#11Reno

Thanks for the response. I was aware that restaurant/buffet on these services were older GWR stock. I was looking at Hornby blood custard Collett’s so the replacement sides will be definitely worth a look at. Thanks again

Probably the sort if question posed quite often but knowing how knowledgable and helpful people are on here I’m sure some of you won’t mind sharing your expertise. I’m trying to work out what diagrams were common use on large express services in the western region during the late 50’s. Specifically 1957 when the late crest started to appear on mainline express locomotives but rolling stock could have still been carmine and cream or a mix of maroon coaches. Two express services I’d like to recreate are the Cathedrals Express (Paddington, Worcester, Hereford and the Torbay Express. I’m also interested in other express and semi fast western services during this period but Cathedrals and Torbay are my priority right now. My knowledge of the Cathedrals is it started at Hereford as a smaller service often pulled by a prairie, before joining the main diagram at Worcester Shrub Hill. The service thereafter usually pulled by a Castle to Paddington. Thanks in advance

Stuart, what width did you score the edging strip. Got the first platform ready shaped so today I hope to start with the sides and edging. Will post pictures of progress later

The 0414 paving from slaters, how many sheets per pack? I’ve calculated I’ll need 14 sheets in total. Also is this the evergreen strip you used for the edging? Cheers

That is an impressive platform. Just looked at the slaters site, they have good selection of plasticard. Did you use 4mm grey paving? Also how did you do the edging, I’m going to need to do curved platforms so there may be some fiddling.

Is that foregate st?

I may have a slightly different finish but the structure looks very similar to what I have in mind. Great job

Track already down. I’ll be replacing existing platforms and the track is code 100 so might be ok then. I’m going to do a small section as a test so I can see how it sits by the track against rolling stock

I’m developing a rake of Gresley teaks but I’m curious as to the availability of any second open coaches. I have the buffet, 1st/3rd corridor brake and a 3rd corridor, all latest Hornby. I’m wanting to expand the set to eventually 9 or 10 and want a realistic mix of open and corridor. Does anyone know if there are any RTR open teaks equal to that of the Hornby ones on the market. Thanks.

I’m about to tackle a project for our local MRC of which I have recently joined. I’m attempting to rebuild two island platforms from scratch to replace the existing ones. Now I have measured up and essentially will be using the existing platforms for dimensions so should be good for size. I’m just curious as to how people have done their own scratch built platforms as in the past I have only done card kits, metcalf and superquick. I’ve checked some YouTube tutorials and have a couple of ideas, 18mm mdf as the structure is currently my preferred choice. Probably wills kits Victoria stone for the top and the flexi brick for the edging as both platforms have a slight curve. Just wondering whether to edge with coping stones or let the Victoria paving over hang slightly, then paint a white edge. I like the idea of the plastic wills paving and brick work as it gives better texture than card and is better for weathering. All advice greatly received as this will be my first scratch build, thanks.

Have gone down the route of painting and am quite pleased with the results. Now looking at lighting and passengers

Probably a much discussed topic but......... I’m just in the process of trying to form a realistic rake of blood custard mk1 coaches for my Hornby king. I’m going to weather them slightly and have some corridor connectors ready to fit, my only nagging thought is what to do with the interior. I have considered painting the the existing interiors and adding passengers but then I saw something about peco producing card interior detailing sheets for kit master mk1’s. Now from looking online these seem very hard to come by and I wondered if this was something others now produced, or if anyone knew where I may find the peco kits. Many thanks

Thanks for your comments. All very helpful

That’s great, thanks