Newtz1981

In an act of what others would say is total madness, I have pre-ordered a 2nd model of the 7MT's from Fine Scale Brass. This time I have requested class leader, 70000 Britannia. Now there is something to look forward too one day, having 70000 & 70013 on shed at Newton Grove!!

Hello Del, Naughty by nature I'm afraid, however who wouldn't want a 9F. They are simply beautiful locomotives! My advice to you though, is if you want one you will need to get in very quickly. According to the FSB website there are not many left: http://www.finescalebrass.co.uk/o-gauge-locomotives-55h-models.htm I too suffer from the illness, however I certainly would not have it any other way.

This is excellent news!!! Let's just hope now that he does get those extra 5 orders for the Brits. If I could justify the expense I'd love two of them, but at an Au$ figure of $4,500 (plus $587.42 customs clearance/delivery) sadly I can only really put money aside for one of them. I'm sure that during the next few moths he will get those 5 pre-orders - still fingers are crossed tightly!! And yes folks, that's a call out for you all to order a 7MT from Fine Scale Brass hehe

It's probably best that you email John at FSB and ask him these questions. While the 7MT's have not been produced yet he might have information for you, particularly is a production sample has been produced.

Where on the FSB website does it say that? I couldn't find it.

92077 is settling into her new home very well. Here are a few more shots of her, deep within the roads of Newton Grove 19F I've also given her a test run and she performs oh so beautifully! The DCC sound is amazing too.

According to the website there will be 20 models produced of the 7MT. Confirmation was given to me today, however it would be nice if there were more orders for them. The 9F is so well built, people will be amazed at the quality if they see it. The 7MT and Duke would be just the same, so why wouldn't people want them!?

Hello Osgood, The model is produced by 55H models, in conjunction with L H Loveless models and they have been built in Korea. Fine Scale Brass in the UK are the retailers. Here is a link to the page: http://www.finescalebrass.co.uk/o-gauge-locomotives-55h-models.htm They are also bringing out the 7MT Britannia class and also 71000 The Duke, and so I'll be getting myself 7MT next year when they have been produced. Now that I have seen the quality of the 9F I'm totally hooked!! If only I could afford another one

Today Newton Grove became home to a new locomotive, class 9F 2-10-0 92077. She is seen here on shed just after her arrival and she is in mint condition. This is by far the nest model I have ever seen. The details is just amazing, it is so well built and it also weighs a ton. I'm very much looking forward to seeing her in action.

Less than a month to go now and then I'm in the UK for 3 weeks. I can't wait to get back over there!! I'll be picking up my 2-6-0 Crab from Steamline while I'm over too, which is something extra to look forward to!

I've been hearing some good things about the Walters lighting kits and how easy they are to use and how good they look. Does anyone here have any experience with them at all? If so I'd love to hear your feedback on what you think of them.

Thank you for your comment Jeff and for taking the time to look at each new post

And here is another photo showing the build progress of the Stanier Mogul

An update photo from my builder who I have commissioned to construct my Gladiator kits. He is currently working on the Stanier Mogul. Tender wa completed a while ago and progress is coming along well on the locomotive itself. Here is the photo I received last night. In other news, the 9F is finally about to leave the UK and into my hands!!

It's been a long wait however the delivery of my 9F is almost underway. I have been told that the model is in the hands of the selling company and is being fitted with DCC right now, as well as having the numbers and transfers applied. So, soon 92077 will be in my hands and grace the roads of Newton Grove. Here is a photo of the real 92077 at Newton Heath shed in the 1960s. I also have a photo of this loco at Rose Grove MPD, hence why I chose this running number for the model. And here are a few more shots of the loco. When she arrives I will take several (or many) photos of her on Newton Grove before I start to weather the model.

Last night I took out the camera and played around with getting some close shots around Newton Grove, mainly at the shed entrance. I have held up the mirror and snapped around to see what effect I really get. I must say, it is very pleasing! After that I just took a few general photos to show how the layout is looking now. One yard lamp is weathered and finished (the one close to the road bridge) and the other two will be completed this week. So, here is a collection of photos to wet your modelling appetites

Thank you Steve, I like to think that we are all inspired by someone or something. And you continue to do so - I'm really loving your Main Line micro idea and Severn Tunnel that you're building. I'm getting ideas already

Here is something I thought I wouldn't achieve: When I first saw Stephen Fay's Cardiff Canton in magazines and on the internet I was inspired to do something similar - which is Newton Grove. Hence also why I started to run this forum of the layout build on RMWeb. I kept reading through the Canton thread and was amazed that there were 29 followers. I never thought I'd have any followers to be really honest with you. Well, now there are 31 followers! Small thing to be happy about I know, but makes me feel excited and humble at the same time Thank you for following my build everyone. I really appreciate it and I'm always grateful for the feedback you provide to me.

Thank you Bob, It is slowly coming along and I just keep looking at the book I have on Rose Grove to make sure that I'm achieving a similar look and feel. I must admit that working on preserved steam does help, as I know how grimy and dirty loco sheds and yards are (albeit in Australia). Warm Regards, Newtz

More progress on the shed. The inner wall was painted Matt White the other day and yesterday I painted the lower 3rd of the wall Matt Black, as per photos I have seen. This morning I have added a thin wash of black into the brick work and once that was dry I have weathered the wall with black and brown pencils. The result is rather pleasing, so you will see. When the entire shed you won't really be able to see this wall, apart from through the mirror that will be on the other side, however I wanted to achieve the right look and feel so that is why I'm going to this detail.

Hi Simon, That will come last when the build is finished

Here are the yard lamps in their locations around the yard. Weathering has commenced on them now and they are looking even better. Adding these 3 yard lamps has really brought the scene to life so much more. It's amazing how something so simple can have such a dramatic effect.

More progress. The inner wall of the shed has been painted Matt White. This is the first stage in the process of this wall. Next step is to paint the lower 3rd black and than after that thin down some black paint and go over all the white bricks to bring out the mortar courses, etc. Then I can slowly start to weather the bricks, which I will do with pencils again. I've started to paint the yard lamps too, so look out for a photo update in a few days time

I have finally finished the small hillside which is now secured permanently to the layout. I gave it a covering with static grass a while ago, I just forgot to put a post up to show it. Now that it is secure to the layout I have added more static grass on the ground around it and further into the yard. This is really starting to look good and it draws your eyes into the yard entrance more too from the bridge. Progress photos below:

A visit to a local Glazier today was the order for more work on Newton Grove. I had them cut a piece of mirror which will become the rear long wall of the locomotive shed. This is to give the impression of depth inside the shed and make it look like 6 roads rather than 3. As I write this the walls of the shed are out in the shed drying, as I've put Slaters red brick sheeting on the long inside wall. When this is dry it will be painted a white/gray with the black at the bottom and then weathered, so it will end up looking something similar to the photo below: