petrovich
-
Posts
230 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Blogs
Gallery
Events
Exhibition Layout Details
Store
Posts posted by petrovich
-
-
If you want a really good looking loco, forget the Midland, the LNWR and all this other minor companies and go for something Great.
Great Central that is....
Not bad, a good effort I would say. To be honest around that period of time there were some beautiful locomotives built by all the companies.
Regards
Peter
-
What beautiful lines and form.Whilst I will admit that the LNWR liveries and designs are on the pleasant side, Samuel Johnson was a jewel amongst locomotive designers as far as aesthetics are concerned
-
Returning to the theme of 'taking things out' in photographs, here are a few more examples...................
Last week, I photographed Paul Moss' beautiful N Gauge depiction of a bit of the S&C, Little Salkeld. It's going in the RM next year, so, please, look out for it. It really is exceptional modelling.
It's in the 'hobby room', with the usual things one might find all around.
Little Salkeld 14 complete.jpgTaking out the 'clutter', by cloning a piece of the background's sky and extending it, immediately draws the attention to the model. The lines go on/off scene via means of a 'hole in the sky' (on the straight!), and I've just removed this. In fairness, from ordinary (exhibition) viewing angle, it's invisible.
Another, equally-impressive N Gauge layout is Eric Farragher's Clifton and Lowther. Eric, too, takes his lines on/off scene via straights, under bridges. Again, from exhibition angles the subsequent sharp curves beyond cannot be seen, but the camera found them. I don't think filling in with dark grey is a 'cheat'. I also extended upwards Eric's sky background.
In next Month's RM, there'll be an update on Carlisle in EM.
The walls of the (vast) room in which Carlisle is housed are draped in black. I used this to my advantage in this nocturne, merely copying the overall tone.
A black sky would not have worked in the picture below, so I've substituted a neutral, warm grey.
In none of the pictures above has the modelling been altered. I think that's very important.
Hi Tony, all of these look excellent layouts something to strive for.
Peter
-
What a superb group of layouts to create delight on a grey Sunday morning; thank you Tony. LB sits well up in the top ten of home layouts I have had the pleasure to see/play with (only occasionally as I prefer watching your trains go by......) over the years.
Phil
Totally agree Phil, although I have to arrange with Sir a visit to Little Bytham in the New Year as I have only had it described to me by it's owner at exhibitions where we have met up. I have to admit though that Stoke Summit is the layout I would have liked to watch the most but sadly apart from a DVD will not get that chance I suppose.
Having said the above I do find the level of craftsmanship and information on this part of the forum outstanding and inspiring and a great help to a novice like myself so thank you all.
Long may it continue
Peter
-
1
-
-
I strongly suspect any craziness of teachers is likely as a result of having to teach reprobates like me.
All my teachers were some of the mentally strongest people alive when I look back at some of the reprobates at my place of education, I heard from a old school friend the other day that at least four out of sixteen in our class have visited Her Majesty's establishments for various misdemeanours. Not something to be proud of.
So all power to the teachers within reason.
Anyway back to railways now
-
2
-
-
A good few days working on the signals and adding them to work with the block detection. All signals apart from the down platform 1 bracket semaphore are now working although I still need to get the yellow aspects working on the two colour lights.
A short video showing the up main signal in action with the Rake of Arbels passing. The lighter coloured Arbel set is one of two recently acquired against the 3D printed ones which will be repainted to match the ATM ones. These ATM ones are very stiff when in the curved hence just one set running at present but they are running much better than earlier after tweaking them. Now to dismantle the layout and load into the car for tomorrows show.
Hi Ian
Is the yellow aspect an easy fix or is there a fair bit of coding to do?
Regards
Peter
-
I agree Jerry,
Whatever activity one gets involved with, there will be dross. More dross than quality, in the past and now. Railway modelling is no exception.
But today, is it a different kind of 'dross' in my view. I keep coming back to this point, and it would be wrong to call the current RTR standards 'dross', but I really do get bored at seeing the same things on layouts and in the press; not just locos and rolling stock, but structures as well. Back in the Metropolitan Junction days, the dross in the press would probably be poor modelling (RTR stuff, for instance, would not feature except in its own separate - relegated? - section). And, some of those tatty buildings on Metropolitan Junction are ancient Biltezee and Superquick mouldering items. So, no 'rose-coloured specs' there.
It's just that I appreciate the self-reliance of the modellers who made what they needed. There was no moaning about why such-and-such is/was not available - their work was unique. And, despite the overall raising of standards throughout the hobby, how many shows from years ago featured (so) many layouts which were populated by stuff straight from the box?
Allowances must be made for the great age (in layout terms) of MJ, but how many times does one see a Billinton Tank, a Claughton and a round-top firebox Nelson on layouts at exhibitions these days? Rarely throughout history, I admit, but so refreshingly-different to see among the general (though not universal) 'mobile' catalogues of what the RTR boys offer us.
You mention Gordon Gravett. I don't care which period in the hobby's history one chooses, nothing has ever been any better than this!
Regards,
Tony.
Good Afternoon Tony
Firstly thank you for the hospitality shown by Mo and your good self on Saturday at Woking there were some interesting conversations to listen too and absorb at your stand. Secondly on my travels around the exhibition I found Metropolitan Junction in a state of malfunction ( a unit was derailed and a further set was requiring a finger assist to continue its circuit). This does spoil the enjoyment of watching what is a remarkable piece of engineering. There was also an abundance of "end to end" layouts most of which had very little activity going on, the operators mostly engaged in conversations with an audience of people they seemed to know.
Having said all that which gives the appearance that I did not enjoy the event I have to place plaudits in the direction of Arun Quay, Lower Shalford and Umbridge of which Arun Quays lighting and simple backscene made it stand out from all the displays.
On a side note "A Taste of Japan" made up of Kato stock and never ending circuits certainly kept the young ones attending enthralled and perhaps more of this sort of layout should be employed if we are to get the children interested in the hobby.
Enjoy Australia.......
Regards
Peter
-
1
-
-
I have to say that the DVD's by Sir are quite informative. I am unaware of the books do you have a link?
Regards
Peter
Hi MALLARD60022 I have just found them on Amazon thanks in advance for any reply you have sent.
Regards
Peter
-
1
-
-
Some bloke called Wright wrote a/some loco kit building book/s. Think there was a couple of DVDs as well. He seemed to use a soldering iron with substances and a few Bastard Files and so I copied his methods. That's enough for me and if I need a turned Brass Chimney I'll find one RTP or ask someone to make me one.
A. Cobbler.
I have to say that the DVD's by Sir are quite informative. I am unaware of the books do you have a link?
Regards
Peter
-
You're going nowhere please
Same from me.....
-
Some northbound freights from 80 years ago feature this evening.
Trains running 47 K3 and O4.jpgTrains running 48 K3 and O4.jpgAs usual, my camera 'takes no prisoners'. Before we run these past the camcorder, that K3 tender will need looking at, and that leany bogie fish van.
Some beautifully-distressed private-owner minerals to delight the eye.
Because of the operating imperatives and parameters of Grantham (where most of the LNER stock usually runs), it's impossible to have trains of this length, and still operate the fiddle yard successfully. No such restrictions apply on LB - we could (and will) add more to this empty mineral rake for the running weekend.
A bit of Mr King's resin wizardry heads this Down freight.
Those with keen eyesight might observe that I've 'chopped down' one of the usual background trees in this shot. It was 'growing' right out of the J11's chimney.
What am I finding out as I take pictures of this wonderful stock?
I'm finding new photographic viewpoints (which I'll exploit for the usual time period).
Both tension-locks and Kaydees just look awful on British-outline steam stock! I'm speaking here as a photographer, not as an operator.
The 'list' I insist upon with my own stock is (was?) not universal in 1938. This includes weathering on all stock (even ex-works), full glazing in loco cabs (particularly spectacle plates), crews added, real coal in tenders, a uniform ride-height in train sets and rear lamps on all trains (this is to be attended to).
What a privilege it is to have such a mouth-watering selection of items to point my camera at (and my camcorder).
What a privilege it is to be part of such a team which has put this whole event together, and how committed everyone is to make it a success.
Because we're all free from the tyrannies of DCC, everything and anything can run.
Speaking of running, how well it all does perform (on a strange trainset, where precious little of it has run before).
How much of what's on display has been made, showing true model-making, self-reliance and real craftsmanship - no great RTR-dependence and farming jobs out to others.
How much support I've been given by the team, and, particularly, Mo. I can't imagine too many wives being entirely happy with their homes being taken over on two weekends and during the weeks by a bunch of 'trainspotters'.
That it really has been worthwhile so far, and will be this weekend.
That the event has generated a great response on RMWeb.
Finally, I hope, from the visual point of view, I can do it justice.
Keep the images coming Tony it really is a joy to look at the craftsmanship of you and your friends.
Regards
Peter
-
Thanks Andrew,
As requested................
Trains running 30 D3 on local.jpgTrains running 31 D3 on local.jpgTrains running 32 D3 on local passing O2.jpgI finished off last evening following the progress of this lovely little Up stopper.
Trains running 33 K2 on freight.jpgIt'll almost be a shame to 'uproot' this beautiful signal in less than a fortnight. Aren't those wagons gorgeous?
Regards,
Tony.
Those wagons are impressive.
Regards
Peter
-
Looking forward to it, John,
My talks have been sorted out.
They comprise (on the Friday) Building Locos the Wright Way (what a cheesy play on words - my idea!), then, on the Saturday Influential Layouts (influential to me) and The Building of Little Bytham.
The talks will (I hope) be comprised of practical sessions, photographic presentations and Q&As.
I wonder whether DCC will get a mention?
On applying for my visa, I was asked if I had any criminal convictions. I wonder why?
Regards,
Tony.
Hi Tony
Will these presentations be available to your audience here in Blighty (if not already) after your Antipodean adventure ?
Regards
Peter
-
Yes it's happened with a few people I know. On the Alloa layout a certain signal would twitch noticeably when certain locos went by but on replacing the small cheapy servo with a bigger heavier one the twitch disappeared. I don't know the makes or types of servos but I could find out.
Dave Franks.
Magnetic forces at work, probably two coils with opposite windings as they pass nearby causing a small conflict, see if it happens when a train only runs on one track and then try the other track....
Regards
Peter
-
Ditto
but as a counterpoise .... even in B&W you can just taste the Crimson Lake
All
Not that I am in any way artistic but that is one wonderful and elegant railway engine.....
Regards
Peter
-
I'm not quite sure what is funny about this information?
Probably a wrong selection push on a small phone.....
Regards
Peter
-
Good morning Jesse,
We're looking forward to your staying with us next month.
You break the stereotype regarding my prejudices (which, I admit, I cannot shake-off). Despite your long hair, body piercings and tattoos (and your dreadful grammar - 'month's' should have a possessive apostrophe!), you're actually a very well-rounded, engaging and rather good bloke - in fact, a very good friend. Am I missing out here, because of these (old age) preconceptions? In your case, potentially (or might have been) yes.............
However, over the last two weeks, Mo and I (and friends) have eaten out at a couple of restaurants we regularly frequent. In restaurant number one, we encountered what might be called (using my best political incorrectness) the pachyderm family. Enormous, pierced, tattooed and with a most-economical language I've ever encountered - just a series of grunts! I couldn't tell if their hair was long because the women had theirs pulled up in a sort of stack. The bloke had a shaved head, anyway. All of them had their mobile phones on full blast - watching TV programmes, it would seem; is this possible on a mobile phone? Their grunting was extended to the (delightful) waitress as they ordered 'as much as you could eat' from the menu. What was left could have fed a deprived village! Am I guilty of stereotyping here?
In restaurant number two, we encountered the cackling stereotype, with one of the loudest brats in tow I've ever heard. Large, covered in tattoos and with bits of metal dangling from most appendages, the mother only ceased her cackling to shovel food into her mouth. In contrast to the grunts (which, in family number one were not too many because they were engrossed with their phones), there were shrieks and hoots, spoiling others' enjoyment of their meals. The granddad (I assume it was the woman's dad) avoided all this by fiddling with his phone. Strangely, (being older?) he didn't have funny hair, piercings or tattoos (as far as I could see). He just looked rather fed up.
In my next post, I'll get back to model railways.
Do you think I'm prejudiced?
I'm rather glad I'm of the generation of which the only members of families who had tattoos were uncles who'd been in the navy, piercings were reserved for the pretty ears of females and long hair was the preserve of the fairer sex (though, I admit, I did grow mine in a Beatles' style 50+ years ago).
I'll finish these ramblings of a grumpy old git................
Regards,
Tony.
Good morning Tony
What I find disconcerting is that when speaking to people with visible tattoos that I find I tend not to have a face to face conversation due to my being distracted by said tattoos and trying to decipher the artwork or lettering. I cannot be the only one who experiences this? It appears the art of conversation is being eroded again.
Regards
Peter
-
I must apologize for taking a day or two to respond to the invitation to comment, and I must begin by thanking Tony and Mo for their hospitality on Friday. Little Bytham is certainly a pleasure to operate, and compared to Grantham with it's strict interlocking the "use at will" controls for Little Bytham are much less demanding on one's powers of concentration when only limited numbers of simple moves are taking place at any one time. The "stage front" scenery on LB has become far more impressively complete since my last visit too, giving further cause for satisfaction.
The ex- M & GN 0-6-0 in those pictures is supposed to be one of those that became LNER class J41, formerly I believe class "D rebuilt", although its accuracy is restricted by its humble origins, the model being based on an absolutely ancient Triang 3F given to me more than 15 years ago. As the loco actually ran very nicely, even with its original (freshly cleaned) solid-backed Mazak wheels and I'm almost too mean to get rid of anything that might be useful, I felt I had to find a way to make use of it if possible. I did initially think of portraying an LMS 1930s condition 3F, for some reason working beyond Lincoln into the heart of Lincolnshire, but that idea (credible or not) gave way to the J41 option. The Triang tender consequently had to go, being replaced by a London Road Models (ex- George Norton) kit-built example. The chassis was improved with Markits/Romford wheels, representations of sandboxes, guard irons and brake gear, the moulded plastic brake shoes coming from either Ratio or Slaters I believe. Above the running plate I carved away the deep moulded skits under the boiler, although the original chassis design prevents a completely convincing space under the boiler. The smokebox front was sliced off and moved forwards by the addition of some discs of platicard behind it. Separate metal handrails were fitted, thin plastic used to add mock panelling to the lower cab sides, some careful filing and the addition of a capucheon re-styled the chimney, then various bits and pieces were used to improve or add items such as safety valves, whistle, lamp irons, lubricators, tablet catcher apparatus and brake pipes. I imagine that a more accurate J41 could now be made from the Bachmann 3F if anybody is so inclined.....
Here is the other side of the model:
Lord President in its A2/2 guise was the proof by example of my belief that a selection of the resin parts I has produced for A2/3 and A1/1 conversions, along with the etched valve gear drawn up by Morgan Gilbert, could be used to create an RTR-based A2/2 or A2/1. The loco uses a modified Bachmann A2 chassis, a substantial chunk of later style Hornby Margate A3 body, Hornby China A4 cab, Bachmann tender underframe with Hornby pattern A4 top, resin A1/1 smokebox, resin casting for the running plate ahead of the line of the first coupled axle, and resin frame pieces above the bogie. Tim Easter and Mick Bennett have I believe carried out similar conversions, possibly others have too.
Lord President in its original P2 form is based on Hornby's Cock o' the North model, with, amongst other things, a replacement resin front for the body, new resin cylinders, more of Morgan's etched valve gear parts with some vital extras drawn up by N-gauge wizard Atso, another Hornby A4 tender top with full streamlined fairings added, along with (after a long pause and some head scratching) some metal strip, tube and wire made up into a representation of the Teloc speed recorder drive off the right rear coupled wheel, seen in the pictures below. As per most photographs of the P2s in their brief heyday, the presumably essential return crank is missing from the Teloc drive...
As this close up more effectively reveals, despite careful and thorough protective over varnishing, the only relatively recently applied edge lining transfers on the cab have already lost their white component in a couple of places:
Teloc drive & lining, close up.jpgJust for completeness, here are the other two members of the band now boasting inoperative speed recorder drives, Earl Marischal also having resin front and replacement valve gear, Cock o' the North having had only minor attention to details such as partial replacement of the ACFI plumbing and a "polished metal" finish to edges of wheel rims and to parts of valve gear.
That is stunning thank you Mr King.
Regards
Peter
-
Please forgive my ignorance, Gavin,
I'm old enough to remember no one ever being christened Summer, or Sky, or Chardonnay, or Chantelle, or Brooklyn, or any other 'modern' names given to children these days. I think the most exotic name given to any of the bods I went to school with was Gregory (after the actor?), though I did once teach a Buddy (after the singer?), and a Tyrone (after the actor?). Teaching in Wolverhampton, great christian names like Spencer, Winston, Wellington, Horatio and Florence were not uncommon.
I'm glad I was born when I was.
Regards,
Tony.
We had one unfortunate at my place of education in London called Vivian considered at the time, or at least at this den of inequity a girls name, although of the wrong spelling. I have to say that when I look back at what that lad went through it does not fill me with pride. Twenty years later he would have been very popular as his name was re invigorated by the television comedy "The Young Ones".
Apologies for the distraction and the poor grammar.
By the way no wonder summer is looked forward too.
Regards
-
(Slightly) premature congratulations on the 1000 page milestone you have collectively achieved and Tony's efforts to support Cancer Research. It may seem miserly to value this topic at 5p per page but I've sent that value (plus gift aid) to Cancer Research with the choice for it to go towards pancreatic cancer research from which we lost my brother-in-law last summer. Even valued at a penny a page for the time spent reading it could raise a worthwhile amount if anyone else wishes to mark the event?
Hello all
Approx 1000 pages in five and a half years, may I pass on my congratulations to all on here and that I expect to see you all here in another five and a half years all hail and hearty and producing and writing to the high standards you have already set.
Probably the best thread on any forum anywhere on models railways....
Regards
-
3
-
-
I don't really mind as I like the pre-Raphaelites, but girls certainly didn't look like that when I was in school.
Making me think back to my schooldays, no we did not have any either in the late 50's and early 60's. Mind you there was Denise ..... , but that is another story altogether.
Regards
Peter
-
1
-
-
Tony, call me old-fashioned but I really do prefer the first one. The second looks completely artificial to me.
The reason for this is that if you look into the distance your eyes adjust to focus on a point that your brain identifies and if you continue to gaze you become slightly oblivious to what is near you but in your field of view. In reverse if you focus locally the distant area becomes unfocused slightly. Hence on my Four Thirds camera system an aperture of F22 gives a depth of field close to my vision. If everything literally front to back is in focus (stacking ) it is slightly deceiving the brain and hence this feeling something is not quite as it should be.
For those who wish to identify something very distant or keep every piece of detail front to back in an image then focus stacking is a real benefit it is just not what the eye and brain tell us is there.
Apologies if I have confused or bored anyone. Also please correct if I am talking nonsense.
P.S. The quality of a camera lens is the most important thing (apart from the plonker behind the camera) in my photography the amount of pixels is secondary although around 15 - 20 mp seems to produce outstanding results.
Regards
Peter
-
Mr Johnson's engines were very pretty, I do feel he lost it a bit with the early H boilered locomotives but Mr Deeley seemed to make them appear smarter. I like the simple straight lines and functional look without being austere.
Mr Ivatt and Mr Robinson achieved similar results on their respective railways.
Of course as for looks at speed nothing beats a full 10 coach AM9 gliding gracefully at 100 mph over the River Ter bridge at Hatfield Peverel.
1757 A beautiful steam engine. Thanks for posting Clive.
Regards
Peter
-
Raspberry Pi?
I don't think the gentleman concerned was a user of those
And yes it can be done, best I have seen is the block controlled storage yard on Farnham's Wickwar, a masterpiece.Regards
Peter
Newbryford's mostly Yellow workbench - "it's a drag, man......."
in Modifying & Detailing RTR stock
Posted
To be honest this is a lovely layout, not too over the top.
Regards
Peter