Devonbelle

Here we go - 261 at Whatley in July 1987 - Im fairly sure that Pride of Whatley arrived by October that year - it was certainly working when I went back to Whatley in 1988, late October. Both my photos/copyright. Paul

You are correct Westerner; the door type gives the game away; mind my BR colleagues referred to all vac braked 4 wheel vans as Vanfits - vans and they are vac fitted! Thanks again.

On with the bogie side frames these last few days. Will have another evening on them and past photos thereafter Paul

I’ve cracked on and spray painted the VGA box van I built last week - it’s getting there - some tiny bits of overspray to address then on with painting axle box covers yellow and applying transfers and couplings

Last one for today. I’m off work presently (Drs orders) so capitalised on a wet a dreary day. I built three wagons; a coopercraft 7 plank wagon; a Slaters Vanfit and a GJH VGA 4 wheel air braked box van - one of my favourite types of wagon and the second one I’ve built. The kits I’ve had on hand for several years. Picture of them tonight - with two of the wagons having their first coat of paint. I’ll have a break from wagons tomorrow! Paul

Interesting Clive - I went July 1987 and it was working - I’ll dig out my pictures Paul

Just found this thread. What a delight. Beautiful standard of modelling and as a professional railwayman (who started in 1984); really captured the look of the late 80s, early 90s - taken me right back. Well done. I’m sure you’ll re-establish your modelling MOJO; I lost mine for about 8 weeks - pressure of work; good weather encouraging me onto my bike; family pressures. Really like the pictures of you on the tractor at what looks like Andover - late 90s early 2000s I’m guessing before end of EWS 37s. Paul

Thanks both for the comments. Appreciated. I’ve found I cycle round layouts to keep hobby fresh - and the awful weather yesterday triggered a need to do some shunting. I don’t have bags of space but my layouts are smallish - the French o layout Nouvion is 15 feet long. Lapford Gate is 6 feet long excluding the fiddle sticks (as opposed to fiddle yards). The Croatian one (only baseboards presently is 10 foot plus yet to be built fiddle yard. I’ll share some photos of work on Lapford Gate this week. Plus I really must finish the Croatian loco in O I’ve scratchbuilt. See pic below. So a North Devon/Croatian week this week. With lock down it’s prompted a thought I won’t get to Croatia for quite some while - albeit it’s easier to get to North Devon - but in both cases I can model from safety of home. One of photos below shows a Vanfit I have under construction - a Slaters kit. So typical of wagons seen on the Exeter-Barnstaple Torrington line in the 70s and early 80s before air braked wagons.

Well - the excellent summer (from a weather perspective) and lockdown meant lots of working from home; cycling and country walks. Modelling took a hit. Back now and this afternoon 2044 has had a run. The attached picture (on Lapford Gate my North Devon micro layout) shows the bulk of the loco. I am just on with scratch building the bogie side frames. Pictures to come in next day of so. Watch this space! Paul

Well d600 you only patiently waited 4 years. Layout has had a dust off and is the subject of some work. 08149 has been out this afternoon shunting. The Croatian Co-Co I have scratchbuilt will get a test run this week. I’ll post some updates on both Lapford Gate refresh and the Croatian loco (on the Ozjusko Stari thread). best wishes Paul

Lima power bogie fits beautifully. Test run this week; as a Bo-Bo, then I’ll add extra wheel set to each bogie to make a. Co-Co. Rather than keeping and adapting the Lima bogie sideframes Im going to scratch build proper GM bogie side frames. The picture Shows the power bogie fit and the fact I’ve removed the steps and corner plate - they weren’t good enough so will do some rework. I have to admit I’m very pleased how the loco sits on the power bogie. I’ve got a tentative booking for the layout in a years time so once loco finished I’ll get back into the layout. All track work and points are wired and tested. Stay well. Paul

Bob, no worries they are safely stabled at Nouvion. Picture below confirms one of them safe and well. Paul

Subsequent coat of blue on the loco and a 3rd thin one to come. Just sorting my wheel sets. I’m going with Lima power bogies. Wheelbase long than the prototype- but I will build correct patten bogie side frames - so a test run coming soon. Behind the loco is the other set of donor bogies - as a 2044 class is 6 axled machine

Excellent Claude. The buildings and the positioning of them; feel just right - bashed Japenese railways in 2014 and 16 and got under my skin in a good way. Interested in your building technique as I’d like to up scale to o gauge - although I must concentrate on my Croatian O gauge project - I have a Japanese O gauge layout in my sights - using a DD51 kit which I have started but not got very far. Keep up the good work Paul

Up at 0630 this morning meant first coat of spray blue was applied. It took well and is a Humbrol acrylic spray paint. Taking well to a well known car superstore spray primer. I am very please with finish but decided a little light sanding needed on a few imperfections. A second tomorrow. Then will start on handrail fitment is 2nd coat sufficient. Paul

A lull of a good few weeks; I needed a break and I’ve come back to the 2044 loco project refreshed and it’s had final coats of primer now that all plastic work on the body is complete. Tomorrow will see first coat of spray blue. The body top area in front of the cab is a thin metal sheet that it’s possible to see under - which the second picture down depicts. Ive purchased Fox transfers for numbering the loco and from David Parkins some lovely brass cast horns. The cab is not affixed as it will be lift off until I’ve finished the can detailing.

Smashing models Neil and I like your backdrop layout. If memory serves me correct when my wife and I went to Belgium in 1998, 62 class diesels were working teatime commuter trains around Gent and had steam heating, hauling M2 coaches in maroon? Belgium railways are fascinating. Keep up the good work. Paul

Thanks Neil and much appreciated for the excellent insight and fascinating pictures - works plate with Jugoslavia crudely ground off. This week I’m trying to get all plastic work complete; ready to receive blue paint. Then I’ll fit the handrails; with holes drilled this week. Stay well one and all. Paul

Had a good hour or so on the 2044 the last few days. Picture showing the upper cab end lighting area - my loco will be 2044-030 which doesn’t presently carry illuminated numerals on the cab end. Some prototypes do (I suspect all did when built in the 1970s). Getting close now to final coat of primer and first coat of blue paint - but I keep spotting small details I want to replicate on the model!

Really into the last stages of the loco build now. Front end fan grills finished and top light cluster with rain guard on the front end. Cab interior to build and cab roof. And then finally handrails.

Absolutely cracking thread Bob. Your modelling and subject matter is an inspiration. Other than quick updates on my Croatian thread I haven’t been on this one for over a month - head has been in the rule book requalifying as a signalman, in support of colleagues in the current COVID crisis. Aside from the excellent locomotives the beer van is great - what’s not to like about Chimay. The French Railway Society would (I’m sure) love to have you at the annual show at Lenham. If you wanted a pilotman I’d happily trundle up there with you on the train. Stay safe all. Paul

Pressing on today - happily; with a good grilling! Without rushing and spoiling the build I’m seeing how much I can archive by Bank Holiday next Friday. Just working on top of distinctive nose end. Stay safe. Paul

Very very interesting thread and subject matter. Well done with progress to date. Like me Manos you’ve chosen to model something less usual (I’m doing Croatian O gauge). Your thread has really got me interested in Greek railways and the locomotives - I like the railway architecture too. Keep going and I will look forward to further updates. Paul

Busy April at work - so no work until tonight on the HZ 2044. Tonight managed to fit cab steps and steps at nose end and the defector plates/snow ploughs on each end. The photo is deceptive the steps are mounted equal distant.

Only just found this - really put a smile on my face as we stay self-isolated. I saw the picture before reading the text and it put me in mind of some Railway Magazine from the 1950s I read with Highland Railway tank engines. Absolutely great!