James Hilton

Excellent - can't wait! I love the way EWS maroon fades on the 08s, especially the vinyl lettering - you can get some good effects using a brush applied, slightly thinned varnish with a touch of white or just off white added.

Those small changes have made a real but subtle difference. I think the most effective is the underframe treatment I look forward to seeing the other 2 and the 3 together... and then a loco weathered as well?

Will the MOA is a definite improvement on 'out of the box' and as a quick exercise to get stock into revenue earning service it shows you don't need to go A1 finish to start with... however I think you can definitely tell it's not observed from a specific photograph. It just doesn't look 'right' to me somehow. However I'm sure with a little further work and a prototype photo the base weathering you've added will really enrich the finish.

As an aside, the layout is looking wonderful - I'm very jealous - inspirational stuff!

Good advice from Will - I also found you can tone down and blend together by applying further static grass using a puffer bottle or static applicator. I've used a bottle on parts of Paxton Road but am going to get a Grasmaster for Christmas

I can't wait to see this assembled Martin - and I can already imagine how awesome this model is going to look running in the flesh. I'm very jealous!

I'd definitely recommend the Shawplan window frames and laser cut glazing if you could bring yourself to re-work the primed body as they're superb. This looks a lovely project, I love 37s!

That's looking promising

Jam everytime I see photos of Calshot I'm struck by the backscene - it really sets the tone of the layout so well. Latest work is looking well and if I squint I can see the real promise in this layout Hope you get the running quality sorted.

These look interesting projects and something a little different to the norm

Can I ask more of a historical question? Not being very well read on the era, for what reason was the WD tender lettered for the LMS, whilst the locomotives had gained their BR identities?

That's really effective and is going to look superb when it is finished!

That's a great repair

Thanks for the tip Paul and some Shawplan laser cut glazing would be superb for the cab fronts!

It's addictive! I really don't need any more locomotives but the sound Hornby 08 is very tempting.

Looks lovely Jam. I think you should be chuffed to bits with what you've achieved in such a short space of time!

Paul I've used CD jewel cases - which are even worse as they're laminated I think as if you don't cut it cleanly you get a rubbish edge... next time I'll find some real proper glazing material. I do think it's worth it though - probably the biggest transformation of any of the work I've done on the model if I'm honest.

Thank you chaps - kind words and praise indeed! The 'dusting' will be just that - very light and subtle to tie the finish together and soften the edges

That looks spot on and will be a good base ground cover for the whole layout too!

Is this of any interest http://www.deansphotographica.com/machining/projects/springs/springs.html is this how you did yours Martin?

So I'm guessing this isn't too much of a voyage into the unknown! How much do the 'springs' compress - and how long lasting are they expected to be? i.e. if you leave it as a static model, sat with it's weight on the springs without moving will they settle and therefore become less 'springy' over time? Will you be able to replace them if needed in the future? Just my engineers hat on - I'm quite interested in this but my head is struggling a bit with the material science involved!

Those Peco CDAs do look wonderful - a rake of them and a RfD liveried 37 would look great on a scenic cornish CC layout.... oh yeah! Cool. The 7mm stuff looks great as well, is that a Skytrex hood? They look superb as well Sounds like a successful trip any how.

Ooh that's looking lovely - some great quality castings you're taking advantage of there! This still the 2-8-2 project?

You'd deserve a medal had you managed to get springing built into that front bogie!

I'm in awe of those who build etched chassis kits - something I'd love to do and on my Christmas list is another Judith Edge industrial shunter which I'm currently planning to spring... if I can pluck up the courage!

Thanks Pete!

Excellent John - all meant with the best of intentions - to critique an already accomplished and superb modeller!

My experience in the bad lands around Calgary and Drumheller in Alberta, Canada, is that the ballast is sandier looking - but fresh stone could still be darker and greyer - so you can legitimately justify the existing ballast I expect!

Woodland Scenics do burnt and yellow grass as colours in the ground foam foliage and turf ranges - worth considering as well

Pacer is now 3/4 transfered up with just one last side to complete... then it needs the chassis painting matt black and the pickups added, and wiring both units together permanently. I'll lightly weather the roof and underframe too I think.

I can't wait to get on with the scenics this evening - I'm trying to work out how to manage the landscape form - from pictures I think the trackbed is the lowest point so I'm in the position where I kind of need to add foamboard everywhere! It's going to get messy!