coronach

Here is an example

Just preparing my dining table to do a bit more weathering work on my BR standard 2MT 2-6-0, whilst listening to the on-train recording of an A4 pacific at high speed on the ECML - Peter Handford: Triumph of an A4 Pacific. What a fascinating and exciting railway we had where the sense of speed and movement was accentuated by sound without the cocooning effect of air conditioned, pressure sealed coaches. I’m listening to the section from Peasecliffe Tunnel, through Grantham, up Stoke Bank and we are currently accelerating towards 112mph down the other side! All on 60ft jointed track - every bridge is a ‘whoosh’ - and the rapid acceleration is perceptible in the rhythm of the carriage wheels. A rare experience on today’s railway network, if at all. The sound of a passing train is more than just the locomotive- if one has digital sound, which I don’t. I have incorporated notches into the rails on my layout to created the sound of a train, having been impressed by the effect achieved on the Alton layout from several years ago.

I have a 00 gauge ‘Mk1’ Bachmann V3 2-6-2T that is getting on for 30 years old, which still runs perfectly - split chassis design notwithstanding. When it came out, it was a revelation in terms of quality and detail. I took it to show a work colleague in Hudson House who was suitably impressed. Of course the detail is a little dated now but I wouldn’t replace it

Wow, that is really good - well done. If it runs as well as it looks you should be very pleased with it

I hope you followed SIN25 procedures

The model is an excellent runner with good haulage capabilities, being quite heavy with weight distributed over the driving wheels. The Bachmann A1 was less so, which meant I had to pack lead into the boiler space to improve matters. I look forward to getting back up into the loft to get the railway running once more. That might need to wait until next summer when I will have recovered from a major chest operation. The other side of 60534 was weathered a few years ago and is a bit cleaner.

I’ve spent a short time each day this week finishing the unweathered side of my Bachmann A2 60534 Irish Elegance. I wanted to achieve an unkempt look with lime stains on the boiler and grime encrusted wheels so I liberally applied frame dirt, roof dirt, dark rust and (funnily enough) ‘new timber’ colour shades using paint brush, with brake dust and rust shade weathering powders. Oily valve gear and wet areas are represented using gloss varnish. I’m happy with the result for now. Interestingly, this locomotive was stranded for several days in a snow drift at Whitrope whilst hauling a fitted freight. There are some excellent photographs in one of the books in my library.

Yes - Craftsman. Thank you for reminding me. The brass sides are very thin and I remember that soldering the ends squarely was a b***er of a job.

Here is my Derby Lightweight- a bit ropey but it works, particularly now that I have repaired and lubricated the motor bogie. I forget the name of the kit manufacturer but it is quite old. The sides and ends are etched brass , only the roof ends are white metal and I didn’t profile them as well as I should.

A great blog of the development of your layout. You have really captured well the sense of space in that part of the country. I’m for a goods shed if for no other reason that they were significant visual features at most of the S&C stations, which served a wide catchment area. I very much like the barns cut into the hillside - the topography was there first and everything else, including the railway, was built into it. You have captured that well. Any trains perchance - what era are you modelling? Don’t forget the signals :-)

It’s great to see some proper down to earth modelling in progress. I converted a Lima Class 117 into a Derby Lightweight unit using an ancient set of brass sides and white metal ends, powered with a black beetle motor bogie. It’s gradually falling apart after several years of use but I’m happy with it - I much prefer what I built to simply buying an RTR version from Bachmann

The new generation of Bulleid coaches are superb but expensive. I have three of the earlier releases, which I have improved by fitting Comet brass sides (about £10 a pair). Whilst it takes a bit of modelling effort, the results are worthwhile and satisfying at a lower cost.

I wasn’t convinced about Francis Rossi’s interest in building a model railway. Pete Waterman was playing the hard sell and Rossi was going along for the ride. It was a bit embarrassing really

I really like the station building. Is it a kit or have you scratch built it? It looks just right.

The designed position of the signal is shown on the scheme plan, which takes account of the braking distance determined using a set of data based on the permissible speed and gradient. The signal sighting assessment is used to confirm that the signal and any associated indicators can be read in the operational context taking account of potential obscurations, sun light, cab sight lines, reading through risk etc. These days, the assessments are often done in an office environment using simulator technology to reduce the need for track access. For significant changes, where new signals are provided or existing signals are moved, a cab ride is performed to confirm the signals are fit for purpose

My efforts to get 78047 into a workaday condition are ongoing. I must say, Hornby has produced a fantastic model - the more I work on it, the more fine detail is revealed, particularly the copper work.

A fairly clean 78047 at Hawick in 1964 showing a bit of copper burnish- from the excellent book Last Years of the Waverley Route by David Cross.

I once came across a horse like that!

I look forward to seeing examples of the locomotives with weathering applied. IMHO, no rtr loco is fit to run out of the box. Boilers, cab sides and tenders generally look like they are made of plastic, coloured liveries are unrealistically clean and as for the frames and wheels, the black plastic is not only unrealistic but it hides visible detail in its evenness. Weathering a loco, lightly or heavily, makes each one unique and in my experience transforms an out of the box specimen into a locomotive fit for a model railway. I’m currently working on the TMC G5 using Railmatch acrylics (brushed) and some old weathering powders. The colour I have used so far are frame dirt, roof dirt, light rust, dark rust and a smidgen of brake dust. Powders are sparingly used to represent spilled sand and brake dust. Oh, I have resorted to the odd stroke of gloss varnish to represent water stains. I like it anyway! My last loco job was the Hornby A2. See how the colours change and the detail is revealed - shown as wip. My next job will be the BR 2MT - I’m tempted to leave it fairly clean as if it is 2 weeks ex works but I will think about it.

Does anybody have experience to share on changing the headcode characters on the Heljan Split Box class 45. I have the D12 limited edition version from TMC

I have the TMC limited edition D12 with nose end doors and split box headcodes. It looks great but I need to change the headcode characters to reflect the operation of the Waverley between Leeds and Edinburgh. Not wishing to damage the model, has anyone got experience or advice to share on making a good job of this. How to remove / open the headcode boxes and which product to use to replace the characters. Thank you

I operate Whinburgh and Slitrigg using 3 link couplings and I am disappointed that, notwithstanding the superb detail exhibited by many model locomotives, in many cases the construction makes it difficult to install realistic screw couplings that are effective in coupling to a train. The dummy moulded hook that is provided can’t be adapted to accept links. Sometimes it is possible to drill out a slot that will accept a brass hook but in this case I think that would be difficult. Suggestions and comments gratefully accepted.

Yes you are correct. They are pushed in now though

BR Class 2MT 78047 arrived yesterday after a protracted delay. This was a Hawick locomotive for most of its life 1955 to 1965. I will enjoy detailing and weathering it over the next few days.

I now have a 3D version of my drawing - well I will have after it’s weathered.