Mikkel

My guess is that Dapol are aiming for full lining with the red frames, i.e.: https://swindonworks.weebly.com/517-instructions.html https://www.7mmloco.co.uk/2024/02/22/gwr-dean-517-class-0-4-2t-no-524/

Posting in the forum will probably get you more views and likes, if that's a priority. Most people never make it to the blogs, or forget them, or don't like the format. I like the blogs because they provide a more structured format, and it's easier to go back and find things. But both formats have pros and cons, and I think RMweb is richer for having them both. You could also have a daily thread and an occasional blog, not unusual.

Those close-ups are quite un-appetizing! The "before" ones, I mean 😄 The transformation of No. 148 really is impressive, Matt, hard to believe it's the same model. Well, I suppose it isn't actually the same model, as you have completely remodelled it. Philosophical question: When does a model become a different model?

Yes, that's the one - thank you! José Manuel Gomez. I've just been catching up on some of his posts. This water is extraordinary: https://trainscape.blogspot.com/2024/05/linea-contorno-de-madrid-4.html Street scenes: https://trainscape-blogspot-com.translate.goog/2023/09/calle-convenio.html?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en Trains: https://trainscape-blogspot-com.translate.goog/2024/02/material-rodante-en-pn-p-sorolla-y.html?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en

Thank you for those photos, an excellent collection of layouts. Obbekaer sets new standards for layouts depicting Danish scenes, in my view - along with a few select club layouts here. I hope the trend will spread - for decades it's been neon green grass, throw-together Heljan buildings and unweathered stock. As for the funeral in Berlin, I think England did OK in the final. Those Spanish wizzkids are unstoppable anyway. Speaking of Spanish wonders, I seem to have lost the link to a blog by a well-known Spanish diorama modeller, whose name I cannot remember. His buildings are extraordinary. Does it ring a bell with anyone?

Hi Andy, good to see the Parcels Van finished and in place, looks good. I'm gussing the posters were white, but that's nitpicking and we don't have colour photos, so who knows. The scene in your photos above is wonderful, it all comes together so well.

Hi Colin, just caught up with this. Excellent results. I especially like the colouring of the brickwork, the shade of the blue bricks in particular is much more convincing than mine. It makes a big difference to the appearance, and the effect is probably closer to the prototype. I'm glad that you found another way to do the roof vents - though no doubt the 3D printing fraternity will be rolling their eyes at us 😄

Very good, especially the bubbles 😄

That's lovely. Adds a lot of atmosphere to the image. Like model photos, a slight fuzziness can sometimes aid realism.

Good looking baseboards, John. Not to mention that aerial view of the completed board. I know that the greenery follows the prototype, but the way you have used it to "frame" the layout is very effective and inspiring. Out of interest, what was the size of the turntable at Tavistock?

That is not what I meant, Stephen. I meant that if one does want to model special wagons - as a result of, God forbid, pure joy in railways - then there may be excuses beyond local traffic. But it depends of course on where the station modelled is situated on the network, etc.

And on passing goods trains on major lines.

Hi Simon, that's what I thought, but it seems that for the Hydras (and possibly some other vehicles) the term was also initially used for a single brake on the "outer" side of a wheel at each end. As I understand it, the term refers to the brake mechanism, and so in this case it is basically the same as what you describe, except that the brake shoes are far apart! Yes, the photos of hooded parcels vans on Hydras seem to suggest it was not a big problem. The well wagon lowers it beneath the worst of the wind resistance.

Here, for example: https://www.rmweb.co.uk/forums/topic/182078-gwr-3-plank-wagons-appreciation-thread/?do=findComment&comment=5419690

We have been expecting you, Mr Bond 🙂 On the issue of what was "common": Prior to pooling, there is still a place for the good old empty open, I think? Of course, one problem is that there are relatively few photos of pre-grouping goods trains en route - and even those that appear to be on the move may deceive.

Thank you Simon! Counter-intuitively, the clasp brakes were only on the outer side of the wheels at each end on these vehicles. But access to "something" on the brakes/brake gear may be the explanation. I don't have a drawing of the deck of a G11, but below is the arrangement on the G19s (not the version I've modelled). Modellers of the G19 should note that the arrangement of the plates here is different from the 247 Developments print.

Yes, of course, we are all just borrowing from the GWR! And in the case of posters the Publicity Dept, who clearly had few rules when it came to fonts and used all sorts - even for "GWR" (though there are of course certain period patterns).

I can only agree with Dave. Out of interest: The visualisation is a very pedagogical tool for understanding how it all worked (also for yourself, I imagine). Is it possible with this or other software to take it one step further by working with the colouring, texture etc as one would a physical model? I.e. adding weathering and so on, seeking to enhance realism. The last photos above of the engine at Paddington are extremely interesting for getting a feel for "how it was", but also clearly a computer image. I am not expecting you do to it - you have enough on your plate with this work. Just wondering what current software allows and how hard it is. Perhaps very time consuming at present, but with AI maybe soon just a click of a button?

That's an attractive water works, and just the right size so it won't dominate the scene too much. Best wishes for a quick remaining recovery from the surgery.

Hope you managed to find them Andy? Mike's advice is how I did it. Yes, I think thet GWR Signs font was only made for that particular purpose. For the parcel's van I supplemented with some other fonts for the "running-in-board" style, but no doubt someone with better knowledge of fonts could find closer matches.

Hi Rich, nice looking Mexs Mexes Minxes cattle wagons. For the sides, I seem to have followed the ABS/ex-D&S illustrations (which I think are what Pete posted above) when I built my W2. Regarding the ends, I see that my post from back then went for the ultimate solution: "I haven’t finished the lettering on the ends as I am not sure how it should be." 🙂 I had happily forgotten all about that, thank you for reminding me - I think 🙂 PS: I think this photo posted by Craig may help: https://www.rmweb.co.uk/forums/topic/176577-back-dating-ds-8t-cattle-wagon-w2/?do=findComment&comment=5045790

Hi Andy, what an excellent result!

It does work. Thank you once again, Roger, for your always interesting articles.

This one may qualify as OTT 🙂. I converted it to an 1854 PT version, which is actually easier in some respects (coupling rods, springs). In any case, perhaps some of the butchering photos are of use:

Thanks Chris. I have a plan to some day build a layout showing the rebuilding of Farthing station. I suppose this sort of wagon wouldn't be amiss in such a situation...