Yorkshire Square

Thanks for the comments and likes guys. Thunderstorms forecast for this afternoon, so I might get a bit more done. :-)

As a diversion from rolling stock, I hunted out the various bits of etches that I'd secreted away to make a start on point rodding. I'd always promised myself that Brafferton would have some intimation of this important part of the pw, but to date have not really done much about it. Some reading up on the basics was the first step; what better place to start than the Associations own Track book? On the workbench. Various bits are assembled in to sub-assemblies: Throw for locking mechanism. The Association etches are also in this snap. Some temperature compensators soldered to a piece of sleeper. On the layout: Part of the locking mechanism in place with the throw rodding to it and a throw which will lead to the other half of the crossing. Obviously the run of rodding to the first throw is yet to be complete. A run of rodding heading back toward the lever frame in the station area. All I have done is superglued small pieces of microstrip to represent the stool. Once painted and weathered, I don't think this simplification will be apparent. The temperature compensators in situ. As I'd laid my ballast using undiluted Easitrac glue, it is still very rubbery and easy to clear sites for the various fixings, whether rodding stools or sleepers with cranks/throws etc.

Colour is key in model making. Too often the colours are overstated or the palette is too wide. Pull it back and just stick the occasional curveball in to keep them on their toes.

You can order 8" or 12". Optional toppings are extra... Seriously I didn't measure it, but I'd say 12 or 13 inch diameter.

Excellent day at Railex yesterday. It was great to meet with so many Association members, many who I've not seen in some time. 2mm was well represented with a display from Jerry Clifford of his wonderful modelling for Bath. Mick Simpson and Alan Whitehouse were busy with a project, Minories, to construct the basis of a 2FS layout over the course of one weekend. Despite not having my modelling glasses, I volunteered to assemble some Easitrac lengths; I hope my endeavours were satisfactory! Layout wise we were treated to Mark Fielder's delightful 2mm narrow gauge essays An Clar and The Pizza: It was a long day from leaving home at 5.45am and not getting back till 11.30pm (thanks for doing the bulk of the driving Edward), but it was more than worth it.

Looking good Ian. Have you considered painting a few larger trees towards the foreground? This would aid the transition from backscene to 3d model. You need to be a little bold, but it's worth it.

Are you sure you wouldn't just build a narrow gauge layout round the rim of the pit?

Absolutely no idea. It must have been something I ingested at the time...

Grampus (Grampi? Dunno...) Long built and knocking around, these have finally claimed a coat of paint and decals. I built one using the Fencehouses etch. James built the other using the underframe that came with the kit, but with etched W irons inserted for the 2FS wheelsets. He must have been 11 when he built that... Also, this wee beastie: A jig for mounting couplings, this must be nearly thirty years old. Fitting the couplings to the banana vans I was strangely disquieted. A quick check with the jig revealed that the coupler seats on the kit sit 6mm above rail height. I've always used 5.5mm (I think this is right!). Luckily I'd only done one wagon, so I whipped those off and shimmed the refits with 10 thou plasticard. The lower gauge should slide under the coupling once fitted; handy for revealing any droop! Also critical for BB couplings where the buffer element of the coupling slopes down from the main fixing. I'm now moving over to DG which are compatible with BB, so I can retrofit at my leisure.

Thanks David. Actually it was pretty therapeutic making a batch, by the last one I had an idea what I ought to be doing! And of course, a batch of wagons makes it more worthwhile getting the paints out. There are another three vans in my box unstarted, but I'm determined to work through a swathe of unfinished projects first. As well as the banana decals, I acquired GUV, Palbrick and Grampus, so a fair few items should be moving to stock boxes in the near future. As you say, some trader labels would be a good idea; I didn't check the CCT list, but I'm sure he'd be willing to give it consideration especially if they're available in larger scales. He seems to have a massive range, some items being very esoteric. One thing I did learn, the CCT decals don't take kindly to enamel thinners. I learnt the hard way, it probably mentions it in the instructions!

Still banana vans. The saga draws to a close though! Painted and awaiting decals: Arrived home to a small parcel from Cambridge Custom Transfers. Busy evening's work: This was the first time I've used CCT and I'm very impressed. The small blob to the right is my impression of a Fyffes label. I did try printing my own decal for this feature, but after much cussing I got the paints out! It'll look better with a bit of weathering...

Very nice. I particularly like the Lighcliffe box.

Oh and some Templot. But I think I might have got it a bit big for 2mm...

You guessed it, Banana Vans. Primed:

First batch of Banana Vans completed and awaiting cleaning and painting.

A few snaps from York at Easter. Master Square has control of Brafferton under the beady eye of Edward Sissling. In a quieter moment the punters drink in the scenery. It must have been Sunday, as the nuns are on the platform. The storage yards display a singular lack of freight. It must have all been round the front!

Pics: The two vans on the right are the ones that have been complete for some time. On the left is the first of the current batch. Complete with vents. Progress on second of current batch with completed chassis waiting in background.

Banana Vans - Fencehouses etches. Two are almost complete but have been for several years. I seem to have lost the remains of the etches that contained the end vents for these two vehicles. I'll probably fabricate some from plastic sheet for these two. Four chassis have been finished off in the last couple of days, axleboxes fabricated and fitted and brake levers added. Again these have been in started and then stored for some considerable time. I have now moved onto the bodies for these four and hope to complete this task this week. These are nicely designed allowing the majority of the metalwork to be overlaid and sweated onto the main body in two easy blocks. Then there are three untouched etches; bodies and chassis, to be started once the initial six are ready for the paintshop.