Wayne 37901

Whilst 24s and 25s are outside my time frame, I have seen Bachmann ones corrected by others with modelling! Sounds like progress is being made nicely Marc.

Was good to see these in the flesh at the show Baz. I need to do some Blackadders to keep my SSAs company. Nice work.

Nice job Baz, I'm doing some 'Gunshot' BAAs with Colin's cradles for Dragon Steels. Look forward to seeing it finished.

Thanks for the kind comments gents. Baz - Yes I may be in touch about the Blackadders at some point. Tony - Thanks, I'll try and visit the Ponty show but it will depend on work as I'm not sure where I am that far ahead yet. Marc - Thank you sir, coming from you that means a lot. I know you've been waiting to see the layout for some time and I do hope you weren't disappointed? It's been a long long road to this first show as the first timber was cut around 2009. It's taken me so long partly because I kept changing the track layout so much until I decided I was happy with it, then I decided to narrow the layout so it would fit in my car and also through the loft hatch and amongst other things the time has flown. This plus a point where a break was taken while dad was quite unwell. During this time, people have planned and built several layouts, in particular Marc and paul. Previous occasions on taking a layout out have been with a club or group so to exhibit something myself has been a good experience and I'm proud of myself for having done it. Would I do it again?... Well yes but I think I'd like to keep to local events maybe once or twice a year. I now have a post show snagging list to keep me busy for a bit, once that has been ticked off then I'll think about the next one which is still in planning at the moment. Anyway sorry for rambling on. Cheers,

37025 earlier today on it's first outing undertaking driver training runs for Colas. Cheers

Hi, A few pics of the layout at it's first show have been sent to me from a friend. 08664 kicks around an empty BDA 08664 from inside the coil warehouse 37904 awaits the off with the last train of the day formed of empty POA 'Blackadders' and VBA vans. Cheers

Well that's it, Dragon Steels has been seen in the public eye for the first time. I hope those that saw the layout at the small layout show in Cardiff yesterday enjoyed it, even though it does need more detail adding. The layout ran reasonably well although there are a few things on the snagging list that need looking at. I did have a few problems with Kadee couplings and I really must upgrade the pick ups on the resident pilot as the running did start getting a bit erratic near the end of the day. I didn't get chance to take any pictures but hopefully some will appear in the show thread. It was great to meet some new fellow members from here, in particular Baz of Shepcoat lane who's excellent layout I was next to, was nice to see the working tippler in acation. And also nice to meet Rivercider as well who made the trip up from Weston for the show. I must also thank the Rolley brothers and Peter Lord of Lord and Butler for inviting this ramshackle layout to this little show. Sorry about the black paint chaps! thanks all and here's to the next one!

Hi Marc, And the same to you and yours sir. I know what you mean about scribbling plans out on paper, I'm slowly building up a sketch book of possible ideas for layouts. After Dragon Steels will come the scottish layout, then I'll decide what to do next. Cheers

Very interesting Paul, I don't suppose you took any pictures of the wagons? Cheers

Hi Marc, Nice to see some progress just the kind of planning I like as I've never been keen on using planning software. I find with that you don't get that 'feel' of how things will look. When you get round to doing scenic work don't forget I still have your static grass tool, so when you need just give me a shout. Cheers,

Hi class 66, No problem, happy to help. If you friend decides he'd like it to be as accurate as possible then the extra bars are easy to add from microstrip.

Hi Hampshire Hog, The roof of dutch liveried locos should be Executive Dark Grey and not Railfreight grey which is the bodyside colour, this is why it still looks light to you. Although as you say if you're going to weather it that might help. HTH Cheers,

Bear in mind that 37080 was an RSH built loco so will need the extra bars on the cantrail grilles. Of course it depends on how accurate your friend wants to be. Cheers,

Hi James, Nice job on those two, the weathering looks typical of the HAAs before replacement by HTAs. One little thing though and sorry if it sounds a little too picky, but your coal looks a little too lumpy for power station coal which is usually finer in appearance. When I did my rake I tried to ground the coal down as much as I could and use mostly the dust. Cheers,

Afternoon, Just wanted to wish all my followers and visitors a Happy Christmas. I hope you all enjoy the festivities and have a good time. All the best and happy modelling.

Hi Andrew, Could this be one of the Denby coal trains? I can just see a CAR brake van at the head there. Cheers,

What a lovely looking pair.

Got me by surprise this one. 37175 returns to Canton whilst on a driver training run earlier this year. This was prior to Colas taking over the contract to supply traction for Network Rail.

Nothing posted in here for a while so I've been going through my few grid photos. This would make an interesting weathering job for someone. Ex Fertis 56103 stabled at Cardiff Riverside having worked a scrap train to Tidal Yard.

Yes indeed, some works reduced the top of the wagon and others carried out the work from below leaving the original MEA top. I have photos of two mainline wagons converted from below and the former coal sector MEA (now MFA) has been converted from above, hence the reason it retains it's coal sector logo. They're certainly interesting beasties. Look forward to more.

I've been looking through my photos at chalked examples and came across this one marked up as having carried bogies?... Interesting.

Nice job on these James, Although too modern for me, I'm quite taken with these wagons after my recent photting session at a local possession. I even managed to catch some in the process of unloading by a road rail excavator. The variety in these wagons is excellent, just like the good old days with rakes Grampus etc. I the favourites out of my pics would be the MFA and ex MAA still in coal sector livery (although heavily weathered of course) as these weren't painted in EWS colours. Cheers

Removal of logos on the 56 now complete without any major disasters, just waiting on transfers to arrive then I can get this one lettered up. In my opinion Hornby have done quite a good job with the triple grey livery, so from the outset I decided not to completely repaint this one, It's intended to be a 'quick and dirty'. Back to my favourite subject of wagons now!

Indeed a great shame. I started to get the feeling there wouldn't be one when on my last couple of trips to Smiths I came back empty handed, despite the other rags having already got their yearbooks on the shelves. As a subscriber though I'll look forward to the next issue and indeed to the next special. Cheers,

Hi Marc, Good to see that you're back modelling. I'm sure this project will have as much character as your others. What happened with the coal themed project, I believe you started laying track? I'm currently busy working on stock. Having a show deadline really does give you a kick up the bum! All the best buddy,