HAL 'O THE WYND

In the message you haven't opened I explained my erratic behaviour health-wise. I've been very ill since late last year.

A couple of weeks ago I was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease . It's incurable. One-third die within a year of diagnosis, half within two years. I can't talk, can't swallow, can't walk. You can imagine being Joan's Prime Carer (for her MS) is a bit of a challenge.

By all means delete this post. Don't PM me - I won't open it.

Anthony (Tony to my friends)

How the hell did I miss this thread!

 

Excellent work. I particularly like the way you allow different eras.

 

BTW, 'haven't read it and am unlikely do so time wise, but the images are ace!

 

Tony.

L8r Having read some of the captions I realise they're you mates. Never mind. Nice to see the new loco in that scenery.

How the hell did I miss this thread!

Excellent work. I particularly like the way you allow different eras.

BTW, 'haven't read it and am unlikely do so time wise, but the images are ace!

Tony.

An excellent update!

I really admire your subtle loco-weathering. I've been using Humbrol Tank Grey 67 as a basis, but I've much to learn. I did start weathering some Hornby Fish Vans lately,and they aren't looking too bad - better than the glowing out-the-box white, anyway. But I really need to get to grips with my Pacifics. Your's are fine examples.

Regards,

Tony.

So time for something special. Thanks to Christopher and Dan. The excited chap at the beginning is Nathan, spot the packet of digestives, don't know where they disappeared to.

 

 

 

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bg2sIEzQJQA"frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

-"English Trains!"

That was a brilliant video, Shaun! I'll be watching that quite a few times. Her Ladyship is upon her Early Morning Throne - 01:13 - so that makes a delightful resting place as I wait. Seeing all of your work at different angles was excellent. Only small complaint- whilst going through the village, etc; the lighting wasn't as good as it deserves. Time to start working on a pelmet, I think.

Wonderful. Thanks,

Tony.

I've had the same mat(?) for a while - purchased cheaply second-hand but good as new. I'm keeping it till my five-year-old grandson is a bit older. Looking forward to it!

Tony.

This early morning Leafbuster,takes a break in DP Sidings.

 

http://youtu.be/lfINQqaYh9Y

Very realistic,but I think you've overdone the weathering.

Tony.

Sorry Tony,

I didn't make it very clear, but I meant that I have no choice but to weather as I've chosen the fifties to mid sixties as an era. Of course, any models you really love in pristine condition, could easily have just been out shopped after major work!

I seem to be joining you on the sleep front at the moment, but at least it gives me time to look into excellent threads like this one of Brian's!!

Kind regards,

Jock.

To be honest, Jock, in the long term I have no choice either. In the 60's+ era I'm trying to model, virtually all steam locos were absolutely filthy. So there we go.

You certainly have my sympathy sleep-wise. My latest petty malady is described as "restless limb syndrome." Essentially, it's a combination of numbness, pins'n needles, and jumping nerves! LOL 

(Sorry for the ageing whining, Brian ;-)

Tony.

Hi Tony,

I've not weathered any of my locos but I have purchased some already "factory" weathered.  Quite frankly I'm scared of messing them up!  It's probably a psychological block I have.  If I were to do so though, as Jock has suggested, there are some masters on here to learn from.  Thinking about it, I'd probably start with a diesel though.

Regards,

Brian

Thanks Brian,

I think we're in a similar boat. As I said, old stuff is good for practice - even buy a non-working loco on the cheap from somewhere - then you can try and fix it, too - all down to experience .I agree about the diesels. I'm busy with mine at the moment. Diesels can look very toy like out of the box. Andy's as good as it gets in this department. I'll certainly check him out - and Baz, who I'm not familiar with but is very recommended.

Regards,

Tony.

I'm ashamed to say it's a while since I popped by. As ever, I move on with my jaw riveted firmly to my chest. Interestingly, it is the ticket-inspection booths that really did it for me this time. I've a figure between finger and thumb, and I ponder the tiny excellence of his possible home...

Hell's teeth! - an on-running degree of quality not found elsewhere - and I choose my words carefully.

Regards,

Tony. 

Tony,

I'm sure AndyP or Baz(BarryO) on ERs would be happy to advise you on the subject of weathering. AndyP has a link under his signature to his weathering site, and both he and Baz (who makes a living from weathering models for others) have produced superb examples of the art over the years. I would have to use fairly heavy weathering to represent the condition of most of the locos at Hurlford in the fifties/early sixties. There were exceptions in the couple of shed 'pets' - I recall a 2P and a Crab being thus treated, but most of the 'Standards' were in pretty shabby condition. A 'pet' style loco requires special weathering treatment as I can remember the boilers, cabs, tenders all being treated with oil soaked rags, so nice and shiny, but the smoke box and firebox sides looking like they had a dusty matt finish presumably caused by the heat. I would be interested to read the comments of Andy and Baz if you decide to talk to them on the subject.

I hope Joan and you manage to have a reasonable night tonight, I'm now going to try to sleep if my innards will allow me,

Kind regards,

Jock.

PS, Sorry to hi-jack your thread Brian!

Hi Jock,

Oddly,my badly phrased question wasn't about the skills of weathering - although I've much to learn. I weathered the J52 that appears in my videos, way back in the seventies. I'm currently practising on two Bachmann split chassis B1s which really need working on, given the the bright connecting-rods, etc. No, the paradox is - I don't know if I really want to! LOL They are so beautiful as models. That's the paradox.

I hope you did grab some sleep, Jock. I'm afraid the word has become a memory for Joan and I.We get a couple of hours at a time if we're lucky. One reason for my posting irrationality. ;-) lol

Kind Regards,

Tony.

Brian - a question I'm struggling with myself- what is your view on weathering steam locos? 

I've two Hornby B1s and two Hornby K1s. They are exquisite, perfect performers, expertly detailed, and I'm scared stiff of weathering them! I mention them because, although they are lined, I see them as black, working engines,particularly the K1s. I don't have an issue with diesels, I need them weathered. It's all a bit of a paradox.

Your views?

Regards,Tony.

Looking very good!

It is an advantage for those of us who create *Fantasy* layouts - as I describe mine - or Freelance, whatever, that we are able to run perfectly legitimate locos as "Specials" as we desire them. Those who insist on prototypically perfect sites and running, seem to forget that personal creativity is a vital aspect of the hobby. I sometimes tire of their elite superiority.

Everything's coming on very well.

Regards, Tony.

I should apologise again for the harvest of "likes", etc. Better pull my horns in.

But seriously, I've a great love for blackened stonework. In my neck of the woods - Tynemouth, Newcastle Central being my central -such stonework was everywhere. In fact Heaton Junction - with it's brick retaining wall - was a north Tyne exception. So, again, it's my flavour. Looking at my own, by comparison, toy train-set, it's time I quit the easy mock-ups and got down to some disciplined creation.

Thanks for the inspiration.

Tony.

Hi folks,

 

So I've finally made a start on my layout located in a spare room (I have a very understanding partner!) and i'm quite pleased with my progress so far. This is my first real layout after returning to the hobby since being a young teenager. I decided on a theme, and built an engine shed as a starting project before moving into my recently purchased house:

 

Ext1.JPG

 

Int1.JPG

 

The layout is a secondary mainline urban terminus in a fictitious West Riding location, think Bradford area with LNWR and GNR origins, set during the mid 1950's. The layout is OO gauge, and the trackplan is as follows;

 

Plan1.JPG

 

There are three passenger platform faces, and a parcels platform (the shortest, which will be without a catch point) and also acts as a headshunt for an off-scene goods yard. There are two sidings for coaching stock at the top of the plan. The back-drop of the layout will be the backs of commercial buildings and factories above quite large retaining walls; the station and MPD located in a cutting.

 

I can't decide on a name! Haigmoor, Bramley, Crossley, Garsford, Garsfield, Drewton, Horton... Which sounds most appropriately West Riding?! Help please!

 

As for the actual build; I decided on making 'T' sections out of 2" x 1" timber, pinned and glued for strength and rigidity, and 9mm ply for the tops;

 

BB1.JPG

 

BB2.JPG

 

I'm certainly no joiner but it is all level and a little over-engineered so it won't collapse! I have covered the entire baseboard with 3mm cork as i am using wire-in-tube in conjunction with SPDT switches for polarity changing on pointwork. The trackwork and points are all Peco code 75, but I will be spacing the sleepers out as I think it really does improve the overall look. I'm not quite ready to build track and point-work yet.

 

I have installed the point control in the small fiddle yard area and tested it, and it thankfully works well. The layout is DCC, something which I had read an awful lot about but until very recently had not used. I purchased a NCE Powercab and have one loco with a decoder to play with, a lovely Fairburn tank from the late and great Dave Shakespeare. The area works well as I have just connected the track droppers and frogs and finally got something running! I located the fiddle yard switches into a small plate which I milled out and screwed into a cutout in the fiddle yard baseboard;

 

Fiddle yard early on:

 

FY1.JPG

 

Fiddle yard points:

 

Points1.JPG

 

Points2.JPG

 

Another topic I had read a great deal about and have recently experimented with is the use of Kadee couplers. I will never use tension locks again! It is a common theme but why can't Hornby or Bachmann get their NEM pockets consistent!? I will be spending some time re-adjusting stock coupling heights;

 

Kadee1.JPG

 

Kadee2.JPG

 

The Bachmann MkI's seem to require quite a bit of filing and fettling to 'free-up' the close couple mechanism- anyone had much joy with this? The NEM pocket also seems to sag, it seems a shame as they are such a quality product. Is this the case with the majority of UK manufacturers? 

 

Underside of the fiddleyard pannel;

 

BB3.JPG

 

Messy already...

BB4.JPG

 

I'm really pleased to have made a start, and just hope I can find the time outside of work and life to crack on!

 

Int1.JPG

Hi Pete,

Please forgive me for posting on your first entry before I've even had time to properly read your thread. (I only found it following your kind post on mine, minutes ago!)

But I just love industrial squalor - and you seem to be heading that way.

For the time being, just one more comment: As someone who learned draughtsmanship the hard way, when Rotring Pens were wonderfully cutting-edge, one of my favourite books is Jack Nelson's LNWR Portrayed. It's an absolute masterpiece, of drawings made the hard way, so wonderful it almost dragged me away from the ECML - just so I could try and build from his detailed works. My point is,I bet his book isn't far away from you at any time, yeah?

I'd be surprised if the book wasn't mentioned on your topic, so put me down to speedy ignorance.

I'm glad to follow. I'd be glad if my layout could develop such a flavour - given I'm modelling 60's- but I remember it all as wonderfully... squalid! LOL

Regards,

Tony

Thanks Tony. Yes Jaz is on Yotube/Google too. Pity she can't be back on here. Spoke to her last week and she introduced me to the US modellers. I dont do Facebook so not seen it. It's very kind of her saying that but there are plenty better.

 

Dave

I really dislike Facebook, the way comments are buried means it's impossible to communicate seriously in model terms. I only use it 'cos I'm so poor at texting with my dodgy digits that the PMs are handy for family and friends - I can type a lot easier - although that can hurt like hell due to carpal-tunnel thingy. Otherwise, I only go on to support Jaz. To be honest, the MR groups she's in are not so good. Having said which, she is raising them with all the work she can show that was developed on here, so that's good for her - and them.

Because I was unable to model for quite a while I took onboard the Hornby terraces you saw in that picture. This was partly stimulated by your excellent use of such products; used properly they are effective. OK, I mortar-washed mine, but that was for the squalid, industrial pollution of the 60's. They still need a lot of work, but it's enjoyable.

I'm becoming more and more "diesel" - seeing even the best of steam running with no exhaust is getting to me, probably 'cos sound makes it worse - the exhaust is even more lacking. I've four sound/steam locos and I'm thinking of getting rid.  Are you familiar with Shenston Road? It's one of my RMweb favourites, although - green and blue diesel - it's a bit early for you.

Regards,

Tony

EDIT: I've just been checking out your YouTube channel in total - mine must seem pathetic to you! Still, everyone has to start somewhere.

I've got a tripod for my Nikon...

In my frivolity I forgot to mention how much I enjoyed the video!

I think I'll have to get wor lass to get me a 20 for Christmas. My 03 is an excellent mover but is a bit light for shunting long trains, and the J94 (very powerful for its size!) is a tea-kettle. They did have 20's at Blyth so I've some excuse. (Well, at least one) Having said which, my two sound-25's are brilliant shunters. And my single sound-37 is beyond excellent - and did shunt the yard at Heaton.... Decisions, Decisions...

Tony.

 

 

Hi Guys.

The bulbs I use are becoming very difficult to obtain. What it involves is drilling out the plastic/white metal lamps to accommodate them.

If anything I'm taking a leaf out of Als book and converting to LEDs!

The fiber optic idea is great!  I tried it years ago and found that a 45% joint where the lamp is located helps channel the light!

 

Good luck with getting those LMS ground signals to work Al. I tried it with two LNER ones and ended scratch building!

Then again you're considerably more dexterous and accomplished than myself, so I look forward to seeing how you get on. 

 

Shaun AKA squatch!

Oops!

BTW. When I said "they might not be as fine as, etc" I was talking of the different constructional materials, not the quality of the build. (blush smiley)

Anyway, just as well you picked up on it, Shaun.

Memo to self, when you don't know what you are talking about shut it! lol

Tony.

 

 

This could be the last time that the front face will be seen in detail, as it will be facing the offices at the front of the concourse

 

 

Hello, Ron,

For me this phrase sums up your modelling excellence. So many of us would have made the decision, "it'll never be seen so I'll not bother with the detail." You, obviously, gain satisfaction from knowing it is there.

I gain satisfaction from your example. I'll never come even remotely close, but... 

Kind Regards,

Tony.

 

 

Once I've done that, here's the next couple of projects:

 

twin-signal007.jpg

 

I've got some fibre-optic on order for the ground signals, as there isn't room for the LEDs.

 

That should keep me quiet for a bit.

 

Thanks for looking,

 

Al.

Hi again,

You might already be familiar with it, but Shaun aka Sasquatch does an interesting blog on working ground signals and he uses bulbs.

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/1263/entry-13366-working-ground-signals/

They might not be as fine as the pieces you have but here might be something useful there,

Tony.

a  struggling pair of 20s, both with the same running number, for now.

 

also, a wobbly ipad, can you get a tripod for one ?

 

 

http://youtu.be/UU9ufiEVAZg

I've got a tripod for my Nikon...

- Incredible work!

You might well be aware, but Jaz is plugging your layout as the "best anywhere" on Facebook - particularly the maintenance piece.

(Gawd I miss her!)

Tony.

Hi Brian,

Please forgive my ill manners for so late a call.

Your progress as absolutely excellent! As it happens, I am a huge Scalescenes fan, although - up till now - this has been limited to brick retaining-wall material, plus tarmac and concrete papers, plus the incomplete garage that's visible in one of the videos. I will be using the new factories complex, plus warehouses and modern flats. I built a section of the latter as a trial, but I need to modify it to suit my local needs. Three blocks must rise behind the terraces near "Scotsward Bridge" (still just a mock-up at present).

But enough of me! I particularly like the new track plan and the station building is looking very good in front of that back-scene. I really admire your methodical approach - I must learn from that.

And now her Ladyship awaits her dinner.

Regards,

Tony.

Hi Al,

Just playing catch-up after being off the scene for a few months. How I envy your excellent progress... - but the signals? - gob firmly smacked!

Regards,

Tony.

Interesting Snofi, I will ask Richard,when I we get to go for a couple of ♨️Ciggies @Warley in 3 weeks time.

I do have also,a version 1 clean iPad,that I was going to let the g/children use as a controller , linked to the ECoS.

I gave up smoking for  four years after smoking for forty-four - I swore I'd never start again! Then Joan was in North Tyneside General for nine weeks after breaking her hip... Rattling round the house, sick with worry, I started again. Idiot! Still smoking now - double-idiot! LOL 

Regards, Tony.

PS: It can help to weather layout, locos, etc, but that takes a decade or two to be effective.