halfwit

Thanks for that Adam, I shall be ordering a set for one of my Airfix builds. I've half a mind to build the other with dumb buffers as per the South Hetton locos. Paul.

Thanks Mark. I have a body detailing etch on order (along with some of Robert's new contractors waggons), so there's more modifications to be done yet. Its all good practice for when I start the Airfix pair that I have lying around. (I have the chassis and various parts ready and waiting). The correct sized boiler fittings, especially the filler, improves the look of the boiler top, important when you consider that our models tend to be viewed from above. Paul.

Those are lovely coaches, there's just something so nice about early 4 and 6 wheelers. You could almost convert me to pre-grouping GWR modelling... Paul.

Thanks Mikkel. Its getting there, and I'm pleased with progress so far. I think that the scale coupling rods make the biggest difference along with decent wheels. The boiler fittings are good but unless you study the prototype you wouldn't notice that the Dapol mouldings are underscale. There's no overall scheme I'm afraid, I do just build for the joy of it. The great thing about not having a layout is the freedom that it gives me when it comes to building stock as I don't have to worry about a particular item fitting in. (Coming soon, a GVT horse drawn tramway coach...) Paul.

Inspired by recent posts from 46444 I've dug out my Dapol Austerity and done a little more work on it. The undersize dome and silly little water filler have been replaced by RT Models castings, as has the chimney as my model came with the fibreglass type that was used on underfeed stoker fitted locos. Other RT Models parts fitted so far are replacement etched bufferbeam overlays, which help reduce the overscale width of the bufferbeams, and coupling rods which complement the Gibson wheels nicely. Buffers are Gibson industrial pattern and coupling hooks are Slaters. I've also removed the panel lines from the tank as I can't see any on photos of the prototype. Still loads more work to do but its getting there. Some usefull reference material. Magazines; Modelling Railways Illustrated Vol.1 No.2 November-December 1993. An excellent profile article including superb scale drawings. Locomotives Illustrated 61 - The Hunslet 'Austerity' 0-6-0STs. Model Rail 179 March 2013. George Dent on detailing the Hornby model using RT Models parts. Railway Modeller January 1986 - Ian Beattie drawing. Industrial Railway Society publications; Austerity Saddle Tank Locomotives, Industrial Railway Record 203 Continent Coalfield and Conservation - The biographical history of the British Army Austerity 0-6-0 saddle tank. Books; Hunslet Austerity Locomotives Spare Parts List. A reprint of an official Hunslet publication by Camden Miniature Steam Services. Almost every 'Industrial Steam' type book contains photos of Austerities as well, and Railway Bylines often feature them as well. Paul.

You've inspired me to get it back on the workbench! I've just carved off the rather undersized dome and tiddly little waterfiller and replaced them with RT Models items. Lots more work to do still but I'll be posting an update soon. Paul.

I told you it was easy! The Austerity looks very nice, a real workhorse. The second photo shows the subtle pre-shading (something which I'm yet to experiment with) to good effect. Now I really must get mine finished! Paul.

They really do fall together don't they! I built one about 20+ years ago, still my only piece of 7mm stock. For the record its a diagram 1/102 mineral. Paul.

It looks even better without the stormy background (its not that i didn't like it, it just distracted from the modelling) - thanks for editing. Prieser make a HO vampire, and a grim reaper... Paul.

That looks superb, really atmospheric, but can we see a pic. of it without the distracting background please? Paul.

Eileen's sell lead. Paul.

These two wagons have now had the last few parts attached and are ready for the paint shop. Above the brake centre pivot can be seen the lever which unlocks the body and allows it to tip, and on the solebar just left of the centre rib can be seen the catch which can be used to hold the body in the tipped position (click on the pic. for a bigger image); Spares are included for a lot of the smaller parts, including the catches. I used the buffers supplied with the kit, these were fitted next, then the hollow buffer beams and central rib were filled with Fluid Lead, sealed in place with Milliput (thanks to Adam for the Milliput tip) which took the weight from 20 to 23 grams. To bring the weight up a little more I glued a thin strip of lead into the bottom of the tipper body, then blended it in with more Milliput, after painting it shouldn't be too obvious (I got carried away and painted one body early on); This brought the total weight up to 26 grams. I could make up removable loads if they prove to be too light. I've noticed from photographs that wagons in coliery use were often piled very high with spoil. Final shot before painting; I'll blacken them with Birchwood Casey Super Blue, to prevent silvering, before priming. The list of references on part 1 of this build has recently been updated for those interested. Paul.

Nick, you're a brave man to take that on! Good luck! Paul.

Thanks for the comments and 'likes' 43 - its one of A1s earlier kits. Julia - the roof beacon has a loose wire, and the site's sparky is on a tea break... I know that you'd do clever things with LEDs and DCC but I'm happy to leave it as is. It will be weathered one day, when I've plucked up sufficient courage. If I was painting it now I'd probably have a go at pre-shading, possibly using a mid brown rather than the usual black under the yellow. But for now I'll just enjoy the ex-works finish. Paul.

A quick update on this project. This loco has been sitting forgotten whilst I've been working on the Rustons, but I dug it out yesterday to do a bit more work on it whilst one of the Rustons was being run in on the rolling road. All I did was to paint the exhaust, paint and fit the buffers and pick out the window frames in Tamiya flat aluminium; The roof beacon isn't glued on yet, I haven't decided whether to fix it in place before or after weathering. Paul.

Perhaps the missing something in the market square is people? There's always someone going about their business, or just loitering, in the centre of town. Paul.