AngryMeerkat

The 2 types of paint are fine to be used together as long as each application is allowed to dry fully. Typically when painting a model I use thinners based primer, acrylic paint, enamel gloss varnish, a mix of acrylic and enamel weathering, all sealed with acrylic matt varnish. As long as each stage has at least 24 hours drying time then there are no problems. Mark

Hi Dave, Great idea for a thread, I'm sure all modellers appreciate your time and openness. I just hope you haven't made a rod for your own back by being so open! How do you see the 'current era' models as a potential market? By current I mean 1980s onwards, where the loco's didn't change apart from the liveries. There are obviously only a limited number of classes that cover this era, and pretty much all have been made by the 4 stables in 00 gauge (I'll leave Lima out at this point). Do you see gaps in this era for you to step into, either with an updated model from the Lima catalogue or with a better/more detailed/somehow improved version of something currently available? To further direct this question, is the current Network Rail and associated OTP an area you would look into? As well as the weird and wonderful RTC Derby creations? While a few loco's are available in NR colours, and a couple of MPVs have come about, I still feel there is some potential here for highly detailed models done in small batches. A proper NR class 31 for example, or the 150 DMU that runs about. Point carrying wagons, OHLE wagons and so on. Thanks for your time Dave, Mark

The things you all describe in this thread are the reasons I have a boat on a mooring in Christchurch! Watching Mudeford harbour turn from mud/sand with a few puddles into a wet harbour while the sun rises and Hengistbury Head becomes visible. Passing through the Run and facing straight towards the Isle of Wight. A turn to starboard and head towards Old Harry rocks while passing the beaches of Bournemouth. Detour into Poole harbour and weigh anchor at Brownsea Island for a spot of lunch and some swimming. There is no better way to spend a summers day than seeing our beautiful country from the sea that encases our little island. Mark

Not quite an early riser, more of a late sleeper having just finished a 12 hour night shift. Have a happy, productive day. Me? I'm off to bed ready to do it all again tonight!! Mark

Thanks for the reply and permission. The 2 pics above give me just enough to create a scenic break out of them, which is perfect. Unfortunately the track layout will be 180 degrees to Edge Hill depot, with my depot entrance arriving from underneath the plate girder bridge with the 25 going over it in your pic. I look forward to seeing the rest of your pics from the area, you have excellent shots with many from places most people never got to access. Mark

These are brilliant pictures, exactly how I remember the Edge Hill area when I was growing up (although there was a lot less there apart from the carriage cleaning plant). Although my layout is based (very roughly) on the Allerton area of South Liverpool I'm trying to capture the 'feel' of the Liverpool area in general from my youth, the dirt, black bricks, oily, a 'well used' feel. Would I be ok to save these 2 pictures for personal use as inspiration? And if you have any more of the depot area, particularly the embankments and high-level lines surrounding it, I would love to see them. Thanks, Mark

Hope it's nothing too serious Jim and you make a full and fast recovery. Mark

Going a bit old-skool for tonight's modelling.... Massive Attack Moby Royksopp Relaxing, mmmmmm

I've said it before and I'll say it again, damn you for being so talented!! Brilliant work, and thanks for sharing your methods. Mark

So that explains the HGV incident then! Sounds like the driver is lucky to still be alive and have words said to him, and natural selection is normally so good. Hopefully the words you used will have the desired effect and this muppet will realise that flashing lights and loud sirens mean DANGER - RISK OF DEATH BY TRAIN! Mark

How did you enjoy Liverpool Jim? Been a while since I've been 'home' but the docks area still looks the same (for now anyway!). Sounds like you had a story to tell about a HGV? Playing chicken at the dock entrance by any chance? I have to admit, much as I enjoy working on superyachts every time I read your updates I think more seriously about trying for a career change. Mark

Your vision and skill is simply stunning James, from scenery to weathering to the all-important tiny details, you've got it all. You lucky *******!! Fantastic work, I've enjoyed this thread immensely. Mark

Thanks for the explanation Jim, odd that they're not mandatory but great from a modelling perspective! Mark

Another probably dumb question you Jim - on the ground frame there is a black on white arrow mounted half way up the lever by the looks of the picture. Is this to indicate to an approaching train which way the points are set? If so how are the arrows operated? Or if I'm completely wrong, what are those arrows for? Thanks, Mark

I would just like to say..... David Moyes is a football genius. Mark, from The Kop

Joe Bonamassa - a fantastic blues guitarist and well worth a listen...... http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=F1_6yCHnSI4 Mark

I love heading down to Swanage, it's such a beautiful place. The only reason I don't do it more often is the road traffic from Bournemouth to Swanage on a sunny weekend is just horrendous!! However once this rail link is established I'm sure it will be VERY well used, hopefully once the DMU service is proven then some steam may take over and really make the experience relaxing and special. Until then my special trips involve my boat, the anchor, and either my kayak or a swim to make land. Mark

Hi Jim, just a simple question - in those pics from Hinksey yard, the 70 on the right of the pic is blocking the points and access to the road with the 08 on it. Are there any rules and regs regarding where a loco should be parked when it is stabling? I've seen many pics with loco's that look almost dumped at a random place along a siding, and now seeing this with a loco over the points has made me ask the obvious. Mark

He can't be that young if he has a job that involves confidentiality clauses or NDAs, kids don't get handed that info for obvious reasons. I think he needs to grow up a little and start acting his age instead of his IQ number. Maybe he should re-read his message, look at the info and knowledge you contribute Jim, and re-evaluate who is bringing the hobby into disrepute! In my opinion anyway. Mark

I'm hoping nothing comes of this moron on another forum and his complaint Jim, as someone who knows nothing of the 'big railway' I find this thread and your input a fantastic insight into the life of railway staff. I also think this thread shines a great light on Colas, and shows a positive proactive company in a way the public don't normally see. Keep up the good work, and the great pics and information. 99.9% of us really do appreciate it. Mark

Thanks for the explanation Gary, makes sense when you understand it. My experience of epoxy is as a covering, so no voids at all which is why I asked about drainage. I guess the packing points not being glued lets the ballast retain some movement, so the noise and vibration damping isn't affected? I have wondered in the past about the viability of using a mesh to retain/contain ballast in areas prone to flooding. A metal mesh would be laid at base level like a blanket, extending beyond the 4ft. The track and ballast would then be laid on top of the mesh, and the ends of the mesh would then be folded over the ballast from the outer edge of the 4ft and pinned to the sleepers, with pegs inserted from the 4ft to sleeper edge to limit movement of the mesh and the ballast. But if gluing the ballast works, my solution is both expensive and pointless!! Mark

Those containers - it's a shame they can't be cut up into small enough pieces and sold on a commemorative plaque, with all proceeds going behind the bar for all the orange army to have a well-deserved drink! I would happily pay for a piece of this historic event as long as it rewarded those responsible for the incredible effort. And a question about the repair, specifically about 'glued ballast'. I thought the purpose of ballast was to allow drainage through the railway footprint, and also to dampen the noise and vibration created by metal on metal contact with a few hundred tons in weight? How does gluing the ballast affect this? I admit I know nothing of the process apart from the epoxy 'glue' used, but knowing that leads me to believe the ballast will effectively be turned into larger lumps instead of smallish rocks. Surely this would lessen the drainage due to less places for the water to sink through the ballast, and would cause problems in a place like Dawlish where water is a constant problem? The epoxy would effectively create a hydrophobic layer keeping the water above the ballast instead of allowing it to sink though and into subterranean drainage channels, or is there a solution to this engineered into the site that works with the epoxy to create controlled drainage? Mark

CK hope the back injury isn't too serious and you make a full and quick recovery. YOUR RAILWAY NEEDS YOU! Mark

You looking forward to giving the 10x class 60s that Colas have just purchased a good thrashing Jim? Mark

I believe Express Models do a 3rd rail arcing kit, which contains an LED and some kind of motion sensor. I've got it stored in the back of my mind for my Poole layout but I've not yet got round to ordering one to see what they're like or how they work. Mark