Paul Cram

The latest workbench project is this BTP built from Stephen Barnfield kit. There is more to do on the underframe not least fit the dummy inside valve gear. This is proving interesting as the instructions refer to a sketch that does not apper to have been included. Has anyone else built one of these?

In answer to your question yes you are on the right track (exscuse the pun) with regard to guaging the second rail. Are you hoping for a continuous run? Is that why the radius is critical? On the layout I am building it is on a very slight continuous curve which was achieved by curvibfg the templates. THe rails were then laid to these and guaged accordingly..

The first piece of advice re templates is just use them as a guide and always guage with gauges. The template is lost under the ballast any way. Whilst it may appear to be a lot of work with a little practice it doesn.t take that long to lay. Points can be bilt in situ and more realistic formations can be made.

The Deltic looks a little disappointing compared to your steam locos. I think it is the lack of buffer bean detail that does it.

Thanks for the comment. The loco will not be so impressive being a Bachmann V2 body on a comet chassis utilising exactoscale springing and wheelsets. (At least the chassis will look the part.) The look of the sheets is very good but .15 of a mm scales at less than .5 of an imch and is very susceptible to damage being unsupported along the front edge.It was the supporting brackets along the top of the side sheet which were not clear and there was no diagram to assist.It inolved a visit to the NRM to try to clarify and even this proved tricky as getting a view of the top of the tender was not easy!. I still haven't managed to work out how the fall plate fits as it was attached to the tender on the early V2s and I haven't found a picture yet. Luckily I had an Isinglass drawing for the positioning of the rest of the fittings on the tender front. As I say it runs really well and from this perspective it is really good model if a little challenging to build.

Gresley 4200 gal tender from a Dave Bradwell kit. Some photos of my current project which has been a challenge to say the least. The instructions are incomplete and leave you to guess where certain details need to be fitted. In addition the brass side sheets are rather flimsy and need careful handling. I am not sure what the thickness of the plate is for the tenders but .15mm seems a little under scale to me or perhaps brass isn't the best choice of material. Some of of the other details require ome scratch building.I have to say it runs beautiffuly though. All that needs doing now is attaching the lamp irons before sending to the paint shop. The rest of the brake gear can then be fitted.

Really? I have half a dozen somewhere. Perhaps Ineed to look them out.

Martin Finney produces a kit

Thanks

Thanks I will do as I am looking for gold lining for my North Eastern coaches.

Ah Thanks for that. I couldn't see the black line in your photo so that would be no good for me.

Which Fox lining did you use?

I saw them at the NRM over the October half term but didn't take any photos. They do look superb but I am a bit concerned that they would not fit with the finish on my Kirk kits.

Just come across this. I would be interested in an LNER coaches group. Currently working on a number of Kirk kits with teak livery.

C&L used to do 2 bolt chairs. I believe Exactoscale does. Exactoscale should be able to provide a template. I am one of the people who does notice the track which is why I moved to P4 a long time ago. There are lots of very well modelled layouts that are let down by the look of the track and for me it is a major detractor.

Well I've got mine and some P4 wheels from Ultrascale. Ordered some for a friend so shared the postage. Fitted them last night although have had a slight disaster with one of the axles trying to get one of the wheels off. Gripped it too hard and crushed it. Have glued it and hopefully it will hold. Wonder how easy it will be to get a spare.