Scottish Modeller

Hi Paul, A few bits of info I already am aware of. Penicuik Cooperative Association archive. https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/c/F182811 Wagon builders archives... Hurst Nelson archive is now with a museum in Glasgow but not currently available. Extract from it though. is available online. https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/search/archives/b299abfc-598d-3be8-92df-c6fc8ff0dc9e The nearest Hurt Nelson 4 plank that I found is shown here: https://colonelstephenssociety.co.uk/light railway modelling/light railway modelling rvr.html I've used the Cambrian Hurst Nelson 5 plank kit as a basis for the 2 models of this wagon that I built. This was as a result of the research I did which indicated that it was the most common wagon type sold to private owners including several Co-op's. I chose to make it a grey wagon with white lettering and black iron work. No one queried whether or not I had the right wagon! Thanks Phil H

Hi there, I'm sure there was a description of this (or similar) for this owner in the archive files from The Antiquarian Society. These used to be kept by Midlothian Libraries in the local history section, but could not find them the last time I searched. I will try again, but not sure when due to the current virus situation. Possibly they have gone to National Libraries of Scotland in the last 3 years along with a lot of other local history stuff. Thanks Phil H

Hi Ian, You are not alone in this task! I have also been in much the same situation with both N and OO stock requirements in the 80's. The best way is to model the trains that you find photos of - then no one can argue about your train formations. In the days of Fotopic I scoured every collection and saved any photos that I thought were relevant, I still do this on FlickR and Smugmug. Of the magazines - there are several issues that I considered as 'must have' material to work from, but these days, most of the material is available online to view, if not download. As for books - thare are so many that have photos that are of use, but buying a book because it has a small selection of photos that you want is expensive! What do I have that I am happy with? Mk1 - B/G, Scotrail, I/C, Regional and current stock that I think are representative and can be split/mixed to make the seasonal changes. Mk2 - B/G, Scotrail, I/C, Regional and current stock that I am working on at present as I am still not happy with what I have. Mk3 - B/G, Scotrail, I/C, Regional and current stock that I think are representative and can be split/mixed to make the seasonal changes. What I have found is that the more info I find, the more info I need/want! Looking at the Mk1 stock, I think you are near, SK and SO stock are hard to tell the difference between. I have BCK's already but need some more BSK/BSO to balance things up. As you say - this could do with a whole thread of it's own.... Thanks Phil H

Hi Stu, As per the photo - the answer is yes. However, they are to 1:72 scale so look large if alongside proper 4mm ones. Thanks Phil H

Hi Chris, I've used Hunbrol 25 - Matt Blue in the past. However, if comparing it to the Hornby PLA Blue then either the Hoirny colour is too dark or the Humbrol 25 is too light. Thanks Phil H

Hi Marlyn, Uhm - That's not Rannoch from Mark of Scottish Modellers! Phil H

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Hi all, Rannoch also featured one of my creations as a guest item. I didn't get any photos of it on the layout and hope that someone did. Apparently it was the subject of a lot of peoples queries including Mr Corgi! As a result of the query I was asked to let them have a closer look and I obliged them. Thanks Phil H

Hi there, No sign of anything from Modelmaster at all. Didn't even see Jim at the show (so far) but, with another day to go though, who knows! Thanks Phil H

Hi all, I still use the one I bought in 1979 and it gives great results. It's a bit like an old steam engine though! Everything that can be replaced through wear over time has been - some bits several times! Spares are still available and not too expensive either. Thanks Phil H

Hi all, Not all cutting mats are equal! It's a case of the cheaper they are the, less likely they are to stand up to extensive use for cutting on. The ones from The Works are a case in point - the quality varies with the size. The larger A0 green ones are different and do not stand as much use before the surface holds the cut marks. The smaller A4 and A5 blue ones stand up to the cuts a lot better. Thanks Phil H

Hi all, Red 'Scottish' ballast is available to buy from several of the usual scenic product makes. I'm lucky in that all I need to do is walk out the door, down the road for a few hundred yards and can pick up some good size chunks to smash up. Thanks Phil H

Hi Martyn, No need to buy a long folding bar or vice..... For long folds/bends I use 2 long steel rules - 18" ones If they have holes at one end - fasten them together with a nut and bolt. At the other end drill both rules and do the same. Clam the metal to be bent between the steel rules and then clamp in a vice at the centre. This will make straight folds simple to do. For rounded bends I clamp the thing in the vice and then clamp a length of hardened steel on the inside of where you want the bend. It's easier to do than write! Thanks Phil H

Hi andy, I'll be another buyer! Shame that it won't be generally available in time for Modelrail Scotland in February. Thanks Phil H

Hi there, I do not remember seeing a B/G DBSO with a full rake of Scotrail coaches, That does not mean it didn't happen! Take a look at the various repaint dates and the periods do overlap though. I remember seeing them with the odd Scotrail liveried Mk 3. I also remember seeing the DBSO in the Scotrail livery with B/G mk3 coaches. A case of keep searching the photos via Google and see if any turn up that you are looking for. Thanks Phil H

Hi all, As promised to Grahame.... Photos of Marlin HO model. Hopefully they help with the underframe details. Phil H

Hi Grahame, I'll take photos shortly and post them later. Thanks Phil H

Hi all, Nearly missed an update on this one! Stripped bodyshells..... Photos to appear shortly - need to see why OneDrive isn't connecting first. Thanks Phil H

Hi David, From memory and discussions elsewhere... Fuel Oil for commercial use and Bitumen for council coating plant. Thanks Phil H

Hi all, Started working on the CL73/9 yesterday..... Forgive the slightly out of focus effect - very difficult trying to take phots of a translucent bodyshel! It's currently drying out after a coat or two of primer. Photos of that to follow tomorrow. Thanks Phil H

Hi Phil, Yes, the roof area modifications are different for the CS locos. It's more than just the cut outs behind the cab, the sizes of the other cutouts are different. Anyway - now started the modelling. Farish coaches stripped and getting the overlays done over the next couple of days. The Shapeways 73/9 will get a coat of primer as well. Thanks Phil H ps - will try and remember some photos as I do the modelling.

Hi Phil, Great to have more photos - always useful. The Shapeways print has arrived - so that's another bit of the puzzle in place. Not sure about it though as the front does not appear to be correct/ Photo to follow later - once the daylight has appeared and the camera battery has charged. Thanks Phil H

Hi Keefer, Thanks for the info - much appreciated. Looking at my notes I must never have seen this coach in service! Off to find another donor FO coach to go into Caledonian Sleeper livery. Phil H