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toboldlygo

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Blog Entries posted by toboldlygo

  1. toboldlygo
    Time for my June update, first up 34065 Hurricane has left the nest and is with a happy (repeat) customer. Here's one last look at her:
     

     
    To answer Glenn's comment as to what do I use to seal the acrylics? That's relatively straight forward Vallejo Acrylic Matt Varnish Aerosol, I swear by it, doesn't seem to react to climate either and it seems to last for ages, so it's good value per can (in my opinion).
     
    Another Bulleid Light Pacific is complete and about to be listed on a certain auction site West Country Class34035 Shaftesbury, this was a rework of it's earlier appearance on RMWEB, just dirtied her up a bit
     

     
    On the workbench currently is another N15 'King Arthur' Class 30805 Sir Constantine, after fun and games with donors (the first had to be returned because it was rubbish) I've finally got the loco through the renumbering/recresting and renaming phase. Just waiting 24 hours for the transfers to cure, I know you don't need to, but I find I get better results with the varnish and paint going over the top of them.
     
    That's all for now....
  2. toboldlygo
    It's been a fair while since I last did a Standard Arthur, makes a change from the usual Bulleids etc.
     
    I'd had the donor for sometime, plus I'd also acquired Irwells: The Book of Standard Class 5... While reading the book and comparing it to Bachmann's model of the Standard 5, I noticed there was a few things missing to make it a true Standard Arthur - namely lamp brackets and few minor improvements to make.
     
    After discovering that the smoke box door popped out easily (only lightly glued in fortunately). I removed virtually all the detail from the door, including the part moulded smoke-box dart, the top lamp bracket (way to chunky), the hand rail (which was damaged) and the moulded on shed plate. After a fair amount of fiddling and fettling (not to mention crawling round on the floor once they'd gone ping!!) I had fabricated new lamp brackets for the door (and two for the tender) and then fitted all the new bits to the door, along with the etched number and shed-code plates and ended up with it looking like this:
     

     
    Next up I turned my attention to the rest of the loco, first up I added the additional lamp brackets to the tender and fabricated a fire Iron tunnel for the bunker - as Bachmann have the hole in the tender for it, but have not modeled it. Then I had the fun task of removing the front NEM pocket which is an absolute pain in the backside to do as it requires a near full strip down of the chassis to remove it!!! After this, removing the cabside numbers was simple!!! 73117 Vivien seen here with name plates attached and cab-sides varnished with gloss for numbering.
     

     
    Numbers and water treatment symbols were added, before the whole thing was made ready for the paint shop.
     

     
    Next was a trip to the paint shop, I always start at the bottom of the loco and work my way up so on go the lighter weathering colours first and then the darker. I also run the loco in-between coats to ensure the wheels aren't patchy. Once back from the paint shop I remove the masking from the cab and the front end before getting on with the hand weathering.
     

     
    Once the hand weathering is done, I return the loco to to the paint shop to seal all the weathering in place with a few coats of Matt varnish. After it's dried I added the oil and grease deposits and the final detailing is done:
     

     
    That's another loco done, next up is the final Air Smoothed West Country...
     
    Till next time TBG
  3. toboldlygo

    100 not out....

    By toboldlygo,

    Finally my 100th West Country/Battle of Britain arrives on the workbench
     

     
    A not quite finished 34021 Dartmoor (well the front half) sits next to donor for her yet unnamed and numbered sister loco - 34009 Lyme Regis!
     
    At this point in time I haven't started applying transfers or numbers as other loco's needed to be finished. Dartmoor was finished today and my first B1 61313
    is now close to completion.
     

     

     
    Till next time
     
    TBG
  4. toboldlygo
    It's been a long time since I've written a blog entry, health issues amongst the reasons I haven't posted much - thankfully it looks like I'm on the mend.
     
    A lot of locos have passed across my workbench this year, for those keeping tally:
     
    12 West Country's/Battle of Britain's;
     
    Here's the 12th (number 99) awaiting masking and it's visit to the paint-shop 34021 Dartmoor
     

     
    5 Q1's
     
    2 M7's
     
    2 T9's
     
    2 School's
     
    2 Granges
     
    An A4
     
    1 28xx (though this ones, not finished as it not on the production slate for some time)
     
    1 N15 (That surprised me, I thought I'd done more of them than that)
     
    1 Merchant Navy
     
    And finally a B1;
     
    This is one of 2 Bargain B1's I picked up from Rails, I had to swap smokebox doors to create the correct one - 61313:
     

     
    Since I took this picture, she gained numbers, crests and Shed code plate (41D), though she ended up on Southern Rails for a time
     
    (Tender and Engine are separate at the moment, hence it looks odd in the picture)
     
    There's a whole load more on the slate too:
     
    The 28xx I mention above
     
    8 more WC/BoB's (Number 13 will be started in a week or so all being well, that will be number 100 for those keeping count) - 2 are return to works.
     
    2 N15's (including a mismatch tender )
     
    Another Q1, plus a N class, another B1, a 57xx and a Standard Arthur - haven't done one of them in a long time.
     
    There'll be more I know.
     
    That's all for now
     
    TBG
  6. toboldlygo
    February and March have flown by and there's me too busy to post and update.
     
    Well here goes, my Bulleid plans have been tweaked and several other locos have been slotted into the mix.
     
    T9 30718 was in works and was subsequently completed:
     

     
    These locos have been completed:
     
    Q1 33034, I really love weathering these. This is the 6th Q1 I've renumbered so far, it's also the first loco I've used etched route indicator discs on.
     
    An 'Inworks' picture taken prior to weathering
     

     

     
    M7 30053, 2nd M7 I've done, this one had to be recrested back from a late to an early crest, again I've detailed up the top of the water tank with the fireman's tools (Hornby ones painted )
     

     
    BoB 34084 253 Squadron, 93rd Bulleid light pacific I've done not including repeats . It caused a bit of head during the research during the quest for crests, as it appeared to have run briefly in 1959 with a 4,500gl unmodified tender with a late crest, before having it's 5,500gl one back with it's Early Crest!
     

     
    WC 34108 Wincanton, 94th Bulleid etc. This one caused a bit of confusion as according to Irwell Presses 'The Book of West Country and Battle of Britain Class Pacific's' she was rebuilt with a 4,500gl tender and then had it swapped for a 5,500 gl tender in 1964 end of story you'd think. However when I was looking for photos, she's clearly seen on the end of steam specials in 1967 with a 4,500gl tender again - bangs head against brick wall lol I still modelled with the 5,500gl one as I had photo's of her with it phew
     
    An 'Inworks' picture taken prior to weathering
     

     

     
    There would have been a couple more but things got slowed down by the renovation of my Pond
     

     
    Up next to the workbench is another Q1 33033, then WC 34106 Lydford and MN 35013 Blue Funnel.
     
    That's all for now TBG
  7. toboldlygo
    A brief update first A4 60001 Sir Ronald Matthews is nearly completed, just coaling and oil required, here's a quick snap I took prior to the hand weathering being done and the head lamps being fitted.
     

     
    T9 30718 is progressing smoothly, though she is just a rework thankfully.
     
    On to the subject at hand Bulleid Light Pacific's, I suddenly had a brainwave - I've got a number of perfectly good donors up in the loft doing nothing so why not re-purpose them It's going to be 2009 again for those of you who remember my Bulleid exploits from then So once Q1 33034 and M7 30053 are completed, it's going to be the rest of the year on Bulleids. Here's which ones are going to be coming:

    34084 253 Squadron (605 Squadron as donor - though I'll probably use 222 Squadron's tender top as she'll be modelled as prior to Hither Green 02/1960 and she had a late crest on her tender.
    34096 Trevone (Westward Ho as donor)
    34097 Holsworthy (Yes Tor as donor)
    34108 Wincanton (Sir Trafford Leigh Mallory as donor, tender top will be swapped with Lydford donor's one)
    34106 Lydford (Weymouth as donor, tender swap with above)
    34005 Barnstaple (Plymouth as donor)
    34009 Lyme Regis (Sir Fredrick Pile as donor)
    34032 Camelford (213 Squadron as donor)
    34042 Dorchester (17 Squadron as donor)
    34044 Woolacombe (Ottery St Mary as donor)
    34047 Callington (Sir Keith Park as donor)
    34079 141 Squadron (222 Squadron as donor, spare 4,500gl cut-down tender top will be used and re line cab)

    Should keep me busy
     
    That's all for now TBG
  8. toboldlygo
    A busy month as usual, lots of cursing and swearing with nameplates etc, but I've got there lol!
     
    First up the completed victims - sorry loco's in their various states of dirtiness
     
    First up is Q1 33035 now complete, done and very dirty:
     

     
    Next is a very lightly weathered 34057 Biggin Hill on an Early Crest and unmodified tender:
     

     
    Finally for the completed loco's is Grange Class 6800 Arlington Grange looking remarkably clean compared to her sister loco 6870 Bodicote Grange (see previous blog entry):
     

     
    In the paintshop currently is my first renumbered/named A4 Class - 60001 Sir Ronald Matthews on an Early Crest, single chimney, 52A (Gateshead) shed-code. I've fitted her with a decoder and yes she's going to be very dirty! Here's a quick snap of her in between second and third coats of dirt.....
     

     
    Prepped for a return trip to the paintshop once the A4 is done is T9 Class 30718 and after that will be another Q1 which will be 33034 on an Early Crest.....
     
    That's all for now TBG
  9. toboldlygo
    It's that time of the month for an update and my production line grows even longer. 34031 Torrington returned to the front of the queue and is now awaiting it's final coats of varnish (once the paint-shop warms up!!!) It's a true REBUILT West Country with all the parts from different sources etc.
     

     
    The 5,250gl tender fully lined out on one side
     

     
    Engine and tender coupled up, at this point I hadn't lined up the side of the tender facing the camera or applied the cabside numbers
     
    Grange Class 6870 Bodicote Grange is next in the queue, currently awaiting more weathering.
     

     
    6870 awaiting it's turn in the paint-shop
     
    Another Q1class is up next this time it's 33035, again on a late totem and yes it will be very dirty!!! This one's already to roll into the paint-shop once the first two are done.
     
    Following on from them will be another Grange Class and another Battle Of Bitain Class. The loco's and plates are here so they maybe started sooner rather than later. Their identities are 6800 Arlington Grange and 34057 Biggin Hill (a repeat I know, but this one will differ from the previous one I've done )
     
    That's all for now
     
    TBG
  10. toboldlygo
    Ok it's November and I've been busy with loco's amongst other things lol!
     
    I've been adding pictures to my galleries as each loco's been done, but I thought I'd share a few different shots with you as a little treat
     
    First up is West Country Class 34019 Bideford:
     

     
    Then it's the turn of N15 30770 Sir Prianius (note the fireman's tools on the tender):
     

     
    Up next is a diversion in Malachite Green (under all that dirt) in the form of West Country Class 34048 Crediton (yes I've done her in rebuilt form too) :
     

     
    Finally another Bullied, yet again very dirty Q1 33036 (means I've now done the last 5 members of the class):
     

     
    I haven't slowed up either, I've got 2 more locos on the workbench or in the paint-shop, these are Rebuilt West Country Class 34095 Brentor (another one I can scratch off the to do list) and T9 30337. These will be finished in the next week or so (hopefully).
     
    Then I'll be starting another N15 - 30797 Sir Blamor de Ganis and once all the bits arrive I've got another Rebuilt West Country to build literally. Take the salvaged tender and loco chassis from the defunct 34100 Appledore (which nosedived off my paint table 18 months ago), add a new rebuilt WC/BB body and another Wrenn 5,250gl tender top acquired off ebay and I'll have another bionic Bullied, in this case 34031 Torrington!!!
     
    That's all for now
     
    TBG
  11. toboldlygo
    ... mad that is
     
    My workbench has been a flurry of activity, lots of locos have passed over it in the last month.
     
    First up here's another shot of Schools 30920 Rugby, basking in the sun:
     

     
    Then there's T9 30117:
     

     
    Next a reworked WC 34023 Blackmore Vale, complete with 71A (Eastleigh) shedcode, grime and coal:
     

     
    And finally my first tank engine renumbering M7 30049:
     

     
    All of which will be finding themselves on a certain auction site over the coming months
     
    But, I'm not finished there, there's another Bullied on my workbench. Another 'Wilton' donor which is currently stripped of all it's identity and waiting it's new one - 34019 Bideford (I've already got a Bideford, however not renumbered by my hands ), it had a mechanical gremlin which I've sorted out, now just got to retest and then I can get on with the renumbering etc.
     
    And before I forget LMS Twin 10000's derailing issue was sorted, purely by dismantling the bogies and opening up the holes where the wheels go into the frames
     
    That's all for now TBG
  12. toboldlygo
    .... Figuratively speaking of course !
     
    West Country 34103 Calstock was completed last week and is ready to go (whenever that will be ) Here's a couple of shots of her.
     

     

     
    Waiting to go back into the Paint-shop for it's final sealing coat of varnish, is a very decrepit looking T9 30117 , I had a lot of fun with this one, the weathering is a little bit of a departure from the norm for me
     
    Also about to go into the Paint-shop for a liberal dose of dirt and grime is Schools Class 30920 Rugby, not sure how much dirt to do on this one ! It's actually my first BR Green renaming for a Schools (the rest have been Lined Black), so I'm pretty pleased with how it went.
     
    Not bad for me, all things considered, till the next time TBG
  13. toboldlygo
    An update of sorts, it's been a month of hell for me, so I'll be brief.
     
    First up N15 30805 Sir Constantine has left the nest, here's another shot of her (the other picture is in my gallery)
     

     
    West Country 34002 Salisbury was up next, now complete and in storage till I resume sales in late September. Another picture of her is in the gallery.
     

     
    Currently in the paintshop awaiting weathering is West Country 34103 Calshot and on the workbench is a narrow cab T9, destined to become 30117. That's all for now.
  14. toboldlygo
    It's been a while since I've updated my blog. Not a lot has been happening apart from commission work namely 4 of my Bulleid fleet have gone North to there new home (Eddystone, 249 Squadron, 603 Squadron and Saunton) in various states of dirtiness
     
    Below is a picture of 603 in works minus tender and lurking behind is Bionic Bulleid 3 (more on that later):
     

     
    My current spate of T9's is complete with both 30288 & a reworked 30726 Here's a quick snap I took of the finished 228 in the fresh air:
     

     
    Bionic Bulleid 3 alias 34014 Budleigh Salterton is finally finished, looking more heading for the scrapyard condition here!
     

     

     
    With this one out of the way it allows me to get on with some more commissions - couple more really dirty Bulleids (Exeter & Anti-Aircraft Command) and a 5,250 gl Tender destined for Mr Bluebell Railways - Sir Archibald Sinclair.
     
    All the mods I've done on previous 5,250gl tenders have been done on this one, as well as being equipped with twin ladders It is currently in the paintshop in between coats of Brunswick (should progress over the Easter weekend)
     
    I have a couple more personal projects which are waiting to get underway, firstly is 34050 Anti-Aircraft Command in malachite green and secondly another 5,250 gl tender destined for I'm not sure yet either 34031 Torrington or one of the Rebuilt Merchant Navies...
  15. toboldlygo
    Well she's had an adventure or two, been from one end of the country to the other and three different owners. Now she's back home where she belongs, I'm talking about one of Bulleids of course, one that was a reluctant sale to a certain dodgey car dealer - 34093 Saunton.
     
    Missing a step was the only sign of her epic journeys, that fortunately was in the parts bag so was quickly re-attached and the correct shedcode fitted (71A Eastleigh). A quick dust and she had her picture taken in the afternoon sun.
     

     
    Also finally finished is my A4 60031 Golden Plover, not clean, but not filthy either Though for running she'll have the pipes removed.
     

     
    Currently in the paintshop is 34060 25 Squadron and finished and looking for a new home is 34055 Fighter Pilot
     

     
    That's all for now....
  16. toboldlygo
    Back from my hols and back to trains. Finally completed is Urie (5,000gl) Tendered N15 30803 Sir Harry le Fise Lake - extremely dirty now and runs ever so sweetly
     

     
    Here's Sir Harry with the 3,500gl tender so you can see the difference, this ones up for rehoming

     
    Presently on my workbench is a Hornby 08 Shunter, that's a bit of a squealer, on investigation there's no lubrication present, so it's been lubricated up.
     
    Up next is another West Country, in this case (Air Smoothed Casing) 34038 Lynton, which is going to be dirtied up good and proper.
  17. toboldlygo

    Hartland

    By toboldlygo,

    Another completed renaming/weathering project rolls off the TBG workbench, in this case Modified (rebuilt) West Country Class 34101 Hartland
     

     
    (Another shot will be appearing in my gallery shortly)
     
    Other news, is I've given up waiting for the transfers from Modelmaster and finish my renaming/renumbering of a Lord Nelson. Also my rebodied tender for a MN is well underway, I should have the lining and crests on the tender tomorrow
     
    That's all for now
  18. toboldlygo
    OK time to take the wraps off a wee project I've been concocting for a while. Well I've had the plates for about 2 months, I've now managed to get the donor .
     
    A few hours work produced this Clan/6MT 72014 Firebrand. The etched plates are from Jackson Evans and it's carrying a 72B Sailsbury Shedplate. A work of pure fiction I know, as the Southern Region Batch of Clans was never built.
     
    There's work to be done as I still have to varnish and coal, but no weathering I'll be leaving her in pristine conditon.
     

     

     
    Is it too late to enter it the Clan from Brit competition
     
    Update 25/09/2010
     
    Here's a photo of the finish loco taken this afternoon, the other will be found in my gallery section
     

  19. toboldlygo
    Due to the rate of progress and an interesting turn of events, I thought it wise to make an additional update.
     
    My completed commissions are winging their way north as I type and work has commenced on the next batch. The first of which is Original West Country 34020 Seaton with two more to follow - it's going to be a busy month. I've made good progress so far, so I should hopefully have her done by Tuesday.
     
    My own Q1 33040 is finished and I've finally got round to fitting the etched plates to 30850 Lord Nelson, a bit of pig to do as the original Bachy ones are a tad to large and have to be cropped back to suit the Fox ones. I pleased with the end result. Photo's of both are in my gallery album. I've still got the etched plates to fit to 30865 Sir John Hawkins that'll be fun - not!
     
    Aside from my Schools and Lord Nelson which are both awaitng their cabside numbers. I have two new rename and renumberings to do. First up is another Rebuilt West Country - 34101 Hartland and the second is something a wee bit special (that's a hint). I've had the nameplates for a while and I've just been waiting on a suitable donor, which I won on eBay tonight
     
    I'm not going to say anymore on that one, till it's finished
     
    That's all for now
  20. toboldlygo

    September Update...

    By toboldlygo,

    Layout
     
    All bar one of the points have power now. The last set is giving me some problems as the point motor is only firing in one direction.. grr
     
    I had to re-lay a section of track as it was causing one of the twins to derail. Now just need to order a lot of ballast!!
     
    Commissions
     
    The next two are done for my client, just 8 more to go (plus others no doubt) They are Original Battle of Britain 34064 Fighter Command heavy weathered in pre-April 1962 conditon only slight deviation is that my client has requested Late Crests on every Bulleid I do for him (regardless of whether it actually received it on a unmodified tender) and Rebuilt Merchant Navy 35015 Rotterdam Lloyd also heavy weathered.
     

     

     
    My Loco Roster
     
    There have been a few new acquistions, most notably King Arthur 30452 Sir Meliagrance and Original BOB 34090 Sir Eustace Missenden
     
    Several of my renumberings are on a backburner while I wait for cabside numbers, though I have managed to get on with my Q1 33040 at long last (still waiting on an etch smokebox numberplate - transfer version in place for the moment)
     
    Here's a sneak peak at 33040 still more grot to add
     

     
    That's all for now, another update next month or sooner
  21. toboldlygo
    ... well almost. Wiring, scenics still to do - hell I've still got to finish the main layout yet. I think I've created a monster, the layout now stands at 26' 6' x 11'! Comprising:
     
    Phase 1 - the original twin loop and sidings and terminus station
     
    Phase 2 - the return loop, underpass and overpass loops, turntable, terminus became through station and station halt at end of the return loop
     
    Phase 3 - was tweaking the original layout from lessons learned on Phase 2, basically repositioning point motors underneath the track (where possible) and changing the entry point to the overpass to give a smoother entry for trains.
     
    Phase 4 - the BBL or Bulleid Branchline, a new loop consisting of radius 4 curves and long radius points, connected to both Phase 1 and Phase 2. Designed and tested with my FIATrains LMS Twins to ensure smooth running and no derailments. It also has a removable section to allow access to the remaining loft space!!
     
    These are composite photo's of the new construction, so they aren't perfectly aligned!
     

     

     

     
    That's all for now, I'll have a loco update late
  22. toboldlygo
    My latest two commissions are with a very satisfied client (he took one of them down the pub to show his mates!!)
     
    Before she departed I took some hi-res pictures of rebuilt Merchant Navy 35030 Elder Dempster Lines.
     

     

     
    Before I start on this months pair (34064 Fighter Command and 35015 Rotterdam Lloyd), I've got Schools 30914 Eastbourne to complete (waiting on shedcode plate (75B Redhill) from Fox Transfers and cabside number transfers from Modelmaster). I've also acquired another Schools which will become 30919 Harrow. That's to add to a Lord Nelson and Q1 both of which are to have new identities (not saying what at the moment )
     
    Plus my client wants me to do 35003 Royal Mail for him with a 5,250 gl tender. I've got the tender top, he's going to source me a donor loco.
     
    This all means I'm pretty busy, but doesn't mean I haven't found time to recommence work on the BBL, it's now grown by another baseboard and track has been laid and yes one of the Twins has been out testing it.. for those who don't know I have both FIA Trains LMS Twins 10000 & 10001.
     
    I've started installing point motors - two today, need to acquire 3 more plus the switches to finish the motorisation of the BBL part of the layout. I'm coming to the complicated part where I need to make removeable section which will enable access to part of the loft.
     
    Also at some point I'm going to have to do a bit of camera trickery and take a panoramic shot of the layout as it stands.
  23. toboldlygo
    Yes I know it's been a long time since I've posted anything on my blog, nearly 3 months in fact.
     
    I've been busy with work, life and my commission work. I've finally got myself a new camera (Canon EOS 1000D to be precise).
     
    So some fun was had this afternoon taking a few pics of my latest commission 34057 Biggin Hill Not as dirty as some I've done in the past, but a pleasant patina of grime, rust/grease/limescale streaks, overflowing coal and ash residue after a clean out of the smokebox (a first for me)
     
     

     

     

     
    Next on the commission front is 35030 Elder Dempster Lines to be weathered in a similar vein.
     
    Also this weekend after nearly a year of inactivity, I framed out another base-board for the BBL (Bulleid-Branchline) though had to stop as it wsa getting way too painful to clamber up and down a ladder (I've got tendinitis at the moment!!)
     
    I've also got a few personal loco projects waiting to start, which are:
     
    Schools 30914 Eastbourne - donor/plates are here, just waiting to start on it.
     
    Lord Nelson (Identity not yet chosen) - donor acquired though.
     
    Q1 33006 as acquired, just to be weathered up some more.
     
    Plus I've got etched plates to fit to my other 2 Lord Nelsons (Lord Nelson and Sir John Hawkins)
     
    Well that's all for now..
  24. toboldlygo
    .... just in a different shade of green!!!
     
    I took advantage of a "Volcano Day" , (well it is dead at the Airport at the moment). I plowed on with the Bullieds. 34049 Anti-Aircraft Command is all bar done for my client and my personal project 34050 Royal Observer Corps - this time in its original form and in Malachite!
     
    She still has a way to go, light weathering varnishing and coaling. Here is a sneak peak...
     

  25. toboldlygo
    While Volcanic ash has stopped air travel and caused mayhem at the airports and the wife to be is busy with business and family issues up North. I've been beavering away with Bulleids as usual
     
    34001 Exeter is on the final stretch and will be finished shortly.
     
    34049 Anti-Aircraft Command is currently being tweaked.
     
    And for a change work has finally commenced on a Malachite Green B of B, using a donor 21C159 (Sir Archie) I'm recreating 34050 Royal Observer Corps in it's original guise (as I've done it in Rebuilt form).
     
    It's currently in bits, with a new smokebox door (courtesy of BB1 spares) The etched smokebox numberplate has been fitted and it has lost it's Sunshine lettering and numbering, ready for renumbering and naming once it's had a bit of spraying done
     
    As I mentioned at the beginning of the post the volcanic ash, here's a photo of Thursday's Sunset taken with my phone (at a certain Airport )
     

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