MarshLane

Totally agree Jinty, need to have a practice i think! Rich

Hi Brian, Wow, both look superb. I especially like the bottom diorama, was that card or sand paper? Rich

Thanks Paul - hmm talc could be an option on the card. Would sand give the same impression as fine sandpaper, more of a stony/dusty surface than hardened tarmac? Thanks Brian - now ... enlighten me a little - what are funky foam sheets? Not come across them before! Rich

Evening all, Well not really finding any time this week, hopefully later in the week things should happen! Might even be able to finish off clearing the loft, although with the possibility of a house move now on the horizon, many plans have been totally thrown in to disarray. Hence, I'm giving some thought to a little diorama, that I can just keep dropping into and could be used on Arksey (at some point in the future) .... bar for internal detail the loco shed is nearly finished, just need to find some suitable roofing slates! So back to the diorama - I've got some ideas that would also allow it to act as a photo plank, but also to be positioned on the new layout, so its not wasted time. What is anyone's recommendation for modelling tarmac - i.e. as a car park or road surface - perhaps one that has the odd pothole or broken surface? Best I've come up with so far is painted fine sandpaper, but I don't think that will give the right texture? Any thoughts guys? Rich

Thanks for the correct Jim - was kind of on the right track, just a bit too far north and about 5 miles away ! My memory ain't what it should be! Rich

It is - Washwood Heath area if I remember correctly.

My god isn't it sacrilege to be hired to the red team? Despite the fact that I worked for them its not something I admit in public .. oh, oops! Good to see inter-company assistance in this day and age however, and the customer got his train. Layout is coming on Marcus, that fencing looks superb. Looking forward to the arrival of my centre-headcode Railfreight red-stripe 37 in a few weeks time once Heljan release them in O gauge! Those pics of 37678 at Peak Dale show me what I'm missing! Rich

Thanks Jinty, One down, four to go Steve at Railtec has kindly provided the numbers for the next two - just need to find some time, which is in VERY short supply at the moment. Rich

Fascinating background info Philip. Rich

Stunning mate, well done! Rich

Steve, Sorry for the late reply - manic week or so, thanks for the kind comments. Rich

Really enjoying reading your progress with this. More a main line modeller, but always had a fascination with Dinorwic and Penrhyn, and subsequently the Quarry Hunslets. I'm almost tempted to buy one of these for a display, but that big sheet of etched brass is scaring the wotsit out of me! How have you dealt with brass bending? I'm assuming there will be some soldering to be done/ Rich

Guys, sorry I've been busy and caught up with other things the past few days - thanks for all the input, I'll get the document updated with the latest info. Rich

Hi Phil, Superb and wonderful really don't seem to cover it! Always enjoy your updates, keep up the good work! Rich

Simon, Are you using rattle can sprays, or airbrush? Whose paints do you find work the best? Rich

Interesting. No, not come across that. I've got the blue TOPS numbered ones and just plugged the Zimo chip straight in and it worked fine. Rich

I picked up/saw a leaflet for these at Bristol I believe. From the picture they looked good, but to me had that tinplate look about them - but I stress that's only my opinion from a photocopied picture, and I'd want to see a proper photo/a real model before committing either way. My initial reaction was nice, but prefer the HJ ones. Not that I'm any expert!! Interesting development tho, and I hope they get them right and it works for them. Rich

Surprised nobody has commented how it's typical Liverpool some git has nicked the bloody rails! Can't wait to see how Paul's going to move that 40 in time for tomorrow's 06.55 to Newcastle! Nice modelling mate! They look good, too clean, but good! Do I take it you've sold the ELJ baseboards then? The dark side really is a big pull! He says looking at his bank balance lol! Rich

Thanks Hump Shunter, I've searched Google for TOPS related info a few times, and never come across that - very useful. Cheers Rich

Thanks to the Fat Controller, Rivercider, Stationmaster and SR Green. Can anyone identify any of the Speedlink traffics handled by Healey Mill sorting sidings? That location seems to be a be quiet on documentation. There was obviously a fair amount of wagonload traffic sorted there, due to the size of the sorting yards. Rich

Hi Martyn, Wow! Where is the stunning button! Rich

Absolutely superb Rod. Will be a great addition to WKT..

Looking good Simon - can't wait till its finished! Rich

Afternoon all, Ah - great, I'll compile the additional info and add it in. FC, thats really useful thanks - just touches on the period being covered. WoodyFox, many thanks. I knew about the 'Coal' book, but not the 'Wagonload' ... off to the rainforest to check! BB: Thats great, again many thanks. Presumably if the main train went to Exeter/Westbury, it conveyed traffic for other destinations? Rich

Guys, Many thanks - I've just updated the document - from the original two pages that I uploaded at 5.30pm yesterday, its now eight pages! Thanks to everyone for their contributions so far, hopefully it will keep coming. If you've already looked, please have another look and see if you can fill in any of the blanks! Do we have any ground or yard staff who would be willing contribute their knowledge? jony7777: I've not come across timber traffic from Boston during the period, as yet. ess1uk: Thanks, there is some info in the document on Eastleigh - UKF vans for a few destinations travelled via Eastleigh Yard John H: Thanks, I think I have that book here somewhere, just need to find it! Plenty of sources to be going at, but each piece of info seems to throw up more queries at the moment to be honest! Cheers Rich