Downendian

I can personally vouch for Phil’s sheer hard work and determination to get the layout to this stage, all those hours on the driveway board by board have eventually paid off. Phil has got the contours of the landscape spot on with gentle gradients on both the OWW and Norton/Abbotswood junction lines. Photos really don’t do the scale of the layout justice. We had a superb Midlands curry Friday night and many thanks to @Liam ‘s parents for hosting us, which included a few drams and some rather excellent Shropshire blue. A few issues for Phil to sort before its next outing in July but I hope to run some rakes next time including Clayliners, a PW rake and perhaps even a Tytherington-Redditch stone train. I really enjoyed the show and helping Phil and the crew and the Redditch club really put together an excellent show.

Neil 

The Stone branded MSVs are fantastic Andy, scratch built and the weathering is spot on. They also worked from Tytherington quarry in South Glos, and I’ve put together a rake in 4mm. I’ll use your wagons as a weathering guide if I may. 
Neil

1 hour ago, Enterprisingwestern said:

 

Good job on the hoppers Neil, they certainly are a bit of a challenge!

 

Mike.

Indeed they are a challenge Mike- I’ve built 26 of them now and just about got the right technique in this second batch. Easiest the toughest Parkside kit I’ve built, and more work than the Cambrian Herrings which I thought couldn’t be equalled in complexity of build. 
Neil

Indeed Phil, some routine maintenance on the 6M55/52 rake over the next week. Very much looking forward to the Redditch show.

Neil

This months progress. Hugely time consuming task of getting the 21T hopper Tytherington fleet together. All handrails added (the toughest part of these Parkside kits). Decals now beginning to be added and some preliminary weathering, plus liquid lead added to the underside of the hopper, plus instanters. These will be running as a fitted head with a mix of ex LNER 1/100 and BR 1/146 diag in both bauxite and grey livery. Both original and rebodied wagons are to be in the rake. Stone decals applied to the first few- I’ve no way of matching original running numbers as photos just aren’t there- however I’ve done my best to match livery/rebody to prototypical wagons.

A rake of 14 wagons so far aiming for 20 or so plus a pair of brake vans either end.

Neil

Well I’ve not posted for a while but now the garden workshop is complete (lighting rig installed yesterday) and nice and warm (courtesy of a Mr Dyson product- excellent!) I’ve spent more time in my cabin of tranquility.

Four broad projects -

1. MSOs :although out of my 1973/4 time frame I do remember these in the late 1970s (they were 1977 rebodies of clapped out 21T minfits). Four more added to the rake now making a total of 15, probably to be headed by six Accurascale MSVs. A very easy Parkside kit to put together. Awaiting railtec transfers 

2. Four SPVs to add to the Manchester-Bristol 4V20 rake; which will be a motley collection of four wheel parcels vans- hauled by a CD based type 2. My excuse to include 24s which were sporadic visitors to Bristol before their demise from 1975. All midland based according to my RCTS 1976 coaching stock book, transfers will be from Railtec and have already applied some from Fox.

3. HOP21 and HOP21VB

From the venerable but fiddly Parkside versions. Five1/146 and one LNER design 1/100.Two more kits won on eBay last night. I remember these both rebodied and these unmodified versions in stone trains (branded STONE) from Tytherington quarry before the MSVs and PGAs took over the flows. Getting images of these trains has proved challenging, and certainly I won’t be able to get wagon numbers right for these rakes.  They will be a mix of unfitted (both bauxite and grey) and fitted (bauxite) hoppers. I’d converted one Parkside 1/146 to Vac brakes by adding a spare catfish vac cylinder, brake pipes and replaced the bulky end supports with six pieces of microstrip. Handrails to add, and again railtec transfers to be applied followed by copious weathering. A lot of rebodied hoppers appeared in this rake so I’ll be looking to build these in the next few weeks. As always David Larkin books and Paul Bartlett’s zenfolio site have been essential in building these.

i think I’ve eventually got the hang of these hopper kits. The most critical stages are getting the hopper body free of gaps- the end supports need filing to 45 degrees to facilitate this, plus getting the hopper bottom right so it doesn’t snag the wheelsets. EM-gaugers have of course much more room to play with but as I model the narrow gauge clearances are very tight and needs fettling to get the wagon to run sweetly. 

Class 205 3H centre car

glazing units reinstalled yesterday and a test fit of body to chassis this morning, roof re sanded and fits to body OK and ready for the paint shops. I’m pretty certain that all three cars will need their roofs resprayed  to get uniformity in the unit.. Some fettling is needed as the surgery used to create the centre car body has resulted in it being slightly shorter (less than a mm out) but it will fit. I’m awaiting replica seating units and end pipe work then I can put the 3H together finally, and test run . Hopefully I’ll given fuller details when this project is complete.

Finally merry Christmas and happy new year. I hope 2024 will finally get these rakes running and I can focus on getting some diesels detailed to do the new wagon rakes justice.

Neil

On 29/11/2023 at 16:50, bigherb said:

No thanks. That is why I won't buy the Bachmann versions. I can always see the join on the green versions, Not to bad with FYE which masks it, but they are not my era.

You’re absolutely right bigherb, I’ve several Bachmann 40s all green/blue with full yellow ends, and the nose join is barely perceptible. Images of green small panel and no panel 37s show an unsightly nose joint, something I’ve not noticed before.

Neil

1 hour ago, MikeParkin65 said:

All things been equal I prefer the one piece body shell solution even if it does mean some of the rarer variations can't be produced. Keen modellers will find a way to create the one offs, the rest of us will be content with the wide range already available at a reasonable price point :)

Indeed - exactly what I have done see earlier this thread.

If the Heljan peaks had removable noses like the newer Bachmann 37s and 40s, could be an easy job to create 9/44009 post replacement nose.  I have one Heljan peak (D15) haven’t checked but I assume not, otherwise it would have been mentioned previously.

edit: lighting arrangements aside

Neil 

Well I may go for 44010 Tryfan - nice to see the heavy grilles being modelled. I’d also like to see 44009 with its replacement centre headcode box at some point, I’d bet on many 1970s era modellers bucket list to do. I’ve built one, using Pete Harvey etches for the grilles and Bachmann 46 replacement cabs. However, schoolboy error in that I omitted to include the body framing behind the grilles which definitely needs redoing now. Heljan could have saved me that job, but plod on with it eventually I will.

44s were real highlights of the day when you saw them- especially “out in the wild”, my first one was 44005 at Washwood heath on my first trip to York, plus others seen at Burton on Trent, Peterborough and March in the late 70s. Most of course were stabled at Toton over the weekend. Somehow 44001 eluded me though. 
 

Neil 

Mine are strictly Westerns with the occasional class 46 or 47, although pics have emerged of class 45 workings in this period, I’ve got a stash of Dapol 1/032 bodies which are overheight. With suitable cutting down and under sheets they’ll be put on Parkside under frames to add more variety  to the Northbound rake.

Neil 

Update : workshop progress. Awaiting wiring and lighting (early December install), but the first five kits to emerge from my new workshop are underway four Parkside 21T 1977 rebodied minerals and one Parkside SPV to replace the errant Hornby versions.

The 4x3M building currently surrounded by leaves from our large but beautiful acer.

the workbench (ikea) with five wagons undergoing construction

the storage units - liberating valuable space from the layout room - about 8 large plastic boxes worth. I’ll eventually compose an excel spreadsheet so I won’t need to keep opening- again from ikea. I might well order another as now these two are full.

the railway library - in process of moving all my railway related books out here - much easier to find now! About 80% of my collection some still to be moved from various household bookshelves.

it’s lovely in here down the bottom of my garden, full internet coverage, but at the moment work is restricted to daylight hours coupled with a portable heater and my smart speaker.
Neil

15 hours ago, Mallard60022 said:

Apologies...now one more question. Any recommendations for the best Decals for a D63XX renumbering. I may just have to change my D6325 '5' to a new '4', but creating a new Set might be better?

Fox just do generic with no Specific D 63XX. Haven't checked Railtech...yet.

Thanks again all.

P

All my loco renumbering nowadays are from railtec. E.g

https://www.railtec-models.com/showitem.php?id=3186 
for £2 a complete number set, and complete removal of the factory applied number is always done. Applied with decalfix or similar it’s very difficult to see any film, but of course will vanish under a good coat of varnish.

Neil

Not got to the lights yet- bodywork first. I’ve had to fill a few light pips and will need patch painting when I get around to it.I have a spare chassis so may have the necessary LEDs for a headcode illumination but of course will need moving as the boxes are mounted higher.

Neil 

7 hours ago, Pteremy said:

I badgered Kernow for about 18 months to get the head code boxes released as spares so that I could attempt a D6324 conversion. I have still not decided how best to attempt it - the combination of bespoke lighting,  a 4 part door and e.g nose grilles that have not been plated over requires some mix and matching.

The D600 boxes are exactly the same size as those used for the early D6300 conversions.

https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/77703/K2600-84G-D600-Class-41-Warship-Diesel-headcode-box-surround

They’re £9.99 a set. Only issue with them is the headcode numerals need removing with T-cut and patience. They fit perfectly to disc headcode class 22 shells. I used precision labels headcodes. 

Neil

Indeed as Phil has mentioned, my progress on D6324 with the aforementioned D600 headcode boxes obtained from Kernow. We’ve had a few exchanges over the pig-ugly headcode boxes.

project stalled at the moment due to considerable house remodelling - new workshop located into a garden room.

Neil

On 26/10/2023 at 18:49, Peter Kazmierczak said:

It still hurts, after almost 49 years, that one "Thousand" eluded me; 1066 Prefect. It spent a lot of time at Landore and was the first to be fitted with dual brakes I believe.

I feel the same regarding the early casualties - specially as I had started spotting in 1972/3 and lost the numbers before buying my first combine. I’d probably seen most of them plus a few extra Hymeks and maybe even Warships.

My true records began in July 1974 and I copped D1066 at Winterbourne on 25 July, seen her again at Paddington working on 26 October, and then defunct at Swindon works on 26/1/75. I’m grateful for those 1974 memories however, several I saw only a handful of times whilst in service, including D1061, copped a day or two before withdrawal. 
Neil

Three Bachmann mark 1s in SR green for £26, 3/4 of the way there for my class 123. Overlays and repainting anyway so was delighted to pick them up, bargains can still be had.

Neil

I’ve just received this book (volume 5), and spent a good hour perusing it. Fantastic level of detail, and although some of the material is already in David’s previous books, this a hugely useful resource for those modelling the early BR period as much more detail in included. I count myself in that bracket (1970s) and it’s quite remarkable how many ex-big four vehicles lasted until the 70s  and 80s. I just wish it were available before I embarked on building my clayliner and ballast wagon fleet- there are superb photos useful for modelling purposes which I would have shamelessly copied. I’m sure I’ll get round to purchasing all of this series, I already own volume 2.

Neil

I’ve converted my rake of Lima PGAs to run on standard Bachmann/Hornby wagon wheels. After cutting back the inside of the axle boxes with a Xuron and filing flush I used this reamer

https://www.dccconcepts.com/product/bearing-reamers-set-of-two/  
most run extremely well, but a few need converting to brass bearings as the wheels keep falling out. However as Halvarras has said, wheel prices have recently significantly increased. I was lucky to have a large stockpile.

Markits do the Lima wheels as well, but they may be the same ones as Peters Spares.

Lima wagons can be pretty good, the PGAs are a hybrid of two early diagrams and with a clean up and improved running they look good behind a Western -how I remembered them.

Neil

With no railway modelling taking place since August, I have been busy. I’ve built a garden room from a Dunster house kit approx 4M x3M where all my future rolling stock detailing will take place.

it’s been a long gestation- I had to create a recess in a garden wall shifting several tons of soil, new patio, shifting  several tons of MOT 1. Then this, SWA cable laid already inside the cabin from under the patio, fascia boards, rear guttering, flooring, painting and finishing including the all important wiring still to do. Simultaneously a new kitchen diner has appeared, both projects causing considerable household disruption.

A few mistakes in the build (hindsight a wonderful thing) but very pleasing to see this appear at the bottom of our garden. I’ll be able to declutter the model room considerably when the workbench is transferred here.

Neil

Parkside kits now on hold - the venerable 16 tonner is an excellent choice, I’ll certainly be buying a few packs. I hadn’t attacked my kit pile of 1/108s yet, glad I didn’t, fortunately I don’t have that many. Reference to the excellent Larkin books shows the huge variety in this staple of BR rolling stock.

Accurascale still continue to grab the hobby by the scruff of the neck and drag it in the right direction. I’m guessing the 21T hoppers won’t be far along the line either.

Neil

37 minutes ago, Phil Bullock said:

If you look on the Railways in South Wales Facebook group there are a few pictures of them working west of Cardiff …. On workings as As far west as Llandeilo Junction IIRC , STJ jobs

And in the early 1980s (which I missed railway wise as was living in the USA) the 3S15 Bristol-Glasgow parcels was rerouted along the Marches line and was diagrammed for a class 40. There are plenty of photos of this working on Flickr at Bristol Temple Meads.

Yet more fun with the excellent Merlin app. 
Fished all day Monday and identified the usual suspects plus this gem - a Redstart. Since the age of  7-8 when I was  bought my first Observers book of birds I always wanted to see one- never have until today. Merlin identified one calling in an Oak tree directly above me, alas unable to view the bird properly but I did catch a brief glimpse of it flitting between branches. I’ll be on the look out next week for it for sure.

No action for the past few weeks, as my dining room workbench has been suspended! We are having a major house overhaul, walls removed, extended dining room, new kitchen etc etc. A garden room has also been ordered which I’ve been allowed to develop as a workshop, at least part of it. With steels going in under the model room and kango hammers thumping away I’ve kept out of there for the time being. 

However I’ve progressed the 3H centre car, splicing two 2-EPB bodies together which I’m rather pleased with. Most parts for the project can be obtained from Bachmann spares (4-BEP chassis with two couplers, lighting PCB and main PCB, bogies,  and seating) cost a fair bit but so be it. Photos to follow, but house slightly chaotic at the moment.

A second replica Western name/number plate has been bought to keep D1001 Western Pathfinder company. D1012 Western Firebrand, so quite a lot to keep me busy in the next few months. I can thoroughly recommend the laser cut timber tracks nameplates - easy to put together and look the part. Only problem is which loco to choose. 

Neil