Signaller69

Not done much on the layout as rolling stock and Crinan have taken precedence, however today I picked up a cheap and tatty, but nice running, Dapol J94 at Colwyn MRC's exhibition in Llandudno: If that is a serial number on the box it is indeed a very early one. It will be stripped down, receive a standard chimney and be refinished as "EBBW", one of the Talywain stud, whose wheels were allegedly so worn it could only work in the confines of the yard area. The "interesting" livery will be a challenge as shown on the cover of Irwell's book here: https://www.irwellpress.com/acatalog/SOUTH-WALES-COVER.jpg May take a while this one!

I didn't attend (due to distance & work) but do like the idea of a RMWEB badge, even if its only a standard style which can be downloaded and printed off, which those who want to can then wear for recognition? Point taken re possible confusion with Exhibitor badges, but hopefully they would look sufficiently different?

Latest job involved a little retouching of paintwork and weathering on one of Crinan's class 29's. This is a Bachby hybrid (Hornby body, heavily reworked, on a Bachmann Class 25 chassis for the improved running this chassis offers). Bodywork mods include new and revised bodyside and roof grilles, revised roof exhaust and other detail, opening out the windows and various detail alterations on the cab fronts, fitting of a driver in the donated class 25 cab interior etc, and glazing cut to fit the enlarged windows. The original Hornby underframe was also modified to accept the donor chassis. Some bufferbeam pipework needs to be sourced to complete the look. Also on the bench for the same reason is a 24/1 which is even more of a hybrid (more like Trigger's broom!) in that it started out years ago as a Hornby 25 bought already converted to a 24/0, which then had a Model Power mechanism butchered to fit the Hornby Underframe, followed by the body alterations to make it into a 24/1. I was never overly happy with the finish so having a Bachmann class 25 body spare from the 29 project, I modified that to fit the 24 chassis. So the only original part of the loco is the underframe! The question now is will I replace these with the Dapol 29 and Bachmann 24/1? In the case of the former I will wait to see the shade of blue used as the 22 looked wrong to me. Also the Bachmann 24/1 doesn't appear to be being released is an Inverness version (with 5 slot grille covers, token apperatus cabside cutouts and twin headlights etc) so I will wait and see if and when they appear.

Very nice layout, curves don't look tight either for what is a fairly small layout, and nicely done scenics.

More work done, getting there!

Thankyou for your kind words Peter. The Sturgeon are nicely thought out kits, though time consuming with all the handrails, springs and doorstops. Weathering is currently progressing on them, using nothing more than a cheap acrylics set and which is turning out to be quite an enjoyable exercise! The signals are from the Ratio LNER kit, with Alan Gibson BR standard style arms and worked by fine steel piano wire. The existing ones use redundant Lemaco/Fulgurex point motors, although I have picked up some small servos for the Home signal build as this needs 4 motors in a fairly confined space. Once in place I really need to add a "Shunt Ahead" arm to the Up Starter signal by the Signal Box, though I fear I may have to build a complete new signal as removing it to work on may not be easy! Cheers, Martyn.

And a start made on weathering the first Sturgeon with a cheap acrylic set.

Paintwork and offending lettering removed on the Fish vans, ready for weathering. . Also work on a couple of Cambrian Sturgeon kits continues, see thread here also: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/112970-br-sturgeon-bogie-rail-carrier-floor/&do=findComment&comment=2371037

Index of main themes: Page 1: Vans, Class 29; NCB "Ebbw ". Page 2: NCB "Ebbw ", NCB "Islwyn", Class 29. Page 3: Class 29, Class 37 restoration. Page 4: Class 37, NCB feed van, early Class 26 air brake conversion, fishing boat build. Page 5: Class 126 RTR bash. Page 6: " " " " " " Page 7: " " " " " " Page 8: " " " " " " & Crinan lorries. Page 9: " " " " " " & Crinan lorries. Page 10: Crinan lorries, Mk.1 BFK conversion. Page 11: Mk.1 BFK & RB. Page 12: Mk.1 BSO conversion. Page 13: Mk.1 early TSO build. Page 14: Crinan Buses, Class 29 roof. Page 15: BRT Grain Hopper "blues". Page 16: Class 126 TCK. Page 17: Hornby Class 08 restoration. Page 18 - 25: Class 303 DC kit build. Page 26: Dapol "Pug" to Fowler 0-4-0DM "Churchill" conversion. Page 27: Dapol Class B to Class A tank wagon conversion. Page 28: Bachmann TTA to TTV conversion & more vans. Page 29: More vans; resleepering Peco points; BRT Whisky Grain. Page 30: BRT Whisky Grain discussion. Page 31: Derwent Valley Projects; DVLR rolling stock & class 04's. Page 32: Derwent Valley Projects. Page 33: more Triang Mk.1 Cut n' shuts. Page 34: Triang Mk.1 Cut n' shuts, Bachmann 04 axle swap, Dapol Presflo. Page 35: Presflo & BRT Blues, Dapol class 29 preview. Page 36: Class 29, DMU musings. Page 37: Class 107 DMU. Page 38: " " " Page 39: " " " Page 40: " " " Page 41: Presflo completion. Page 42: DMU Footsteps. Page 43: Class 29 to 6123 discs conversion. Page 44: P&T 06-32 Tamper build. Page 45: " " " " Page 46: " " " " Page 47: Completing the 06-32 & Trackside Morris to DVLR BMC van. Page 48: Class 126 DMBSLi repaint Page 49: Another Class 126 TCL build Page 50: " " " " " Page 51: 126 E&G powering Page 52: New layout! & Class 24/1 redux. Page 53: Hybrid Highland Class 24/1. Page 54: Class 46 fettling. Page 55: Bachy Class 46 & Hornby 25 Page 56: " " " " . Page 57: " " " " . Page 58: Quick Triang Mk.1 CK redux. Page 59: Bachmann 46 continued. Page 60: Bachmann 46 continued. Page 61: Parkside BR Tube wagon. Page 62: Mk1 TPO dia 729. Page 63: Class 100 DMU build. Page 64: " " " " Page 65: " " " " Page 66: " " " " Page 67: " " " " Page 68: " " " " Page 69: rattle-can paint discussion/ Bachy class 24/1 renumber / 105 DMU Brake van alteration. Page 70: Class 105 DMC to DTC. Page 71: class 29 6123 yellow end redux/ BRT hopper resin castings. Page 72: BRT hopper detailing. Page 73: BRT hopper detailing & recent class 24/25 project resin underframe production. Page 74-78: Class 24/25 project. Page 79: Railroad Class 121 to 122. Page 80: Class 122. Page 81/82: Back to 24s/25s! Page 83: Multiple Working 24 & 25. Page 84: Flatrol MHH Triang rebuild. page 85: Thompson Buffet Car build & class 122 becomes a 131! (Index is so I can hopefully find it again!) This is a thread for my various loco & rolling stock projects, which can be anything from simple weathering through to heavy RTR- bashing. My philosophy is keep things as cost effective as possible, using RTR, kits and scratchbuilding, and tailor things to my requirements and compromising where needed. I am not a perfectionist or rivet counter so there is no suggestion that my way of doing things is the right way, it is just my way and I aim for a "viewing distance realism" rather than perfection. Comments, questions and discussion are welcome. Martyn. Edit for title change.

Superb photos as always Dave.

As promised a few more photos, taken with my phone so please excuse the quality! The Station entrance (a la Mallaig/ Fort William) leads onto the concourse. The buffer stops of Platform 1 are beyond the fence and various poster boards. This view is normally not available owing to the end backscene but an extension is planned to allow the station frontage to be seen. View looking from the other direction, across Platform 2, towards the Station Building. Passengers shelter from the elements blowing in from the Sound of Jura. The lone piper prepares to great a train; has he been brought in for a VIP perhaps? Its unlikely he's there for the lone elderly gentleman who appears to have been shopping. . . ! What appear to be milk churns are actually water carriers for the small stations en-route, which do not have their own supply. The practice of supplying water by train was once fairly common in the Highlands. Meanwhile, a hiker has found a handy perch for his backpack while awaiting his train. The Brute trolleys will be filled tomorrow morning from the early mail train, whence they will be loaded onto the Jura ferry for onward dispatch. At the end of the platforms the local P. Way section have their "bothy" and sheds; The foreman and a colleague are discussing the day's work. Nearby is the Signalman's cottage with a gate onto the walkway (old sleepers, not great in the wet. . . !) which is beyond the point rodding runs. The garden appears to have unofficially extended to flower beds outside the fence. Cottage chimneys still to be fitted I remind myself! In the goods yard all is quiet. The crew of the 05 are on a break, having picked up a Steel High ready to add to an outgoing freight. Although officially withdrawn, this loco has become a local "pet", amid rumours it is being purchased by the Crinan Distillery to supplement their Sentinel which isn't always up to the job. . . ! General fishing equipment lies on the quayside in the foreground. It is also a quiet moment at MacLeods Fuel supplies, the lorry must be out on a delivery. As well as Coal, Macleods have the only petrol pumps in Crinan, although marine fuel which arrives by rail is served by a different concern. (MacLeods was named after a work colleague from the Clan of the same name, which heralds from this area.) At New Custom House the seagulls on the flat entrance roof don't appear to be disturbing a conversation on the steps, or the Postie about to empty the Post Box; it appears to be a Ford Anglia Van meet! The Up Starter signal guards the Canal Bridge and is next to the Signal Box, which is based on that at Arisaig. The Token exchange stand allows the Signalman to collect/pass the Token safely to traincrew. Point rodding lies beneath the wooden walkway. The Signal Box has a detailed interior, including Token Machine and is usually lit, though not today, must be sunny for a change! A Secondman appears to be contemplating the old days as he stares at the overgrown Turntable pit. Staff cars now stand where the approach track once was, and a small fuel point has replaced the long demolished small wooden Loco shed just off to the left. The Supervisor's office still stands however, being the focal point for the remaining Train Crews. Finally, for present, the quayside sees 3 men engrossed in conversation. The Fordson tractor is used to pull boats up the slipway. The 05 still sits idle, for now.

Looks an interesting project, will follow this as I also love Scottish railways and Departmental stock. I made a similar ballast loading hopper for a previous project, using an old "Britains" working silo as a basis. Found it needed a fairly steep funnel at the base to get the ballast to flow well but it did the job!

Super photos as always Peter!

Also on the workbench currently are a pair of Cambrian Kits "Sturgeon" rail/sleeper wagons. Undoubtedly the most time consuming plastic wagon kits I've done thus far. Not unduly fiddly perse, just the adding of 14 wire handrails, 14 bump stops AND 14 door springs per side means these wagons are not a one evening build! However the 1 piece bogies are superb, as is the provision for NEM compatible couplings (Kaydees in my case). Probably finish one in black and one olive with heavy weathering. Waiting on the Cambridge Custom Transfers to arrive now.

Almost done, just needs weathering and lenses added using PVA coloured with marker pen when dry.

Coming shortly! :-)

Many thanks Rob, yes Banavie would make a good subject, especially if the road swing bridge and canal locks could be incorporated, maybe even squeeze in the nearby paper mill/ aluminium plant for added operational interest?

Not much new visible work to show on Crinan, although the current phase of wiring mods is more or less complete. In the meantime I have made some progress with the remaining signals to be done, namely the Home signal with various route arms: Left to right routes are the Goods/Loco Release Loop; Platform 1; Platform 2; Goods yard entrance. Build is an elderly Ratio LNER lattice signal kit with Alan Gibson signal arms, operated by fine steel piano wire. Movement will come from 4 small servos purchased for the job. Some detailing to be finished yet . . .

I think the new Carflat will be a popular model. Have to say I'd like to see the LNER J62 (ex MS&LR saddle tank) & J63 outside cylinder 0-6-0T locos made in 4mm; useful and long lived locos which are ideal for dockside layouts with sharp curves. I'd take one of each for a future layout project anyway.

Hi Jim, many thanks for your kind comments. I would certainly be interested in doing Modelrail Scotland if an invitation comes along at some point. Had some tentative invitations to shows further afield than my usual North Wales/North West England over the next year or 2 so you never know!

Incredibly realistic weathering and sublime modelling Dave as usual, and great photography. Really like the office interiors!

I have a similar quandry as I'm looking at one for a 1970 based layout and stuck between the maroon and earlier of the 2 yellow versions. I seem to recall the Holyhead Breakwater railway had one which afaik stayed in maroon until the line closed c.1980ish, though I have only seen black and white photos of it. . .

A little progress today with work on painting the stone setts and ballasting, ash etc. Islwyn and 7754 were working so feature in the photos! Crews presumably on a tea break. . . .

Looking great, really like the fern growing by the lineside on the left, often pondered how many would be needed if modelling some of the remoter parts of Highland lines?! :-)

Another topic I've not seen before! Excellent modelling Shaun, always liked Georgemas Junction and the interesting splitting of trains, following a visit in the mid 80s. Will follow with interest!