cairnsroadworks

Looking good Mick!

I'm not big on ex SR units but I think it was from a 4-BIG originally not a CIG. No idea about the bogies though!

Yeah its the ex-CIG buffet car that was preserved i think. Strange MK2 esque windows!

Hi Mick, "i saw this and thought of you"...... http://www.carlswatson.com/Trains/Galleries%202012/Galleries%20201210/20121012EastleighWorks/testcoach62384eastleighworks12thoctober20122.html Cheers, Andi.

Looking good Mick. There must be something in the air as I am working on a DRS 57, a 37419 and Colas 56s galore as well! Watch out for 56094 as I'm sure you are aware has a myriad of little detailing issues - aerials, headlights and buffers. PM me if you want the details. Keep up the great work. Cheers, Andi.

Mark, Glad it went well - the layout looks stunning - nice maroon 37s too!!! Mike - I didn't make it as i was in Russia of all places! Hoping to make it to Barrow. Hoping to make progress with the Royal Scotsman too, I am still awaiting the etch from Shawplan though! Cheers, Andi.

Hi Mark, Looking good. I assume you've bought the 85 to test the OHLE on my layout?! Cheers, Andi.

Can't wait! 66 looks good. I have been busy with the 56! Cheers, Andi.

Jon, Great work on the 37. I wish I could achieve such standards in my timescales and budget constraints! Anyhow was wondering how you have achieved the blue star MW equipment on the bufferbeam? Apols if you mentioned it elsewhere! Cheers, Andi.

Looking forward to this one Mick, particularly how you deal with the BSO. I've got a set of coaches with an eye on this set. Cheers, Andi.

Hi Mark, The 66s with RETB were originally 66095 - 66114. I'm not sure how many still carry it now. Of course 66101 is DB red these days, as is 66097 but not sure if they still have the RETB. Also - your latest 37 is coming along nicely, as are a couple more to tempt you with! Cheers, Andi.

Interesting stuff Mick. I have a little pile of Mk2 aircons and a Mk1 BG and a couple of ideas what to do with them........ !!

Yet more 'wow'. Thats proper modelling.

Now that is looking tasty - great work!

Been playing catch up with this. Looking awesome, can't wait to have a play at Ayr! 416 looks good too, have you got a sleeper rake sorted for it yet or shall I get on with one? 37059 is in the works ready to emerge to partner another one of your many 37s in due course! Cheers, Andi.

Caroline used to be a buffet coach in a class 201 or 202 (can't remember which) DEMU. Here is mine - made for me by Britannina Pacific Models. Looks great, its not quite as finly detailed as the one you are doing Mick, its just away at the moment having lighting fitted to it! Cheers, Andi.

Hi Jon, It shouldn't have been that aggressive but I think you might have left the coach in the stripper a bit too long - i never use it for longer than 20 mins. Like i said before for factory finishes it is fine and works well in no time at all but always recommend modelstrip for enamels. Now, must get back to 47790 & 47832! Cheers, Andi.

Jon, As i think 43179 mentioned its a bit hit and miss. the key difference in my experience is that modelstrip leaves on the primer, and therefore a partial protection of your etched details. Superstrip will take everything off - and is a nightmare to get all the bits of removed paintwork out of the details. In my experience you have more chance of losing the bits in superstrip than modelstrip - plus if like me you put the model covered in modelstrip in a plastic bag whilst it does its work, if any bits do come off in the modelstrip they will be in the bag! i have spent many a long hour fishing around in the more liquid superstrip trying to find detailing parts when repaints have gone awry. Does that make sense? A

Jon, I'd misread your last entry - i would advise very strongly against Superstrip in this case - i only ever use it for removing factory finishes. Modelstrip is much, much better as it will just remove the enamel, discolour the etched bits but not damage them. Superstrip is good, but too abrasive for what you need in this case. Don't do it! If you need any help sourcing Modelstrip let me know. Thanks, Andi.

Jon, Can echo the comments of 43179 re Modelstrip - i use exactly that method and it shouldn't in my experience touch the halfords primer. then you should be able to build the model back up from there. I use Precision Paints - and i do an awful lot of painting (circa 5 locos a week!) - and never had any trouble with them. Main thing is to make sure you match thinners to the paint, i.e. Precision thinners to Precision paints. I have mixed and matched before and it can cause problems. If you want any more advice drop me a PM. Good luck! Andi.

That's really interesting stuff about the missing coach. Something to work on Mike! Meanwhile the rest rumbles on! Mark - was hoping to get a picture for you to use of one of the next batch but can't upload it via iPhone sadly! Andi.

Well Mike I can't guess what it is you're referring to ha ha! Funny thing is that I am doing something for both of you that would look good together!! I've spent the evening sanding and filling windows in metcam pullmans. That's all I'm saying. 37s looking good Mark. Now stop mentioning all these other layouts and get finishing Rannoch so you can start on mine!! Cheers, Andi.

What with all this blue talk I just thought I would add that Mark's next batch of blue stock - DRS Blue that is - is progressing nicely and should be heading north by the end of the month. There is - shock, horror - a mildly retro maroon one in this batch but I'll leave you guessing what it might be! Cheers, Andi.

What's happened to 059?! Status 'X' already?! They look great on Rannoch Mark - Victory Road is safely in my house but not unpacked as yet! Had a good time at the York exhibition despite the lack of D&E layouts - looking forward to the next one! Cheers, Andi.