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toboldlygo

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Blog Entries posted by toboldlygo

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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.
  7. 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....
  8. 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....
  9. 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.
  10. 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
  11. 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
     

  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. toboldlygo

    Introducing a Lord...

    By toboldlygo,

    ...30850 Lord Nelson that is
     
    Due to the weather I was unable to photograph her outside (did it in the conservatory instead), but here she is in slightly workstained condition, with a tender overflowing with coal and a little bit of limescale and oil thrown in.
     

     
    That's all for now...
  15. 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.
  16. 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..
  17. 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...
     

  18. 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 )
     

  19. 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...
  20. toboldlygo

    T9's an update

    By toboldlygo,

    Well another week or so down the road in 2010 and my current spate of T9's are nearly all complete. 30718 and 30288 are finished, just 30726 remains on the workbench, just needing a few final tweaks to her weathering. I have got to photograph 30288 in natural light as I ran out of time yesterday. Here's the finished 30718
     

     
    On the Bulleid front the 'Bionic One' 34014 is ready for the paintshop now and some serious weathering
  21. toboldlygo
    Well after a brief check I have realised that my fleet of T9's is growing at an alarming rate, I'll be be turning into a T9-nutter before long....
     
    My roster of T9's is as follows:
     
    30120 a TMC renumbered edition, recrested by me to represent 30120 in it's twilight years in BR service, rather than preserved. Real coal in tender (R2712 was the donor loco).
     
    30288 on the workbench currently awaiting transfers, lightly weathered and awaiting coal (R2830 is the donor loco).
     
    30310 as acquired, except for real coal in tender
     
    30338 renumbered and recrested by me, light weathering and real coal in tender (R2713 is donor loco).
     
    30717 renumbered and recrested, medium to heavy weathering and real coal in tender (R2712 is donor loco).
     
    30718 renumbered and recrested, medium weathering, currently in paintshop, will need coaling to complete (R2712 is donor loco).
     
    30726 6 wheel tender frames swapped round and currently having it's factory weathering tweaked.
     
    30228, 718 & 726 have also had their front NEM coupling pockets removed.
     

  22. toboldlygo
    Without realising it, I have gone a bit mad on T9's... some how I now have 7 of them:
     
    30120 renumbered from a donor 30724 by TMC, I've recrested to it's final BR Late crest livery (TMC had it as preserved in BR Lined Black Early Crest), real coal in tender.
     
    30288 being renumbered from 30285 on an early crest, currently being lightly weathered, front coupling pocket removed, still on workbench.
     
    30310 as bought, except for real coal in tender.
     
    30338 renumbered from a donor 30310, late crest, lightly weathered, real coal in tender.
     
    30717 renumbered from a donor 30724, early crest, heavy weathered, real coal in tender.
     
    30718 renumbered from a donor 30724, late crest, medium weathered, front coupling pocket removed, still on workbench, requires weathering tweaks, varnish and coal to complete.
     
    30726 tender frames corrected, currently in bits having it's factory weathering tweaked, I've also removed the front coupling pocket.
     
    The R27xx versions (30310 & 30724) have all had mods mentioned in earlier posts to vastly improve their running capablities. The R28xx versions didn't need anything doing on the loco's, but the tenders have required a little tweaking (frames on the 6 wheel and clearing the axle holes on the watercart for more play).
     
    Other news...
     
    I have acquired enough track to complete the BBL, now just got to build it!!! It's celebrity flexi-track by the way, it featured in James May's Toy Stories!!! Finally on the Bulleid front all the bits are now here to complete 34014 Budleigh Salterton...
  23. toboldlygo

    Surely not a GWR Loco?

    By toboldlygo,

    I'm afraid it is. A very nice one at that, NRM's City of Truro to be precise and no I'm not going to weather it!!! First impressions are that she certainly has as presence about her and looks stunning in her GWR livery. A bit surprising to see that she's not fitted with sprung buffers and a slightly naff looking coal load, but it doesn't detract from a superb model.
     

     
    Still got to add the details to her and give her a good run in, she'll keep me amused until the other-half finally gets here from Leeds and then I'll be seriously distracted for sometime
  24. toboldlygo
    Finally finished 34028 Eddystone for a client whose exact words were 'just like I remember her in the 60's'
     

     
    Bet you didn't realise that washing machines have a Dirty Cycle
     
    Currently in the paint shop is LN 30865 Sir John Hawkins having a coat or two of varnish applied. Just coaling to do on her and she'll be finished.
     
    On the workbench as I type this is another T9, a non-running 30724 brought off ebay that took less than 15 minutes to fix. Basically the screw that holds the motor assembly was loose!!! Runs beautifully now, had the necessary modifications and has been denumbered, it will become 30718 on a late crest and will of course be subjected to the dirty cycle.
  25. toboldlygo
    Where once there was a sole Lord Nelson, now there are two...
    30865 Sir John Hawkins has joined it's sister LN 30850 Lord Nelson on my workbench.
     
    Currently being prepped for weathering (there's a bit of queue in the paintshop more on that later in the blog). I've drilled out the chimney and fitted most of the details. Here it is straight out of the box:
     

     
    And as promised here's a picture of Lord Nelson taken under natural light:
     

     
    My three kit built pieces of rolling stock are in the process of being weathered now that the numbers are on they will be filthy weathered. I've also got another commission Bulleid in the process of being filthy weathered, shouldn't be too difficult as it was weathered in the first place!!!
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