Andy Y

So what's an L&Y pug doing down at the seaside? This was an innocent bystander sat in the bottom of the drawer that I'd picked up for less than a tenner moons ago, no I didn't need it, want it or foresee any need for it but there you go. It'd be boring if everything was done to a plan wouldn't it? After a strip down and clean it was the quickest DCC hard-wire job I've ever done, hiding the decoder's another matter hence the use of 'Big Hands' on the footplate. A quick blast from the spray gun and weathering from the Tamiya make-up packs, paper nameplates (which give a clue to future Keyhaven developments) and job done. It still runs like a 3-legged dog though.

As part of the drive to get something useful done whilst the site's off in the evenings some layabouts in the to-do drawer have resurfaced. Keyhaven's always needed an 07 to help give it some geographical recognition and a lemon of a runner (and build) Craftsman 07 has lain dormant next to a Silver Fox resin body. The Silver Fox body needs a Bachmann 04 split chassis and having fried one chip with a chassis short when DCCing it too sat in the 'one day' pile. The detail on the Craftsman brass body is immeasurably superior and so it seemed a Dr. Frankenstein approach to modelling would give me a decent looker on a decent running chassis. First of all the Bachy chassis was sorted and chipped, the Silver Fox bonnet and boot were removed (yeah I did split the chassis at one pint cutting too quick but superglue has sorted that) as were the Craftsman panels. They just about fit together in the right places and in fact there's fractionally more clearance around the Bachy chassis block now. For a little loco it ran up quite a list of products required to finish it (unique lining and roundels to name a couple) with me aiming for the Fox ready to splat warning stripes. Yet another local shop seems to be running down the quantity of useful bits and bobs held in stock which meant I'd have to wait a few days and order some off t'internet. In the meantime I thought I'd have a go at the DIY-head-in option and save a few quid into the bargain. I've always found Tamiya masking tape to be the best for my use but this was going to put it to the test over the uneven surface and sloping edges. Cutting the masking tape down into 2.5mm strips for the front and 3.5mm strips for the top and sides the fiddly bit came in applying the sections of those strips onto the smaller than average shunter's backsides into something that looked reasonable. These were applied over Railmatch Acrylic Warning Yellow and didn't lift any of the paint when removed, Tamiya Acrylic X-1 black was sprayed over the whole nose and left to dry. Despite my best efforts to carefully lift the tape I did nick the yellow in a couple of places which will need a brush touch-up. Pulling those strips of masking tape off and seeing the finish was so much more satisfying than if I'd found the transfers I was looking for in that shop drawer. I'm so glad it wasn't a horror story.

Assuming the rivet spacing on the sheet is appropriate for your needs you can cut a strip of single rivets to the length you need. See http://www.archertransfers.com/Rivets.html for a couple of snaps.

Somewhere I've got a sheet of the rivets, when I can find it! They're extremely good.

Sorry mate, until I sort out all the other stock you'll have to make do with it.

It's high time I got round to putting together some of the more appropriate stock to run on Keyhaven. First off the ramp is this M.A.R.C. Models reach wagon, some enterprising soul down Dorzet way seems to have purloined one of the matching pair that fell out of use at Dover in the 1950s. The originals were paired together for loading train ferries offering the bare basics of accommodation for riders. Although the kit has been sat around the workbench for the last 7 months it was an easy build last night and this afternoon, seeing as the solder had gone on walkabouts post Christmas I decided it would be quicker to get going with epoxy resin rather than venturing out. It all went together an awful lot better than a simple plastic brake van kit that's following it on the assembly line!

As recommended by Martin Wynne in the copyright topic this is a useful page - http://wtp2.appspot.com/wheresthepath.htm - Lost myself for quite a while in there earlier - with the ability to compar current maps/satmaps and older OS issues.

An excellent topic and posts, I've moved this to the Hints & Tips area and pinned it to the top.

I do think that this post is inappropriately offensive, it is the manufacturers decision or those commissioning a model to approach as they see fit as it is their investment and business plan. Such comments are not likely to see manufacturers or? those commissioning a model to engage with this forum if that's the attitude they are met with. Thanks a bundle.

1. Entry Entry in the challenge is open to all active (as in must have made some posts in the forum) members of www.rmweb.co.uk. Entrants must use a topic in the 2010 Challenge forum area (or a Blog entry linked to from the 2010 Challenge forum area) to register their entry, document the building of the layout and present images and written content at the conclusion of the Challenge. Entries can be made by individuals or groups of members. Multiple entries are permissible. 2. Layout Size The layout's maximum size is 2010 square inches for the maximum horizontal surface area of the layout baseboard, including fiddleyard. Entrants choosing to model in 7mm/ft or above may use a maximum area of 2010 square inches excluding fiddleyard or storage roads. Any size below the maximum is permissible. Entrants must illustrate the sizes used. Removable storage (such as cassettes) is permitted, provided they do not increase the layout's size beyond the maximum when connected.? ? Likewise movable storage (such as traversers, turntables, and sector plates) must not increase the layout's size beyond the maximum when the tracks are aligned. Odd shaped baseboards, and cutouts for operating wells are permitted, provided the surface area of the baseboard does not exceed the above size limit. There are no restrictions on height, or the number of levels. The control panel can be separate, and is not included in the layout's area. The thickness of the backscene of the layout is not included in the layout's area, provided it is not part of the 3 dimensional scenics. Examples are: A painted backscene is not included in the layout's area. Structures (low/half/full relief buildings, fences, retaining walls, etc.) are included in the layout's area. Lighting structures, pelmets, and such additions are not restricted to the size limit, so may overhang the baseboard area. 3. Scale/Gauge No restrictions apply to scale or gauge. 4. Operation Must be a working layout, the trains must move. Where possible, a Ready To Run or Kitbuilt/Scratchbuilt loco or unit should be included as the primary motive power for the layout. There is no restriction on the method of control used. 5. Completion The Challenge ends at 20:10 (BST) on the 20/10 in 2010, at which point judging will commence. The judging period remains to be confirmed. 6. Judging The entries will be judged by means of a public poll or polls on the internet.? ? The entry with the most votes will be deemed the winner, a majority vote is not needed. Entries will be scored on the following criteria: Originality ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 30% of marks Operational Interest ? ? 30% of marks Visual Appeal ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 30% of marks Inclusion or execution of reference to the number 5, to signify RMweb's 5th birthday in 2010. ? 10% of marks. Incomplete entries may also be judged at the end of the Challenge providing the member is still active on the forum. Partially underway projects that fit within the rules are permissible providing the current progress is documented in this area. 7. Awards/Prizes There aren't any at the moment.

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I had to revert to the plain BK staples Stu as droopy mounting pockets meant the PH designs wouldn't work well with the inset track.

The low relief buildings at the back of Keyhaven also serve to conceal a hidden storage road, one of which I've never been particularly happy with as it was a hasty gap filler at the time of the layout challenge. So, the 75% of the building in the centre is now a landfill contribution.? ? ? ? I'd picked up a couple of Ten Commandments stone-cast low-relief buildings to hack about.? ? And re-assembled as below, PVA giving a good bond between the sections. The building was then given an all over spray of a sandy brown. To paint all of the windows at first glance looked like a waste of an otherwise good afternoon at the same time as being unconvinced about their appearance. As it turns out the easy way is to fill all of the panes with a dark grey paint and then use a trusty old fibreglass brush (that and gaffer tape form 50% of my modelling life) to take the paint back off the frames, it turns out neat enough. However I wanted something more down at heel too so the window reveals were filled with sections of corrugated plasticard. ? ? The brickwork was dry brushed with darker and varied tones before weathering back with Tamiya weathering packs, the corrugated iron was finished with a variety of blue and grey acrylics, weathered down with a wash and highlights picked up from yet more Tamiya make-up palettes. As it stood the building was overshadowed by it's neighbours the engineering factory and the salt works and need a bit of a lift. Keyhaven seems to be a study in corrugated cladding through different mediums so yet more wouldn't look amiss. This time it was asbestos sheeting! A framework was formed from foamboard and simply clad with strips of corrugated plasticard. This was spray painted with a mix of red oxide, grey and white primers before having a grey wash applied with a variety of tones built in with ground chalk pastels as weathering material.? ? So, more of the same but different and it seems to fit in quite well. Time for some basic rainwater goods and we're away.? ? ? ?

I think you'd best PM me and ask for it to be deleted. You managed to put fingers to keyboard so is it any surprise it's come out as it has? I only looked as I thought it was the most stunningly useless blog title.

Stop it! Right now! It'll bost the linkspan. Just been looking at PMPs substantial improvements and wondering.....

Is this topic back again? Can't believe it's still running all these months later. It's Standedge Tunnel, back in a bit with a square!

It's a layout I'd love to get to grips with from a photography perspective Andy. The tail end of an exhibition day isn't the best time for anyone to have to tolerate lights, cables, cameras plonked in inappropriate spots and waving backcloths around. If you ever fancy having a bespoke set of shots done covering all stock and angles I'd be more than happy to oblige. It would give chance to do some really tasty shots where shots are stacked to get greater depth of field.