Mark Forrest

Those wheel centres look great.  In addition to the self quartering, the ability to fit, remove and refit during the build must be a significant advantage too.

An interesting and thought provoking blog entry.  I don't think what you describe as "not doing justice" is unique to China Clay, many of your observations on the compromises that modellers make are equally apparent when other forms of industry are modelled.  The post draws a comparison to modelling a station; the majority of models of stations that I can think of include some degree of compromise, is that so different to reducing the foot print of a clay dry to suit the available space on a baseboard?

There are many examples  of layouts that successfully capture the look and atmosphere of a real location despite these compromises.  They can still be satisfying to build and entertaining to operate.  I suppose we all have slightly different blind spots when it comes to overlooking these things though.

I wasn’t aware of Sandy Shores at all until seeing it at the SWAG member’s day, what a stunning layout!  Really impressed both by the standard of modelling and the thought you’ve given to how to present the layout, truly inspirational.

A very neat solution, can't wait to have a play with the finished loco at Ally Pally! And to think you achieved this without the use of a hammer - I'm inspired! ;-)

I've always used normal MEK to stick C&L chairs to ply timbers/sleepers never had any issues. Have never bothered to buy any specific supplier's butanone.

Nicely done, very neat. I've used a similar arrangement to operate the turnouts on Foundry Lane. Can't tell if you have done the same, but I bushed the hole through the slide switch with a short length of brass tube.

Mark, I have a pic of 5038 in 1972 if it helps - it's the same side as the 'derbysulzers' shot but by then it'd lost the valance.&nbsp; <br>

That would be useful, thanks. Was wondering whether it lost it's "D" - had it been painted over by '72 then? Didn't know whether it had gone straight from being D5038 to 24038.

Cheers

Thanks for the tip, yes I'll try a coat of white primer first. Must say your Deltic looks fantastic - I don't think my humble efforts will be anything near that standard! Cheers

There is a photo of the 'box when nearly new in "Mainline to Metro" by John Boynton (photo is courtesy of Kidderminster Railway Museum - there may be others in their archive). As you might expect, the photo is black & white, but the girders appear to be a darker shade than any other painted parts of the structure - so chocolate could be a possibility.

Hi. Is there an advantage to fitting the common crossing first, then the stock rail or is it just a matter of personal preference? In the past I've always started with the straightest stock rail and used that as a datum, but I guess as the crossing is the most critical part it makes sense to start from there.

Looks like a very nice model of an interesting prototype, look forawrd to seeing it progress. I've been pulling together info for a model of Wolverhampton South 'box and settled on the Modelex etch brass window frames - hadn't thought about using the Hornby parts.

Thanks. The ply is WBP exterior stuff from B&Q - I know I could probably have got better quality stuff from a proper timber merchants, but it was convenient and reasonably priced. Did have to sort through the sheets on the pallet in store to find the 5 best; 90% of the sheets were either damaged or warped.

Thanks. Those are Smiths instanter couplings; I'm afraid I don't have the patience to make my own!

if I was to make my own think I'd be looking for something around 0.3mm diameter (or 30 swg).

Cheers

Nice work. Howes can supply Heljan class 58 bogie side frames, which are (from memory) similar to those on the 89.

Thanks guys. What, it's only 3 weeks! I'd better get a move on

Phil - yes it'd be great to see that WLL slide show. I've no room to build the baseboards at the mo' but seriously tempted to make a start on some of the trackwork (two turnouts and two catch point should just about do it ) or maybe some of the buildings.

Cheers & see you soon.

I said I'd do the same for Damian too but he muttered something about 'trash compactors'. Be good to see you, we'll have to enrol you for the 3rd layout too......

Normally I'd be more interested in "once upon a time in the west MIDLANDS" but with layouts of the quality of these it'd be a pleasure to have a play with the third train set

BTW how's your EM project?

Looking forward to helping out with DitD at Showcase; might even bring a couple of guest locos to invade again too

Looks great on the EM track, Mark - so do you think P4 wheels will go in just as easily - hopefully they should!

Cheers CK. Can't see P4 wheels being a problem, if things are a bit tight you can gain a bit of clearance by thinning down the linkage between the brake blocks which runs behind each W-iron.

Very much looking forward to watching the progress on this Mark. Also just a tad sad that your freight wagons will need to go into store for a while !!!!!

 

Topically, I am in the middle of a green class 121 > class 122 conversion at the moment !! Whilst there is a slight issue with body profile I can live with it, intending the car to be finished in the condition it finally performed "Dudley Dodger" services GSYP with dirty white roof domes.

Cheers Phil. Still plenty of room for the wagon fleet on Foundry Lane (and New Haden) and some of the vanfits might make an appearance

A blue 122 is on my to do list. I'm stuck at the armchair modelling/planning stage at the moment while I wait for a house move to go through

Just followed the link, and it advises that the Kidderminster 2010 show is off

Something about "the Glades" centre double-booking!

 

Anyway, that's a shame, as I'd like to have gone along to see this fab layout!

It's a show I pop along to, once in a while too - and usually enjoy....

 

Great layout, lovely painting & weathering!

Nice atmosphere to it - when's the next show?

 

Marc

Thanks. Yes, unfortunately the Kidderminster show has been cancelled

I've had a couple of enquiries about future exhibition appearances but nothing confirmed yet.

Cheers

Hi Mark

 

As a big fan of parcels stock and a WR modeller, I'm looking forward to seeing this one develop.

 

 

Regards

 

Dan

Apologies Dan - still getting used to the blogs and had missed this comment.

Progress will be slow to begin with - have a house move to deal with before I can make a start on the boards, but I'll update the blog as planning progresses.

Cheers

Excellent work. The AJ jigs are the single thing that makes forming and mounting these couplings none of the black art that they used to be.

 

Did you also get a copy of the book published by the Scalefour Society that extends the original articles by the MMRS?

 

It also gives a few alternative methods of mounting the couplings that can be useful on other types of rolling stock.

 

Flymo

Thanks. No I didn't get the book (well not yet anyway); have relied on the EMGS manual sheets so far. Might be worth a look when I come to do the bogie parcel stock for the Low Level project - cheers.

I tried a fibre glass pencil (very gingerly , and on 31 270 which was stopped for other reasons, just in case) but this looks better , even if it leaves a shiny surface. I don't think the factory weathering is at all realistic, either

Yes - I considered using one of those myself, but was concerned it would scratch the finish too much. Useful for small areas where you can't get in with a cotton bud or really stubborn bits of paint though.

Although it doesn't show very well on the photo the T-Cut works on the glazing too.