81A Oldoak

Stephen, One can never have too many. As for justification, it is well to remember the words of the late and witty Oscar Wilde, "I can resist anything except temptation." Regards, Chris

The new Minerva limited edition Manning Wardle K in plain black livery poses on Cwm Bach. Only locos 100 have been made and a fifth are already spoken for since the announcement at Guildex in Telford. The new models will be available from November 2019. Prices are the same as the regular versions subject to no further devaluation in sterling. Please contact us by email sales@minervamodelrailways.co.uk or telephone to place a no-deposit order. www.minervamodelrailways.co.uk

Andy, I too have happy memories of the Warships with their high-revving engines in the West Country from 1969 to 1972. Whilst it was nice to see the Class 50s with warship names, they never had quite the same appeal as the originals. That said, these days I am happy just to see a loco, any loco, heading a train. Chris

Whichever you go for, they are to me both very attractive locomotives and an excuse to have a Rolls Royce on the layout! Chris

I must confess that the little Judith Edge Sentinel 0-4-0DM with chain-drive looks tempting. I hope you haven't sent me down another diversion. CK

Manning Wardles everywhere. PALMERSTON and LADYSMITH at Cwm Bach waiting for the order from Evans-the-Shed to move off for the day's work.

A quiet morning in the valley at Cwm Bach after Guildex.

It is a multi-media kit comprising resin, brass and white metal parts designed to replace the complete superstructure forward of there cab on the 8750 version. The donor model will supply some of the parts such as chimney, dome and safety-valve bonnet. The model on display was the first prototype and several parts require adjustment. A full-blown RTR 97XX is not commercially viable, but we think this provides a cost-effective blend between a proven chassis and some craft work. Further details to follow as development progresses. Regards, Chris K

Hal, I think you are right about BR green. 6437 is the only green engine in my stud of BR steam locomotives. Generally, I prefer a weathered, but cared-for appearance on passenger engines where some attempt has been made to clean the more visible areas of the engine. The second photo shows 6437 after its first attempt at weathering several years ago. It is passable, but lacks sublety and detail. The other photo shows the result of the later polishing with T-Cut. The most annoying feature is the fogged-up cab spectacles, which happened during that first drive-by shooting with the airbrush and I suspect the only solution will be to remove and replace them with some suitable glazing material. My one piece of advice to all is to avoid so-called factory-applied, production-line weathering, which is almost always poor; weathering must be a customised, personal affair. CK

Alan, You are very kind. My technique is to copy good colour photographs of the real thing, ensure all aspects of the scene are a uniform, harmonious style, fade or weather all colours, and take take my time. I like your weathered wagons, especially your GWR Toad. Regards, Chris

The Cwm Bach auto-train has been restored to service after a gap of at least 18 months. It is powered by a Lionheart ex-GWR 64XX 0-6-0PT that was bought when they were first produced in the days when Lionheart Trains was an independent concern. My original weathering of 6437 suffered from a rather heavy-handed attack with an airbrush and has been polished away with T-Cut to give a more restrained finish. The autocoach is also an original Lionheart product and is a delightful model. I have a pair of them and I think the crimson and cream livery is most becoming. However, Cwm Bach is in the South Wales Valleys so the gleaming, spotless appearance did not fit in with the mucky surroundings. A few prototype photographs and a few hours’ work with bristle and air brushes produced what I think is a satisfactory effect. All that remains is to acquire some suitable passengers, no more than three or four, and a driver for the coach cab. Now that the train is back in service, the ex-GWR railcar and BR Bubblecar replacements have been sent back to whence they came. Chris K PS More photos in other places.

All Minerva locos including the GWR 57XX/8750 0-6-0PT are designed specifically to negotiate Peco Setrack curves, including the points. We hope to achieve this with the forthcoming Class 14 0-6-0DH, but it will be a challenge.

Say hello to Annette, Clive (the AC in AC Models) and Loz from me.

Very useful stuff is double-sided copper-clad pcb material.

And that's nice too, Andy.

Nicely weathered Rat.

There are some lovely locos in the Agenoria kit range and they are nice to build. You won't be disappointed.

Minerva Model Railways will make some major announcements at Guildex Telford on 31st August 2019. Prototypes will be on display so come and see us on Stand 104 in the big hall. We will also have the full range of Minerva goodies to tempt you as well as our customary good humour. Chris B and Chris K

I agree and the greater attention always pays off. I find that even humble open wagons take on their own personality after sympathetic weathering that individualises them.

So true about elapsed time, Felix. I find everything takes two to three times longer in 7mm scale. Regards, Chris

It's more to do with snowflakes and the "V" word.

Oh dear. When I publish the next installment it will be after 9pm.

You're right. For me, one of the keys to obtaining atmosphere is to lighten and fade colours.

A new arrival at Cwm Bach colliery. My conversion of a Minerva 0 gauge RTR Manning Wardle is completed apart from the fitting of DCC sound. I decided to add some bunker coal rails made from phosphor-bronze strip. The KING GEORGE nameplates are leftovers from an etch supplied with the first edition of the Ixion Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0ST. The manufacturer’s plates are from Narrow planet and the crew are ModelU painted by the talented Claudia Everett. The toolboxes are from the Minerva toolbox accessory pack. Weathering is a combination of brushed enamel paint and weathering powders. One of the photos shows KING GEORGE next to PALMERSTON, one of the rare Ixion RTR brass Manning Wardle H 0-4-0STs. A Charles Atlas “Before and After” photo is shown as well as the basic conversion. Regards, Chris K

This is the most recent mass-produced, RTR UK steam locomotive to appear on the market.