Mark90

Thanks for such a detailed reply, Phil! I’ve done some static grass work before with mixed results - I find some of the products can be quite artificial in colour. I like the shades you’ve used and I’ll check out WWS as a source for future layouts. For a first attempt I think this looks excellent. I like the darker patches. And I agree that the Peco spray is very useful! Thanks again. Mark

Looking good, Phil. The static grass looks very natural - what brand did you use?

One of those devices is definitely on my list for my next - hopefully much larger - layout. I think the creation of the shoulder is particularly helpful!

One press of the 'like' button is insufficient for such a lovely line up!

I agree that N gauge ballast (I use Woodland Scenics fine grade) can look better. After a lot of faffing, my method with finer ballast is to carefully paint on neat PVA and then sprinkle the ballast on top. It takes a lot of time, mind, if you're doing this between sleepers.

As others have said, this is amazing modelling. I regularly travelled through York station for years, and this is a thoroughly convincing depiction in the making. I look forward to seeing how it develops!

Excellent photos - great to see you back! Mark

Thanks for your reply - much appreciated. I look forward to seeing the Kitchen Car! Mark

Hello John. I’ve just found your thread and I think the sleeper looks fantastic. I’ve been considering having a go with one of the Isinglass kits and so it’s very encouraging to see that they can produce good results. Did you use the Isinglass bogies, and if so, what wheels did you use with them? Thanks for sharing your work and I’ll look forward to seeing more in future. Mark

Thanks for sharing your method to improve these coaches, John. They look great, and you’ve inspired me to do some work on a couple of BR-liveried ones for my own layout.

The LMS coaches look good. As I think I mentioned a while back, I’d be interested to know what improvements you’ve made to them. Really splendid photos as usual. Mark

Phil - this looks like a model of great promise! The location and era are firmly within my interests, so I look forward to seeing how this develops. Many thanks for sharing your work. Mark

If anyone has a half-decent copy of this book (ISBN 978-0860936497), then I would be prepared to pay a reasonable price. I appreciate that this is a long-shot given the scarcity of this book and recent (incredible) listing prices on Amazon! Many thanks, Mark

Thank you, John. That’s really helpful advice.

Not yet - I’m awaiting transfers but thought I might post something when the first one is complete.

Thanks for the encouragement, Andy. I decided to have a go at the Ratio/Parkside MR Bain non-corridor coaches and I'm actually fairly happy with the result of the first one (after some cursing and touching up!). The big lesson has been to not bother to try to paint the door handles / grab rails as I just end up messing it up and the end result doesn't stand up to modern standards. I think next time I will file these off and add brass parts after painting.

I have recently painted my first coach and it has been what I would diplomatically call 'a fun learning experience'...

I was thinking about getting a couple of these to tart up to add some variety to my Hornby Stonier stock, so I'd be interested to see what improvements you'd make, John.

Thanks - based on the very useful information you posted earlier my plan is to build two 4-compartment brake thirds, an all third, and a composite (from the all-first kit).

I am just setting about building a 4-set of these in 50s BR condition, so just wanted to drop a big thanks to @Aire Head for the pictures confirming that they did receive BR crimson. Can I ask if the video is online somewhere? Thanks too to @Compound2632- your posts in this thread have been really useful for my project!

No worries at all. A shame that your layout will have to be dismantled, but I think you have a very good reason - congrats on the new arrival!

Pete, I've just found your layout (I'm not sure how I missed it before now) and just wanted to say how inspirational it is. You've really captured the essence of the West Riding and I've enjoyed reading about your work on some of your stock too. Mark

Many thanks - I’ll take a look!

Thanks so much for the detailed reply. I might have to see if anything comes up on eBay as I do have a few crimson and cream Gresleys, and some examples of the teaks, as you've shown, might fit quite nicely. From the prototype photos that I've seen, quite a few seem to have lingered on still in teak into the mid 50s (as I'm sure you know). There's something quite appealing, to me at least, about modelling that crossover period when pre-nationalisation liveried (but BR-numbered) coaches were a regular feature in otherwise crimson and cream rakes. And I agree that, side on, the Hornby Gresleys are convincing enough from a normal viewing distance.

Were the Hornby Gresley coaches sold in this teak British Railways condition, Andy, or did you modify them from the LNER condition ones? I know there are a lot of problems with the Hornby Gresley coaches (having read various contributions on Wright Writes), but the teak / British Railways (pre-Crimson and Cream) fits nicely with my era and I know reproducing teak finish is beyond my abilities. They make for a nice looking rake to my eye.