Nickey Line

Traditional pigments are also potentially hazardous though, even though lead and arsenic are no longer used. Cobalt, cadmium, chromium etc.

So the end door works? Marvellous!

Thanks! I paint some Klear on the areas where the transfers go, then spray matt. Seems to work. Slater's do provide transfers but only N.E. markings, not B.R. I've obtained some from Old Time Workshop.

Well I can't believe it's a whole year since my last post on this thread! Anyway, the van now has paint... Awaiting transfers and weathering. Actually, the transfers arrived shortly after taking this pic.

I can confirm there's nothing wrong with the purchase process... well at least it has just worked for me! Although I don't have my badge yet... ooh there it is!

Hi, I imagine most posters in this section will have seen the Modratec announcement, but for those that haven't... "Dear MODRATEC Shop Newsletter Subscriber, MODRATEC NEEDS YOUR BRIGHT IDEAS! The bottom line is that I have made the decision that MODRATEC cannot continue as it is. I am finding that the stress of trying to keep on top of the manufacturing side of the business is threatening my health. You may not realise that I personally make almost every component of every lever frame and every WIT part that MODRATEC sells. Very little is outsourced. This is a "cottage industry" based in our garage. I have reached a stage in my life when most people have fully retired. I could do that by simply "pulling the pin" on MODRATEC. But I know that our many clients believe in the MODRATEC lever frame and interlocking system, and I don't want to let you down. That is why I need your bright ideas. How can I reduce my work load without disappointing our customers? One obvious answer is to sell the business, but this is very much a business of niche products for a very limited market. A buyer would need to be as obsessed as I am with railway signalling principles and their application to model railways. They would also need to recognise that this business is not so much about profit as it is about service. Another possibility that often percolates in my brain is that our products may better suit a cooperative approach - a MODRATEC club whose members use their varied skills, tools, and talents to develop, market, and manufacture. Such a club would ideally be international. Anyone familiar with MERG (merg.org.uk) will see how a club approach to model railway technologies can work very successfully. And you may have many more fresh ideas. I am an engineer and designer. I am not a marketer or an entrepreneur. I don't have pots of money with which to buy expertise. That is why I need your help in the form of ideas about how to allow MODRATEC's technologies to persist. It shocked me to discover that I had not sent out a newsletter for almost exactly three years! That, in itself, is symptomatic of why it is crunch time for me and for the business. Much has changed in three years. My wife and I have packed up a house and a workshop and relocated. We have set up (ongoing!) a new home. We have set up (ongoing!) a new workshop. We have built sheds and a large pergola. We have paved. We have dug garden beds. We have planted and tended. And I've aged three years - at least! I feel exhausted all over again just reminding myself of all that activity. I'm sure that you will understand that, as a result of the last three years, it has not been possible to offer the high level of service to our customers that had previously been our hallmark. We have several orders that are significantly delayed, and I feel really bad about that. There have been health impacts - nothing too severe - but these can all be traced back to the stress that the business is generating for me, and suggest very strongly that it's time for change. I'm not asking anyone to feel sorry for me. I am simply telling it how it is and seeking any thoughts that you may have about how to keep MODRATEC alive. Our customers are a very varied group. There are currently nearly 3,500 of you registered with us. You come from all over the world, predominantly from UK, continental Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. That is why I expect great ideas to come forth. I really look forward to your responses. Please feel free to spread the word. Keep sending the right signals! Regards, Harold (Proprietor) MODRATEC" It would be a tragedy for the hobby if Modratec were to fold, but I'm sure there are some amongst the regular posters on here who will have ideas and/or the ability to help? I should point out that I'm not involved with Modratec in any way.

Thanks Chas, it's a start... I was beginning to think I wouldn't get a reply! It would seem though that some way to retard the drying would be advantageous. Perhaps some experimentation is required...

Has anyone on here attempted to use decanted aerosol paint (e.g. Halfords) for brush painting? I assume a retardant and/or thinner would be required. What would one use?

...Dominic Cummings?

I think the poster meant lampreys...

Can we see a video demo? That would be fascinating! :)

So strictly no modelling, workbench, layout, prototype discussions etc? Just checking...

I wonder if someone could explain the need for and/or expected usage of the 'Exclusive RMweb Gold Private Forum'? I've not noticed that it has been mentioned anywhere as yet.

No apology required, clarification is sufficient! Referring to the last two pics, the first I think has the better colour, and deeper shadows too.

No, of course one has to be selective; but reading your whole post would seem to suggest that only those that post on this thread make anything! Which of course would be wrong... For myself, I rarely browse beyond the active threads in the modelling zone, and relatively few of the sub-forums therein.

I am sure you must be aware that there are hundreds of threads on this forum posted by modellers, building from kits and scratch-building, Perhaps you should take a look.

Looks can be deceptive. Mine is actually older than yours, 2004, but has been to fewer countries, but some multiple times. I've worn the rims out twice in that time... I've not posted on here in relation to your work, as I can't hope to match your marvellous creations. I mostly kit build in 7 and 4mm with some scratch-built detail. I like to keep an eye on your progress for inspiration! That bogie brick kit apparently has a small novel by way of instructions!

Nice bicycle... Snap! Well, close anyway.

I'm aware of the ability to edit quotes, and I do, but most people don't. I frequently have to scroll through masses of identical pictures and text to get to the nitty-gritty!

Thanks; I did take a look but there's nothing suitable. A bit late now anyway, as evidenced by the pic in my earlier post!

...which is precisely what the OP is proposing. To 00 finescale (DOGA fine) I believe. No need to build plain track in this instance, though, as the track gauge is 16.5.

Hi Steve, then the AJ system should work for you. I use a slightly simplified version on my own 00 FS shunting plank... A very cruel close-up! That coupling hook needs some attention! You can see from this though how unobtrusive the functioning coupling is. From anywhere but close-up it's virtually invisible...

Will also work with 00 finescale, which uses EM clearances, and a wider back to back. The downside of this though is you can't run your stock on standard 00, or vice versa.

Just to illustrate the point; a Slater's 13T steel open I'm working on at present... Five squares of 55x20 thou microstrip... definitely not something to try in 4mm if you value your sanity.

I wonder if it would be possible to automatically prevent photos from appearing in quoted posts, as the often multiple copies of the same pics seems at best unnecessary, at worst, dare I say, irritating, and must take up enormous amounts of space too.