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James Hilton

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  1. James Hilton

    Ready for action...

    By James Hilton,

    My Mainline freight liveried tractor is finished for the third time and I'm absolutely thrilled!

    I've really raised my game on this one and she's a worn worn super detailed stunner with faded paint and much finer detail then I've managed before. This evening saw the finishing touches and a dusting of grime over the weather finish applied by hand to the underframe and lower body. This has pulled the previous powder/paint/dry brush/wash finishes together an absolute treat.
    She started out as a Dutch liveried standard release. I've repainted, then weathered, then detailed the buffer beams, then narrowed the bogies, then re-touched the weathering, then added the finer detail and new brake cylinders and now airbrushed the final weathering. A lot of work but cumulatively a fantastic project and a model that is both unique and something I'm really proud of! Questions and comments welcome guys
     
    (DCC now too!)
  2. James Hilton
    For those of you who are not subscribers to Traction and haven't seen the 2010/2011 annual I'm pleased to share that Paxton Road is the 'modelling' feature in this years publication. I was chuffed to bits when Richard asked me to write a few words and take some photos for the annual.



    On top of the modelling mini-section there are a whole host of 'classic' traction articles spanning the decades - all of which I found a good read and of particular interest is the Cornish China Clay branch - something I might consider as another 'one day' project now!

    With Christmas approaching it's a good extra purchase to kill a few hours on Christmas day, or as a stocking filler for a friend or family member. Although I'm biased (as I'm in print) I do reckon it's worth the money - not much more than a regular magazine these days with a lot of content and very little advertising

    Let me know if you've read or seen it and what you think Comments questions and improvement suggestions always welcome!
  3. James Hilton
    I've had three models sat on Paxton Yard plank in my study for several weeks with NO progress but a surprise parcel from MG Sharp this week has spurred me back into action.

    I had some brake cylinders on back order and to be honest I'd forgotten about them so when they arrived it was actually a really pleasant surprise. So this evening I carefully dug out my modelling tools and made a start on bringing 37013 up to scratch.

    First up here is what the brake cylinders look like on a Bachmann 37/0 (or early revised EWS 37/4 and Transrail 37/5). Quite 'puny' and certainly not anything like the bulk of the real thing.



    So braking (pun intended!) out the Details Associates parts they instantly look more like the prototype and go together easily with just a little cleaning up of flash.



    I added the air pipes from 0.25mm brass rod - and I also took the chance to replace the original chain I had used with some finer 40 links per inch chain (also from Detail Associates - thanks Jon). The actuation arm is made from some scrap brass etch, cut to a point, threaded on and folded over - and the other end is attached to a hook that is then folded over made from 0.25mm brass rod. You can also see the knicker elastic (thank other Jon) used for the sand pipes added at BOTH ends of the bogie - the beauty of this stuff is it doesn't restrict bogie movement at all! The final touch is the foot step made from scrap stainless steel etch (I think it was from S-kits brake discs).




    So sat in Paxton Yard I think you'll agree it's worth while - I look forward to now adding some extra detailing around the fuel tanks before painting the details and blending into the existing weathering. Questions, comments and encouragment welcomed!
  4. James Hilton
    Welcome to part 3 (it's been a long time coming) of my re-working of a Bachmann 'Shed'!

    Work has been non-existent in the past few weeks, however before modeller's block became a problem I had made some good progress with the fuel tank area that it is worth sharing to show progress so far and the standard I'm aiming for in this area.
    I made extensive use of the 'Cannon and Co' EMD fuel tank detailing pack - along with various sizes of brass wire (including 0.25, 0.31, 0.9mm).




    Reference was made to Brian Daniel's excellent snaps which made detailing up the end of the tank a breeze!
    Now 'plastic' has been cut there is no going back so the next step will be to start to fabricate the pipe runs along the chassis frame - which I'm going to build up in stages leaving each sub-assembly loose until I'm sure I've got things in the right order - it's going to be a challenge but I'm looking forward to it.
  5. James Hilton
    When I come towards the end of a project, a kit, wagon, loco, building or layout I never seem to be able to quite 'finish' it...

    Usually I've already started several other projects before getting this far, certainly a contributory factor, but why can I never just 'finish' something. This is a case in point - my Judith Edge Sentinel - and I'm pleased as punch (although hate the fact that the weathering looks better in real life then I can capture in photos, and the 'streaking' looks ropey in some of these shots) with it! It's my first etched brass kit, my first P4 gauge locomotive and my first go at doing wasp stripes with just masking tape!!!




    I mentioned in my status earlier this week that it was now 99% finished? Well yes I soldered up some windscreen wipers from 0.3mm brass rod that I filed a flat edge into to represent the wiper arm and the angled tip. Hardly noticeable now but I know it's there and it was mega fiddly. Once fitted I gave the model a dusting of track dirt from the underside before mixing in a little black to do a dust from over head - the blue of the roof and bonnets was too bright - and it's worked a treat, pulling the powders and washes together.




    So what's left?
    I need to add the headlight lens, paint the marker lights with a gloss black and add the sand box filler hatches (when I find them). For now she sits on my shelf looking pleased with herself - as am I!




    So why don't I get on with it? I don't know... Currently I'm browsing Hattons for any bargains despite a 37, 58 and 66 all sitting on my workbench.

    Questions, comments, encouragement and reflections on my 80-20 rule most appreciated!
  6. James Hilton
    Excuse the terrible pun!

    I'm putting this one back on the shelf for a few weeks now - it's had me tearing my hair out on several occasions this week trying to fabricate the flush glazing for the cab fronts, and near disaster as one cab seperated from the body!


    I've finished transfers on her (which do look fantastic - a great job by John at Precision Labels - they were a custom set for me), painted the underframe all matt black (ready for weathering) and painted the small bodyside details (door open orange beacons at roof line, the buttons by the doors) and found some foam to use as a corridor connection.

    I've still got to do the interiors, wire the two cars together, fabricate some windscreen wipers and weather the two units... which can wait until I've got my sanity back!
  7. James Hilton
    Yes!

    Last Christmas I got myself a Bachmann Dynamis and a RTR sound chipped Class 37 as a bit of a 'treat'. It was quite a novelty but it wasn't until earlier this year when I wired up Paxton Road to DCC that it really came to life for me - it really does make you 'drive' a locomotive unlike just playing trains.
    So the Railfreight grey body shell was swapped and she became a celebrity. I added my usual 37 bits (Hornby Class 50 detailing pack for the pipework, Hornby Class 31 sprung buffers, bogie brake chains) and went a bit further with the underframe - which one day I'll get around to telling the story...
    Anyway - whilst snapping the Sentinel and the Pacer it seemed rude not to grab a shot of the slightly work worn beast as she was in the twilight of her years circa 2007.
  8. James Hilton

    Dirtying her up...

    By James Hilton,

    My first kit built locomotive, the P4 Judith Edge Sentinel for Meadow Lane is 'nearly' finished.

    I took her outside for a few 'natural light' shots to show the weathering process has started. I find taking photos at this stage invaluable as it really helps you spot where you've missed a bit, overdone it or where a subtle effect could be created with a touch more effort.

     
    So far the effect is simply some very delicate washes brushed vertically with a dry wide flat brush, and some stippling of rust on the buffer beams and skirts. I've treated one side more heavily than the other as a bit of an experiment too - as you can see in the photos - but I'm not so happy with the wash on the dirtier side so have worked it back a bit with a cotton bud moistened with thinners.



    As you can see I've still to add the sand filler covers, the windscreen wipers and the headlights - and I also plan on dry brushing the step edges and further polishing the handrails to give a well worn appearance.


    Once those bits are done I'll break out the new airbrush for a dusting of grime up from the rails and a dusting from above with a little more black mixed in, trying to keep it subtle and sun bleached.

    Questions or comments welcome as usual!
  9. James Hilton
    ...and you can start to see the layout emerging in line with my initial sketches and ideas.
     
    Reading a copy of Barry Norman's 'Landscape Modelling' that I picked up from the Bridgnorth station shop on Saturday is proving to be quite inspiring and it's one of the driving forces behind this renewed vigour. Rose Hill is the perfect layout to try some of this observation and careful scene selection, compression and impressionism out on - and will be a great lead into my Meadow Lane project which is evolving slowly as well.
     
    These photos are not great - they were taken in bad lighting and Photoshop has only half rescued them - they do however give a sense of where we are, where we're going and what's next.


     
    Not a lot of progress for my 2010 challenge entry really, no real layout to speak of - but promise I think... it's certainly got that!
     
    Thanks for your recent encouragement - I hope to post some Pacer progress next week, and have some scenery to share with you all by the end of October.
  10. James Hilton

    Leaves on the line?

    By James Hilton,

    What other half baked excuse could there possibly be for my baseboard being 6 months late?

    Well today my daughter and I were building a platform for her Harry the Hauler trainset and it seemed rude to not finish off the plywood - so 6 months on and progress had made a giant leap forwards and the baseboard is 'finished' (just needs sealing with satinwood later this evening now the PVA is dry).



    So I thought I'd share this milestone for two reasons - show that the project isn't dead yes, but also to show my slightly odd baseboard construction. Paxton Road used insulation board framed with plywood - but that gives a lightweight but chunky side profile. As this layout is aimed to be viewed on three sides (the two long edges and the curved edge) to make the most of the P4 track, with just a backscene along the short straight edge, I wanted to give the feeling of the layout floating. If I ever exhibit I don't intend to use a curtain - so I'll need to do something quite 'trick' with the legs to, but I think I've achieved my first aim - by using a 24mm ply top surface and a soft planed pine spine I've got a very thin edge with enough rigidity (given the very simple track plan) for the scenic board. There is a small fiddle yard to be added at a later date when I can be bothered!



    So what next? Once the paint is dry I'll turn the board over and can stick the track down - and then craft the landscape from insulation board (hopefully). I think I'll use hardboard for the road surfaces to avoid issues with trying to smooth a filler. I'll knock up a softwood core for the platform and then build the finish on to it I expect. I might be a bit beyond the deadline here but I hope to be well on the way with the scenics now by Christmas which at one point seemed very unlikely.

    One last thing - I've got to find somewhere to put it now though!
  11. James Hilton
    It's about Paxton Road's 3 year anniversary and we're making progress - to the point where I'm comfortable taking photos like these on the 'new' other half, despite it not being finished yet...
    I was out in the garden with the layout taking some photos - more of which another time - but these two of 09007 seemed easily croppable so with minor tinkering here they are...


    What you should be able to see is that behind the Mainline shunter ballasting is finished and greenery is springing up around the new fencing - and the static grass mats have been bedded in with some Woodland Scenics foliage. What you can't see is the bridge has had a coat of primer to seal the MDF before I add plasticard lamination to represent the cast concrete nature I'm trying to portray - and also the HO scale container has been weathered - as it will continue to 'do for now'.
    Still to do are a new roof on the warehouse, buy another sheet of the grass mat for the front embankment and then starting to add some trees... and finally decide what to do with that backscene... I wonder how far I'll be by September 2011?
  12. James Hilton
    I've said it before and I'll say it again, I quite often find myself re-visiting models!
     
    This time it's my resprayed Bachmann 37/0 - now masquerading as 37013. I've fitted a DCC decoder this evening as Paxton Road progresses and my Dynamis is semi-permanently installed now, and looking at the details things felt a little chunky and crude compared to my latest 37, Caerphilly Castle.
     
    So I dug out the Hornby Class 31 buffers (a huge improvement over the Bachmann effort) and the 40 links per inch chain (thanks Jon) and knicker elastic (thanks other Jon) for a bit of fettling. The buffers were replaced - the MU socket replaced with a part from the Hornby 31 detailing pack and then the knicker elastic was used to replace the MU hose, after drilling out the plug and bufferbeam connection 0.5mm to accept the elastic. I've then used some brass etch fret to form the brake actuation rod and threaded the chain onto that at one end and 0.35mm wire at the other. I've also added sanding pipes front and rear on the one bogie (so far) which is a big visual improvement as these are elastic they can actually be fitted to the chassis and bogie without limiting motion. Last but not least I used some stainless steel etch fret to make the bufferbeam foot step.
     
    Worth it?


    Work will continue on the other four bogies, other buffer beam and then the fuel tanks will be modified like I did on Caerphilly Castle. I'll finish off by touching in the details, dusting some grime along the bottom tumblehome with my new airbrush, adding some more exhaust powder to the roof before sealing with a fine mist of varnish.
     
    Questions and comments welcome as usual
  13. James Hilton

    Tan lines...

    By James Hilton,

    Tan lines? Well kind of - with the masking removed we're nearly there - definitely on the home straight now...
    ...and I'm chuffed to bits! She looks superb and I'm really proud that 'I made this'
    What's new? Well the masking is done and the stripes are sprayed, the details are fitted (buffers, couplings, window frames, Sentinel plates) and transfers added (MSC and No, plus overhead warning flashes). I've test fitted a silver sword and one headlight lens too...



    So what do you think? Does it convince? I'm happy with the finish - and to me there are just a few things to sort out before I weather it...
    1) Fit windscreen wipers
    2) Finish the headlights
    3) Fit the air brake pipes
    4) Fit the second sword
    To me the swords look a little on the large size but I don't fancy making my own or drastically altering those in the kit. Once this one is finished I'll start on the TTA tank which I intend to spring and detail. Then it'll be a point, and then onto the layout!
    Comments, questions and most of all encouragement welcomed!
  14. James Hilton
    This week I've found myself 'playing' on Paxton Road quite a lot with my sound fitted green 37...
     
    So this evening I did some work on the layout too and started on the security fencing around the warehouse, using the Knightwing plastic stuff. It's quite a close fit in the front siding but I think it looks good - and the cinders ballast needs some weathering and overgrowth adding but I will do that before the fence is fixed in place!

     
    I love my new airbrush too...

    This is the £99 deal from Expo tools and I'm really really really impressed! It comes with a simple top feed dual action brush and with the pressure set at 30psi, and a 50/50 thinned Humbrol paint decanted into the cup I managed to get some lovely results on my pair of 37/4s (incidently that share the same number! 37411!). I dusted over the bogies which blended my previous washes and powders together really nicely and then dusted a little upwards along the tumblehome - an effect that is really subtle but you just cannot achieve without an airbrush - but was really easy to apply. I also tried adding the weathering to the bonnet noses on the EWS loco to good effect! I can't wait to use it on my other models at some point.






    I've also FINALLY finished my Railtrack PNA opens with the interior weathering. This is simply Humbrol enamels (98 and 100 for the sides and a bit of 64 added to the floors) applied with a little thinners - and then whilst wet stipple on 64 to the sides to give the effect of a previous load. I've then added some granite ballast using Woodland Scenics scenic cement to the insides using photos in Nigel Burkin's 'Detailing Modern Wagons in 4mm' book as a guide - to simulate where mechanical grab unloading hasn't got all the contents out of the wagons...



     
    So as you can see despite being quiet on the forum I've actually managed quite a lot of output recently! Thanks for looking - and any questions, comments or encouragement welcomed in the form of comments on this blog entry
  15. James Hilton
    ...see the trains all in a row! (or not in this case!)
    Well with other projects on the workbench it's been a while since I posted any updates on the Rose Hill P4 project, my 2010 Challenge entry - well it's not going to be finished but things are progressing still, albeit very slowly.
    The Pacer is coming along but most effort has gone into 'finishing' (for now) the station building. This is a 80% scaled version of the real building at Rose Hill, in length, so has a few comprises but I think it really captures the character of the prototype and I'm really pleased with it!
    The building is scratchbuilt in plasticard, using Slaters embossed sheets, various plastrut sections and some thin wire section along with various plasticard offcuts. It's painted and weathered with Humbrol enamels and I'm 95% finished with it - it still needs some fine details adding, and touching up here and there!
    The signs and posters are custom made - drawn in Adobe Illustrator and printed on photo paper before being cut out and applied with Superglue - I'm particularly pleased with these! Anyone who wants a set I've got 2 spare sets of posters and signage, suitable for any Northern branded station!
    Anyway enough waffle, here are the snaps:



    I'm really pleased. Any questions or comments are welcome as usual
  16. James Hilton
    I've been messing around with my new photo plank, testing out scenic techniques for my P4 layout, Meadow Lane.
     
    I'm pretty happy with the undergrowth now, and it's just the track that needs a little weathering, and the edges of the board painting white.
     

     
    I have built up the grass using a layering technique I read about in Model Rail Journal a while ago... basically down goes Woodland Scenics 'Scenic cement' on to which Woodland Scenics fine turn is sprinkled until saturated - I used 'yellow grass' first, with a dusting of 'burnt grass' over the top. I then spray over some hairspray and add Woodland Scenics coarse turf 'burnt grass' randomly - and press this down a little. Once this base layer is finished I use Mini-natur static grass applied with a puffer bottle. Here I've used 'early fall, short fibres' - first off I apply a layer all over just by shaking the bottle. This is sealed with hairspray before adding another layer in the same way. Once there is a good covering I add denser patches by s queezing the puffer bottle. Once I'm happy with the finish I seal with a final spray of hairspray.
     
    So a few years on from my first shots and 33019 is withdrawn sat up in Motherwell and 33108 is in the yard which looks a lot quieter and more abandoned. Time marches on...
     




    I'm pretty pleased - and expect to see all my OO project photographed on this board from now on Job done!
  17. James Hilton
    I was pretty excited to get parcels from the US (Cannon and Co direct) and Eileen's Emporium so I've got everything to start the project now Here's a quick shot of the raw materials...

    In no particular order...

    Bachmann EWS Class 66/0 0.31mm brass rod 0.45mm brass rod 0.7mm brass rod 0.9mm brass rod 28swg copper wire (coil) 1.5mm x 0.5mm brass section Cannon and Co EMD Fuel tank detailing kit Cannon and Co EMD Chain tensioner
    New tools...

    Soldering iron tip Tip tinner Slitting discs 0.3, 0.45, 0.7 and 0.9mm drill bits
    What's not pictured? Some Hornby Class 31 details I've got in the tool box already, along with a decent selection of plasticard in different thicknesses... and obviously a pretty comprehensive work bench set of tools including knifes, files, rules, soldering iron etc etc.
    Next up? Well hopefully a photo of the 66 stripped down to the chassis rails!
  18. James Hilton
    Inspiration comes in lots of forms, who would think the humble shed - the engine that marked the beginning of the end of heritage traction in regular revenue earning service with EWS - would fall into this category!

    Add to that huge potential in the lovely Bachmann model it seemed a no brainer for Paxton Road. Then it happened - Martin (Pugsley) showed photos of his Class 59 project and the decision was made... one day I'd do a 66! Tony's beautiful SD50 build showed a fabulous range of scratchbuilding techniques that both inspired and encouraged me to progress this project. My plan? To scratchbuild, kit bash and fabricate myself a super detailed Class 66 - complete underframe pipework, hosing, valves and chains to start with... and then a detailing and weathering job to show off the finished product!
     
    So a second hand 66 was picked up (it's actually 66022 - with sound decoded removed - not that that will matter as it will be renumbered) a few months ago and since then I've been aquiring the necessary detailing parts to make a start... This week the final pieces were purchased from the US and from Eileen's Emporium - so this blog post marks the start of the project and outlines the history of the class, the model and proposed parts list.

    History of the Class 66
    (Taken from Wikipedia)
     
    When Ed Burkhart bought Transrail, Mainline and Loadhaul (and later Railfreight Distribution and Rail Express Systems) to create English, Welsh and Scottish Railway (EWS) in 1996 he inherited many locomotives at the end of their useful life or of doubtful reliability. EWS approached General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD) who offered a derivative of the Class 59 with a more modern engine and traction package, designated JT42CWR. Additionally, the design incorporated General Motors' version of a steering bogie - designed to reduce track wear and increase adhesion on curves.
     
    In the end 250 were ordered by EWS (now DB Schenker) and orders followed from Freightliner, DRS, GBRf and Fastline. All build at the EMD factory in London, Ontario, Canada. Their reliability and performance have probably been a key factor in the continued existence of rail freight in the UK.

    Modelling Resources
    Brian Daniels: Class 66 Modelling Details
     
    Proposed parts list

    Bachmann Class 66/0 EWS Cannon and Company Dash 2 SD Chain Tensioner Cannon and Company EMD Fuel Tank Details Brass rod 0.35 / 0.45 / 0.7 / 0.9mm Brass section 1.5 x 0.5mm Copper soft wire 28swg Plasticard (various thicknesses) Hornby Class 31 buffer beam detailing pack
    First steps
    So what's next?
    Once all the parts arrive I'll strip down the Bachmann model into it's component parts carefully storing screws, fastenings and removable detail. I'll then start on the chassis, stripping down to just the chassis rails...
     
    Questions, comments, encouragement or extra detailing ideas, suggestions and photographs welcome! I thought I'd share progress on here as I go along so keep your eyes peeled in the coming months!
  19. James Hilton
    I've just got back from a lovely week in the Forest of Dean with the family.
    Of course we visited the railway (and rode behind City of Truro - a real treat!) and that's where my fascination started... two books, six sketches and lots of doodling later and I've not worked up a suitable track plan, decided on a location, period or anything really but I was inspired and it's another layout plan on my 'one day' plan.
    I've always had a soft spot for the GWR and in particular the Collet cab 57xx panniers...

    If these weren't over £100 I'd definitely now be getting my hands on one of these...

    Parkend, and in particular March End sidings (the Parkend branch) were particularly appealing - I even went back and walked the track bed...



    and this isn't blooming Cinderford (tired scanning and confused scribbling - it's Coleford)! Coleford had two stations and was particularly interesting if I had the space...

     
    So there we go... I'm mad aren't I!!
  20. James Hilton
    It's been a busy few weeks with work and mountainbiking but I've found time to progress my Judith Edge Sentinel - and couldn't resist 'semi finishing' one side to get a feel for what it would look like...
     
    I often find that doing something like this (like with the Pacer) eggs me on in some way to finish... the end is in sight and it's looking good! So what steps to get us this far...
     

    Well primed, then the yellow (which was faded with a touch of white), then masked, then the blue (again faded with white - perhaps a little too much but I'd rather have a washed out pallette on Meadow Lane anyway so I'm still happy), then the stripes were masked...

    and sprayed up with a dark grey (rather than black). The underframe was then painted in a mix of Humbrol 98 and 33, and the steps and running plate the same mix with a touch more 33 (black). Whilst this was hardening off I painted the window frames body coloured, the works plates black before picking out relevant details with silver. I attached the window frames to one side to gauge the effect, which then led to the works plate going on, and then the MSC transfers (Letraset). So here she is, one side 'finished' in terms of the stages before weathering
     
    First up overhead shots...


     
    A detail shot of the cabside showing the interior detailing which was worth adding, and the benefit of cutting glazing out of thicker material despite it being a nightmare! No prism effect!


    And a few low angle shots


     
    The last shot is my favourite - and of course these outdoor shots show up the blemishes in finish and where I didn't tidy up the solder or filler very well - and also where the cab window frames aren't perfectly attached! Ah such is life! I'm pleased so far, can't wait to finish the rest of this stage so I can add a little weathering before getting started on my TTA tank for her to pull!
     
    Questions comments and encouragement - as always welcome!
     
    Oh and I've also been meaning to mention...

    The Middleton Railway are holding a MSC Railway gala in September - I could well be showing my models however complete they are at the event, and even if not it looks like a good day out and the first time the three operational steamers will be together! At present there won't be any diesels at the event Andy who's a member on here has done a great job with the lineup so far - check out the website for more information.
     
     
  21. James Hilton
    I've been tinkering over the last few evenings on my Judith Edge Sentinel shunter.
     
    I aquired some lead sheet from a friend and have filled both bonnets - running performance is vastly improved! I've also added the end handrails from 0.45mm wire - and the fiddly sand pipes on the chassis.
     
    Eagle eyed viewers will note I've done a 'halfwit' (sorry Paul!) and got one ends handrails inconsistently bent - this has now been corrected (photos are always good at showing up defects). I've also got to fill some gaps in the join between the bonnet fuel tank and the cab - I was worried about soldering so close to the windows!
     
    Once she's 'ready' I'll apply Maskol to the glazing and sent her to the paint shop to emerge in tatty faded MSC blue with wasp striping on the buffer beams and below the running board on each side Finishing touches will be the sand box covers, swords, Sentinel plates and window frames before adding Letraset numbering and an overhead warning flash.
     
    Photos taken this evening in the garden - and as cruel close ups go they don't get much worse!
    Questions and encouragement welcomed! As first kits go I'm pleased with what I've produced. I wish I could have done better in some areas - practice makes perfect. For my next kit I'm getting a new 25W iron as mine has been great but the tip is a little 'tired' and corroded! I'd also consider a better way to do press through the rivets - something I struggled with on this kit.
     









  22. James Hilton

    The Concept

    By James Hilton,

    The Concept?
     
    So now you've read the inspiration and learnt a little history. Logically I should share the concept before I get into the murky depths of random modelling blog posts!
     
    I have an Ikea book shelf in my study. For a long time I've pondered about building a little diarama to sit on it - originally thinking OO and using it as a photo plank. I'm not quite sure what kicked off the interest in the MSC really, but this little foray in to P4 seemed to fit on the shelf top without having to worry about the physical size of my other P4 project (Rose Hill). The track plan is really simple and something I've had in mind for a while, combining one point with a sector plate and cassette/traverser.
     


     
    Note the hidden sidings shown in the second plan (on the left of the scenic section) will not exist as the shed will feature a fully detailed interior

     
    Complications
    A little quandry comes from the fact that it fits perfectly within the realm of the 2010 Challenge!! It even has five new elements for me (P4, track construction, point construction, etched kit construction and aiming to finish something!). Whether or now I swap my entry will depend on progress on this and Rose Hill in the coming weeks.
     

    A further complication is that with a little tweaking to the planned size the layout would fit within the S4 Society's Armchair challenge!
     
    Future Expansion
    One thing I am concious of at this stage is the opportunity for future expansion and with this in mind I'll be building the baseboards using decent alignment dowels - despite currently only planning a simple set of fiddleyards. Current thinking is that with a little more space I could model the exchange sidings with BR, off to the right of the plan (instead of the sector plate) and further again I could build a fiddleyard off the back left track and a further scenic expansion off the front left track, perhaps serving another refinery. Still following me? Good. I'm not crazy then! Questions, comments, support and more information always welcomed
  23. James Hilton
    I visited DEMU Showcase over the weekend and found myself both inspired and over-awed with the quality and scale of a number of the layouts there. It was a great show and re-ignited my enthusiasm to get something finished and fit to 'run' so to speak.
    On top of that I've promised Richard at Traction an article on the finished layout and some exclusive photos - so that's motivation too!
     
    So what have I been up to? Well the warehouse is glued down and the ballasting has been finished. For the yard I've used cinders (as I'd run out of brown) but it's actually turned out to be a nice contrast. I've also painted the rails with a mixture of Humbrol 98 and 33 (with a touch of orange as well). This is likely to receive some sort of toning down wash, but I'm not sure what or how yet - to pull the cinders and sleepers together a little. I knocked off one of the security cameras (doh!) and I need to fit railings to the ends of the platform and infront of the Fire Exit door too! I then plan to fit bollards across the end of the warehouse to the grassy bank - and there is security fencing to be installed (including gates) around the perimeter.
    I've finished off my first sheet of Mini-natur static grass sheet - so £20 ended up going quite a long way - I think I'll need another half sheet to finish off the layout. This has been glued down with PVA and the edges started to blend in with Woodland Scenics medium green turf ground foam.
     
    Running the 08 was a little dis-illusioning - as the running quality of the layout isn't great (I've learnt a lot in the process about wiring up points which I'll do properly next time). I've also found the cosmetic fish plates need 'tickling' a little in places as they do cause the locos to click running over them.
     
    It's nice to be able to show a loco with lights (proving the power was on) even if it was just connected up with crocodile clips!
     
    Anyway enough talking here are some progress photos!
     
    Overview shot:

     
    The 08:

     
    37411 arriving and shunting the MOD vans from Didcot :





     
    before running around and heading back down the branch to Winchester:


     
    Comment. questions and encouragement welcome!
  24. James Hilton
    I'm a victim of my own interests - I'm sure I'm not alone in having a myriad of projects on my workbench at one time all vying for my attention.
    Well Rose Hill has taken a bit of a back seat if I'm honest with the construction of my first etched brass kit for Meadow Lane (my Manchester Ship Canal Railway project) and tinkering on OO stuff from time to time as Paxton Road crawls forwards.
    However, with the kit stalled awaiting some weighting to improve running I looked to my masking tape an airbrush and decided it was time to start painting the Pacer.
    Those that followed this project will remember it's a very early Hornby model - with significant re-worked detail above and below the chassis with a simple Ultrascale conversion to P4. I started by spraying on the white paint on the doors and where the stripes were. When this was dry I masked the body and sprayed the yellow ends. When this was dry I did the roof and inside ends. I was now at a point where I could begin on the sides - and started with masking the yellow, grey and the doors/white striped. I applied the purple (which ended up being Halfords 'Berry Purple' as I couldn't get a good enough match by mixing) all over and then once this was dry masked the purple and applied the blue. When all the masking was removed - success! Certainly a unit that looked Northern!
    The night after I added the black cab window surrounds and the orange cantrail stripe using a lining pen.
    I couldn't help myself this evening and dug out the custom transfers John at Precision Labels had made up for me They look superb don't they! After splashing some matt black on the chassis, and temporarily fitting the glazing, I posed her outdoors for a few shots to show you all how she's coming together (very nicely indeed - I'm very happy!).Hornby Pace








    I mentioned in the forum earlier in the week that I've also made some progress on the station building. This is now at a position where I can add the detailing (pipe runs, guttering, signage etc) as I've finished the basic brick and roof finish. This has been achieved using just Humbrol 100, 98 and 33 - along with some white 34. Mixing on a pallette and then dry brushing on the brick colour - building this up and then adding washes of brown and grey when it was dry to try and match prototype photos! I think it's showing some real promise!
     



    Questions, comments and encouragement all welcomed! I hope to finish the Pacer before getting stuck back into painting the kit - and the station is a nice 'hospital job' I can pick up between other projects. The pub however hasn't progressed at all with a lack of enthusiasm for cutting out hundreds more windows and making a very tricky roof. One day!
  25. James Hilton
    What a quote - but yes a question I was asked at the weekend by an inquisitive brother!
    I spent this weekend with my two brothers helping out Mum with decorating. It was good fun but hard work - I did take over the Sentinel, hoping to grab an hour on the project after a hard day or between coats of paint - as well as show her off to my Dad.
    In the end I only grabbed 45 mins on Saturday night after painting near enough non stop from 9am to 5pm! I've fitted the roof ventilators, air filter and axle boxes. I've sourced some lead weight so the last job before priming will be to add the weight, fit handrails, secure the bonnets and exhaust stack and a few little details. Once she's painted there will be the window frames and wipers to fit along with the couplings and buffers plus air brake pipework
    Here are a few shots I grabbed when I got back this evening in the lovely sunshine - I'm off now to enjoy a cold beer and contemplate the 0-6-0 version and whether to try springing or compensation!
    A couple of low angle shots showing her in all her glory, warts and all. I'm hoping the finish will come together with a coat of primer to check for defects!


    Overhead shots show the roof ventilators fitted and air filter on the side of the engine casing in front of the cab. You can also see that detailing the cab was wworth while as it's pretty visible in these sorts of angles.


    Finally a few shots showing how small she is compared to a little TTA tanker - which is due to be sprung or compensated and converted to P4 as well for the project!


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