Phil Mason

Thanks, Ray. I was 'totally amazed' that the bit of purple plastic pipe I found rolling around in the road was just the right size for what I wanted. It's about twice the height of the Bachmann offering (so 16x the volume because it's a complete cylinder). I'm afraid the stairs and handrails are about on a par with Bachmann but obviously not as good as your nicely fettled version. I think seeing the commercial offering gave me the impetus to build the thing "I can do as well as that", I thought. Similarly, I've copied the Walthers blast furnace. This time I made it 3/4 scale ;probably nearer Z gauge (?) because the Walthers one is MASSIVE! Phil

Thanks, Ray. I was 'totally amazed' that the bit of purple plastic pipe I found rolling around in the road was just the right size for what I wanted. It's about twice the height of the Bachmann offering (so 16x the volume because it's a complete cylinder). I'm afraid the stairs and handrails are about on a par with Bachmann but obviously not as good as your nicely fettled version. I think seeing the commercial offering gave me the impetus to build the thing "I can do as well as that", I thought. Similarly, I've copied the Walthers blast furnace. This time I made it 3/4 scale ;probably nearer Z gauge (?) because the Walthers one is MASSIVE! Phil

I made my own. I thought the Bachmann offering was a bit too small. As luck would have it, I found a bit of trunking rolling around outside the house left over from cable TV or fibre optic or whatever it is they dig up the roads for nowadays. I covered it with pound shop corrugated paper and made handrails from 20 thou micro strip. I'm not clever enough to make stairs so I had to use Plastruct. This cost me around a tenner but I've some bits left over for signal boxes. It was painted with a 50p remnant emulsion paint from 'Homebase' (other hardware shops available). Phil.

Thanks, Dave! Prototype for everything? However, as it's set 1980/81, it's more likely that various bits were starting to fall off and not be replaced or robbed for other locos as engines were dumped at Reddish u/s. At the end of the day, it's just toy trains and (contrary to rumour) I have a life...sort of. I'll try and fix it before York. Whisper it quietly, I'm on with N gauge at mo. Phil

Afraid I don't get it. You'll have to show me sometime. With a plastic chassis, the sides can be sprung apart to allow the axle in but I don't understand how you fit the axle in the bearings if they are rigidly held.

"The standard steel axle and plastic wheels have been pressed out, then holes opened out to 2mm dia and the triang wheels replaced with 2mm dia brass bearings and 9mm dia metal wheels with pin point bearings. A cutting disc and dremel opened up some slots in the rear of the axleboxes to allow the new wheelsets to slip in. " How do you stop it all falling apart? Superglue? Phil

Eagle eyes! I think my version has them fitted at one end only. I'd forgotten all about it but when I built the MU pair, I was unsure whether to have them permanently coupled with flexible connectors or have the locos separate with unconnected connectors. The former would look better but could be a pain in use. I'm afraid the result is I've done nothing so far. I wouldn't look too closely at these things, there'll be various errors. I won't point them out myself until I fix them. And there are no prizes for finding them first! Thanks for your interest. Phil

And thanks also to TT100 for the great pics. I see a 'panda' car arrived at some point to investigate the wrecked truck. "We didn't burn it" was helpfully scrawled on the side, presumably by the proprietors of the local shop. Let's hope the same fate doesn't befall these coppers though the 'road men' appear to be preparing to cut through the backscene...

It was a successful (and enjoyable) trip out at the weekend to St John's Trent Vale (Stoke). Thanks to organiser (John Cox) and team, especially caterers and providers of all important tea urn. Also to TT100 for his time and helping out with diesel roster, especially the Sulzers, without which the non-lecci side would look a little meagre. The layout performed well, with recent alterations to the fiddle yard (finished moments before the show opened) proving to be worthwhile. The next outing will be York next Easter, so plenty of time for tweaks or additions to the fleet. In the meantime, it's hoped the layout will appear in Model Rail at some point so 'watch this space!'

Nice one, TT100 sir! thanks for helping to populate the layout. I must fix that limp signal ... Phil

Sort of finished. Needs tidying up a bit but hopefully gives the impression of a soon to be withdrawn machine in 1980.

Mmm... I think I'd rather go Parkside. The kit is pretty much spot on. The Triang Toad isn't too bad (on a Parkside chassis) but Peter Stratford pointed out to me that it's far too wide (but can be chopped). Andy's Sulzer is good but no better or worse than your fleet (though 'worse' isn't a suitable word in this context). I've still got the little quarter lights to do on the 76. 19 down, four to go...

Yup, another late night should see the windows fitted, accompanied by Radio 3's 'Night Tracks'. I find it amusing that their other programme that accompanies my modelling in the evening is 'Late Junction'. Anybody out there who doesn't think they are into 'classical' music should give these a try - a fantastic eclectic mix from renaissance to contemporary, taking in folk, jazz and world music on the way. The clear stained glass paint has done its job. I cut the first windows to size and applied it to the inside. Like anything, a little care is repaid. Given a completely even coat it would probably be invisible. Daubed on in a thick lump it's still OK but differences in thickness will probably show up. This loco will be its first major trial. I say 'loco' but this build is more like doing a parcels coach. So yes, it'll be available to be shunted round by the 'near ready to run 08'. I'm looking forward to St John's at the weekend, what with Delyn y Coed and some beautifully finished state of the art' diesels from TT100. 3mm 80's D&E fest - bring it on!

Today's progress. Cab door handrails are wire but the front rail is plastic. I've no idea if this will work. The light holes have been filled with clear 'stained glass paint'. This will dry clear by morning. I did the lights themselves from bits of 3/32" brass tube.

Almost unbelievably, the roofs of these locomotives were painted 'primrose'. The shade I've quickly mixed is far too yellow but it'll soon get dampened down with a heft coat of 'dirt'.

And thanks also to Hunslet. It's great to be able to create something a bit different. The possibilities in 3mm are endless - life's not long enough to go all the layouts we'd like! But this is where the 'shuffling planks' come it.

Thanks. I guess that's the point of RMweb - to try and inspire each other. Having a go and creating something is what's important and getting all to blend in, if possible. Yes, a 506! Somebody else will do that hopefully... But I have done a 123/4 hybrid set for when we build a proper layout.

Thanks Clive, but not much talent really. I've always maintained that finishing is the real key and I'm not patient enough to do that well. Getting the main body acceptable is fairly straightforward because Plastikard (other polystyrene substances are available!) is so easy to work. It's like DIY Airfix kits but a lot easier because if you lose or break a small part you can just make another! The key to scratch building, in my opinion, is to work off a 1:1 plan so you can compare your work with the drawing as you go; file a bit here, add a bit there etc. Class 76 production line from a couple of years ago here and another scratch build from some time ago peeping out of the shed (I must see to that nasty gap under the shed wall!)

It's possible to do focus stacking 'on line'. The results are quite remarkable and it's dead easy. Goodness me, even I managed it and I'm your original dinosaur. Sorry it's a bit off topic but here's a Minitrix 9F based on three iPhone images focussed front, middle and back.

Lights and roof detail done. Time for bed!

It seems to have gone together OK and rolls freely. The 'chassis' is a bit of MDF to be a tight fit in the body with some copper clad paxolin 'Thixofixed' to the bottom to which the press studs are soldered.

Sorry folks, still learning how to use this thing! Reply went in twice. Just to prove I'm doing something, here's a dummy loco under construction. Spoked wheels are from Arnold, rolling bogies made up from bits of brass and balsa and resin cast sideframes. I'm just sorting out the buffers (4mm wagon buffer heads on telescoping brass tube). I just love 3mm - the ability to cobble bits together. 2/2.5mm is too small to do this (as an average modeller) and in 4mm I'd probably have to think about expensive sprung brass buffers.

I think I did the master for these van sides some 30 years ago. I probably knocked them up in an afternoon or so and I'm amazed and humbled that people have made such nice models of them.

I think I did the master for these van sides some 30 years ago. I probably knocked them up in an afternoon or so and I'm amazed and humbled that people have made such nice models of them.

Thanks for your kind comments, Robert. Im hoping the layout will appear in Model Rail at some point. Alternatively it'll be 'in the flesh' at York next year. I've also got small exhibition layouts in N gauge and 00 but I like working in 3mm the best. I'm just in the process of creating another dummy loco as a 'failure' to push around the depot with the shunter. The bodies were cast in resin for me from a Plastikard master but 3D printing is taking over nowadays. I've also done an EM2 but, being out of period, it only makes an occasional appearance. The odd AC electric does come sometimes, as they did occasionally at Reddish to use the wheel lathe.