Barry Ten

Constructive as ever.

I made a short vid of the Enterprise, warts and all!

I also have the lighting kit to add to the Klingon cruiser, so good to see your progress. I must have posted this before (probably lost in the image crash) but here is my fully-lit 1/350 Refit1701. I have the 1/350 TOS Enterprise to do but am waiting until I find the lighting kit at a reasonable price.

I have the same Klingon kit to build. Yours is looking very nice. Qapla'!

Paynestown's public outing is coming up fast, and inevitably there's a rush to get a lot of jobs done, compounded by the fact that I'm travelling on the two days prior to the exhibition! I think it's nearly there, though, provided I get a good weekend of tasks done. Other than adding additional wagons to the stock box, by way of converting their couplings, the other main job has been further tidying up of the fascia, ready for its final coat of paint. I've opted for a satin warm grey which I think ought to work, but as ever the proof will be in the pudding. The main "presentational" job still to be done is to add a piece to the lighting rig, to support a small nameboard. The rest of the work has been on the scenic detailing side, with a few jobs still awaiting. Here's a grab-bag of random views and angles, with a few comments: This is the view I was keen to preserve by not wrapping the backscene all the way around the right hand side of the layout. If there was a conventional backscene, you might just be able to get a small camera into this position, but not your head. A similar view, showing the train waiting to depart. The Dapol bracket signal is a pragmatic compromise between "correct" and "functioning"! I've built some working signals in 00, but I couldn't wrap my head around such fiddly task in N, so the Dapol option it is. The idea is that the taller of the two signals controls departures from the main platform, while the shorter one is for the bay. Anyone who objects will be automatically entered into a raffle to get the commission to build an accurate working replacement. Still waiting for departure, this time with the terraced houses prominent. Still much painting and final finishing needing doing here. Evident in the earlier shots, I've added a barrow crossing here. I'm holding off on a representation of point rodding (let alone signal cables) for now, as I don't think I've got the skill to do it justice in N. I can just about get away with tolerable rodding in 00, but I feel it might draw attention to itself more than the absence does, if that makes sense. The chapel is now fixed down and some rudimentary scenic work has been attended to around it. Dropping the camera down even lower hints at the kind of low-level, looking up the hillside angle I really hoped to capture. Sonic's 56XX still impresses, especially with a touch of weathering to bring out the exquisite detail. I've got two more of these, but I'm no closer to adding new numbers/decals to them than I was six months ago, so it'll be just the one for now. Fortunately, the three other panniers can pick up the operational slack. A close-up of the goods shed showing some enjoyable clutter from Langley castings. And a final close-up of the 56XX. Such magnificent locos - tons of presence for just a tank engine, I feel. That's it for now. Thanks for reading, and following along to date.

Along with the Big Boy's Bumper Book of S&D track diagrams, I gladly picked up a copy of The Titfield Thunderbolt at Railwells. A lovely book, copiously illustrated and written with real affection for the subject and the people associated with it.

I picked up a copy as well. Despite the hefty price tag, I knew it would be a set of volumes I return to time and again. Just glancing through it over the weekend while still in Wells, my purchase was more than rewarded by some shots of Shillingstone that were new to me, including views from angles I'd not seen before. I would think it essential for anyone with an interest in the S&D. The slipcase presentation feels very posh too.

It was very nice to see the layout today and have a chat!

I should add that I very much enjoyed the exhibition as a whole, with a good variety of layouts on display. Thanks to all involved and here's to another splendid weekend in Wells next year.

I very much enjoyed the quality of the modelling but I struggled with the height of the proscenium arch - it made for uncomfortable viewing for me as I had to stoop.

Still looks as if there is a lot of electrification to be finished on the Aberdare line, with masts in place but no sign of cabling (yet). The last time I took the train to Cardiff, too, I thought there were still quite a few bits with no masts in situ. Two public foot crossings that I'm aware of, in Cwmbach and Mountain Ash, have been sealed off for months with no guarantee of when they'll reopen. A minor nuisance in the scheme of things but frustrating if they've been on your regular running routes for years. I see there is tentative planning for a possible extension to Hirwaun, with land purchased for a new station in Llwydcoed. Someone mentioned to me that the trains might run on battery beyond Aberdare - is this feasible with the tram-trains or a possible future development?

I seem to remember that some of the approach roads in from the airport are convertible to runways at short notice?

Hope Loughborough is enjoyable, Tony. It's the Wells show this weekend so we're off for our usual stay at The Swan. I hope to catch up with some mates tomorrow for a pint or two between trains, in one of the many splendid pubs near Wells Town Hall!

Wonderful account of your trip, Mikkel - much appreciated.

Sir gets everywhere! See art credit on back of LP:

Continuing with my South Wales valleys terminus project, now starting to add some smaller details, most of which still need painting in-situ.

I think you'd be hard pressed to find a correct dimension anywhere on the Rovex Princess, as beloved as my two examples were.

I thought the main (daft!) reason for that was to allow for the upswing of front bogies when going from level to sloping track?

I ordered eight sheets of 4 x 2 blue XPS insulation boards from a firm called eZheat. They may have had larger sheets.

That's long gone, I think, since the subsidies for loft insulation were stopped (thanks, DC!). It's why the extruded stuff is generally harder to find than it was a decade ago.

I can't help but I needed a 5 1/2 x 13 inch sheet for my N project, so I joined a 4 foot piece to a smaller offcut using internal dowels to strengthen the joint.

Worsley Works: http://www.worsleyworks.co.uk/4mm/4mm_GWR.htm

I had a go at improving the look of the Hornby clerestories by going over the lining with a bow-pen, adding the bits that were missing, as well as extra detailing around the ends and bogies.

Stephen Williams details one of these coaches in his Wild Swan book on carriage modelling, so it's certainly capable of reaching an acceptable standard to the Pendon gang. I'm not sure if he discusses the length.

What's the medical definition for ECML envy?