Freight Connection

Good Afternoon to all, I finally got a chance to put some hoods together this week to drop into the Farish SPA wagons. Did them in 40 thou plasticard and knocked up some home made transfers. I've seen 00 and Z versions of these hoods around, cast resin obviously suits the creases required, and so these are bit cheap and cheerful. But they do the job. These are the wagons pictured at Tinsley ( With thanks to Kev Smith ) kevsmithai on Youtube for permission to reproduce. He also incidentally runs the Z versions. Tons of 37 & 47 pics on his channel from this era. After a crude mock up some time ago I changed to this sort of roof. There is a close up pic on RMweb of the tops of these and that's why i went for this arrangement of the supports. I just filed a gentle apex at the ends to match a real one and suggest the shape rather than file too much off in the middle. Haven't modelled any of the end fixings. Sticky paper under tissue and PVA. Close up the lack of side creases etc can make them look a bit boxy, but settled on this. Didn't want the transfers on tissue paper. But with PVA and paint it is quite a stable base, so will try with the next batch. Reasonably happy with the hood height, used mag pics to judge against a 37. The rail express formation pics enlarged were also a good guide. The crude close up shot of the home made decals.. Of course nothing beats commercially available decals, and sliding these on feels more like hanging 1200 grade lining paper. The smaller shot shows the limitations of a standard home printer, but bear in mind this one is only around 2mm high. A bed of decalfix pulling the big ones down really tight. Knocked them up in MS Paint.. Arial Unicode MS seemed a reasonable match, had to lop the top off the sloping t. Did them at 90 and reduced them down to keep the defintion. Matched the paint roughly to the ink on the decals, but knew the angles and matt varnish would hide the difference. Took the decal up to just shy of the edge to avoid it being flicked back, and to help hide the slight colour difference. NGS / PG Scimitars happened to be on the table at the time of the pic I can't see myself altering the Farish data panels to suit as I want to use some of the coils provided to lie under tarps that don't quite fit... And so have a choice of loads... Have spent far too much time watching vids of steel traffic in and around Cardiff and Newport. I don't even know what county my layout is set in, and so if my traffic is way off route I wouldn't know. Just nice to finish these reasonably quickly. Trying hard not to leave too many little projects half done. ( Oops, and the er layout itself ) Thanks for looking as always - Steve

Some really good pics there Mark, Platform detail on them all is so good, but the side on view of the DMUs with the idea for the PA stood out for me. Steve

Good afternoon to all, Some time off between jobs is letting me get some work done on the station end.... Platforms fitted, leaving in plain white card for now until mast positions etc all dug out... Glue gun mock up of what will hide the curves Ballast still plain at the moment, oil stains / grime to be added. A compromise in hiding enough of the curve and leaving a reasonable amount of platform visible. Also there was quite a lot of point work to fit on the board. The platform gap where the 150 is sitting is hidden from the normal viewing position anyway A crude mock up, undecided on a clad roof ( Similar to how Leeds used to be), or the end section of a 00 Peco roof. I'm trying to give the impression of the station going straight on into the back scene. Have started to weather the POA / SSAs. I did try a Farish chassis (not pictured),to bring the suspension closer to the originals but wasn't really viable to cut so many donor wagons up. Thanks as always for looking Regards - Steve

Nice update Nigel You can get a realistic road surface by spraying Halfords grey primer onto a well prepared surface, and then mist some matt black sideways across the top and let it fall on... Fair bit of masking required if the roadbed is already down I know, don't overdo the black, road will still look mid to dark grey. Stencil and or watercolor pencil white / yellow lines, if stencilling use a virtually dry brush so as not to flood. A test piece is probably best to see if your happy with the results. Picked it up from books and mags, I cut a fine stencil for the centre lines and used the scalescenes downloads to make stencils for the larger junction arrows... Other methods available, keep up the good work... Regards - Steve

I've never fitted ramps on a Bi-Directional line Dave, and only ever fitted Peco when fitting singles. And they would have had a slight rub down underneath to key, that combined with the code 80 they sat in probably made them look smaller anyway. I think at the time I wanted it well down to avoid catching it when rail cleaning So will be interesting to see a pic of the Nbrass ones fitted for comparison Regards - Steve

I think toned down / weathered and not proud ( As you say), and they will look fine. Is it because as a pair that they just look a little bit more imposing maybe? Also you've gone to so much detail around them, why not fit them. Just had a good read through the whole thread Dave ( Wasn't in the best job for time off at the end of last year, and so not on here much) and so missed the start. Was only really up to speed with the last page or two, glad I looked through, Loco work amongst other things looks really good. Back to the ramps, give it a day or two maybe...Nothing worse than looking at something your unhappy with, if you don't want them, then at least you won't have to scrape them back off. Regards - Steve

Hello Duncan, I think most of the superlatives have been used, this is just so inspiring. I saw it in Traction mag 238 from Mar-Apr last year and was so pleased to see it here as well. Best wishes - Steve

Thanks Graham, For now it will end up as an 8x6 L shape, figure of 8 layout, if that makes sense. With the crossover under the station roof for access and to keep the storage yard gradient as gentle as possible. ( With it being hidden I'd like the pans below to skim under the track above ) And so make the slopes on the window edge as gentle as possible. The board still to be built will be an open frame scenic section, with the option to carry on around the room. The room isn't the biggest,, and any future run down the other wall will be 18" wide max so I don't feel too cramped. The oval I started originally just lost momentum. This should keep my interest up. Cheers - Steve

Thanks for the comment re the scrap Dave. Long overdue an update, the layout is finally up in the spare room. The hobby room that was downstairs is now a living room and I wanted that finished before starting upstairs. Workbench will be a slide out arrangement once the 3rd board goes over the top of it. Walls covered in cheap twin slot.... Boards still able to stand up for wiring, droppers from every track piece and frog.. Recently started to wire up the 2nd board, cables left long as the terminal boards may have to stand off in the future for signals, more point motors etc. Have kept the same colours throughout and it's making it easier ( 4 and 6 core alarm cable). Did buy one reel of green layout wire, as the section switches are in much longer runs.... Have less room under the layout now due to the cut and shut drawers fixed underneath, so the 4mm plugs from the controllers are now on the edge to save lifting the boards for smaller issues. No connectors between boards required just yet except for the 12 and 16v jumped from the controllers, all point / section panels will be local to the boards. Had these controllers some years ( Beatties named but possibly Gaugemaster? Can't remember ) anyway, finally boxed them to stop them sliding around. They have been very reliable, I blew a gaugemaster panel mount some years back and so will stick with these for now... Test running across the boards before carrying on with ballasting Little bits of detail added when ballasting, as you can see from the timescale i'm never going to be a prolific layout builder... This one will do me for some years to come. Full of admiration for location based layouts but this draws more on inspiration from other peoples layouts. The end of the ballast at the rear will be covered by a road bridge, thus giving the layout its name, and a station roof to hide the tight turn to board 3. Platform ends only being visible, with the station appearing to carry on to the rear. Plenty to do in the way of projects etc ( Doesn't everyone?) Going to try some heavy weathering on the SSAs, kits sat around everywhere, tiger POAs peppered with holes waiting to become limpets etc.. But at least when wiring or ballasting gets a bit tedious there's plenty of other things to do. Thanks as always for looking Steve

Hope you don't mind me re-airing this Jimmy I gave it a read through earlier, thanks for the tip re the weathering... Then I noticed the station roof and I'm also looking to hide my end turn under one But i thought the HST set deserved another airing, I joined around the time you started this thread and seem to remember the set on the window sill. I must have been shy on the like button around that time. Regards - Steve

I'll say it does Graham.... Thank you, without even referring back to a photo your original weathered pic looked spot on. I had a good look around the net this afternoon, at that type in all sorts of conditions. Data panels wiped etc as you've shown. My "Brave" comment was made, because of the amount of paint i'd imagined must have been applied to begin with, to a pristine model. The above pics more than show that. Thanks again also for the effort / time to picture the job as a whole. Really does look the part. With Thanks - Steve

I should have asked in the previous post Graham... Is it possible for a brief description of your method / mixes / and under frames etc on this. I can obviously see the tins to the rear. I've gathered a few articles together lately, but have never weathered this heavily. I always wanted to dirty the Dapol Ferry Wagons but they are still spotless and I don't really want to start a new thread called "Weathering gone wrong - Rolling stock at discounted prices" With thanks - Steve

Very brave Graham But does look good... Steve

Very nice Graham..... Was working and so unable to collect mine at Leamington, will have to wait for them to be posted... Dave... Have PM'd you, re availability of the IZAs Regards - Steve

Would certainly recommend becoming a member Dave, You asked a valid question, and I didn't sense any tone.... The newsletters go into more detail on the kit production side itself. All the best - Steve

Hello Dave, There may well be someone along much more qualified than me to comment, but meantime things seem to be moving along. Quite a few of us have been given a kit number each to pack for the shop so that stock can be kept up. But looking at the number of kits available, the sheer amount of work and admin Richard has in supplying the kit packers is no mean feat in itself. The society newsletters go into more detail. I've recently picked up some bogie wagons that haven't been readily available until now, admittedly not the ones on your list ( I would like some Seacows myself) ... I do look at the shop regularly and have seem some items come in and out of stock ( as you probably have...) That's all i can add really, because it's on a volunteer basis, I think it will take a while. Oh by the way, am also enjoying your thread...Some nice work Kind Regards - Steve

Seems good to me Nigel... There can't be many of us who didn't think that ballasting seemed messy to begin with, but you end up with a system that works for you and gets much tidier as you go on. The depth seems fine from here. I notch the rear rails of the platform edging every 10-15mm on the upper and lower rails with a slitting disc, and bend each section gently.. They will sit and follow a curve easily then... ( Have still snapped a few that way as well ) Progress is what it is, for all sorts of reasons i suppose. I know I'll get a fair bit done in the next few weeks, and then other things will get in the way for a while. Thanks for posting Regards - Steve

Well done with the article Steve Have been waiting patiently since the advert from the previous months issue. So many small details to pick up on, I picked up one of the Coles type yard crane kits last week having seen it at the back of your yard. Superb modelling as always Regards - Steve

My layout is stored safely at the moment in a spare room that desperately needs sorting. Can only echo the above comments about other interests or like you say, taking a bit of a break. I still get pleasure / and ideas from viewing the other layouts on here each week or so, when I can't get anything done on my own layout. Regards - Steve

Thanks for posting Graham... Just finished nights and i'm watching some of your Aylestone West videos on the TV. Hadn't seen your latest N stuff ( Auto shuttle etc) and so was nice to catch up... My loss of mojo has sort of been self imposed with moving rooms, the spare room was always going to be cramped, and is far too warm in the summer anyway. Couple that with work and returning the front room to a living room, my modelling has had to stop for a while. Interesting to read about your plans going forward, and your comment about far too many ideas really struck a chord with me. Two years ago I was going to go around the garden in 00, then last year I started picking up some TTS locos to dip my toes into digital on a budget... Abandoned the Garden idea within a month or so and the TTS stuff has only been on a small test track so far. The Pink Floyd line " Plans that either come to nought, or half a page of scribbled lines " definitely applies to me. And that's not even counting the numerous N gauge wagon projects partially started. But having lots of ideas as you say, I think, means that the good ones that come to fruition become really worth while. Anyway back to your Youtube channel for me now, and I know I'll get back into those wagons as soon as i've broke the back of the work in the living room. Always a pleasure to catch up with your layouts Steve

Thanks as always for posting Graham I've tended to follow the layout threads which have run for years. So 50,000 for a topic started a little over 18 months ago is some going. I have to be selective with my time ( Don't we all?) , but have regularly dropped in here since coming across it. Always something new to see & learn. Steve

Knew a Depot shot must be on the way, well worth the wait, excellent Thanks - Steve

Have replied via messaenger.... Kind Regards - Stephen

Have missed the site clearance posts due to work and just enjoyed catching up. Looks so good. This whole topic has turned into such a work of reference and inspiration. Really looking forward to the day these buildings take position on your layout. Regards - Stephen

Really nice work on the buffet car Chris Just been catching up, great work on every page, love the depot area..... Thanks for the update Regards - Steve