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As Rudy Reyes, Chief Instructor from Ch4's Celebrity SAS would say.... "Gooood job!!'.. Cheers, Mark

I recently placed an order from Dartmoor Model Services for a couple of GWR Lamp Huts and some Milk Churns. Today I received the excellent prints that have winged their way from South Devon all the way to the West Riding. Wonderful prints that are crisp and capture the prototypes nicely. I am looking forwards to getting some paint on them. I will post a blog entry shortly. Great service from Matt and Nick and well recommended. As an aside can I suggest an LMS brick built platelayers hut. I am sure a model version does not exist in 4mm scale. Cheers, Mark

Lovely work Alex. The time taken with the weathering has brought out the detail nicely in the print. As it happens I am awaiting the arrival of my order from Dartmoor Model Services with one of these huts. Matt and Nick have turned things around quickly. Think CK's case for the Berry Wiggins tankers sounds very plausible. Cheers, Mark

Just caught up with this Alex. A cracking start and the scene is set! That Model Rail/Rapido 16xx is weathered nicely. It looks like you attended to the troublesome bunker seam as well. Will there be any Bradley (Berry) Wiggins representation on Lydbrook Dean? If you are after some more Forest reading material Ben Ashworth's 'BR Steam in Dean' is well worth a read as is Neil Parkhouse's 'Forest of Dean Lines and the Severn Bridge. Plenty of Forest inspiration. If your after a BR Class 14 Heljan are about to release a Forest themed set with four Dogfish ballast hoppers. https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/72015/1420-Heljan-Class-14-Train-Pack-BR-green-D9505-4-Dogfish. Look forwards to further updates. Cheers, Mark

Rails let me know mine had been posted today. It's winging it's way to an old Wellingborough (15A) fireman who remembers the prototype in action or not as the case may be. It was often seen on skates having failed on it's way back to Derby... Must say it will be good to hear what he thinks off it and eventually see it running on his layout. Cheers, Mark

Recenty I've been working on my two EFE Class 17's addressing the headcode lettering/numbers and also the excessive ride height of the models. Steve (Pixie of this parish) has previously posted his modifications he had carried out on his Class 17 on here rectifying the issues. Sadly, I think his snaps have been lost from the thread due to technical issues earlier in the year. I was fortunate enough to catch up with Steve at the 2mm Fine Scale Derby bash earlier this year. I was able to discuss his modifications and see his Class 17 in the flesh so to speak. Armed with Steve's words of wisdom I started work on my pair. The bogies were gently pulled off and the excessive gear greasing was removed with cotton buds. Using Xuron track cutters the vertical pick up prongs were reduced in height. Using Graham Farish coupling springs on each pick up prong the ride height is suitably reduced. Strips of suitably cut to size black insulating tape covered over the headcode boxes. I also took the liberty of removing the bodyshells and isolating the headcode lighting using insulating tape. Fox Transfers 2mm Scale headcode blind lettering/numbers were applied using headcodes from the North Eastern Region. Owing to the incorrect size of the headcode boxes the lettering/numbers were applied in an uneven manner to give a prototype resemblance. DG Couplings to be fitted and parts of the detail pack have been added. I am trying to work out how to fit the front steps without fouling the bogie swing. The headcode modifications are certainly worth it for lifting the appearance of this model. My pair will be the workhorses on a layout based on Ford Works paper mill siding. For those interested in the prototype the book on the Class 17's by John Hooper; An Illustated Historical Review: Clayton Type 1-Class 17 published by Book Law Publications is a recommended read. Cheers, Mark

I popped into TMC to pick up a few bits on Thursday afternoon. Always worth a visit and a good day out on the Moor. I saw these G5's in the display case next to the till area. I must say they do look superb with lovely detail and finish. I did ask about the chances of a BR/GER example appearing in the future. The answer understandably was possibly in the future but no confirmed plans yet. Out of the BR versions to be produced would it be possible to renumber one as as an BR/GER example? Or is it a case of patiently waiting? Cheers, Mark

That's the one... 😎

Someone say Bradley Wiggins...😛 (4F-059-005) Class B Berry Wiggins Black 101 Brilliant news. Think Dapol are on a roll... Thanks for the heads up Robin. Cheers, Mark

Thanks for the information Phil. I never knew about Danny Rowlands. I have a picture of four of the Class being prepared for royal train duty. Suitably bulled up. Ironically all four of them are preserved. Cheers, Mark

No worries Johnny, Glad to help. Kleer is now called Pledge Mutisurface Polish. It is now cloudy but dries clear. It is what has been used on 7827. It costs around the £7.00 mark for a large bottle. Cheers, Mark

Thanks Robin, It is a lovely model and with a few tweaks it's certainly lifted from the out of the box appearance. Folks will not be disappointed by it. As for the Brassmasters top tip that's useful to know. I'll keep an eye out for when they are back in stock. Cheers, Mark

Thanks Pete... 😉 Yep. It's been a lovely project and looking forwards to finishing it off along with the Clan's in my previous entry. The Accurascale order is still on... 👍 After all. It will offer a different take on one of my favourite classes of loco and promises to be very special indeed. Cheers, Mark

Morning B10M, Many recognised modellers use Kleer as a varnish or setting solution for transfers. I have used it over a long time with no problems with regards to permanency or handling. It dries streak free and can be brush applied or sprayed. I do spray Valejo or Tamiya varnish over it to matt it down. However I always use water based paints. I would not recommend applying enamels paints of varnish over them just in case there was a reaction between the two products. All I would say is experiment on something old and see how you get on before attacking your best model. Cheers, Mark

Here's my blog entry on detailing 7827.... Cheers, Mark 😎

Hot off the press... 😎

Some of you may know that the GWR 78xx Manor Class is one of my favourite engine designs. Perhaps this comes from the Mainline model of the 1980's and seeing 7808 Cookham Manor at Didcot as a teenager. Believe it or not I never owned a Mainline version. Just the reblown Bachmann version with updated chassis. I remember trying to detail and renumber these as well as putting a correct profile chimney on them. Infact gwrrob of this parish and ANTB fame may have my version of 7807 Compton Manor on shed still. Over the past few years Dapol announced their new version of the Manor and I was ready to pre-order one when Accurascale announced their version. I went with the new boys and ordered one of their's which promises to be something really special. However, the recent release of the Dapol version got me interested again. A lot of comnents were made about inaccuracies in the firebox shape. It began to feel as if Dapol had misfired and Accurascale are waiting in the wings to clean up. Being one for supporting the underdog I thought I would bite the bullet and see what the Dapol model was really like. I duly ordered 7827 Lydham Manor from Kernow Model Railway Centre and it arrived safely. Excellent service as ever from the Cambourne team. The packaging and presentation of the model is excellently done. On examining the model you can see Dapol have made an excellent job of portraying the prototype. To me there is a familiarity about the Manor design perhaps from detailing Bachmann models and having a fair few books with pictures of the Class as reference. The list of things that stood out for me as needing attention were identified as the following: 1. The 'blingtastic' safety valve cover. 2. The under nourished smokebox numberplate. 3. The green paintwork looked a bit flat in my eyes. 4. Those tyre rims on the wheels. 5. Black plastic crosshead. Within minutes of opened the box I was armed with a black Sharpie permanent marker and inked in the wheels. The valve gear including crosshead was treated to a coating of silver from the same stable. This was the end of play on the first day. So essentially some attention with a couple of Sharpie pens addresses some of the issues. On my next decent modelling session I blackened the buffers with Birchwood Casey Gun Blue have burnished them first with fine wet and dry. The paintwork was nicely lifted with two coats of Johnson's Kleer floor polish. The 'blingtastic' safety valve cover was toned down with brush applied Valejo mat varnish. Two coats in this instance. Then using Valejo Old Wood beige coloured paint 2 coats once more gave a base layer. After this I made a blend of Games Workshop metallic colours (Names to be added as away and pots not to hand). The copper cap capped chimney and smokebox were masked off with Tamiya tape as was the cab roof. Using Tamiya Flat Black I sprayed these in along with the running plate and black areas of the tender. Although the Dapol model comes with separate cabside numberplates to fit over the printed versions I fancied trying the 3D printed ones produced by Railtec. Steve supplied some excellent 3D printed numberplates, shed code plate and smoke box numberplate. Wonderful service and a brilliant product. Easily fixed into position with a dab of Kleer. Well recommended. In my eyes they also address in my eyes the issue of the under nourished smokebox numberplate. It also adds a bit more interest to the front in my eyes. The nameplate is the factory fitted Dapol version by the way. With regards to the tender I filed down the distal side of the coal load insert. This was to help with adding a real coal load. Glued in I then coated the insert with PVA and added real crushed coal and allowed to dry. A spare set of Bachmann fire irons finish the tender detailing. I should have mentioned the detail in the cab. Its exquisite only lacking the fold down seats. I like the ATC bell housing. Essentially in my eyes the remedial work has been completed and addresses the issues I highlighted earlier. As it stands it would be for many a good point to leave the project and have an excellent model of a Manor. What I do plan to do to finish things off is fit a Modelu crew and their GWR/BR (WR) lamps. Finally it will receive a light in service weathering then 7827 is ready for service. I am quiet tempted to give the model the Royal Train embellishments of white paint as well it received in the early 1960's along with other members of the class. I'll let you make your own mind up on the Dapol Manor but overall I am very impressed all round with it. Final thoughts on the next instalment. 7827 Lydham Manor running light at Talledega in 1963. Captured by Jonty Jarvis More soon. Cheers, Mark 😉 Apologies for typos and poor grammar...To be corrected...

It's running late I'm afraid..😉 Stuck on the climb up to Marley Head Tunnel and waiting assistance from Newton... Then again work gets in the way. This afternoon I took close up snaps so here's a taster... 7827 does in deed scrub up nicely...😎 Perhaps a Dapol BR black 7823 Hook Norton Manor would be suitable Robin. I do believe it was allocated to Laira... More tomorrow on the blog... Watch this space for an announcement....😊 Cheers, Mark

GWR boiler on the prototype I do believe?.. Must say it's a nice looking model covering three BR regions... Cheers, Mark

Bit of an up date Manor followers... 7827 Lydham Manor seen running light at Talledega in 1963. Captured by Jonty Jarvis... Steve at Railtec came up trumps with 3D printed numberplates, smokebox numberplate and 89A shedcode plate for 7827. Well recommended as a customer. Hope Robin does not mind me posting these snaps on his ANTB thread? In the next few days I will write a blog entry. The Dapol Manor is a lovely model like I mentioned previously. Cheers, Mark

Brilliant service from Steve once more. I ordered some BR/WR 3D printed numberplates/shedcode plates for my new Dapol Manor 7827. The arrived very promptly and with the usual excellent communication. A great product and they certainly help to lift a lovely model. (*Nameplates are factory Dapol printed) Blog entry below... Cheers, Mark (Happy Customer!)

Bit more work on 7827. Now fitted with excellent Railtec 3D printed number plates, smoke box number plate and shedcode plate. These certainly lift the appearance nicely. Excellent service from Steve as always and well recommended. A blog entry will be appearing soon.. Cheers, Mark

Fantastic news from Bachmann USA and hope it opens up an avenue for more Talyllyn Railway rolling stock. Will these be available through Bachmann UK network? Mark

You're one step ahead of me Glenn...😉 Bottle of Birchwood Casey Gun Blue at the ready this evening for the buffers.. There may even be T-Cut and Kleer in the mix as well... Cheers, Mark

Thanks Robin... 😊 Here goes... My 7827 arrived from Kernow Model Railway Centre today. Excellent service as ever. I will write a blog entry shortly but after work this evening I sat on the deck with a cold Hook Norton (Manor) Ironstone Lager. Armed with a black and silver Sharpie marker pen I came up with this. There is something about the under dog in the Dapol Manor which wants me to bring the best out in it. All I'll say is I do not think you will be disappointed with it. There's a warm familiarity about it having owned various Bachmann versions in the past. The snaps were taken facing west at sundown this evening with no photographic shenanigans. As Robin will vouch the 78xx Manor Class is a personal favourite of mine. Having two wonderful models soon to be available is many a GWR/BR(WR) modellers dream come true. Cheers, Mark