NoelG

That layout is fabulous, more akin to film making standards of modelling. Every time I see it I am bowled over. It just reeks of city railway atmosphere. Anthony Smyth posted pics over on FB group of his recently weathered spoil wagons, stunning change in appearance for the better. His sublime weathering soften the bright yellow plastic on the eyes and make the models look extremely desirable.

http://www.derg.ie/albums/workbench/IMG_7412.jpg

RPSI Dutch GSV just about finished, only weathering to do. An enjoyable SF kit http://www.derg.ie/albums/workbench/IMG_7412.jpg

Well Kieran, cleaning out a barn yesterday with my wife she found a bit of tubing that got repurposed. At least something will be behind the windows.

Cheers Kieran, not sure yet. Rummaging around tool shed looking for tubing that's the correct diameter.

Cheers Jonathan. Progress continues. Ready for glazing, buffers, chassis re-fitting and weathering. Might even try lights. A brace of Dutch

RPSI Dutch GSV nearing completion after painting. Varnish, Decals, glazing and weathering left. After receiving advise from a higher authority I decided to invest in one of these. So far its proven silly smooth to use and ultra easy to maintain compared to the inexpensive £20 air brushes I've used this past 36months. The nozzle cap and nozzle are all push to fit, so easy to remove the needle from the front for cleaning after a session. Harder & Steenbeck Infinity CR Plus 2 in 1 ( 0.2mm & 0.4mm )

Two variants of Dutch GSVs nearing completion on the bench. First is a rebuilt Dutch GSV IR/IE tippex Livery to run with Bachmann/MM Mk2a non-aircon coaches with the dayglo orange shade. It was an Irish Freight Models resin kit. The second is an SF kit built as an RPSI Dutch GSV to run with the RPSI mk2 set. A few modifications such as keen sprung corridor connectors and white metal buffers, both Kadee's of course. Fuel tank plus a pair of sprung keen corridor connectors to replace the resin ones that came with the kit. Bogies were resin kits with Hornby style TLCs snipped off and replaced with Kadee no 147 draft gear box couplings.

Looks great. Almost worth buying a cheap Lima 201 for €50 to cut it open and place one of these engines in it as a static display in a loco works. Do you mind me asking where did you get accessories such as the mechanic figures, hoists and working platform? The whole ensemble looks great.

Two done, Six more to do

Cheers Kieran. It turned out ok'ish in the end. I reverted to reverse masking for the next project.

1-2-3 CIE Supertrain or IR/IE Tippex? Tippex it is Phew - you just never know how a paint job is going to turn out until you remove the masking tape Varnish + Decals next, then off with the window masking As Ted said to Dougal "Careful now". Off with that reverse masking.

This recent first mk3 respray has given me an appetite for some more. Another sinful piece of mk3 modernity, alas redeemed on the right by an RPSI Dutch GSV kit in progress. This mk3 will be tippex but using revers masking once again instead of waterslide transfer stripes. x From disaster a few weeks ago to redemption below with the second attempt Removed the mess, cleaned the resin body with spent nuclear fuel this time, re-primed, re-sprayed, and this time the masking did not pull the paint away. Waterslide transfers for the white stripes instead of my usual reverse masking for spray. Next up a kit bashed EGV from this Lima mk3 sleeper coach donor, which has been wasting away in my attic since 1980. Lots of cutting, sawing, filing and filling to do. Therapeutic though.

Thanks Jonathan. This was a 'what if' doodle born of an imaginative mind. The wagon below actually has 3 chassis that I can run it on, as seen below as seen with running step boards, and with a plough. The body plugs on and off each of the 3 chassis. All weathered grey but look brown gunky. Similarly I have a damaged 201 loco that purely for fun I might spray in CIE Black'n'Tan livery just to have as another layout oddity. PS: You are the gate keeper of all things green and black'n'tan, and the sacred 3 link coupling, if I ever see you running a 22k DMU on a layout I will know the end of time may be near.

I'd be interested, but being brass I may have to arm twist Ireland's resident brass master Eoin to build it for me as a commission. I'm just not tooled up nor experienced enough to do a brass coach kit properly.

Some projects on the go: This pair probably won't be finished until well after the MM 121s arrive later this month. 122 in super train livery, can consist with my existing B121 Black'n'Tan livery x When finished looking forward to weathering this Had a mishap with first attempt to paint a modified dutch GSV (ie suitable to run with mk2 air con sets). This happened when the masking tape was removed. Beware cleaning resin bodies properly before priming. Got it cleanup and re-primed, this time after a generous bath of IPA followed by warm soapy water to ensure no resin release agent was left before priming again with Hicote plastic grey primer. Second time around no problem removing the masking tape Mk3 respray

First mk3 respray finished this week. Put lights and passengers inside plus kadee no 142 gear box couplings on the bogies

A long for me anyway freight train. 35 beautiful looking IRM/Accurascale Irish wagons hauled by two Murphy Model 071 locos (10x42ft Container flats, 8xFertiliser wagons, 2xTara wagons, 15xCement wagons). Running a superb mix of Irish wagons like this would only have been a fantasy dream only a few years ago. The ten lead 42ft's had become somewhat stiff (axles) after being lubed a few months ago as per IRM recommendations, I guess the lube may have dried out, but the two 071s in consist managed ok. It is fabulous to have such good looking genuine Irish rolling stock. Happy days playing trains. The keg load looks well on the platform.

That's a really class job, crowned by an excellent paint job. Unfortunately sometimes skilful builds can be let down by a poor paint job in the end, but this is absolutely first class. Sharp, crisp straight lines, accurate colours and great paint finish. Hats off.

Vid looks good, are they on sale now then?

Before applying transfers give the model a spray of humbrol gloss acrylic varnish. Wait 24hrs to day, then apply transfers, then seal with a spray of matt or satin humbrol acrylic varnish. Gloss varnish hides the transfer edges.

Airbrush cleaner fluid Acrylic paint thinner (ie water based) Cotton buds 100ml bottle of IPA for deep cleaning every once in a while A roll of kitchen paper. I use one a sheet per sessions cut into stripes to clean down the airbrush after. Face mask Nice to have: Airbrush Cleaning pot Spare needle + matching nozzle Spare set of seals

So Analog or Digital for reliability?

Thanks but I wasn't looking for a 'how to' more a recommendation based on experience in terms of reliability. I heard some negativity about the digital and I suspect it was unjustified.