grob1234

Hi Steve, it has been well over a year since the last video... I don't really want to rush into it... Hello Graeme. A classic case of real life getting in the way of model trains. Now I'm in the process of finishing off my new workshop I may venture out from my hiding spot!

I know it’s unbelievable how quickly time flies (pardon the pun). It seems like only yesterday we were enjoying a cold beer together on a typically hot and sultry Hong Kong evening. Fortunately, we are well, which is the most important point. I’m very glad to hear you are too. I think living in a rural environment is a massive bonus at such times. Work is an altogether different situation, but it is early days, and I’m eternally hopeful that the human race will take up international travel and that any recovery is swift. Luckily, we are quite resilient, and whatever the developments in the current situation, I’m sure we will find a way. There are so many interesting developments to discuss, and I can think of no better way of accomplishing that than to play trains, curse a little and just have fun! I now have a modelling studio of sorts, so who knows I might even fire up the soldering iron or spray booth and make some toy trains. I feel that the look of an A1/3 is almost the definitive look of a steam locomotive – if someone asks me to imagine a steam engine, the A1/3 is my go-to design – elegant and very fast. Yours will be done before mine no doubt. I intend to stop by more often and will draw inspiration from your progress!

Hello Tony, It's been a while... I've been browsing this topic for a few weeks now, and due to a lack of any model making related activity I haven't posted. However, seeing your model of Minoru, inspired me to photograph my own interpretation of this locomotive. In a similar stage of construction, mine is from DJH, and will of course be finished in Green as no 2561. I hope you and Mo are keeping well, and any nasty viruses are being kept at bay. Perhaps one day, both completed models can stand side by side on the metals of Little Bytham. All the best, Tom

It's now sailing its way from Hong Kong to the UK. I imagine it might be at the container port in HKG now. Lets hope the models make it OK! Shameless plug for the new video: https://youtu.be/sNuZ8NNBsiM

Congratulations on the awards - richly deserved. It is looking fantastic, keep up the good work.

Here's an articulated set I made, it's been seen before but still relevant I think: And one that is 'in progress':

Brilliant lining Steve.

Many thanks Steve, I'm eternally hopeful that the production rate may improve in the new year!

Thank you Michael - close but no cigar for me, my terminology is quite poor, but I am trying to improve. For anyone interested, here is the next installment of the DJH Kit Build I am filming: https://youtu.be/WePJ_RaBtj0

I hope my A1 passes some sort of muster...

DJH A1 finally together.... I'm reasonably pleased with how this has gone so far, albeit at a glacial pace...

Hi Steve how are you doing? To be honest I do think you could still create a unique model if you did just build it out of the box. There are enough options to accurately recreate any A1 or a3 that ever saw service included in the box...however there is a great deal of satisfaction when you improve something and take it beyond what is included. Next video build should be out very soon I’m just filming the final scenes - I haven’t given myself a scratch build challenge though... maybe I should lol! I have seen your work on Facebook, still very impressed what what you achieve. Hopefully with my families pending move back to the UK early next year I might be able to see your work in the flesh?

Hallo Tony. I hope the jet lag is showing sign of imporvement. Sometimes I wonder if I spend too much time faffing about. I seem to have spent ages fettling this DJH A1 boiler. But when the wash out plugs are round and should be oval, I can't really just accept it! One day I will build a kit 'out of the box', and it will be a much quicker process. Anyway, I hope it is felt that my extra efforts have been worth it: (By the way I must credit the wash out plug replacement to Steve Barnfield and his excellent account of an A1 build in MRJ52)

There was a suggestion for the roof, but it is out of production as far as I am aware. I'd previously scratch build the frames for my Coronation build, so I had no issues making the frames for this one - just a batch process really. I'm hoping the set turns out OK, I have levelled the whole rake so it should look nice I just have to find time to cast the roof detail in resin and complete the fiddly bits before I get them primed.

Hello everyone. Just a quick update on the DJH LNER A1 I am building. Eventually it will become Minoru. I have spent an awful long time on the body for this model. I sometimes wonder if I spend too much time on these things, and perhaps I should just build the kit as it comes - but I can't help myself. The body casting is in fact very nice, but I feel it can be improved upon. First of all, I removed all of the boiler band detail. IMHO it is too prominent and over scale. The boiler bands will be represented by transfers, which will give enough scale thickness. I also completely removed two unnecessary washout plugs which were located on the lower part of the firebox. Because this is an A1, I had to remove a fuse plug on either side as well. Casualties of all this removing of detail were lines of rivets, which will be replaced with archer rivets when I paint the model. For some reason, the wash out plugs are circular on this model. So, following Steve Barnfield’s advice in MRJ52, I first drilled out the centre of the plugs, then filed them flush with the body. I cut off thin slivers of 1/8th inch brass tube, and filed them to a suitable thickness. I gently crushed these ‘washers’ between pliers until oval, and filed to shape correctly. For the insides of the plugs, I soldered 0.8mm brass rod into the body, filed square at the end, then I soldered on the new plug surrounds. I think it better captures the correct look of the prototype. I added 0.5mm brass rod to the centre of each fuse plug, just to add a little detail there. Markits safety valves replace the white metal kit offerings. The large diameter pipe running along the boiler is held in place by home made pins from very thin N/S strip from the spares box. The cab assembly is practically complete, and the chassis is up and running - note that the motor is just lying in place at the moment it will be held up by a torque arm. Construction has been slowed a little by the fact I am also filming this build, but I am making good progress, and generally, bar a few errors this is a nice kit.

Hello Rich, I'm sorry it has taken me so long to reply - I must seem very rude - apologies. Truth is, I completely missed your post and have been rather busy of late. I'm afraid my answer is not very good. I bought the RDEB cheap from a friend, so that was the driving factor really. I'd imagine the Marc Models one is a more complete kit, as you probably notice I have had to scratch build the underframe for all my SJ coaches. I would very much like to see the Marc Models one being built though, so please post updates if you go down that route!

Lovely smooth running on lovely hand made track. Makes even code 55 look massive. In fact it looks like P4, so you've achieved the aim. Nice work.

Lovely work there. I'd love to see the control box in operation. I presume there are lights to show which route is selected? Way in excess of my limited 'lectrical capabilities!

Hello folks, Just a little travel vlog of my recent trip to Bluebell Railway. https://youtu.be/oysAH4OJkhI

I am sure this has appeared before, but I visited Bluebell Railway today, and was fortunate enough to be transported from East Grinstead to Sheffield Park by Wainwright's beautiful H-Class. The livery is exquisite. I have also included a shot of the boiler bands, to highlight just how thin they are. I think this topic crops up from time to time - as you can see they are probably no more than a 16th of an inch thick. I have also made a short video of my day in the lovely Sussex countryside, which I'll share later on here if there is sufficient interest. I'm afraid the pictures are from my phone so probably not the best quality.

Nice to see you doing your own 'modelling' Gavin. Seems like my mis-capitalisation of summer was worth it.... otherwise Ms Glau would never have graced the pages of Wright Writes.

I was hoping you would pick up my spelling mistake - I just wanted to check you watched the video.... Sadly I noticed it after the rendering process, and I didn't want to run it again - it takes a little while in 4K. I fully agree about the manual focus - it was a bit of a learning experience for me, as when I film my workbench the focus doesn't really change. When filming your layout relatively close up means the relative change in focus is quite large especially with the panned shots. I do like the dynamics of the panned shot - I wonder if placing the camera further away might help to even out the focus distances. I'll continue messing about, but I do think the very best shots come when the focus is locked. As for being self sufficient - we will see how good I really am - if I post results of the painted C1 on here it will have been a success, if I don't then you can find me rocking under my workbench!

Fortunately I can take no responsibility for this....

Many thanks Andrew - Sir did mention the lime wash - we knew someone would notice...

Dear Tony and Mo, Thank you so much for a wonderful day yesterday running Little Bytham. Please also pass on my most sincere thanks to Mo for being, as always, a wonderful host. We talked about feeling inspired, and what inspires us in the hobby. My visit to you yesterday has left me highly inspired - my wallet is feeling the strain. In the absence of my workbench and soldering iron, I have placed an order with Dan Pinnock for some of his lovely kits. I look forward to receiving them in due course. I was delighted that my stock (in the main) ran well on Bytham. In a way, Bytham is too forgiving - the track is perfect - but this does give locomotives the best chance of working. If they don't (the J3 stalled on a few points) then you know the fault is with the loco and adjustments can be made. Your fix of my C1 highlighted my lack of experience - you immediately knew that the pony was slightly proud, once removed I was really pleased with the pulling power of the C1. As you mentioned, we made a small video. No where near the quality of others I have seen posted here, but it was fun to make. Have a cup of tea and enjoy Bytham at its best. https://youtu.be/-2dcGFA0ik4