Caley Jim

Politicians always manage to get round the rules! My friend in Melbourne (retired hospital Medical Director) is somewhat less than impressed with Victoria politicians! Jim

I take it this will be off-limits for the duration? Jim

In any case, when the loco is in motion you'll only see them for about 1/4 of a revolution at a time. The coupling rods will be flashing past them the rest of the time. Jim

See Tim's post above. Jim

To my eye, another brilliant finish, Mike. You are far too hard on yourself. Just look at the comments from everyone else! Jim

Sorry to hear your woes. Nick. As you say, one of those days when you wish you'd never started! Might it be worth putting some epoxy (or vinyl sealant?) around the wires where they emerges from the casing to reduce the chance of it fracturing there again? Possibly something to do proactively for the next time any of us use one of this type of motor? That way if the wire fractures where it emerges from the reinforcement you'd be able to attach a new one without having to dismantle the motor. Jim

When making small parts I always make at least 25% extra to keep the carpet monster happy! Same with small or tricky to form parts on my etched kits. Jim

No your not, James. My techniques are very similar to yours. The basic shape from either polystyrene formers with card 'slats' or solid polystyrene blocks, the latter where I plan to 'plant' trees, covered with strips of newspaper, then a layer of papier-mâché followed by the final ground surface in watered down DAS. PVA being the glue of choice throughout. I make my papier-mâché from egg boxes put through the shredder, leave to soak for a few days, then mash it up with an old fork and add a little PVA. Jim

When building the warehouse for Kirkallanmuir I did some measuring and came to the conclusion that newsprint was just about the right thickness for slates. Jim

Instead of PoP or filler I use thinned down DAS modelling clay, coloured with powder or acrylic paint. Much lighter and more resilient to knocks etc. You can also adjust it and blend a new piece in just by wetting the original. For formers, cut up pieces of polystyrene packaging are lighter and stronger than card. Jim

Definitely an improvement. Apart from being less dominating it also looks much more 'natural' and interesting. Helps to break up the 'solid' look of the original. Having some of the foliage hang down over the wall (brambles, wild rose etc.) will also help to break it up. Jim

As I understand it, the arches were regular and the piers tapered, but no doubt there will be a civil engineer on here who will correct me on that! Jim

Should still look OK. A coat of paint can hide a multitude of sins!! Any way, is anyone going to be studying and comparing them from less than a couple of feet away? Jim

After my little diversion yesterday I've returned to the work in hand and fitted the gutters and the printed pillars. Both canopies are now ready for painting, but before i do that I drew out the glazing for one bay of the island platform and printed it out on thick paper. This let me cut the pieces out to size, check them for fit and make any adjustments needed. I can now prepare a drawing for all the glazing and Alisdair has offered to cut them for me on his silhouette cutter. Jim

The box says '1:80', but it measures c37mm across the outside of the 'flanges', so nearer your scale I think, Ian! Jim

This might be a bit off the wall for this forum, but today I took a break from platform canopies and set about this: Which was a father's day present from my daughter. Its a laser cut kit for an american style loco and tender. Surprisingly good instructions and very cleanly cut and accurately fitting parts, but needing care as some are a bit on the fragile side. I wasn't sure what the two little things at the rear (A11) were, but they turned out to be the crew's seats! The backhead: It has some slightly strange things about it though. Firstly both sets of wheels are in rear mid centre! Secondly there are two big gears inside the boiler! However, it was a pleasant way to spend a driech Saturday afternoon on something a wee bit different and it makes a nice display model. Jim

I've had some computer problems over that last few days down to Chrome causing crashes. Seem to have got it fixed now. A couple of progress photos. The printed columns are just sitting in the extensions and won't get glued in until just before I start to paint them. The weak point will be at the spigot going into the square brass tube extensions. I might try and put a 'shoulder' of epoxy around that area to try and strengthen it. On reflection it might have been better to make the pillars with a hole in the top and have a piece of rod soldered into the tube going down into that. That would have been stronger. Isn't hindsight a wonderful thing!! The gutters have still to be fitted, though the downpipe tops are there. In the second photo the two canopies are in what I think will roughly be their relationship.

Running very sweetly there, Ian. All the best for the house move. Jim

As Para Handy would say, 'It's chust sublime!'. Jim

Which is why I flood them with solder. This is the horsebox of Neil Ballantyne's which the Grampian group presented me with. I added the couplings and pipes. Jim

I use 0.3mm copper wire wound with a strand of fine copper wire from multistrand wire then flooded with solder. Jim

Valences and the longitudinal beam have been fitted, ready to start on the pillars. Again this has made it a much more rigid structure. Jim

This was often done on 1st April. Other errands were to go for along stand, a left handed screwdriver or a bucket of steam! Jim

Do you know a man who knows a man who can get you that at a very good price, no questions asked? Jim

I agree entirely with @Andy Hayter. A result as good as that is always worth the effort Definitely! Procrastination is the enemy of progress! Jim (whose never got round to joining the Procrastination Society)