88C

MJT do etched brass generic NEM coupling pockets, I have used them on some Comet bogies. Look on the www.dartcastings.co.uk website. They need a bit of planning to fit them but if you can do that coach you will find a way. Brian

An update on the toplight. Well, it has found a new home in Switzerland. As you know, I have recently spent some time working on models, some started, which I rescued from my late cousin's house in Bedford. Chris Foren was a member of the 'Brains Trust' and one of the other members saw my posts and contacted me to say that Chris was supposed to be building the coach for Flavio, @iL Dottore, and would I be prepared to finish it for him, to which I agreed. I was unable to attend the latest meeting myself but the coach was delivered to Flavio at the meeting much to his surprise. He did mention this on Early Risers. Not a lot of modelling done recently, my wife has been in hospital and is now recovering so I can now get back to the C66 coaches, the missing parts have been ordered and have arrived from Wizard. I will report soon on the solution to the chassis problem. Brian

Correction, I posted the build on another thread, long since disused and the photos have gone so I'll post another of the finished D class. Brian

Rob, I really enjoy looking at your South Wales locos and this D class really got me interested. With my Grandparents living in Barry and overlooking the railway my interest in Great Western and the Barry Railway was, I suppose, natural. Anyway back to your model, it is only the 3rd 00 model that I know about, the first was built by Dr Charles Donovan which I saw in about 1990 and his models inspired me to model the Barry Railway. The second is my own scratch built model, details are somewhere on my Llanforen thread, this completed models of each Barry class of locos. Finally there is your superb effort, well done. Brian

Thanks @Neal Ball, I have no intention of cutting the underframe in the middle. When I have put the body together I will be able to see if the cut lines are suitable but I suspect they will be too long. The instructions do say that it is for 57’ and 60’ coaches, not 55’ I don’t have any reference material, there is nothing in Russell’s book, I don’t have the appendix books, so basically I’m just working with what I have. The main purpose of building these coaches is to replace the old Airfix B set which is running on the layout and just to enjoy the modelling. To be honest if I hadn’t acquired them I probably wouldn’t bother. Although RTR stuff has it’s place it is very satisfying to run models that you have built yourself. Thanks for your interest, it is what makes RMWeb so good. Brian

Thanks for the replies. I have a chance to study the problem a bit more carefully and, hopefully, I know how to proceed. First of all, looking at the Wizard website again I find that the UW3 underframe is the shortest available so I will have to go with what I have. Helpfully the instructions state 39’ 9” bogie centres so a new hole will be needed, initial calculations say that means 3.5mm in from the inner most etched ones. I will double check before committing myself! In other progress, I have drilled the holes for door handles and if I get chance tomorrow I will solder up the sides and ends which should let me work out how much to shorten the chassis. That’s it for now. Brian

Thanks Neal, the UW3 are the ones I have, there is a shorter version but still not as short as 55ft. I think some careful modifications will be necessary. Brian

Well after the toplight what to do next? Looking through the stock I rescued from ChrisF’s house I found 1 and half Comet C66/75 coach kits, so many of the kit parts were not kept together. Anyway I inspired by @Neal Ball’s blog I decided to make a start, one pair of bogies assembled and then I looked at an underframe. The C66 coaches are short and the recommended underframe doesn’t make any allowance for this. There is a shorter frame, but still not for 55ft. I will contact Wizard next week, I need to order some bits anyway, and see what Andrew suggests. I’m sure I will be able to solve the problem but it’s more work than I was expecting. Anyone out there with suggestions please feel free to chip in. Brian

Aren’t they a bit low for an exhibition layout? Brian

If I remember correctly our club layouts use thin piano wire threaded through pre drilled posts, not something that I was involved in. As for my own layout I have used Peco flexible, there was loads of it on the abandoned loft layout so a shame to waste it. I agree that post and wire is more authentic but hey ho. Brian

The toplight is now complete. It is the first time that I have used this type of corridor connectors, I found these in the lucky dip box of coach parts, they are from A1 Models. They are easy enough to assemble and the only slight problem, if it really is, is that if they are next to a coach with normal RTR type connections there is a bit of fouling and can cause a derailment, this would not be a problem if the adjacent coach has end boards. Will have to start thinking about the next project. Brian

Progress on the toplight has been slow, my wife has been under the weather recently but hopefully an operation has sorted the problem, glad to say that she is recovering steadily. I have been able to do some work when I have been able to concentrate and I'm happy to say the end is in sight. Painting complete so now the final assembly. These kits are well known for having wavy sides making the roof difficult to fit, not a perfect fit anyway. Sorry for the poor photo. After experimenting with fitting the roof I glued on one pair of plastic strips under the roof in line with the doors. A test proved that this was strong enough to push the sides out so I went ahead and put some more pegs in line with all of the doors. With a bit of persuasion the roof slotted into place. Since being satisfied that the roof would fit I have glazed the coach, some glue did seep onto some windows and mainly most if it wiped off with water, I used Glue 'n' Glaze for the first time. No photo yet but the coach has been assembled only the door furniture and corridor connections to fit plus a bit of paint to touch up. Reasonably satisfied with the build, it is not a showpiece model, however it will look good in a train. Brian

Some days things don’t quite work as well as you hoped. You will get it sorted. Brian

Missed it, good job it is repeated on Saturday at 7:55. Brian

And we do this for fun. Brian

OK, a belated entry to @Neal Ball's Castle week. At the back 5082 Swordfish, I remember seeing this loco at Barry Island and was surprised to see a photo in John Hodges book of the loco standing in the same spot on 6th August 1961, was this the same day I remember? A recent Hornby model. In the middle, 4080 Powderham Castle, for some reason I saw this loco, looking very clean, standing on the Vale of Glamorgan cutting in front of my Grandparents' house, can't remember the date. This is an Airfix model detailed with a Crownline kit and repainted, it now runs on a Hornby chassis, a massive improvement on the tender drive. At the front, 5007 Rougemont Castle, a recent Hornby offering. No particular reason for choosing this name other than I had seen it somewhere and my son went to Exeter University. Surprising how many people don't notice this when it appears on our club layout at shows. At the time I did this, there was a strong group of LMS modellers at the club and my reason for doing this is because after trials with 5000 Launceston Castle the LMS asked if the GWR would build some for them, this of course didn't happen but this is my take on what it might have looked like. An unused number and named Elizabethan Castle after the club. Hornby Dublo of course. Brian

No pictures this time so just to keep you up to date with progress. I have just finished spraying the coach body and when that has had chance to dry I will brush paint the underframe and ends then it will be time to put it all together. Most of the last couple of weeks any spare time has been spent being involved with the club exhibition, I don’t get to play as somehow I have acquired the job of sorting club sales. Anyway, an enjoyable and successful weekend. If I get chance I will have to make a late contribution to Castle week, nothing wrong with making it Castle fortnight. Brian

Yes

Phil, I posted how I renamed a Castle on page 45 of the new castles arriving thread, it may be of some help.(Sorry, couldn’t sort out how to do the link). Brian

Thanks for posting the video Richard, I did try to do a like as well but that didn’t work. Just a reminder that we are open today from 10 to 4. Brian.

You’re spoiling us with all these superb photos, thanks. Hope the recovery is going well. Brian

Don't fancy making a loco from brass? Why not try cardboard. John Fownes will show you how at our show this coming weekend. By the way, the coaches are also cardboard. Brian

Only just over a week to go now so another taster of what you can see. This is Barden exhibited by Andy Bonsor who also provided the pictures. Brian.

Back to some modelling now. An update on the toplight, I have now completed the interior which I have built on a false floor. Regular checks to make sue that it fits and the partitions line up. Looking more like a coach now. There are still the corridor connections to find but about ready for the paint shop. I will fit the handles and grab rails once the painting and glazing are done and that will only leave the tricky job of fitting the roof. In other news, 1504 has arrive in good condition. It has had a brief test but it now needs running in. I can't remember where I saw the real thing, possibly Cardiff or more likely Old Oak Common, a visit via a hole in the fence by the canal. a few friends went to London on the train from Nottingham, the Nine Elms staff were happy to let us in but at Old Oak they were having none of it. Fortunately we met a local who knew the ropes. Brian

Do you really need an excuse to buy the wagons? Brian