James Hilton

It might not look like much but I feel I've reached a milestone this evening... At this rate it's a good thing I'm building just a single line terminus! Nevertheless the first car of my Pacer is at a point where it can be painted. Full side on view showing overall progress to date! Work has been quite extensive - perhaps not as far as some have gone, but I've chosen to work on the things that will make the largest visual difference. On the front ends I've replaced the handrails, added the roof aerial, replaced the fender, added a coupling (with pipework) and fabricated replacement steps. On the back I've added a replacement exhaust stack (that links down to the underside of the floor) and support brackets (fiddly). In addition, and as can be seen in the photos, I've re-wheeled her for P4, modified the wheelset framing (to represent the heavier duty spring bases) and worked a little on the interior, as well as adding full door handrails using .45 and .35mm wire. Next up is bringing the second car up to scratch before I put them through the paint booth to appear as 142036 in Northern livery... unless I'm distracted by the Mainline 58 or new sound class 37 over Christmas!

I think I got mine from International models and bought some fibres and other bits and bobs at the same time

The Mig powders are powder in a bottle so very good for dirty around detail! The Tamiya ones are like makeup IIRC?

Wow great job - and glad to see another fantastic blog created! Awesome. The roof weathering appears superb on the 50

You might want to consider some edge protection or anchor points for any body accessing that roof Jon!

Wooo that looks like a great location. My Dad was interested in doing a joint entry with me in 7mm but we were struggling with location vs space available. Maybe I need to re-visit it with him over Christmas! Thanks - you've given me an encouraging nudge

Looking good Jon - you'll have to build two challenge layouts at this rate!! this rate of progress is incredible. I'm easily distracted - and have been working on my 58 again!

Grahame can you take a snap with a coin or something in for us non N-gaugers to scale off - I suspect it will show even more how incredible this modelling is at capturing real life in the small scale with selective compromises and well observed detail.

Hi Martin - presume this is still EM? The trackwork looks great - something I'm wondering about for the future. Hopefully my pack of bits will turn up from Exactoscale this week so I can make my first lengths of P4 track up and test out the Pacer!

I can highly recommend Nigel Burkin's book on modern image wagons... http://www.nairnshire-modelling-supplies.co.uk/more.php?prodID=Book-1 Well worth investing in... As for the Pacer - I'd better crack on with mine you're catching me up!

Rich in which direction is it too large as when I've compared them on photos they look fine to my eye. Are they too wide? If you remove them then how does the body locate on the chassis?

Well unlike some other people I've had less modelling productivity this weekend... Apart from ordering all my P4 bits and bobs last week, very exciting, and my Christmas present arriving on Saturday (the Railfreight 37 with sound and a Dynamis controller) it's been a quieter week. Prior to the present wrapping evening ahead of me I dug out my Pacer for some modelling relaxation and to see what I could do in 20 minutes. Rather than start on the second car fitting handrails (which can easily swallow two evenings) I looked for something quicker and easier... My eventual plans for this model see headlights and interior lighting fitted - and with that in mind I decided it was probably a good idea to do a good job on the interior. A thought whilst being dragged around John Lewis earlier about using staples for the seat back handrails materialised this evening and I'm really pleased with it!! Simple - No. 25 and No. 26 staples, seperated up and superglued to the chair backs. Next up is a repaint into Northern colours and progressing the bodies next week. Then I really ought to stop putting off the baseboard building and work out what I'm doing in that department!!!

I too can recommend the Black Smoke MIG powder for exhaust staining. If I was you though I'd approach the weathering differently. I'd use a wash over the roof first, to hi-light edge detail and tone down the whole roof fairly consistently. I might use a number of washes (I use enamel so give it 24 hours and you can add another one without activating the first). I say wash it's more slop some white spirit on a section at a time and then add a touch of 98 and 33 and mix around until you're happy. When you're happy with the result add the powders to the exhaust staining. On 37411 I used 98 a lot, but on my 33019 I used a light grey over several washes to get the characteristic fading.

Great to read the musings and I look forward to seeing the models progress! I find these sorts of blogs really inspirational

Lovely looking layout I too like the MOD trains. Can I ask are the vans kits, and what kit are the flats? Are the tanks 1:72 kits?

This sounds an awesome project - I did just trawl the internet for decent 1970/80s aerial photography but couldn't find any - I know it exists for Cheshire but can't find an equivalent service for Manchester.

Rose Hill is going to have no backscene at the buffer stop end so you'll be able to get a nice view down the track Thanks Craig!! I'm looking forward to all the stuff arriving next week. I don't think this will be a complete P4 conversion - too much expensive OO for that - but we'll take things as they come and see where it leads me!

Funny how things turn out - somehow 25095 became the Railfreight grey 37 at the check out at Hattons!!! I'm planning on plating the bodyside window and painting her up as 37803 for Paxton Road

I see - I'd recommend white primer for yellow (as would most people) as it will need less coats. The grey tends to alter the shade more hence why I suggested white! Mentor is coming on nicely I see

Excellent! That's coming on very well. I hate baseboard construction - I really ought to work out how I'm building mine.

Ah - well the key to that is simple!! Halfords rattle can (spray can) primer. Get a tin of white - spray the model all white before you apply the yellow. Should then only need one coat, painted by brush or airbrush!! Mentor sounds a good project. I fancy 31190 in BR Green! That'd make a good second loco for the set - one on each end to model the pre DBSO setup

Any photos yet Rich? I've placed my first P4 track order today!! I look forward to seeing your mix of track as I've gone for the simple option of the fast-track bases initially. They may not be 100% accurate but I want to get something down so I can have a play!

These look fantastic - I look forward to seeing the finished model on a layout

For a hand finish that has turned out nicely. I'd recommend an airbrush for applying large quantities of paint though, I picked up a Badger 200 set (a good solid entry level airbrush) with a can of propellant and cleaner for ??60 delivered a year or so ago - I wouldn't have been able to repaint 37013 (check my Paxton Road workbench) without it. What next? Perhaps the New Measurement Train?! or some DRS traction for the Network Rail coaches?

Thanks chaps. I've placed my order with Len at Exactoscale (a friendly and helpful chap - explaining the b2b differences too!) Went for the trackwork (just fast-track this time round as I'm learning and impatient!!) and the gauges and b2b. Also got some of the OO fast-track to determine what to use on future projects as I have so much OO stock. I think I really need wooden sleepered f/b rail for Rose Hill but to get me going the concrete stuff will do to try things out. ??75 worth of stuff though so I'm thinking very very hard about whether the sound and DCC for Chrimbo option might be another slippery slope too far!!! I've enough expensive hobbies as it is (mountainbiking, web-design, photography, video editing and playing my guitar!).