James Hilton

My word Jon - wow! Those nose etches look superb - sure you're not up to doing the roof line ones too?

I really must resist that Bachmann 03 model - it does look lovely. Neat job on the renumbering. I do like the fanciful Loadhaul narrow gauge hopper

Good luck - I always thought the Lima Class 60 did a pretty decent job of capturing the shape but did replace the grills on mine too and scratchbuild the internals. 60059 is my favourite in Loadhaul if that helps with your decision on identity - saw it a few times up at Peak Forest last year when I thought they were all going to get stopped/stored.

It looks like you had a good time and sounds like it too Jam Well done - I don't think I've the patience to actually exhibit a layout. I do enjoy wandering around taking snaps though so maybe one day I'll see Calshot in the flesh.

Inspiring stuff as usual Martin. We go from sublime weathering jobs on 4mm stuff to real miniature engineering stuff in 7mm. I can't wait to see this one rolling down some delibrately rough uneven track - I'm guessing it's going to be a DCC sound job too - to really add to the realism?

Pete looking lovely and I think the revised second attempt is great. I think adding further relief will be detrimental - but if you're wondering I'd suggest doing a trial piece so that you can rule it out one way or another Nothing worse than always wondering 'what if I had...'

I used corrugated sheet, used in reverse, cut into 6mm strips and overlapped to create pantiles in 4mm - so I think you're comprimise with the second attempt is spot on for 2mm. Top stuff.

This still looks workable and the vertical height difference in the landscape and deep woodland will really add to the character of the branch Lovely stuff.

I look forward to seeing a card mock up!

Thanks!

Both are from Detail Associates...

The brake cylinders are DA2801

The chain is 40 links/inch DA2210

MG Sharp in Sheffield

Jon thanks! I'm deliberately NOT buying any more OO stock for the next 6 months - I've plenty of rebuild and detail projects for the winter... the slow Class 66 build and even slower 58 build.

I'm thinking of selling up the Rose Hill stuff, layout board, Pacer, buildings - and keeping P4 focussed on a 'one day' MSC based layout

The OO stuff is for a longer term plan to sell Paxton Road (when it's finished) and try something based loosely on Didcot yard.

Now though I'm getting more and more committed to getting my 'playing with trains' fix from a G-scale garden layout - that solves the problem of finding space for a 'roundy roundy' in the house, but does prove to be a time and money pit but with my Dad in poor health if it means I can spend more time with him in Chester (where I hope to build it) then it's well spent.

Looking forward to seeing news on your project - and I can strongly echo your comments back to you - not depicting my era but the look and finish is lovely!

It looks great - I think that's the first time we've seen the whole layout in context. The main thing is you sound like you enjoyed it?!

The buildings on the right hand side will finish off that area - are there any plans for a backscene and 'framing' to up the realism?

I echo Andy's comments whole-heartedly - shame you're not in the UK, I'd love to come and have a play on the layout at something like Members Day!

Lovely!

Thankyou all for the kind words. Yes Mikkel it is very satisfying seeing it in a magazine. All I can suggest is send some low res snaps in with your article idea to an editor. I've found each of the mags has different expectations and requirements.

Some interesting reflections there, glad to hear that the exhibition experience on the whole was satisfying.

I can empathise with the 'what next' state of mind. I should write up something similar in my blog as I'm up to about 6 things I'd like to try next including G in the garden!

That's great to see how someone else has considered using these polystyrene based baseboards - a big improvement although similar concept to what I used on Paxton Road - the ply I've used is rubbish. How do you intend to fit the point motors? I always worried about them 'moving' once fitted to the underside of the foam.

That wagon is looking absolutely superb - this seems a very rewarding scale to work in and I look forward to seeing you progress!

Thanks Chris! I don't fancy stripping her down again so just straight DCC will do for now, especially since £115 would be better spent on some stock, track for new projects or a Grasmaster - but its VERY tempting. My green 37411 is sound chipped and it brings a whole new dimension to playing shunting on Paxton Road.

Pete, Grimley - thankyou both - praise indeed. What next though... I've got some tough decisions to make over Christmas about which layout to progress I think!

Good luck Will!

Will - thanks!

First up - the streaks were built up very gradually using lots of repeated strokes - on top of a matt varnish layer. By using a good dose of thinners in the mix it meant it didn't build up to quick and the 'average' stroke was pretty vertical!

The fade was applied as a matt varnish - tinted with just white - very early on in the project (http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=12152 - index of the early stages here). I used my first airbrush, a Badger 200 with rattle can propellant - fine for an overall paint finish but as it was a single action (internal mix) it didn't allow for easy application of a dusting - you had to adjust the needle position manually. My new airbrush and compressor allows me to start the air before the paint, then throttle back the paint flow until I get just the slightest hint of paint and build up a dusting slowly over a few minutes. I used Humbrol 98 quite well thinned and lay the model on it's side, dusting the paint on from the bottom so it collected most on the underframe and the tumble home.

(However the fade on 08683 was done by hand - painting a panel (or two) at a time with matt varnish, then working in some matt white paint - the panels and sections made it easy to get a good finish - I'd hate to try it on a slab sided model without at least a basic airbrush).

The Badger 200 kit cost me £60 - the compressor and dual action airbrush cost me just £100 - best £100 I've ever spent. I still think you can't get away from the need to build up washes, paint effects and powders first, but having a versatile airbrush means you can add this sort of effect with a smooth edge that's very difficult (not impossible) to achieve without one. Hope that helps!

Looking at that site I guess the model is based on one of the Short-sea shipping lines (inter Europe) size vessels? The smallest seem to be about 100m in length (which in N is about 65cm) so I'd say the model looks pretty bob on those dimensions. In that case it's looking good and I'd love to hear how you built the hull and I look forward to seeing it develop as the accom/bridge section comes to life.

The stock looks like a fun set of purchases so far - what are the plans for a layout?

Paul not knowing the prototype well - I would be inclined to agree with you about those stone guards - if they were 'rail' in real life then a section of rod just wouldn't look right.

I'm going to have to stop reading your blogs as I really don't have time to start another kit - and even if I did I'm torn between another Sentinel (for the MSC P4 project) or something more random like an 0-16.5 W&LLR Earl/Countess...

Must resist... got a Grasmaster to buy next!!!

If you 'half close your eyes' that last shot is showing just how good this is going to be I agree with Mikkel, the selective 'cropping' of buildings seems to have worked really well

Further progress tonight - tank detailing complete, second buffer beam detail complete (bar one pipe that's gone missing) and I've started adding the sand pipes on the second side as these are partially viewable on a 'through chassis' shot - I'm not adding the replacement cylinders to the second side as I only ever view my models from one side and I might need them if I attempt another 37 in the future! (or should that be 'when'! )

I can't wait to see these finished Martin - are you going to attempt the cloth pattern and wear/splits in the fabric?

PS I might have found a solution to you're 'coiled' telephone wire conundrum. When drilling into soft white plasticard with a medium speed small drill bit out came a twist of flash, perfectly coiled and very fine!! If only I could post it to you intact! It's in my parts box for now!

Yeah Martin 37013 has narrowed bogies - until I see a set of the PHD ones painted I'll reserve judgment