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James Hilton

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  1. 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!
  2. 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.
  3. 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!
  4. 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?
  5. James Hilton
    You know it was one of those lazy afternoons - the sun gently warming and the light pleasantly hazy... the gentle rumble of the EE 350hp unit thrumming away letting you know that despite appearances some movement was afoot.



    09007 is a modified Bachmann model. I've made some good progress on Paxton Road in the last fortnight but until the forum thumbnail issue is sorted I'll point you in the direction of my blogger blog for your image fix! I've taken a few of the new fence and the groundworks.
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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!
  9. 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
  10. 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!
  11. 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!
  12. 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!
  13. James Hilton
    Paxton Yard? You've never heard of it?

    My OO gauge photo plank was getting on a bit and I wanted to try out some ballast, scenic and weathering techniques on some track work so came up with the idea of laying a couple of tracks to give a different sort of photo plank. I was inspired a few months ago by both Exactoscale's Fast-track and the P4 Diesel Depot, Weston Road, that used coaches as a scenic back drop.

    I'm pretty pleased - obviously this is still a work in progress! It's built on 24mm ply (so should be warp free) and the P4 Track Co, Exactoscale 'Fast Track' with steel rails has been used. The two tracks at the back are wooden sleepered bullhead rail and the front is concrete sleepered flat bottom rail, ballasted with Woodland Scenics fine grey ballast (not quite got round to gluing it down yet!). The track also has cosmetic fish plates fitted and has been sprayed with Humbrol 98 (Matt Chocolate) to tone down it's plastic appearance.



    So what do you think? Next I'll be gluing the ballast down before adding some grass and overgrowth to the front edges and between the rails. It's going to be a great tool to use to photograph my detailed ready-to-run locomotives, and use wagons as a backdrop. I'll leave with favourite - 33019 parked up - my favourite Crompton (that still needs it's second side finishing).



  14. 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!!
  15. 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.
     
     
  16. 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.
     









  17. 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!
  18. 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!
  19. 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!


  20. James Hilton
    Progress does feel like it's been a little slow in the past few weeks... I've snatched a few hours here and there to progress my Judith Edge Sentinel P4 project!

    Never the less this evening saw another milestone as I fitted the cab glazing after painting the interior and adding some extra detail! Those who are regular readers will remember that I've got the kit with a Black Beetle bogie - this required some modification (read bodging) and that's why I've ended up in the off situation of having to glaze and detail the cab ahead of fixing on the roof!

    Never fear I do intend to solder this on and round the corners off as per the prototype! I've checked and the glazing should be ok as long as I'm quick with the iron and tin the roof well before I start!

    Other keen eyed readers will see I've also fitted the brake shoes and rigging I'm really pleased with this now - she certainly looks the part. Michael Edge has done a fantastic job on the kit design - it's been a pleasure to put together and as an etched brass kit beginner I've found it relatively easy to get in to and it certainly has improved a lot of my modelling skills

    Anyway here she is with the bonnets and roof placed loosely on - and posing with the Oxford Diecast XR3i.


    and here are some really cruel close ups of the cab area with the roof removed to allow some light in!


    and finally a couple from above showing the transfers I've used to give it some character, and the extra levers I've added to the control desk!


    So what's next? Well I've got so clean up the edges of the roof and solder that on - and then some detailing bits and bobs - find some lead weight to go inside the bonnets and then into the paint shop!
    I'll add the swords and windscreen frames after it's all painted!
  21. James Hilton
    Slow but steady progress, that's what wins the day (so they say)...
    It's been quite a while since I posted up photos of progress with my Judith Edge Sentinel kit. To be honest, despite what appears to be massive progress it's not really taken much time to build the body - it came together surprisingly quickly - and I must add very easily due to excellent kit design and well fitting parts - quality etches I guess!
     
    The first stumbling block for me was mounting the Black Beetle - as the kit is designed for a Tenshodo Spud. I bodged a mounting bracket (a U-shaped piece across the footplate, with a L bracket to mount to the motor bogie boss - scratchbuilt from spare material in the kit). Once this was sorted I could move on to the body - as due to the way I've built the kit the bogie is now captive and cannot be easily removed. Perhaps an odd decision, but one I struggled to see an alternative too due to the design of the bogie. Mike of Judith Edge does state the kit isn't designed for the Black Beetle, and although I've shown it's a possible fit, it isn't ideal.
     
    The bonnet came together nicely, the fuel tank was more of a b**ger but I got there in the end with much cursing and burnt fingers - it's the grill detail that's difficult (for a beginner like me!). I used 0.3mm wire for the handles on the engine covers and also the sandbox handles on the chassis at this point. I also modified the engine cover doors by filing on a slight chamfer to the front top edge to match prototype photos of DH26.
     
    The cab sides and fronts went together fairly easily - I took the opportunity to replace the etched handrails with 0.45mm brass wire which visually makes a big difference. The folds were quite easy, but the lower edge of the side windows was difficult - even using the Hold and Fold - to get a sharp edge without visible deflection at the window pillars. What I ended up with was a bodge, but it's passable!
     
    The last step was to modify the cab floor and control desk to sit on top of the bogie and here she is posed in moody black and white on top of the Don Thorpe book on the MSC Railway - the bible (and a big thanks to Jan who earlier this year sold it on to me!).
     

    Next up is the cab roof dry fitting, making up some windows to fit snugly in the frames, finished details on the chassis before priming. I think I'll attach the roof and bonnets with glue once it's painted - but we'll see! That will also allow me to add some much needed ballast weight before firmly attaching them to the body. Questions, comments and encouragement welcomed! I'm proud to have got this far - I really am chuffed to have been able to produce something I'm really pleased with!
  22. James Hilton
    I'd forgotten how much fun it is riding a BMX...
     
    Down at Paxton Road today 37013 had arrived from Didcot.


     
    So of course I've not actually ridden my BMX for over 5 years! But I've been tinkering on Paxton Road this evening. After my experiment with Carr's Steel Blackening on Nickel Silver rail I applied it to the rails on Paxton Road. A worthwhile transformation? I'll let you make your mind up - I think it's worth it - it definitely takes the golden tinge off the rail surface.


     
    I thought it might be worth showing a few overview shots...


     
    The warehouse is now placed on the layout - and I've painted the sleepers with Humbrol 98 - this area was originally planned to be a road surface with inset rails - however I don't think the overhead crane I was planning visually works, nor does it fit without cramping the MOD yard. So - this ware will be ballasted once the paint is dry!



     
    Anyway - I've enjoyed working on the layout again but I do find myself wondering about finishing, selling up and starting on another layout! I guess I just need a good running session!
  23. James Hilton
    After my introduction to P4 with Exactoscale track and it's steel rail I've wondered about tinkering with my Nickel Silver railed Peco Code 75...
     
    I'd read in Martyn Welch's 'The Art of Weathering' in my teens about using gun blue to get Nickel Silver to look like steel. I wondered if Carr's Steel Blackening fluid would work? (they do a specific Nickel Silver version - not sure whether that would have the same effect as this). So I tried it on a demo piece of spare Peco Code 100. Left hand rail was treated with the fluid, right hand rail wasn't - you can visibly see the difference.


     
    Success - I'd say!
     
    So on to Paxton Road!
  24. James Hilton
    As you'll be aware Meadow Lane is about firsts for me - so including P4, track building and fully scratchbuilt buildings I'm also trying to build my own etched brass kit.
     
    I've shown you guys the early progress but wanted to get a bit further before I posted anything else. I'm now in a position where the chassis is 'finished' for now - it's taken about 10 or so hours for me to get this far over a month or so and I can honestly say I'm chuffed to bits. To be honest it's one of the only things keeping me sane with all the other stuff going on in my life at the moment - and I'm proud with what I've achieved. Bear in mind this is my first ever etched brass kit - and my first real flirtation with proper soldering. Things are getting better although I've struggled with some of the smaller parts and forming rivets I think the result is passable.
     
    Here is the chassis from both ends and underside (please ignore the messy soldering - you won't see it when it's finished!



     
    Here is the chassis balancing on the Black Beetle showing you can modify it quite easily to get the correct ride height - I'm still not sure how I'm going to fabricate a new mounting for the Black Beetle though so any ideas welcome!

     
    I'm pleased with the lifting eyes, they've come out well and look really fine! The rivet plates behind the buffer beams were hard though - not to flood with solder when you floated them into position (they were lightly tinned on reverse first). I think it worked ok - this is the best of the 4!


     
    Questions, comments and encouragement welcomed - I'm embarking on the bonnet next! If I can do this then I'd suggest any reasonably confident modeller could follow in my footsteps. The Judith Edge kit is well designed, fits well and although is only described in words (rather than assembly diagrams) it is actually pretty easy to work out as you go. I'm really impressed so far and will definitely build another one day!
  25. James Hilton
    I had a lovely weekend visiting both the Llangollen Railway and the old Manchester Ship Canal Railway at Ellesmere Port...
     
    Saturday I headed over to Llangollen. It's my favourite preserved railway - really beautiful scenery and in recent years it has also really tidied up the sidings and yards along the route and appers much more clean, tidy and professional. Very well presented!
     
    Anyway it was a sunny day and my daughter wanted to travel on a diesel and a steam engine. We started at Carrog on the return DMU service before spending an hour in Llangollen and then back on the steam service. Car parking is free and a lot easier at Carrog! On the DMU we sat at the rear of the train and I took some photos through the cab - it was really great to see the line in this way and it makes you appreciate how spectacular some of the scenery is - it's a shame you can't see it normally.
     
    Anyway - it makes more sense in reverse so we'll start at Llangollen and take a short guided tour...
     
    Llangollen and the Class 104 from the road overbridge and the end of the line. When they've extended to Corwen I wonder if they'd ever consider trying to push south to Ruabon and the mainline?


     
    Leaving Llangollen you cross the Dee on the old bridge.

     
    Approaching Berwyn.

     
    The longest tunnel on a preserved railway (I think), Berwyn tunnel approach and exit.


     
    Glyndyfrdwy approaches.

     
    and then the last shot I took (well first actually) between Glyndyfrdwy and Carrog.

     
    Finally a few detail shots.



     
    A fun day out and it brought back a lot of memories for me - it's the first preserved railway I actually remember being taken to see as a child with my Dad - and seeing Foxcote Manor which for a long time was my favourite steam engine.
     
    It's funny what nostalgia does to you - I spent a happy hour when I got to my parents digging out all my old Mainline and early Bachmann steam engines and having a good nose at them! Maybe one day I'll clean up my old steam era layout in the garage in Chester and take some photos.
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