Tricky

They’re not his. Hence his dignified eagerness to exit stage left.

That’s fantastic - all of the products you mention I’ve never heard of, so even better to have my horizons broadened. Thank you!

Care to describe in more detail?

That is quite delicious Jinty, and I’m not even a fan of modern image (ie anything after 1923...!). Super work.

As well as working in the warehouse and building to its left, I’ve also done some work on the canal walls and timber baulks. This first photo is of a section of timber which is supposedly protecting the three drainage pipes but I suspect may also be used for tying up barges. It’s probably a bit too substantial for either purpose but better that than too flimsy-looking. Next job will be to paint the ply ‘water’ a ‘water’ colour before planting the walls and applying a thousand layers of gloss varnish. To the left of this length of wall is a section which is in the process of being re-built. You can just make out something like this in one or two of the 1890’s photos on line. It’s protected by newer-looking baulks. The black hole behind will be filled in and scenicised to look like builder’s work in progress. Looking forward to adding some colour to the water, brickwork and timber to start to bring it all to life.

Yes, he's rather pleased with himself but he's taking it in his stride, so to speak. He is, however, in danger of getting ideas above his station with a 'cameo' appearance in Bristol. He'll be asking for a kick-back next. (I make that four puns. I'm clearly very bored at work...!)

A proud moment for Ned.

Just found Warrens thread....fantastic quality I can only dream of ...last post Sept ‘16 though - where has he been lately?! Yep, West Malling a lot closer than N Wales..! Shame.

No, agreed; not many colour photos around in 1907 for me to go by! But weathering of a steam loco in service is the same, ie blistering paint on the smoke box, build up of grime around rivets and in corners where the cleaner’s cloth didn’t reach, and so on. Besides, if there’s no colour photos to compare, who’s to say it’s wrong?! Goods wagons of all sorts where left to gather grime and very quickly too after entering traffic. No Clean Air Act then, and lots of sulphurous coal fire fumes! Of course, you’re right, locos where generally much better looked after but some photos do show that not all were kept in pristine condition by any means. I’m quite sure (if you ever fancied it) a man if your talents would be able to pull it off very convincingly!

It's me! And thank you for your kind comments, yet to receive my copy...!

Superb as always... the attention to detail is very impressive. Have you ever tried your hand at pre-grouping?! Id like to see it if you have!!

Work is progressing nicely...for some reason I always seem to work left to right on the buildings...! One thing which I have found interesting is the importance of being able to view the scene from the intended public viewing height as construction progresses. Perspective and details you think are visible suddenly alter as your eye level gets lower. This cameo thing is certainly a challenge and one I am enjoying (so far!).

Great post. I certainly don’t take MRJ for granted and love it’s esoteric nature and way of doing things. Very British! Following the link says 260 is due out 25.1....

I think it was Birmingham actually (although still not sure...) so he was able to take the canal for most of the way.

Couldn’t resist nicking some props from Monk’s Gate last night...!

I have indeed seen that photo. There are quite a few similar shots of the area in Midland Record No 30, which has been the main source of inspiration. To be honest I hadn’t really clocked that the Midland came down this far until I started constructing the model, and I also had no idea they owned a fleet of barges (or lighters to give them their proper title). I find this process of discovery quite absorbing and the more you think you know, the more there is to discover.

Yep, that’s the one! Lettering was done by choosing a font in Autocad close to the prototype, printing in reverse on a laser jet and then transferring a faint outline onto the model using the nail varnish remover method (see Midland in London). The actual painting was done by going over the lines with a bow pen and very small brush. I’ve guessed at the colours...

What's The Yard?

I did some lettering yesterday. Next up a bit of weathering and some further details before fixing down. My first building at last!

I have recently taken to catching up on 6 series of Peaky Blinders on the iPad whilst scribing brickwork. That gets your mojo going...

I may have said this before, if so, please forgive me; but for me railways and modelling them has always been my number one ‘hobby’. I say number one, perhaps ‘only’ would be more accurate. My wife of almost 31 years has only until recently been able to fully appreciate the therapeutic nature that modelling has for me. Due to a nervous breakdown in March of last year (which I would say I am 95% over thank God), modelling and the art of producing something really rather good with my imagination and hands was therapy of the most exquisite nature. She is more supportive of my hobby now than ever which she sees as more than just a hobby. It is an activity that occupies my mind, gives me focus and is incredibly rewarding. All of these aspects I am sure help to speed my recovery. I may have also said this before, but my Railway Shed and workshop have literally been a life-saver to me and I feel very blessed to have them and also to be able to share all this with like-minded souls such as yourselves. Happy 2018 to you all and don’t be too hard on yourself. Only look back to see how far you have come.

Hi Gareth, Just found this thread and very impressed with what you've done. Particularly with RC. I played with this last year and ended up throwing it all in the bin after I fried the board...! Tempted, however, to have another try having read this. Slow running is imperative for my shunting cameo 'Midland in Bristol'. Richard

I'm trying an experiment with glazing bars...to the left of the warehouse there will be a covered staircase. My thoughts are to build the screen from CD case material onto which is painted the glazing bars with a bow pen. The wooden framing and panelling is then built up over this base layer. I have done windows before with thin microstrip but it's a fiddle and sometimes a bit variable. Here the bars have been painted onto the clear CD case material using a drawing as a guide. And here I have cut out the top layer by transferring a copy of the drawing (printed in reverse) onto the plasticard using nail varnish remover. I've yet to cut the middle layer which will show the planking and then laminate it all together. If it works...

Yes, and guess how many D299s I currently own...?!

If 2018 is a possibility I'll definitely get it ready. It's only little!!