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James Hilton

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  1. 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!
  2. 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!
  3. 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!
  4. 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!
  5. 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!
  6. James Hilton
    I spent a cold evening earlier in the week gluing my fingers together...
     
    Exactoscale do some nice moulded plastic fishplates. When I placed my P4 order a few months ago I picked up an extra pack to use on Paxton Road. I finally got around to fitting them this week and after a dab of paint to blend them into the existing trackwork I grabbed a few snaps.
     



     
    I think they are really effective and it does go to show that with realistic weathering and extra detailing you can make Peco Code 75 appear very good indeed.
     
    If you look closely, leaning up against the Portakabin in the final shot, a half finished scratchbuilt BMX. It still needs cranks, chainwheel, chain and a saddle making up! (I must be mad). I'm not 100% happy with the bars/stem either, so might re-work that area.
     

  7. James Hilton
    I was a little worried after reading some comments relating to fitting the Black Beetle to the Sentinel...
     
    I knew it wasn't designed for the Black Beetle, however, I was a little confused because to me, looking at it, the modifications required didn't look difficult at all - although I suppose they are quite severe! The Judith Edge Sentinel is designed to use a Tenshodo Spud which has 10mm wheels so sits a lot lower than the 12.5mm wheels and the Black Beetle. As a result the mounting plate I think is going to need some serious modification. For now I wanted to get the ride height right. It looked as if the top face of the Black Beetle was about right - so if I could thin down the centre boss raised section I could get it to fit.

     
    However the pick ups are wired from above - which would cause an issue with shorts, and perhaps even take up too much space...
    So out came the soldering iron and I un-soldered the motor connections from the pick ups. These were then pulled through to the underside of the bogie and snipped off clean. Then with an Exacto razor saw I cut along level with the top of the bogie into the centre raised section - about 1.5mm. I then used a knife to slice down vertically and remove a sliver of material. I repeated for the other side... and then offered it up to the chassis - and it fits! Perfect ride height from the looks of the side frame axle box covers!


     
    Eagle eyed readers will notice the chassis has progressed further as well! I spent a fun evening on Thursday soldering tiny foot steps together and then trying to get them fitted without un-soldering! I'm happy with the result, but it's not hugely neat - another area I improved as I did each one! I've also added the cosmetic side frames. Next up I think are the buffer beams.


     
    I received a parcel from Kernow Model Centre too this week - fantastic service - 24 hour turn around and on my door step in 2 days. Inside was a selection of plasticard sheet and struts (for the engine shed), a Bachmann TTA (to be my first P4 wagon - I'm planning on springing this!) and an Oxford Diecast Escort XR3i - as described in 'inspiration'.
    I've eased out the wheels on the TTA so it sits on P4 track for now - just for visual purposes. This is going to get a make over with an etched brass roof walkway and ladders, and the correct Brunninghaus suspension.

    Here it is posed with the Sentinel chassis, to show just how tiny the Sentinel is in comparison to what is really quite a small tanker.
     
    I had an hour or so to kill last night so thought the Escort would benefit from a little work - mostly with matt black paint around the windows and bumpers - plus touching up the indicators. I also added a wash to the alloys to add a little depth. Whilst I was it I sliced off the mounting bosses on the underside, and added a .45mm exhaust pipe! By extending the black along the top side of the windows slightly I think the visual impression of the car is much improved. I've also added black along the lower edges to represent the plastic trim along these edges as well. I'll get around to fitting some wing mirrors at some point! Anyway a few photos of the work completed...


     
    and then posed it on Paxton Road for a few snaps as well!


     
    Questions, comments and encouragement welcomed! I'm seriously thinking that this should become my 2010 challenge entry!
     
  8. James Hilton
    After placing an order about a month ago a lovely little white box was waiting for me when I got home today.
     
    Yes at last my Judith Edge 230hp Sentinel kit has arrived. 4 weeks seems a long time, but not when you consider Charlie at DC Kits kindly ordered a P4 Black Beetle especially for me for this project.
     

     
    So after pulling out the etches, the Black Beetle and the instructions I was itching to start - but reigned in my enthusiasm. First things first I checked the contents (good job as one or two things missing - buffers and nuts) and the operation of the Black Beetle (it works!).
     

    The bogie really is tiny - 26mm axlebase. Seen here posed with a standard Conflat A wagon from Bachmann (something I've been letting my daughter play with on her Harry the Hauler trainset - great for putting cars on!).
     

    And here you can see what I'm hoping to put together! The Rolls Royce Sentinel. Good written instructions from Judith Edge - and a nice arrangement drawing and parts list.
    I was planning on reading everything before diving in but enthusiasm got the better of me and out came the snips, files, vice, soldering iron, 145deg solder and flux... and after 10 years I soldered my first kit! Cutting the parts out carefully, cleaning up the tabs lightly with a file, checking how bits fitted together and I was ready! The first thing to do is bend the sand box covers in to the frames - which I achieved with the flat face of a screw driver pressing against the edge of a vice (to small for the hold and fold). Then I was ready for solder... After an initial struggle with not having three hands I got myself sorted and wow what a difference having 145 degree solder makes. Admittedly if I started again things would be neater (and probably squarer) but the confidence I gained in soldering these 5 pieces of brass together has set me up for the rest of the kit.
     


    You might well laugh but I'm one proud man - my first etched brass kit (proper) and first soldering of a kit for 10 years. It's solid, square(ish) and looks great.
     
    So here we are - the slippery slope. Already my mind is wandering and dreams of fully sprung 0-6-0 outside framed Sentinels falling together easily on my workbench are flooding my mind. Reality is this will probably progress slowly! That's it though, progress has been made - and the days of out of the box RTR may be one step further behind me.
  9. James Hilton
    Progress may well have slowed, but it has not stopped.
     
    With cold weather stopping me from working on the baseboard or spraying the Pacer work has dramatically slowed on my Rose Hill project. There are some signs of life though as the station building has begun to change from primer grey to weathered brick.
     

     
    I'm pleased so far - and hope to be able to show you more in a few weeks. The plan is to finish the basic colouring before adding the building fine detail - that way the brick colour continues behind rather than around notice boards, drain pipes etc.
     
    Comments questions and general encouragement welcome! I need something to keep me going - let me know it's worth it so far! It might get me to re-start the mindless window cutting and detailed pub building!
  10. James Hilton
    Things have been quiet up at Paxton Road recently. Just mundane 66s working in and out of Worthy Down.
     
    Whilst digging through a box of old photos I found this shot, taken roughly 10 years ago in 2000. 37013 had just arrived with the MOD vans from Didcot and was preparing to shunt them into the MOD sidings.
     

     
    How times change - but surprisingly the venerable EE Type 3's live on with DRS and Network Rail (along with WCRC too). What will we remember in 10 years time? Perhaps it is worth grabbing shots of what we consider mundane - I wonder if we'll look back on the late 90s, and noughties with fond memories of the EWS 66s?
  11. James Hilton
    I've a peculiar habit - nothing like that! No I mean I've a habit of revisiting older models and bringing them up to my recent standards.
     
    This is most evident when I have more than one of a locomotive type - actually that's nearly all my stock (3 08/09s, 2 33s, 3 37s and just one 58). I find working on a newer model makes me re-evaluate a previous effort and look to improve it. I guess this progression is pretty natural and is a good way for a beginner to progress - so guys, don't be afraid of re-working models you thought you'd finished - it's very satisfying.
     
    So what is all this waffling about?

     
    Yup - my brace of 08/09s. I've a thing about the Bachmann model (although I reckon all three need tweaking mechanically to improve running a little) and it responds really well to weathering and detailing. The models were completed in the order EWS, RF Grey and most recently the Mainline liveried 09 (featured in December 2009 Model Rail ). As I've done each model I've updated the previous versions and after completing the last of the three and adding wire handrails to my Pacer project I wondered if the small short Gibson handrail knobs I'd aquired for that project could be used on the 08s?
     
    The answer - as you can see, is yes! Check out the revised foot step handrails!

     
    The foot steps need modifying first (as described in the article) with plasticard to make them wider. Then you can drill 0.5mm holes at the top to fit the knobs. Once these are fitted I added 0.33mm Gibson handrail wire (easier the thread then the 0.45mm - so less fiddly). I'm really impressed - so impressed that I'm going to roll out the modification to the other pair at the same time!
    I've also added improved pipework under the cab and revised the vacuum pipe. I also need to add one extra air pipe to each end - and then just touch in the details. These models are ones I'm really proud of - the humble shunter and mundane appearance of all three is perfect for my layout. I think the Bachmann model, with these small modifications really comes to life. I'm planning on fitting Brassmasters rods to all three at some point this year once I master soldering with my Judith Edge Sentinel kit in the summer.
     

     
    After my recent 37 detailing I'm planning to revisit my model of 37013 next - but have a plan of attack on Paxton Road thought out for the next month or so to try and progress the warehouse area despite the cold weather.
    Questions, comments etc welcome as usual - I'll keep an eye on the comments and respond as necessary. If you're interested in the weathering finishes I can elaborate as the original posts describing the work are now on RMweb 3 which as of this week is still unavailable unfortunately.
  12. James Hilton

    Inspiration?

    By James Hilton,

    Inspiration?
     
    Now picture this, a warm balmy summer day. The air is warm but not sticky, comfortable t-shirt weather. Bright blue skies, windows down and the low burble of the exhaust of your brand new Escort XR3i. A light breeze is blowing across the meadow and a short horn blast sharpens your senses as a small 0-4-0 Sentinel shunter ambles across in front of you with a short train of work worn fuel tanks, reminding you that these days this is oil country.
     

     
    As you rumble over the tracks into the yard you crane your head to catch a glimpse down the overgrown tracks towards the exchange sidings, desperate for a glimpse of something more exotic then the usual Rat.
     

     

     
    Parking up in the shade of the building, the quiet calmness of the weekday afternoon reminds you of those long summer afternoons of your childhood. The gentle melody of Morrisey creeps into your consciousness as the workshop radio plays This Charming Man through an open door. A quick look around and the place is deserted so you grab a few photos, soak up the atmosphere before jumping back in the car and heading home, quite oblivious to the significance of recording the Indian Summer of these mundane industrial workings.
     
     
  13. James Hilton
    Twice this month - celebrity visits to Paxton Road! Had a tip off that it might be worth heading down, so nipped out over lunch.
     
    However I expect 33108 wasn't happy to be there - dumped by 33202 earlier in the day she's failed and waiting collection. Arriving at Paxton Road I grabbed a few shots from the road bridge before walking down to the yard and looking for someone to ask permission to grab a few snaps.
     

     

     
    After I'd been given the nod (and a high vis) I grabbed a few shots from the yard before heading back to work.


     
    33108 is a Heljan model with end detail, weathering and the bogie spring mod - otherwise out of the box. Getting her out reminded me of what a good model the Heljan 33/1 is - it captures the prototype perfectly - and I do have a huge soft spot for Cromptons! Don't worry, as a model she's not failed!
  14. James Hilton

    The mainline 09...

    By James Hilton,

    I've been keeping this one a secret for nearly 6 months...
    Ever since members day in the summer I've worked on this model and finally this month I can show you guys on here how I created it! Not until the next issue of Model Rail is out though so for now enjoy this teaser snap taken on Paxton Road on a summers day in 1998.
    09007 shunts the MOD vans whilst 33019 brings in some wagons for a weekend possession on the mainline.

     
    Keep your eyes peeled on my Workbench thread between Christmas and New Year for the full story and in the meantime head down to your local newsagents and pick up the December issue of Model Rail!
  15. James Hilton
    I'm going to start a 'Meadow Lane' blog and forum topic now things have progressed but until I can put a thorough post together I thought I may as well share my latest doodlings...
     
    First of all a more detailed track plan - nice and simple! Off to the left will be two cassettes and off to the right will be a sector plate linking the front and back lines together.

     
    And after my last post which faced the shed here are some more views of the other end, facing towards the crossing. The building is based upon the control hut at Ellesmere Port (see my prototype photos in a previous post), and the end of the compound has some big boulders placed along it, again based on the prototype. The road will be tarmac but in poor condition with a low curb and some small details like ironwork. Signage is again based on the prototype and right at the front you can see the 'Meadow Lane' road name


     
    That's all for now - keep your eyes peeled for a new blog and remember to 'Track this blog' when it does!
  16. James Hilton
    I'd heard via a reliable source that celebrity green 37411 was on the bi-weekly Didcot - Worthy Down MOD working this morning so on my way out grabbed my camera...

     
    I was glad I did as I managed to grab a few detail shots that might help anyone modelling a 37 based on the Bachmann model
    Just a light load today - traffic really seems to be dwindling, and in the 7 years since I last made the trip down we find just a solitary VKA making up todays load and a VDA down in the headshunt.
     





     
    After stopping for a quick natter with the crew in the cabin I pushed on for work. Hope you enjoy the pics!
     

     
    On a more serious note it's damn cold in the garage. I hope these photos also show the progress I've made with this model - and the detailed fuel tanks I'm particularly pleased with! No serious carving job here - just some extra detail and careful painting to highlight the detail whilst matt black on the rest!
    With the warehouse almost finished I'm ready to push on with the other end of the layout plus add the finishing touches (fishplates) to this end. I can't wait for a little warmer weather
  17. James Hilton
    A trip to the Great Central Railway last weekend has spurred progress on my model of 37411.
     
    First up - Lostock and some Smoking Barrels and the GCR itself - what a wonderful railway and a great achievement to have 8 locomotives in steam on the Sunday! From the Jinty through to Oliver Cromwell, my daughter and I were very impressed. My favourite was the BR Std 2 tender engine, Elly's was the LMS red Leander.
     
    Some shots from the weekend - my favourite all weekend is the second one of Oliver Cromwell at Leicester North...


     
    Whilst at Quorn station we spotted a 37 parked up alongside the platform that was perfectly lit with a low sun - so out came the camera and I grabbed some detail shots.
     
    37255 parked up at Quorn in the sun...




     
    Here is how the Bachmann model is progressing - I'm hoping to write this up for Model Rail so just a teaser for now. It's all scratchbuilt out of plastic off cuts, 0.35 and 0.45mm brass wire plus one or two odd valve things from the Hornby Class 31 detailing kit and some white elbow pipes from the 08 detailing pipework.
     
    and the model...

     
    Comments and questions as usual welcomed!
  18. James Hilton
    A cold wet windy day and a trip over to my parents in Chester gave an excuse to head down to the docks to 'soak up the atmosphere' of the former Manchester Ship Canal railway line at Ellesmere Port Docks.
     
    I do plan to go back on a sunny summer weekend, take a proper stroll around and get a better selection of snaps but with cold weather and a busy dock entrance I didn't hang about yesterday.
     
    Compare these shots with those I posted about the Manchester Ship Canal earlier as a comment on one of my other posts...
    http://j-eyres.fotopic.net/p48038273.html
    http://j-eyres.fotopic.net/p48038272.html
    http://j-eyres.fotopic.net/p48168081.html





     
    So there I am nosing about and working out that I've parked across the old tracks into the depot when the Level Crossing warning lights start to flash...
    ... and 66602 rolls across with a train laden with coal!
     
    66602 and a heavily laden train of imported coal coming down the old Manchester Ship Canal Railway from Eastham.



     
    So Meadow Lane progresses a little in my head, although more sketching is necessary now as I'm getting a little confused!
  19. James Hilton
    Somehow even just mocking up something with wood and offcuts makes it all come to life in my mind...
     
    Rose Hill has the beginnings of a baseboard! If you count an un-cut 18mm sheet of plywood as a beginning. These shots show her mocked up with track, Pacer and the two buildings.
    A view from the fiddleyard/backscene end of the layout from both sides - note the planned curved end


     
    A few other shots... low angle and overhead


    A Northern Pacer waits with the 14:12 departure for Manchester Picadilly

     
    With the encouragement and progress of my other new project (Meadow Lane) I had worried that this simple single line branchline terminus might not hold my interest.
    I'd needn't have worried. Looking at these photos and working on the pub building last night have convinced me it's well worth finishing - even if only as a scenic exercise!
  20. James Hilton
    I've found myself browsing the internet with all this new found love of etched brass kits, P4 and industrial lines and have come across a few things worth sharing.
     
    First up - sorry - no photos in this post, I always hate blog posts without snaps, but it's the copyright rules mean I can't link the photos directly!
     
    So what have I found?
     
    Here we have some interesting cab shots of the Sentinel shunters used on the Manchester Ship Canal railway along with some interesting text. This appears to be from a 1968 publication called 'Design' and will be a great help when I build my Sentinel. I strongly urge you to check it out!
    http://vads.ahds.ac.uk/diad/article.php?title=233&year=1968&article=d.233.43
     
    I've also ended up buying another book - I thought it might help provide some inspiration to Meadow Lane. It's called 'Industrial Railways in Colour - The North West' and I shall let you all know more when it arrives. From the small snippet of the internal layout and content on the site below was enough for me to search a copy out!
    http://www.transportdiversions.com/publicationshow.asp?pubid=7709
     
    I guess this means an industrial layout of some sort is now almost inevitable. Let's see how I get on with the Sentinel when it arrives - if that goes ok I'll move on to a P4 point... if that goes ok I'll lay some track... and if that goes ok I'll scenic it!
  21. James Hilton
    My P4 project, part of the RMWeb 2010 challenge is a model of Rose Hill, Marple. It's a toe dipping exercise in prototype observation - not 100% to scale (something more like 80% with the station building and pub) but with the definite intention of 'feeling right'. That means fantastic observation of prototype and artistic colouring.

     
    The only rolling stock required (until Bachmann release a 150/1 in Northern Rail) was deemed to be a Pacer as I had one of the original Hornby ones to hand from my childhood. Over the past few months this has undergone a massive transformation (more details on RMWeb) but I reached 2 milestones today. 1) Ready for painting and 2) Ordering the custom decals from Precision Labels!
     

     
    One thing I'm particularly pleased with is the underframe. I've not gone to the extent of massive rebuilding but with new front dams, beefed up suspension units and some judicious cutting of the box for the weight I've got something I'm happy with.

     
    I'm also pretty pleased with the new exhaust pipes - the pipe at the bottom will be glued to the underframe rather than hanging down once the body is painted.

     
    So now I just need to source some suitable paints!
     
     
     
  22. James Hilton
    Not another one I hear you shout! Paxton Road is 2 years in the making and still only 60% finished - and Rose Hill is barely 3 months in, what is he thinking?!!
    As readers of RMWeb will be aware this week I've been musing over building a 230hp Sentinel shunter - a chain driven one based on the Manchester Ship Canal examples - using a Judith Edge kit. This would ideally be P4, DCC and possibly even sound fitted. It would definitely feature working headlights, cab light and flashing beacon on the roof.
     
    An aspiration since I started the pointless (as in no points - not as in no point!) Rose Hill was to try my hand at building my own track in P4. Now I've got the confidence I can do this I wondered about a small diarama and out came the sketchbook.
     
    I think it holds some charm - an overgrown down at heels track across the front, a road crossing going to a small yard and warehouse with overgrown rail access. Behind the back security fence is the link to the mainline. Off to one side is either a traverser or cassettes and on the right is a simple sector plate.
     
    We'll see I guess - 50% certain this one's a goer!
     

     
     
  23. James Hilton
    Another mad-cap scheme... or the lure of the Judith Edge kit!
     
    I've long held a fascination with parts of the Manchester Ship Canal railway, the stub at Ellesmere Port and the network around Trafford Park. In the early days of planning Paxton Road it was a line that inspired some early sketches as to what this could look like and gave some direction to a layout that has gradually evolved into a completely different area and subject! Such is modelling fiction.
    http://railwayphotographs.fotopic.net/p48086712.html
     
    A chance browsing of this forum and seeing Halfwit's blog on the Steelman Royale taking shape and I found myself back on Fotopic searching out the snaps of the Manchester Ship Canal railway's Sentinel shunters.
    http://chris-lowes-train.photos.gb.com/p26212242.html
    http://tims-train-photos.fotopic.net/p24543965.html
    http://tims-train-photos.fotopic.net/p16154792.html
     
    I've not build a proper etched brass kit before - only brass chassis packs and one white-metal kit in my teens. I'm a little apprehensive about taking the plunge but a speculative email has been sent off to Judith Edge to check kit availability.
     
    So where does this project fit with all the others? Paxton Road is going to still be finished. Most of my modern stock will stay OO and for now this will be a great layout to use them on. Rose Hill is a foray into P4 and is proving to be worthwhile in polishing my whole range of layout building skills and I'm really enjoying it. Neither is the place for a Sentinel...
     
    Leading us to the only sensible outcome! A third layout - probably in 2011, probably VERY small (1x4 or so) to fit in my study. DCC and P4 so the Sentinel can be fitted with lights (and sound maybe?!) and P4 to try my hand at point building.
     
    In the meantime we'll see whether a box from Judith Edge arrives - and if I can keep it shut long enough to finish the other layouts!
  24. James Hilton
    Are aftermarket components any better then what can be achieved by fettling off the shelf products? I'm not convinced. The air horns on my Bachmann 37 are a good example.

     
    Plenty of firms (A1 and Markits spring to mind) offer turned brass air horns for the model. I think people think that it must be better, otherwise why would someone have produced it? Yes they may be more robust, and I've definitely seen them added to a model to good effect. However, I'm cheap!
     
    The Bachmann moulding actually looks pretty good. A nice shape, fine detail at the non-horn end (that needs to be added to the brass aftermarket ones anyway!) and fairly robust to minimum handling. I wondered what could be achieved with a mini drill!
     

    Answer? Something pretty good I think! The secret is to start with a very small pilot hole and slowly increase drill bit size. I started with a 0.3mm drill, then a 1mm drill, then used a reaming bit to open up the tip a little. All using my Mini-craft drill powered from my old H&M Clipper controller to adjust the speed. These will look fantastic with just a lick of paint.
     
    In addition I've also attempted to fettle some of the other details that come in the bag. Bachmann are really lagging behind Heljan, ViTrains and Hornby when it comes to the quality of the air and vacuum brake hoses it provides with it's models! On the 37 you also have a multiple working cable that is very thick indeed. I've modified the plug end with a file and knife to reduce it's height and add a rounded back side, and then sliced off the original hose. I then used a 0.3mm to drill a pilot hole before nerve-wrackingly drilled the 1mm hole to accept a replacement hose. This is still overscale but I couldn't find anything flexible that was smaller diameter - in fact this wire is from the inside of a USB cable - found after stripping down old headphones, mobile headsets and all sorts in the search for a fine wire!
     

    Anyhow - it looks ok, better than the original. You can see the difference in this picture, the original Bachmann hose is on the blue 37 in the back (the plug end has been modified), with the modified one on the green 37 at the front. Comments and questions are welcome!
     
    I'd also ask you to follow me on Twitter for more regular updates.
     
  25. James Hilton
    I took my daughter for a trip out this afternoon to our local preserved railway, the Churnett Valley Railway at Cheddleton near Leek.

     
    We spent many happy days there earlier this year and were hauled on numerous occasions by the lines resident Class 37 due to a steam engine failure for a lot of the summer.
     
    The line is 'closed' during January but I thought we'd see something today, and since my daughter really wanted to see some trains it was worth a punt. Cheddleton was pretty busy and we found 37075 in the platform - much to Elly's delight! She loves the big blue diesel.
     
    Anyway since I'm about to embark on detailing my third Bachmann Class 37 I though it prudent to take a few chassis detail shots to help me with my detailing - and thought they might be of wider interest so have shared them here as well.
     



















     
    Hope they are of some use!
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