meanach

This illustrates a few of the stumps of felled trees but I added a few more today in various gaps, following the feedback. Hopefully this adds to the illusion of it having been much more dense.

Superb weathering

Hi, I appreciate the feedback. I’m not sure if it’s evident in the photo but if you look closely you can see some ‘felled’ tree stumps and remains of dead tress littered about. The idea being that these trees have been left and the more uniform spruce to the right are the start of a plantation.

Primo model trees seem to be popping up all over here of late. It was at model Rail Scotland in January 2019 that I first discovered them. They are excellent and it’s pleasing to see that they are gaining in popularity. The chap who makes them is very friendly and helpful . People moan about the price but they are all hand made. They are a lot less than almost any ready to run wagon these days and the trees remain a permanent feature on a layout. I have been steadily replacing my excellent but sun damaged Anita de’cor spruce with those from Primo models. I have also added some larch and a stunning pine. Seen here, they are all straight, honest ! Meanach’s woods has become a forest.

Thanks very much . How did you know I’d have a tranche of OAA on order ? 😂. Yeh I’m really looking forward to them , the Alcan PCA and the new Hornby TTA . There’s a whole rake of stock to weather this winter… unless of course some of them are late!

I knew at some point I’d succumb to a Railfreight red one . When I saw one for £37 I decided that was a justifiable enough excuse. These Rapido ferry vans really are a stunning model. In a change from working on 4 x new tool Bachmann 37s , which seem to be taking forever to finish , I knocked up this one the other evening. It utilises my now tried and tested dirty rolling stock method of MIG enamel dark wash (which seems to have vanished from shops), wiped off with a lint free cloth and cotton buds in thinner. Followed by a couple of coats of acrylic roof dirt and frame dirt and dirty black. The photo doesn’t illustrate that the roof is air brushed to represent the roof seams and a few bits picked out to show some chips. Lastly a touch of rust weathering powder to the leaf suspension, as per prototype photographs.

Beautiful air brushing . I struggle to get such a subtle spray . Is that acrylic or enamel and what air brush are you using please ?

I have been championing his trees for quite a few years . We first got talking at model rail Scotland a few years ago (pre plague era) . I have about 20 Primo trees now . He’s a very approachable, nice guy. He has agreed to design and make some smaller versions (14cm) of the double silver birch trees. If any of you are interested then I can let him know that there is a broader market. They won’t be available until after Warley as understandably he’s busy making stock. They are a bit pricy but not in comparison to the growing cost of rolling stock. Once you’ve planted them they really grow on you and you want more! You have to think that certain rolling stock may only be in action now and again but the trees are a permanent fixture. Also , he’s a bit of a perfectionist and if you ask, at exhibitions, he has a side box of ‘seconds’ at 20% off. No excuse not to branch out into the designer tree market. Ian

If it was yourself, then I was the one chatting to you about the forthcoming PCA Alcan tanks and etchings for OTA wagons ! Ian

Those were my favourites too, along with kinlochewe. Not that I’m at all biased towards Scottish layouts ! Ha ha

If you are talking after market paint then Phoenix precision do both shades of B.R blue. Original and post 1985. The latter had more blue the former more green.

I certainly enjoyed seeing this excellent layout up and running and chatting to one of you guys (sorry I’m not sure which one!) at G.E.T.S.

I’ll continue to still bang the drum (caley?) for the original Scottish 37/4s . Yes they’ve been done before but not to these standards. And I agree about nondescript, early 80s B.R blue ones.

I have had a 156 from the outset. They may be ‘plastic’ but the playability is great. My other half can’t leave it alone. I’m fighting the temptation to buy another so I can do some attaching ! 😂. I did do a few photos of my own set with beefed up speakers. I used some from Youchoose which are much beefier than iPhone speakers. Unfortunately they were victim to the great server loss on here and I don’t have them backed up. This means I can’t quite remember what I used , except they just fitted in the roof. Also , ESU power pack mini stay alive, fit in the loo! Ian

From memory I thought the windows went from white to black ! As I want to do 9015 or 16 this may well scupper me, as I don’t own a printer . Great filthy weathering inspiration on 413 there .

Thanks for the replies . I usually use screw links and although it may be a form of self torture , yes I use them to couple up to the stock ! I had Romford ones on most of my earlier class 37s but they really are over size! They are however , easier to couple with. My layout has gradients and curves and it’s very rare I’ve had a Smiths coupling fail. I’m reluctant to glue the chassis so hence my request.

Do any of you use screw link couplings ? If so, have any of you worked out a solution of fitting them to this new tool chassis ? Bachmann have kindly placed a screw, right where the shaft of a Smiths screw link needs to go!

Does anybody know if / where you can buy the end steps from ? There are a few mk1s where I think I got over zealous and took off all the end steps 😬

Something of note there is that in the photo of the unidentified BSOT the colour is a deep blue. Compare that to its more worn stable mate which has a distinct early B.R blue green tint to it.

Wow , it looks superb. Is that the old VI Trains lamp irons you’ve used ?

Yes I know what you mean . I have the same affliction and I’ve botched a few things over the years! I’m really chomping at the bit to get mine done but I’ve got half of Eastfield 37/4 on the work bench in bits at the mo and with the spinal injury I’m limited to sitting time. Still , it’s first on the ‘to do’ list as soon they are weathered and detailed. This thread it’s worth its weight in (R.M web) gold.

Have we established when 9015 & 16 gained commonwealth bogies ? I vividly remember walking into one in July 88 on the beds heading south. I remember as a mere 13 year old the transition from the modern (mk3 / 2E) to ‘museum’ exhibit had me captivated . The cheapest method I can see for replacement bogies is grabbing a Hattons bargain bucket mk1 for £19. Or, alternatively, waiting on auction sites for a battered one.

One day , if we all live long enough , I’m sure all of our west highland modelling prayers will be answered ! I never thought we’d ever see China clay PRA wagons and now the even more niche Alcan PCA are on the horizon. There’s still plenty more though for all of us to dream of ! Interfargo vans for one and I’m totally amazed nobody has updated the Grainflow 4 axel PAA / PAV later used for aluminium traffic.

I was just about to inform all who worship in this parish of the forthcoming SDEG announcement ‘The Scottish Diesel & Electric Group (SDEG) is proud to announce the release of the fourth volume of Scotland’s Diesel Fleet in Detail – Steam Heat Class 37s’ . But I see you’ve had the same email ! These are truly great books and I (like all of us here no doubt ) have been patiently waiting. Obviously I’m hoping for the 37/4s ! Model railways direct have big reductions on the new tool Bachman 37s . Of particular interest to this era would possibly be 37305 (for a renumber) ? As it’s a centre panel , B.R blue machine with glass panels and lovely skirts . £246 for the sound & working fan model isn’t bad at all. Great photos over the viaduct Rob and the BSOT really looks right at home in that photo . An essential addition and it looks well modelled.

To those of you after a recent release of these at a more affordable price , it appears Jadlam have 27262 Grey , 37194 speedlink , 37201 Dutch 37305 B.R and 37415 Reg railways on a flash sale . 269 - 279 SFX and 249 SF . They also have the new 40s on offer . I don’t have any affiliation with them, I just got the email.