SteamingWales

Thanks 😁 should have known to check your site first as you do transfers for LITERALLY everything!!!!

Wondering how easy these will be to renumber as I'd probably only want the silver Shell/BP tankers? Or just be patient and hope for a second run which is similar to the O gauge announcements with another running number (and also National Benzole which is also on my shopping list)?

I think a couple of the WR examples were in BR Green with early emblem. Here is 78006 fresh from Swindon in 1957 Photo can be cross referenced with a colour photo from same date on Colour Rail albeit without a tender

Think the max load for a 2MT was 6 coaches on the Cambrian. A good example here 👇 https://zenfolio.page.link/5GEZj Alternatively double head with a BR 4MT, GWR Mogul or Manor and you can add on an extra 4 😏

Not the more modern 1938 built GW coaching stock though (that I am aware). The current kits are of the original coaches

Looks like the main layout will be getting the one and only 5700/8750 (No. 3630) that was ever allocated to Machynlleth/Aberystwyth courtesy of Accurascale. 3630 was allocated to Machynlleth (89C) in May 1960 and was station pilot at Aberystwyth until withdrawal in Sept 1962. The model of 9681 is the perfect tank/top-feed/ejector combo to be renumbered to 3630. Now only a nice new Collett Goods to go and then I won't ever need any more locos 😝 (though a few more Manors wouldn't go amiss)

I would like to hear the official line from Accurascale on headboards. If it is only the ornate headboards that have been made then only the late crest versions should have them. If you want to be really picky only the CCE headboard is truly only the relevant one. If other versions were to come with headboards they would be plain ones AND THEN some quick research shows that the early crest locos were all non Cambrian/Welsh locos so shouldn't have headboards anyway

Yes. Same-ish design. I had to heavily base the trestles on the Caersws bridge as there aren't many photos of the smaller bridges on the Dyfi Don't tempt things. That idea has been sat in the back of my head for when the 009 VoR models arrive as they are a must

Some more bridge progress with jigs and under supports. I think the pictures tell the story best. I did run out of wood that makes the square supports though so a trip to the local model shop is needed 😕

Some diorama work for today and on the main centre piece, the bridge. This week has been spent looking at various books and photos to work out the general construction of the bridge before actual work. Once happy I went down to the local model shop that sold balsa wood for materials and set to today. Current state of play with things is the actual deck is complete and I'll probably look at making a proper jig for doing the trestle under supports. Elsewhere 7802 has been restored to full CCE glory and headboard rear painted black

Might be useful for anyone wanting to fit headboards with a neater solution that just a blob of bluetack Started by gluing 2x 2mm Evergreen channel pieces to form a rectangular box. Once dry I cut one of the channel side to square up one edge then affix this in the correct position in line with the RH base of the crest on the back. It should then slot on like a traditional headboard IRL. On mine it needs light pressure with a screwdriver I filled attempt one with super glue so once dry it didn't fit 🙄 but cut the back of so it pushes on from the front. It holds well ATM so a coat or two of black paint on the rear for general aesthetics should make it that bit more secure again. Accidentally broke 7802s painted dart 😬luckily A/S supply alternatives/spares in the bags 😁

Think I've found a neat solution to fit the headboard @Adrock Started by gluing 2x 2mm Evergreen channel pieces to form a rectangular box. Once dry I cut one of the channel side to square up one edge then affix this in the correct position in line with the RH base of the crest on the back. It should then slot on like a traditional headboard IRL. On mine it needs light pressure with a screwdriver I filled attempt one with super glue so once dry it didn't fit 🙄 but cut the back of so it pushes on from the front. It holds well ATM so a coat or two of black paint on the rear for general aesthetics should make it that bit more secure again. Hopefully that helps? Also broke 7802s painted dart trying to realign it 😬 luckily A/S supply spares 😁

The post of 7800 (now 7823) with headboard a page back was just put on with blue tack. I might experiment with right angle plastic strip to create a bracket

And to finish a line up of all 3 that really shows the differences in finish. Can't wait to get them on Aberystwyth!

Last up is 7823 "Hook Norton Manor". Very much unloved as one of Aberystwyth's secondary Manors in 1960 where she was mostly used on goods trains and secondary passenger services. She only gained CCE favour after an overhaul in 1962. *It should be noted that following feedback the name and numberplates were toned down rather than shiny as in some of the photos*

Next up is 7812 "Erlestoke Manor". Weathered to represent the loco in a slightly worn condition but still quite clean after being given some attention from the cleaners. Perhaps she had recently run on the CCE from Shrewsbury?

First up is 7802 "Bradley Manor". She is modelled in full CCE condition, highly polished with white embellishments, all that's needed now is a CCE headboard

With the kind permission of Steve Croucher of Neville Grove I can happily share the photos of all 3 weathered Manors ( @Accurascale @Accurascale Fran @McC) . I've always been impressed by Steve's work and have previously had other models weathered by him so it would be a no-brainer to send the Manors his way. First up here are the original models as delivered from Accurascale

It's a nice little side project. Forgot to add that part of the problem with the shed ATM is that all the jobs I want to do are on the layout itself (pits, coal stage embankment, trackwork) and there are few little jobs left that I can do separate from the layout whilst at Martin Mere

Some more baby steps of progress. I decided to get the placement of the water crane correct and drill holes in the plasticard "concrete" before painting so I have to do less handling for final placement. This has been achieved with various too-ing and fro-ing with position based upon reference photos and the help of a Standard 4 basically to make sure any 4-6-0 won't foul any other loco running on the loop around the back of the shed. Again its only a little detail but adds another bit of depth to photos. I have been doing a very dangerous thing of thinking and eyeing up an old "layout in a box". This was actually the original "Cambrian Shed" which led to creating the Aberystwyth layout as it is now. I was unhappy with the card building, not with look, but through handling they had become slightly worn so I moved to plasticard, but then things grew from there as at the time I was still living in Aberystwyth but also started using the shed as a basis for the rebuild and things snowballed from there. It was in a near finished state but offered very little running interest and what is the point in having 2 shed layouts so bits have been salvaged and the rest recycled or scraped boards cleaned up and ready for a diorama project. My current train of thought is to go for one of the timber trestle bridges that are synonymous with the Cambrian mainline and coast line so hopefully rather recognisable (and hopefully a nice few months build for the dark nights). My only other thought has been to go for a section of the route upto Talerddig but think an effective diorama would need a lot of height. This is at the moment of very crude scribble but should hopefully give an idea. At present the basis is going to be the Afon Einion bridge near to the present day RSPB Ynys-hir, being inland a little vs the other wooden bridges I can probably hide the fact there are only a limited number of coaches/wagons with a tree or two (also present in reference photos) plus there is potential to add a little interest with a distance signal and platelayers hut Any thoughts are appreciated! Even if you want to say stop going awol and stick to the shed and the shed only!

I don't think I mentioned this before but all 3 Manors have been on holiday at Neville Grove I'll leave the finished photos for Steve to share in due course, not to jump the gun in advertising his work but here is a sneak peak of 7802 😍

78006 was based on the Cambrian network first (hence why I'm purchasing one) but her last she was Gloucester

Found what you are talking about on Facebook (not my photo) Definitely some nice scope for a diorama

Workbench (and wetland) Wednesdays! A little more to report in terms of modeling work 😁 First of the 2 bike sheds that were made have now received a couple of coats of paint and I'm currently dry brushing these to give them a bit more depth of colour I've also take delivery of the ModelU water cranes that were kindly exchanged by the team and have made these up in anticipation for painting. Very nice "kits" indeed from ModelU, my only niggle being that the thin support wires are a bit warped and I replaced those that were extremely bad on the column itself with brass rod A few weeks ago I was working the weekend on the reserve so had a long weekend so took advantage and went to my parents where the main layout is and set to on the embankment join for the coal stage. At present the embankment profile is a rough cut and needs a proper profile giving to it but other supports for the MDF top are in place. I'll probably fill the gap under the MDF with foam core ribs to give the embankment a proper profile. One little job for Martin Mere one day would be to make the small retaining wall for the east side of the coal stage (west side already completed) In wetland news, the first of the whooper swans have arrived from Iceland. We went from 4 this morning at 10am to 85 by 3pm. Not bad for the first day of arrivals!

Maybe easier doing all the digits rather than trying to match colour and size as they won't be perfect. Railtec do full custom transfers where you can get the number you want as a single transfer so easy to apply and no wonky numbers either