The Nth Degree

Hello Simon, I'll shortly be embarking on a build and rebuild of a couple Beattie 24 kits I have and wondered if you've got anything ready for resale/trial/testing? In particular the cabs, grills, bogie sides and underframe components. I'll be building two examples of the first 10 locos. Thanks in advance. Steve

I'm guessing this is 4mm scale? I'd like a 7mm one of these but the only one available is from the elusive Steve Beattie

Hello Brian, your pictures look lovely but your writing is very difficult to read in all caps.

Good luck Pete, let me know if you need any sort of help.

Simon, I found your old Steve Beattie 24 build thread on the previous RMWeb (http://rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=38375) but couldn't find a continuation of it here. I was wondering how you had got on with it? I have one of these and may be getting another one so I'm keen to see what you did with yours, and what you've made with your parts to make it better. Cheers, Steve

They both look lovely. A little too pricey for me at the moment. I have an old Beattie resin version that I bought already built but it's very rough and I'm thinking of a rebuild with some JLRT and MMP bits. Cheers for the pics.

Very nice Tony, I'd love a small rake of these and your mod works a treat. I keep meaning to ask about the 24 in your avatar - what scale is it and if it's 7mm, which kit is it?

Good idea Martyn. If Justin could offer detail kits for the Slaters (and maybe POW Sides) kits that could cover most eventualities. I'd absolutely love a full brass kit or even a whitemetal underframe kit but this is a good compromise. Good stuff Justin, keep it up - then scale it up! Steve

To deaden the drum sound, and once the baseboard (including wiring) is complete, you can lay foam sheets in the cavity. That will stop any sound waves bouncing off the surfaces in the space under there and will probably stop 70-80% of the drum noise. That's what I'm going to do with mine. I used to play drums in my school band, and when were mic'ed up for a performance I used to put a blanket in the bass drum. The mic picked up and broadcast the beat on the drum skin but the drum didn't sound, as that would have produced a double-hit due to the delay in the audio equipment; i.e. an almost silent bass drum. I'm not totally sure I've explained that very well! What I'm trying to say is that to hear my bass drum I had to use headphones as I had deadened the sound so much with the blanket.

Thanks for a great thread so far Justin. I'm really keen to get some 7mm LNER (Halesworth) tanks from somewhere - I don't suppose you have plans to open your stable to include a larger scale? 3 or 4 confirmed orders if you do!... Also, any info you have on what prototype would have been run out of Halesworth, Suffolk from mid 50s to rail closure would be great! Cheers, Steve

Justice is served

I'm new to this hobby and started it while already with my partner. In fact, it was because I wanted to build something for our son that got me into it. There are big brownie points to be earned this way, if anyone's supplies are dwindling! I know that this hobby has some pretty sturdy stereotypes attached to it but I've never been shy to talk about it to anyone. Looking through some of the posts in this thread, it looks like some are self-perpetuating the stereotype (or the shame you feel?) by being secretive. About 70-80% of the people I talk to through my job or socially are women and I can honestly say not a single one of them has been negative when I've mentioned it - quite the opposite, in fact. Just before Christmas I was in Smiths and I saw someone browsing through a railway modelling magazine - I don't know anyone in my immediate area who is involved in this hobby, outside of the club I go to - so I thought I'd gently easy my way into a conversation. Almost as soon as I started, he put down the mag and rushed off, looking very sheepish. It pretty much goes without saying that if you feel ashamed of it, it will come across that way when you talk about it.

Nice plan - I like these sorts of layouts. I thought you were off to Aus?

I thought so, the attention to detail, execution and presentation is unmistakable. I worked in and around Soho for 15 years before moving to the south coast coast a couple years ago. Sublime workmanship and I look forward to the next update.Steve

It's not just your modelling - which is superb - but your presentation is first class and, as far as I know, very unique. The whole is just outstanding. Loved the visits to W1, in particular Brewer Street, where I used to work. I'm betting you work in the creative industry?

Great work and good to see you back on track (!). Hope the job is going well too.

Jon, I'm glad you feel comfortable enough to open up on here - you'll find no discrimination from us. Personally I find ladies shoes a little too narrow for my feet, but each to their own. Welcome to RMWeb!