380John

Koala is definitely a good choice Bob, great vantage point for watching 3801 come past too! All the best, John

Hi guys, Thank you all very much for your suggestions. Just goes to show that even in this day in age, you can read the magazines, leaflets, watch YouTube videos etc etc and still be caught out with something you didn't expect or hadn't seen before. I'll try a repair, however reliable running is a must and if its not quite right I think it will have to be replaced. Many thanks for your ideas, I'll have a go at some of the suggested methods. Many thanks, John

I was a fan in my childhood.... Went to sea for the first time as a cadet for a few months and never watched neighbours again! I'd love to go to oz sometime however. My lone motive being to go and see 3801 (avatar picture) beautiful locomotive. John

Hi guys, I have just laid a brand new turnout. However stock immediately derailed crossing it. On inspection I found one of the rails out of alignment by about 1mm and this is the cause of the said derailment. I laid it as carefully as I could and will be amazed if I have damaged the rail. However I'm not saying it wasn't me, just wondered if anybody else has had this issue? As the chairs are still attached to the rail. In addition does anyone have any suggestions on how to rectify, as I don't have another and will have to wait weeks for a replacement. Many thanks, John

Anybody else get a coronation street vibe from that second picture? All jokes aside its looking great Bob. Your perseverance with the platform slabs has definitely paid off. John

I've also see Sankey scenics do a signs product with them on. Not as good as an etch but would do the job.

Really making good progress there Bob. The last lot of photos really give a sense of character of the place. I may have missed it in the past, but what plans do you have for the back scenes? Many thanks John

Fantastic Bob! Only a few weeds if any I think. Platforms and their surroundings were immaculate back then weren't they? Although a small representation I think would add to the realism, as I imagine a warm summer might have made it difficult to keep on top of the odd weed! John

So sorry to hear this Wendy. Never knew or met Peter but his layouts were so impressive and provided so much interest. This project he was working on was fantastic and I'm sorry he won't see it completed. After a troubled year I wish you all the very best and hope Peter is now resting in peace. All the very best, John

Absolutely beautiful. Very well done. I wish I could model like this! Fantastic tones and colour. Very life like. John

Reminds me of the events of the 1945 Ruabon to Barmouth accident at Sun Bank Halt. Thoughts with the passengers, crew and their families. John

In the same vain as a weathering powder I wonder if you painted it again it might look too "fresh" bob. The rest of the surface looks great. So based on that have you looked up methods using artists chalks and pastels? I think for individual stones that may help you tone them down without affecting the rest? Just an idea? John

Barmouth Junction for me

I think it looks pretty good. I'd be tempted to try mixing a suitable colour then apply it with a sponge to get an even tone and one that resembles the texture of the prototype. Personally I'd then use powders to pick out individual areas. John

Hi Bob, I think it will look good. What about a suitable grade sandpaper coloured and weathered? That might do the trick and much easier to do a dummy run and see if you like it or not? John

Hi Bob just an idea. What if you were to cover the top in a thin layer of modelling clay. Perhaps then with the slab stones you've made you could make a "stamp" for want of a better term. That way it would just be a case of stamping the stone pattern across the surface and when dry you'd have a nice relief pattern? Just another way I guess. That'd save you making hundreds of small flag stones and just one stamp piece. You could make it as irregular or uniform as you wanted then. As I say, just an idea. Good luck with it! John

That's just the one I was thinking of Bob. Can't imagine it would be too difficult to achieve. Thanks for the advice on the platforms. All the best, John

Well worth the extra effort in my opinion Gilbert. Yes, parts may well be out of focus but there is a lovely warmth to the colours and tone but remaining natural. On dreary days like today the sheltered platforms show all their worth in such a warm photograph. John

Mostly grey with the odd patch of blue and white with a dark patch slightly obscuring the orange bit near the top..... Sounds about right for Wales! John

Looks good that Bob, if you were to have a long enough canopy on the platform, you could have the signal on a bracket a little bit like the one at llangollen Station if you are aware of that one? If possible could you tell me your construction methods for your platforms please? Hope you're well John

The best looking streamlined has to the NSWGR 38 Class (the first 5) although different articles report them as "semi streamlined" beautiful locomotive equalled in its performance. 3801 has just been rebuilt and looking fabulous. Congrats on the 1000 pages Gilbert. John

Good to hear from you Bob, nice to spend some time in the garden in this weather. A garden railway in a proper sunny British summer garden sound lovely. So that's an idea worth exploring. I had a go of sketching a collett mogul at glyndyfdrwy Station a few weeks back. Wasn't bad, but yours is looking much better! Good luck with it. Take care, stay safe John

Champion Shaun, Thank you very much for the explanation. All the very best, John

Morning Shaun! Great bit of modelling (as ever). The rust effects you have achieved on the crane cab look spot on. I have tried many different methods, from salt through powders and paints to even include watercolour pencils. May I ask your technique? Stay safe, John

Hi Gilbert, That shot of the WD is fantastic. The composition seems to express the up close feeling one gets from standing next to such a beast in 1:1 scale. The locomotive "looks" as it should, large and "weighty". Something I feel many model railway photographs try to express but rarely achieve up close. You can almost here the clang of the motion as she passes. In my opinion that picture is definitely a "keeper" Hope you are keeping well. John