Chris Chewter

Just reviewing the DJ Models APT formations and found them a little odd: 5 car set. The photo of the set at Tring is the only example I can find of the train in this formation. 6 car set. Struggling to find an example of this 3+1+2 formation. 7 car set. Struggling to find an example of this 3+2+2 formation. 10 car set. Struggling to find an example of this 4+2+4 formation, although could be reduced to a more prototypical test train 4+1+2 where I can find examples at Rainhill and Stafford. 14 car set. The full set up probably only workable in N gauge. Plenty of evidence of the full 14 car formation. I agree with earlier posts that a more prototypical 3+2+3 test train formation would have been a great offering as I can find examples at Lockerbie and Beattock. Also, the 6 car set would have been better if it was in a 2+2+2 formation. This example was lifted from the old RMWeb: I'd be fascinated to know if they are based on factual evidence or whether they are put together as convenient sets for sale, as its always interesting finding images of unusual APT test train formations. I also don't have a copy of "APT: The Untold Story" so some evidence might be in there. If anyone can find evidence of the other sets, then I'm happy to be corrected.

In case anyone is wondering about the five car set, I've found an image on Flickr of the set at Tring https://www.flickr.com/photos/129410758@N08/15579235170/in/photolist-nuHSwL-a4oSft-jzqGW5-qXMnq8-7fymNs-a4PgDv-pwS6uJ-8HprNy-8ey3Nt-nuHSkJ-9XJmKU-r8DYpd-dFFWJK-pJFDQW-8Hmj8Z-h9KCGQ-81ySzc-bLChUx-8HpqQ7-p32vrN-9wntMA-EFmeWf-bvKzdb-iuEQN6-djzGk5-iuFtfn-6R3Mth-gnj4Nn-bvKyGG-6Lch79-oHfSFk-bRZg7z-bhAVC8-ryRnwL-b4S3BH-rRjyMW-diPFNy-rbwbn7-XcHaH9-9wntzC-ed5y3i-j4GdNt-nuHSqU-G7ADW7-ekTLpg-9GswPC-crXNzY-8mJTNz-5AyamP-8eBktE

It did run as a five car set as per the Hornby model, but it was a very rare occurrence. It took a lot of trawling through old magazine from the 1980's to find examples.

I'd be interested to know how much interest there has been in N gauge, as already us 4mm modellers are watching for future announcements for the APT-P in a larger scale. Would a OO version go ahead if the N gauge version doesn't sell well? I've always been fascinated with this machine, so would be very interested in a OO version.

In case anyone is thinking of getting one, I've just noticed that the 3D printer has sold out on the Aldi website. That'll save the disapproving look from the wife followed by "Why do you want one of those?"

I quite like the results from the xbox scanner. I've tried to use Autodesk ReCap to reassemble photographs to make a 3D model, but it doesn't seem to end up with the best results. I'm sure my Billy Can didn't look that battered from my last footplate shift!

After twisting together 15 pine trees, they are currently in a process of receiving layers of latex. To make sure this process works, I have 6 of the worst examples of tree twisting receiving various layers of latex to see whether they need to receive all 8 coats as advised on the bottle, or whether a lesser amount will suffice. Fingers crossed for 4 layers! Gungy! Whilst the trees are drying, as it takes 8 hours between coats, I've made a start on my home made laser cut kit. I now have a new found appreciation on the complications of designing a laser cut kit! However if I pull this off, I will have a pair of buildings which are more realistic than the make-do ready-to-plonk buildings they will eventually replace.

Well things have been quiet on the Tetbury project for the last few weeks. I've been surveying in London so I've been working out of a hotel last week. I didn't think housekeeping would appreciate wire cuttings all over the floor, so twisted up as many scots pine armatures as I could before I left. When I got back, there were three DHL delivery cards. I explained that I had been away and agreed to work from home today to wait for the parcel to arrive. The delivery was the laser cutting for the cottage and prefab. Lets hope it goes together like it did on CAD!

Earlier today, work sent me to Luton, which is several hours drive in each direction, so I've mostly been thinking of scots pines. I decided that given i still have four reels of florist wire left, I should at least give making a pine a go, at least it will keep all the trees of a similar style rather than having trees from different origins. What I wanted to understand was how the branches supported the characteristic clumps of needles. Passing a plethora of examples, including a cluster in the middle of a roundabout near Luton itself, and a forest load near Tubney, I decided that when I found a good example that was safe to park up and photograph, I would take a few reference photographs. In the end I settled for an example in Wolvercote. Perhaps a little morbid to stride through a cemetery to photograph a pine tree, but nevermind. So armed with a wild swan book to act as a reference, tonight I have twisted together what hopefully resembles a Scots Pine armature. Lets see how it looks when I've coated the trunk and added the pine needles! You may wonder why I don't use the photographs of the pines at Tetbury. Well, one thing that has become apparent is that the pines have at some point been "pruned", and now left, so in the years since closure, they have now grown to some weird and wonderful shapes. They were never like that in the 1960's! A pine only a mother could love! Lets see if I can get the pines to look a bit more like the B&R video capture!

I managed to get a couple of hours working on the layout today, and managed to string up the fence between the road and the splash, and glued down the fence posts between the road and the railway. I've also been winding a few more tree armatures together. The plan is to twist a batch up before moving onto the next stage, however when each armature takes between 1-2 hours to twist together, I only have three to show for my efforts this week! Looking back through Randolphs book, there are quite a few more scots pines than I first appreciated. I should try to make some, however I'm thinking of commissioning 4D modelshop to make a batch for me. Perhaps I'll try one and see how it goes.

Interestingly, Timbertracks recommend using Aliphatic Resin wood glue: http://www.timbertracks.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=5_6&product_id=59

Well the wife decided to watch the apprentice tonight, so I decided to do something more fulfilling and disappeared into the railway room. Sadly not the most photogenic bit of progress, but I've been busy fencing... again. Will it ever end! The cattle dock has been filled and the surface coated. The photos seem to suggest that, like the far end of the platform, it was allowed to grass over, so it looks like this area will get a liberal coating of static grass. Also, thanks for the photo Karhedron. I had found DaveF's photo during a Google search, and have a Gresley coach ready. I just need to make some trees! I'm now the proud owner of five reels of florist wire, so I have no excuse now!

This afternoon I've had an educational afternoon of sticking and gluing. The idea was to print out the CAD images, affix to card and try the models out for size. The final idea is to send the CAD files to a laser cutter to turn into a more robust model, as I don't want to commission something that is horribly wrong. As you can see, getting the roof right is a bit more tricky than I thought. The cottage seems to fit the space fairly well. However without the eaves and chimneys, it does look a little odd. With some adjustments to the design, I don't think its a million miles away. The pre-fab however is a different thing altogether. After measuring a pre-fab off google earth, it seemed to suggest that the gables were around 8.5m. Once printed, this is far too big. Back to the digital drawing board!

What to do whilst the wife watches strictly, well how about sorting out some parts of the railway that need a bit of design work. Both the cottage and the pre-fab are areas of the layout where the ready to plonk buildings are not quite up to scratch. Don't get me wrong, they are beautiful representations of buildings, but they aren't correct to this location, and try as I might, it annoys me that they are wrong. I've tried tonight to get my head around Sketchup, but I decided to fall back on AutoCAD. The work laptop was fired up, and after an hour and a half of frantic clicking, I've ended up with this: The pre-fab is particularly interesting as the only photo in Randolphs book indicates that it doesn't match any pre-fab I've ever come across. I've assumed dimensions and I think I've come up with something that works. As there are no images of the rear elevation, I've worked from memory from a similar building I measured about 10 years ago in Oxford to put the rear elevation windows in a vaguely sensible position. I've assumed a kitchen to the left, and bathroom to the middle, and a bedroom to the right. If anyone knows where a set of plans and elevations for this pre-fab can be obtained from, then I'd be very interested in hearing from you! I now need to separate out the various components to make up a card mockup to see how the buildings fit into position, but I'll leave that for another day!

Unfortunately not a lot to report since August. However I decided that I needed to get going again. Using EZ line, I've been working steadily on the fencing down the layout. I've also been studying some of the photos, and there appears to be a couple of stone sheds next to the pre-fab access road. After trying a couple of Wills grotty huts for size, I've started painting them up. However studying photos can be a dangerous thing! What I thought was scrub land between the goods shed and the cattle dock, now appears to be a coal storage area. Looks like I'll have to strip that section back. I've also filled over the top of the cattle dock and leaving it to dry before applying textured paint to the surface. The gates are now affixed to the cattle dock. I just need to apply some weeds and a lamp. The railings also need a bit of paint. I just need to rid my fear of trees and wind a few more wire armatures together. I worked out that this is the main reason why the layout has temporarily halted. I've always modelled fairly urban treeless environments. Tetbury however has quite a lot of trees, and I need to get winding that florists wire!

I've just hurriedly checked my Rails Q1, and yes, the cylinders are indeed upside down! For comparison, Hornby's factory got it right for the first release R2355!

Personally I think the computer model is absolutely fantastic. To build such a model as Taffs Wells in 1:76 would take up a significant amount of space, and involve many millions of hours to create, plus cost many millions of pounds to fund. Instead this is something that can be achieved using a mid-ranged PC available to most within the constraints of a more realistic budget. Using Google Earth, I estimate to re-create this model in 1:76 would take up a space of at least 52ft x 120ft. Of course there are items that are incorrect on the video. However if you look at models at your local exhibition, you can see the same thing happening. Wrong locos, wrong stock, wrong buildings. Like when building a real model railway where you can buy your resin buildings and drop them into place, you can easily copy and paste whole structures where appropriate, and use some temporarily whilst you model the correct structure. At least this chap chose Wales where the significant number of repetitive terrace houses can be used to an advantage. The beauty is it costs nothing than the electricity powering the computer and some free time to rectify the faults, rather than hacking apart nearly finished parts of a model in reality, and you don’t have to use the family Dyson to clean up the resultant mess. There is however one very big disadvantage of computer modelling, and that’s the delete button. Suddenly with the incorrect click of a mouse, or with a spot of hardware failure, your empire can disappear into the ether, never to be seen again, or at least only to be resurrected when you find your backup! Computer modelling is excellent for those who dream big. For those who want to recreate Kings Cross or Waterloo in a space no bigger than a ream of A4 paper, then computer modelling is a good way to go whilst waiting for your lottery win! Personally however, I don’t get as much satisfaction from computer modelling that can be achieved from making something in reality, and that’s perhaps 3D computer modelling misses one thing that it can't currently achieve, and that’s tactility.

One of the problems with building a Manning Wardle by kit, is that they are reported to be difficult to get the chassis working correctly. John de Frayssinets website gives several examples where he has either reported that he has outsourced the frame to get it right, or has attempted it himself and ended up with a loco with a wobble. Interestingly, on the page where he describes taking a GraFar 08 and modifying a brass kit to accept it, he concludes by saying that: "The joy valve gear is extremely hard to get working properly. Unless perfect, bottoming out will occur on the eccentric and the assembly will eventually all fall apart" http://www.009.cd2.com/members/how_to/grafar_mw.htm I'm not too sure if this is the same failure that has been encountered on the Heljan models and I'm also aware that the Heljan model has a representation rather than the real thing. I'll leave Steve Lewis or another Heljan owner to comment on that fact. It does illustrate that the L&B Manning Wardles are tricky beasts! My point is that if an experienced model maker finds the chassis difficult, then it shows that the option of buying an expensive brass kit of a Manning Wardle and giving it a bash may not be as preferable than waiting for Heljan to get it right. However the sentiment of getting on with something else whilst waiting does ring true!

Progress always slows at this time of year. Family holidays always slows progress down. In addition, I've had a few moments when I'm overwhelmed by all the jobs that still need doing. Fencing has been steadily making its way down the layout. Laid a bit of static grass to cover the bare bits under the fencing, and stupidly thought I'd check my reference books after. I based the fencing on one of the images in Randolphs book which seems to show a short section of GWR spear headed fencing before the brick wall. Pleased with my achievement, I looked through the B&R video, and to my horror, found this: Erm, thats not GWR spear fencing but concrete posts and a single metal rail! I did think that I would just live with it, but I'm always going to know its wrong, so looks like I'm going to have to do that section again! I also found a few photos on the internet which showed there is a stone wall next to the pre-fab access road.. So a few more sections of Harburn Hamlet walling was purchased and fitted. I've also made a start on the loading dock. This appears to be a bodged up affair on the platform ramp. I just need to mix up a bit of plaster to create the top of the loading dock, and put a black wash over the brickwork to tone everything down.

I'd also recommend the Modelu lamps. I was quite pleased to see a slot allowing them to be placed on lamp irons, although I can imagine constantly changing them over might get quite fiddly!. Personally my preference is to stick on lamps permanently and blame the fireman for getting it wrong! The photo shows the Springside lamp to the left and the Modelu lamp to the right.

I've given the chinchilla dust a go, and I think the road to the prefab looks vastly better! I've applied it on top of a layer of PVA, so we'll see if that gives it enough grab to stick, otherwise it'll have to receive a layer of diluted PVA over. I'm just waiting for the glue to set. Whilst waiting, I remembered that In one of my earlier posts, I mentioned that the Modelu lamps looked a lot finer than the Springsides. In case anyone wanted a comparison, I've lined up two locos to compare Springside and Modelu lamps next to each other. As you can see in the background, I've been laying static grass to patch up any bare bits before I start laying fences to the lower part of the layout. I'll post some photos as things progress, but currently I've had to call things to a halt whilst the glue cures!

Now I've purchased some odd things to do scenic modelling but this one is a little strange. I stood and the checkout hoping no one would ask me about my imaginary chinchilla! However if it's good enough to be suggested in a wild swan book, it's got to be worth a go! Approved by leading chinchilla breeders and railway modellers.

Doesn't post 101 above show a loco on the Wisbech line without skirts?

In between erecting fences on the layout, I've been busy painting up my last batch of Modelu figures. There is something a little strange to see miniature effigies of yourself laid in a tupperware tub! However both 14xx locos are now crewed and fitted with lamps. I normally use Springside but I thought I'd fit Modelu lamps for these two locos. They look good but fitting the lenses is a right pain! I also recently took delivery of some Modelu Pendon figures to dot around the layout, and I've been trying out a few positions. The lady in lilac was always going to end up on the platform, although its likely she will be accompanied by a stationmaster in due course. I have no idea how that grey mark got on the brickwork, but it does show how the Springside lamp is a little crude compared to the Modelu versions. The elderly couple make a great cameo stood together by the cottage. They may end up further out in the garden when I get around to detailing this section of the layout. I think she's telling him that those reeds need a trim! This couple were originally intended to be in the cottage garden. At the moment they are stood by the pre-fab, although their final position may change. However the photograph shows the grass to be a bit hairy for my liking, and the surface of the road just looks wrong. Gah! Its just goes to show that taking photos as you progress is a very useful benchmark to check the quality of your work. According to one of my Wild Swan books, it looks like I need to invest in some chinchilla powder. In case you were wondering, the fence is making its way down the line, however has come to a slight halt due to running out of static grass to fill a few holes. However I think there are plenty of other jobs to get on with whilst waiting for the postman!

In between painting figures to go into my 14xx to serve the layout, the first fence has gone in. Still need to touch up the sprue marks and put on the top wire, and paint the road in its final colour, but it's heading in the right direction.