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grahame

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  1. 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
  2. grahame

    Southwark Towers

    By grahame,

    I've been researching the Southwark Tower building that stood over London Bridge Station and have decided that I will include it as a very iconic structure of the area. As it was completed in 1976 and demolished mid 2009 it will rather define the era for the layout - but I'm more than happy with that period.
     
    The triple winged towers were 320ft high which scales out as a little over 2 feet tall in N gauge 1:148 scale. Along with the other high rise building at the front of the station that I'll need to include, they will be pretty dominant. However, as the layout won't be an exact scale model of LB station and will involve some compression and compromise I'll probably be scaling back the buildings. But they still remain a significant modelling challenge.
     

    (That other high rise block - what's it called?)
     
    What I'm short of are pictures of the entrance lobby and the lower ground floor area at Thomas Street level for Southwark Towers. It's too late to check it out now as the tower is demolished and resigned to history. If anyone has anything suitable I'd be grateful. Thomas Street will be the front boundary of the baseboards so the Guys Hospital tower is not included - phew - but that area will be on immediate front view.
     
    PS - I hope people are happy to read about my layout planning musings. If so I'll try and continue a fairly regular blog diary update.
     
    G.
  3. grahame

    N gauge LT bus fleet

    By grahame,

    My N gauge LT bus fleet is starting to grow. And with the promised Farish Leyland Nationsl single deckers due (gawd knows when) and the four DMS now on order I'll have a reasonable fleet. There's still work to be done on the DMSs, incliding re-assembly, but they do have a very bland livery with no white or grey stripes to add a bit of relief to the plain all over red. Also correct route numbers and destination blinds don't seem to be available so I'll have to make the most of the limited choice on the ModelMaster sheet as below. The photographic enlargement is certainly very cruel - they seem a lot better from 'normal viewing distance' ;
     
     

     
     

     
     
    It's starting to look a bit better now, although still not finished. I need to source a suitable decal for the side advertising and white LT roundels. Otherwise I'll have to hand paint them like I did on the Routemaster and Metrobus.
     
     

     
     
    G.
  4. grahame
    For my London Bridge project I’m obviously wanting to use the best looking N gauge track possible. And now I think I’ve finally decided on the way to go. For the plain track I’ll be using the 2mmSA Easitrack which is easy and quick to put together and has the benefits of;
     
    * Being able to run my N gauge stock on it without any re-wheeling.
    * Concrete and wooden sleeper and flat-bottom and bull-head rail options available.
    * Has finer low profile height code 40 rail.
    * Has more accurate sleeper sizes and sleeper spacing (compared with Peco).
    * Has a low overall sleeper/base height so minimising ballasting effort (deep filling with Peco is not required).
     
    I’m currently experimenting with it on the photo-diorama I’m building (see earlier in my blog for details and pictures). For the points I’m also hoping to use Easitrack but built to N gauge standards. This gives me the following benefits;
     
    * All the benefits of the plain track regarding look and scale (sleeper size/spacing/height and rail height).
    * Pre-milled point bases available in most sizes from the 2mmSA.
    * Finer flange-ways (than the Peco points) that accept the current N gauge RP25 wheel standards.
     
    I’ve attended a workshop run in conjunction with my club, Easitrack and the 2mmSA and have effectively built a point to those standards. Special crossing jigs are available for the N gauge flange-way size and all the other jigs are as per the 2mmFS versions (apart, obviously from 9mm gauge rollers). There is minimal soldering - just a bit to hold the crossing vee and wing rails in place as one assembly - and everything else is glued on with plastic chairs holding the rails.
     

     
    The overall benefits of this for me are that;
     
    * I’ll end up with better finer scale looking track that accepts N gauge stock.
    * There is no need (saved time and cost) to replace all wheel-sets with 2mmFS ones.
    * I can still use N gauge Peco track and points in the fiddle yard and any hidden tracks.
     
    Below is a pic of the jigs and gauges; left to right; vee creation jig, N gauge crossing jig, N roller gauges. And below that is another crossing that I built at the workshop showing the minimal soldering required. The crossing is held down in place on the point base by plastic chairs that slide on to the rails and are glued to the sleepers;
     

     

     
    See the 7th added comment for infor about the pic below;
     

     
     
     
    G.
  5. 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.
  6. grahame

    N'spirations

    By grahame,

    One of the projects I’ve been working on for a while now has been a new independent magazine called N’spirations. It‘s a 4O page A5 sized all colour publication exclusively about British 1:148 N gauge. I am pleased and proud to be able to announce it’s launch here on my blog on RMweb.
     

     
    The aim was to produce a one off publication that would help answer the questions people asked about N gauge while viewing my layout at exhibitions. It is also intended to inspire people who expressed interest and encourage them make a start in N gauge railway modelling. The booklet is specifically suitable for those who know little about N gauge or who are beginners in the scale and is a handy reference guide answering commonly posed questions. It includes inspirational photos of quality layouts with supporting articles and advise.
     
    I was able to secure some sponsorship from the N Gauge Society (although the publication remains completely independent and mostly self funded) and have now got the magazine completed and printed. Obviously I still need to sell it to help cover the cost of producing and printing it and hopefully recoup some of the money I‘ve invested in the project. As well as selling it at exhibitions I also plan to make it available by mail order and hopefully arrange for some specialist traders to take a small supply that they could sell from their stands/shops
     
    Although it was originally intended as a one-off publication, the initial and early reaction from those in the know has been positive, and there is the possibility that if it is a success it may be developed with further issues that will cover a broader range of N gauge modelling subjects and projects. If sales are acceptable and a second issue is forthcoming I’ll update this blog to let people know news about it.
     
    However, as this is the first issue and it is not known what the level of sales is likely to be a limited print run has been produced. When they are sold out you will be unlikely to obtain a copy. Therefore, if you would like a copy, it is recommended to place your order as quick as possible. I’ll put details of how to order in the classified ‘for sale’ section of the forum to save falling foul of the moderators or any selling rules.
     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php/topic/11614-nspirations-n-gauge-publication/
     
    G.
  7. grahame

    NGS MAG layout

    By grahame,

    Further to a question in the "Next Big 'Un" thread on my blog, and the reply I gave there, here are further details about the N Gauge Society's Modern Area Groups (NGS MAG) proposed layout.
     
    This will be a modern N gauge layout based on the Milford container depot near Southampton. It will be able to take advantage of all the recent new top quality container wagons now available, such as the ATM KQA pocket wagon, Dapol FEA-B spine wagon, Dapol IKA megafret, and Farish FIA intermodal, as well as the old Farish container flats than can be upgraded in to more acceptable five car FFA/FGA rakes with a TPM detailing kit.
     

     
    The team of modellers for this project is drawn from the ???N Gauge Society??™s??™ special interest ???Modern Area Group??™. The layout is intended to be a group effort and all members are welcome to participate even if that means their contribution is simply manning and operating the completed layout at exhibitions. Currently this layout is only at the planning stage but you can find out further information about it through ???Red Death??™, the electronic newsletter produced by the Modern Area Group, which is sent to all members. Check out the group??™s exclusive website regarding membership and the newsletter at http://www.ngauge-modern.co.uk/
     
    G.
  8. grahame

    Southwark Towers

    By grahame,

    I've completed the basic core structure of Southwark Towers. The model is currently 23 inches tall and with the roof structures and protruding end towers/shafts it will be over two feet tall, but still a little short of scale height.
     
     

     
     
    There still lots to do; towers/shafts as each wing end, roof sections and the solar(?) paneling but the basic shape is there. And that's why there's little point in making it with separate floors and see through with pespex wall and/or windows - once it's completed it'll look a bit like a huge mirror. Most modern tower blocks seem to have tinted or reflective glass (to help reduce solar gain and reduce cooling loads) that simply reflects images of what is around them rather than allowing views in.
     
     

     
    G.
  9. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. grahame

    Outstanding projects

    By grahame,

    One of my many long term ongoing outstanding projects is an un-motorised 4-VEP in blue/grey to run with another powered unit. Today I've been working a little on it almost completing the underframes with Ultima etched truss rods and BHE cast details. However, I'm short of a couple of underslung fuses and, more importantly, one mk1 Farish coach roof. Does anyone have a spare or know how/where I can get one cheaply and easily?
     
     

     
    G.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. grahame

    New London Bridge House

    By grahame,

    Here's a pic of the building model and how it will look from a ground floor perspective. Quite interesting, eh? The routemaster bus
    is an N gauge one for some comparison. Apologies for the poor quality pic but it's taken by kneeling on the floor and squinting in
    to the camera which was killing me and I forgot to set everything including the white balance, oh, and I've just got back from the
    pub.
     

     
    And here is an equivalent pic of the real building;
     

     
    Obviusly the model requires a lot of finishing work including the lift/stair extension on the end and .........
     
     
    G.
  16. grahame
    I pleased to report that the second issue of my exclusive magazine has come back from the printers. I'm impressed and pleased with the quality and finish, although there is one little problem - some reversed out text on two small coloured panels didn't come out. Fortunately they're small and don't detract from the content; one was about ordering the first issue (on page 2) and the other is a photo caption (on page 19). I've reported it to the printers but to be quite honest there's little they can do now and it is only a very minor and almost insignificant issue. Probably no worse than my spelling mistakes still in it and besides most publications seem to have some errors in them.
     
    Anyway, overall it looks good and is a fitting (well at least I think so) follow up to the first issue. I wouldn't mind some feedback though. For further info and details about how to order see the magazine section;
     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php/topic/17693-nspirations2/page__pid__169231__st__0entry169231
     
    The contents list is;
     

     
     
    I'm hoping to be on the DEMU stand at the 2mm Anniversary Expo in Oxford on Saturday so will be taking copies along for the traders who sell it for me. However, I understand that DEMU are still looking for member volunteers to help man the stand on Sunday so if you're up for that then do get in contact with them.
     
    G.
  17. grahame

    Weekend report

    By grahame,

    I attended the Crawley Club's exhibition at Horsham over the weekend with my layout and have to report that I had a super
    time. It was a very good exhibition, the club were friendly and helpful and my layout won the Bill Avery/Plus Daughters
    award for 'best in show'. Plus I was able to pick up a few second-hand goodies including a Lima Enparts Siphon G which now
    that I've changed the bogies/wheels for those from a Dapol Siphon and given it a dusting of matt varnish looks pretty acceptable
    to my untrained eye;
     
     

     
     
    And I was fortunate enough to purchase a hand-built Croydon tram by Bill Avery. It's cleverly articulated and the body is
    fully scratch built from plasticard. We had it running on SLD over the weekend. It probably needs a little renovation but
    really looks the part;
     
     

     
     
    I also picked up a rake of built Seacow NGS kits. Again some work is required to lift them but they were excellent value
    and aren't exactly badly put together;
     
     

     
     
     
     
    G.
  18. 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.
  19. grahame

    Old locos

    By grahame,

    Now that we've been hit by a deluge of all new super accurate and fine N gauge models I've recently been going though some of my older stock; the stuff that doesn't stand up to comparison and has embarrassing 'improvements'. I've already managed to sell my old Poole Farish class 47s and get rid of some particularly ancient 37s (I've still got another in messy triple grey livery) but it???s converted, not very well, to represent an actual loco seen at Woking, and runs well on a new Chinese chassis. That makes it a little special to me, particularly being in the attractive triple grey livery - why can??™t Bachmann produce the class 60 in the original 3G livery (without a later privatisation overbranding).
     
     

     
     
    My CJM class 73s were retired some time back, when the more accurate (dimensionally) and better running (my CJM 73s had the old Bachmann American chassis) Dapol version was launched, and now reside in a display cabinet.
     
    Fortunately no-one has yet announced a brand new class 33 as I have quite an extensive collection and have invested heavily in upgrading them with details and new motor chassis???. However, I do have a class 56 that I??™ve spent time on trying, not fully sucessfully, to make it look more like a class 56. Now that Dapol have announced one, which will no doubt be better, what should I do - sell quickly, hang on to it??¦??¦??¦?
     
     

     
    G.
  20. grahame

    Tall buildings

    By grahame,

    I??™ve been contemplating the building of the two skyscrapers (Southwark Towers and New London Bridge House) required for the new layout. Although they are described as ???mid rise??™ blocks, they still scale out in British N gauge (1:148) at 26.5 inches and 25??? tall respectively. Not only is that a lot of building, it??™s a lot modelling and probably a lot of cost.
     
    As the layout is not intended to be an accurate scale representation and the design is compressed and compromised in a number of ways I??™ll probably need to scale back the two towers accordingly. I??™m planning on building the main body of them from 5mm foam board for lightness, and then clad that with cardboard and plasti-card sheets as necessary for the detail. The board I already have is 20???, so I thought that would probably be an acceptable maximum height for the buildings.
     
    That still means they will be big, or rather tall, in N gauge terms. Hopefully, it won??™t overwhelm the rest of the model yet will still retain an element of believability and size. What do others think? Is that about the right sort of maximum height?
     
     

     
    G.
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. grahame

    The next big 'un

    By grahame,

    The cat is out of the bag. The plans for my next big model railway project are already known by a handful of close friends and, no doubt, following the recent clues in my Blog, soon many more will also have some idea of what it is all about. So, in an effort to pre-empt that, here is the concept with all its crazy notions and impractical ideas. It is not planned to be a portable exhibition layout, so most will not get a chance to see it in the flesh, but perhaps through the good province of RMweb, I will be able to bring you, further, if somewhat rather irregular, updates and news regarding progress.
     
    I had scribbled most of these notes while on recent holiday in Australia, thinking that I might offer it to a commercial magazine but have since had second thoughts. After all what magazine would be interested enough to pay for my ramblings or even publish them. So here they are on RMweb.
     
    Anyway, back to my plans for the next big ???un and, firstly, a proviso warning. The project really requires that I move house to dedicate a room for it. Although I do have a ???spare??™ room in my current house I am a little reluctant to start a permanent project in it as I have lived there for quite a while and would like to make one final dream house move. However, the project is being planned and work is underway in research, sourcing materials and building relevant models.
     
    And what it will be is - London Bridge Station. I must stress that it will not be a complete scale model but will be a simplified representation, rather in a similar manner that the outstanding ???Gresley Beat??™ layout which is also only claimed to be a representation, but of the Belle Island area approaches to Kings Cross station.
     

     
    Despite that the new model will not include all 16 platforms, most of the long lasting major features and iconic structures of the station are planned to be included; separate terminus and through platforms, the overall terminus station roof, the large ugly connecting walkway bridge, the oddly shaped covered concourse, the signalling centre, and the bus and taxi stands at the front. The aim is to model it with the terminus part at the front which should also allow me to include a representation of the No1 London Bridge building, Hays Galleria and perhaps Tower Bridge in the background if the research dictates they can be seen from such a viewing position.
     
    The combination of a terminus and through station at one location is part of the attraction for me. The through lines will provide the option of continuous running in a roundy-roundy style, while the terminus will give me additional operational interest. And what??™s more, London Bridge will only be part of the layout, with a second separate scenic area, based on Selhurst Depot, planned for holding stock and therefore doing away with the need for a hidden fiddle yard.
     
    The downside is the lack of loco hauled trains through London Bridge, but not being a complete stickler for historical accuracy or rivet counting authenticity - after all why let that get in the way of a good model - I will assume that the usual cross London freight line via Clapham and Olympia is temporarily out of use. That will mean that the routes linking to Blackfriars and via Snow Hill, such as through London Bridge, are in demand and heavy use.
     
    I also want the layout to be able to accommodate as large a time period as possible to enable as large a choice and range of stock to be run. This will include relatively early Southern slam door EMUs right up to privatised modern third generation units, although perhaps not at the same time. Stock will initially consist of my existing collection of basically Network SouthEast era EMUs, but I will need, and want to, extend that with older and newer trains.
     
    As part of that requirement I would dearly love one of the main British N gauge manufacturers to develop and launch a suitable modern EMU. Two obvious candidates are the Thameslink and Electrostar units. Both of these units are dual voltage machines, and by using pantographs operate on overhead equipment lines north of London, meaning that their attraction would not be limited to South of the Thames Southern Region third rail modellers.
     
    The station will be modelled as it currently stands, but before the latest scheduled developments - which include the ???The Shard??™ as the tallest building in Britain - scar and dominate it. Nonetheless, at the real station, work has already started on the Shard and the layout will quickly become a historic representation as the area gets transformed in to the ???what it will look like??™ computer image currently displayed on the hoarding boards surrounding the building site.
     

     
    I appreciate that famous structures, vehicles and many other items can quickly and easily date layouts, but by selecting items such as the iconic Routemaster and DMS type busses and K6 telephone boxes, that were all very long lived, it ought to blur any obvious time period. Also I intend to avoid the use of any too obvious tell tale paraphernalia and buildings that will specifically date it.
     
    Standards are planned to be the finest N gauge modelling that I am capable of undertaking. Granted my efforts are not the best in the world, but I was relatively satisfied with my achievements with Stoney Lane Depot and if I can improve just a little on them I will be happy. Sourcing the best and finest products available is the key to a fine-scale look. However, I am not going to delude myself by thinking that I am capable of switching to 1:152 (2mm:1ft) scale with all the scratch building of track and stock that would require.
     
    After all, I am nearer the end of my life than the start, and time is a precious commodity. Plus, of course, the fidelity and quality of the latest British N gauge products at 1:148 scale are now supremely high and can help one attain an N gauge fine-scale appearance almost equivalent to 2mmFS. And it is now possible to use the excellent 2mm Eazi-track system with the latest N gauge fine profile wheel-sets. All that remains to be considered are the choice and use of points; will I build my own using 2mm templates but adapted to N gauge flange-way and crossing-vee clearances and standards, or should I utilise commercially available RTR products such as Pecos code 55 points?
     
    Obviously attempting a large London terminus station is a big undertaking and there will be massive modelling requirements. Such a layout will easily swallow up large quantities of everyday items such as vehicles, people, and street and station furniture. Consequently I??™ve already started collecting the best of relevant, and much needed items, such as the Oxford Diecast FX4 London taxis, and the BH Enterprise etched K6 telephone box kits.
     
    I have a special ???scenics??™ box with separate compartments that are slowly filling up with completed and painted figures, wheelie bins, telephone boxes, pallets, barrels, skips, road signs, and so on. I also have another box with a growing collection of suitable road vehicles. Even more importantly I have managed to acquire a small stock of my favourite, but now obsolete, brick paper by Builder Plus.
     
    Obviously this is a large project and it will take considerable time and resources to get anywhere near to fruition. As already mentioned a house move is likely to be part of it which, as most will appreciate, can be very time consuming. Although it may delay things, hopefully any move will not compromise my next big ???un research and plans. And while the house moving side of the project may progress slowly, I can at least finish the planning details and start construction of the necessary buildings and structures.
     
    Hopefully, what I have outlined has whetted people??™s appetites to see and read more about the project on my RMweb Blog. Look out for updates at some time in the future.
     

     
    G.
  24. grahame
    ..... is a lot of junk and many half started and half finished projects including some not exactly railway related modelling. However, one is the scratch building of an N gauge coaling tower based on the OO Hornby one that is curently featured in all the commercial magazine reviews and question threads here. As I actually posed a question on the question thread about it, I thought I'd post up a picture showing progress so far; there's still plenty to do including adding steps and railings, making the ramp, coal truck lift platforn and hoist mechanism.
     
     

     
    G.
  25. grahame

    NSE class 47

    By grahame,

    Some slow progress on the painting of this loco. White upper bodyside stripe, orange cant rail line, logos, number, lettering, etc., still to be done;
     

     
    Nothing much on the class 50, although that will be done in large loco livery - a lot easier than NSE
    And a bit more done this afternoon (but still the orange cant line to do, paint the door handles, front grips and hi-intensitry light lens, replace the cab handrails, re-assemble and weather........)
     

     
    G.
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