cactustrain

Saw this loco 'in the flesh' the other week. It is a very nice build indeed. So clean!

Here's the decoder fitted in place. I've bought a DJ Hunslet and a Bachmann USA tank so far this year, but this has to be the model of the year for me. It's gorgeous! I'm off out to see if I can get a couple more tomorrow.

This is my Peckett running on Byworth, chipped and running with my OQ. It has to be the cutest model ever made! The X9659 fits in a treat into a dedicated slot and is basically an R8249 decoder so its NMRA approved. The loco runs very nicely - smooth and silent, but it is a bit over-greased. I can't see anything that needs doing to this model - there's not many I can say that about. Great job Hornby. Now how about some MORE INDUSTRIAL LOCOS.

Autumn larch trees

Not so much a weather pic, more the result of the weather pic. 

This is the pub opposite Haworth Station after yesterday's floods. The trains are running today though!

The snow of 2014, hailstone damage of 2nd July 2015 and Fenland sunsets.

Nice work; you've certainly captured the look and feel of a preserved railway there Chris. I love all the grot lying around - most layouts are far too clean and tidy. I have considered modelling the preservation scene myself, but the engines are too clean for me! Doing the workshops as well is a good way of balancing things out.

Hi Dave,

I think that model looks great and I have absolutely no complaints with what you are doing or how you are doing it. You're going to be my model loco supplier of choice if you can keep this up. Don't let any detractors put you off.

I will be buying a couple of these and I would love you to produce some more industrial locos in future.

The halcyon days of summer....

Stormy weather.

Hi Marc,

I have been asked to write an article on the scrapyard and have got some new photos of it in it's, never seen before, finished condition. There will be a 'How to...' section on rust. My advice is to take out a sub for BRM!

Would anyone be interested in a blow by blow account about how to make a scrapyard loco, perhaps in great detail, spread over several months?

Happy modelling,

Michael

I've wanted a USA tank for a while. How about an S160 next?

Hi Darren,

How long have you got? I use a variety of techniques depending upon what effect I'm trying to achieve. I think it needs an article or two in the model railway press, although I'm not too sure mag editors will be interested in rust and a non working diorama. I suppose that's understandable, as most of us want to relive the glory days.

Plastic modelling mags often have good articles on knocked out tanks and these provided the inspiration for me.

Best wishes,

Michael

First, thanks for all the positive feedback. To get such nice comments from people whose modelling I respect means a lot to me. Cheers guys.

There are some excellent entries this year and, win or loose, I have enjoyed taking part. I'm just getting my photos together ready for posting in the summary area. They should be ready today or tomorrow.

I did have a last minute panic after all! Rather stupidly, I left my LEDs on the diorama when I did the static grass and hence blew two up. (I should have observed ESD precautions). At the same time, my Maplin soldering station decided to quit this life (the 2nd of these to have done so in as many years). So I've had to dash around getting a new iron and more LEDs.

I've managed to replace one of the LEDs, but the other is in a spot I don't want to tamper with and so it'll have to remain as a blown item. In real life bulbs fail as well though, so it just makes it more realistic!

Here are the obligatory dimension shots:

I hope you'll like the shots I have for you - I'm quite excited by them. If you think the diorama is a heap of scrap then I will have suceeded in my task!

Thanks for all the positive feedback, guys. I'm pleased with how it's come out. I'm taking more photos today ready for next week having finished off my hit list over the weekend. There's still things unfinished, but I I'll probably relax now as I don't want any last minute panic, which can lead to mistakes/disasters. The main thing is that I can't see any glaringly obvious problems that cry out 'model'. Once the competition is over and done with though, I will probably add to the diorama in the form of more stock and scrap. There are things I would definitely like to model in a dilapidated condition.

Mike; the weeds are home made using time honoured techniques. I do try and base my weeds on actually types, though, rather than generalised, non-descript species. Hopefully, you can also identify the season from the vegetation without me having to tell you.

That is one extremely talented cyclist. Very, very impressive. Now why isn't that on mainstrem TV - it's exiting stuff to watch!

Thanks for the feedback Pete and Mike.

Nice to hear from you Chris. The ash is a mix of real ash and artist's charcoal sticks. The real ash is a pain to grind down to size so I beefed up the volume. It seems to have worked okay. Don't even think about using commercial stuff - the particle size is far too large. It is very important that your groundwork is not overscale. The only drawback is that a lot of dust is produced - keep the door to the railway room closed or the wife will start complaining! (I've been there...)

It's stuck down using the time-honoured dilute PVA mix. The large piles are formed using air drying clay - in fact the whole board is covered in a coating of the stuff. This way you only need a thin layer of ash.

Good luck - PM me if you need more.