Tricky

As well as having two coaches and a half cab on my bench, I’ve also made a start on the little Manning Wardle. I’ve decided to base it on ‘Bauxite’ preserved at the NRM. I’m very taken with the care-worn black livery. I’ve also copied the heavy steel/timber sandwich dumb buffers with my own sandwich of brass offcuts with 0.8mm brass rod bolts and timber blocks. I’m hoping somehow to replicate the major splits and cracks of the original timber blocks on ‘Bauxite’. There are some small cracks already - maybe dry out the timber on the radiator in the workshop to make them crack some more…? A solid start and enjoying the build so far. Will be fun squeezing in a gearbox and motor!

My condolences to his family and friends. He will be sorely missed.

At last, I’ve finished the first two low relief structures and fitted them in place. To hide the curved sky panel edge, I’m going to make a bridge, also on the curve and stick it over the said panel. This will carry on a little way behind these buildings, hence they’re set a little way away from the sky panel. The lantern turned out ok, all scratch built from ply, with a brass finial and acrylic glazing. As mentioned previously the wooden battens are to take a timber platform.

I have rather confused matters with the orientation of the engine shed!

I’ve checked it out on the maps and notionally it’s on the wrong (south) side of the tracks. In my little world the model view is looking north with the quay off to the left (west).

Which small church would that be?

And lastly, one possible arrangement of low relief buildings and walls along the back. I may squeeze in some trees behind the long wall blending into painted ones, if I feel brave enough.

Now you don’t…

Now you see it…

And today a promising start to my workmen’s train. The first Alphagraphix coach.

Modest progress of late, but still proceeding quicker than in recent weeks, so not complaining! I’ve added gutters and down pipes, fabricated from brass tube; glazed the windows and also added some timber strip which will support the platform planking. I’ve also started a lantern which will come out from the wall on a fancy bracket, more photos to follow anon.

As it was me who posed the question of drawings for crossing gates, I was also wondering what colour they would have been painted. In some Edwardian era photos they look very grubby indeed. But as @Compound2632 says in the above thread, most likely white. So mine will be white, albeit a bit grubby with vermilion diamonds. I still find the lemon chrome posts and boxes the only unattractive aspect of Midland style!

If we hadn’t seen it here we would no doubt think it would look very odd as a model.

Ah I see.

Mind boggling - and all before breakfast..?!

Cracking on. This is the beginnings of the next low relief building along the back. It will incorporate the loading bay canopy as mentioned before to give it a bit of depth, plus the overhanging appendage above. The big hole will have some large sliding doors in it.

Wrong period unfortunately...!

I never saw it in the flesh but I have certainly heard of it. I think he has sold it on now - but I’ll have to ask him how he did his teak coaches!

It’s funny where inspiration comes from sometimes. Just started this puzzle for the dark autumn evenings - and it’s a rather fetching red Metropolitan engine with equally fetching teak coaches. A very pleasing combo. I have a feeling @t-b-g will be a bit dismayed if I have coaches still in teak livery but I do like this painting! I’ll just have to think of ways in which I can vary the MW livery sufficiently so that it’s not a Midland livery - I guess with non-Midland lining, say something more elaborate?

Would anyone have a drawing for level crossing gates? I’ve tried the study centre index but it didn’t throw anything up. I may have seen an article in a Midland Record but again can’t find it in on -line index listings.

If I was a potential coal thief, I'd throw off the top painted layer and pinch the unpainted ones underneath!

Why go to the time and effort to stack coal so neatly rather than slinging it into coal staithes?

Shocking indeed! That photo threw my pet hate out of the window of over-doing the slipped/broken slates so beloved of some modellers! Obviously broke a few panes in the process…

Yes, but then look at some of the buildings in the background of photos of turn of the century wagons. I think you know where I’m going with that…!! Having said that, the building above with the two windows and door is in good condition. Very light weathering only to tone down the shiny cream spray paint…

I agree light green and brown sounds lovely. I’m not sure how that combo sits with other red locos though, or perhaps I’m over thinking it?