RedGemAlchemist

The platforms are painted. Decided on the more yellowy Cambridgeshire brick colour for the front brickwork. A bit of my usual undercoat, a splash of Vallejo Model Colour Brilliant White, a bit of Model Colour Brown Sand, and some Games Workshop Agrax Earthshade wash to make it look muddy and used, and bring out the details. I am thoroughly pleased with this result.

Always annoying when you find something you want and it doesn't ship to your country. If it doesn't why is it still listed in the UK's eBay site?

That's going to be one smart looking loco. Fantastic work as always.

Beautiful! Really good job, mate!

Already posted this on my Workbench, but it seems appropriate to mention here as well, so here is the history of my own Kelsby Light Railway for your viewing pleasure. The Kelsby Light Railway - A History in Brief 1898 - The KLR act is passed 1901 - Bulldog and its sister locomotive Pointer are commissioned by David, 2nd. Baronet Bradleigh 1903 - The KLR is opened by David Bradleigh to a rather rocky start. 1905 - The GER attempts to buy out the KLR. They back off after David Bradleigh whines about it in the House of Lords 1913 - David Bradleigh dies at his desk, his sickly son Thomas becomes 3rd. Baronet Bradleigh and CEO of the KLR 1919 - Peter is purchased from the WNR, becoming the line's third locomotive. 1921 - The Grouping happens. The new LNER begins a long legal battle with the Bradleigh family in an attempt to buy the KLR. 1924 - The Bradleigh family strikes up a deal with the LNER, giving the Bradleighs effective control over the railway but the LNER has the final say on the purchase of new stock and such. Seemingly out of spite they begin to dump outdated, worn-out or damaged locomotives and stock into their hands, probably thinking it'd run the Bradleighs into the ground so they could buy the railway out from under them. 1932 - Thomas Bradleigh dies. His son Edward becomes 4th. Baronet Bradleigh and CEO of the KLR, which catches the ire of many as he is only 22 at the time. However, he soon proves himself an intelligent owner and a shrewd businessman. 1935 - The LNER dumps a worn-out B12 onto the KLR rails. It is named Wild Rover, but due to a clerical error it runs under its original GER number of 1571. 1940 - Elmtree Heath's original station is destroyed by a German bomb that was presumably intended to hit Elmtree Airfield. Pointer, which was picking up water while pulling a post train through the station at the time, is also destroyed in the explosion. Its nameplates are hung in Kelsby sheds and its number is given to Wild Rover, beginning two long-standing traditions among the KLR staff of keeping and displaying the nameplates of scrapped locomotives and reusing the numbers of said locomotives to keep the books linear. 1942 - Wild Rover collides with a Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0T that is on trials at Berkham station. The accident requires Wild Rover to be rebuilt due to the damage, resulting in its conversion from 4-6-0 to an 0-6-0 - amusingly, using the boiler of the Hudswell Clarke to replace the unsalvageable original. 1942 - The James Donaldson scandal, where CME James Donaldson is arrested and charged with stealing locomotives from other companies over the course of about 10 years. All the stolen locomotives are returned, with the exception of a single GWR 4800 class tank engine which remains on the KLR with permission, taking on the name Wanderer and the number 6. 1946 - Elmtree Heath's new station is opened. Some ruins of the original are still visible in the grounds as the new building is notably smaller and more understated than David Bradleigh's original Neo-Gothic monstrosity. 1947 - The locomotives that would become known as Mastodon and Geoffrey Lake arrive for trials on the KLR. Edward Bradleigh's daughter Emily convinces her father to purchase the two locomotives. 1948 - Nationalisation happens. The KLR comes under partial ownership of BR. 1952 - Telham Fen becomes an RSPB reserve. Telham Fen station is abandoned. 1961 - At the KLR's 60th Anniversary celebrations, Edward Bradleigh announces, much to the chagrin of the higher ups at BR, that the KLR would, in the face of increasing diesel usage on the main line, not stop building steam locomotives and continue running an almost exclusively steam service. 1966 - The Challenge. In response to the above and after much back and forth arguing, BR flex their muscles and send a Class 04 shunting diesel to the KLR on trials, implying that it could outperform any locomotive the KLR owned without them even having to bother comparing. Edward Bradleigh used the opportunity to turn it into a media circus by taking it into a direct challenge and inviting every news outlet he could find to spectate. He then pitched the 04 against Bulldog. The press has a field day as the 51-year-old tank engine runs rings around the brand new diesel which is twice its size. BR, preoccupied with more important matters, never attempts anything like this again. The Class 04, however, remains on the KLR, eventually ending up being used as the works shunter at the KLR workshops in Berkham and the KLR's only non-steam locomotive in their entire history. 1966 - BR decide to shut down the KLR as part of the Beeching Axe; however, they back off due to massive public outcry and Edward Bradleigh, taking the example of his father and grandfather to heart, getting his buddies in the House of Lords involved. 1967 - Due to the KLR running out of funds, Edward Bradleigh decides to close Telham Town station as, considering its grand construction, its upkeep costs too much. 1970 - English Heritage becomes involved with the funding and upkeep of the railway, a partnership that continues into the present day. 1973 - In an interesting case of things coming full circle, Emily Bradleigh, who had been so influential to the railway since the 40s, becomes CME of the KLR. 1975 - Edward Bradleigh steps down as CEO of the KLR. His son, Edward Bradleigh Jr., takes over. 1979 - Edward Bradleigh Sr. dies suddenly from a stroke and Edward Jr. becomes 5th Baronet Bradleigh. Edward Bradleigh Sr.'s death is mourned throughout East Anglia's railway community. 1982 - A statue of Edward Bradleigh Sr. is installed on the platform of Kelsby station, sitting in his favourite spot on the platform in his favourite bench where he would often sit and watch the trains roll in and out of the station. 1996 - Emily Bradleigh retires as CME of the KLR, ending the railways most prolific period in terms of design work. 2000 - Restoration work begins on Telham Town station, with plans to reopen the last section of the line in the near future. 2014 - Emily Bradleigh dies. 2016 - Edward Bradleigh Jr. dies, and his son Jacob Bradleigh becomes the 6th Baronet and CEO of the KLR. Present day - Period modelled. Not all locomotives and events are mentioned as I edit the backstory depending on what I end up with. Keep it flexible.

I like that engine. Giving me ideas, that is...

Thanks man. I tried my best.

Fair enough. That'll do it.

OK, I would not be allowed to type up the first reaction I had to that segue due to the profanity blocker. Yes, Alphonse can move. Full Metal Alchemist is actually a really interesting series, I'd recommend it (particularly the 2009 adaptation, Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood. Both that and the original are also on Netflix, along with a truly terrible 2018 film adaptation.) Hmm. Looking good. I'm normally not a huge fan of working in card for reasons that are part practicality and part personal experience, but that's looking very nice. Though yeah, the boiler might need a different material. And it'd probably be 8572. I'd be able to stay in the county I love so dearly, and I'd occasionally be allowed out on the mainline. Plus, I'd actually look majestic for the first time in my life rather than being an out-of-shape, long-haired nerd with glasses.

Hmm. Interesting. I have a bad back and knees (I know, I know, I'm only 24 so what did I do? For your information it's a hereditary condition) so might be worth investing in a bicycle myself...

I've seen the instructions for Transformers figures (I actually own an awful lot of them) and Warhammer 40k kits (frequent player of the game) so I can imagine writing instructions is a truly excruciating task.

Some beautiful builds there buddy. Very much my sort of locos, especially that 0-8-0T! Very sorry to hear about the medical issues, Chris. Speaking as someone who has a few issues of his own (mostly joint-related with my legs and back) I feel for you man. I wish you a swift recovery, my friend.

Right. For all those that are interested on actual dates to the KLR: The Kelsby Light Railway - A History in Brief 1898 - The KLR act is passed 1901 - Bulldog and its sister locomotive Pointer are commissioned by David, 2nd. Baronet Bradleigh 1903 - The KLR is opened by David Bradleigh to a rather rocky start. 1905 - The GER attempts to buy out the KLR. They back off after David Bradleigh whines about it in the House of Lords 1913 - David Bradleigh dies at his desk, his sickly son Thomas becomes 3rd. Baronet Bradleigh and CEO of the KLR 1919 - Peter is purchased from the WNR, becoming the line's third locomotive. 1921 - The Grouping happens. The new LNER begins a long legal battle with the Bradleigh family in an attempt to buy the KLR. 1924 - The Bradleigh family strikes up a deal with the LNER, giving the Bradleighs effective control over the railway but the LNER has the final say on the purchase of new stock and such. Seemingly out of spite they begin to dump outdated, worn-out or damaged locomotives and stock into their hands, probably thinking it'd run the Bradleighs into the ground so they could buy the railway out from under them. 1932 - Thomas Bradleigh dies. His son Edward becomes 4th. Baronet Bradleigh and CEO of the KLR, which catches the ire of many as he is only 22 at the time. However, he soon proves himself an intelligent owner and a shrewd businessman. 1935 - The LNER dumps a worn-out B12 onto the KLR rails. It is named Wild Rover, but due to a clerical error it runs under its original GER number of 1571. 1940 - Elmtree Heath's original station is destroyed by a German bomb that was presumably intended to hit Elmtree Airfield. Pointer, which was picking up water while pulling a post train through the station at the time, is also destroyed in the explosion. Its nameplates are hung in Kelsby sheds and its number is given to Wild Rover, beginning two long-standing traditions among the KLR staff of keeping and displaying the nameplates of scrapped locomotives and reusing the numbers of said locomotives to keep the books linear. 1942 - Wild Rover collides with a Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0T that is on trials at Berkham station. The accident requires Wild Rover to be rebuilt due to the damage, resulting in its conversion from 4-6-0 to an 0-6-0 - amusingly, using the boiler of the Hudswell Clarke to replace the unsalvageable original. 1942 - The James Donaldson scandal, where CME James Donaldson is arrested and charged with stealing locomotives from other companies over the course of about 10 years. All the stolen locomotives are returned, with the exception of a single GWR 4800 class tank engine which remains on the KLR with permission, taking on the name Wanderer and the number 6. 1946 - Elmtree Heath's new station is opened. Some ruins of the original are still visible in the grounds as the new building is notably smaller and more understated than David Bradleigh's original Neo-Gothic monstrosity. 1947 - The locomotives that would become known as Mastodon and Geoffrey Lake arrive for trials on the KLR. Edward Bradleigh's daughter Emily convinces her father to purchase the two locomotives. 1948 - Nationalisation happens. The KLR comes under partial ownership of BR. 1952 - Telham Fen becomes an RSPB reserve. Telham Fen station is abandoned. 1961 - At the KLR's 60th Anniversary celebrations, Edward Bradleigh announces, much to the chagrin of the higher ups at BR, that the KLR would, in the face of increasing diesel usage on the main line, not stop building steam locomotives and continue running an almost exclusively steam service. 1966 - The Challenge. In response to the above and after much back and forth arguing, BR flex their muscles and send a Class 04 shunting diesel to the KLR on trials, implying that it could outperform any locomotive the KLR owned without them even having to bother comparing. Edward Bradleigh used the opportunity to turn it into a media circus by taking it into a direct challenge and inviting every news outlet he could find to spectate. He then pitched the 04 against Bulldog. The press has a field day as the 51-year-old tank engine runs rings around the brand new diesel which is twice its size. BR, preoccupied with more important matters, never attempts anything like this again. The Class 04, however, remains on the KLR, eventually ending up being used as the works shunter at the KLR workshops in Berkham and the KLR's only non-steam locomotive in their entire history. 1966 - BR decide to shut down the KLR as part of the Beeching Axe; however, they back off due to massive public outcry and Edward Bradleigh, taking the example of his father and grandfather to heart, getting his buddies in the House of Lords involved. 1967 - Due to the KLR running out of funds, Edward Bradleigh decides to close Telham Town station as, considering its grand construction, its upkeep costs too much. 1970 - English Heritage becomes involved with the funding and upkeep of the railway, a partnership that continues into the present day. 1973 - In an interesting case of things coming full circle, Emily Bradleigh, who had been so influential to the railway since the 40s, becomes CME of the KLR. 1975 - Edward Bradleigh steps down as CEO of the KLR. His son, Edward Bradleigh Jr., takes over. 1979 - Edward Bradleigh Sr. dies suddenly from a stroke and Edward Jr. becomes 5th Baronet Bradleigh. Edward Bradleigh Sr.'s death is mourned throughout East Anglia's railway community. 1982 - A statue of Edward Bradleigh Sr. is installed on the platform of Kelsby station, sitting in his favourite spot on the platform in his favourite bench where he would often sit and watch the trains roll in and out of the station. 1996 - Emily Bradleigh retires as CME of the KLR, ending the railways most prolific period in terms of design work. 2000 - Restoration work begins on Telham Town station, with plans to reopen the last section of the line in the near future. 2014 - Emily Bradleigh dies. 2016 - Edward Bradleigh Jr. dies, and his son Jacob Bradleigh becomes the 6th Baronet and CEO of the KLR. Present day - Period modelled. And that, in a nutshell, is the history of the KLR as a whole.

Been across most of Europe and even to the US and Africa, but not been to a youth hostel. I don't know, I just don't trust the places. Also I don't own a bike so as fun as this sounds I can't.

Ah right. Wow, there's actually quite a lot of you fellow RMWebbers who are really local to me. That's interesting.

If it's of any help, here is the motor inside the tender: More info: it's the tender from a Lima LMS Crab, I think; one of a pair of driven tenders that uax6 donated to me a few weeks ago (see Post 239). (Apologies for the state of my workbench and the Space Marine in the background.)

Thanks. I actually spend a lot of time in Banham (I have friends there as well as being a frequent visitor of Banham's weekly car boot sale) and I've seen Eccles once or twice. Never actually been to Quidenham to be honest, I'm usually more around the Attleborough and Watton areas rather than up Thetford end. Either way, that streetview of Banham is nice, plus if you turn the camera around you get an excellent view of the church.

The sort of thing I had in mind, yes. Will probably need some bigger driving wheels as well, come to think of it. Hmm... Wow, that tender really is monstrous, isn't it? Then again I'd suppose having a massive amount of water is an essential Down Under.

Sadly I doubt it. Not to mention I'm scared about removing the motor as I don't want to destroy a perfectly good tender.

Considering the tender has the motor in it that might be a tad difficult while still keeping it functional.

Well, I have three brothers and a sister, but none of them are named Alphonse or locked in a suit of armour. And yes, I also miss the Anime Channel. Back to you, relaxinghobby.

Yeah. The LNWR weren't exactly known for being careful route planners as far as memory serves...

Call the police! Either way, I just want to get something started. I'm annoyed at myself for getting off to such a flying start (five finished locos - three of which I definitely know work - in the space of a little over a month! Got to be a record of some sort!) and then just slamming into a brick wall because I've run out of resources. I started the marathon at a sprinter's pace, methinks.

Oh, I recognise those painted ones! My boss' husband has several of them, which he has framed and mounted on the wall of their house.

Um, Annie, have you seen any of my design ideas? Common design practice is kind of out the window most of the time But in all seriousness you do have a point. A tender that size would be hilariously impractical for such a small engine. I'll have to think of something else. Not to mention I have no idea how to attach that front bogie.