03060

The underside of the MW 'Bamburgh' as supplied (with footstep s/glued back on (my fault !))

Hello Wim, Thanks for the suggestion, I haven't considered using an N gauge chassis before in 3mm. I certainly have a Dapol Pannier and I think that I have a BGF one also so I shall have a look at these over the W/end. 'Bamburgh' was a MW 'L' class with a large cab, it had a total w/base of 10'9" (5'5"+5'4") and 3'6" wheels. I had originally thought about using a 3SMR set of frames for the 08 but I think that these would be 5'9"+5'9" but I will check them anyway (you never know.) One of the reasons that I said that the chassis would need a bit of thought is that Simon's print includes the full diameter of the boiler and a full footplate underneath (I'll post a picture later) and so I will be trying to remove only what is necessary. I will also be considering scratchbuilt frames and a High Level gearbox which I fitted into the Y7, I think that the Peckett has a 2-stage Branchlines box in it. The loco is not particularly high on my very long 'to do' list but it would be a shame to leave it lying around for too long, the body is probably also suitable for 'Cawood' and possibly 'Arthur' which I think were also 'L' class locos, I have the MW of Leeds book to hand in my modelling room. If you want basic dimensions of the printed model I can measure it for you to see if it would give you a suitable starting point for an 'I', 'Old I' or a 'K' class if you like. Regards, Ian.

Hello, I'm a Lithographic web offset printer by trade and we used to use Alcohol (before H&S tightened it's noose) as part of our water mixture to print with to lower the surface tension and so, basically, allow a thinner film of water to be spread across the printing plate. Whilst this was with oil based inks the water in the system was mixed to a solution with 2.5 to 5 % of Fount additive and if memory serves me rightly 10 to 15% alcohol, too much of either of these additives would start to break the ink down too much (it is supposed to break it down a little) and cause printing issues. It may be that you have just used too much alcohol in your mixture ? Regards, Ian.

Hello everybody, I've finally managed to work out how to insert photos into my replies (using my phone) so here is a glimpse of what is currently keeping my mind occupied. You can see one of two F&S J50's that are at about the same stage of construction...stalled over Christmas when I got to rolling the boilers...but work about to restart....soon ! 2 3D prints arrived in the post from Simon Dawson via Shapeways (very quickly I might add.) The A5 has been married with a part built chassis that came via Caroline at the 3mm Soc 2nd hand, which will fit the body perfectly once I trim 1mm off the chassis' rear, I already have some wheels so this should progress quickly, hopefully, although the body is printed in WSF which needs quite a bit of preparation to smooth the surface by all accounts. The little Manning Wardle 'Bamburgh' is printed in SFD and is a fair bit smoother, it's a lovely little model but I've already managed to break off one set of steps which is why it's at an angle, should be easy to repair and strengthen though. This is not on the priority list for the moment and a bit of chassis planning will be required but I've already successfully built a couple of smaller locos (Y7 and a Peckett. Don't hold your breath for progress though as I'm not renowned for it ! LoL. Regards, Ian.

Hello Ian, I'm interested in how you are going about finishing the body, I've just received two of Simon's prints in 3mm scale from Shapeways (also very quickly.) As can be seen the exquisite Bamburgh MW model is printed in SFD whereas the A5 in whatever the white stuff is called, this has a significantly rougher surface finish to it which I'm told is difficult smooth out, any advice greatfully received. The A5 will probably be finished fairly soon (well in a month or two !) alongside two J50's that I currently have on the go as I was lucky to aquire a part built chassis from the 3mm Soc 2nd hand which by luck should only need 1mm trimming off the rear to fit the body and I already have some wheels in stock. Bamburgh on the other hand needs some planning, it's lying at a slight angle as I've already managed to break off one of footsteps, I shall reinforce both when I glue it back on. Apart from a body for an unstarted C12 these are the first 3D prints that I have worked on. Regards, Ian.

By heck, there's a challenge in picture c6809 for anybody with an N gauge 03 and Conflat runner truck, does anybody know the full wording on the conflat side....I can make out - 'Air braked shunting runner ?? Vehicle (?) For use.........(2nd line) ....air braked shunting ?? In the Newcastle ???' Great photos as ever, Dave, thanks for sharing them with us. Regards, Ian.

Thanks Dave, Having been brought up with the original GF class 37 I have been more than satisfied with the detail on the newer Bachmann GF models but now having seen Duncan's model of 37 239 and compared it with one of my own unmodified models and the prototype photo I now realise that the bar has definately been raised. Whilst I can probably (maybe) live with the BGF roof fan grill I'm definately going to have to do something about the undersized engine compartment side grills which I hadn't noticed before ....unfortunately I've currently got at least 15 of the blessed things ....and if I do one then I'll have to do them all ....oh, well, at least the chap at Shawplan will be happy ! Regards, Ian.

The chap who has made the You Tube videos also has very kindly produced a list of his sources of information underneath. Old Maps (reproduced with permission from the National Library of Scotland.) A.L Barnett & Railway & Canal Historical Society Northern Mine Research Society Outwood Community Video Leeds Library & Information Services Britain from Above NRM York Lost Railways Yorkshire.co.uk Railway Ramblers Leeds Woodlesford - The Story of a Station Transports of Delight (Paul Johnson) Friends of Rothwell Country Park ....and 11 individuals whom I will not name here with the exception of Mr. Derek Rayner of Woodlesford (see 'The Story of a Station') to whom a lot of the excellent photographs are accredited to. Regards, Ian.

Hello Jack, Have just looked at the blog, which is great thankyou, but I think that the Bill Bedford kit BW1400 and the drawing is actually of the shorter Mail Van No.42 (and possibly No.41*) *see Garner's record p.42/3 for photo comparison and p.42 notes. The hatched diagonals on the drawing are for internal bracing. I ordered two of these vans in 3mm scale in the hope that they were of 20T Goods Brake vans but realised that they were not on receipt ....that's not to say that I was disappointed with what I received, they are definately on my 'to build soon' list as No's 41 & 42. I've resigned myself to scratchbuilding the 20t Goods Brake Vans. (Jerry Clifford did some very nice 2mm multi media kits a while ago.) Regards, Ian.

Hello Duncan, I've just flicked back to p.16 on the thread to compare the new grill with the 'old' new grill and whilst my own opinion is non-consequential I did notice that there is a plate across the top of the bogie steps in the centre (under the door) half covering a cylinder (which is on the model) which stands out as missing when comparing the model with the prototype photo of 239. Sorry to mention this but once noticed it makes the model's steps look to have a large 'gap' in them ...what do you think ? Meant with the best of intentions, Regards, Ian.

Well, I finally got chance to look up these You Tube videos this morning .....and I have to say Wow, I owe that man a pint ! I've only had chance to watch the Intro and Part 1 so far but the chap who has made them, to say that he's not a rail enthusiast, has certainly looked into the subject and done an excellent job in producing the films, I'd love to know where he's gathered some of his extra information from (other than the Franks book) and especially where he's found some of his photographs, I'll see if there's any way of contacting him when I watch the next installment. I did manage to speak with John Farline (co-author of Railways Around Wakefield and Pontefract) yesterday at Pontefract show and may try and contact him again via Wakefield Club, I suspect that Peter Cookson (the other co-author) came up to us whilst we were talking, his conversation with John was of a more personal subject so I didn't like to intrude further, maybe I will get another chance go speak with both of them sometime. Thanks again for the 'heads up' gratefully appreciated. Regards, Ian.

Steve, thankyou and your co-operator (who's name I didn't catch) for the conversation that we had regarding the layout's trackplan and it's suitability as a West Highland Line project today in Ponte Carlo, you've certainly given me food for thought. The layout was definately as good as the pictures that I've seen, great to see it in the flesh so as to speak. Kind regards, Ian.

Thanks Darren, I'll check these out over the w/end. I've changed job recently and now work on Jct 41 Ind Estate, Wakefield, so am just waiting for the lighter evenings to come back so that I can take in a few of the the routes on my way home. As the road and countryside network has changed massively in this area it can be quite hard to visualise the route but some of the maps posted earlier helped on a previous location sortie. I'm also hoping to see if anyone on the Stanley layout at Pontefract show this W/end can shed any more light on some of the motive power used over the line. I've still not seen any evidence of J50's on the route. Regards, Ian.

Lymebrook Yard thread is worth a look at as an excellent example of what can fit into 4'×2' in N gauge. May not be what you are after ..... but still worth a look in my opinion, you never know. Regards, Ian.

Thanks Duncan for a very comprehensive reply, they look very good. One of the reasons that I asked is that I would like to create a 'faded' look on amongst other things blue Class 03 and 08 shunters but have as yet never had either the knowhow or bottle to try. I wasn't sure whether the effect could be created by just overspraying with a very thin whiteish colour to achieve my desired slightly faded finish (ie I'm not looking for the full on carriage wash plant effect !) having now also just read your reply to Steadfast maybe I should just wait and see how you go about tackling 08 255. Thanks again for the info. Regards, Ian.

Hello Duncan, With reference to fading the Covhops what method do you use please ? Regards, Ian.

Always a good show....but definately looking forward to this years ! Regards, Ian.

Best of luck with the recovery, Ken, all of our 'inboxes' will be a little lighter and definately poorer whilst you're out of action. Best wishes, Ian.

The 2nd plan is the same basic trackplan (without sidings) as is used in the Woodland Sceenics Sub Terrain System layout as seen in magazine adverts, whilst not sure of the size (or even the gauge) of the layout on show but it may give you a good visualisation of what it could look like in terms of gradients, etc and possibly a method of achieving them. I'm currently considering this as a basic design starting point for a West Highland themed layout to fit into a space of 9'x 2'6" ....and I'm not convinced that I can adequately fit in a station with some sidings to satisfy the train lengths that I am looking to run. It all keeps the mind active though, enjoying the thread and other peoples observations. Best wishes, Ian.

And it's in the 'slow lane' !

Tower Models have been in touch to say that mine is ready for posting.

Excellent, thanks for this, I'm always happier to see a photograph as evidence rather than just having a supposition or a maybe (although, as mentioned by Regulariity earlier ....Rule 1 should never be discounted. I'll look forward to seeing a bubble car on WHL4. Regards, Ian.

Thanks Nigel, great pictures, I wonder if this was the one used to preceed the sleeper train as mentioned on the Railscot site ? That now makes 3 Bubble Cars on the West Highland as I've found the article that I mentioned above - Rail Express Mar 2018 - Two Zulu Two Zero - an account of a ride in class 121 960011 'Pandora' (Video Track Recording Unit) over the West Highland Line in in the 2000s, the livery could be interesting to try and replicate. Thanks for the help, Regards, Ian.