JustinDean

Best wishes Jonathon - hope the recovery is a speedy one. Jay

Tidy. Fence and bush.

The driver of 68013 contemplates the history of the tenders he’s about to pick up at the top of the incline at Middleton Top.

Hi Jol, Yes center wheels were removed so tenders could be worked on the inclines. As for the ‘4 wheel’ short wheelbase tenders I’m afraid my knowledge doesn’t stretch to their origins! A cursory internet search doesn’t reveal any evidence of a 4 wheel tender existing so that would suggest a ‘cut & shut’. Jay

You’re quite right Jol. A number of McConnell and also Webb tenders were used supplying hamlets, the reservoir at Middleton Top and locomotives. Here’s my attempts at modeling some. Under construction on my other layout: A finished one with exFurness 10t brake: Finally a Webb tender cobbled together from whitemetal parts:

Thanks for flagging up. I’ve already commented on the FB post about its origins. DX boiler on a 4 wheeler McConnell tender chassis. Jay

Thanks mate. On the C&HPR lamps only ever seem to have this particular configuration so felt like an easy addition. Unlike some layouts/locos where different positions are needed for different types of train. Jay

Hi Martyn, I think you’re right. I’ll revisit these when I’ve regained some objectivity! Jay

The two J94’s now have crew, wooden cab shutters, couplings and have been weathered. The Dapol model: The DJModel: and the pair from the front:

Thanks Shaun, the Dapol models run well however the Hornby one I have is a shocker. Jay

68012 and 68013 just need couplings, crew and weathering now.

Exactly the kind of answer I thought you’d give Rob. Thanks for that! Jay

This probably stems from a childhood of spraying motorbike and car body parts with my dad. He always used red primer for darker colors and that has stuck with me. Maybe more coats would be needed with grey primer due to the slightly translucent nature of paint but I’m guessing here. I reckon @MrWolf would be clued up on this! Jay

Thank you that’s very kind! Jay

A lone Gannet stood outside Middleton Top shed this morning.

A quiet morning at Middleton Top shed.

Rattle can red oxide followed by black. Just noticed I should have removed the short handrail off the tank. I think this is one time I’m going to live with it rather than undo work.

Smart.

Hi Steve, J94’s were fitted with varying types of buffers. Best to pick a particular loco then use that as a basis of the model. In this case I’m modeling 68013 which was fitted with BR Oval buffers (made by Alan Gibson in 4mm scale). Other variations between engines included rear windows, in this case rectangular, some had center steps omitted, ladder on the bunker added plus handrails and steps on the tank varied. In short, find a suitable prototype and modify the model to suit! Jay

Some more details have been added to the J94 and the chassis reassembled. I took the opportunity to clean and adjust the pick ups and lube the gears. Just need some dry weather now so I can spray some undercoat on. Jay

This is going to be a much better model now Nick. Worth the effort for sure! Jay

The observant may notice the constant switching between stock and layout on here at the moment. I’m managing to get a day on the layout in the week and a day on stock at the weekend. Feeling very productive at the moment! This morning I’ve started hacking up and figuring out the planking at the top of the incline. Nothing fixed yet and need to make sure wheel flanges have enough clearance. Jay

Dapol J94 surgery part one…. The victim: First of all strip it down to its component parts: The section of tank remaining on the bottom half of the body is sawn off just behind the handrail: The weight that has been separated from the motor is glued into the top of the tank: The freshly chopped off strips of tank are glued onto the upper section of tank: Filler is smeared over this join and left to harden. Handrails trimmed and straightened Moulded door dart removed and brass one fixed in. Plastic buffer beams replaced with etched brass overlays. Cast brass lubricators replace the plastic blocks that were hideous. Moulded cab rails removed ready for brass wire. Part 2 coming soon….

Could be fun to attempt this in model form.

Meanwhile….. I’ve been working at the top of the incline. DAS clay and a bit of grout/ballast texture: Undergrowth on the embankment along with signal in place: and the gradient sign. Lever for the signal still to go in.