Wayne 37901

Seconded!! Some very nice atmospheric photos there indeed!

Hi Andy, Nothing new to report as of yet. As I said in my OP this is going to be a slow project which I'll work on in between other things. I have been tinkering with some stock though and I'll report on that soon. Thanks for your interest. Cheers

Likewise, nice to see you sir. Modelling time has been limited lately as I've had a couple of things going on, but I have been working on things to try and take my mind off them and relax so here's a quick non visual update on where I'm at with the BDAs. All 4 wagons are now painted and currently awaiting lettering, I've also finally found a method which has turned out better than any of my others for doing the wooden floors. It might needs some tweaking but the basis is there. I've also been making up Billet loads, mostly following Arthur's method for the ones made for use on BCB. I will post some pictures when I get chance. We dont have a computer at home so it has to be done at the library and computer sessions are timed (plus the computers are quite slow!) so I'll have to see if I can book one. More soon

Nice job on 47371 there Lee. Care to share how your techniques for getting the blue paint to show through? I've tried in the past and my efforts didn't come out how I wanted. Cheers

Indeed, thank you Brian. Marc - I'm trying, I want it finished as the next project awaits. Doesn't help when modelling time is restricted to when the other half is rostered for an evening shift as I currently have no workbench at home, all modelling being carried out at my folks place.

Marc, Looking good, it seems to be progressing well and at a steady pace. I like the look of the concrete sleepered track along the front, it makes it clear that it's the mainline. Look forward to seeing more. Cheers

Thanks Lee, I'm pretty tidy by nature but the state of my workbench wasn't helped when my brother decided to try and hijack it to work on his Warhammer stuff a few years ago! A new workbench is needed for sure, although I've told the other half we can also use it for paperwork and stuff. My main motive is obviously modelling as it'll save me going to my parents where my current works resides. Cheers

Good evening Brian R, The second wagon in your first post shows best the look I'm trying to achieve and it also shows nicely the rusty colour of the stanctions. The shot given me an idea for another method of painting to try. I have another BDA that isn't yet painted acting as an experimental wagon before I tackle the floors on the painted ones. I'll post up a picture of it during the week. Cheers

Hi Brian W, Yes fully aware of the true age, I was assuming that when converted to BDAs they might have had new floors fitted. Regarding the BFAs, I do have plans to include at least one by way of a possible additional billet service from Scunthorpe with one or two SDAs. As you rightly say, the reason behind the raised bolsters was to make use of the wagons cappacity in addition to better weight distribution. This is also why they replaced standard BDAs on Llanwern slab traffic.

Hi Lee, Only just found this and there's some excellent projects here. Quick question though, with all those locos and other projects how do you keep your workbench so clean? Mine is covered in glue, paint, cuts and knife scratches etc. I'm looking to replace it soon. Cheers

Just a quick update. The BDAs are now all painted and awaiting lettering and I'm now trying to get a worn weathered look on the wagon floors. Even in the early 90s these wagons were over 20 years old and the costant loading of steel took it's toll on the wooden floors. I've been experimenting with different paint mixes and techniques but haven't yet found a look that I think looks right. I'll post a picture when they're complete.

Seconding others comments regarding the link posted by ailg8048. Some lovely photos there, thinking of potential layout schemes but have enough projects as it is. Maybe one day those old Airfix 16t minerals will find a use after all.

Thanks for posting those up Brian, they'll be most useful. The pictures I've been looking at show billets running the length of the wagon so I'm basing mine on those. Some wagons are also loaded with rusty looking billets as well as the blue/grey looking ones. Thanks for the info re the short billets. Maybe I could justify an SDA arriving with some billet from Rotherham. Cheers. PS: Hope you had a nice evening.

Thank you Brian. Dare I say it, but I think I might be right about the gas cutting as the ends of those look too 'clean' to have been cropped by shears in my opinion? Also gives a nice view of the colour which might be tricky to replicate, although having seen Arthur's billets over on the Black Country Blues thread I think he's captured the look quite well. I was wondering if those short billets ever leave by rail? Was thinking I could load some into SPAs for a bit of variety, I'm sure I've seen pics of SPAs carrying short billet somewhere. Being able to justify an SDA would be nice as well, although I'd rather not use the old modellers licence too much as these were only used on billet traffic to Rotherham. I've now finished painting the first BDA and it's now awaiting lettering and weathering and of course a load of billets. More soon.

Some nice progress being made there Marc. I like your idea with the sector plate set in the foam board, what's your plan for providing power to the track on it and how have you provided a pivot for it on the foam board? Cheers

Thanks Arthur, The BDAs are now in the process of being painted. Apart from that I've been doing some research on the next loco I'm going to to model which will be allocated to the metals sector but in a different livery to add a bit of variety from all the blue chevrons, but more on that soon. Cheers

Hi Arthur, Thanks for posting that up, you've captured the look of steel billets very well. I've been following some of the BCB stuff and was very impressed with the whole project. I think I'll follow your method of making the loads hollow to save material. I see what you mean about the cropped ends, you can just imagine the shears in action cutting the billets. I imagine it was quite noisy, although I did read from the Celsa website that they use gas torches for billet cutting. Maybe noise is the reason for that?

Good morning, Just thought I'd give a quick update as attention has now turned to stock building. One of the main traffic flows into Dragon Steels will be billets for rolling so a start has been made on some BDAs for this. These use the Cambrian kit as a basis. I know Bachmann make an excellent BDA but I already had the kits and couldn't justify amy spare cash to purchase 3 or 4 Bachmann wagons at around £22 each. (modelling on a budget an all) For the billets themselves I'm thinking of using Plastruct/Evergreen square section cut to length, although as real billets are cut to length using gas torches getting mine to look right might prove tricky. More soon

Hi Mark, Have just found this, is there any further progress? Look forward to seeing more (if any).

Seconded! Thanks for posting those up Eggesford. Shame about that BBA in the loop, must have been 'fun' recovering that with a load of coil on board. Can't be any help ID'ing the loco either as most of CF's metals 37/7s carried no names or the last three digits on the nose. Cheers

Hi Eggesford, Some nice pics there, nice to see some Heavyweight 37 action. To help with the numbers, the leading loco in your first pic is 37905. If I'm correct, the loco in your second pic is 37903.

Ihecoming on nicely Paul. Totally agree about the foam board, it was your brother who first put me on to it and I have to say it's a great material to work with and it speeded up construction of the buildings for Dragon Steels no end. I need to update the thread with some pics when I can, yesterday saw a break from modelling to go out and phot the Northern Belle. Cheers

Hi Paul, Was nice to catch up yesterday. Parcels Point is looking good, totally different compared to Castle Works. The structures you have built are quite impressive, will look forward to seeing more as it progresses. Thanks for the tip about brambles, going to give it a go this week. Cheers

Nice looking layout Alex, some nice stock too. Saw a shot of the 09 and brake van in the current Rail Express. Look forward to seeing more.

Marc, Looking good, this is going to be a cracking little project. I second what Mason says, you always manage to make an interesting plan and layout fit a small area. Look forward to following this one. Cheers,