Chris Chewter

By checking the IRS Website here: http://www.irsociety.co.uk/Archives/48/Trojan.htm, it states that Trojan was fitted with 3ft 3in drivers. However, the LMS Pug received 3ft drivers. So if I have my calculations correct, the Hornby pug wheels are in fact 1mm too small.

Just taken a look at the CSP Model site, and studied their lovely Avonside. http://cspmodels.com/Gallery/displayimage.php?pid=18#top_display_media However if you inspect the photos of the CSP model against the photos I've recently taken, I think the wheels from the Pug are too small! Perhaps another compromise of using the Pug chassis rather than soldering your own from a CSP kit.

Hi LNWR18901910. I'm aware that Trojan was the basis for Awdrys "Percy", however Britt Allcrofts team made something slightly different for the TV series in the 1980's, and Percy's never been the same since! Likewise, Whitehouse Films on RMWeb has made a beautiful replica of the Ffarquhar branch, but their videos seem to show a Hornby Percy running around (minus its face). I have however found this: I'm not too sure if these are Jack Taylors actual replica models, or if they are photographs of Awdrys actual locomotives. The attempt at modelling Trojan can be found at 0.11 seconds into the 25 second video. But we digress from the actual star, which is "Trojan". Unfortunately, when I visited Didcot earlier this month, she was nowhere to be seen, so hopefully she's receiving some much needed TLC!

I'm really happy about the latest flurry of interest in little Trojan. I've been meaning to take it out of its box and photograph it again to see if its really as bad as my memory serves (Hence my reluctance to take any better photos) However I was surprised when I slid it out of its box, and I didn't think it looked too bad! And the real thing for comparison: If I get the time, I need to think about replacing the door dart. You'll also notice that the handrails and nameplates are wrong, but given that the cab roof is also too short, I decided that life was too short and I had other projects I wanted to get on with! There's a bit of fiddling and detailing that this wee beastie could benefit from, if I feel so inclined. On another matter, I have been meaning to revive this thread because of a recent discovery: Yes, you too could own your own 3D printed Trojan, and hopefully soon, so will I. I've just placed an order for one, as I'm fascinated to see how the two compare. Once its arrived from the Netherlands where Shapeways are based, I'll post an update.

Same here about the lack of invoice. Been checking my inbox and junk mail but nothing as yet. DToS have confirmed that I have placed an order, but no invoice received.

Re removing the cab roof, the whistles pull forward but you do not pull them out completely. Remove the coal load by levering under the small hole, and remove the two screws. The roof and cab back head should then lift out as a singular piece. Hopefully the attached photo gives you a few clues.

Spent some of my evening playing around with the camera to see how the layout looked on video, You may also notice that a few little folk have turned up from the Modelu range! Its certainly been interesting as it shows that things still look a bit bare in places. Nothing a few bushes won't solve!

Station sign has arrived from Scale Model Scenery. I just need to work out how to put it together!

Apparently a picture is worth a thousand words. How about four: It still needs a hoover!

Unfortunately, the space where I have the railway set up is used by the family to store other things. As a result, sometimes things get damaged. Today I found that some of the fencing had been knocked off which is a bit of a pain. However as the end is unprotected, I only have myself to blame! Nothing a bit of ply can't solve! I also received a knock on the door and the postman thrust a mysterious box in my face. I had decided to spend this months model railway budget on telegraph poles from Express Models, but didn't expect them to arrive so fast, and very nice they look too! I had heard they were good, but the photos on their website don't do them justice. Very pleased that I didn't skimp on buying cheapo plastic poles. Looking forward to getting them dotted around the layout!

Feeling a little fussy, I decided that one in the trees in the last update looked a little puny, with a tiny trunk and massive foliage making it look a little unbelievable. So off it came to be replaced by a bigger brother. Also, the trees continue to march down the layout. Things are certainly starting to look leafy! I also need to find a safe way to vacuum clean the layout without destroying the family hoover. The scots pines appear to have shed some of their greenery.

After an application of mattcote to the roof of the pre-fab, it still looked too shiny. The photograph above gives the roof almost a grey shade, so I decided to repaint the roof in matt slate grey, which seems to have improved things. if I can find a thin strip of timber, I need to put a fascia below the roof and attach the guttering. Still lots to do like touching up on the trees where pieces of plaster have spalled away from the trunks. Currently they aren't glued into position to allow for their removal and a bit of repair before they are finally glued into position.

Sadly not so pleased with the pre-fab: And the original prefab photo the models based on for comparison. I can’t decide whether I’m just being fussy, or if it’s the glossy roof, or the wonky battens. Ive applied some matt varnish to the roof and we’ll see if that works, otherwise it’ll need to be repainted.

Cottages in their new position. (I haven't forgotten the chimneys. They are ready to be painted and added on shortly.)

I've been busy progressing with the cottages and prefab today. After a coat of thinned black to pick out the stonework, and the doors painted with a thin coat of brown, I think they are coming together nicely. Once the glue has cured, I'll add on the tiles and paint slate grey. And for comparison, the cottages a few years back on a very wet site visit.

Well tonight the wife decided to go out to watch The Greatest Showman with some of her friends. When I realised that it wasn't a cinematic release about traction engines, I reminded her that I am in fact allergic to musicals, and I would reluctantly stay at home, saving us the issue of having to find a babysitter. My version of The Greatest Showman, and no Hugh Jackman in sight! So tonight I set about continuing with the cottage and prefab. A bit more progress made by painting the cottages in Humbrol 121 Light Stone, and applying the raised planking to the Prefab. Now letting things cure whilst watching a few "steamy" DVD's. There's nothing better than modelling to the sound of a Castle on the main!

If you can, try and get hold of the February 2016 copy of Railway Modeller. There's a good four page step by step article showing what to do to convert a 64xx to 74xx.

Update on progress with the trees, I've made up and planted my first batch of deciduous trees using Barry Normans techinque as per Right track 6 Part 2. Basically, you use a wire armature, take a lump of rubberised horse hair, spray with spray glue, and cover with Woodland Scenics coarse turf. I thought they didn't come out too bad, however some of the big strands of horse hair fibre show through in a few places. However I think its about as good as I can do at the moment, and certainly the trees start creating a better landscape. I've also planted the remainder of the pines, including two by the cattle dock. I now need to get back to twisting a load more armatures over the next few weeks! I also have the pre-fab and cottages in progress, so will add these back onto the layout once painted up and a roof added, so plenty to keep me busy at the moment!

Another unusual photograph of Tetbury motive power. whilst the presence of 16xx tanks were not unusual, with 1664 being photographed numerous times, to date this is the only one of 1648 working the branch: http://www.rail-online.co.uk/p254678474/h61A9417E#h61a9417e With regards to 1664, there is another lovely photograph of that engine working the sister branch to Cirencester: http://railphotoprints.uk/p790498984

Hi Tom. Thanks for the message earlier this morning. (Yes, this is my RMWeb alter ego.) I'm modelling Tetbury which, whilst predominantly served by 14xx autotanks, was also heavily served by 1664 before closure, so a 16xx is desirable for variety. There's a great photo of 1664 on my Tetbury build thread here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/107979-tetbury/page-4 I'm just awaiting for the Shapeways order to come through, and ordered the chassis for the 16xx from Branchlines this morning (Apparently I got the last one in stock!) I've ordered W102 so I get the 3D modelled frames/chassis to keep my options open. I worked out that I have three solutions: 1/ Use the wheelsets from the Branchlines/Nu-Cast kit to wheel the 3D frames, as I'm far more happier modelling in plastic than brass. 2/ Make up the Branchlines/Nu-Cast frame and pop it under the W102 body shell. 3/ Rewheel a 64xx chassis with the Branchlines wheelsets given that the axle spacings are correct. The forth option of course is to use the 64xx chassis unaltered, but that's probably the least desirable solution as those 64xx wheels are just simply too big! Just waiting for everything to arrive and I'll let you know how I get on and which option works.

Best quote from episode 2: "This is a whole pile of engineering work, and I am looking for cream." I'm not too sure how that'll help but would you prefer single or double?

Have you oiled it? As far as I can remember, you need to put a little drop through the three holes underneath the loco.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm aware that there are a few deciduous trees that I need to model, however they need to wait until I've mode space by finishing the next batch of Scots pines, so certainly a few ideas to try out. At the moment, I'm happy with the bare branches, as the foliage for Scots pines seem to be towards the end of the branch, as these mature examples near my local petrol station hopefully demonstrate. Just waiting for the latest batch to cure before they are also affixed to the layout.

I've been meaning to visit the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden, but it gets mixed reviews about it being pricey for what you get to see.

I thought the following photo might be interesting. Most historic photos of steam motive power at Tetbury normally shows the usual mix 14xx autotanks, however occasionally you come across a few gems with something different. To date I think this is the only evidence of a small prairie at Tetbury: http://www.rail-online.co.uk/ The train behind it is also interesting as it appears to consist of a single B coach and I presume a Toad!