Father Dougal

Hello, it is a PRMRP kit. Once received I will let you know how she measures up. Dougal

Finally got to the 11th. Today is a long awaited day as I can now order a few kits. A 37/4 and a class 14 (Teddy bear) and now on order. Fingers crossed they will arrive towards the end of the week. I think I might do the 14 first. a very excited Dougal

Where did the barrier fencing come from? I like the look of it. Dougal

I have tried out a system of job cards for different movements on the layout. Going well so far with 3 cards taking around an hour to complete. Here are a few shots; Denise shunting a mixed rake of 21 & 24.5 T coal wagons to the dries, 25027 removing the same coal wagons later and Denise shunting a TCA to the slurry loading point. Dougal

It looks like they have run out of the replacement nylon gears. I had an email reply yesterday. Shame they don’t keep an ongoing stock, given how often the issue affects customers.

Painting and decals done, new glazing added. Fan refitted. I will add very minor weathering to the body side as I want her to look recently cleaned. The roof will be a bit dirtier. I need to order drivers and some lights next. The snow ploughs need painting and fitting- once I work out how they are fitted. They look like they should snap fit, but not sure. Dougal

sorry wrong quote used! Oh, my reference book states ‘the smith’s speed recording equipment was fitted to No 1 end.’ perhaps this changed with different builds? Dougal

Ok so, a bit more work today. The pick ups have new wire to replace the previous, thicker version. The bogie side frames have been weathered. I have worked from photos to depict a subtle but convincing look. This is the number one end as it has the speedo cable. My new reference book! (I can Stroke my inner anorak with this book.) Dougal

Hi, I emailed David and established he can either replace individual gears or a full bogie worth. I had to order by phone. I went for the full bogie option. Each bogie is £100 which made me wince a bit but I bit the bullet and decided to splash out as I didn’t have a holiday last year and having my trains running makes me happy. (I just didn’t tell Mrs Doyle how much they cost!) Heljan spares currently stock the newer gear versions. These would be a cheaper option. I think they work out around £2.50 per gear. Dougal

Hi Jim, no must have missed your posts but I feel your pain. I suspect I will have to do my 47 and 20 at some point. But at least I know where to get the gears from now. I used www.ultrascale.co.uk no association just a happy customer. Both bogies have been on the rolling road and run beautifully. The sound decoder, secondary decoder for the fan and speaker are now surplus. Older file and I think the decoder is loksound but perfectly functional. I just prefer Zimo. If anyone wants to buy this for a bargain price send me a PM. Payment by PayPal invoice. All being well, the replacement glazing comes tomorrow. I have already stripped the body shell and prepared for priming. I might start painting tomorrow. I also need to replace all the wiring to use decoder wire and colour coded. Dougal.

Hello, my class 33 has been poorly for a while. The Nylon gears have split. I decided to do a full make over including; replacing the nylon gears, repaint (as I didn’t like the shade of yellow I used previously), new glazing, cab crew, new lights and a newer sound chip. First challenge was the gears. I found a supplier of all brass gears- not a cheap option but likely to last my lifetime. Here are some photos of fitting the replacements. Dougal.

I do like these kits, I have several myself. Nice work. Dougal

So, just before Christmas I bought a Portacabin for my layout. Today I built and painted it as well as adding a few signs. Glazing and lighting to follow and tidying up the hard standing around the front. Dougal

Wasn’t that in Gold finger? Good old Shirley Bassey..... ( she sang, she wasn’t dipped in gold) Dougal

An earlier running period today. A class 15 pulls away from the clay dries. Whilst D2860 wrestles with a huge TCA at the slurry loading. Dougal.

A few more running shots. The slurry loading point is now done. Inspired by the one at Par. Needs more weathering. A DPU in Royal Mail red pulls in for fuel. 08050 shunts a couple of scrap wagons. Dougal.

A spot of running this morning. 03162 shunting a few clay wagons. 25027 waiting by the shed. The Foreman’s 2CV has seen better days. A Cosy Signal box.

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Ummm....

I finished the HEA wagons. 3 built and weathered. I now have 4. Need another 6. I also purchased a BR Bedford van. I was surprised at the shade difference with my Ford Transit in a Later BR livery. Dougal.

I use Dettol. Works well on brass or plastic bodies. Dougal

25027 potters along the branch line with a short postal working. and on my workbench, 3 x HEA kits- 2 visible here and a TOPE kit. Dougal.

The Remodelling is now complete. Gary is nice and cosy in his new signal box. The hard standing has been laid and shrubbery has begun to spring up near the new yellow barriers. Next job is to rebuild the slurry loading gantry. Dougal

Yesterday I spent most of the day building and painting the signal box and interior detail. Lovely kit. Today I have wired up all the lights and tested them. Next weekend I add the hard standing. Dougal.

Ok, I have ordered a ground signal box, an interior, a light for the signal box exterior and 3 yard lamps. Tomorrow I shall pop into the model shop and pick up a few supplies before they close for the second Lockdown. Hopefully this and a few other projects will keep me busy over the next month or two. Out of interest, what colour should I paint my signal box? It could be cream, but as it is just for a China clay yard I might try something like green. Any suggestions? Dougal.