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The weathering on that VEP is awesome - just like the real thing! Paul R

This must be one of the most effective use of a photo backscene that I have ever seen. Fantastic stuff Paul R

Bob The colour is Rover Brooklands Green. I agree in some lights it does not look quite right and I certainly thought that when I started spraying it. However after many coats later it seems OK and I love the way is has dried with a lovely sheen that will mean I don't have to gloss varnish it before the transfers and lining go on! I keep the pictures coming so you can see. BTW I have the same photo of the B1. I have a kit in stock and had intended to model the same loco.However I want to do a J15 and N7 before I start that. DId you realise that WD 2-8-0's worked the line to Felstead on the beet trains? I have a Frank Church photo of one at Braintree. All the best Paul

Sorry about the lack of posts recently - I have had very little modelling time as I have been away on business a lot. One thing that I have done however is get tyhe first paint on the B2 after a build lasting in excess of 5 years. The photos show where we are at and I hope to get some black on her this weekend. I have used Halfords acrylic primers and green coat. I am not sure about the precise shade but as it will have some weathering I am happy that once lined and the black is on it it will be more or less correct. In the meantime I have lost the fall plate assembly and I am worried it has gone up the hoover so I have a job this afternoon! Other than that there has been little progress on hte layout and I still have to spray the platform surfaces to take the shine out of them. The photos make them appear unrealistic. All for now Paul R

I just love this layout Paul. R

Great work Andrew. I can see a lot mor O gauge micro layouts appearing when the Dapol 08 hits the shops. Paul R

Thanks Daz and good to hear from you. I am watching closely the progress on your new layout. The web site for The Model Tree shop is www.themodeltreeshop.co.uk Apparently some of their trees are modelled on prototypes in Edinburgh! Paul

Thought I had better provide a bit of an update. Not much really happening on the layout front - lack of time plus I have been making headway on my LNER B2 which after nearly 10 years of on off construction is nearly finished. I have got to the point where I am now fixing bits on that are not in the kit which I am either making for myself or buying from specialist manufacturers. I made up some cylinder drain cocks from rod, 14BA nuts and some bar. Much better than the somewhat simplified flat etch. I just need to find some injectors and finish off some pipework and I am ready to paint. The loco will be finished as Ford Castle and I have made up the extra conduit and connectros for the tender. On the layout front, I bought a new tree at the London Festival of Model Railways from The Model Tree Shop which places some height into the scene. I have this thing about underscale height trees but have now appreciated exactly how much space the proper things need. I show some shots that I took of the tree on the layout but not where it will finally end up.I don't like the root arrangement so I will probably bury those. As you can see the Deltic has not moved much! These trees are made of a plastic trunk but that wasn't evident until I picked it up - it's so light. I have still not toned down the platform tops nor planted the nameboards and I am having second thoughts about the gas lamps. Not helped by the fact that the wife broke one whilst leaning over the layout to open the window. I did also buy a Langley gas lamp at Ally Pally so I will experiment with that. Finally I have been experimenting with Fotosketcher a free programme you can download from the web. Turns your photos into any type of painting or drawing with parameters you can set. I know you can do this in Photoshop but its quicker in this utility. See what you think. All for now Paul R

Wish I had a shed like yours! Great start Rod. I like the look of this Paul R

Can't wait to see this Paul R

Alan Superb choice. I love the way the tramway leaves the main line at the crossing and wonders down the side of the road. Would you have the space to have all this and the station? Look forward to hearing more about this Paul R

Any thoughts about extending the layout?

Bristol MW would suit me too. Paul R

Stunning Paul R

I have come across all the same difficulties. I need a Bristol RE and I reckon I will have to scratch build. Paul R

Thanks Mark. I really ought to open that bottle Paul R

A little update. I have now finished the platform surfaces and I am very pleased with how these have turned out. The pictures show the completed position. Ther has been an accident however as the wide lent over the platofm to open a window and snapped the gas lamp! Not impressed. However I may have to go back to square one on these since although the prototype was small, the 4mm version just does not look right. I may have toi invest in some Langley models alternatives. Fairly soon I am going to have to start work on the station building! The flash does not show these in a good light I regret since it picks up all the reflections in the emery cloth. If the weather is OK this weekend I will try and get some straight daylight shots. The texture of the emery cloth really does the surface justice although it is too clean. So it will be out with the trusty airbrush to trail a sheet I have left over and tone it down. The van you can see is a Freightman example that I have just completed - the first I have made from a small stock bought some years ago. The added weight of the metal chassis is certanly an advantage. It has had a coat of matt varnish but no weathering as yet. All for now Paul R

I agree - could have sworn that 33 was a Heljan O gauge version Paul

Hi Daz. Yes this is straight out of the box and needs finishing and weathering. I have a 37 to do also. I have a number of other projects to get on and finish but as always time is never available in large enough quantities! All the best Paul

Still making slow progress but a shot or two of my Christmas present won't go amiss I decided to get out one of the Corgi commericals I have waiting for more progress on the layout. All for now Paul R

Richard Are you using white glue or something else - I had thought about using hairspray Paul

Do you not find that if you apply second and third layers, the glue flattens what you have already done or am I missing something Paul R

That sea looks good in the dark Paul R

Does anyone know the exact dimensions of a BR totem station sign. I have fitted one to one of my lamps and it just looks far too large. Its scaled down to about 3 feet which in my mind is too large Paul R

Great Layout - love the photos of the station. Paul R