Jules

I also have one of his wagons - I'm sure a few more will be joining it!

He certainly covers the less well known companies.

Edit :

Here's mine...

Some very minor progress.....

Previously in this thread I muttered something about the station still needing signs and other bits and bobs to complete.

I obtained some signs, and as can be seen from the attached snaps have attached them to the building. Unfortunately, it is still not complete! The pack of signs I purchased does not have suitable signs for 'Booking Office' and 'Ladies Waiting Room'.

Strangely enough, there was a sign for 'Gentlemens Waiting Room', which I thought was a bit strange as I thought that (generally and particularly at small termini) you would only have separate Ladies room.

I have attached signs to the doors, so at least intending passengers know which door to use!

The pics give a flavour of how it will look when I get the correct signs.

Cheers

J

Compare with the pics in post #80 above to see the vast change!!

Afternoon Gents

Robin, thanks for the tip about EZ wire. I will admit that I haven't heard of it previously. It certainly sounds easier than Ratios method or mine!

Kris, when I can locate a spare bit of rail (the previous bit I had has disappeared!) I intend to fix it parallel to the table to top vehicles accessing from the side, or driving off at an angle. I will insert two bits of rail vertically, and then attach a long bit on top with the ends bent down. I'm sure I've seen a prototype for this somewhere!

As always, thanks for the kind words and encouragement

Jules

Another bit of minor progress....

The weighbridge is now in position and glued in place, with a chair, broom and barrel added for a bit of clutter. Obviously there is still work to be done in the surrounding area, but it's a start!

Also in picture (but out of focus) is the completion of the goods yard fencing.

It is the Ratio GW fencing, but rather than attach the wire to the outside as it is designed for (and how I have done it previously) I drilled small holes in the posts and fed the wire through. Fiddly to drill, but a lot easier to fix the wire in place!

Thanks for the offer.

I may take you up on that offer, probably in about six months!!

Thanks for that - I shall keep a lookout to try and obtain it.

If anyone has followed the link in my signature to my old layout, you would have seen that it was an Eastern region layout set in the 50s. A reasonable number of the wagons were kit built (all Parkside if I remember correctly) so I thought I would see which ones could be backdated and reused to add a bit of variety to my new layout.

By a stroke of luck, I had previously mis-ordered some LNER transfers for two of the wagons so could use those. I scrapped off the previous decals, did a bit of a touch up on the paint and added the new decals to the lowfit and van. I cheated on the steel open by being lazy and covering it with a tarpaulin.

I have also been rather lazy in leaving them in BR bauxite rather than repainting then into NE brown, but they will do for now.

The tractor perched on the lowfit is also a reuse from the old layout, and as such is a bit too recent (1952 a think) so will need to be replaced with something more suitable. But for the time being, it adds a bit of weight.

The two re-lettered wagons need a coat of mat varnish to seal the transfers and to cover the gloss patches under the transfers.

Thanks for the info - I'm guessing MRJ issue 9 is quite old?!

Thanks chaps

Number 1420 should have GWR on the tanks to match the rest of my stock - another task to do! I don't appear to have any problems with the pickups on mine, as it only runs out and back it is all over electrofrog points so that reduces the likelihood of stalling.

I was/am aware of the detailing kit for the autocoach, although last time I looked (a while ago )it was out of stock, although it is now back in stock.

The coach is half way through a ten year repaint! It started as BR maroon as part of an Airfix closing down clearance set (which shows its age!), and as can be seen it has had a splash of choc+cream but is lacking lining, numbers etc. I think I will probably obtain a detailing kit (plus the flush glaze) and attempt a proper job on it. There's a first time for everything!!

This post is just to add some gratuitous shots of a 14xx and autocoach - another tick in the box for clichéd GW BLTs!!!

The loco has been detailed with the Mainly Trains kit, and all molded handrails replaced with wire. Just needs a new drive wheel set as the traction tyres have disintegrated so the running is a bit bouncy!

Anyway, enjoy the pics....

That certainly is a bit of progress

With regard to the ballasting, I would certainly leave it until you are happy with the running and electrics - I think I ballasted mine too early as I have problems with my double slip that I am not now in a position to rectify. Well, not without major work!

I do like the pic of the 14xx - might be tempted to post a pic of mine

Thanks chaps

Jon,

The grass is one of the Gaugemaster range, I think it is actually static grass, but I just covered the ground in pva and put it on by hand. I have subsequently realised that putting a base layer on gives far better results. For the base layer, I used another pack of gaugemaster stuff - I think this was more sawdust based and multi-colour. Both packs came in a scenic starter pack that was free with a Model Rail subscription a year or so back. Unfortunately, I do not have the exact details of the grass (shade or part number) as I binned the packaging ages ago.

Mikkel,

Glad you like the pic - it is just a point and shoot camera so it came out quite well.

A small amount of progress has been made......

The area around the cattle dock has had a bit of work done : the built up ground has been extended towards the track, covered in grass (needs some variety adding) and a path with fencing added. I'll let the pictures do the talking! (the changes are not huge so you might have to look at earlier piccies to see the difference!!)

These two are looking to escape!

Whats so special about this one? It is the first of the lineside signs I have added at the end of the platform. Shane the sign itself is out of focus!

Thanks

The control panel is now 'mounted' (well, more like wedged) between the top pf the Ikea trestle and a block of wood below it - so it is now mounted vertically. The basic box was from Maplin,

I must admit, I am quite pleased with it!

The only thing (still) missing from it is the track layout, but as I am the only one to operate it at the moment, that isn't much of an issue!

Hi Ian

Thanks for the complement

The backscene is from Gaugemaster. It is actually designed for 'n' gauge, but i thought the 00 would be a bit too 'in your face'.

The only trouble is, it doesn't reach the top of the backscene board, so I either need to do some clever paint matching (unlikely!) or buy some more of the same and just use the sky bits. All down to a lack of planning!

Cheers

J

Hi Gareth

As requested, some pics of the Slaters van.

I made it 25+ years ago, and have no idea what I painted it with! As I was just a penniless teenager (no change in the intervening years!) I probably painted it in whatever paints I had that closely matched the suggested colours.

I have just upgraded (as far as tension lock can ever be) from the slaters ones to the small Bachmann type using Finelines pockets, which are really good.

Hope the pics are of use/interest

Cheers

Jules

Happy New Year fellow modelers!

With Hornby releasing a GW horsebox, I thought I would share a couple of snaps of my old Lima one which has had an upgraded chassis.

The basic replacement chassis was a heavily modified Dapol loco coal wagon with all the brake gear and under floor gubbins removed leaving just the axle boxes. New brake gear and other bits were added from an etch/detailing kit obtained from mainly trains. Separate handrails and lamp irons were added, as well as roof ventilators.

I cannot say it is a true representation of the genuine article, but it looks and runs a lot better than the original.

Hope it is of mild interest...

Thanks for the kind words - most of the time it is very sleepy!!

Thanks - the fire irons do make a difference. I have also added them to my small prairie (on the tank top). They have also benefited from etched brass cabside plates, which look nice when the light catches them!

A bit more progress....

I have added a PW hut just before the bridge that forms the scenic break, as shown below.

It is a Wills kit, takes all of 5 minutes to make! Painted matt black with a grey roof, then the roof was weathered with black paint and the sides with 'roof grim', although it is quite subtle.

I have also painted the goods yard area in a shade of grey, which improves the look a bit. The photos make the track look a bit like a roller coaster, but my track laying isn't quite that bad!

I have added a bit of fencing to the vehicle unloading area, and temporarily placed some walling against the backscene - I am not quite sure how to treat the area in the corner by the station building - should have done a bit more planning...

Finally, a couple of shots trying to be arty farty!

Excellent - another GW BLT

Looks like it should be fun to operate - looking forward to seeing it develop.

Hi IKB

They are both Airfix coaches.

The unmodified one was part of a set I picked up when Airfix went bust : a BR black 61xx, the GW B coach and an LMS non-corridor coach, plus oval of track and controller for £14! (if I remember correctly).

The other one (modified) is branded as Mainline, but is from a year or two after.

Thanks - I'm quite pleased with it, it certainly looks better than the 'from the box' one. Painting the interior seems to give it more 'depth' for want of a better description.

Not strictly work on the layout, but work on things that run on the layout...

I decided that my B set was in need of some painting of the interia to improve it, so this morning I took one of the coaches apart and painted the inside. I used natural wood for the partitions and coach side, dark earth for the floor and blue/dep red for the seats.

I added a bit of frame dirt and roof dirt on the outside to attempt to make it look a bit more used - I think the roof needs a bit more attention!

Anyway, here are a couple of pics to show the out of the box coach, and the 'improved' version.

I've been wondering what to do with the corner of my layout at the edge on the board in the space shown in the pic below.

I thought perhaps some sort of building, but I am not sure what type. Anyway, while sorting through a pile of 'stuff', I came across one of those freebie printed buildings you occasionally get in magazines - this one was from Model Trains in 1982!!!

So, having a spare few hours, I thought I would knock it together to see what it looked like in the space - so here it is.

It isn't complete, but gives some idea what was intended by the magazine some 28 years ago.

I think it is probably a bit big for a sleepy branch line terminus, but it will fill the space for now.

(I should have taken a pic in its 'flat pack' mode, but forgot)

Yep! That's exactly what I meant