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Mikkel, Strangely enough, I thought exactly that while working on this yesterday. Perhaps it was inspired by just having seen some pictures of new Stagecoach bus liveries that have bits of the 'beach ball' logo randomly applied to a single body colour. However, I have compromised this idea and will leave the inside of the body unpainted to show it pedigree. I surprises me how well the footplate looks in the pictures after a clean up with some scotch bright soft abrasive pads..... almost as good a nickel-silver. Thanks for your wide view and comments. All part of the human drive to make things!! Maurice

Thanks Neil, that Bing map is a great find! I hadn't thought of this being the upper floor. My thinking was that what we see is the lower floor, while the upper floor and roof have been torn down? If you look at the 1933 photo on Warwickshire Railways, the level where the lorry is is a good deal lower than the upper floor of the stable block. But as you say it's all a bit hard to establish what is what. Anyway it's a joy to see those wagons in the sidings, and that there is still a bit of railway life there. Would be very interesting to see your snaps if the opportunity arises. Thanks for the tip about lulu.com, hadn't heard of that. I'm impressed that you got past the point where all my book plans are at, namely having the title and nothing more

Rich, the Park Royal drawings show them as originating inside.

Honestly, please don't be put off. This kind of effect doesn't take any real suite of skills. My camera is nothing special (although it does have a photo stitching feature which does make it easier when taking the photos) and you could make images like this very easily with any camera. A tripod also helps to keep the image as level as possible, but you could use any stable structure. I've used a fence post before! The photos will stilll require some basic cropping top and bottom when put together. I used this free and simple program to stitch the images together: http://matthewalunbrown.com/autostitch/autostitch.html You could practice with some simple shots of maybe 2 or 3 photos to see how it turns out. A lot of these digital printing companies will also help you out with the design stage too, for an added fee I'm sure!

One could say " Very tasty work" Maurice. Good use of the tins and another interesting project which I will be watching. It reminded me of my old metalwork teacher which asked us to bring in used tins for a project that we had to design and build. Mine turned out to be a tinplate boat hull into which I adapted an old Mamod steam engine to power the tinplate paddles. Such a useful material and very malleable. G

It was never brilliant runner - always quick to go and quick to stop, but I have to admit I have never been one for running trains. I just like making things. I have done a fair amount of painting things, like period wargames figure uniforms. The ipernity website is run by its members and has a nice clean layout. There are a few railway enthusiasts there and they are all capable of excellent prototype photographs - from the UK, Europe, North America and Australia,

Could always put them on a roll-wagon to run on 009..

Thanks Pete, A nice retro 80's modelling experience influenced by Keith Allen's articles in the Railway Modeller. Looking forwards to weathering them. They should have plenty of character. As for layout options they may appear on the new Northamptonshire project. Watch this space for further details. Cheers, Mark

Loving those blue diesels...they look very at home...

Open to offers!

A substantial improvement can be made by fitting replacement etched walkways/ladders. AI Models used to do them - I suspect someone like Shawplan might also. Brass Oleo buffers are a useful upgrade as well

Lovely little loco that is, i really like your web site as well.

I had a go at 25a 50 years ago and still have it. http://www.ipernity.com/doc/philsutters/26452769/in/album/512733

I secretly quite like blue diesels! There, I've said it, I'm firmly out of the closet! I guess they remind me of my 1970's youth, but you're still unlikely to see one at Sherton Abbas

Hi Mikkel. No plans to extend hardlia yard as it was never intended to be anything other than a diorama, cake box entry, although you have got me thinking. Jerry.

Very impressive work Maurice. Makes me think it would be fun to build a loco body from similar materials, but leaving it unpainted. Like African soda can cars (Those are now mostly made for tourists and export. The proper 'wire cars' live on here and there, and are a testament to human ingenuity).

Hi Dave, Thank you for your message, I was beginning to think did anyone actually see the ramblings of an electric traction enthusiast? but fortunately it would appear that they do... yes, its a bit strange, Bachmann have launched four new Class 90s yet none are suitable for my genre, Hornby launch my dream class 90 after i had only just got rid of all of my Hornby Class 90s. Am i a bit miffed? you bet i am... bear in mind that at one point, i had: 90017 EWS 90019 DB Cargo 90020 EWS 90021 First Scotrail 90023 EWS 90026 EWS 90028 EWS 90029 DB Schenker 90034 DB ex DRS 90035 EWS 90036 DB Schenker 90037 DB ex EWS 90040 DB Schenker All of the above, in Hornby form, one or two DCC fitted, but several pro repaints. one with working lights, one with DCC sound - ultimately, not consistent in their appearance livery application or functionality, something the Bachmann Class 90 has changed, all have working lights, detail features, sound ready, 21 pin DCC, digitally operational, livery detail far greater and more accurate. Here and now, i'm really looking forward to an EWS/DB era 90, it doesn't matter whether it's EWS maroon or DB red, either form can work for a renumbering, EWS livery would suit 90020, 90023, 90030, 90037 (ex EWS DB) or 90039 in their to-date guise - on the other hand DB red would work for 90018 DB Schenker, 90019, 90028 or 90035 in the newest DB Cargo livery or 90029, 90036 or 90040 in what I have come to term ''DB minus Schenker'' - this livery is the first of the red liveries, different to 90018 only by not having Schenker branding on the sides, the DB logos are small and roughly central on the sides. I hadn't really entertained ever seeing a Malcolm Rail liveried Hornby Class 90 but it would have fitted in perfectly with the above locos.

I challenge you there Tim. These are all ridged wagons converted by me running on TT2 over an A5 cross over. This isn't sped up either! Regards, Nick