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Dad-1

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  1. Dad-1
    It's not my fault, blame John of Cambridge Custom Transfers. As he's pointed out the decals I require are all on one of his giant decal sheets
    I've placed an order. What do I do in the meantime ? Make another wagon that has the markings included on said decal sheet !!
    As a result I started last evening without the camera by my side and made up a rolling chassis for the Cambrian Dogfish ballast wagon. I have
    said before that Cambrian have a few quirks and often need some experience to get 'right'. One of those problems to look out for is finding
    what is flash and needs trimming away, and what is needed as you key the parts together.
     
    Here is one of those places of doubt. Do you trim off the thin edge to the chassis cross members ? NO you do not, and leaving the one where
    it's attached to the runner needs care.
     

     
    The footplate sections have this ridge all around, the parts have this below the top edge of the solebars. Easy where there is a moulded stop, but
    there is no 'stop' for these to sit on.
     
    The packet and bits this morning
     

     
    I  sat wit the rolling chassis in my hand, very squishy and deliberately twisted it until I had the axles lining up exactly. Ahh and I'd put the
    wheels in holding in with a rather loose elastic band around all 4 axle boxes. The rolling chassis is now flat no diagonal rock at all.
     

     
    More tonight, all being well.
     
    Geoff T.
     
     
     
     
  2. Dad-1

    I Needed A Rest.

    By Dad-1,

    Our Youngest Son is moving into a New house this weekend ...... Strange I shall be very busy ?
    To clear decks I moved a few 'almost' finished wagons to the loft layout for safe temp[orary
    storage. The two sidings have 22 wagons that I've made up since June or July. A surprising
    number are from original Airfix kits, a few from the Dapol versions, something like 13 of them.
    The Engineers train from Cambrian kits, as is the Borail, but that was made up a few years ago.
    With just a couple of Parkside, I've made many Parkside over previous years.
     

     

     
    All sitting on my "Two Short Planks" made 2008, a mere 12" wide long plank that in places has 6 lines, I was told it couldn't be done,
    but it did a few exhibitions around Milton Keynes area starting at the Train Collectors Club exhibition in 2009. Now retired to my loft !!
     
    Geoff T.
  3. Dad-1
    Sometimes although not everything is on top form a photograph
    shows exactly the ambience you're looking for in a layout scene.
     

     
    Self indulgent I know and the straggling fencing wire behind my
    coach detracts, but I really like this. No doubt when those raw
    fence posts are painted it'll look better but .......
     
    Dad-1
  4. Dad-1
    Often when I say I hate painting I get a reply saying they like it as it starts to bring a model to life. Well I STILL
    hate painting !! All that work, making, modifying, sits there with great promise ...... and can be ruined with a
    poor application of paint. Such a happening simply knocks the enthusiasm out of me as is happening today.
    Here was/is my Parkside Dundas Southern BY Utility van, sitting in it's malachite green (Humbrol 2 with added
    blue)

     
    Having kept the guards chimney I needed to add orangy panels to each top corner and guards entrance door.
    Well a new tin of Humbrol Matt 82 orange was opened - the new sludge variety. Stirred very thoroughly and then
    some more, but the sludge contents didn't mellow into a paint.
    I tried using a nice small brush, but the paint wouldn't flow, didn't cover well & dried as I looked at it !!. Believe me
    it looks much worse in real life than the picture shows.

     
    What to do !! I hate Humbrol current quality, or should I say lack off. This is not the first trouble I've had in the last few
    years. Like just putting a matt varnish on plasticard, it was a thick sludge when opened & stirred. It only took a short
    while to realise it just wasn't going to work, so I stopped & have yet to return to this building. Back 20-30 years ago I
    had few if any problems with Humbrol paints used on my exhibition quality aircraft models.

     
    Dad-1
  5. Dad-1
    The Wagon Works has been active since the end of January when I last posted in my Blog thread.
    I'll have to check through exactly how much as once a project is finished, or nearly finished I just
    get on with the next thing and forget what's already gone under the bridge.
     
    One I have done half-cock as per usual is a Cambrian 10 ton ballast wagon. I thought I'd add some
    spoil from a small job, but was too impatient to await weathering first.
     

     
    I should add some more 'stuff', but this wagon is on my 'new' shunting layout that I've probably not mentioned on RMWeb
    An interesting project to drive, but also difficult to get the required slow running through Peco insulated Set-Track points.
    Then sorting out the Kadees. Nearly there, I think.
     
    Geoff T.
     
  6. Dad-1
    That last posting at the end of August saw me starting a few wagons. Since then I've made 4 Dapol 16 Ton minerals, 7 Dapol 'Esso'
    35 Ton GLW tanks, 2 Cambrian 'Catfish' Hoppers, 3 Cambrian 'Mermaids' and tidied-up a few others. I just never got around to posting.
     
    Currently I'm having a rest from Wagons !! and working on my 2019 diorama scene. The initial inspiration came from my love of rural
    scenery and the Ratio occupational bridge ......
    Placing bits out to try and visualize a complete picture on the scrap warped piece of ply.
     

     
    I had in mind one of those dirt roads that only get used by farmers, and dug out this old Hornby building.
     

     
    Because I try to make a 'new' diorama each year they have to be quick, with mostly stuff laying around with the resulting negligible cost.
     

     
    Foolishly I thought it needed water somewhere so at the last moment a pond was excavated !
     

     
    Under the date stamp you'll see the VERY old trick of using coconut matting as growing corn. Youngsters will be surprised at how tall corn
    used to stand, the new short development something from the last 50 years !
     

     
    Still a few jobs to do, but well on the way, my next postings should show it finished.
    This will be on show at the Bridport Clubs January Exhibition with any other entries into our 2019 diorama challenge.
     
    Dad-1
  7. Dad-1

    Time to tidy up

    By Dad-1,

    What's a skeleton in a cupboard ? .......... For too many railway modellers it's hidden, half, perhaps in some cases completely forgotten
    project and, probably half built !!
     
    Well a recent one of mine was and still is a Parkside PC86 Z2 gunpowder van. Started towards the end of April, but bypassed by the recent
    multi build of V12 - 16 vans shown in the last two blog entries. While watching the 'test' train circle slowly my eyes fell on this part finished
    wagon. Last evening I decided to number and add tare and tonnage stencils.
    Much to my annoyance I'm still stuck. I require some smallish red decals G P and V, these were mounted on both ends and the left-hand of
    each side. Probably time to search all my RAF WWII decals to see if Bomber Command used these letter in red, but will I have 4 of each ??
     

     

     

     
    I don't want to do detail painting, or weather until I can find and fix the missing letters. While I can print decals at home the one thing you can't
    do is match the paint colour of the surrounding area and would you fancy your chances of cutting neatly around small letters ?
     
    Sensible suggestions welcomed !!
     
    Dad-1
  8. Dad-1
    At Beaminster Exhibition on 12th January the new 'West Bay' will have it's first outing.
    Currently still in my shed, but with the Kadees almost behaving, lighting fixed and
    functional, even a couple of wagon kits finished except weathering (That may not get
    done in time) I'm no longer stressed !!
     

     
    As I write the fiddle-yard board is in my kitchen for a few prettying jobs. Why ? It's a
    fiddle-yard ? Ahh you should see how hard visitors will try to see what's behind the
    scene - Been there and done that !!
     
    Dad-1
  9. Dad-1
    Well I've been away for 3 days, but the postman brought my HMRS decals on Saturday, there
    waiting on the floor when we got home this afternoon.
     
    Job done - I suppose not really finished as it needs a varnish seal on the decals and a light
    weathering.
     

     

     
    Modelu rear lamp on.
     
    Not an easy kit and as you can read decals have been a real problem, yet I've thoroughly enjoyed
    making this kit
     
    Even if you bang your head against a wall sometimes it still remains fun.
     
    The HMRS LNER Wagon sheet is as expected first class although it hasn't got some of the required
    decals for certain periods of this vans use.
     
    Dad-1
  10. Dad-1
    O.K not quite a finished NER Birdcage Brake Van.
    That's where the trip comes. The decal sheet was 'dead', a press-fix and for anyone who has used them
    there should be a protected surface film on the underside. When you cut out your required marking this
    adhesive is what you press onto your model to hold it in place, then when located correctly you add water
    to an over tissue. This water both releases the over tissue and activates the permanent adhesive which
    is included with the tacky film.
    Sorry about the teach-in, but it helps you understand my problem.
     
    So ? Well the Cooper Craft/Slaters decal sheet was 'dead', not only was the tacky film not active, but when
    water added the protective tissue lifted away, but the decal didn't adhere to my model, Huh - Dead !!
     
    I have been asking questions in the forum, but although this is a known problem with some press-fix decals
    nobody has a fool proof way of resurrecting them !!!!
     

     

     
    Note the rather prominent lamp brackets that have been added from fine micro strip, 3 to each end and one
    each side near the door. Hopefully this will be finished withing a few hours of a HMRS LNER press-fix decal
    sheet arriving. It has the essentials, but sadly not all the allocation names.
     
    Dad-1
  11. Dad-1
    I'm known for being almost a wagon addict, I've always got at least one on the go, but there comes a time when space
    is running low. In a casual conversation with my local buddy I said I only had 3 kits left in stock and might not buy any
    more with my 'yard' containing around 450.
    Next thing he offered me a Cooper Craft, Ex-Slaters NER Birdcage brake van, would I make it for him ? With it's 19
    pieces of brass wire not an easy build. Here it is as I'm beginning to paint.
     

     
    Still a ways to go, but looking the part ?
     
    Dad-1
  12. Dad-1
    I've always made models from as far back as I can remember, the actual subject not
    a real priority. Here we have my latest diorama without anything on it, just an East
    Anglian dyke with railway & road running alongside each other.
     
    I will be standing on a J50, sheeted wagon and a brake van, have a Spitfire Mk.1 behind
    the security fence and some sheep on the road. Those though are all just additions to
    a quiet country scene.
     

     
    Animal tracks in the grass, signal wire and supports so small you can't see them, 1/4 mile
    yellow trackside marker.
     
    I hope someone other than me likes 3D pictures like this ?
     
    Dad-1
  13. Dad-1
    For years I've been looking for a better answer to uncoupling than I'd found to date.
     
    I decided that nearly all methods of automatic uncoupling are just too limiting being at fixed locations. Even the
    much vaunted Kaydees will only uncouple at the fixed magnet, although it is possible to release and continue
    to push without recouping it's simply not as flexible as I wanted.
    The Brian Kirby method was something I was going to add to my layout, being cheap & effective although single
    point limited. I then had a think that my Neo magnets could lift hooks if a magnetic strip was attached along the top
    of the standard Bachmann small NEM pocketed small tension lock hooks. I cut No.56 staples into 4 pieces, two legs
    and the bridge cut in two half's giving 4 small ferritic slivers, enough for 2 wagons ! At around £3 for 5000 staples
    that would convert 10,000 wagons it seemed cheap enough to try !!
     
    One needs to carefully bury the magnet and make certain it can't touch otherwise you'll lift wagons off the track.
    I have my 3 mm diameter, 3 mm deep magnets in a hole drilled in some dowel, then a small paper plug put in with
    superglue, that depth need to be about 3 mm.
     
    Here is the result.
     

     
    It's always worth remembering all wagons needed a shunter with pole to uncouple so this is no more the hand of god
    than were the standards used by British Railways.
     
    I Hope the long silent video didn't send you to sleep.
     
    Dad-1
  14. Dad-1
    The St.Oval fights back - or why didn't I think first !!
     
    St.Oval has 4 bridges, the tightly curved viadict ..... or is it a bridge with 3 spans, 2 over the stream, one for road the other the branch line, then a much higher road over bridge. These are never as easy as first thought.
    First the Viaduct has not been a problem yet although putting the 3 arch linings in on a curved structure will no doubt cause me some difficulties. skinning with plastic card will be easy enough when I find which one I want to use.
     
    The stream culvert would have been easy enough if I hadn't glued the MDF structure in place before adding the plastic skinning and in particular the key and arch stones. I found it impossible to work upside down on the inside arch, although the outer one was easy. In the end I stood the layout board on it's side, sitting on a bench, while I worked on my knees ..... went much easier than expected.
     

     
    The outer face and wing walls were easy, looking better for an initial rough coat of paint.
     

     
    After that I made certain the road bridge that'll sit alongside the railway was put together before being stuck in place.
     

     
    I can't even begin the final road over bridge until I've fixed the cutting sides and the road leading to the bridge - it's the only way I'll get things to line up. As it is the hill will be nigh on 1 : 4, although that's not uncommon in Cornwall.
     
    Still a long way to go, particularly when my back is giving so much trouble. I think doing the Edinburgh Tatoo by coach was the agravating factor for my back.
     
    Geoff T.
  15. Dad-1
    6 weeks since I posted and in truth not a lot done.
    Family members are having the caravan this weekend so I had to do something
    with Shillingstones Lane. Pt.I shown in the last posting was all but finished
    however Pt.II was sitting unloved so I brought home and added some grass, fixed
    (although not painted) fencing around the cottage then planted a real height
    tree roughly a 44 footer.
     

     
    I enjoy the making up of a scene, much more relaxing for me than trying to copy
    some existing location. I think it's been good use of a space 16 inches x 26 inches.
    Now I have to work out the best way to join Pt.I & Pt.II !
     
    Dad-1
  16. Dad-1

    A Shed at Last !

    By Dad-1,

    Well the MKMRS show went O.K, although the Dynamis system failed. Just got it back from Bachmann at a
    cost of £100 !!!
    Anyway back to more interesting things. I returned home with my CM layout after the exhibition and had
    to store in the garage pending arrival of my new shed.
     

     
    My shed arrived on the 20th of last Month as I went down with a rotten cold. This was the largest I could
    get in the available space, just 12ft x 7ft.
     

     
    I have moved one end board into the shed and done a little work on it. Some fencing made up although not
    fixed until all the fields are grassed. Been using various cows while 'playing' - Highland, Fresians, Jersey,
    Dexters, Devon Reds, but they need a re-paint not ginger enough !!!
     

     
    It's good being able to re-start work on CM ..... but I do miss my 20 x 10 garage !!
     
    Dad-1
  17. Dad-1
    I should have got so much more done, but when the layouts 165 miles away it's difficult. So the cars packed
    & I leave first thing tomorrow morning for MK.
    With compact layout storage so much has to be detachable, giving other storage problems. This is my pile of
    'stuff' for Saturdays exhibition.
     

     
    It's almost embarrasing that there is still so much to do scenically, at least it should run fine with a couple
    of sound locos this year (not mine) a 4F & Ivatt 2MT.
     
    May see someone there ?
     
    Dad-1.
  18. Dad-1
    A Blog I was once told is a sort of diary, what you're doing and perhaps why.
    Well yesterday was a 'save some models' day. I have a large collection of aircraft models made
    over the last 30 years. Many have not seen light of day for several years and are destined for the
    bin, others I spent a great deal of time making and want to keep. These are too delicate to be trusted
    with a removal company and as our moving date gets near I wanted to get some safely down to the holiday
    caravan. This needed a 333 mile round trip from Northamptonshire to dorset & back, which I did yesterday.
    I know it's a railway website, but modelling is well, Errrr ..... modelling.
    Here are two of my H.P Victors taken while the B.1 version was being worked on, in the background stands
    the B.2 version. Both heavily modified from the basic Matchbox/Revell K.2 kit.
     
    For me not every day is a railway day !!
     

     
     
    Dad-1
  19. Dad-1
    I'm struggling along, and at times feel rather defeated by the sheer amount of work still to be done on Castell Mawr.
    In fact there are frequent times when I regret starting something this large, offering a 45 foot main line run. Yet how
    else can you get the feel of even a local 3 or 5 coach train running 'somewhere', let alone a 30 wagon goods train ?
     
    To keep spirits up I'll occasionally just have a little play, get some people, a train, or two and set up some simple cameo
    scenes. At times the focus is slightly out, but I enjoy most of the results.
     
    Here is Grandfather with Grandson having a look inside the cab.
     

     
    Another from the same 'play time'
     

     
    I always have batteries recharged after these sessions and resolve to get on and progress further !!
     
    Geoff T
  20. Dad-1

    Back & Fighting Fit

    By Dad-1,

    Hi All,
     
    The back operation went very well and my legs are working without giving me pain equal to a broken limb. Although there were no promises regarding general back pain that I've had for 50+ years there has been a considerable improvement. Shame the NHS thought they could defer until I was unable to move, was it worth the eventual private cost of £6 K, yes worth every penny.
     
    However now she who must be obeyed has pushed me into buying a holiday caravan by the sea. As a result all builds will slow down (even more).
     
    I have started again as I can stoop without pain and have been cladding the wooden wall liner with embossed plasticard. Had to make up a scene as I played. Quite a busy road in the morning. All still a little raw, but you get the idea of the scenic fiddle yard/sidings. Why have loads of track doing nothing for you ??
     

     
    Off to the seaside tomorrow for just over a week ...... enjoy yourselves ..........
     
    Dad-1
  21. Dad-1
    So far 'Castell Mawr' has proceeded at a steady crawl, but those gentle steps now give me 10 working layout boards with all 7 point decoders fully functional working my selection of points. The last posting shows the North end cutting taking on it's base plaster in preparation for adding grass and asorted other greenery.
    What I have done is to forget the Southern 180 degree section on two boards that sit just shy of 6 inches lower than the rest of the layout. On these I want a resin river, water meadow, main road running close to the river edge with the railway crossing the river and road twice.
    I began today ..... and the height at first looks almost frightening.
    Here we have my first 'artistic' planning ...... you know, put it down and see what it looks like !!
    My lorry is in a layby, the road outline is clearly seen. Where the joining beams are the road section will be cut down to around 1" high.
     

     
    Now here with a photo taken at river surface level you can see how high my tracks will be.
     

     
    It may look high, but I'm certain it should look right when all the surrounding landscape is added (I live in hope)
     
    Getting these boards right is something of a test, but I wanted a reasonable rise & fall of landscape over the 21 feet of layout. I've managed about 1 foot from the highest fields above the cutting to river surface ...... Oh and 4 bridges to dream up, this will take some time.
     
    Geoff T.
  22. Dad-1
    When I started this in October I don't think I realised just how much work was involved in making a large portable layout.
    I had worked out the track would probably be 1K when points, decoders and all was built in, but this has just seemed to
    go on forever. However today I pinned down the last points by completing the south station throat with it's 6 assorted
    turnouts that includes a double slip and a 3 way.
     

     
    From above it shows main lines to the right, with the left siding to serve the builders merchants & timber yard, with a spare
    siding between.
     

     
    This layout was/is planned to be as compact and portable as possible, while offering some 45 Feet + of main line running
    with some sidings and 'industry' to serve by freight movements. As such there will be almost no back scenes behind the inner
    buildings. This way it is hoped that perhaps 2 small family cars can transport, at the most 3 vehicles meaning no hired vans.
    Hiring vans becomes a problem insurance wise when you pass 70 ..... and for that I have just 7 weeks !!!
     
    Dad-1
  23. Dad-1
    Well again months roll by and I've not done too much.
    Just a little weathering to 4 Ore Hoppers, trying to decide which was best, Dapol, or Bachmann.
     

     
    From my own point of view I find the Dapol version better because there are less plastic moulding marks. Having said that Dapol have an incorrect wagon number and although 22 or 24 ton they marked theirs 12 ton !! Once weathered a swipe of rusty paint over part of the number and weight hides the mistake. With the Bachmann even a splash of paint won't cover the plastic weld marks.
     
    Just starting another layout with some friends, so I may get into posting again before 2012 begins !!!
     
    Dad-1
  24. Dad-1

    Just playing silly beggars

    By Dad-1,

    Having recently had a couple of holidays, bad back and general lack of energy I've not done any real work on St.Oval for several weeks. Tonight I went to the garage and just fancied running something ........ but what ? few laps with a Baccy 56XX, no didn't feel right, Vitrains 37's phew only just make the 1st radius curves. So I got out Marilyn my favourite loco ...... forget 9F's, Collett Goods, 37's, 47's, 33's, single wheelers, I'm in love with Marilyn !!
     

     
    Hope it didn't freeze while loading (I often have that problem) But you must admit she packs a punch, some may like it hot, but Marilyn can do it all !!
     
    Mad Modeller Geoff T.
  25. Dad-1
    Well although I've not been posting it dosen't mean I've not been working on anything.
     
    I started a small diorama in January that was finished by the Spring Equinox. The idea
    was similar to Andy Y's 2011 competition in as much it was in limited space. In the end
    I settled on 9.1/2 inches wide by 15 inches long and made to represent a corner of a
    small town quay.
    By trying to be non-specific it allowed me to 'set the stage' with anything I fancied. These
    small dioramas allow experimenting and if they work out O.K make ideal photo plinths.
    Thought I'd add a couple of pictures - One from early BR days when there was still some
    fishing going on. The second from the '70's when holiday makers were the main visitors.
     
    Perhaps be back before too long.
     
    Geoff T.


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