RobMG

I did btw reply to Tom by PM re modifying the wooden chassis Hornby wagons. He is the only person to show an interest, Rob

One Day when my missus and I have solved the mysteries of posting photo's here , you will see the results of my work. Rob

Another way to make weathering powder is to grind soft pastels or chalk pastels into powder. This makes excellent weathering Cheap pastels can be bought at 'The Works' I have paid £4 for a pack of Grey to black. and the same for colours which include browns etc Rob

Oh I see I am already on Modifying and detailing RTR stock

It was interesting to read this discussion from long ago. Yesterday before I'd read this , I started modifying an old Hornby Beatties 7 planker. I wanted to see if I could successfully shorten the 10 ft wooden chassis to 9 ft and remove the 'orrible moulded brake gear. I have succeeded in doing this quite neatly . I also shortened back the headstocks flush with the solebars, so I could then make new headstocks. Even sitting the body on the shortened chassis the whole thing looks so much better. I still have work to do finding from the parts box replacement brake gear etc. I have done some photo's , and will post them later when I can get my missus to help me with them. I hope this will be of some interest. Maybe I should have posted on 'Modifying RTR models' I will do that if this goes unnoticed. Rob

Back in the late sixties, built a 78xx Grange from a Jamieson kit. There was a lot of work in it because of the necessary detailing, but it was very enjoyable. Of course living in Reading, I was able to buy the kit from EAMES who I believe produced the kits. There was no problem getting all the bits and pieces I needed they had just about everything . What didn't have I made . They were a great company to deal with, but sadly gone many years ago. I don't know if I would attempt one now, but you never know, if a gwr kit showed up at a show, I might be tempted. I must say that when I opened the box all those years ago I was taken aback, I but nothing daunted I got on with it and soon it began to look like a model loco. Don't be put off yet Black 5 have a go... Oh btw I think I spend as much time looking for tools etc that I have just down as I do building my models.. Rob

The NHS looked after me splendidly at Stafford Hospital when I had a stroke 15 years ago. I did get the use of my right arm back after much exercise. I play the guitar, and couldn't when I came out of hospital. I just kept going at it for ages until my arm and hand moved the way it needed to. I have a friend who until retirement was an occupational therapist, she advised me to keep up the exercise. She told me, the part of the brain that had controlled my arm was damaged, and if I kept up the guitar practice a different part of the brain would take over. Well it worked. I learnt more on the guitar than I knew before, and also I could get back to modelling again.. |So I can only assume it's a stroke you had, but keep using your arm as much as you can. I am pleased to know you think highly of the NHS, My partner works for them as a physiotherapist and My ex wife was a nurse, so I am closely connected. All the best. I may not live far from you near to Blists Hill.... Rob

Good film, and Steve Coogan was as always brilliant. I was a Laurel and Hardy fan when I was a kid, so I found it sad to see how they had come down in the world, and how they, as many others in the world of entertainment were exploited for others gain. Does any one know where the railway scenes were filmed ? Rob

Having worked at Reading Diesel depot for about a year in 70/71 I can confirm that locos could be left running for hours. Not so sure about days though, I don't remember any loco being left ticking over for several days..... As for antifreeze not being used, I can't remember for certain, but I am pretty sure it was used. It was always referred to as coolant, which think is the term for ready prepared water/antifreeze. Also plain water causes damage to an engine over a period. Anti freeze has inhibitors in it to prevent that occurring, as well of course preventing freeze ups.. I would be very surprised if it were not used on railway locos. I can check on that of course from my brother who worked on both steam and diesels for many years. Rob

Hi Thanks for the info, I have looked at Ultrascale, but there seems to be an incredibly long waiting time for their wheels. Up to 10 months! I will look for Alan Gibson wheels, or maybe I will use the original Airfix ones and turn the flanges down to nearer scale. In the meantime I can order some Ultrascale... Rob

Your coaches look very good. You have inspired me to have a go at a pair that I have. I recently bought an Airfix 14XX, because I found amongst a box of bit I was given, a Comet 14xx chassis that has been very well built using Romford wheels and Mashima motor. I found a very good condition loco on ebay for £20 and have removed the original chassis. The body is very well detailed and dimensions seem to be accurate, so I will turn up a new chimney, safety valve and smokebox door, replace any moulded handrails. Romove carefully the toolboxes, and fill the gaps. Then make new boxes and fit in the correct position. Weathering I do myself, using my airbrush or powders made from ground up chalk. It works very well, and is a lot cheaper than buying commercially available powders. Carry on your good work, and yes ancient rtr models can be tarted up to look really good. I know the 14XX will. Sometime when I have mastered the vagaries of posting photos on here you will see some of my work. Cheers for now Rob

Very impressive, I am currently working on an Airfix 14XX turning up new Chimney, safety valve, and smokebox door, plus a few handrails, and toolboxes in correct position. I am using a Comet chassis, and Romford driving wheels, but can't find any acceptable pony wheels.Which wheels did you use ?? Rob

Oh shame you didn't persevere with it, though I don't blame you. It would have been a delicate job, but I am sure somebody here could have helped. I would have done it if it were mine, probably by making a small jig to mount it in, and then carefully applying a small amount of pressure to bring it as far as the jig would allow. It certainly looked a beautifully made model, if I wasn't a GW fan I would have taken it on, even though I do love the LMS pacifics Rob

Hi Matt, Well far from being unskilled, your work so far in the photos looks good to me. I personally would avoid gloss finishes altogether. If you have an airbrush, why not just use a satin or matt finish anyway ? As for weathering, I have done both airbrushing and powders, either do a good job. I don't buy commercially available powders, rather I have adopted the method I have watched on American videos. That of using soft pastels and coloured chalks ground to a fine powder, using a morter and pestle. This method works very well, is cheaper and I can mix whatever shades I want. I hope this is of use to you. Rob

I look forward to further instalments. I have a couple of Comet chassis kits waiting to be built. 57xx pannier and 28xx. I will be interested to see how yours turns out, and if the spring system works well enough to consider using. In the past I have only made compensated chassis. Scratch built, but haven't done one for quite a few years. So a bit lacking in confidence now.. Rob

If the Hornby one comes first,and they do unlined black and early BR crest, That is the one I will go for . I will look at the Dapol one later, then decide if I made the right choice... Rob

Of course it is entirely up to you what adhesive you use, but I personally never allow MEK or any similar liquid anywhere near glazing. I use a product called 'Micro Kristal Klear' I used it a lot years ago when doing plastic aircraft modelling.. I used it for fixing aeroplane canopies navigation lights etc etc. It works very well as an adhesive , but it's main advantage is that it dries totally clear, and does no damage to the glazing. Just a thought, you don't need to take any notice of me, but I can tell you there various products for plastic modellers that railway modellers seem to have no knowledge of. One was a liquid you could dab on to waterslide transfers/decals after you have applied them and they are still wet, that would make them adhere completely to the surface hiding all transfer film, and making them look as though expertly painted on. I am not sure of the name, but I think it could be 'Transfix' . I have a friend who is in to military modelling, I will ask him.. Rob

I have always found them to be really good. fast and efficient service... Rob

I am a little concerned, having provisionally ordered a Dapol large prairie, about the proposed BR liveries. I wanted Plain black with the early crest, but it seems that the only BR black liveried locos are mixed traffic lined black with British Railways lettered. No early crests on anything. This would mean that I will have to re paint the loco to achieve what I want. Does anyone have any comments re this, am I right or what ? Rob

Andy, I am unable to recall any memories of this layout, but I can tell you that Martin was a very dear friend of mine. We met through a mutual interest in old MG cars, we became immediate friends, A short time later I discovered we also shared an interest in 1920's/30's jazz music, but most important a great interest in railway model and full size. I knew Martin from 1967 until he died in 2000 a very sad time. We went all over the place with MG CC events and model railway exhibitions where I often helped operate his previous layout 'Arcadia' Of course I knew and heard about 'Hope Mill' but never saw it, because by that time we lived miles apart, and spoke only on the telephone every week . When Martin moved to Ledbury I was able to meet up with him more easily. We could indulge another favourite pastime, that of searching out pubs with good ale, where we could talk MG's and steam railways. He had a beautiful workshop built, because by that time he'd taken early retirement, and building O gauge loco's etc for people. A splendid job he made of them too of course. The next thing I heard was when he told me he had to go into hospital for treatment for Lukaemia . I was to wait a couple of weeks for things to settle and was looking forward to visiting him, when I had a phone call from his wife Janice to say he'd died.. Needless to say I was shattered, and I miss his friendship to this day.. It is great to see you have acquired this layout . I hope this has given you a little insight into a little bit of his life, only a tiny I know, I could recall loads of stuff. Rob .