thegreenhowards

Thanks for pointing that out Darryl - a black mark for my powers of observation! I just counted the compartments and noted that each coach had seven, but I can now see the spacing on the weathered one is different. I suppose the 3rd class must have been very cramped to give extra room for First. It doesn’t seem to match any of the diagrams shown in the Longworth book but is close to the most numerous D227-1E (just a couple of small panels different) so I’ll assume that’s what it is supposed to be. I'm rather pleased as it now makes a more balanced rake. Andy

Great to see the Howldens Rob. We must find a way to get more depth of field to do them justice. I suspect that means a better camera and/or more light.

This is my next O gauge project. It is a rake of four ex GER 50’ Holden corridor coaches built in 1907-1920. They were LNER diagrams 419E and 541E and are built from D&S kits. I acquired two which are beautifully made from a friend 3 weeks ago. And then I saw two more which were reasonably priced whilst at the Ellis Clark Summer Exhibition on Saturday. I knew they were similar but it turns out they are identical, so I think it makes quite a nice rake. The rake is lacking any First Class and needs a second brake. So I may add a standard Gresley BCK which I have spare to finish it off. Some shots of the individual coaches are below. The brake third is nicely finished. …as is this TK which came in the original pair from my friend. I think this ones needs some more torpedo vents. The two Ellis Clark coaches are less well painted. This one is OK but a slightly different shade to the first two and is lacking any decals. It also needs some vents. The final ones has been weathered but I don’t like the washed out look it has given the coach brown. It also needs vents…there must have been a shortage! I’m now trying to decide how to finish the rake off. If any of the GER experts out there could help me with any of these questions, I’d be very grateful: 1. What sort of service would these have worked on in the 20’s and 30’s? In particular would they have strayed away from the ex GER patch at all? 2. If they stayed on the GER patch what would have hauled them - a D16 or B12, or maybe an N7 on outer suburban? 3. Would they have run mixed with Gresley coaches . I.e. can I use Gresley coaches to provide First Class? 4. I’m considering painting the weathered one in lined GER crimson gold to represent one yet to be re-liveried in early LNER days. Are there any good reference photos to show where the lining went? 5. Have I got too many TKs - should I sell one on to fund a composite or FK? Thanks in advance for any help. Andy

Thanks Ian, I’m glad they’re only see in small numbers as at £150 a wagon I won’t be buying many!

800 grit wet and dry very gently rubbed on, then another coat of Matt lacquer as per your first option. They’re still visible if you know they're there, but I don’t think you’d notice otherwise.

The Q is now just about finished. Thanks to Mick for the suggestion about sorting out the crinkles in my decals which worked well. They’re now very minor. The only thing I’m aware of that I need to finish her off is the cab number plate which I’ve ordered from Narrow Planet, but they’re specially etched so take a few weeks to come. In the meantime, I thought I’d show her here in case anyone spots any other things I’ve forgotten. Andy

Hi Rob, I’m getting interested in Sealions following Ellis Clark’s announcement of a 7mm version yesterday and have been going back through your excellent selection of photos. What livery do you think those wagons are in? It looks like ‘engineers’ grime’ (!) but I presume there must be a livery underneath. It doesn’t look like Dutch, so I’m assuming olive green. Does that sound right? Cheers Andy

Great video Rob. I hope you agree that the tripod was a good investment.

These mini tripods (used with the device I showed yesterday) work well for on baseboard shots. Although you can’t get quite as low as you did for today’s video. The only problem I find is that they can transmit baseboard shake if videoing trains at speed. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ailun-Compact-Compatible-s10plus-Cellphone-Black/dp/B01N6713N8/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=Tripod+for+iPhone&qid=1660721088&sr=8-5

Hi Rob, I’m loving the videos. I don’t generally bother with iMovie- just crop them and load straight onto YouTube. iMovie is however useful if you want to splice a number together and/or add captions. To keep the camera still. I use a tripod with an attachment fir mobile phones like the one below. I find this enables me to set the video off then run the train . If I want to zoom or pan, I can do this one handed while holding the controller with the other. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165303382282?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=orbf6y1lrai&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=WFrUDIDERJy&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY Regards Andy

I really like the aerial views of Tracery.

I didn’t spot that one was an RSP as I couldn’t see through the windows in the middle of the carriage I thought there was a kitchen there. But it’s obvious now you say it! I run my Norseman with an all Thompson catering core as per the 1956 MO formation. This also has a RSO/ RF included. It was an interesting train. Andy

I do now remember you told me that. What was inside the van to stop people seeing through?

Another finished vehicle today - the GCR milk van. Again I put the finished article on Wright Writes. If you want to see it please follow this link. https://www.rmweb.co.uk/topic/64295-wright-writes/?do=findComment&comment=4900137

This hot weather has meant I can’t get in the loft to do things on my OO and have put the garden railway away because the track was starting to buckle! So I have been finishing things off. Today it’s the D&S GCR milk van which I started on holiday in July and showed earlier here. I’ve just finished painting it. I had a debate about whether to paint the ends black or coach brown. mickLNER suggested black (thanks Mick) but in the end I went for coach brown because the other vehicle it will run with has brown ends. If anyone is sure this is wrong, please let me know. Painting it black is easy!

What a lovely mixed formation the Norseman was. Two Restaurant cars is a bit unusual isn’t it? Thanks for sharing. Andy

As those of you who follow Wright Writes will have seen, I have now finished the GE 6 wheeler. Rather than duplicate the photos, I attach a link to my post over there. https://www.rmweb.co.uk/topic/64295-wright-writes/?do=findComment&comment=4899321

I have just finished my latest O gauge project which is this GE six wheeler. it’s a D&S kit for a D.407 3rd Lav. This nicely fits into the the theme of budget modelling as I found the kit largely built in a rummage box at the Guildford Gauge O Group open day for £40. All I’ve done is fit some missing roof details and then paint, line and weather it. It was my first attempt at carriage lining with a bow pen and at white roof weathering using an airbrush so I’m quite pleased/ relieved at how its come out. It still needs an interior which I’m hoping my club friend, Rob, will 3D print for me. Regards Andy

I run 14 coach trains with some (admittedly not all) heavy kit built coaches. All my modern RTR Pacifics handle these OK on the level, although sometimes I need to add a little weight. The better kit built locos find it easier with less wheel slip on starting but it’s only a fairly marginal improvement. I celebrate a well made white metal or brass kit for what it is - a beautiful piece of workmanship and something different from the norm. But I don’t think it’s justified by its pulling power.

Thanks. I’m also 7mm. I am looking for something to fill these Dapol beauties. I had been thinking of some spent ballast, but the concrete sleepers are something a bit different. If I’m clever enough I might make them removable and be able to interchange between the two! Andy

I like the look of those concrete sleepers. Did you make them or are they available off the shelf? Andy

I’d say wait for the AS model. They may not do 401&423 but it’s easier enough to renumber one. That way you’re supporting a young up and coming company who are doing great things for our market. (No connection to AS other than being delighted with my Deltic).

Coming back to the subject of 3D printing, this 7mm LNER J69 was printed by a friend at the club and I built it. Being a 3D printing addict, everything was printed including the handrails. I took one look at them and thought, they’ll never stand up to a clumsy oaf like me. So I replaced the handrails with brass when I built it. However I decided to trust his coal rails rails round the bunker. Inevitably they broke on the first serious club running session with the loco! I’ve replaced them with bits of scrap etch and made sure they’re well secured them in place with bits of coal glued both to the rails and the rest of the coal. His example is still immaculate with all it’s printed parts. But it doesn’t get used because even the couplings are printed! Andy

I have gone back to your previous images of 61075 and on the RH side I noticed a cylinder on the front of the running board and a conduit along the side under the handrail which I’m not used to seeing. Are these the generator for the electric lights and this was the only one so fitted?

Yes they would. You wouldn’t expect Gilbert to run it otherwise would you?! This excellent publication gives all its workings. It was a regular on the Filey ho,I day camp train in the summer of 1959. http://www.napier-chronicles.co.uk/dp1-59.htm Andy