Mikkel

Looks great - both the model and the prototype. Amazing how even something as workmanlike and basic as a tender could me made to look pleasing back in those days (designers can still do that of course - it's just the style that has changed!)

I like the various measuring tools - thought they were more costly than what you indicate. Thanks for the tip.

Interesting theory about the internal sections being from the LMS coaches. It certainly seems to follow the type of design decisions that were made at Hornby back then, judging by the other models that came out at the time. Perhaps Pat Hammond over at MREmag might know the answer, it seems just his field.

Yes lets hope we finally get some new GWR coaching stock next year (Toplights please, although I suppose that is hardly likely.)

Thanks 28ten, I was of the impression that Southwark didn't do 4mm kits - but these look superb. And the bicycles are just the thing! Now where did I put my poor old wallet...

Thanks Rovex. The layout has progressed a lot since the shot under the canopy, I'm just waiting to do the last bits of detailing and then I'll take some photos of the finished thing. Then it's on to the next layout in the "series" - currently considering whether that should be the carriage sidings or the engine shed.

I seem to have missed this over on the old RMweb - this sounds like a very interesting project, now added to favourite blogs!

Are you familiar with Chris Baker's superb "Much Meddling"? His work seems to have a number of things in common with your plans (including working point rodding, illustrated with a short video on his site - although I see you have dropped that idea). It's all here:

http://web.me.com/ch...ddling/home.htm

Really intrigued by these conversions. The last photos of the primed coaches looks like they were built from some fairly decent kits rather than hacked about from old RTR stuff. Very inspiring.

Looks good Andy - and thanks for the tip with the fibre glass brush, hadn't thought of using it for such purposes.

Looks good Andy - and thanks for the tip with the fibre glass brush, hadn't thought of using it for such purposes.

Thanks Barry Ten, that was news to me!

I assume you mean this product: http://miniatures.about.com/od/materialsforminiatures/gr/scenicaccentglu.htm

One problem could be that it seems only to work on smooth clean surfaces (which makes sense), which is fine for platforms but may give trouble on bare ground surfaces. But then again, it's better that some figures can be repositioned than none at all. Think I'll give it a try!

Interesting, thanks for pointing that out.

Glad you think so! It's been good fun making these and a number of others. Currently mulling over how to fix them in place. My nerves aren't strong enough to melt wire into their feet (and too late now anyway), and glueing them in place doesn't appeal to me as I'd like to be able to possibly re-use them in the future. Suggestions anyone?

I actually like the clean light look it has - looks like a newly constructed line and station (which of course it is!). Four days is about the time it takes me to decide which kit to build first .

I've seen through you though - you had help! Witness the bear!

Aha, very nice! The V2s are so perfectly dimensioned, among my favourite GWR vehicles. I assume this is the old Colin Waite kit? Have you maybe added some extra detail to the hounds ventilation etc, as it seems more elaborate than in other built up examples I have seen of this kit?

Very clearly worth the time and effort!

We look forward to seeing the loooong layout and the huge station

It's amazing how long these 70 footers actually were - your project really highlights this. There's something strangely fascinating about recreating new coaches from exiting parts like this, both to do and to watch!

Well, somehow you've made a Q1 look good Missy, quite a feat

Those wheels look superb! How long would you say this conversion approximately took you to do?

Thanks for your kind comments.

Missy, you will be relieved to hear that I have fitted a head to Mrs Longbottom's niece just this evening .

Rob, yes I've seen Aidan Campbells figures. They have that same "mass" as the Monty's ones, and with much personality. I think that some of them are perhaps a bit too much like charicatures for my taste. But there are one or two that may turn up on the layout in due course.

Not as good as it sounds I'm afraid. These are just reproduced scaled down ones - a single page showing selected alterations and additions, in C.W. Judge's "An Historical Survey of the DN&SR: Track Layouts and Illustrations".?

Looks very good Nick, what a pair that and the Buffalo will make!?

Thanks for that info - which encourages me to have a go with the puffer bottle method at some stage. I've tended to avoid rural layouts as I never did feel I could get all the green bits to look "real" - but it seems time have changed!

Well it does actually have a gutter now - though not in the photo

The drawings I have of the Didcot buildings do not in fact include measurements (which makes them somewhat useless, yes), and this is a generic model of the wooden style anyway - so I simply guesstimated the height.

Being Danish, I measure these things in centimeters - and the model itself is 4.4 cms to the gutter, which I believe is 1.7 inches.

Jim, originally because I lived in a small flat and didn't have the room for more than a micro. Now I do have the room, but find that it works psychologically better for me to focus on small individual sections - that way I can focus and don't loose faith in the idea (I'm a slow modeller). Some time ago I did get tempted to build a large new layout, but eventually gave up and returned to this idea.

Edit 10 years on: Back in a flat again 

This sounds good, not least the inside working motion! Am looking forward to see the photos.?

Nice to see some RTR bashing going on here, and very interesting stock too. Looking forward to following this!

It's a pity that the GW Works site isn't updated any more, but glad to see that his blog is still alive.

- Mikkel