AlfaZagato

Hard coal would likely produce less dust than softer coal. I think Welsh wagons then would be dirtier inside than, say, Scottish, then, or do I have that flipped?

I need to do more work. Work was slow at work, so I had the bright idea to bring a Gundam to build at work. Took me a day-and-a-half. I do enjoy the Gundam kits, especially the Master Grade kits. They are snap-fit but entirely rewarding. Here is the F91; If any of you are Gunpla fans, this is the Ver. 1.0 of the MG F91, and an early run kit, too. I have built the 'Harrison' version before, so missed out on the Rafflesia stand seen here. Both stand and kit could use detail painting, but I'll burn that bridge when I get there. Speaking of paint, I finally had a dry day this evening. Cue continuance of priming; The whole of the contest model is primed, now. I may need to go back and fill in gaps and roughness, but I can't let myself get too stuck in. The judging is in July, and Chicago is being flighty as all hell this year with weather. I hate Chicago, by the way.

How does that hold to Hastings? Everything I've read makes Hastings seem as bad as the L or Underground.

I had forgotten those. I had meant Gresley coaches with motors and pickups. Like how the some of the LMS EMU's were.

What is the wheelbase on the old Hornby El Cheapo? If it's close enough, I'd think it could make a decent Wheatley 0-4-0.

To hell with tags. This week, only more work on the current contest build. First time using Miliput, all previous work of relevant type being done with 10-year-old Citadel Green Stuff. Shorty can of Tamiya primer died before I had the whole Gundam monster primed. I need to stick to the large cans. Don't mind the white object at the bottom of the rack shot. Totally not a DB5.

The perspective is messing with my eyes. If you have four wheels there, I don't know that there is a particular prototype. Even in the US, that would be heavy on the rails. If you have six wheels, yes, that would be very near a USRA 0-6-0. Was the original tender slope-backed, with a large lamp near the apex of the slope?

Can you imagine, teak EMUs?

Cool to see it finished.

All this talk of pooling habits is great, but what about new suppliers for GWR wagons? I'm not an expert, but wouldn't some RCH types be suitable, maybe with GWR work's plates and brake gear modified accordingly? Doing both would be a nuisance on a larger volume of wagons, but might be palatable for a handful.

Hopefully not clear. Clear people would be very disturbing.

The Forex shows decent results, but I'd imagine it would be rather dear. Have you considered taking a sanding block with some 400-grit to the DAS after it cures? One or two passes should bring down the rounded profile, but I have no recent experience with clay.

Most of the week was working on a new project. I have decided to enter a new contest. The group I am with, Gunpla Builders of Chicago, is doing a coopted contest with a regional group. The theme for the build is Gundam Build Fighters. That theme was described as just custom work. So, I'm going a little wild. This is what I have so far; No paint as of yet. These Gundam kits come molded in color, and are normally snap-fit. This build uses parts from Gundam Vidal, a LaGowe, and a Tiren ground type. I was intending to have a top-heavy look, but I appear to have underestimated the size of the LaGowe chest. I may try bulking it out a bit. I plan on picking up some Milliput tomorrow. I think a hump on the back, using a kit part as a former for some Miliput. There are also meant to be intake grilles on the chest. I may use them as intended, or I may try with a different idea. I have also been repairing my centaur for Dungeons and Dragons. I replaced the white metal axe haft, fitted originally with butt-joints, with a rod-and-tube haft. The rod, brass, runs the entire length of the tube, copper, through the hand and into the axehead. I also used some rod to pin his top to his bottom. Torso to neck, as it were. Filling and another coat of primer will come next here. I want to figure out more on the kitbash, first.

Epoxy the sleepers, and call it clean.

No, the green on the Beetle is two coats of Boyd Lime Pearl over a mostly stripped coat of One Coat Emerald green, both from Testors out of spray-cans. The Mini Lego was an unplanned $50 I didn't need to spend, but I couldn't pass it up.

Sorry I've been quiet. Just haven't taken time to write here. Firstly, I finished the two cars I've been dragging out. The Volkswagen; Paint did not come out perfect, but still. This has been sitting half-built in my backlog for over a decade now. Lack-luster paint was less important than finishing the build. Next, the Alpine-Renault; Paint is markedly better, but the decals tweaked on me. I've had bad luck repeatedly with Tamiya waterslides. I'll still use them, though. I don't really want to spend more money on these kits. Number three here is kind of a bonus; The car in the back is a Tamiya Mini Cooper I built a number of years ago. I saw how the Lego one was marked, and I just had to grab it. I'll let you all guess. You might remember I entered a Gundam build contest, to build a Leo. Well, this; ...won me second place! Not the picture, mind you. This Leo looks better in person. I lost to this; I'm OK with that. He started with the same kit I did. Where I only cribbed weapons and a gimmick piece from other kits, he kitbashed his Leo with one of the trashy Tallgeese kits from the 90's. I don't know if you in England had access to those kits, but don't feel like you missed out on much. The winner did one hell of a job making Vesuvio from blight. Kudos to him. The contest was last Sunday, but I finished the two cars and the Lego two weeks ago at least. I haven't really done much else since. Rain and a return of the chill shut down the paint shop. We'll see how things go.

Will you be laying track through the shed?

You may be able to work brick paper in fairly easily, even at this stage.

Modelling that travelling gantry would be worth the trouble in of itself.

Are these Fourdees wagons unique to them, or are they more limited releases via Peco, as with the coaches?

I am so very happy. Hatton's has the Heljan-Olivia's Trains 27001 Ariadne listed as a bargain, just under 100 GBP. Once I was through processing, I had it bought and shipped for $110. Great deal! I do need to figure out which coaches are appropriate for a Brunswick green 77, though. Any opinions? I was thinking maroon was the livery to grab? I also ordered a second-hand Lynton & Barnstaple 4-wheel open. Just adding to a small collection of narrow gauge. Might have more to post about that soon. Finally, for tonight, I also picked a used Graham-Farish Class 08. Honestly, the color didn't matter to me, as I plan to use the chassis as a donor for a kit at some point. Thankfully, it all runs. No concerns then.

Getting close to done with these two cars. Both projects are about at the same point. Glass is in, tail-lights and turn signals picked out appropriately, detail parts are being added. I did have to buy some new Clearfix, though. My old jar gelled over. Fresh bottle is much easier to work with. I'll be happy to have these two done. Both have been floating about my stash for over a decade.

I guess your projects went a little flat, but then you hopped to it!

Now we'll need to discuss what Riddles would create for a triplex.

Would you stretch the boiler for loss of smokebox? I don't know if you could move that smokebox too far forward without adversely affecting ride.