre of the bow end of the coach should just overhang the centre of the new flat headstock, These were made up of plasticard, you can make out the plastic strip on the left hand coach, and this is what sits up against the floor. The same was done for the outer ends. The old Mainline buffers were then re used on the inner ends of the coaches. Hope this helps. Les 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold sjrixon Posted December 17, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 17, 2017 Thanks, nicely done. The short buffers work well. I think I need to start cutting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn1 Posted April 2, 2018 Author Share Posted April 2, 2018 (edited) Since my last post I decided to lose the fuel depot - i never really liked it - I came by a second hand Ratio Cattle Dock kit to replace it. Here it is in situ, still needs some weathering, and the fence has obviously just been give a fresh coat of the cream paint Swindon keep sending down! The railings are made from florist wire and not the plastic rod in the kit, that will used for downpipes on future buildings. I've built a new Beetle, the old one may well be restored, this one has obviously been recently overhauled and carries its new maroon livery. The 'scenic' area between the junction and Bisopscombe Junction Shed has received some attention - a field of barley, or something - is being harvested. After several experiments I ended up taking the easy option of using a doormat for the crop. That choir took some cutting! It's better that the bare area that was there before. Some new grass has been added, now the cows have some better grazing! My old Dapol Fruit D has re-entered service, and here it arrives with the parcels at the head of the branch passenger train. I'm slowely replacing the lineside fencing, but haven't got to this bit yet! More new rolling stock, in the form of a short rake of Dogfish wagons, along with a Shark brakevan, has arrived. These are Cambrian kits. I initially only wanted one Dogfish, but ended up building three to use up some of the transfers I'd ordered! A rare visitor to the branch is this Monster, an Ian Kirk kit. This was a challenging build, especially the roof! (the van is actually relatively clean - the 'mark' on the side is actually light reflecting off the van) Finally a helicopter shot of 9015. The buildings in the road are the next project - most of them will be replaced with something more original. So the layout is getting a few updates, so will update the thread soon. Les Edited to make more sense. Edited April 2, 2018 by Unicorn1 18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn1 Posted May 19, 2018 Author Share Posted May 19, 2018 After a while looking for a cattle lorry for the layout I decided to build / kit bash one. There is the option of a Road Transport Images one, but that's outside my budget just now. So here's the kit bashed Cooper Craft AEC, with scratch built body. And the back end. I mentioned in my last post that the buildings need updating, so here's the first effort under construction, some railway workers cottages. Shamelessly cribbed from Geoff Taylor's book! More buildings to follow, and perhaps some trains! Les 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7APT7 Posted May 19, 2018 Share Posted May 19, 2018 Hi Les The brick work looks superb on the railway workers cottages, how did you age the brick work to look so real... and the different shades of bricks 'here and there' that as been picked out... Look forwards to seeing more. Regards Jamie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn1 Posted May 20, 2018 Author Share Posted May 20, 2018 (edited) Hello Jamie Thank you for your comments. The outer 'skin' of the cottages is actually made from 2mm scale dressed stone sheet - the 4mm scale looks too big. The stonework was painted with a coat of Humbrol 187 mixed with a small amount of matt black, after leaving to dry for a couple of days humbrol 121 pale stone was painted over this and immediately wiped off, to give the mortar lines. This also lightens the shade of the overall stonework. The rest was done by dry brushing various shades - dark earth, and green mainly. Some stones were then 'picked out' in darker colours. I usually make models of bus garages - so this was a departure for me, it was more or less copied from Geoff Taylor's book 'Creating Model Buildings', I would recommend getting a copy. Regards Les Edited May 20, 2018 by Unicorn1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7APT7 Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 Hello Jamie Thank you for your comments. The outer 'skin' of the cottages is actually made from 2mm scale dressed stone sheet - the 4mm scale looks too big. The stonework was painted with a coat of Humbrol 187 mixed with a small amount of matt black, after leaving to dry for a couple of days humbrol 121 pale stone was painted over this and immediately wiped off, to give the mortar lines. This also lightens the shade of the overall stonework. The rest was done by dry brushing various shades - dark earth, and green mainly. Some stones were then 'picked out' in darker colours. I usually make models of bus garages - so this was a departure for me, it was more or less copied from Geoff Taylor's book 'Creating Model Buildings', I would recommend getting a copy. Regards Les Hi Les That's great mate, thank you for the step by step to achieve the results you were after, it really looks smart. I'll have to get a copy of 'Creating Model Buildings' always makes good reference material when you have building that you can copy from, to get that perfect look in model form. Regards Jamie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn1 Posted November 24, 2018 Author Share Posted November 24, 2018 (edited) Well, back in May (!) I posted that the layout would be getting some new buildings to replace the original card kits, and so over the summer I'e been busy cutting plastic and card. Here are some of buildings, some still being worked on, and as usual the harsh lighting and close-up camera shots has shown them 'warts n' all'. The cottages last seen under construction in my last post. A Georgian house, built from textured art card. Another row of cottages, including the saddlers shop at one end - handy for Bishopscombe's busy horse traffic - and dodgy guttering! Another 'art' card construction, a small cottage. Another shop - using the Langley details rescued from a previous version of the ironmongers. And a shed to go alongside. Finally a building under construction, a village school. I'm not sure if I want to continue with this one, if I do it will go at the 'dark' end of Station Road.... These are all meant to go at the back of the baseboard, so by the time they've been bedded in, with pavements etc, and a few repairs made, they should work together - I hope! Cheers Les edited to get last picture in Edited December 10, 2018 by Unicorn1 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn1 Posted December 10, 2018 Author Share Posted December 10, 2018 (edited) Well the new buildings have been placed in position, and the new back scene (complete with fewer creases than the old one!) has gone up. A sneak preview of the new scene as 9015 arrives with a short goods. A wider view. The less cluttered background seems to give the illusion of more space. Some new trees will help disguise the joins between the backscene and the low relief buildings. Hope to post more soon......... Les Edited December 10, 2018 by Unicorn1 18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn1 Posted December 31, 2018 Author Share Posted December 31, 2018 With the new buildings in Station Road completed I decided that the old Ratio goods shed at the 'Combe could be replaced with something a bit more GWR in character. The new shed is based on Watlington goods shed, although I have made the doors solid instead of slatted - it was easier! The structure is made from plasticard and cardboard for the loading platform and the roof. Here are the basic parts, The loading platform The crane is just made from some plastic square rod, with a hole drilled centrally for the chain to pass through, the large wheel is a sanded down shirt button - there is a winding handle of the other side. The first test placement for clearance. The old shed had some lighting - which ceased to work years ago - so this one has too, and hopefully more reliable! It will be used when visitors wish to view the interior. The new shed in situ - I still have to make the office chimney and the office steps. Overall I'm pleased with the way it looks, and being narrower than the old shed it frees up more space in the yard. Next job a new weigh bridge hut and a tidy of the yard entrance. Les 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn1 Posted April 21, 2019 Author Share Posted April 21, 2019 I've had an old Airfix autocoach for years, and I've finally got round to detailing it. I wanted to alter the coach, and decided a donor vehicle would be useful - mainly for the drivers doors. A repainted example was obtained from a well known auction site for a fiver, this turned out to have detailing fitted to the under frame and cab fittings! I have a spare pair of 7' bogies, but decided to keep the 9' ones to avoid damaging the detaining - so I've already compromised a lot! So the old body was stripped ready for repainting, and adding the flush doors. The interior details were fitted. The glazing is SE Finecast. And here she is - complete with very dodgy lining! And so, after sitting in a box of odds and ends for the best part of ten years, she has new life. To quote Jules of this parish - 'the cliche arrives' I'm quite pleased with it, the colours are Frod Rosso red and Ford Sierra beige. All I need now is something appropriate to haul it - a 64xx, or maybe an auto fitted 4575? Les 18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Johnster Posted April 21, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 21, 2019 I also use Ford Rosso for crimson livery, and am grateful for the headsup about the Sierra Beige for cream. And I'm struggling to see anything that dodgy about the lining; it's better than anything I could do. A 4575 may be overkill for a single trailer; they were used on 3 trailer sandwiches in South Wales. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules Posted April 22, 2019 Share Posted April 22, 2019 The autocoach looks really good. I like the SE Finecast glazing, I think I might have to get some for my autocoaches and B set. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn1 Posted April 22, 2019 Author Share Posted April 22, 2019 (edited) 22 hours ago, The Johnster said: I also use Ford Rosso for crimson livery, and am grateful for the headsup about the Sierra Beige for cream. And I'm struggling to see anything that dodgy about the lining; it's better than anything I could do. A 4575 may be overkill for a single trailer; they were used on 3 trailer sandwiches in South Wales. Thanks for the comments. The beige is a little light, but I think the real thing would have faded by 1957-59 - I believe the crimson and cream livery for autotrailers was discontinued in 1952. The lining is actually Modelmaster's black and gold - the gold doesn't show up well in the photos. You're probably right about a 4575 being too much for one trailer - although there was an auto fitted one in the west country in the late fifties, (5511?). I think I will go for a 64xx, Les Edited April 22, 2019 by Unicorn1 to make more sense! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Titanius Anglesmith Posted April 22, 2019 Share Posted April 22, 2019 Beautiful layout, I love the workbench in the engine shed! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Johnster Posted April 22, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 22, 2019 Crimson/cream for auto trailers was a continuation of the GW's habit of painting them in the 'best' main line livery, and was apparently discontinued after Riddles noticed one at Paddington and demanded to know why his main line gangwayed stock livery was being used for such a vehicle. The first series of Hawkworth A38 trailers was produced new in this livery. The livery lasted until the late 50s and maybe the early 60s in one or two cases, and probably was a bit faded, and certainly weathered, by then. Your coach looks 'right' to me. Plain unlined crimson was used thereafter until 1956, when plain maroon was introduced. This lasted until 1958 when the decision was made to provide lining to all passenger stock. My layout's period is 1948-58, and includes all these variations as well as the 1948 'transition' liveries, one of the reasons for choosing that period. I have some stock in late GW liveries as well. A 64xx would be in plain black until 1956 when they started to turn up from the paint shop in fully lined out passenger green; this gives you scope for 2, one in each livery! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn1 Posted April 22, 2019 Author Share Posted April 22, 2019 It's early morning and the branch pannier emerges from the shed at Bishopscombe to start the days work. The signalman's cauliflowers are looking good this year, the beans are also sprouting - at least on one set of canes. 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn1 Posted May 12, 2019 Author Share Posted May 12, 2019 (edited) The Autocoach has now been paired with a 64xx, and is now a fixture on Bishopscombe. The pair leave bound for Bishopscombe Quarry with a workmans train - I doubt there were sufficient customers in reality! Crossing Canal Lane And the cliche arrives at the Quarry. I've lightly weathered the pannier, and renumbered her 6400 - a West Country loco during the layouts time frame - she now carries a Laira shed plate. The plates are from 247 Developments, great quality - and excellent service. (No connection etc...) I have some lamps and crew on order from Modelu to complete. Les Edited May 12, 2019 by Unicorn1 to mention plates 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn1 Posted November 2, 2019 Author Share Posted November 2, 2019 (edited) The 'Combe has finally received some more appropriate road traffic. This little Dennis Ace is seen heading along Station Road - it's lucky to have made it onto the layout at all - It was a real pain to build, and nearly ended up being thrown out of the window a few times! Now I've built dozens of white metal kits and they all have their quirks, but I've never been so close to giving up on one before. It's best viewed side on from a distance! Another bus / coach is this Royal Blue Bristol. Seen here on a bridge (where else!). Still needs transfers and the paint tidying - but after the Dennis build I wanted something to get on the layout quickly. A different view taken using a mirror. On the rolling stock side a Lowmac has been completed. Here it is seen from the other side of shed. A little while later 9015 does some leisurely shunting. I'm toying with the idea of some video of the layout, we'll see if I can get my head round how to do it! Les Edited November 2, 2019 by Unicorn1 photo order 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn1 Posted February 1, 2023 Author Share Posted February 1, 2023 (edited) Well, only just three and a half years since the last post in this thread! Sadly the original layout had seen better days. It did sterling service, and I learned a lot with it. The layout's baseboards were not very well thought out, and the electrics had become un reliable after after twelve years of 'make do and mend'. So time for a new plan. I need to have the four main boards small enough to get into the railway room through a small opening - so they are two boards 48" x 30" and two by 48" x 24", with an additional extension (the board to the lower right). (Sorry, I still think, and see, in old money!) My old fiddle yard board will be re-used where the plan ends at the bottom of the plan. This is my first draft of a track plan; it's not unlike the old Bishopscombe, which gave me personally plenty of operational interest. So basically any observations on the plan would be welcome, especially the baseboard joints; the scenery is planned to be mostly drop in, so could be removed later if need be. Les Edited February 2, 2023 by Unicorn1 Left and right Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 No comment on the plan as such, but looks like it should give plenty of operational fun! I am in a similar position with my layout - there are a few electrical issues (mainly voltage drop) and dodgy track work where points have needed to be replaced, so I am building myself upto having to bite the bullet and do some serious rebuilding before too long! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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