sulzer27jd

Angel Eyes - Waylon Jennings

I agree with Dickon, paint from a pallet but don't mix the paint. Pick up from one point on the pallet then dip and mix to get a natural variation, using plenty of whatever thinners you are using to let the colours blend and flow. John

Train A'Comin - Steve Earle

I Can't Turn You Loose - Otis Redding

The Echo - The Epsilons

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Kiss Her Goodnight - Stacey Earle

Three Steps to Heaven - Eddie Cochran

Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down - Kris Kristofferson

Never Again - Hank Williams

Shame Shame Shame - Shakin Stevens

One thing that stands out immediately is the height of the landscape on the background. Looking in the direction you are, over the station, the viewer is just a mile and a half from the sea with gently rolling farmland between you and the beach. Your backscene would be improved if you made it mostly sky. John

No. It’s gone now. But if you want to know anything specific, just ask.

Rich, there are some photos of Balbeggie Sidings here. https://www.flickr.com/gp/57586155@N08/brq900 All the best John

F4 67164 working the Fraserburgh to New Aberdour branch passenger.

Shunting the pick-up goods. A New Aberdour to Fraserburgh freight is photographed working the yard at Rosehearty. I have been busy this week on a couple of projects so this was a bit of light relief. It's amazing how you can occupy your time with just a few wagons and a couple of sidings. The goods train arrives into Rosehearty and the crew prepare to shunt the yard; Wagons are cut off and head to the ground frame, where the token will unlock the entrance to the yard. A few moves later and a loaded fish van and empty mineral head out of the yard to be added to the train. A very different pace of life. John

Unfortunately Luke the class 22 was a Western Region diesel hydraulic loco. The nearest they got to Speyside was being built in Glasgow. You will need to wait (like the rest of us) for the long-promised Dapol class 21.

The last couple of issues of the NB Study Group magazine have featured an extensive article on the line. It may be worth the investment if you are considering modelling the line. All the best John

The New Aberdour branch passenger train arriving into Rosehearty from Fraserburgh.

Thanks for that. Getting the effect of the textured but flush finished stonework was a key challenge as it is so distinctive. The harsh northeast climate means that every joint and recess gets filled flush to prevent frost damage. I did try other options, such as filling embossed sheet but in the end, I settled for the pained effect. I appreciate the feedback. Thanks, John

Here is the branch train returning to Fraserburgh; John

The length of track shown was laid in the early 90's (approx) by Scotrail PW staff.

This is a common misconception but whisky moved from the distillery in barrels in open wagons. Most whisky (without an E as it is distilled in Scotland) went by rail to be bottled in Dundee, Edinburgh or Glasgow. There were also large bonded warehouses where the barrels were stored. Hogsheads were 54 gallons and Butts were 108. Draff was also moved away in clean open wagons. John

Thanks, Alastair. It is indeed named after the county where the railroad started. The original main line was from Oskaloosa to Centerville (in Appanoose County) Iowa. Cheers John

I have been developing an idea for a freelanced railroad for some time now and have it to the point where the first power is ready to start work. I just don't have anywhere yet for it to do that. The railroad runs across southern Iowa and is based on a shortline that expanded rapidly following the spin-off of lines by neighbouring Class 1's and the collapse of the Rock Island. The Oskaloosa & Iowa Southern is a railroad waiting for a layout. In the meantime, here is a roster shot for the O&IS (known as the Appanoose Railway) GP9 #352