Max Legroom

Superb modelling! You can feel the chill!

I remember that layout. Quite a clever design for a small space that managed to include two stations and a china clay works.

Hi Clive I think this was Glasgow Emerald by Andrew Knights. Clever design on two levels with lots of urban atmosphere. Max

Looking forward to seeing this project develop!

I've been a big fan of Engine Wood ever since it first appeared in print. Nice combination of a believable setting and simple trackplan, and really captures the atmosphere of the real place. Lovely stuff!

Looking forward to seeing how this develops.

Hi Martyn I was thinking about this recently when doing a little bit of work to a Heljan non-boiler class 27 and recalling converting a Lima class 33 over 30 years ago. Lots of time, filler and plastic sheet as I recall! I'm not sure that I've got the patience these days but I know what you mean about finding the work rewarding. A while back I was having a clear out of some old wagons when I realized that a Lima bogie bolster and Hornby OBA could be made into decent models with a bit of work. They might not be up to present day standards but they look OK to me which is what counts. All the best Max

I'm really enjoying your old-school chopping around of rtr stock. Nice to see in an era of super-detailed off the shelf stuff.

Hi Merfyn Thanks for clearing this up. I was wondering why I'd never seen a blue one! Cheers Simon

Hi all Can anyone tell me if the Oxford Bedford TK crew bus in Scottish Region blue would be suitable for a 1970s layout? I've only ever seen them in yellow. Any help much appreciated. Max

I couldn't agree more. Using standard two-car units on the scenic routes has always struck me as a complete lack of imagination. Lots of big windows, including in the roof, and decent luggage space for cycles would be brilliant and would surely pay dividends in the summer.

Really nice work. That tree really gives it an autumnal feel. I can almost feel the chill of winter approaching!

Hi Martyn I've just tried out your cream cleaner (Tesco in this case) and coffee stirrer method for removing numbering and it works a treat! Best wishes Max

Thanks Martyn I'll definitely give it a go next time. I noted your comment about matching the size and weight of the numbers when doing a partial renumbering job. I was doing something similar to a Bachmann TOPs class 37 recently and the only numbers I could find that matched were on an ancient sheet of Howes rub-down transfers. Always worth keeping hold of those old transfer sheets! Max

Hi Martyn Apologies if it's been covered before, but what type of Asda cleaner did you use to remove the numbering? It certainly looks much easier than my thinners and cotton buds method! Best wishes Max

This looks like a really interesting project. Small blue diesels in Inverness - perfect!

I agree with all the comments about the Walthers Plymouth. It really is a great little loco. Looking at the next releases, the green version would be good for a Union Railroad of Oregon layout. Having said that, the bicentennial version is very cool.

I finally obtained a URRO boxcar to go with the new Walthers Plymouth and they both look fine together even straight from the box.

Another Plymouth is on the property! This is the Walthers model and I'm a big fan. Runs incredibly well for such a short model and the handrails are much finer than the Broadway Plymouth. Both switchers are due to go through the works and I've found plenty of inspiration for weathering etc here: http://www.northeast.railfan.net/industrial.html

This is a good excuse to run a fish van or two if you model north or east Scotland in the 1970s or even early 1980s. Heavily weathered of course!

I've often read that BR fish traffic ceased at the end of the 1960s and this certainly seems to be the case for the Aberdeen and West Highland flows, but I've seen plenty of photos from the 1970s showing fish vans marshalled between the loco and passenger coaches on the Kyle, Far North and Highland Mainline. Were these vans carrying fish and where were they heading? They were universally filthy by this stage! I'd be interested to know the details if anyone can help.

Hi Neil I have to admit that Shell Island is one of my all time favourite micros. Simplicity, novel location, superb modelling - it ticks all the boxes! Max

Here a a few photos showing progress to date. I'm still thinking about the back drop!

As noted before, the choice of SC55013 for the blue version is a mistake as this was a parcels unit conversion. The logos on the blue version are too big and in the wrong place as far as I can tell. I think I'm going for a renumbering as SC55002 with the 'GG' PTA logos in place of the double arrows. Does anyone know if the glazing can be easily removed to allow for a few blasts of Dullcote?

Thanks. This is just what I need.