Hal Nail

Did you bother with their self adhesive "frame" over the top? I found with both the see through bit of the frame, plus the thick plastic Heljan "glass", the numerals were too faint. Brian Daniels tip is to use Fox transfers numerals on a black background and then photocopy it and trim the paper version to fit in place of the original Heljan.

Brilliant! I particularly like that as I'm tight and can use the same transfers more than once if I mount them on strips and then just line up to scan the required code!

Hi, One of mine is chipped - if anyone has a spare I could buy I would be grateful Ta

Related to this so may as well ask here, any views on the best replacement transfers? I’ve tried precision labels on my peak which are done on translucent film but ironically I preferred the look of the Heljan originals

Brian, On the odd occasion you do headcodes other than dominoes, which transfers do you use? I tried precision labels on my Peak but although they light up well, they look too weedy and faint to me and I prefer the look of the Heljan originals. Thanks Ian

Model Railway Journal #262 has Martyn Welsh’s approach to unpainted wood and mentions some acrylic colours he uses.

Sounds like the wrong person is in charge to me I'm getting a lovely image of Mrs Stephenson saying "Why is this Chat Moss such a drama? Just put a rug over it".

Nevertheless I’d advise buying a sixth, just to park outside.

Superb. Just out of interest how many locos will it house (I know it depends what type!)

Or they will be on eBay along with all the 08s.

I’m assuming you mean differences in the models but might be misinterpreting. Minor colour details such as rods you can see for yourself. Some of the modelled variants have a “box” at the front on the right as you look forward from the drivers cab and some don’t have it. Stop me if I’m getting too technical! Won’t show from the other side so worth checking both sides. Also the early versions had visible brass washers behind the outside cranks whereas I think the second batch had them improved - not sure if chemically blackened or excluded. By the way Hattons have them at reduced prices now.

Funny but having moved from Portsmouth when I was only 5, I do still clearly remember those gates. Used to go everywhere on a plastic saddle on the cross bar of Dads bike which would probably have him locked up these days!* Never saw a train there but we did see an 07 in Southampton docks compete with flag men etc. * I am a bit too heavy now to be fair.

Much more like Portsmouth than Southampton then!!!

I used the HMRS pressfix ones on one side of my crimson set which I did plain maroon but they are more yellow rather than gold. I toned it all down with weathering anyway tho.

Hattons have some bargains on these at present: all green for £139 which is less than second hand ones are fetching on eBay!

Was it this? http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/124672-ians-7mm-workbench-Heljan-class-46-conversion/page-2

Is it a big cork?

Made a start on weathering today.I end up taking most of what I put on off again but better to build up slowly than over do it. I've been putting off doing the class 46 roof as its a big area but it needs doing next. The last of the sun was a bit harsh but I find photos really highlight the areas to work on more than staring at the model for some reason.

Curves definitely add interest over straight. Like most things, a bigger play area is the answer!

Hi, thoroughly enjoying this thread. I hope you don’t mind but an observation before you ballast: the 3 sidings curving in towards the branch at the level crossing just seems a bit odd to me - would they not be straight or even following the curve of the branch the other way? Just makes that corner look more cramped I think. Ian

That is really quite special. Only just found this thread and amused by the comments about finishing things. Rather than list jobs, I now just work on whatever takes my fancy and only list anything I’ve actually finished*. I find this takes far less time and is more rewarding! *I use a slightly loose definition of finished otherwise it would have nothing on at all.

Just had a look on the moon rocket forum (MRWeb) and there a massive conspiracy theory raging about all this - the claim is fully working model railway track is an elaborate hoax and has never actually happened.

Have redone the green now - several thin coats applied with one pass of a flat brush, flattened with 2000 grade wet and dry and then buffed with kitchen roll. Once I'd proved a patch could be made to work work I decided to use the grills for the joins - the main one is in line with the right side of the black grill and I'm pretty happy wont show once weathered. I've tidied up the duck egg areas further since the photos - mixed from humbrol colours and again will be toned down by weathering. I usually weather with enamel washes but need to be careful I don't attack the finish so may just dry brush hints of grime collecting round the grills - I wanted a fairly newly delivered loco for this one otherwise i wouldn't have worried about the green patch quite so much.

I'm sure we've all experienced the carpet monster but I've had a run in with his nasty big brother the workbench muncher today and have managed to lose the new class 46 roof panel that I made this morning. Given it is 12mm x 30mm this is ridiculous but I can't find it anywhere. Meanwhile having finally got a finish I was happy with where I removed the small panel that was only on the 45's, I promptly stripped it again peeling off the masking tape for the body stripe. Irritating but on balance at I'm encouraged and think I can avoid a complete respray.

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/102801-Dapol-08/page-61 Someone on RMWeb produced some - can't be bothered to go all the way back but mentioned on page 61 and earlier.