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grahame

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Blog Entries posted by grahame

  1. grahame
    Despite being quiet on updating this blog I have been fiddling with a few modelling projects, including making a 2001: moon bus plastic kit, and have a few railway things on the go......
     
    The coaling tower is complete and I now need to decide what to do with it. Keep it, sell it...... umm, err,
     
    I've acquired some etched bits from Shawplan for the class 50 upgrade so a little work has been done on that. But I now realise that I need a new chassis as I can't find the original and have been trying to bid for a suitable one on ebay. If I can't get one there at an acceptable price then perhaps I can pick up a bargain at TINGS.
     
    I've been doing some research for the London Bridge project and have found some superb aeriel photos. However, this has been taking up quite a bit of time.
     
    I've also been considering putting together a blue mixed van 1970s/80s type parcels/newspaper train rake and have repainted a Dapol CCT I had in to BR blue. The collection is looking pretty motley but I've read almost any van-thing goes;
     

     
    G.
  3. grahame
    I've been adding a little bit of paint, with a very fine brush, to the telephone boxes and fork lifts.
    The boxes have also had STD phones installed in them and the doors are painted and currently drying
    ready to be added.
     
     

     
    G.
  4. grahame

    Another update

    By grahame,

    Having got N'spirations3 off to the printers I can now get back to some modelling projects.
     
    Yesterday I started to convert a three axle Hong Kong KMB Wright Eclipse bus in to a British style 2 axle LT/Arriva version. It seems to be going okay so far;
     
     

     
     
    I've also selected one of my Q1 locos to have a bash a weathering with weathering powders. I need to find some decent colour pics of them to work from. I seem to remember Missy having produced a very effective really work stained version and hope to get somewhere near as good.
     
    G.
  5. grahame

    Baby dust carts

    By grahame,

    I went to the BGS Berks Area Group open day this morning and picked up a Greenmax kit for £3 of what is claimed on the side of
    the box to be "Japanese Buses & cars for N gauge" dispite the picture showing council refuse/cleaning vehicles. The kit
    contained two each of a dust cart and a strange, presumably sludge gulper, tank thing with hoses. Both have Mitubishi cabs with
    the dust cart a more British/International looking body. The other vehicle is very much Japanese so they hae been consigned to
    my 'to be sold as secondhand box'.
     
    This afternoon I made them (all four vehicles) up - the first time for a while that I've put together an Airfix type plastic kit
    and I did also by a Revell kit of a 1:144 SA 330 Puma. Below is a pic of the box with contents and another of the state I reached
    before givng up for the night. The main outstanding things to do are add reg plates, matt varnish amd weather. Some local council
    transfers would also be nice.
     

     

     
    G.
  6. grahame
    Yesterday I scratchbuilt the angle truncated chimneys that go on the rear engine bustle under the upperdeck
    overhang of the DMS bus to convert it to a 1980s B20 variant with white upper deck window frames. Now that
    the TPM etches have arrived - very neat and fine they are too - I can get on and start to fnish some of them
    off.
     
     

     
     

     
    G.
  7. grahame
    I've glued the cab handrails back on (well, the three sets I took off as I overlooked one set and they remained on during the paint
    and transfer process - ooops) and basically I think all the painting is complete and sealed with matt varnish. Just remains to take
    a deep breath and risk tackling some weathering, or should I, err, ummm......
     
     

     
    G.
  8. grahame
    Yesterday I quickly knocked up a warehouse facade and assembled a Knightwing portacabin for my little photo diorama. They’re both rush jobs as I wanted to get the diorama nearer completion and neither have been fixed down, finished, detailed or weathered. I’d also recently managed to get some ‘grass’ laid on it.
     
    However, I doubt I’ll be able to get it finished in time for the NGS AGm due to a lack of time and other commitments (including the looking after of Aussie relative visitors, the Ely exhibition and a Spring break to France). Still, I have started looking for a house so I can move and start the ‘Last Big Project’, and have been putting together the second issue of N’spirations, but other than that modelling has been on a back burner recently.
     

     
     
    G.
  10. grahame

    Blog update

    By grahame,

    Just a quick note to update my blog; modelling is still continuing but on a number of fronts including completing a Fireball XL5 Comet Miniatures vac formed kit and more background research and development for my big London Bridge project. For that I've started putting together a fleet of London Transport busses;
     
     

     
     
    And I've been looking at track options for the project. I've just about decided that I'm going to run with the 2mm Easitrack option using the plain track as it is, but building the points to the latest finer NMRA 'N' gauge standards. That is so I can run N gauge stock without having to expensively change the wheels to 2mmFS (and, of course the latest N gauge stuff is very fine and not exactly noticeable or obvious on modern D&E stock) while getting better running over points and having the points look better with narrower flangeways than Peco commercial track. Plus, of couse, I can still use Peco N gauge track for the fiddleyard and in tunnels which will cut down the building effort and time required. The benefits of the Easitrack on the sceneic section will be;
     
    - closer scale sleeper size
    - closer scale sleeper spacing
    - closer scale rail height
    - better looking finer scale points
    - and improved running (wheels not droping/bumping down in to large flangeways, etc)
     
    I've already ordered a range of Easitrack to test it out and have signed up for an Easitrack point making seminar (being held at my club). Also I've started making a small diorama for photographing locos and stock (for another publishing project I'm working on) and will use Easitrack on that (as soon as it turns up). I've built the base support structure for it from foam-board;
     
     

     
     
    G.
  11. grahame

    Byfleet bus

    By grahame,

    I've purchased an OO bus - simpy because it's one of the local busses and goes through my village; Byfleet. There's certainly some very nice model busses in OO scale.
     
     

     
    G.
  12. grahame

    Byfleet bus

    By grahame,

    I've purchased an OO bus - simpy because it's one of the local busses that goes through my village; Byfleet, and as an early birthday present to myself (which is tomorrow). There's certainly some very nice model busses in OO scale.
     
     

     
    G.
  13. grahame
    .
    .
    or even from this later pic with temporary top floor cladding added. Obviously there's lots of other detaling work
    and painting to be carried out. And apologies for the poor quality photos.
    .
    .
    .
     
     

     
     
     
    G.
  14. grahame

    Class 47 re-paint

    By grahame,

    I'm going to be brave and attempt a first for me; to re-paint a new Bachmann class 47 (one of the blue ones) in to NSE livery. I started by stripping it down of all the glazing and bits and pieces and then attacked the paintwork with Phoenix stripper. I've also plated over the boiler exhaust and added Ratio hi-intensity headlights and then given it a coating of Halfords grey primer. Currently I'm going through my books and the internet to decide on exactly which number to represent. I nearly settled on 47521 as pictured in the 'NSE years' book but then noticed in a pic on a website that it was different at each end; one end had a recessed headcode panel while the other was filled and smooth.
     

     
    G.
  15. grahame

    Class 50 upgrade

    By grahame,

    While waiting for some transfers for the class 47 (the wrong ones were sent and I've had to return them) I've been playing around with
    class 50 body I had to try and improve it. One aspect that I considered 'wrong' with the Farish moulding was that the front end was too
    flat (like it had been slapped in the face) and lacked the slight protruding nose under the front cab windows of a real class 50. So as well
    as opening out the exhaust outlets and body side windows and cutting out the circular roof grille (hoping to replace it with a better
    etched one) I also filed off the front end details and added a layer of plasticard to produce the nose bump. I've also started to add some
    details (such as drilling holes for the light) to see if the nose extensions look any better;
     
     

     

     

     
    G
  16. grahame

    Container Crane

    By grahame,

    It's been a long time since I added anything to my blog so here is a spring WOMW update; a container crane.
     
    I picked up a Vollmer container crane kit for a fiver at the Redhill N gauge show recently .....
     

     
    ..... and decided to bash it in to something more British looking like this Freighliner crane at Millbrook rather than build it as shown on the box cover artwork;
     

     
    It's taken quite a bit of bashing around and building new parts that incorporate bits of the kit. I had to move over the main single central cross beam and add a second one, and design and scratch build the machinery that travels along between the beams and raises the container grab. I've also built a new grab section and so far it looks like this;
     

     
    However, there's still loads to do and the model in picture above is temporarilly held together with bit of blu-tac just for the photo. Obviously it's not an exact replica and is essentially a freelance design but I've tried to incorporate the essence and style of the Millbrook one.
     
    September 2011
     
    I've finished off the crane now and detals of it should appear in N'spirations6.
     
     
    GRAHAME
  17. grahame

    Diorama progress

    By grahame,

    Progress on this has been slow but I've had a stab at ballasting the Easitrack. It still needs finishing off, especially at the shoulders but I really need to establish the embankments first, and painting to weather it down a bit. However, I'm pleased how it's already starting to look. It should prove a suitable scenic background for photographing stock on.
     
     

     
    G.
  18. grahame

    Easitrack

    By grahame,

    My Easitrack order turned up today - plain concrete sleepers with flatbottom rail and wooden sleepers with bullhead rail, it's just a shame that, at the moment, there are no wooden seepers available for the flatbottom rail, but I understand it is planned to be developed. Anyway, I've already tried out assembling both types and have laid some on the little photography diorama board I'm building.
     
     

     
     

     
     
    G.
  19. grahame

    Farish class 47

    By grahame,

    Having read on another forum of an increasing number of the new class 47s failing and having to be returned I quickly got out my three recent purchases for a full running-in session and more thorough check up. Previously I had really only unpacked them for a quick look and photo call and a once around a test track circuit. However, they are now running around and around a small test track to run them in and fortunatelly all three 47s (and a new class 24) seem to have performed pretty well straight out of the box. When they have had a reasonable run I'll give them a light oiling, check out the pick-ups (they have also been reported as bent and problematic) and a further spell on the track.
     
    While they are all out I've had a chance to compare with the old Farish model;
     

     
    I'll probably be putting the old one (back/left in the pic) up for sale. It's an old Farish body on a new Bachmann chassis (not the latest all new version but not the old Poole chassis either). The paintwork on the old model has been touched up a bit but the differences with the latest all new class 47 are quite obvious. The new roof is better detailed with crisper moulding, the paintwork is also crisper, the bogies are beefier and the windows and window area looks a whole heap more accurate. Obviously there's working lights on the new model but the IC words and logo are at the opposite end - I'm not sure which is correct.
     
    In reply to James Hilton who kindly left the comment below (as you can't add pics to a reply); The Farish class 33 isn't that bad. With a bit of work and a new chassis it can look quite respectable;
     
     

     
    G.
  20. grahame

    Fork lifts

    By grahame,

    Welcome to the first posting on my new workbench blog. Basically I'm repeating the last entry on my DRT workbench thread from the old RMweb forum. And it all about fork lifts and in paticular the 1980s fork lift from GHQ. It's very finely moulded in pewter and more detailed than the old British white metal versions I have. Even at the American 1:160 scale it's height is exactly the same as the so called British N gauge ones (presumably 1:148 scale) I have, and is even a little longer so doesn't look at all under scale. It comes with an alternative front part to build it with the forks at high level.
     
    G.
  21. grahame

    Latest efforts

    By grahame,

    Modelling effort has been taking a back seat as I've been attending hospital three times a weeks for a course of UVB treatment and as I prepare for my annual jaunt to Australia for the month October.
     
    Nonetheless, I've undertaken a little work on some projects such as a planned Gatwick Express set where I've now got sufficient mk2 coaches and have painted the seating inserts and started cutting the end recess for the waist level jumper cables. And I've been working on N'spirations3 which is hoped to go for printing when I return from Aus.
     
    I've also taken delivery of a set of Maruka 1:150 construction vehicles whch are rather nice. Included are two container reach stackers, 3 bulldozers, 3 concrete mixer lorries, 2 road/rail crawler boom cranes and 2 container artics. They include separate handrails and wing mirrors that need to be fitted. I don't need the all of them so will probably sell the ones not required but the reach stackers are needed for a container depot project that has been bubbling along with a few people for some time now.
     
    Here's some pics of some of them;
     
     

     

     

     
    G.
  22. grahame
    I visited London Bridge Station today to collect some more pictures of areas and buildings that I have few details of. Things are changing rapidly - there's a big hole in the ground and some of the steel structual skeleton of the Shard has already appeared. The concourse roof has been cut back significantly and Thomas street is closed to traffic along the building site boundary.
     
    One of my intended targets was the small box at the West end of the through platforms and some of the buildings behind the station.
     

     

     
    However I was approached by a jobsworth on one platform and told that I wasn't allowed to take photos. When I countered that I was allowed he changed tack and said that I needed an identity card from Network Rail. I said I'm not a commercial photographer so it wasn't necessary and showed him a print-out of the Transport Police's website with the details. He didn't seem very convinced but wandered off rather confused before I could explain that the same information was available on Network Rail's website.
     

     
    Fortunately I wasn't further harrassed despite a very large police presence at the station and managed to get all the photographs I wanted. Hopefully they will help me out when I start on building some more of the structures for the project.
     
    G.
  23. grahame

    Modelling development

    By grahame,

    I've made a start on the little modern signal control box at the west end of the through lines. I'm not totally happy at the way it's turning out - dut to my lack if modelling ability - but I'll see what the finished item looks like as there is still a lot to do;
     
     

     
     
    I've also managed to get hold of one of those 1:150 scale KMB Daimler Fleetline buses (the old London Transport DMS) as recommended by Bernie Taylor and I'm very happy with it. It dismantles in to the consitituent parts (body, glazing and inners) simply by unclipping, so it should be easy to re-paint in to LT red. Consequently I've ordered another four, dispite the relatively high price due to the poor pound exchange rate and air postal charges from Hong Kong. I've striped the paint back to the plain plastic and given that a coat of primer. The pic shows it without the glazing, engine compartment and innards, and roughly perched on the wheels/chassis;
     
     

     
     
    The DMSs lasted in LT service from 1970 to 1993 although withdrawls started in the late 70s so I should be able to justify them on my LB layout's mid 70s to mid 00s period. Certainly at least until someone brings out a decent more suitable modern 1:148 bus.
     
    G.
  24. grahame

    More busses

    By grahame,

    Apologies for the seeming mania about N gauge busses on my blog but it's just that I reckon I'm going to need a
    lot for my London Bridge project in the same way that I've already put together a lot of phone boxes and skips.
    This time it's the Cars Workshop KMB Plaxton Pointer 2 of which I managed to purchase two. I've cut back one to
    a 'short' single door version and today I've started adding some paint/decal detail.
     
    Unfortunately this is hampered by the lack of suitable N gauge/2mm logo decals for London bus operators. For the
    PP2 I need some Go-ahead London Central galleon logos. It'd be nice if someone did some suitable transfers for
    companies like London Central, Selkent, Metrobus, Arriva and Travel London - does anyone know if any are available
    in 2mm scale? Anyway I've got to do the side window inserts and finish it before tackling the 'long' PP2 that has
    dual doors;
     
     

     

     
    PS - now added the windows and roughly finished off. Please bear in mind the tiny size - it's less than two and a half inches long.
     
     

     
    G.
  25. grahame

    More cars.......

    By grahame,

    I purchased some Tomytec vehicles at the Warley show yesterday. However, they were loose and unboxed, so I'd
    be grateful if anyone could identify the make and model of each of them (the two on the left are the same);
     
     

     
    G.
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