CCGWR

Are well weathering is easy, can do. Will probably go with a  Dark Grey then, where is the best place for SECR transfers?

Connor

1 hour ago, Guy Rixon said:

Yes. The LCDR colour was a light grey. The SECR colour in the Wainwright period - with the small, company initials - was a darker grey, "officially lead colour". The wagon grey in the Maunsell period - with the larger, company initials - is said to be darker still, "more akin to the GWR". Colour descriptions copied from Bixley+.

 

Both photos in Bixley+ show Wainwright-period livery.

Thanks Everyone, seems I will paint the wagon in SECR Grey then. So could I get away with a GWR Grey (I have plenty of that, albeit, acrylic) or a similar sort of Grey, i.e. Humbrol 67-Tank Grey.

Regards Connor

G'day Everyone,

I am in the middle of building my first metal based kit, a Chatham Kits LCDR/SECR 3 plank open wagon. Just wondering about the paint job. It says in the instructions about the LDCR and SECR livery, as well as saying that they were last withdrawn in 1927. As I am modelling a Southern Railway era, I want to know if any were repainted into Southern Goods Brown in the 4 years between the Grouping and Withdrawal.

Regards Connor

On 26/11/2019 at 17:00, chrisf said:

Five of these sets were allocated initially to the London Division:

 

24   4975, 6370, 6376, 4976

25   4977, 6387, 6388, 4978.  This one was sent to Cardiff during the war

26   4979, 6390, 6416, 4980

27   4981, 6435, 6458, 4982

28   4983, 6468, 6469, 4984

 

Chris 

Thank you so much!

Connor

On 26/04/2019 at 02:48, john dew said:

In addition to the figures, I got a batch of GWR (WR) head and tail lamps from Modelu
 

Unlike the Springside models these dont come ready to plonk. They have to be painted and the tiny shiny lens inserted

A neat idea, which I had forgotten to use until this batch, is the minute slot in the base of each lamp.

With a pair of tweezers you can insert the lamp on to the relevant iron on the loco or coach.......no more fiddling around with super glue.Still has to be glued to older stock of course
 

These shots do show what a high standard Horbvy have achieved with these Collet non corridor coaches

I suspect I will still top and tail my coach rakes and those tank engines that work bunker first but it will definitely make changing loco head codes much easier!

 

As an aside this close up sure exposes the difference between Railtec transfers (Granby Division) and the ancient #12 I applied from my leftover box. Not my wisest move hopefully some discreet weathering will make it less obvious

Regards from a sunny Vancouver

I realise this is a rather late question John, are those particular Railtec transfers under the 'Custom' Text transfer product. Hoping to change my set from Birmingham to London Division

Connor

4 hours ago, The Johnster said:

Oxford, AFAIK, was part of the London Division, and London Division allocated Hornby Collett Suburbans will be perfect for Princes Risborough/Thame.  I'd expect 61xx to outnumber 5101s here; they were a variant for the London Division suburban services with a higher boiler pressure to enable faster acceleration on the busy network to preserve headways.  There is almost no visual difference between a 5101 or a 61xx beyond the usual variations in safety valve covers and liveries, but 61xx carried the trip cock mechanism to work over London Transport widened lines and parts of the Paddington throat.

Fascinating, would have thought Oxford would have had a division but I guess the proximity to London makes sense to be within the London Division. Does anyone know the appropriate coach numbers for these sets?

Connor

47 minutes ago, cctransuk said:

 

Connor,

 

A a retired 'one-man-band', I have to limit the demands on my time that supplying transfers makes.

 

For that reason, I now limit new sheets to the BR 1948 - 68 period - sorry.

 

Regards,

John Isherwood.

No Worries John, completely understand.

Connor

4 minutes ago, cctransuk said:

 

You may be interested in my Sheet BL171; the instruction / key sheet is below; (the numbers are, of course, provided in duplicate where the Diagram information is shown on the key).

 

 

Regards,

John Isherwood,

Cambridge Custom Transfers.

https://www.cctrans.org.uk/products.htm

Thanks so much John, however, I am modelling pre-nationalisation, is there a chance that is possible with your expertise?

Connor

On 21/11/2019 at 00:26, Hastings Thumper said:

As far as I can remember, you have to take the NEM housing off the front end which reveals another screw underneath.  So one screw to release the housing - the bit with the 'V' shape in it, then another underneath.  Two screws under the cab / back of tanks and one at the back I think.

Thanks. I have unscrewed every screw there is in the body and it is clear that the lugs present indicate that the body can be disconnected from the footplate but it is solidly stuck to the smokebox.

Connor

Hi All,

This has probably been covered before here but I thought I would ask just in case. I am intending on modelling an adaptation of Princess Risborough and Thame and I know Large Prairies (51xx and 61xx) were a common sight on this line with suburban trains (I assume often with these sets) due to the proximity to Oxford and Aylesbury. I have the 4 car set of the Birmingham Division that was released, was there an Oxford Division set that I could renumber it to to make it more appropriate for the layout. If so, where would be the best place to get transfers from?

Regards Connor 

16 hours ago, Hal Nail said:

Personally I'd rather remove the shirt button from that verson rather than try and remove the gwr in between the lining

 

Edit: see later comment re difference in lining.

That is a good point, would be a to remove without removing any lining

Connor

Hi Everyone,

I am after some clarification in regards to the most recent releases by Hornby of the Bow End Coaches. The new release (see link below) has the different coat of arms to the original release which was the shirt button. I believe this is current release is of the earlier livery i.e. around 1927-33 with the Coat of Arms and 'GWR' below the waistline? Am I correct? In saying this, would this livery be easier to change to the 1945 livery introduced by Hawksworth with 'Great Western' either side of the coat of arms given the coat of arms is visible. Obviously I understand the coaches should be weathered to suit the period (around 1940-47) which I eventually intend on modelling.

https://www.hattons.co.uk/431070/hornby_r4680a_collett_corridor_brake_third_right_hand_4941_in_gwr_chocolate_and_cream/stockdetail.aspx

Thanks

Connor

Hi Everyone,

I am wondering if someone can help in regards to the Hornby H class. I would like to get into the cab to add a crew and even into the coal bunker to see if I can fit a keep-alive decoder. I have taken all the screws out of the body and I can see about 8 lugs the body side and can push a screwdriver through the lugs which relieves the back end but the smokebox end won't budge. Has anyone tried a similar thing or have any advice on removing the 'floor'?

Regards Connor 

10 minutes ago, checkrail said:

2819 again.  It is of course not heading for Tavvy Jcn., as I said yesterday, but coming from there and heading east!

 

With the second one I'm afraid I had to crop off most of the down home signal arm to excise a view of the bottom of one of the purlins. 

John C.

Looking beautiful John, I notice the signal in the first photo is lit. Remind me, are they working Dapol signals, with a few modifications?

Regards Connor

16 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

You may always ask a question, David (even though it takes up my time in answering questions and assisting folk - sorry, my poor attempt at irony!) 

 

Wiggly pipes? Yes, they're present on the smokeboxes of most ex-LNER locos. What they actually do, I have no idea - oil atomising pipes? No two locos appear to have exactly the same arrangement - some have more bends, and other conduits go straighter. 

 

 

Bachmann certainly don't fit them as a detail on their A1s, yet they're very visible. The smokebox looks 'naked' without them!

 

 

Neither do they fit them on their A2s (nor the cylinder draincock-operating wire or electric lighting cable). It's a pity there's a seam line at the bottom of this model's boiler. 

 

 

Hornby actually does represent them, but there are too many on the firm's A3s. The higher valve was only present on the non-driving side, but Hornby puts it on both sides. On this model, I just carved off the top valve/conduit and made a proper bottom one from some 5 Amp fusewire. 

 

 

I really think they're essential on any ER loco, whether RTR or kit-built. Obviously, it's easier in metal, because the whole lot can be soldered. On this DJH A1, I've made the 'valves' from different-length handrail pillars, and the wiggly pipes themselves from 5 Amp fusewire. It's simplified, but effective. I also add the conduit up to the top electric lamp, again made from 5 Amp fusewire. 

 

 

Observation of the prototype will tell you where the wiggly pipes go. Just a 'representation' is enough to make the eye believe it's 'right'.  

 

 

Don't forget there's also a wiggly pipe running from the back end of the vacuum ejector pipe in front of the cab, draining through the footplate ahead of the Cartazzi keep on this side. Again, I made this from 5 Amp fusewire.

 

I hope all this helps.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

These photos look fantastic Tony as others have commented. I particularly like the oily look of the valve gear on 'Hale O' The Wynd' and 'Cock of the North,' looks like a real locomotive. How was this achieved?

Regards Connor

1 hour ago, Jack P said:

 

Thanks Connor, I wasn't sure about the B1. I thought it might be a little heavy, but I think I can live with it. I need to get some more tonal variation into my weathering at some point. 

 

Nothing wrong with the weathering on the B1, considering your period i.e. 1947

Connor

The B1 looks excellent as does the rest of the stock. Are you modelling the Central region of the Southern Jack to warrant a 6 wheel tender 'King Arthur?' Or is it just for fun?

Regards Connor

Was it one of these? I found this on the Comet Models website. It's a Driving Trailer, diagram A44 and build in 1955, so not technically a GW Autocoach.

Regards Connor

12 hours ago, St Enodoc said:

Didn't you build a Japanese layout for a school project a few years ago?

True, I did build a Japanese Layout showcasing the different public transport systems in Japan, that is now broken up and I did focus on the Great Western for my research project in Year 12 so I guess I was pretty involved.

Regards Connor

On 08/09/2019 at 13:13, 60012 Commonwealth of Australia said:

Not much progress on the layout unfortunately. The super scissors crossover was almost completed last weekend, just needs some minor tweaking and new sleepers around the crossing in the centre. Unfortunately an oversight by me meant that I may have to replace one of the turnouts with a medium radius turnout, unless I can get the bodge I've done to work well. On their large radius turnouts, Peco, in order to maintain a constant 12 degree diverging angle on all turnouts (excluding large radius Ys), maintained a constant curve throughout the turnout, continuing after the frog. Because of the way the super scissors was designed, in order to keep the right distance between tracks, I realistically needed the turnout to reach the 12 degree diverging angle by immediately after the frog - something which doesn't happen on the large radius points. Some careful bending of the turnout and part of the crossing have enabled them to be fitted together, but it's very messy, and I'm uncertain as to how well brass steam locos will go over it. The safest option will be for me to go out to a hobby shop tomorrow after school to buy a left-hand medium radius turnout, which I suspect will be what I do. But for now here are some photos of it as it stands. 

 

 

The main reason for there having been no other progress, along with me having been sick this weekend, is due to a school project. Part of my Year 12 Product Design project was a small (1200x360mm) N scale layout, which I had built the baseboard for, and laid the track on some months ago, however due to other distractions and a certain amount of procrastination had not gone any further, until last Monday, when I discovered that the due date was in fact the Friday that has just passed, whereas I had thought it was this coming friday, meaning I had 3 days to complete it and bring it in to school. An all-nighter on Tuesday, and a very late night on Wednesday meant that I was able to complete it and return it to school on Thursday when the teacher needed the physical projects to be finished. Due to the ability to get buildings for it I chose a British setting, in late winter, and some photos of it are below for those who are interested.

 

Once I have the new turnout for the super scissors there should be some more progress. At some point soon I'll start buying point motors and levers for the layout, especially given the super scissors will require the motors to be fitted and wired up in order to be used, due to the frog wiring. 

 

Peter

One of my biggest regrets for year 12 (1.5 years ago) was not doing an exhibition layout for Research Project (a subject in South Australia). Good thinking combining trains with school Peter!

Regards Connor

Thanks Mick, I assumed that would be the problem.

Regards Connor

Some more recently completed jobs:

Medium Stanier Mogul

Light Britannia

Light Patriot

Heavy Crosti 9F

Medium Crosti 9F

Light-Medium 700 'Black Motor.'

Enjoy.

Regards Connor

Hi Everyone,

I have had some challenges with some locos after weathering where the paint finish has gone all wavy after airbrushing with enamels.  I am assuming it is just excess motor lubrication seeping onto the body and causing it to thin and go all wavy. Would the best solution be to wash the bodies in warm soapy water prior to weathering to get rid of the oil? The loco turned out okay thanks to some black paint but isn't perfect. I am leaving it for now because from normal viewing distance isn't noticeable as you can see from the 2nd photo. Just wanting to avoid this problem in future.

Regards Connor

2 hours ago, 60012 Commonwealth of Australia said:

Alright.

I looked at the Heljan 90' one, but decided the girders and pit of the Peco one was a closer representation of the SAR tables (being flat along the base, rather than angled like the Heljan one). 

 

Peter

True

10 hours ago, 60012 Commonwealth of Australia said:

I haven't motorised it yet, but definitely plan to. I want to do some more research on different motorising kits before I buy anything, just to be sure I make the right choice. I'm not sure whether I will control it via DCC, or whether I use a DPDT switch, or control box, being determined by the motorising kit I buy. For ease of operation I would go for a switch or control box over DCC control, simply as all other aspects of the yard will be controlled by a lever frame and I prefer the physical feeling of a switch or lever to pressing buttons, I find there's just something more satisfying about it than pressing buttons on a controller.

Thanks. I look forward to seeing photos of it (and hopefully a thread) when you eventually do get around to it!

 

Peter

I agree, we have the Heljan one and it is ready motorised and can be controlled by a control box or by DCC. We have it set up to be controlled by the control box and it is much better than it would be controlled by DCC.

Regards Connor