BRealistic

It doesn't cross their minds, perhaps, that anyone would wish to take the model apart...

Sorry if I've missed it Dave, but do you have a guestimate for the arrival of the Maroon SYP model?... and was this originally to have been D1029 Western Legionaire (now to be a weathered example by Kernow) but is now going to be Western Princess? Pre-orderd one from my local shop before Christmas.... so just wanting to know what to expect! Three cheers for Dapol Dave... hip hip HOORAY...etc etc!

Love the model... and can't wait to get mine... with a 'proper' railway livery... the way I remember them... in maroon!!!!!

Nice one Andy... but is that the model or the real thing!

It's those extra touches that raise it above the bar. Super job!

"Track and buildings in this view have also received weathering attention" The corrugated roof looks especially good to me.... the rest is just great!

The most recent (best?) use I saw of tea bag contents is here... http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/57151-bc-blues-baseboards-and-base-scenics/page-13 (Scroll to post 320 etc)

On the subject of comparisons, it is true, isn't it, that the maroon plus small yellow panel model (my all-time favourite Western livery)I've pre-ordered from Hattons will be the same as the STEAM model in all respects except livery?? Just wondering as it's a round £56 cheaper!

If you add milk to your tea with the tea bag still in the cup... give the bag a rinse in cold water first before storing. I compost all mine at the moment (they 'test' neutral by the way) but if all goes well, Andrew, let us know and I'll divert a few bags towards the oven!

Was it the Lenz Standard decoder you bought, Matt?

Will the weathered ones only be available from Kernow MRC, Dave?

... and the Hawksworth, Gwiwer. tell us more!

You'll probably want the prices too, Martin... which have a £50+ range (Hattons compared to Steam Swindon)... so maybe a visit to each of the web sites will be necessary. Took me about 5 mins to get all the info.

Sorry to be a nuisance, but whenever I see great trackwork (like this!) I always want to know how it was achieved... particularly the ballast and colours used. Any chance of a 'how OG did it'?

It's a pity my local model shops keep their locos in locked cabinets... otherwise I could do a nifty swap!... although that would be naughty!

Thanks for that robmcg. Much appreciated. In my short experience, that's what I was beginning to think (that they'd never made one).... and that my best chance (as I can't really afford two) is to buy an 'early' one and change the crests on the tender. Must now investigate how best to remove the transfers!

I'd like to buy/own a 'late crest' Hornby Castle... but NOT one with a double chimney... whose appearance I simply hate!! DCC Ready or Fitted, but not Sound. Comments please!!!

Might be a silly question/suggestion (and way off subject!), but has anyone tried car wax to get a shine?... one that might be varied along the length of the model...

Thanks Marc. It's because there is so much variation (where I've been looking, anyway!) that I shy away from the model shop stuff... and would never dream of air-brushing the lot in a track-grime colour. Like to use brushes and treat every 6 inches or so in the same, careful manner that I would 'lavish' on weathering a wagon. But then I'm retired and have the time!

Better somehow change your 'South Devon' link, Kris (in your 'signature' area).

Hi Kalleroonian Not sure how interesting/useful you or anyone else will find this, but I'm also taking time to choose ballast I'm 100% happy with. The 'model shop' varieties really don't appeal to me. I prefer that lovely, natural medium... sand. I'm lucky enough to live near seaside and riverbank supplies a golden mix from the beach and a browny one from the river (Dart). I prefer sand because it's so variable (and I do mean full of variety), both in colour and size, quite unlike the purchased examples. It's also inexpensive!! I sieve off anything larger than just under a mm in size, which means I'm left with grains that scale to no more 2.5 inches. I used to discard the really small stuff (see pic in post 6 above), but now keep most of it and only throw the really really tiny specs. The first photo below is of the ballast at the north (or so called east) of Newton Abbot station, showing the appearance I'm wanting to near-enough create. This second photo shows a test piece using my original mix of sea and river sand, which is quite light in colour (and not unlike a great deal of ballast around these parts). The last two photos show my first attempt at achieving the Newton Abbot colour having treated a spoonful of my original mix with Modelmates Sand Brown Weathering Liquid. Misted water on the sand first, then added a few drops of the Liquid, then gave it a good ol' mix before leaving in the sun to dry. The result makes me think I'll be adopting this pre-colouring approach to all my ballast, making use of other colours from the range as required. Slate Grey came out nice but Soot Black will probably be very useful. Spot colouring with Oil Brown (after ballasting) might have potential where locos stop and do their business! But first I need to find out what effect the gluing process (using Copydex) has, if any. Cheers

I suspect, too, that what may look 'spot on' between the sleepers of C&L track doesn't look quite so good between the sleepers of peco track because the space is 2mm narrower. Just a thought.

Thanks Redkiterail... looked at Dapol's site again and still can't locate any reference to them!!!!

Dave Which versions will Dapol be selling through 'normal' outlets?... or haven't you decided yet??

Is there a post explaining the precise models to be released and where to get them from (if not general). 26 pages is a lot to look through!!!