REC Farnborough

Nice work - and it works!  One of the best things is the sensr of achievement as it all ocmes together.  Best of luck with this oe - and I'm sure your son will be fascinated watching it grow.

Chhers

Ian

Very nice work Rich - and glad that you've reached an 'accommodation' with the Regulatory Authority!

A VERY tidy piece of work!

I used to live near Woolwich Dockyard, and was born in Woolwich. Grew up in Barnehurst/Bexleyheath. My father's side of the family all worked/lived/came from the Deptford area too. So a lot of family history in such a idea for me

I cannot think of a better reason for modelling ANY location!

My dad was actually born in a flat over 'Mansers Eel & pie Shop' round the back of Beresford Square...

I'll watch this with interest - my dad used to work in the Arsenal, My great-greatx3 grandad emigrated from Bristol to work in the Deptford shipyards & was one of the first shipwrights in the Royal Dockyard at Woolwich!  I must have been a great disappointment to his ghost being the first of our family in 300 years NOT to work there (I became a maritime archaeologist instead....)

Lovely 'first effort' - cannot wait to see it painted.  The soldering job looks excellent - but you'll need to take a fibrelass brush to the bolection frames before soldering.

Regs

Ian

Intrinsically card is a good modelling medium.  Easily worked, several different types of adhesives work.  However, for long-term usage as rolling stock with it's attendant stresses & strains, it really needs stabilizing with a good-quality shellac. 

Rolling stock from card is not a new idea, companies like 'Merco' & 'Hambling' (even Peco) were producing the 'When I were a Lad'.

However, I have to ask - what's wrong with plasticard?  Readily available in multiple forms & thicknesses - just needs good bracing to prevent warping over longer runs like coaches AND make sure that interior spaces are vented to prevent long-term damage from solvent fumes that can get trapped inside.

What ever you do - have fun!

Regs

Ian

Hi Rich -

Thats certainly the set-up shown in the Russell photo dated 1937.  The kit instructions state 'extra brakes' (I take it that means the single brake on the other side) was fitted in 1929 - so (hopefully) this is right for my chosen period 1925-35...

Regs

Ian

Very nice, Julia

Might even steal it for 4mm!  It would also make a good 'first project' for MY Proxxon milling machine...

Regs

Ian

Humphh.  Need to clean my glasses (or do a modified 'RTFM') the caption in the Russell book actually states 'photographed in 1937' - so later than my chosen period - so no latches!

Ever thought that the door latches could an later fitment.

Yes - but the problem is - when?  I'm modelling 1925-35, so it would fit in with Miss Prism's comment.  Trouble is, the only really definitive photo is the Russell image which is undated - but appears to be from this period as the van is fitted with 'either side' brakes - a modification which appeared about this time (I understand).

I'm surprised that the GPV's wern't fitted with door latches as a matter of course.  The possibilities of a door slamming shut on someone carrying a box of explosives doesn't bear thinking about - and then theres the 'metal to metal' potential for a spark...  Ho hum, back to the model box!

Regs

Ian

I am afraid I am going to jump to the defense of the kit designer here! The hinge detail could not have been etched as there is already a half etched line down the center of the door so to make them raised they have to be added separately.

Hmm...  Good point and well made!  Extracts foot from mouth!

As to the other comments - God, I wish I'd been taught something useful at school! Could never find a use for French etc....!

Oh goody, I do like iron minks! Looks very neat so far. You will know better than me, but I think the white metal buffers would be a bit risky? That's certainly what I have learnt recently.

Cheers Mikkel -

Rich agrees too, so that's the route to take!

For buffers sturdy is the way to go IMO.

 

I am the only person in the house that buys those clips but about half of them mysteriously disappear before they get upstairs to my tool box. It happens every time!

Mind you Rich, the wifes new hairstyle looks good! G>

Of course another option is to see if 'Markit' do the relevant buffer...  I'm bound to do a 'PO' at some time that will need them!

Ian

It's all been said above - but nice one Mikkel.  How long did they last in service??  I might build a couple for 'Ambridge one day...

Regs

Ian

Not looking forward to the walk home in the dark!

Have you considered a thin smear of silicone RTV clear ? Used, so I am told, in aquarium construction.Alternatively. double sided tape is available in a more mangeable form than cellotape..........................nice work, by the way !

Cheers Gerry,

I'll give that some thought, along with Rich's suggestion.  Despite the deadline, some trials are in order I think...

I'm a convert to klear for glazing. I stuck most of my ground signal together with it, where I couldn't (or really didn't want to) solder. Wonderful stuff!

Hi Rich -

As above.

PS - Noel has just asked if I can do the windows for Wickwar station building...

Job -

The 'Martello Street' sign is the most prototypical of the period.  At all costs avoid the bright red 'post code' type.  Also avoid 'double yellow lines' or any form of parking restriction - apart from bollards.  Even then, be very careful - the 'Southwark bollard' appears very modern to me.  Most have the appearance o small cannon buried 'cascabel' first (thats the breech end) in the ground, with the muzzle pointed upward.

The 'Ghost signage' is quite protottypical and in fact wall-painted adverts & shop signs were quite common.  As a nice (but not often-modelled) touch  - how about a 'ghost sign'  - with a freshly-painted sign (different name) within it signifying change of ownership? 

Also bear in mind that in the 'fifties' these areas would still have 'flagstone' paving rather than the later concrete types - and they would be  rutted & disrupted by vehicles.  Road surfaces would often be of cobblestone or granite setts.

Having been brought up in South London during this period - I only wish I'd had access to a camera!

One source of images might be the 'Francis Frith' collection which can be browsed online by location.

Regs

Ian

Hi Mikkel -

Nice work there - as someone else has commented the neatness is very neat, even in the re-build...

Regs

Ian

Thanks to Bob at 'Alton Models'  I've now resolved the paint issue.  A contact of his says the colour is depenent on location.  In a 'works' (non-public) area they were black.  In public areas they were maroon - which I hink is similar to the 'Lake' finish but with more brown in it.  Going to look for a 'Valejo' airbrush equivalent tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the canopy calls!

Neat work. Is there something special about these particular Evergreen sections or are you using the wrong type of solvent? I have always used EMA plastic weld and never had any problems with the Evergreen stuff I have tried it on.  

Hi Rich -

Not as far as I'm aware.  Both packs have been used before with a variety of solvents.  I suspect it is more to do with the thin-section MDF - probably not having enough surfacve area to make the bond.  The PVA wins out because it is fairly viscous.