westernviscount

Here was the small success by the way...in my opinion. I am modifying a ratio brakevan in the Geoff Kent style and started on the handrails. Quite pleased. If I pull my finger out I could finish it by tomorrow morning and I see it has given rain so will give it a blast with the spray can....nooo!!! Stop!!!

I attempted to "notice" my thinking tonight and left my main project well alone and returned to a "stalled" project. I was more successful than I thought and immediately wanted to do more, despite being a bit tired and also starting to feel impatient (I noticed my thinking). It all sounds a bit new age but it helped. I immediately set things aside, came on here and am now going to tidy my bench. Lets see how that goes!!

Thanks Barclay. Yes, totally agree with the Halfords rattle can approach. Again, used many times previously but...i didnt have any right now!! As ever, I did fix the above situation with...halfords rattle can applied in good conditions, shaken for 2 minutes and not a second less and applied in light coats and allowed time to cure. Why dont I just do this every time!!!

My mojo is off and running at the minute. A new layout on the go, new avenues of research and new focus stock/era wise. HOWEVER, I am finding myself frustrated or disappointed with my results. The hobby is characterised often as requiring super human levels of concentration and patience. "I wouldn't have the patience to do that" etc etc. Well, it turns out in areas other than paid work I do not have a lot of patience! I frequently rush processes and attempt things with the wrong tools or under the wrong conditions or use inappropriate materials to "just get it done." This has led to disappointing and frankly terrible results. The frustrating bit is knowing the choices are not going to lead to a good result but going ahead anyway (see above) I admire and envy the modeller who can do a bit here and there and step back and let the glue dry or the paint cure or see its raining and dont go near the spray paints! When I read "let the glue harden over night" or "spray under warm, none damp conditions" I squirm!

The track bed embankment is reaching completion woodwork wise. The goods yard is truncated but should still give a feel of the real thing.

As a visitor I used to take one of these for my daughter to stand on. https://www.dunelm.com/product/addis-folding-step-stool-1000070053 I have been to exhibitions where these or similar were handed out to visitors for free. As for providing them as an exhibitor I would not even consider it as it is too risky.

Thank you @The Johnster. I think it's turned out quite nice. I have taken a bit of a knock mojo wise as when I ran it last it was horrendously loud. Smooth and slow but loud!!! Not sure I will be able to put up with it so considering next steps ay the moment. I will proceed with 1458 soon. I am going to tweak a few things this time. Lamp irons on the bunker possibly, finer pipework along the sides with better fitments (not just glue!). I am also going to use thinner brass for the steps and perhaps punch some rivets. We will see. I am looking forward to doing 1458 out in lined green. Should look smart. The layout is coming on nicely (caia road) and I am happy with the a44 coach although I trusted the diagram of the battery box layout too much!! The trip back to the early 60s continues.

I realise I haven't updated here for a while. Progress is slow but steady. Most of the woodwork was left loose in this shot but I have since screwed everything down. The mock up goods shed has really helped with visualisation. This gives a feel for the feel of the layout. I like how the goods shed will dominate the scene. An update on stock. 1432 is complete in terms of modelling a painting. Weathering next. And a diag a44 driving trailer. Cheers for now.

Here is a quick look at the accompanying coach for 1432. This is a comet kits diagram A44 BR(WR) driving trailer. Should look nicely at home on Caia Road.

Roxey do an etch you can assemble to make some nice looking, usable screw link. They supply long and short "chain" pieces and the screw piece so they can be made easier to use. https://www.roxeymouldings.co.uk/product/465/4a111-screw-link-couplings/ No connection with company. Happy customer.

I think it is time to declare 1432 finished in terms of being fully outshopped in ex-works condition. Here is how she arrived at the works. I just noticed the rear facing BR lion! As I have slowly proceeded with this model I am so impressed with the original base model. I can't imagine how revolutionary the mechanism must have been in the 70s. So a list of jobs seems appropriate. Full strip down paint wise (after a ridiculous start Handrails shaved away and replaced with wire Smoke hand rail replaced with better profile Mainly trains detailing bits. Smoke box door etc Hooks on bunker Whistle and shield by modelu Chimney and plates by 247 dev. Sprayed halfords mat black Lamp irons on front Transfers by railtec Roxey screw link. Dummy at front. New real coal crushed and added to the bunker. The smokebox door number makes me very happy. I am likely to start a new thread for weathering soon...when I am brave enough.

Intaglio is a type of etching, scribed/incised onto metal, usually by hand and usually printed from.

Advice was duly taken and a set of lovely 247 developments plates have been applied. I am particularly impressed with the smoke box numbers. Very finely etched. Now all that is left is the glazing, coal, coupling hooks and cab roof fitting and handrail, crew...oh and weathering. Since dismantling again for the chassis to be painted the running is still good but very very loud. It will never be quiet but it might benefit from some attention. 1432s partner rolling stock is coming along also... And the home layout proceeds at a relaxing pace...

Steady work here at Oswestry shed. A few jobs remain. The glazing and some coal for the cab, coupling hooks and some tidying up of some rogue paint splodge. Then finally some etched plates...oh and weathering!

Two tinkered pics for atmosphere... Up towards Marchwiel And down to Wrexham.

I have built a quick mockup to get a feel for the look of the shed. I only have access to 2 useful photos. They suggest a tall building with a lean too type canopy. The above mimics one of the photos I have access to... I am looking forward to putting this onto the layout so I can get a feel for the proportions. At this point it might be a tad narrow from front to back. I am working off the footprint being 40ft by 20ft. The ends look square so I assumed the height would be 20ft up to the gutter line.

And one more update to the stock Work has begjn on the dia. A44 auto trailer. No expert here at the brass so slowly does it at this stage. And finally the two 14s continue. The nearest will now be 1432 with topfeed and the green one will be 1458 in...green. I have had some lovely cycling lions from railtec and added then to 1432. I have also matted up the smokebox and will take a photo soon. I intend to get plates from 247 dev as reccomended elsewhere. They also supplied the lovely chimneys. No affiliation just pleased with service and product. Al the best for now.

Here is another piece of 'stock' ready for Caia Road. Dad gifted this van to me for display as at the time I was firmly modelling pre tops 1970s so wasnt intended for a layout. However... I've started adapting it, spraying it matt amd replacing the side and rear windows with clearfix to make the moderately more flush. I also set the front wheels in a turn position for more realism amd added wing mirrors. Since the photo I have dulled the tyres and now need to do some very light weathering. Onwards!

A couple of club nights has led to some progress. It took a while to work out and decide on the track bed position and which areas to create as high level. Everything except the upright supports remains loose so I assure you my carpentry is not totally appalling. The paper rectangle is the footprint of the goods shed which was 40' by 20'. There appears to be a difference in track layout from the ordnance survery from about 1920 ish and photographs in the 60s. I think, looking at this photo, I have made an error as widening of the embankment marks the line to the cattle dock which I think ought to swing out to the right at a steeper angle. I think a compromise between the early trackplan and photographs will need to be made. Looking "up" away from Wrexham, the headshunt/shunting neck on the left slew out towards the goods shed. The crossover is not positioned correctly here and should be nearer the camera on this side of the third upright which marks the position of the Salop Road bridge.

Forgive me, but I would suggest many of the respondents to these polls are thinking about their answer in terms of how they wish to be perceived. Status and the need to display personal greatness has never been more apparent and I am afraid an active interest in model railways does not fit the profile of your high flying, "lifestyle" person.

Can I ask any in the know if etch primer is ok to use on both metal and plastic please? I am moving onto my next 14xx and also it's companion, a br (w) auto trailer coutesy of wizard.

Many model a period, loco or place that they are nostalgic for, having grown up or had significant memories of. The discussion here has made me think on a few things and I realise My modelling "approach" is nostalgic in it's own right. I am trying methods and practices I admired when a child but did not have the ability to engage in. Above is an airfix 14xx I am working on. With the addition of finer handrails, a couple of white metal bits and a respray, I have managed singlehandedly to drag a late 1970s rtr model into...well, the mid to late 1980s!:-) However, this is the modelling I remember admiring at exhibitions and watching my Dad do and now I can, I also want to do it. Hence why most rtr stuff now is of no interest to me because I cant afford it (working, with young family) and I like tinkering. Is my approach superior to buying the lastest RTR? Well, yes but only to me and those who might admire my work or feel equally nostalgic for a modelling era. One extra thought to my ramble, I often wonder why I prefer to see spratt and winkle couplings to tension lock (auto uncoupling aside). They are almost as obtrusive! I think I just like to see "the artist's hand". I like to think of another human tinkering away also. There is a sense of shared values perhaps. I "register" the standards of a shiny rtr model, but I "admire" and am "motivated" by other's bespoke modelling.

Yes,but the wait has always put me off. May well give it a go though.

I am not sure yet hayfield. It is being buily at a club so time on the layout is limited but will pick up after finishing the track bed. I would be disappointed if I hadn't started to tackle the track by July. It will only be copperclad in construction btw. here is some previous work.