Tom F

Does anyone know if there has been any news on the 4 wheel Toad?

I've seen a few in the late 50's Larry, two coach workings with a Pannier. Have you got this one in your collection? I'm friends with Martin, and his book is like the bible for those modelling this part of Wales.

Apologies if you have already said Larry, but what period are you running? Bala-Blaenau Branch in the late 1950s ran mostly non corridor Brake Comps (E157 and E167). As neither were available in kit form I commissioned Worsley Works to produce both sides etched. I'm not entirely sure on the non corridor stock on the Ruabon-Barmouth line, but I'd presume it was similar. Jonathan Wealleans has built the first E157 using Worsley Works sides and comet E147 components. Below is E157 to the left and my E147 built by myself with help from Tony Wright. Jonathan brought both along to York Show as work in progress (Jonathan has painted my E147 for me). So should you need either Brake Comps Larry, they are now available.

Looking very good Larry, impressed with the work on the building. It's a good part of Wales.....but I would say that wouldn't I...

I've used Halford white primer on all my Modelu figures (4mm). Then top coated with Humbrol enamel, although these last lot I used Vallejo Acrylics. Ready to be crewed up in some Welsh Panniers.

Thank you Focus now is getting finished. Dry stone walling is next, and I'm expecting the laser cut structures at the end of the month.

Nothing on RMweb, some on my blog https://tfmodelling.wordpress.com I'm about to start scenic work.

John Roberts is a real gentleman who I feel lucky enough to call a friend. Both he and Martin Williamson have been a great help in my research for building Cwm Prysor, on the Bala-Blaenau Ffestiniog Branch. I'm hoping to take Cwm Prysor to the show next year.

The Garratt workings I may have an answer for. Back in the day, some may remember I was building an MPD shed 'Leaman Road' (yes the spelling is intentional), which was my take on York North MPD, Leeman Road. I did a fair bit of research into loco/train workings into York in the early 1950s. I believe the Garratts worked in on mineral trains (iron ore?) from the Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire area, coming up the four track mainline from Normanton. Presumably they would come off at York, being taken over by the likes of something North Eastern. I did read that NE 0-6-0s could handle a lot of the large goods, as the gradients were near level north of York. The Garratts would have either been shedded at Toton or Hasland. I did weather one for a client some years ago, not long after the Heljan model was released. Was a beast of a loco to weather, mainly because of it's length and trying to handle it!

Cheers Jeff, that is great. I'll go and have a look. Thanks

Hello Physicsman I posted in Wright Writes, and someone suggested I should enquire here. I'm coming to the scenic stage of my layout, Cwm Prysor. I'm looking into making a some drystone walking and had been looking into using Ian Nuttall's method off his Dentdale layout, of making a jig from plasticard strips with DAS clay added, left to dry and cut to size. The dry stone walling are still at the real location, so will be using them as a guide. Your's look very effective, did you use a similar method? I live not far from Garsdale, so have a soft spot for the S&C. Thanks in advance

Afternoon all I'd appreciate some advice, regarding modelling dry stone walling. After a couple of months of very little interest, I'm returning my attention to Cwm Prysor. I'm close to starting the grass work, and the few Scots Pine's that appeared along the branch. However before then, I need to add a couple of rows of dry stone walling that ran along the moorland road and over the level crossing. The method I'm looking into, is one as used by Ian Nuttall on his Settle and Carlisle layout, Dentdale, which involves making a jig from plasticard strips of different thicknesses. DAS Modelling clay is then added and once dry can be cut into strips of different thicknesses. Below is the drystone walling I'll be trying to recreate and how it is today, granted in a more deliberated state. Has anyone tried the above method?

Some ended up on the GWR during the Second World War.

I do like those tarpaulins on those wagons Andrew. What method do you use for making and weathering them?

I gave up on HMRS a few years ago when batches of fat numbers appeared to be all that was available. I've not required any while on my GWR venture, but that is all going to change with my Scottish layout. I'm most likely going to use waterslide.

Hi Daniel Mixture of everything really. Initially it's a case of a build up of washes on the body, touch of dry brushing if needed, then I use an airbrush to tone it down. Chassis I tend to airbrush then dry brush before finishing with powders. Couple of examples below.

Cheers for that Andrew, I genuinely find Vans fascinating. I have an unfinished parkside dia 94 (I think that's right), so I know the kit you mean, and removing the bit on the door doesn't seem too difficult. I'll give one a go!

Morning Andrew, I don't have it to hand but it came out in January 2017 (so will be the February issue). Yes that LMS is a Dapol body (bought for £1) on a Parkside PA16 underframe (bought for around £1.50 I think). I've attached a photo of my Ratio body one too. I have picked up an ancient LNER type (dia 16??) like yours, however yours looks like a more modern kit, what type is it?

Thanks Andrew, I think it's a worthwhile investment regarding the Brassmasters jig. I wrote an article which was published earlier in the year for the Railway Modeller on goods traffic for my layout. Tony kindly took photos of my stock as part of our horse trading. I've attached a couple. I really need to get on with some more 16Ts while also thinking about stock for my Scottish layout which is currently in the planning stage. Cheers Tom

Very nice Headstock, I've yet to make an LMS steel ( I have done a ratio body on a parkside chassis which was rewarding). The next wagon batch I'm going to build will utilise the the Brassmaster axle spacing jig, as I've found in the past I've had to do some major fettling to get the Cambrian wagons to run without a wobble (probably more a case of my own hamfistedness!

I do feel some are really missing the point of Tony's comments regarding chequebook modelling. There are aspects of my next layout I will be commissioning (buildings), but I will always make it clear that those aspects, which were commissioned are not my own work. The problem arises (and I've seen it on RMweb) when certain individuals don't make it clear what is someone else's work....and are happy to keep quiet and let others presume. I sympathise entirely with Tony's views on this, but it's fair to not confuse this view with a problem with cheque book modelling.

Some very amateur behaviour from those high up in the group on their facebook page, when asked some basic questions regarding the companies operations in the comment section. https://www.facebook.com/trawsblaenaurailway

I could be wrong, but I don't think so. I think the first 8750s had the same mechanism the current models, it just didn't have DCC ready gubbins.

Well I've tested it on DCC, and it's quieter than the last one, however it's very coggy on low speed (almost like lots of little stutters) this was after even altering CVs to match a coreless motor. Ultimately it's just not in the league of the chassis underneath my 57XX and 64XX (which were both bought for £20-£50 less than the Hattons 14XX). It will be sent back on Friday.

I think I've sadly been unlucky twice, I don't intend to start fiddling with it (Hattons did say the body isn't particularly designed to come off), and I know someone else posted earlier in the thread that they had given up trying to look inside and are selling theres. Will be getting a High Level Chassis from Scale Four North.