Leaderboard

My Jubilee, 45701, Conqueror, has now been weathered by friend, David Clarke, ready for me to finish off. Cab glazing, crew and DCC chip to be fitted, the tender coaled up and the cab roof fixed. For some reason I haven't yet identified, it has developed an intermittent short when running forward which it didn't have previously. A quick check of loco brakes and sand pipes hasn't shown anything out of place, so some further investigation will be necessary. Here she is in her current state: Dave.

As before these are pre cut using Evergreen#103/122 styrene strips for the window sides and rails. Working through all 47 windows takes time and certainly patience, so to break the repetition another one was started! Same thing but different. The window assemblies did take time but I thought it was worth it as these workers cottages at Garsdale Head are, apart from scenery are some of the outstanding features as you approach the station from the South. My quandary is … should I extend the diorama to accommodate the four remaining cottages closest to Coal Road that would need an extra 450mm of baseboard width making the overall baseboard width approximately 1500mm! This may assist my growing consideration to have the Dandry Mire Viaduct curving as per prototype to the left and heading northward. Back to the matter in hand. As you can see the stepped railway workers cottages have the roofs completed and are ready for their chimney stacks. They have a darker grey acrylic primer coat being applied as I post this, and should be completed fairly soon. I set up some mock-up shots to give an idea of the overall perspective I’m trying to achieve. The baseboard rails for this section has become a priority to straighten out the big bow. More distractions coming up in the weekend as the Hamilton Model Railway Club is hosting their yearly exhibition along with other invited clubs at the Hamilton Gardens Pavilion.

Time for a bit of playing. I have been working on getting couplings sorted out but it does strain the eyes so a bit of scenic messing about around the viaduct makes a pleasant change. Taking pics doesn’t half show up all the rough bits that need a second or third going over. Its also a bit difficult to get a picture of, really how do you get nine feet of track in focus? Not joking, really if you know how then tell me. Anyway , here they are with a few bits added to make a scene.

Taking a layout to university with you is not practical, even if it's only a shunting plank. So I'll have to think of other modelling projects to get on with until Christmas. Maybe I can get one or two of the many side projects done... I have a tiny room here, so guess I'm fortunate that most of it is taken up by desk space, which was clearly intended to be used for modelling. I've set up my portable workbench on it, consisting of the cutting mat to make a work area, and projects and tools in the wedge shaped box. I've already outgrown the box's size with R/C gear. Still, good enough for a good relaxing study break!