Gordieb01

That is looking fantastic! same era I model as well the 1930s. Wonderful

I realise that a lot of UK modellers love the Dukedog as a prototype and it is a lovely model full of character. However despite being of such an elderly appearance the locomotive is about 2-3 years from my chosen modelling period of the early 1930s. I could of course play with time a bit, but I really wish Bachmann would investigate using the chassis of the model to develop a Bulldog. A larger number wise, longer lived class with a great selection of names. I'd certainly be in for one of those as soon as they appeared. (not putting down the Bachmann model at all).

Having completed a few more of the major components of the bridge, (not including the Wing walls), I just temporarily mocked up what the bridge will look like on the table inside. Placed my model Canal boat underneath for a bit of perspective. And yes I do realize that the smaller girders are supposed to go underneath the trackbed.. Doesn't look too bad, hopefully will look even better with a grubby canal underneath and a train passing over the top!

I've managed over the last couple of days to complete a couple more bits of the girder bridge. Two of the four brick piers and the two smaller steel girders that provide support for the track bed. I gave up on the very fiddly paper gussets that need to be folded in half (almost impossible) and made them from 2mm strips of card instead. Everything has had the edges coloured with water colour pens so there is no obvious white strips on the sides.

Here in NZ we have just gone back into lockdown for the first time since early last year so a bit of spare time for modelling. As I wanted a scene on my new 1930's layout with a double track passing over a canal, I found in my cupboards an old Prototype Models bridge kit that I thought might suit the bill. This kit can be made up as either double or single track and also either a brick arch or a girder bridge with brick abutments. I have decided to go for the latter. Starting with a smaller part of the kit, I began with the half girder that sits on the top of the bridge between to the two double track rail lines. A couple of hours work to cut out glue and complete but the 12mm long gussets that brace the side of the girder were very fiddly to cut out fold in half and glue! Looking forward to the larger parts on the build I must say.

I think this is a great prototype from Sonic and Rails of Sheffield. I don't model GCR or LNER myself (I'm GWR/LMS Western Division) but basically I'm all for any pre-grouping or Big Four era loco's that haven't yet been produced. I also like the large Tank Engines. How about one of the Whitelegg, Glasgow and South Western Baltics someone? https://www.pinterest.nz/pin/578079302158162406/

Despite modelling the mid 1930s era, I've felt for some time that some of my locomotives (particularly those used on goods trains), needed some weathering or toning down. Even in this period pre-war not everything was kept sparkling clean. I've previously used some guidance from the Wild Swan book by Iain Rice, "Whitemetal Locomotives" to brush paint smokeboxes, cab roofs, footplates etc using a mixture of paints and shades. However I've always been a bit nervous to break out my airbrush to weather the actual bodywork of the loco. I decided it was time to take this step and have used guidance from the Martyn Welch book "The Art of Weathering". My chosen subject for this experiment a Bachmann 56xx loco in British Railways livery no. 5601 which I'd purchased second hand some time back. 1. My first step was to carefully remove the B.R emblems and cut away the smokebox number plate. I then brush painted the tank sides with Humbrol HR 104 Green. 2. After this was properly dry I used HMRS transfers to put "Great Western" on the side tanks and smaller numbers for "5601" on the front and rear buffer beams. 3. I then followed Iain Rice's guidance to paint the smokebox and saddle a mixture of matt black, silver and red oxide mixed up. The footplate was changed from shiny black to a HR 145 dirty black, grey and track colour mixture. The cab roof was given a similar shade to the footplate with a bit more silver and gunmetal. Up to here I'd to some extent done all this, but now it was the main GW Green body colour I wished to tone down and make look like a working locomotive. 4. Following Martyn Welch's weathering instructions I mixed up a combination of "Gunmetal", "matt black", (In lieu of Tarmac), a bit of grey and HR 62 "Leather", thinned down by about 20-30%. After a couple of practice sprays across a piece of scrap plasticard I lightly sprayed along the side of the loco from about 20 cm. I then did the top of the loco, the rear and the front. I wasn't wanting a filthy locomotive I wanted an engine that had seen some cleaning but was clearly being used, a halfway between out of the shops and completely covered in muck. When the paint was almost dry I took a cotton bud dipped in white in thinners and lightly (using a vertical motion) washed of some of the overspray. 5. The last step was to add real coal to the bunker. Here are some of photos of the result. (A cloudy cold day here in Christchurch NZ, so hard to get good lighting). As a comparison my untouched 45xx loco is placed along side. I am reasonably satisfied with a first attempt but will get better with practice. A 8750 pannier next for the treatment.

As a follower of early 1930s period LMS and GW prototypes I am so pleased Rails of Sheffield, Locomotion and Bachmann, have come out with the Precendent. I'll certainly be saving for a LMS Black version. In my opinion the North Western had some of the most attractive coaches of all the Pre grouping companies so perhaps one day we'll see something to go behind them besides the Ratio's and London Road Model's kits. The Midland 2-4-0 wold be a great follow up by Locomotion. They haven't found a George the Fifth or Claughton at the back of the shed in the NRM yet have they?

Amazing layout and the A4 looks fabulous. Weren't that common a sight at Bath Green Park though were they?

Far more interesting prototype of crane than the Bachmann Ransomes and Rapier version for me. Especially with regard to my modelling era 1930's and the more manageable size of the 15 tonne crane.

LNWR Prince of Wales 4-6-0 would be lovely, (or a 19" Goods). Well I can live in hope can't I....

I would been in for a Southern liveried K Class, lovely locomotives and quite long lived until their sudden withdrawel in 1962.

Thanks for that I wasn't aware of the differences in the Hornby version. As another poster has said I'll need to go for the Blue box versions if they are more accurate to the originals

The Peppercorn A1 class locomotives are one of my favourite classes of locomotive ever. However it irritates me greatly that Hornby whenever they bring out a new version of this loco seem to be obsessed with calling it "Tornado" after the new build. The original 49 locomotives had some wonderful and evocative names, eg; Flamboyant, St Mungo , Madge Wildfire etc. What the hell is wrong with commemorating some of the original locomotives. Good to see the Standard class 2, but Hornby need to concentrate less on Express passenger and more on the common smaller locomotives from the steam era.

Thank you Sandra, appreciate the reply. I was tending towards that answer that the wheels would have been black at that stage. I'll more than likely use the "Great Western" rather than the monogram. regards Gordon

Strange question, but I'm currently painting a very nicely built South Eastern Finecast kit of a Metro Tank. I am looking at 1934 or 35 as the era. I have several good photos both prototype and models but am still trying to work out would the wheels in this period have been black or GWR green? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I got a message that mine had been dispatched by Model Railways Direct today, might take a couple of days to arrive though, I do live in NZ

I've had a H2 in Southern livery on order from Model Railways Direct for several months now. A bit disappointing another week has gone by and still no sign of this model arriving from China considering the BR version has been and gone for several weeks. What is the hold up? I presume Hattons and Rails of Sheffield etc are still waiting for this model also?

"Looks like quite an amalgamation of stock on this Brighton - Cardiff train https://mikemorant.s...s-S/i-XTP2qVh/A" This is why I like to model the 1930s or 40's period, the variety of rolling stock on passenger trains both Southern and GWR made them look much more interesting in my humble opinion. At least in comparison with a rake of bland Mk 1's or even a similar rake of Bullied or Gresley Stock. Sure some of the main expresses with the latest rolling stock were quite uniform but secondary trains had all sorts of carriages and vans from different eras.

That is really lovely.

Excellent review Graham, thank you. Looking forward to receiving mine from Model Railways Direct all the way to here in Christchurch NZ shortly.

LBSCR K class 2-6-0 please....(yes I know this isn't really a wish list thread but everyone else is doing it..)

Thanks for all your comments and suggestions guys, If I go for a Hornby/airfix model then I may have to go for a smaller item than the Keil Kraft traction engine.. Perhaps a Horse drawn vehicle...

Having just assembled a Keil Kraft kit fora Fowler Plowing engine I have been searching the internet with no luck for a suitable 4mm wagon to mount it on. Preferably a GWR or LMS type such as a Loriet or Hydra type wagon in the GWR telegraphic codes. There seems to be a couple of O gauge options such as Connoisseur Models who produce a "Hydra" wagon (photo attached). However it seems that nothing is available in 4mm, firms like D&S and Falcon Brassworks may have had options in the past but no longer seem to be available. Can anyone suggest an available kit in this scale? To me it seems that the RTR manufacturers are missing a great option for this type of wagon to carry all sorts of interesting loads. However it seems they are largely interested in only the modern scene for wagons and only pay lipservice to pre 1950s types, mainly different types of planked opens and a few livestock wagons.. (my modelling period is the mid 1930s). It would be great to see a few of the other interesting wagons from this period as well eg, Corals for carrying plate glass and a whole lot of other specialised load wagons.

Absolutely much rather see an earlier pre 1923 Pannier than one of the later versions like the 94xx, especially if there was a Saddle Tank version! Of course Bachmann and Hornby aren't terribly interested in anything that didn't run into the post 48 era..