richard i

It is the light coming through the window. Too high for trees to block the sun and the blind is not 100% effective. Blind down in an effort to stop the layout being completely bleached out.But I will settle for smoke clearing after the departure of the last train Richard

I think you have done a great job with the varnishing to make the model look like a metal object painted with care. I too hold to the comment made a while back about real coal, and I would add, a dusting of black pastel powder on the smoke box which always is a flatter black, martyn welch discusses i think 19 different blacks used to produce a black engine. I would also lightly dust the ridge line of the boiler for where the soot accumilates. I do not think it would draw away from the ex works looks, but rather enhance it. There was a lnwr loco in mrj which had been done and the comment from the author was how long it took to make something look clean. Just my thoughts, it is your model and it looks good already, Richard

Little projects First the signal has received its black paint for the support, can you see the difference? I doubt it as the layout is in poor light, you will have to take my word for it. Then the milk wagon It is only resting on its chassis at the moment. It has rain strips to apply. The roof glue is drying. I tried two part epoxy which I thought would give a little movement time, ( read a lot) and it got everywhere so once it is dry I will have to clean it up. It does amaze my how quickly things can get done when things at work are quieter. I might finish the layout and stock if only I could retire or win the lottery. I was trying to go back to being disciplined and only having one thing on the go, but as I have more time today free and the roof has to dry I might start on the permenant way trolley and gubins to go by their hut on the layout. Richard

Brave to enter the profession, I am almost 20 years in. Just remember it can consume all your hours and you have to be strict about leaving yourself some modeling time....for your own sanity. Richard

Dilemma for railways, maroon does fit with your diesels if you paint them green. Blue and gray fits with very few steam classes and they should be filthy, not the image they are trying to sell to joe public. Also maroon could be Lms at a stretch so more bases covered. Richard

I would like that too, it could be after that.

That was my thought, but I would rather ask the dumb question rather than have to retro fit it once everything is complete.I am sure there are some present ones who would think the same thing. Richard

I heartily agree, a book on it would not be out of place, the detail in all the locos, carriages, wagons is just a treasure trove of information. The buildings themselves were impresive too. My regret was that i only got to see it twice before moving to the States. Is there anyone on here that can turn the hope into a reality and get it the exposure it truely deserves? I do agree John is an amazing mix of vast knowledge and incredible ability wrapped up in genuine modesty and generosity. He certainly made a profound impresion on me for the good for which i will be forever thankful. Richard

And the new project is.... I am stunned by the progress in two days, more to do with a quieter time at work than anything else. Key thing here it has no glass to fit. Though the door hinges are running that a close second. It made me realise how ingenious bill's system is for hinges and carriage formers combined. Interestingly it comes with a sheet of glazing! I genuinely cannot see where it would go. Am I missing something? Richard

You might be on to something there. I will google old nose bags and see what comes up. Now I just have the song " her name was Lola...." In my head to start the day at work. Thanks Richard

Happy birthday Tony , all the best from All of us in the States. Richard

Your graffiti writing is very neat.

I started with a list once i got erious and have stuck to it. Mostly I saw how that focus had served John Quick so well in building Brackley In fact he blew me away with how good his layout was that he converted me on the spot to pre grouping. He has a lot to answer for! My modelling has been much moe fullfilling since and it brought an almost total release from the rtr market. Richard ps i still need to build two others for that rake of 4 wheelers. I am building something without windows for my sanity in the mean time.

the white stripe? The 69 others which it goes with? Coal? Its mojo? Are we close? Richard

one day, it is on the list of things to try and scratch build. Richard

To bring two threads on here together if I may? One building your own things, and two what is the future. I offer a distant photo of my latest GCR 4 wheeled stock Forgive the distance it is because up close shots file size is too large off the iPad. Additionally ignore the fact that they were withdrawn before the directors arrived. I am going for GCR through the ages. My point, the build shows what happens as supplies contract. The carriages are Mousa Models and only available as a kit, reference material was hard to find so much labour in research had to be done to nail down even the end colour of carriages. Will this be the case for BR steam as the knowledge is no longer in people's heads and relatives through out the reference books as the achieve little in re sale value. Then to paint it. the French grey and brown are not available as railway colours. I used GWR brown brought over from a show to the USA because you can not send paint in the post, the French grey is a household paint from Home Depot , or as they say here home D po. Then the transfers are from three sources. The crests from Fox transfers, the class designations from Quanton Road models who hold the remaining old R & E ones from years ago. Then the GCR comes from a supplier in Austrailia who does small runs of obscure requested transfers. Which my brother got as he lives in Sydney. So, in short it is possible to do but you have to be determined. Will that put off new comers, yes, unless some one points them in the right direction, ( a role for clubs and RM Web here ) I certainly know coming from a family who had no interest in trains and living abroad that I was put of kit building a loco in the 1990s because the adverts said purchaser providers their own wheels and motor. In the pre Internet age I was left wondering, " from where?" It was only after Tony and WMRS pointed me in the right direction that I was able to start. John Quick gave me the key for all things GCR . And that is the importance of the ads like this in keeping the hobby going. Richard

Suddenly some progress The carriages are done! They waited for windows and transfers for ages. I needed a long period of peace to do it. Work is quieter and the wife is away for the weekend so no distractions once the kids are in bed. It is a mix of transfers, note to self do the press fix before the water slide next time. That has cleared all the on going projects. What next? Like popes and monarchs I like to work on the principle of long project short project so I might detail some rtr or build a little wagon. Choices, choices. Richard

Sorry for the idea. Personally I think you have done a great job. It make it a special engine because it is different.Richard

That looks great, I would be satisfied if my soldering was that clean in 4mm but in 2mm that is impresive.Richard

Was there not a 2 4 0 version of the terrier, or one that looked like it should have been? Richard

The bogie iif it has less movement will guide the loco into corners better than if it is loose to swing around. If my physics is correct. Richard

I use a scoring knife which has a backwards blade . I use it to do this and any pattern on plasticard like wooden planks. It was a great investment, I no longer buy lots of different specialist sheets and instead cut and score exactly what I need. Richard

Happy to help, that is what modellers are for.Richard

Have you thought of getting rid of the glazing bars entirely. Then score the back of the glass and fill the score lines with white paint and clean up. There is a window with thin glazing bars. I would need a photo of my lamp hut to show you the affect . It is really rather effective. Richard

The thread has reached 600 replies and a quarter of a century of pages. I did not expect it to get that far. Thank you to all who have offered advice and constructive criticism over the previous 25 pages. Richard