bill-lobb

Very nice. I've got one of these in the gloat box, so I'll be following this with interest,

The balance weights would balance the pair of wheels they were attached to. It is not unusual for the ones on the driven wheels to be different to the others because of the weight of the cranks on the axle inside the frames. (Inside cylinder locomotives, obviously) Bill

Very nice. I like to see the results of using bow pens. I think that they have the potential to produce the best results for lining, and if Stephen barnwell & Ian Rathbone prefer them, there must be someting in it. I have started prowling markets and craft fairs for the things, and have picked up some rather nice sets. In fact that is in danger of becoming a hobby in itself. One stall holder, (after I had bought one) asked me if I could tell him what it was :-) I find that they are variable, and some will give better results than others. Ironically the one I find works best is one (a Kern) that my uncle gave me about 40 years ago. I sadly abused it then, and I recently found it still encrusted in paint and obviously attacked with sandpaper to try to get it off. I soaked it in cellulose thinners, cleaned it up and it is now my favourite.

Sorry, but you have lost me here. My understanding is that the Ratio Clerestories are Clayton square panel express stock which were built in the late 1890s. Am I wrong about that? In which case either pre or post 1906 liveries are possible, and both of our statements stand. I fully agree about the photograph. That is a lovely model. Wish I was capable of achieving that. Bill

I once lined one of these reasonably successfully as follows: 1) Paint coach crimson. 2) Brush paint the raised panelling gold. 3) Spray the side with matt varnish. This allows a suitable key to.... 4) Put in the black centre of the lining with a Rotring pen and black ink. 5) Varnish to taste. I think the clerestories will be easier than the arc roof ones, as, IIRC, they are Clayton square panel ones, so you don't have to worry about curved corners to the lining. The lettering will depend on the period you model (I'm talking Midland here - I know nothing about LMS) Prior to 1906, I think they would have a small san serif 'MIDLAND' in the waist panels, with the class designation spelt out as 'FIRST' and 'Third' in the waist panel of the door. After 1906 they would have a Serif 'MIDLAND' on a black panel under the eave of the roof, about in the middle, and large numbers 1 and 3 on the doors. Lining would be gold pre WW1 and yellow afterwards for non corridor coaches. Bill