Father Dougal

Not tried these kits. But Jim’s range of connoisseur kits are really straightforward and easy to solder- might be worth considering. Dougal

I have now placed my order with Shapeways for 2 PRA kits. Not tried these before and they are a bit costly, but easier than scratchbuilding. Should arrive around March 3rd. Dougal

Love the class 20

And then there were Two. Quite pleased with these. I also made up some side pieces for the road bridge. Dougal.

Picked up supplies today. Built the Brass sub chassis this afternoon. Tomorrow I will add the plasticard pieces. Dougal.

Yes please

With the first Tiger now fully finished, I started Tiger number 2. I use brass sheet and half circle bulkheads to form the basic shape. I have marked a central line and 5 lateral lines to get everything as straight as possible. I numbered the bulkheads and fitted 1 + 5 first then 3 , followed by 2 + 4. Once done the structure is rigid. The observant will see a tab at one end. This is for a 9mm extension piece as the sheet is just a smidge too short! I also pre- rolled the sheet to get a curve. All good so far. Off to Hobby shop tomorrow to top up my supplies. Dougal

Thank you for the kind replies. I built this from photos and a few crude measurements. As Mostly run speed link services I only need a couple.

Just waiting on Square buffers and vac pipes. I broke out my airbrush to add a coat of grime. I have gone for a fairly light coat. I need to source some valves to finish off the underframe detail. I am quite pleased with how she came out- not an exact replica but close enough for me. One more to build.

A bit more tinkering. The walkway was fun to do and looks good. The pipe work looks ok but is in the style of rather than an exact copy. A bit of tidy up to do and I need 1 more length of brass wire.

Hello Paul GJH plant from invertrains . J25 bogie plus wheels from same. Dougal

So with the Skipper chipped and running, I started a scratch build of a Clay Tiger. My first full scratch build. Loads to do, but so far so good.....

The painting continues on the Skipper/ Pacer unit. Looks ok so far but loads more to do yet. The power car body shell still doesn’t fit properly and lists very slightly. Not sure what is causing the issue. She runs but traction is an issue. I may have to experiment with some ‘Bullfrog snot’ The station sidings have been simplified and I have extended the platform. This looks much better to me. I have started on the retaining wall and embankment behind the signal box. I have also added some water texture to my little brook. I found the Gloss Modge Podge was not glossy enough, this is a MIG product that does the same thing. Dougal

Both chassis done and painted. Body shells primed. I will paint and fit lights over next few weeks. Power chassis runs ok but needs more weight- waiting for a delivery that is now 1 week late. ModelU passengers painted and fitted. I will post photos soon. Dougal

Had a long weekend so more work on the second car/ carriage/ power unit. I will fit a harness for the motor. I have begun adding weights to some of the boxes. I now have the decoder and speaker so I build a wider fuel tank for the speaker to fit in. I also added some fencing to the layout.

I hate eggs

Ok so, fuelled by a lovely cooked breakfast today, I have done more work on Bodyshell 2. The decoder and speaker should come this week. I should then be able to decide how I want the floor to look. I made a few shrubs and some trees in Autumn leaves. I will need loads more trees.

They are easy to scratchbuild. I made mine from brass wire and some brass strips.

No worries. Always interesting to learn something new here. This does remind me to get the 03 motorised and running, but pacer first- unless I get distracted again

Oh, it came in a box with 03 written on it. Never really gave it much thought before.

I have got the Pub almost done. The roof needs a bit of weathering and I need to add guttering. Loving the arcade machines. You can see them through the right side window. I used to love PacMan and Phoenix.

Hi Craig, I replaced all my nylon gears on a 33. Never regretted this. If you can afford it, change all of them.

A bit more progress. I have started the road bridge. This is by the fiddle yard and acts as a scenic break. I have yet to build the girder sides and also add a phone box and street lamp. The Freight sidings are coming along nicely. The pacer has wheels and waits for my further attention. Currently working on some arcade machines.

Hello Paul. Sort of revised plan. I have simplified matters with 2 roads with a turnout each creating a total of 4 roads; slurry loading siding, Railfreight and bagged clay siding, station siding for parcels, station siding for DMU’s. This gives the option of running a mix of freight and for my granddaughters to experience the fun of driving trains with lights and sounds. One of my Grandaughters is particularly interested in the layout and I want to nurture this interest. Having purchased a few books about Cornish Branchlines and seeing really short Trains like a class 50 and 2 clay hoppers, a class 08 with 1 hopper and a brake van and a class 25 with a TEA, Clay Tiger and a VGA, I can run pretty much all my stock and it will be mostly prototypical. I will be building a few clay Tigers and silver bullets soon enough. I just need to finish my Pacer unit first. I will post some photos of the Pacer later in the week.

A bit more testing/ playing today. I built a clay powder loading area. Based very loosely on the one at Ponts mill. still needs lights, weathering etc.