James Hilton

Chris good to see you back - the matt white wash has dulled down the finish well. It's worth considered that with different models a different colour fade is appropriate, perhaps light beige, or a touch of green in with the white sometimes. I have used both airbrush fades with varnish, and then in a more concentrated location used washes - this looks really promising in the photo.

I'll be at Members Day, maybe bump in to you.

Will - I reckon no backscene, just a 'mountain' that dissappears out of view at the top would be VERY effective, especially with such tiny trains. What does Z scale track look like? Is it quite coarse or can you get stuff that looks as good as that 2mm easy-trak stuff I've seen chaps use on here?

Tom looks great - these are big cruel close ups and they're more than passable!

Will I don't think the round and round will get bored, as you say it's a chance to get the Z scale stuff out. It's a Z scale equivalent of my garden layout really!

The scenery seems like a reasonable balance - try not to cram too many features in - and from the prototype photo make sure you can use the vertical height too and get a real feeling of a line through the landscape. I presume the track will be 'raised' from the valley bed? If not that would help the scenic aspect.

Nice to see the speaker fits in the last shot! You're a brave man - I don't think I'd have gone quite so far... but it does transform the look of an engine. The Heljan 26/27/33 models always look great in this area around the fuel tanks as they literally feel like they're hung underneath the chassis - just as your Deltic does now.

I'm pleased to hear you're finding your feet again Jon. This hobby shouldn't be frustrating, or hard work. Sometimes life gets in the way, and even our escapes don't help. I know that's how I've felt in the past. Then it's definitely the right time to put down the project as you can spoil it. The Mojo always comes back, even if on a differnent modelling subject

I look forward to seeing all of these - especially the N gauge 139 if I'm honest as I think that's been a great project. The T stuff looks fun, tiny though!

I'm really looking forward to seeing this in the flesh at the RMWeb show in July

The track looks great, but it's the basics that make it work so well - lovely scenery to date, an understated but well blended back scene, quality rolling stock - the standard is high, but it's consistently high across all aspects. No small achievement

Jon an excellent read.

I can empathise with the mojo thing - my 4mm one has totally vanished. I think your reasoning on this Deltic is sound, I often used to find myself revisiting older projects... (these two blogs might be of some solace: http://paxton-road.blogspot.com/2010/11/third-time-lucky.html and http://paxton-road.blogspot.com/2010/02/gathering-of-gronks.html).

In the end I found P4 and 4mm to lose a bit of fun for me - and that's what I needed back in the dark days of early 2011 and the G-scale diversion (as I'm sure that's all it is) has been a strong part of my life since injecting some much needed fun, energy and modelling freedom.

Good luck - I look forward to seeing this Deltic finished. I've been pestering about paint for months, splash some on, finish her off, and start on the 08!!

More industrial output from you Paul - lovely! I do look forward to seeing all these models on your 2011 challenge layout this summer

Good luck! My first etched brass kit was a steep learning curve too - I found a 25W iron more than man enough for a 4mm model, but the secret was flux and 145 degree solder.

Great to see some progress on this Martin I look forward to being inspired to get back to a layout in 4mm again soon!

Rich - you've captured the character nicely so far! Although really we all want to see one of the diesels taking shape!!

Ooops.... I just popped in for.... how many of us has that happened to! Looking good - neat painting on the Bedford cab so far!

Good man - good read!

Oh arse! I presume a number of expletives were muttered (or shouted) when all that work went down the toilet. Good luck - you're a more patient man then me - they'd have been put to the back of the modelling pile if it was me!

Paul definitely agree with the last statement - look forward to seeing this develop

I think it looks very effective - the trackwork, ballast and finish is spot on, and tones nicely together. If I had one comment it would be it might be worth using colours that you use in your loco weathering to tie the models and the layout together? The TTAs look great, but wouldn't the chaps be wearing some sort of high vis even on depot back in the 1970s?

Ah excellent - I wondered if you'd go for the diesel. Would love to see the any progress on here or your wordpress blog about the chassis for that! Very characterful little loco...

Your work in this scale gave me the nudge to modifiy and repaint LGB G scale models, taking my 4mm skills to a larger scale. Not sure my wife would thank you though! It's getting expensive!

Rich these models are inspiring - I can't believe that this model is largely scratchbuilt, wonderful, truly wonderful. What plans for the steam or diesel locomotives required yet?

Paul - well worth it - those machined ones look perfect, so much better than the laminated ones which as you say just look too thin!

Jam looks like you've made a lot of progress over the weekend - good luck balancing this and the coursework.

As usual I enjoy reading of your industrial shunter exploits Paul

5 days - it's coming up quick Jam! Looking good though... it doesn't look 'rushed' at all!

The shunter is coming along nicely! I too have had a productive day - but my time scales are a little more generous than yours Jam! Good luck! The shots you took today show a lot of promise, it's going to be a very interesting layout.

I use Humbrol but applied 70% varnish 30% white spirit through an airbrush. I wouldn't brush it on as it leaves marks in the finish. A rattle can is ok, but it can go on a bit thick!

Thanks - yes G is getting there. I am slowly building up a small range of stock with an Austrian flavour. Over in Chester this weekend to fell a tree and start on the ground works for the outdoor line. It's certainly a rewarding scale. When you carry the stock to the layout (indoor or outdoor) and it's tucked under your arm rather than in the palm of your hand it makes you feel like a big kid again.