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Norton Wood

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  1. Norton Wood
    So the next project...
     
    With the King Tiger project out of the way and the W1 project awaiting for airbrushing it was about time I moved forward to the next project, so since the Oxford Rail LNER N7 has fallen into my possession and the locomotive has returned from weathering, I thought the locomotive needed a set of coaches which accompanied the gracefulness of the N7, and well there is only one set of coaches which suits the N7 more, so I have managed to find a company which specializes in LNER coaching stock via 3D Printing. So thanks to a friend I found Isinglass Models and I've asked them to produce the LNER Gresley Quint-Articulated set which I plan to build as per the 1930's batch built by Metropolitan Cammell. Who was one of the many companies who built the LNER the Quint sets for the LNER. (Further history on these sets will evolve as we go through the blog)
     

    T.Crouch (2019) 
    Background Info
     
    Building or owning an LNER Quint set is a project I've wanted to do for some-time now, but with the Ian Kirt kits being so expensive and the lack of production of this kit has made it highly valuable and the majority of these kits are now being sold in BR Maroon which is not my era and doesn't look as nice as LNER Teak. Plus the likelihood of various well-known companies producing such a set it's fair to say that Dinosaurs roaming the earth again is more likely than it being produced in RTR. It seems that the old ways of getting kits of various types of LNER coaches are becoming harder and harder to do. Meaning serious younger modelers, like myself, are having to find or spend more to get what was an easy set to get hold of. Shame really. 
     
    In this case, the LNER Quint-set is one such set of articulated coaches Isinglass has worked or developed since starting out. So as per the plan, my aim is to build 2 sets of these coaches in LNER & BR condition, the reason for doing this is so I can have a set which will run on my personal layout of Norton Wood and so the other set can run on Mile End Park, which since the last update has moved on from just being a large locomotive shed...Further details to follow on the Mile End Park Blog. 
     

    Locomotives Illustrated (1997) 
     
    The Plan -
     
    The plan is to write about the build of one of the sets as I feel I don't want to repeat myself regarding the build of the second set, so this blog will only focus on the LNER liveried version. 
     
    The aim is to follow the prototypical formation of a set so, for this model, I plan to do Set No. 137A with:
     
    Diagram 81. lst/3rd Comp (Former 1st/2nd Comp) - No. 64055 Diagram 82. Full 3rd (Former Full 2nd) - No. 6573 Diagram 83. Full 3rd (Former 2nd/3rd Comp) - No.64054 Diagram 84. Full 3rd (As built) - No.60072 Diagram 85. 3rd Brake (As built) - No. 62072  
     
    Those in the know will understand that the quint sets used to run with 1st - 2nd & 3rd class passengers on board however set no. 137A will be set after the 1st January 1938, at which point the LNER had decided to remove 2nd class seating, so more 3rd class seating could be accommodated, essentially earning the maximum profit, as 3rd class was the most utilized, so the Quints could carry more people who could only afford the 3rd class seating.  If I could afford 2nd class I should imagine passengers would have been rather disappointed by the LNER's move. 
     
    This information was kindly given to me via information request regarding an article, which was written in 1997 regarding the Quint sets. Fortunately, it also has diagrams displaying the different companies which made the sets and the coach numbers. Plus further reading has been recommended to me, in the form of Steve Banks who has produced an article on the LNER GE Suburban lines. All very interesting, in addition to that, I have also had to ask colleagues of mine if they would be able to take photo's of the only other LNER Articulated set of coaches preserved being the LNER Quad-art set, to use as guidance for the quints along with the drawings which have been provided. with the Isinglass model kit and the drawings in the articles produced.
     

    Locomotives Illustrated (1997)
    Recommended Watching & Reading: 
     
    Of course to understand the purpose for these set's it would be rather necessary to find some reading, so I'd recommend looking through; Charles Phillips book on 'The Great Easter Railway in south Essex', David McIntosh 'Gresley's Legacy - Locomotives and Rolling Stock', Kevin McCormack 'The Eastern Around London - A colour Portfolio' and  finally Locomotives Illustrated No.116. All of which, have some excellent photographs of the Locomotives and Quint-art set's in service.  Further programs which I'd recommend watching is the Old VHS called Memories of the Great Eastern, which a whole segment of the video is dedicated to the 'Suburban Services into Liverpool St' covering the N7's carrying out the suburban traffic into and out of Liverpool St, hauling the Quints. 
     
    What has been great is the information and available archive video, which has meant I have been able to get all the relevant information I can, and having spent a dedicated week on research on this subject.
     

    K. McCormack (2008) The Eastern Around London
    To Finish Up
     
    On a final note...
     
    So with that blurb out of the way, I hope you enjoy this as I progress my way through the build, which begins in the next part. As the coaches have only just been ordered I cannot say how long it'll be before the next part but I do hope that in the next few months something will bear fruit. 
     
    Thanks
    Tom
  2. Norton Wood

    King Tiger Part 1

    By Norton Wood,

    King Tiger 104 at Bovington in 2017 during the Tiger Collection Display
     
    The King Tiger, Germany's Final major Tank Development, combining the Tiger I and Panther, this combined the very best, using this Tiger's Armour with the Panther's Sloped Armour. This tank made all Allied tanks in the field look like toys and the King Tiger almost In penetrable from the front.
     
    These are a few selected Tanks Fielded by the nations fighting the war in France & Belgium)
     
    British Forces:
     
    Comet - Late 1944 Only - Medium Tank
    Cromwell - Medium Tank
    Centaur - Medium Tank with Cromwell with Howitzer fitted
    Churchill Mk VII - Heavy Tank
    Sherman - Medium Tank
    Sherman Firefly- Medium Tank fitted with British 17pdr Gun the only gun that could take on German Tanks from range.
    Achilles (Wolverine) - Tank Destroyer
     
    US Forces:
     
    Sherman - Medium Tank
    Wolverine - Tank Destroyer
    Hellcat - Tank Destroyer & Recon Tank
    Jackson - Tank Destroyer
    Chaffee - Recon
     
    German Forces
     
    King Tiger/Tiger II - Heavy Tank
    Panther - Medium Tank (Heavy Tank by Allied standards)
    Tiger I - Heavy Tank
    Panzer IV - Medium Tank
    Jagd Panther - Heavy Tank Destroyer/ Assult Gun
     
    The Germans out gunned everything even the Firefly...
     
    So because of my interest building Tanks from the past and so far I've built 3 WW1 Tanks (Two British 1 German) - 2 Cold War Tanks (Centurion & Chieftain) and the Sherman FURY (American ww2) from the film Fury, I thought I'd build a tank from WW2 from the German side of the conflict:
     

     
    So at Christmas, I was kindly given this Kit of the German King Tiger Tank by MENG in 1/35 Scale. This kit is nothing short but amazing, the quality of the molding is astounding, the kit has had molded into the plastic as if it was properly cast, showing the pitting and rough edges that metal would gain when going through the casting process. Furthermore, the kit has been gas cut out of the steel and the welding marks where it has been put together by the men in the factories (Yes Men not Women - It was deemed un-womenly if the women went into the factories so German Men built and fought in their tanks).
     

    The Modeling News - Photograph
     
    How is it going to look?
     
    History for King Tiger 105
     
    The Tank I intend to do is the King Tiger No.105 as part of the Kompanie SS - Pz, Abt 501 K-G Peiper which was commanded by Obersturmführer Jürgen Wessel, on the 18th of November 1944 (Two Day's into the Battle of the bulge) A formation of King Tigers were moving towards Stavelot in Belgium roughly 107 Miles from Antwerp (The German's Target of the whole operation) The town at the time was held by the American's. A Wolverine Tank knocked out the lead tank (No. 105) 88mm gun, the commander Wessel moved the column along another road which was parallel to the main road, at which point it is believed something spooked the German commander, forcing the tank to retreat, the tank smashed into a house and the gearbox of the tank was destroyed. Following this Commander Wessel jumped onto the second tank King Tiger No. 132 in the column and directed the Tank to the threat, which is believed was destroyed. The Tank Column moved forwards to Antwerp leaving King Tiger 105. After the battle, the tank was found by the American's when these photos were taken.
     

     

     

     
    These photos have been so reliable I've been able to work out what camouflage pattern & style that Tiger 105 carried, in addition to this I've been able to work out the German RAL Colour Schemes. Thankfully German Tanks in 1944 tended to carry only 3 different colours as part of the Camo they carried and German Tanks Tended to be quite personalized as the Sand Coat was applied in the factory & the crews themselves applied the rest of the camouflage as it depended on the area in which they were fighting. In this case, Tiger 105 was in a form of the German Ambush Camouflage but having white dots, dotted around the tank to act as snow. To aid the camouflaging of the tank when trying to avoid Allied Recon or Ground Attack Aircraft.
     
    German Camouflage Numbering Scheme:
     
    RAL 7028 - Sand Basecoat
    RAL 6003 - Dark Green
    RAL 8017 - Red Brown
     
    So using the photo's I've managed to come up with these photos for the Camo scheme that the tank will carry, further to that I bought some Decals from Star Military Decals via Hannnetts which they have various types of Tanks which modelers can do. In this case, I had the choice of doing 3 King Tigers 2 with the Zimmerit Armour plating and 1 without this being King Tiger 105 and the reason why the whole journey began.
     

     

     

     

     
    So after all that in the next part I'm going to cover the Sprews & the beginning of the kit build, so until next time happy modeling.
  3. Norton Wood
    Since ordering the set from Isinglass Models and having been informed of how long it can take for the set to be produced I spent a bit of time collecting resources, so I thought I should briefly talk through what I found and what you'll need if your to build a similar set whether it be a; Quint, Quad or Twin. So recently these items arrived: 
     
    Transfers - X2 LNER Coach Numbers - X2 LNER Class door numbers - 1 Pack of LNER Corporate lettering & Guard lettering - 1 Pack of White A-Z 0-9 numbers  (Quint Only)  Phoniex Paints - P995 Teak Basecoat  -P997 Golden Teak - P65 LNER Roof Grey - Plus Humbrol No.32 Grey (This'll act as weathering for the teak at the end)   
    Interestingly before I purchased the transfers I checked how many 3rd class door transfers I'd need to apply onto the door sides the total being 66 doors, this is fine except Fox only give you 60 3rd class decals. (Just to be clear that's not a complaint but it's annoying when you're doing such a large set of coaches). So it meant I had to purchase 2 Sets of the LNER Door class numbers. Photo below: 
     

     
    Fox transfers are well known for producing high-quality stuff but of course, with that comes a premium. Although I do feel that it's worth it when the final product rolls out. 
     
    While looking for paints I spent a bit of time looking for how I should carry this technique out, so I came across this page on RM Web discussing at length how teak should be finished. Of course, looking at the sets of teak even on one coach all the panels have different states of finish upon them so when doing teak it's been recommended to me to spray the base coat while hand-painting the panels, before gloss varnish and transfers, followed by the satin coat & the weathering. Thanks to the people on this page I have learned quite a lot and will use this info when going forwards. 
    Interestingly Isinglass, produced these 3D Printed Bogies, these were sent out to modelers who were interested, so we could test them and see how they would perform. The result of that was the bogies are fine to use under Ian Kirk kits but work is required to make them fit in and operate perfectly. I had to drill out the holes for the brass bearings to go in, allowing the wheels to roll smoothly. Which proved to be fine, and put under a Hornby Teak & kitbashed coach I'm working on I had no problems at all. From what Andy / Issinglass models have said, a little bit more work is required to finalize them, but it has meant that I will no longer require spare Hornby Teak Bogies, and I'll be able to get more accurate, a closer connection between the coaches. 
     

     
     

     

     
    As for the rest of the build, at the time of writing work on the CAD files for the coaches has begun, as is such to the detail that Isinglass go to, I was asked the era and type of quint I wanted to model, as the LNER had a number of batches made and under different diagram's. Too which I have requested the latter LNER Metropolitan Cammell, built stock, of which they only built 4 sets 136A & B and 137A & B, which follows the LNER Diagram's 81,82,83 & 85 set, which makes these coaches completely unique to the original batch built in the 1920s. Which is what we expect when you go to extra-long lengths to get these things right. 
     
     
     
    Hopefully, I will be able to produce another update soon, as I'm enjoying the writeup's far too much. 
     
    Cheers 
    Tom
     
  4. Norton Wood
    Hello again, and Merry Christmas
     
     
    Since the last few updates the project has moved steadily towards the end result, in this update I will be concluding the building of the coaches and 
    continuing the ongoing job of painting the coaches, which has been ongoing for quite sometime. 
     
     
    Since the first update I was always intending to do Set No. 137A - However, on closer inspection of the 4mm Isinglass drawings that I was provided, I found a problem. Fortunately it's only a historical problem and it's only minor. Essentially the set 137A & 137B were re-marked as 40 I in 1935, interestingly 8 set's were renumbered,  with my layout operating from 1935-1938 I could realistically get away with it, but because I am doing the set as of Jan 1st 1938 where all the 2nd class seating was removed and replaced by 3rd class seating. 
     
    So the Set number has to change so I can fit with the running theme for the Quint.
     
    So the set number I am going with is the Clayton Works Co. Set No. 106A Built in 1927 
     
    Diagram 81 - 1st/3rd Composite - 63122
     
    Diagram 82 - 3rd - 6562
     
    Diagram 83 - 3rd - 63118 
     
    Diagram 84 - 3rd - 60060
     
    Diagram 85 - 3rd Brake - 62060
     
    So, with the interesting History out of the way, we can now move to the final parts of the build before we go into full painting mode...
     
    If you are a reader and in fact a follower of the Oxford Rail N7 thread on RM Web then you'll have probably read a few comments asking a few questions regarding the build of this set, fortunately this progress update was going to focus on this subject of all the little bits I've done while focusing on the big bit of the build. 
     
    Progress so far...
     
    Since the Last update, I've fitted the buffers, underframe kit, battery boxes, dynamo's and finally the Lighting control at the end of the brake. 
     
    Buffers 
     
    So I'll begin with the buffers, a few days after doing the roofs and a general brake from building the coaches, I sat down with a rotary saw/file and steadily filed the buffers down, following the drawings and checking regularly till I met the 4mm profile.  This buffers were by Branchlines, because they do not do the exact type used by the Quint I was given the LB&SCR 54ft bogie carriage buffers. But they fit the profile quite nicely and do look the part. 
     

     
    This photo was a trial fit and they are now level on the coaches. - While looking at the ends of the coaches the Pipes are also from Branchlines and are the Coach Westinghouse pipes as these coaches operated on the N7's OR ANY loco fitted with Westinghouse brake gear. (Or so I've been told) 
     
    Underframes & Doors 
     
    With that completed the following day I received the under frame kit & door handles & grab handles, this was a tricky job. Beginning with the under frame I started with the Coach 1 & 5 this involved the moving the prepared metal work so it did not interfere with the bogies when running. This was also repeated when fitting the battery boxes and Dynamo's to the underside. This taking around an hour I was then able to move onto Coach No.2 , 3 & 4 all rather easy to do but I had to ensure that they did not get in the way of the bogies once more.
     

     
    Once that had been completed I had the massive job of doing all the door handles and grab handles...  Best put simply there are 76 doors on a Quint Art set, which means there are 76 Door handles and 74 grab handles to go on... The only word I can use to describe that is, ouch. This took a long long time to complete!! And has so far been the most unpleasant job I've had to complete thus far. 
     

     
    However being against the resin body they really do look the part, this is even before I thought about doing the lower foot boards. 
     
    Electrical Equipment & Vacuum systems 
     
    This was perhaps the quickest and nicest job to complete, only involving three pieces from the sprew, I found cutting and gluing these components easy to do, my favorite part was taking some wire and re-creating the mock up for the Butterfly clips (I assume) on the end of coach No.1 leading to the top end of the coach and leading down to the Air system.  This involved a bit of wire 0.5 mm and gluing them into place I think it had added a little more detail too the kit. 
     
     
    Coach No.1 - It does look rough at the minute but after some primer and Black paint I don't think many will notice. 
     

    Coach No.5 Fitted with the last pieces of detail...Again it does not look pretty but it's there for detail.
     
    Lower Footboards 
     
    The final task, fitting and glueing  the lower footboards, this was a little issue which I had to do afterwards, realizing that this was the final job I decided to use platsicard and the same wire which I used on coach No.1 so to ensure that I could put the coaches into primer. This job was very fiddly and annoying to say the least. This involved following the drawings but compromising on minor details so I could allow the bogies to swing on layouts with less than gentle curves. The photo below shows the pieces of metal having been glued and placed onto the sole-bar. Since this point I have fitted the foot-boards. 
     
     

     
    Construction Ends 
     
    So ends the construction of the build taking in actual time 30 Day's but more like a Week in total time...But not bad I must say, however this is not the end of the project, I still have the primer coats to go on, painting the inside, painting the Ends, under frame & foot boards into black, paint the sole bar, paint the Teak base coat, paint the final Golden Teak coat...All leading to the transfers...All to look forward too in the next 2/3 parts...
     
     
    So that concludes this blog till the new year, so a Merry Christmas and a Happy new year, so until next time folks
     
    Cheers 
     
    Tom
     
  5. Norton Wood
    It's been a busy weekend,  but sadly it's all over but thanks to a day off today, various parts of the project have been able to be completed. Bringing myself one step closer to finishing this project to enable me to crack on with the Layout. 
     
    To make this a simple piece, this weekend, I was able to pick up my roofs for the Quints from Isinglass Models at the Peterborough Model Railway Show on top of that I was able to get my hands on some 3/32" Nickle Rod. This rod is only just too big for for the bogies but this varies as I found out as all 6 bogies took to the rod differently , 2 of the 6 bogies did not require filing down to get the rod through, however all the coach connectors required fining out to get the the rod through. Since the photo below was taken all the rods has been cut down to a shorter length so it appears more hidden up when running. The example of that work is on the right. 
     
    Another job to get the coaches ready for testing I needed to fit removable NEM couplings, fortunately I have 2 spare from 2 Hornby J15's so I removed the coupling and glued the pocket onto the underside of the two bogies by Sunday Morning the glue had dried and I was able to place the coupling back into the the pocket so testing could begin. 
     

     
    The next job was to test them, so I went to my club layout on Sunday, and straight of the bat, the coaches ran fine without any derailments, I took a few video's and have put them onto my You Tube Channel, showing them running on the club layout, Marriott's County at the Whitwell & Reepham Railway. 
     
     
     
     
    Since these videos were taken, a few more pieces have been completed. 
     
    The next few job's carried out today was mainly the fitting of the roof vents, with that the roofs are obviously printed in Resin, but leave a small amount of film and distinct lines on the roof tops which must be removed. Just a bit of sanding down with some sand paper resolved this. 
     
    Following this and turning the roof over there's a clearly marked spine on the underside of the roof, which gives aid to the modeler when looking for the center point, using the the drawings provided as a guide I was able to get markings for the where the vents are supposed to go, using a permanent marker I marked along the spine to guide me so where the drill needed to create the wholes on the roof. After doing this I test fitted the vents only to find that I needed to use the drill on the other side of the roof so the vents would fit through the hole. 
     

     

     
    After a few hours work I finished all 5 roofs and got them into white primer. I will look to get the underside of the roofs hand painted into white by this weekend. So currently this completes all the structural work for the coaches, the next phase of the project includes fitting the door locks, handles, under frame gear and finally the stage which is white undercoat before painting. 
     

     
    So I shall leave you with this photo, and bid you a good evening 
     
    Thanks 
     
    Tom
  6. Norton Wood

    LNER J15 Upgrade

    By Norton Wood,

    Hi all,
     
    So as many people have posted on RM web or other blogging sites, about there upgrading of the Hornby J15. Now I'm not upgrading the handrails or cab in any way, following in the footsteps of 'The British Railway Series' Blog. I have put on my man trousers and begun and finished changing the J15's as modeled LNER (NER) Teapot chimney to the GER Stovepipe Chimney, this will then be painted, weathered & renumbered.
     
    Anyway, down to business.
     
    To start of with I pulled the chimney off the model, I was quite surprised how well it came off, I then dry fitted the chimney to the model, found that there was quite a deep hole left in the wake of the Hornby molded chimney. So I put some Humbrol model filler in the gap. While it dried I fitted the chimney exactly where I wanted it.
     
    After the filler had dried I took the Chimney for undercoating and painted it with Revell Matt Black No. 8, which came out very nicely. Leaving the bottom of the Chimney unpainted so I could glue it to the filler. After which I then painted the smokebox leaving the result you see before you.
     
    The model then went to Grimy Times to be weathered, unlike other modelers I am not confident enough in my weathering, as I am still practicing on an older model of mine, till I am confident in doing it myself.
     
    As you can see the model has changed from 5444 to 7554 - This not the same loco at all as I spent a long long time trying to find images of a J15 in 1936 Condition with a Westinghouse Air Pump, Stovepipe Chimney and fitted with the LNER type safety valves (Ross poppet valves I think) Correct me if I am wrong I always appreciate learning from others.
     
    About 7554, the loco was spent its entire life at Stratford (London) on the GER as 554, LNER 7554 then renumbered to 5452 and finally BR as 65452. It had a life lasting 53 years. All information can be found on the 'complete BR locomotive database 1948 - 1997' I find this a useful site to find locomotive numbers, which I then cross reference with photos of the period. (Again the photo's are not mine it took me about three hours on the computer looking for images)
     
    Finally, you can see the locomotive on my layout of Mile End Park, with all my current LNER Great Eastern Region Locomotives, all I need is an N7 which I want to do as 7993. The great thing about this layout is it's transdisciplinary so you can have pretty much anything from the 1900s till the 1960's on there and it will look good.
     
    I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed modeling and writing about it.
     
    Thanks very much
     
    Tom



  7. Norton Wood
    Before I begin I'd like to say that the service provided to me by Isinglass was brilliant, followed by the sheer quality of the kit which arrived on my doorstep yesterday.
     
    What came in the kit
     
    To begin, I began by inspecting all that came with the kit;
     
    Sides & Ends  Sole Bar (Underframe)  Roof & Roof Vents  Bogies  Seats & Partition walls  Extras   
    In the box, I found 3 little boxes clearly marked as to what coach was - Box 1 containing the Composite and Brake, Box 2 containing the 3 Middle coaches and Box 3 contained all the extras. 
     
    The Build
     
    So to begin the build, I started off with the usual test fitting and filing, this continued for some time until I began fitting all the coaches of the set, followed by this was the test fitting of the seating and partition walls. This concluded the night as this took some time to complete. 
     

     

     
    With the coaches put into this state, I put them onto the Layout (Mile End Park) behind my LNER N7 and think what will be in the not too distant future...This evening I took the coaches to the workbench and began the work necessary to prepare them for primer, although there are still brass fittings to be added I thought I'd get a rather nasty job out of the way, that being in the form of the windows, all 148 of them needed the flash removing. Not a particularly fun job I must say but it needed doing none the less. While this was being done I asked my brother to put the seats of the Composite into White primer, sadly we would have completed all the seats however we ran out of white primer. But the seats were completed never the less. 
     
     
    The next job involved the bogies, this was a job I was worried about, mainly because I received a test bogie created by Issinglass and with my attempt to fit the wheels into one of the slots the bogie shattered!! With this in mind and since then Issinglass has revised the design to include space to fit brass bearings and allowance for fitting the wheels into the bogie, I found fitting them to be very easy and successful. 
     

     
    As you can see the bogie fits snuggly in-between the two coaches, in addition, the pegs which form part of the articulated segment of the coach. After a bit of time waiting for the primer to dry I took the Coponsite coach seats and began painting them, Red for the 3rd Class and Blue for First Class, following this and allowing that to dry I fitted them into the comp to see how they looked. I have to say I'm rather impressed by the work. 
     

     
    Finally, I put the Quint together on the layout on their bogies for the first time, behind the LNER N7 7993, so all in all not bad progress from the last two nights I must say!
     
     
     
     
  8. Norton Wood
    So what does N&SBLR mean??
     
    It means Norfolk & Suffolk Boarders light railway, the reason for this name was because we wanted to incorporate some of our favorites line from around the area in which we live. As part of the Whitwell & Reepham Model Railway Club, we have keen interests centered on the M&GN and Great Eastern railways, but with Norfolk and Suffolk sporting two amazing little lines with some amazing loco's we needed an excuse to make or purchase models for this layout.
     
    Initially, the layout was in the form of Board 1 which was and still is called "Terriers Territory", this layout set the standard for the rest of the layout, a simple 3 ft by 1 ft board, this was meant for a competition (I forget which one) Based upon the middy & Wissington Branch, the layout was taken to the first Bawesdwell Model Railway show back in 2016, there was thought for building a second piece which came to nothing, a week before the newbuild J50 Group model show, a club member took away terriers territory and build the second board, this began the formation of N&SBLR, which we came up with the name while at the show.
     
    This has developed into quite the interest for our modelers in the club. Each modeler has been given the task of creating a scene 3ft long by 1ft wide. Each board must be seamless and fit in with the previous board so the next member must create the next board, using the previous board which has been made as reference. It has grown so much that now, all 4 club members will build two boards which will mean the layouts full length could be 18 ft long by 1ft wide.
     
    Currently, the third board has been planned and built, but we are yet to have seen these...but I have been given the task of building the fourth board.
     
    So here we go...
     
    Going back to my GE route and having an excuse to purchase something fate came in the form of the Model Rail Magazine LNER J70 0-6-0 Tram, which I was intending to get, but with N&SBLR being built, it gave the locomotive a purpose, something which I could use for display and for exhibitions.
     

     
    This is the model I have ordered, which I think may well prove to be the most popular, this being MR-209 7137 in LNER Unlined Black with full skirts. (Photo by Model Rail Magazine) . Plus as the model gets closer to being finished the need for board 4 increases so it seems logical to start working on this now.
     
    In addition to this, 3-period wagons have been bought for the layout to serve the coal merchant at different periods of time, two LNER and one departmental 1950's mineral wagon, which was typically hauled along the W&U when being operated by the last of the J70's and the early Diesel shunters of the day. This is also to reflect that the layout will be running; Industrial tanks, J15's, J70's, Diesel Shunters and the occasional locomotive bought by a modeler for testing. All to reflect the idea's which the club want to produce to gain a bigger love for light railways and smaller (backwater) railways of the day.
     
    The Plan
     
    As for the plan this has gone through four different plans and six drawings of this have been made up, from what we've discussed in the club, with a small scene it has to fit nicely by itself before it can successfully sit with other smaller scenes. So for board No.4 which is what this will be called, I've gone with a Wisbeach & Upwell (W&U) theme, following the drawing below. It will have a single road (track) progressing from one side to the other with a point which will lead to a simple siding which will serve a coal Merchant ( I. Jones - A story has been planned for him).
     
    Opposite this will be either a field (Which I think is a tad boring) or a Pillbox which is appropriate, as by the 1930's and onward. These were being built because of the threat of invasion and afterward, they stuck around and can still be seen today. So it suits our area perfectly and being next to a railway line gives our Home Guard Volunteers or typical British Tommy on the lookout for the odd spy, it also gives latter day soldiers a perfect training building for defending a solid structure.
     

     
    Modeling
     
    To press on with some modeling I have begun working on a mineral wagon by Parkside, this was something I was given at Christmas last year, which I have finally got round to building. Of course, having worked on these kits before, it was more or less a ten-minute job to put together. I intend to undercoat and paint this while the weather is good enough to work with an airbrush. But the result has been rather good and I'm very pleased with that.
     

     

     

     
    As for loads, as the wagon is going to serve the coal merchant, I intend to have the wagon set at two levels, so it is shunted in full and it will leave the yard almost empty.
     

     
    Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this first part of the N&SBLR Modular layout, I intend to put another update after I have built the board and begin the physical planning.
  9. Norton Wood
    Since the last update, it's been mainly lots of little jobs. Nothing too major in terms of project advancement but it's all in aid to finish the project off. 
     
     
    To start off, with coach No.1 being the 1/3rd Composite (Originally built 1st/2nd Comp) I spent two days painting figures, there are fairly basic figures which you can buy off eBay for £1.50 getting 25 figures in each bag. I bought enough so I have 94 figures in total and to date I have finished 28 figures, fitting 20 into the the comp. The intention is to fit 18-20 figures per coach, showing that the set is full of passenger depicting a typical "crush period" for the  Quints when running. At the time of writing I have 8 finish figures which will go with another 12 set of undercoated figures awaiting there turn for painting, these figures will then move into the No.2 coach.  As per the photo a bit of a production line has begun. 
     

     
    The next job followed on, getting the rest of the compartment seats into White Primer, following this I painted the seats into Red for 3rd class seating, allowing for time to dry I then painted the partition walls into white. I must say it is really nice to see them all painted, really did bring the inside to life. Further too this I then began a bit of experimentation this involved looking at the LNER Quad Art set at the North Norfolk railway to gain an understanding for how the coaches looked on the inside. 
     

     
     
    Next job, sadly this is given away in the top left photo, yes the bogies. I thought it was about time the bogies were painted, this being a fairly easy job, as the brass bearings were already fitted the bogies only required them to be put into primer and painted into black. once fitting the white walled tyres I have to say the Quints are really starting to look the part. It's all these little jobs which do add up when you've spent nearly 3/4 days carrying this work out. 
     

     
    With that all done, the next job will be to work on the roofs which I will be collecting the correct sized versions at the festival of Railway Modelling at  Peterborough this weekend from Isinglass Models who will also be present at the show. So until next time.
     
    Thanks 
  10. Norton Wood
    A Happy New year to my readers, 
     
     
    Sadly, like all good things this project is nearly at an end, but with the end of this project it allows me to begin and continue the MILE END PARK layout build. As I said at the beginning of this project the quints play the most important roll on the layout, acting as the mainstream of suburban working into the capital. This and other pieces of rolling stock which I have been working on for sometime in the background have allowed me to build quite the operational roster for the layout as a whole. Of course the aim will be to have two operational Quints on the layout and I'll likely do a 
    comparison blog on the Early & Late sets 
     
    At the end of the last part the coaches were left ready to go into primer and being the painting phase, The first thing I did was put the coaches into all over white, this way there would be a better application for the paint when it is applied. Once completed I masked the Yellow up and had the coaches painted all over black. Removing the masking meant that I could look into painting the teak coat.
     

     
     
     
    Having spoken to a number of people about the teak process, it became clear it's not something you can easily replicate with a paint brush, this is why looking at Hornby's LNER 61ft.6in stock is quite difficult to match or even attempt to replicate. Teak is something that LNER modelers have to work at and practice even after that the coaches will all look different, which is exactly how they would have looked back when operating under the LNER. So, with this in mind I wasn't too worried if the coaches looked very different from each other.  I took an old Hornby 4 wheeler and practiced this effect, because my nerves gave out. I refused to do the quints first, having recently built a Chivers LNER Pigeon Van kit, I tested the teak effect on the body side, with a stiff brush and giving a very high result. I thought "okay I'm ready to do this". So a few day's ago I took the plunge and painted the full set, with a good set of results. The final task was the paint the window frames on the doors, with was a job which needed a steady hand and a very fine brush. All but one of the coaches had this done, and I'll let you see in the video below which one it was. 
     
     

     
     
    Following this, I took the coaches out on test at my model club at the Whitwell & Reepham Railway, in this I was able to run an LNER N7 with a Quint of Teaks. I think it looked very smart, the video below demonstrates this. There are two video's available showing the teaks operating on the layout. 
     
     
     
    After a bit of running in and a good number of photo's taken which make the header of the project. I will say the coaches run extremely smoothly now and that Isinglass has done a fantastic job to insure that they've not causes or had any problems when running. After a bit of time I took the coaches in for the final little jobs, painting any area's where the black had some of the wood paint applied, this also went for the foot boards, and some of the coach ends.  I then began the task of painting the door handles and grab handles in LNER Teak (Brown) paint, a result which has turned out quite nicely. Concluding the paint work, I gave the Quint's roofs one more final coat of paint, just so I can have a really smooth and nice surface. With that completed only a few job's remained.  
     
    Transfers 
     
    In terms of what I like doing the most, transfers are my favorite task in modeling. Having modeled Military tanks for many years and not actually completed any railway kits, I must admit I was getting quite excited about finishing this project. Following the drawings, I noted that LNER coaches have the LNER lettering and Numbers at each end of the set, however they are opposites on each coach. Which was an interesting thing to get used too. 
     
     

     

     

    (Above) This was one of my favorite details to add to the coaches when I completed this end, it made the coach end stand out and it certainly looked different! 
     

     
    Having completed the transfers, this is a major milestone for the whole project. At this point I'd like to say I'm very happy how this has turned out, the paint work has set off the transfers and I think it certainly looks like teak. I do look forward to doing an Early Quint set and the East Anglian at some point just to have another challenge and see set out the backbone of Mile End Park's operational fleet. 
     
    In the next part which will be the end of this build, I'll aim to put the final coat of white on the roofs, apply a Satin varnish on the sides & Matt varnish on the ends, followed by re-gluing a few seats, applying Glue n Glaze to the windows and finally sealing the figures into the coaches for the last time. 
     
    So until next time...
     
     
  11. Norton Wood

    King Tiger Part 2

    By Norton Wood,

    Having Spent a good long time looking at the actual photo's then looking at two modelers who have carried out this project prior to me starting this (I'll link below to his YouTube Video, who has also linked the other chap) It is clear to me. That to do King Tiger 105 there is a lot of speculation/ artistic license as per the camo it carried, the marking type it carried and whether it carried the German Cross and 501 Flash on the front & rear of the tank.
     
    With that in mind, I have spent a long time thinking about doing King Tiger 105. Which has led me to move away from doing 105 and going freelance with this whole project, I've set upon doing my own King Tiger as part of the 501 near towards the end of 1944 early 1945 in which I will do doing the Number 312, if this was a real tank, please do not say "Oh but this is not to how the real 312 was" I am merely doing this for my own enthusiasm, most of my tanks that I have built have not been based on a real thing BAR my WW1 Mk IV & Medium A which have been painted and detailed as real vehicles.
     
    In the days waiting for the kit to arrive, I was able to go to a model show and pick up the Tamiya Paints (Which I find are very accurate bring out the model when worked on correctly. which I needed for this project, so in this case, I bought, XF - 64 Red Brown, XF- 61 Dark Green and already in my store, XF- 60 Dark Yellow.
    Accompanied by the use of an airbrush these should turn out quite nicely onto the armored behemoth.
     
    With that all being said, the kit arrived a few days ago ( I wrote the first blog without the kit at the time) and I thought I'd get stuck in as there are plenty of reviews of this kit showing the Ins and Outs of this kit.
     
    The photo's below are a selection of photos I took during the build, so please enjoy the build progress.
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     
    So yeah, lots of photo's but it's turned out well. I plan to get it into a primer and look into paint the model into the Sand base coat then look at the Green & Brown Coats for the main camouflage.
  12. Norton Wood
    Hello again,
     
    Things have been progressing well, board 1 has begun a re-scenic build and the addition of a new building. The plan for board 3 has been finalized and board 4 is now on the road, I now have all the materials to build the board and lay down the track and begin working on smaller scenic pieces. If interested the Whitwell & Reepham Model Railway Club will be hosting a model show at the Whitwell & Reepham Railway, this also tie's into the railways first ever diesel running event. N&SBLR Board 1 & 2 will be operating, I will be working on the scenic's and track work while at the show for board No. 4.
     
    So down to what has been done...
     
    Board 1
     
    With board 1 it's been going through quite a repair I'm going to put three photographs up of start middle end. Which basically covers what has been changed, but in simple terms, it's been given a storage building, the station buildings have been changed and painted into the LNER trademark livery of Cream & Green with the addition of some LNER Posters. Further scenic work has been added and the coal stage has been moved, however, this version will be completely removed and a new coal stage will be built.
     
    Before
     

     
    After
     

     

     

     
    Board 2
     
    A shed has been planned to be added over the pit, for crews to work & prepare their loco for the day, the cattle dock is also planned to be finished to allow the scene to feel complete.
     
    Board 3
     
    Here is the drawing for Board 3, so the idea is that you are not supposed to see the locomotive in this scene. You should only be just able to see the locomotive as it runs through the mass of trees heading towards board 4. On the other hand, the drawing shows a siding with a small passing loop to allow loco's to run around the cattle wagons before they are propelled into the siding for the cattle-dock.
     

    Board 4
     
    With board 3 planned and me working my way through the build I've spent a bit of time with a fellow club member planning how the scene will work out and although the board is 3ft long by 1 ft wide and there was an initial thought that there wasn't enough space to play with but there is a lot of space to play with. So working on the layout allowed me to make some changes, which resulted in me not being happy having a pillbox on the layout so that has been removed and the level crossing is being moved forwards towards board 3 as per this drawing.
     

     

     
    This picture gives you an idea of the space I will have to play with when the board has been made.
     
    Initial work has begun getting everything I need together, to sort the layout out so once the boards are built I can move forwards
     
    Wagons & Coaches
     
    Wagons...We have to create a certain amount of wagons which we can use, there will always be the same and it's agreed that all the wagons will be 3 linked together (Shunters poles will have to be made) this is to add realism and add more authenticity. But recently a club member bought two more wagons for the fleet and I was given the task of adding the three links to the wagons. This was the result...Again not much has changed but it will add to the wagons when being hauled along the layout.
     
    Plus plans have been set in motion to get our Wisbeach & Upwell Tramway coaches on the way to being built and working, further W&U carriage kits have been acquired for the layout when we decided to go for a W&U theme.
     
    However in the carriage shed, I've been working on something, in this case, I took 2 Hornby 4 Wheeled coaches which many will recognize from the Little Blue Embarrassment (Now Americanised) TV Show. Which have been called upon to perform the ultimate act of loyalty... To become what will be a 6 wheeled LNER Coach.
     
    So to begin, I began doing small fixes to the model mainly in repairing the roof of one coach. I began marking out where I was going to make the cut, to which I made and tested, the result has been rather good, following this I needed to work on the chassis.
     
    So I measured the new coach body length, which was 113mm and each coach chassis was 85mm cutting down one of the W irons I had the center of the coach 2mm in length, so I had 46mm to play with at each end of the coach. After trial and error, I managed this result. Following that filler went in and the coach roof was sealed, this has been initially painted black but a change of plan has meant that this coach will go into LNER P-WAY Blue and a Celestory will be used for the BR Period:
     

     

     

     
    Club discussions:
     
    As you know we plan to use a variety of (GE) LNER Locomotives; This discussion finally came to ahead with written down plans for the loco's, rolling stock and the era to run the whole layout so what has been written down so far is:
     
    Locomotives
     
    To match the two main periods which are
     
    LNER - Pre War 1923 - 1941
     
    J15 -7554
    J15 - 7564
    J15 - 7524
    J15 - 7510
    J70 - 7137 - Full Skirts
    J70 - 7139 - Partial Skirts
    J68 -
    Y3 - 148
     
    LNER - During and Post War 1942 - 1947
     
    J15 - 5471 -War Time
    J70 - 7128 - War Time - Full Skirts)
     
    J70 - 8223 - Post War - Full Skirts)
     
    BR - Early 50's
     
    J15 - 65471 - Vac & Air fitted
    J15 - 65388 - Vac fitted only
    J70 - 68222 - Full skirts
     
    Rolling Stock
     
    Coaches
     
    Wisbeach & Upwell Tramway - Kit which we need to build
    Wisbeach & Upwell Van - Kit which we need to build
    Any Hornby 4 wheeler which can be mocked up into period light railway coaches.
     
    Wagons
     
    Basically, any Eastern region fruit van, open wagon or cattle wagon we can get our hands on. Which as a club we can provide plenty of stock
     
    So that was a rundown of what is going on, so until next time
  13. Norton Wood
    Hello again,
     
    As I was asked in the comments if I could produce a number of photo's and a plan of the previous modules, so I took the time to produce a number of photographs of the first 2 made modules for you over the weekend. This part won't include work of the build on my segment, however, I have begun gathering parts for the layout, mainly in the form of the Pillbox, bolster wood sheeting, fencing and some smaller kits for the coal merchant. I have also got some modeling completed and photoed for you of the wagons for the two periods, which are being modeled.
     
    Board 1:
     
    As you can see Board one is the oldest of the layout, setting the theme and the way each board should be built.
     
    This layout as you see it will be updated so it will match the newer standards of board 2 & 3. This is something that we as a club have recognized, as the boards get older they will begin to look rough around the edges, something that we as the club members will have to deal with. Board 1 is going to be changed slightly where a building will be put in place for storing wagons, the locomotive coal bunkers will be removed and a sugar beet pile will be put in place. In addition, the station is going to be cleared up and rebuilt in certain places. An update on board 1 will be put up sometime as my colleague works on it over the coming weeks.
     

     

     

     
    Board 2:
     
    As you can see this board is defined by the scene break which is the bridge which will help in regards to the third board, this section was added to give the layout some more operational interest. with the inclusion of a road with Loco pit and a spur leading to a cattle-dock obviously connecting nicely with board 1, in addition, the road will lead to a set of sidings more of extra storage for cattle wagons etc.
     

     

     
    Board 3:
     
    Sadly I do not have a picture of a built board 3 as of yet, however, there are currently three ideas moving around as to how this will be constructed:
     
    A: The layout might be split down the middle to create a fiddle yard, and have a small warehouse or factory which could take goods from the railway to market and out back will be a passing loop to allow two trains to pass by bringing more material, or coming with empties to fill off the yearly goods.
     
    B: This could be in a cutting which you can only just see the locomotives pass through, and the cutting will get lower almost flat as we enter the next board. The second road, of course, is there serving a few sidings.
     
    C: This is a third basic, flat scene, but B is currently floating as the most popular.
     
    Further board Ideas:
     
    There are further talks of a large bridge being built which splits segments of the layout up, the image shown below is what is another idea being drawn up.
     

     
    Operation:
     
    The idea for the layout should be that there should always be something going on - continuous running is necessary to keep the public happy, so to do this N&SBLR is not only good scenic wise but should also be operationally correct and smooth, allowing for increased realism. The way the layout is operated is to give an idea of how the operation of a light railway or small railway should be carried out. In this case, to provide goods to the locals and brewery. The railway is central to everything. In this case, a series of small or medium-sized trains will be brought down the line from the GE, LNER or BR Exchange sidings.
     
    Within these trains will be wagons for the coal merchant, brewery, cattle farmer and the odd passenger traffic diagram. Once the wagons are used they are organized in the sidings on the route (However board 4 is interesting) this allows several trains or one specifically sized train to move along the line picking up the goods and empty wagons until they are eventually put back into the exchange sidings. This then leaves the layout with an issue...The whole process has to start again. The idea is that the whole operation takes 15 - 20 minutes of wagons being moved and picked up and shunted into the train.
     
    Wagons:
     
    So I've been working on the LNER & BR wagons for the two scenes for the modular layout; So here we go...
     
    LNER Wagons:
     
    The LNER wagons have been pretty straightforward, as these wagons are RTR they don't require much in the way of work to get the wagons fitted with 3 links so the job was simply make up the three links and fit them. If interested I used these 3 links, springs and drawbars from Slaters.
     

     

     
    BR Wagons:
     
    Now as you have already seen I have made up the BR Riveted mineral wagon and fitted 3 links, since then not much has progressed with that, as I am currently struggling to find metal buffers for this wagon, if anyone can help please put a comment in thank you.
     
    But this wagon required a bit of work...
     
    Firstly on all the wagons, I tested the pre-fitted couplings to see if they can handle the 3 links, which coupling this wagon to the others, the pre-fitted draw-bar fell off, so I quickly set to work about fitting a newer metal draw-bar. Removing the body allowed me to inspect what I could do, sadly the molding required some cutting away, which I did to both sides, this was to allow the draw-bar & spring to sit comfortably inside the wagon, once fitted I put the body back onto the chassis, but again I found the body didn't sit properly. To which I found the model's aluminum weight was sitting onto the spring and draw-bar, so I went about with a hacksaw and cut the weight at each end. After that, I didn't have any problems and the wagon went back together nice and easy.
     

     

     

     

     

     

     
    And here are the wagons together on Mile End Park
     
    The BR Wagons:

     
    The LNER Wagons
     

     
    I hope you enjoyed this second part - Sorry this was not talking about the build but giving you a general background to the layout before we move the build, if you have any questions please feel free to ask :-)
     
    Cheers
     
    Tom
     
    P.s update for the W1 is on its way...
  14. Norton Wood
    So with the last parts of my degree finished, I can give myself a few weeks before I move to pastures new...
     
    So it's worth mentioning what has happened too me since writing and planning for the Hattons A3, I had a sudden realization that getting something
    such as a RTR A3 would actually cause more hassle than it would be practical. Of course the original intention for the A3 would be to operate at a friends garden railway. 
    Which is still very much the case, however, in the time since finishing my degree it has become very clear to myself that getting something smaller for a operational layout would 
    in fact be better, the cost of owning and running the A3 would in fact be harder as it would probably spend more time in the box rather than running, in addition it has allowed me to look
    into investing my money into more rolling stock, as plans develop for a kit of an LNER Sundry Van or LNER Fruit Van.
     
    So, much like previous projects where I have changed my mind, which I find myself fully entitled to do! 
     
    History
     
    Briefly the J68's or GER C72 Class were built in 3 Batches of 10, producing a total of 30 engines, the first 10 were built for passenger services in mind ( Fitted with Screw link couplings, Screw reverser's, Vacuum and Air breaking)  and the last 20 were build with shunting duties in mind.  The first 10 are where my interest lie's, as the locomotives flexibility  can allow the engine to pull small passenger & mixed freight trains. 
     
    The Kit
     
    What has struck me is the ability to develop these kits, looking through the instructions it is very clear that a locomotive can in fact be modified to appear in multiple different forms,
    in this case the locomotive can have Ross Poppet Safety Valves, Ramsbottom Safety Valves, Condensing gear and GER or LNER type Chimney's. It's very clear that attention to detail is key here,
    although most modelers would take this kit to the next step in development by looking to purchase extra components to adapt the model to look and perhaps operate to a higher standard. For
    those who follow my modelling and know my M.O. it was almost destined that I take the kit as it came and develop it further to become a better kit overall.
     
    Replacement parts
     
    This is where we begin with the first major parts that I am replacing between the kit and other small companies, in this case I have replaced the buffers from the white metal versions to 
    turned brass & sprung buffers by Markits for GER Tank Engine Locomotives. The next major change has come in the form of the couplings, as Connoisseur produce a basic coupling for show more than anything else, however I went to H&A models and got myself some working screw link couplings. The final major part which I have replaced is from Ragestone Models,  in which case we have the replacement Ramsbottom Safety valves next to there counter part and the replacement reversing wheel, regulator & gland. 
     

     
    The only part not being used is the GE whistle which can be used for other project's in the future. 
     
    Frames
     
    Any solid base for a model or even a real locomotive lie's in the frames, as per the instructions we will focus on the frames and get them to a good state before I even look at doing the body. surprisingly this was rather easy to sort out. However this being my first O gauge kit I thought right I'll take my time anyway. I am rather impressed how quickly the instructions move to get the frames together for the loco, after 4 major segments of the instructions I had the frames together and ready for major assembly. Swiftly moving to fitting the rest bar the brakes everything was rather straight forward.
     
     

     

     
    Body
     
    Following this the body was a pure joy to build nothing too complex other than the beading which fits into the cabsides and the smokebox but after stopping and thinking all came together rather easy.  The tanks all fairly easy to put together. All in all it has been rather enjoyable to get the kit to this point. 
     
     

    The kit is very quick moving once you reach this point
     

     
     
    Anyway that's all for part 1 I will produce part 2 tomorrow and bring you up to date as to how the locomotive looks right now...
     
    Thanks 
    Tom
     
     
  15. Norton Wood
    With Oxford Rail having announced they would produce 3 N7 variants I was like many very happy, as the N7 filled another hole in the GE/LNER modellers world. As these engines would be responsible for suburban services in and around London they also ventured around the former GE Suburban workings replacing many older suburban locomotive types the F5's spring to mind and later on they also were tasked with working some Kings Cross Suburban workings. 
     
    So with the LNER N7 finally in my possession, I was very pleased with the quality of the build and running of the locomotive, as many modellers on the RMWeb N7 thread know, there are a few misgivings on the model, which I am willing to forgive. Most of the mistakes that befall on this model are mainly in small area's, which only picky modellers like myself will forgo to resolve...
     
    So I began with what myself and my model club will do when they receive a new locomotive, either painting or modifying an engine to suit how we would want them. I am a stickler for having locomotives re-numbered & weathered with minor alterations.  So I began with the model as it came and decided to paint: 
     
    The Smokebox Door Ring Buffer Shanks Black (Originally in the incorrect Red)  Brass work around the Clack Valves  Steel workaround the Westinghouse Airpump Safety Valves catch Red Frames & Frame Stretcher into Red Then off to Grimy Times for Weathering & Renumbering into 7993  
    And well here's the end result...
     
     

    The white mark in this image is actually dust inside the camera lens not on the model 
     

     
     

     

     
    Overall I think it's turned out quite well, and the weathering is the only way you can get around the fact that the model should be in LNER Lined black with all the necessary paint apps but, honestly I think it's turned out really well and I think it looks very smart now. 
     
     
  16. Norton Wood
    Having returned from the Great Electric Train show, I, of course, did the most dangerous thing...buying things.
     
    The show was very good, although I think it could have done with a few more layouts themed at different periods and area's as most were BR, GWR, SR or BR (S) or BR (W). Something I think Hornby Magazine needs to look at in future... Unless I am missing a point with them and there focus is Southern & GWR??
     
    Anyway while at the event I needed to get quite a lot of things to support the layout to add lots of little details...
     
    I purchased:
     
    Will Kit
    Ratio Kit
    Double O gauge society Sleeper spacer and track gauge
    Black Ballast/ Coal
    TMC's specially ordered Plate Wagon, which has been weathered to suit
    Road Signs - As part of the Grimy Times stand
    And finally the buffer heads for the Mineral wagon
     

     
    The next day I set about building the kits and working on regauging the track, plus a few interesting things that modelers might like...
     
    The board
     
    So I sourced some wood to make the board, and so far the frame has been made with a plan to use some mdf to make the baseboard. At the time of writing this has been cut down and will be cut to the 3ft by 1ft size required. As of Sunday the 21st of October I will be testing the layout with board 1 to see if my measurements have been correct, this will be at my local model club so if you are in Norfolk and fancy a visit to a small upcoming heritage line, you can come to Whitwell & Reepham Station.
     

     
    Track Laying
     
    As readers will know the track plan was already set up, however, the plan was to lay the track and leave it. Well at the Great Electric Train Show I bought a sleeper spacer so the sleepers would be to the correct spacing to British Standard Gauge. This took around an hour and a half to carry out but I finished that job, laid the track and tested it. The Point, of course, I've not changed but I will cover up the sleepers so it's practically impossible to see that the sleepers are the wrong gauge.
     
    Here are the results
     

     

     
    Once that had been completed I began laying the track and getting it into the right position, which has turned out quite nicely.
     
    (Photos)
     
    Talking about track something I would like to do in future using correct 4mm Track will be from 'Finescale - Track building Systems' which have been working on something which will be better than the Peco 'bullhead' range - The photos below are from the Great Electric Train show, I have to say I'm very impressed with the track, as it not only has the sleepers correctly molded and spaced but also will show the chair and keys which will be molded into the sleeper, something which will also cost a lot lot less than the Peco range which has a lot more compromises, plus the track is being made in the UK. From my discussion, there should be lengths of track available in November at Warley.
     

     

     
    Little Bits
     
    In the meantime, I've been working on the coal merchant building, Staiths, Road signposts, and the mineral wagon.
     
    Merchant building & Staiths
     
    So what has been done so far is the building has gone into White Primer followed by painting of the brickwork, roof tiles, and the wood to follow the LNER theme being Green & Cream. The Staiths had gone into Grey Primer followed by painting into matt black, and the coal painted into Satin black. After that had dried I began using the coal I had bought and used it to cover up the plastic coal effect from the molding.
     

     

     

     

     

     
    Road Signposts
     
    Quite an easy job really, firstly I cut out the signs that I wanted, I then found some brass wire which I had lying around which I used on my P2 & W1 kits. The wire and back of the sign were painted black. After this had dried I applied white paint to give the black with white stripes on the signs. After this, a little weathering left this effect.
     

     
    The wording says - "Crossing No Gates"
     
    Mineral Wagon
     
    So far the only progress that has been made is the white primer, as we enter Autumn, getting good weather is getting harder and harder to get the ability to go out with the airbrush and paint the model grey is getting harder to do. But I shall endure and will wait until a good day comes around where I can do this.
     
    So, all in all, it's been a productive time working on this layout, and I've enjoyed working on it so far. But I can't do any more work until the Whitwell & Reepham Model Railway Show, as board 4 will be part of a demonstration that I will be working on, over that event.
     

     
    To end off then, board 1 has now got a name as each section will have a name it's now called "Thelveton". As this is what our light railway terminus station will be called.
     

     
    Until next time
  17. Norton Wood
    Finally!!
     
    You can see the board, having been built. It's taken a while but here we are...
     
    So what has been done?
     
    So after my Birthday, I was given two more BR Mineral Parkside wagon kits - A second Riveted version and a welded version, both kits were relatively easy to work on and are now in primer awaiting some good weather to put them into BR Grey.
     

     

     

     

     
    Board 4
     
    Work has advanced pretty quickly with board 4, today 24/10/18 I had an opportunity to get my wood from B&Q as soon as I got home I finished the board allowing me to begin working on laying track and gauging the sleepers into place.
     

     

     
    Once the track had been gauged and checked it gave me an opportunity to put all the little pieces together which I've been working on over these past few weeks. Which turned out really well once I put the layout together.
     

     
    The next job was to paint the board in certain areas so the layout can be prepped for the grass to go down, of course before that could happen I had to put the ballast down, now before I did this I had to go back to photographs from the Wisbeach & Upwell line and from the Middy. I was then given an idea so the ballast went down to make the track look W&U styled and influenced. Which I feel it certainly is, this section of the whole layout is meant to be completely different from the previous three and the next few.
     

     

     

     
    The results so far have been very good I feel and I hope tomorrow when the ballast is dry I can clean up the mess which inevitably been made...
     
    Board 1:
     
    As for board 1, this is nearly complete, with the layout looking simply amazing. All the stops have been put out on this and in doing so board 2 now needs to be completely revamped so it matches. The Station building is nearly complete and just for some modeling interest, the building has just started to receive the LNER standard cream and green livery. Which I think is a brilliant idea and something that is not shown too much on model railways
     

     

     

     

     
    Board 2:
     
    So far work on the cattle dock has progressed slightly with myself and another club member working on putting the posts in the holes, we aim to get the wire put in place this weekend.
     

    So yeah, lot's being done, lots more to do!
     
    So until next time...
  18. Norton Wood
    I'm back once again, 
     
    This update is mainly to bring you to speed with the build...
     

     
    With the cab, tool boxes, backhead (removable) and other controls fitted, the loco is starting to come alive!!
     
    Sadly I have reached the stage where I have in fact made a mistake with the back of the cab(which you cannot see). However, Nothing is ever permanent and brass is so forgiving as I have found out, that I will correct the back of the cab to get the back into the right place!! It's all about learning, but thinking now, having worked on the footplate you would have thought I would have noticed this mistake, must be the lack of actual footplate work I haven't done in the last 4 months!! 
     

     
    Once the cab was built up, I quickly moved onto building the Smokebox, the non-riveted GER early LNER type, once completed the boiler is fitted with the boiler bands and the brass strip which splits the boiler and smokebox apart...Something to paint in brass once the kit is painted!!! This then moved to fitting the top of the tanks and preparing for the cab roof and foot steps. 
     

     
    With those things completed, a test fit was in order, sadly this was the point where I had run out of 145 solder, the cab was completed and the footsteps put in. The only major parts I could do were the white metal castings and the start of clean up!!
     

     
    However, I had plenty of electrical solder, this meant I could get on with getting the motor moving the loco, firstly I began with putting the loco between the lid and bottom of the box to see where the tight spots are on the wheels. I did this by loose fitting some wires to the motor then testing it, following the problems being resolved I fitted all the wiring to the pickups. After running and filing for while the loco was prepared for operation with all the axles, bearing and connecting rods receiving oil, allowing me to put the J68 on the track and ran for the first time without assistance!! I must admit for a first brass kit I was very proud, further proof will come in the form of my You Tube video's of this running in the future!!
     

     
    As you can see the loco is starting to look rather nice, this is how the kit now looks, as of the today ( 12/07/2020) I was kindly given the decals I require from fellow club members, which are the correct type I require for the tank-sides!! More clean up is certainly required, but I am steadily getting though it all, I should have it finished by the next part in terms of the build then it will be one big clean up job before the etched primer goes on and of course PAINT!!
     
    Anyway thanks again,
     
    Tom
     
     
  19. Norton Wood
    Thanks to current events,my final year at University has gone mad so work on all modelling project's has had to stop. But fortunately I can see light as I've finished my degree...Phew!! 
     
    Just for a change of pace, and knowing my skill set I felt I could build and paint this all in a day, this wagon holds memories to me as it's my home town of Attleborough in Norfolk. This wagon was owned by John Park-Wick's, I managed to find a photo of him in front of his Ford Model T Pickup to take coal from the GE to the local's in the town.
     

     
    I believe the photo is in what is the current car park at the station, it's hard to tell but having lived and been around the station for so long I feel as if I know the station and surrounding area quite well. 
     
    Anyway back to the model...
     
     
    The kit came nicely packed and the paint finish on the wagons sides was impressive. 

     
    The kit is fairly simply to put together the only thing I had to worry about was not to damage the paint work, and to get the under frame and W Irons painted before gluing
     

     
    Once I had put the W Irons and wagon frame into primer it meant I could focus on putting the rest of the kit together
     

     
    Next was to focus on the break rigging, a fiddly but fun job, not as fiddly as the last job. 

     
    And there we have it the wagon built and looking very nice! Just the buffers & couplings to go
     

     
    And here's the end result, I'm pretty happy with it, I need to get myself some Humbrol 100, those keen eyed will notice a few area's where filing the flash off has scrubbed the paint. Once that's finished I'll give the wagon a coat of Matt Varnish. 
     
     
    Anyway that's it for now, until my degree is finished. Once that has happened I can begin to focus on the LNER A3!
     
    Thanks
    Tom
     
  20. Norton Wood

    Streamlined P2/2 Modification

    By Norton Wood,


    Modifications
    Since, finishing the body on my LNER P2 2003, the locomotive was left to look like this: 
     

     
    A nice enough looking model, I am sure you will agree, however the one thing that disappointed me with my model was the wheels. I had hated the "HALO" wheels which my good friend Dan had called them. I must admit I was in the same boat as him. In addition to this the P2 was fitted with a former LNER A3 Tender, which had the lining on the frames. To add to this the P2 Chassis did not as it came from a Railroad model, and this had bugged me for some time. 
     
    Since finishing an O gauge Brass LNER J68, I thought it would be a unique opportunity to finally develop my skills even more, this involved replacing the wheels, re-instating the motor which came with the locomotive & replace the chassis. Nothing too overly complex then.  
     
    Following the complete re-chassis & re-instating the motor for the locomotive I tested it, the motor wasn't  running at it's best so I thought I may need to put the replacement motor in place however following the P2's newly lined wheels arriving I was quick to fit them, in doing this I found the locomotive was running far better and smoother. 
     

     
    As an end result the locomotive looks and run's far better than it used too and I am very pleased with the result, the next job is to fit the Valve gear to the locomotive. Which I will do once the brass arrives. 
     
    Thanks again
     
    Tom
  21. Norton Wood

    Streamline P2/2 Modification Part 2

    By Norton Wood,


    Modifications
    The following day I posted the upgrade to my LNER P2, I found that the 1.5mm square brass had arrived. 
     
    So following this, I decided to put my hands to building the Walschaerts valve gear for my P2/2. ( Or is it a P2/3??) 
     
    Sitting down to do this required a lot of concentration, however I was able to steadily develop the valve gear. It's easier if the photo's do the talking... Which show each stage of the build. The hardest part was drilling and fitting the pin into the piston head and adjusting the union-link & combination leaver.
     

     

    (Above) Probably the hardest part of the build, drilling through the little end, break or damage this and you destroy the model, as there are no easy replacements. But all went well, and it runs smoothly. 
     
     

     
     

     
    Sadly due to a mistake on my part, the Eccentric rod which goes to the Expansion link broke while I was soldering the model together, so I will need to contact Grahame King for 2 replacements, and I will also need to find a suitable replacement for the main pin to connect to the Big End on the loco. 
     
     
     
    Nothing too major, it's unlikely I will post anything more on this as the loco is 95% complete so I do hope for those who followed the project from its inception to now have enjoyed it and I look forward to a bit more Modification madness in the future. 
     
     
    Post Edit: 
     
    Hi, I have carried out one more extra task which is the replacement of the nameplates, the versions fitted to the model were from Narrow Planet, having looked at the real locomotive and with the NP versions fading into a darker colour rather than retaining the original colour I decided to replace them with Silver Tay versions. This is the results below and I am far far happier with these. 
     

     
    Thanks 
    Tom
  22. Norton Wood
    As a way to finish off a project before I move to work on other projects, I thought I would finish off Board 4. Since the last update, I was quite content with what I carried out, but in the months following, I wasn't happy with what I finished. So I ripped up what was the old road leading to the coal Merchant, taking all the grass away and using rough and waste ballast. I made this new road which I think has had a good effect on the layout and shows the differences between a Road and dirt path.
     

     

     
    To add to this I added a tarpaulin, to do this I used a Chocolate bar wrapper (It was very nice thank you) painting the opposite side and leaving it to dry before placing it onto the layout.
     

     

     

     
    So the End Result!! - It's lacking a J70 but they are not too far away and I'll put an update about there arrival and the different loco's we have available for N&SBLR when running at Exhibition, which I will also update you on.
     

     

     

     

     
    With board 4 now complete, the next board has been started Board 5...
     
    Using Inspiration from this photo, this will give you an idea of what our club member is trying to do.
     

     
    So we might well see a J15 doing something similar on this layout as it progresses...
     

     
     
     
    Anyway, that's it for 2018 - Hopefully, I'll have some new models in the coming months ie an N7 & J70 to play with and to add to the GE Collection, I'll have to get a new profile photo when they come out.
     
    So thank you to all who have read & commented on this thread it's been great to write this up :-)
  23. Norton Wood
    To end off...
     
    The Tank has obviously gone for airbrushing, as I finished last time I'd just applied the sand base coat. Following this, I began by painting the Green and following that the Brown, very easily carried out. Following this, I painted the dot's using a small brush using the 3 colours - beginning with sand, Green then Brown. In that pattern. I think the result was brilliant. 
     
    Following this I gave the model the gloss coat, following that I applied the decals to the model which took all of 30 minutes, course after I applied the Matt coat which finalized the model, which is not shown here but it has been done, trust me on that one. 
     
    Finally... It's done and on display, before finishing I thought I'd put them next to my brothers Panzer V Panther & Panzer VI Tiger I, so to show the German development of the tank range...quite impressive really. 
     
    Glad to finish another project. 
     
    Thanks
    Tom




  24. Norton Wood
    Perhaps the most famous German Ace of the Great War, Manfred Von Richthofen, or as we all know him The Red Barron! 
     
    The aim is to do his Fokker dr.1 Tri-plane, in the well known Red colour scheme but there's a difficulty with painting the Red Baron's aircraft...Which one do you choose? According to various sources out there are a number of camouflages which he carried on the Fokker dr.1, too many for me to go through but for those interested I recommend a quick search on Google or look for Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No.40 ( Fokker d1 Aces of WW1) by Norman Franks and Greg Van Wyngarden. This book shows no less than 4 camouflages, it must be noted that the Baron had more than 1 aircraft as others would act as spare or to perform other duties, such as airbase visits. So with that my aim is to do the Red Baron's Red Fokker dr.1 with the white flashes on the wings, tail and fuselage. I prefer this as it split's the red on the aircraft up and the Crosses on the aircraft look far more menacing, in addition it stands out in my opinion. 
     

     
    Anyway... To the Build; 
     
    The first thing to do, was to get the cockpit together, to do this I needed to paint everything inside. Personally I think it has turned out quite well. 
     
     
    Next was to work on getting the rest of the aircraft together which you can see throughout these photo's below. 
     
     
     

     
     

     
     
     
     

     
    To end off the cowl, propeller and radial engine are removable so when it comes to painting it'll look the part without any issues, for those who are keen eye'd the tail rudder is not fitted, this is simply because of the paint job shown in the photo above. This'll be painted and decals will be fitted. It'll then just be painting the Baron's aircraft into Red. 
     
     
    All for the next part. So until next time
  25. Norton Wood
    Good Evening, 
     
    Layout Build Update: 
    Lots have happened since the last update so let's catch up...
     
    I had to face facts between when I wrote the first part stating "I hoped to have an operational trackbed by Christmas". This couldn't happen simply because the layout requires 2 more Bullhead LH points and 1 more RH point, plus the new Peco Code 75 Bullhead Double slip has not hit the shelves yet, and this is the most critical piece in the layout's operational design. Peco stated it was to be in production in January of 2020, so hopefully I'll be able to get the point in Mid 2020, while I focus on getting the rest of the track work. But I have been able to move my first locomotives on MEP which I have being using a brand new Gaugemaster Combi controller. I have plans set to purchase the second scenic board, alongside purchasing the wood to form the back scene. This way I can have everything together before the the first pieces of underlay and track go down. 
     
    Signal Box 
     
    With the Signal box, work has been steady going but it has been finished. Being the first piece of MEP complete, with the Quints shortly following. Since the last update I was able to get my hands on the LCUT Interior kit, build, paint and fit this into the box and purchase a Model U Signalman, and most importantly he has a cup of tea in his hand. (Railway's run on tea) 
     

     
    Carriage & Wagon Update:  
     
    Coaches: 
     
    The first set of two, being the LNER GE's mainstay Suburban coaches between 1935 -39, the Later LNER Gresley Quint Articulated Set has been completed, you can read the progress on my blog updates. This has given me a boost for the build as a whole and has allowed me to feel a lot better as I had fears that one base board wouldn't take the set. Combined with the recent tests at my local model club and having rectified any issues with the bogies, I can say they run very smoothly through code 100 point work and knowing how good Peco's Code 75 Bullhead is, I've become very confident in the coaches operation on the layout in future. 
     

    This photo (Left) was used in Part 7 of the Quint build. So as you can see the glue n glaze hasn't been applied yet.
    This photo (Right) was before the transfers were applied but the stock was operational.
     
     
    Wagons & Vans
     
    The only major thing that has occurred is the  re-numbering of all my LNER duplicate vehicles, this includes; 4 Oxford Cattle Vans - 2 Bachmann Fruit vans, 1 Bachmann Fish Van and 1 Hornby LNER Toad B Brake Van, they have now had there printed numbered replaced with new numbers allowing more accurate modelling and the ability to run a full set without having to see  eg. 196152 on all my wagons in the fleet, it's just nice to see different numbers on all the vehicles. For those interested the numbers are decals which have come from 'Old Time Workshop'. In addition to this I have also slightly weathered them, and particularly for the Bachmann Fish & Fruit vans I have painted there roofs grey. Plus the White walls on the tyres of the fruit vans have been removed by painting them in mix of humbrol black & dark grey. Eventually I'll look to weather the under frames so show brake dust and other grime. 
     

     
    The Oxford Rail Cattle vans look no different accept the number change, I will need to weather them, but do it in such a way where it matches the weathering on the wagon.  I'll be looking into how these vehicles weathered over time, to ensure the best result.
     
    Moving to kits 
     
    Furthermore work has also progressed as I was able to get my hands on a Chivers LNER Pigeon Van, I've painted the LNER Teak effect, but focused on the grain effect which these vehicles had. As some with know this vehicle is used at the NNR combined with there LNER Quad Art Set, but this will not be carried out on MEP as this will be part of the Mail train that will be seen on the layout in future, in this photo I have applied the decals to the model, numbering the van as 6847. Also because of the recent cost of Bachmann's latest weathered LNER Fish Vans I felt I didn't want to pay £21.50 for a LNER Fish van when I could pick up the Parkside kits and complete them for less than £21.50. So with that said I picked up 2 LNER 10 ton, 12ft Fish Vans, these being slightly longer than the Bachmann model (which I assume is based on the 10ft variant) however I do think the 12ft version looks much better than the 10ft so think it's a win in that regards. These kits are awaiting there Vacuum pipes, once they have arrived I intend to fit them and the steam heating pipes. Further work is required there and will be seen in future updates with the rolling stock. 
     
     

     
    MEP Locomotive Fleet Update 
     
    LNER J15 7649 & LNER J15 7847
     
    These two make a return to MEP after departing for weathering, 7847 has been fitted with a set of Ramsbottom Safety Valves and lightly weathered, demonstrating how it may have looked at Cambridge in 1936. Interestingly the engine remained their till 1940, so it would have likely been seen at Stratford on freight working, so more than welcome on MEP.
     
    As for 7649, this was based a Stratford from built in 1899 till 1939 when she moved to Colchester and back to Stratford the same year. Interestingly a photo in the Yeadons Book on LNER J15's demonstrates the loco hauling a pair of Quints (10 Car set) what I have deduced as set No's 39 I, considering this was a heavy train at this point, it's quite impressive to see a J15 doing this working.  She will be part of the group of engines which is designated to haul the Quints on MEP along with other LNER Passenger services. That way the layout has two J15's performing two very different roles. 
     

     
     
     
     
     
    So that completes the end of the blog for today. So thank you for reading!
     
    Thanks 
    Tom 
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