#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  

On 01/01/2020 at 19:55, Stuart Birks said:

I bought mine from Eileens Emporium where they sell it as individual sheets or in packs of 10. If you are anything like me I would get a couple of extras as I wrecked some cutting them slightly wrong. The Evergerrn strip I use is 1.5 x 4.8mm (.060" x .188") code 158. Sorry I rounded it to 5mm as I just work to that size.

 

Stu

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

On 31/12/2019 at 16:32, Stuart Birks said:

Hi homer3uk.

The paving is 4mm code 0414. The paving slabs measure 6 x 8mm. They look vacuum formed and have a ridge on the back matching the groves on the front. I sand this off to give a good glueing  surface and it makes it 0.5mm thick which is easier for matching the edging. When glued down (I use Evostic Timebond impact glue) I also sand the front face as the slabs are not quire flat.

The edging is Evergreen strip and I just run a razor saw one light pass accross it to create a groove. A simple mark on the mitre block gives consistent spacing. This is very flexible and will go round curves easily.

Making the vertical strips out of 6mm MDF gives quite a lot of flexibility. It wont go round a 3rd radius curve but can bend quite a bit. My platforms have a slight curve but really not very much. If you do need a sharp curve a series of saw cuts will allow the MDF to bend more. Put the saw cuts in the inside of the curve or the MDF will delaminate.  You can simply switch to 4mm MDF.

Stu

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

20 hours ago, Stuart Birks said:

I am in the process of making my platforms. They are made from 6mm MDF. The top is cut to the required shape and then put on top of 12.5mm strips of MDF. Any timber would do for the strips.

In the top corner I have routed a 2mm wide by 1mm deep recess. This is to hold a 5 x 1.5mm strip of plastic for the platform edging. The top is covered with Slaters paving which is 0.5mm thick so ends up flush. The front is covered with strips of Wills dressed stone sheets. These are 1.5mm thick so gives a nice 1.5mm overhang. The wills sheets do not need to go all the way to the bottom as the last few millimeters are buried in ballast.

 

The result looks like this.

 

 

Dont look at the paint job. It is only partially painted here.

 

All my buildings have the walls extended below ground level. I then cut holes in the platform to sink them in. Some more 6mm MDF is glued under the hole and then plastic strip added as packing to get the building to the required hight.

 

 

When the building sits in the hole there is never a gap underneath it.

 

 

Stu.

 

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. 

16 hours ago, melmerby said:

Here's what a real platform edge looks like:

 

 

You should be able to work out the height above ballast from those blue bricks. Original GWR, 16 courses plus edging.

Notice three corbolled steps.

Is that foregate st?

1 hour ago, jono26 said:

this is my method - see 2nd August entry

https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/145890-finnsbay-late-80s-scotrail/

 

it was a bit of a fiddle but I was very happy with the end result and I was able to built these at the workbench and fit later. As the track is set higher on thick cork the final height of the platform worked out correct for rolling stock when compared to the real Aberdeen platforms.

Jonathan

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

1 hour ago, Alister_G said:

 

I think it depends on what track you are using, and how you lay it. For instance, if you've got code100 track on a 3mm cork base, then 18 or 19mm works out about right for platform height.

 

If you've got handmade track on pcb sleepers laid direct to the baseboard, then 12-14mm is correct.

 

Cheers,

 

Al.

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

27 minutes ago, gordon s said:

Went through a similar process a few months back. This may give you some ideas.

 

18mm mdf will be very heavy and probably oversize as platforms are generally 3 foot to 3 foot six inches in height, so 12-14mm in 4mm scale.

 

The original idea came from CoBo, so thanks to him.

 

It starts here and then continues for several posts.

 

That is one impressive set up and some simply beautiful track work.
We have plenty of mdf available already and if needs be can shave a few mil off. Want something solid and the ability to screw the thing in place, also easy to drill to fit wiring for lights etc. Interesting what you say about height, I will definitely look into that as the wills paving will add another couple of mil. We aren’t era specific so have a run anything policy. This means I can look into textured paint to give a tarmac effect but I personally like the paved style if possible 

 

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 

1 hour ago, MJI said:

 

Go to Ebay

 

Search Platform 5

 

Ignore shoes and click on books British Rail

 

Motive Power Pocket Books AFAIR have the WR set formations.

That’s great, thanks

The only other question I have regarding these is, what formations were they run in circa 1990?

Thanks

2 hours ago, James Makin said:

The first scale length Hornby Mk3s came out in 1999, though the Intercity Swallow batch didn’t come out until much later - best thing is to only look at eBay listings with clear pictures or when you’re at shows/shops, look out for the tell-tale sign of the old coaches having a clear printed glazing strip, as well as the length on the correct ones being approx 30cm/1ft in length,

 

Hope this helps!

James

2007 was the first year they produced them in exec livery. Managed to track down the catalogue they were in. 

Thanks Philip. I’ve managed to track down the codes for the Hornby br exec mk3’s. But those do look the part behind the original blue grey Hornby power car. I’m probably going to move my attention to a blue grey set next So may consider the Jouef ones. Then the latest GWR green unit. 

Thanks James, will take a look now. I have seen a couple but was uncertain of the true scale. Couldn’t date the R number either. I guess once I know the catalogue year they were introduced I can check Hornby collectors guide for R numbers. Picking up some late 80’s executive power cars from a friend but I want accurate coaches to run on the set. 
thanks again 

Hi, new to rmweb but not to the hobby. I have a query regarding rtr Hornby mk3 stock. It’s my belief that the early Hornby mk3’s were actually mk2 in length so not accurate to scale. Can anyone tell me what year they got their act together and started producing accurate or close to accurate br mk3’s. I’m looking to create a set of intercity swallow mk3’s. 
Thanks