westernviscount

I think the overhead warnings put them in the post privatisation period Steve.

The temporary wiring allowing runing up to the goods shed The Hymek testing things out. 2 nice 45xx lima prairies. Both nice runners.

A couple of photos of the airfix Auto on the layout... The colour is ford rosso red sprayed from a Hycote rattle can bought from The Range. I think this looks a good match for BR Crimson.

Well the electrical Gremlins have been solved and the crossover at the Wrexham Central end up to the goods shed works! On arriving, I disconnected all the wires and yes, still everywhere was shorted. Much head scratching again. Even disconnected straight track was shorting! Dad then wanders over and says "Have you slit the copperclad at the end of the baseboard?"....um, nope!!! slitting disk, more wires and now the crossover allows a nice smooth run from the main to the sidings. Just 3 more points to finish now!! I may even take some video next time!

Yes, the bridges were in place until 1995. This site has some excellent picks of the area you refer to. https://johnmills.wales/gallery/vicarage-hill/

Thanks Paul. I think I wired too far ahead without testing!! Also, there is always a slither of copper left when you think you have slit all the timbers in the right places. Still, next session, hopefully I will sort it.

Slow progress with the ratio toad...

Meanwhile, building up the stock for Caia Road continues. The airfix autocoach is finished in terms of the detailing bits and bobs. Plenty of lovely detail underneath. The brake roddings and auto connectors are modelled but stopped short of the bogies so they can still be removed. New handrails have been made from .45mm brass rod. The airfix ones have an angle bent into them which does not appear prototypical to me. A gentle curve is used. The handrails are soldered to the steps and fit into new holes drilled into the insets either side of the door. The original holes are filled and sanded. I particularly like the lamp irons. It must be said the original airfix coach was detailed well anyway but I enjoyed adding all the gubbins. The gong has an operating rod attached using fuse wire.

The points in the yard area are beginning to take shape. Again, visually the layout is not really developing quickly but the fabric is coming together. I am jumping a bit between jobs. I am building points along the lauout and returnong to the wrexham central end to begin wiring. Seep point motors have been installed on the crossing and clack over nicelt. However, the track is completely shorted due to not isolating the copperclad properly or some dodgy wiring. Hopefully its the wiring which will be easier to troubleshoot.

I often call my approach to modelling 1980s style. This is mostly to do with the style of modelling my Dad was undertaking back then. A finer approach usinh SMP track and copperclad points. I use plastikard to build structures and I think use materials available in the 80s (including kits created later than the 80s but could have been created then). This is not a rule for me though, it is just my interest and budget allows mostly for an old fashioned approach. My love of trains and modelling them, at its childlike heights (no other worries or responsibilities) was in the 1980s and 90s and there was nothing better than a lima sprinter, class 60 class 31, 47 and a Hornby pacer.

Yes I used humbrol acrylic br blue and the result were not good. I stick to precision or railmatch enamel.

Hi Johnster. Could the Gresley also be a Thompson matchboard? Also, is there another 4 wheeler behind the siphon? I cannot tell what it is by the roof profile.

2 or 3 years ago I would have been shocked at this, and commiserating you for being so unlucky to have such a rude colleague. Fast forward 3 years and I am firmly of the opinion the rudeness you describe is the "new norm". Lots of people seem to have never dealt with other people and simply dont give a damn. It also manifests in the colleague glazing over as they prepare themselves for your bit of the conversation to conclude and it's their bit again.

A bit more progress, visably little difference but point motors are being wired up etc. We can see the line of the entry road into the goods shed which I have come to the conclusion it slewed over to the shed away from the running line. I have also been working on more stock items for the layout. I bought an as new airfix a30 auto coach and have started the detailing using the sart castings kit. So far, the steps and battery boxes are complete.

Excellent work Darius. I am always impressed by the quality of your model paint finishes. How did you finish the lowmac? Looks superb.

Cheers Steve. Now I have the airbrush I am hoping to go to town on the painting an weathering. A good amount of work to do before then of course. I laid a few more copperclad timbers tonight and some remedial work on some dodgy trackbed woodwork.

A view from the Marchwiel end back to Wrexham. A view of the overall layout with good yard nearest to us.

Onward with track laying at Caia Road. I have chosen to glue the track down and wire each eperate section to avoid the use of fishplates. I am going to make my own cosmetic fishplates using rivet detail plasticard. The crossover is mostly finished construction wise but much to do soldering all timbers and getting them working. Wagons push through rather nicely. I took some detailed shots of at Llangollen today for the eventual painting and weathering of the track.

I have done a bit of the second 14xx over the weekend. 1458 was another mainstay of the Ellesmere line in the last years. I had previously done the chimney and other details biys but the project stalled when it came to the steps. I drew the step patterns for 1432 and followed the same proceedure. The pattern is transferred to a sticker then this applied to the brass. The steps were cut from the same brass, filed at the folds and built up into shape. More hooks on the bunker filed flat from 0.8mm briss wire. The tank vents were shaped using a mini drill and chisel blade. The loco will be finished in BR lined green.

i wonder how much a sense of duty to punters is involved at exhibitions? I very much agree with what you say above. My layout is usually set up in plenty of time, faults fixed and trains running by doors open. But I confess this is mostly for reasons of pride in my work and the desire to enjoy my time playing trains. Being at an exhibition is essentially voluntary.

This is my re working of the airfix auto tank. And my favourite model from yesteryear. Fair dues, it doesnt go anymore but it was my first proper train! A birthday present from 1988 or 89.

The 517 is very nice indeed. I like the detail around the splashers. I had a quick scan of your thread and found some of your earlier shots of this project. It is a very interesting loco. My Dad gave me a gwr 0-4-2 "bookazine" from 1987ish (before the term bookazine had been invented) which has some nice shots. Your picture has perhaps inspired me to move the tool boxes on my second attempt!

Mrj 297 and 298 in Wrexham Smiffs. Beware, they both have railway bridges on the cover.

Thank you @MrWolf. The 517 class sounds like an interesting project. Have you got a thread? I have not previously modelled steam and don't have a great deal of knowledge but I have always loved gwr locos. I also love the late 20th century approach to modelling, as inspired by my Dad. I just think the modelling approach led and still leads to more contentment. Might be a bit zen but I do feel it.

I struggle with this bit. There isnt a single vehicle in my stud which I haven't almost ruined through impatience!! I must say, I agree. I also am developing a love of weathering. I used to see it as desirable, but a chore. I resisted and was very anti airbrush but now I have one...It has changed things.