Tricky

Welcome back old boy! If I were you I would keep posting great photos of your models, tension locks and all. Don’t give ‘them’ the satisfaction of thinking they’ve managed to ‘score a point’.

Looking great as per usual. In answer to your question about painting vermillion, personally I'd paint it over a brown undercoat. Definitely not grey!

Hmm. Some very interesting research there. I was beginning to think the same about where to find details of all the internal fixtures and fittings, like desks, chairs, stove, and anything else found as standard, etc etc. However, I think I’m fairly happy to take a stab at these, and unless further info comes to light happy to proceed on the basis that if it looks right then it will do.

Today I had the privilege of being shown around the fledgling preservation Vale of Berkley Railway at Sharpness in Gloucestershire, by the enthusiastic and charming Howard Parker. It’s an embryonic project and thoroughly captivating and equally charming. I heartily recommend logging on to their website and finding out about it if like me, up until fairly recently, you’ve never heard of it! My involvement at this point will be to build a diorama model, to 7mm, of the Midland station building that used to stand at Berkeley. All that remains now are the foundations, but the building is very similar to those at Butterley and Stoke Golding. It will be a fascinating model project in its own right, let alone the opportunity to help the Railway to raise awareness and funds to rebuild this station, along with the countless other money-sucking tasks that all need doing at once! I wish Howard and his team all the very best.

Stephen, your observation has prompted me to have a flash of inspiration in the night! I’m going to put the remains of buffer stops of a siding that served the crane to the left of the crane, the rest of the track having been demolished along with the wall. Convinced...?!

Frank has just informed me that the building site off to stage left is where the new track serving the crane will be.

No. That’s part of the make-believe ‘off-stage’ bit. The same make-believe that has the main line disappearing into the side of the warehouse!! It’s called Make It Up As You Go Along....

Here’s the crane in its new ‘basic’ colours, before any weathering or toning down. I quite like the contrast between the black and red with a few details picked out like the cast number plate and handrail. Frank needs to look lively though or Mr Knight will have words. Although in close-up he doesn’t look too well.

It did take a few attempts to get it right though.

Not at all! The base is s simple fabrication of brass tube and rod, the finial is a bit of ebony turned in the lathe. The lamp itself is a bit complicated to describe though, basically I drew the folded-out shape on autocad and transferred the print onto some clear plastic packaging (strawberry punnet to be exact!) with my favoured nail varnish method. Then cut it out, then laminated crystal clear tape over it, then scribed the folds, then folded it up and glued it to a plasticard top and bottom with pva. Easier to do than describe. I’ve got to make another for the corner of the office so I’ll take some photos next time. I’m thinking of marketing the artwork for the lamp as part of the Monk’s Gate Models range...

And now we have windows!

I think I will mount mine on a board but I don’t think that it will extend to a bit of track. Just gravel probably.

Didn’t you just make a rather broad assumption about ‘most’ people on this forum in a rather judgemental manner? So not strictly true that you were just making a comment about what you do. No-one is forcing you to mix with cretins such as us.

Great idea with the Lego! Do you plan on mounting the finished box on a scenic board with a bit of track?

Yep, free hand it is then. I'm now approaching crane over-load...!!

There are some very good views indeed. Not only of cranes but of the general environment of the time. I find this sort of thing quite fascinating. Thanks for posting Osgood.

I think I might be settling on a mix of red lead and black. Partly because I’ve started the glazing with black bars and partly because I think two-tone will look quite interesting. I know this probably is the least plausible colour scheme but i’m thinking black for the glazing and red for the casings and cabin below glazing and upper works. What do you think Compound?!

They make my one look a bit mimsy.

Thanks! It's something I've wanted to do for quite a while. But has actually taken a surprising amount of courage to take the plunge. Fortunately I'm fairly well set up already in terms of workshop space and equipment - although it's a great excuse to invest in some new technology - eg 3D printer and laser cutter!!

I finished this lamp yesterday. I’m quite pleased with it really.

Also, that sheet looks as white as a ghost...

Thanks Compound - I had the same quandary about the crane on rails but just glossed over it for Bristol! I like your thinking on red lead; that sounds plausible. Perhaps looking (poring/pouring/pawing) again at the photo, the cabin and main crane body were maybe red and the upper works black?

Hi all, I am now in a position to undertake commissions. Hoorah! I will mainly be concentrating on buildings and structures to 7mm scale and above, but will be willing to look at pretty much anything railway-environment related. Take a look at my threads listed in my signature - you'll see it's mostly Midland Railway apart from an LNWR signal box under construction but I can look at most British prototypes. You'll also see the very high standard of work I can produce. I have also had two articles so far appear in the Model Railway Journal over recent months with hopefully more in the pipeline; one describing the small goods office on Monk's Gate and the other on how I made the wicker baskets, packing crates and boxes also featured on Monk's Gate. Potential commissions for example could range from a handful of wicker baskets, to kit building, to an entire layout if you so wished. This is an exciting new venture for me and something that has been in the back of my mind to do for a long time. I've received lots of encouraging feedback on here and elsewhere and look forward to doing more of what I love. I have my own workshop at my home in Tunbridge Wells, Kent where I have lived for the past 31 years with my wife. I have four children and one granddaughter with a grandson on the way. I'm more than happy to discuss commissions initially by sending me a personal message on here where you can provide a brief outline of what you're after. More complicated commissions may require a face-to-face depending on the location. Pricing will also be worked out on a job-by-job basis. I will shortly have a website where you will be able to view a gallery of past and present work but this is under construction at the moment. I do have quite a few more photos of my work that haven't appeared on here or in MRJ if something grabs your interest. I look forward to hearing from you, Richard

Ha! I typed poring first but it didn’t look right...!!

I’m debating what colour the crane should be. Photos clearly show a very dark colour, possibly black although it doesn’t look it to me. Possibly Venetian Red?