Modelling has been slow of late as work and life intrude into modelling time. In order to get some stock ready for the final track laying (and to have something to play with! ) a start has been made on the etched pixels Thompson brake third kit received for Christmas.

Kit contents:-

As can be seen the kit is a combination of etched sides and 3d printed body which should make for an easy build.

Progress after a couple of hours of modelling:-

Having carefully soldered and cleaned the door vents I now realise these should flat fronted, so a dose of filler is in order prior to paint.

The rainstrip looks a little heavy, although these appear surprisingly thick in photographs, whilst pondering whether to redo these I came across this photo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/irishswissernie/5742932663/in/set-72157626647363095/) and realised I had the profile wrong anyway, this made the decision easy so off they came! A trip to Eileen’s Emporium at Stafford last weekend sourced some smaller profile styrene section which should do the trick.

I’ve also taken delivery of the replacement wheels, the original Dapol units supplied are surprisingly undersize, the photo below shows the comparison. I was contemplating sending the originals off for re-profiling as Dapol use a split axle to transfer track power to the bogie to enable coach lighting, given the discrepancy in wheel size though I’ve decided to use the replacement wheels.

Unfortunately after two attempt I keep getting sent the wrong axle lengths so cannot assemble the bogies with the 2mm wheels yet

Handrail caused an initial problem as I couldn’t find a fine enough wire. Stripped and unbraided layout wire was trialled on the guards compartment:-

But this is too flexible; Eileen’s Emporium again provided the solution in the form of 0.3mm wire.

Finally the paying public have been purchased are ready to be painted and installed, I am still looking for details of the interior décor of these coaches any information would be gratefully received.

The first locomotive has also made and appearance :-

The photo was taken during its running in turn so it’s off with the wheels for re-profiling (via the 2mm society, I don’t possess a lathe, or the skill to use one). I still have to decide her final identity and look at what detailing to add, that said, the Dapol original looks pretty good already. Headcode will need changing, most of the photos of these engines on the Oban line have a single digit, usually "9" showing.

and pulling a couple of wagons, both part completed conversions using TPM kits not intended for this layout.

One head scratcher for the future is the difference in coupling heights between the Micro-trains couplers and the Dapol couplers (which are too long anyway):-

Another mad week awaits so the modelling table will have to wait awile....