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milkman matt

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  1. milkman matt

    Making tracks

    By milkman matt,

    Hi folks, remember me?
     
    You know it's been a long time between blog entries when you have to go back and read your own blog just to see where you left off! I suddenly realised that it has been nearly 8 months since my last entry.
     
    However, it doesn't seem that much has happened in that time so I have had very little to write (prattle on) about. The Ratio 4 wheel carriage has come to a grinding halt as it seems that the station bench that I was using for compartment seats is no longer available anywhere and is very hard to find even as a second hand item. I did, however, manage to find a floor covering that I thought was right for the job. Turns out it was right under me the whole time. My train room has a floating wood floor so it seemed logical to just take a picture and then adjust it to a size that looks right. (If it looks right, it probably is) and print it. Then it's just a simple matter of sticking it down to the carriage floor.
     
    The Tri Ang collection is still moving ahead slowly with the addition of some nice items I have acquired recently, most notable of which is an electric level crossing and the relevant lever switch for it (from two different sources) Seems a shame that items made as long as 60 years ago still function as they are designed to but now we can't get things that last more that a few years. The X04 motor was way ahead of its time in my book and if they could get it to run as quietly as the modern can motors, they would have been on a winner.
     
    As the title of this entry suggest, I have finally started laying track on boards.............yes you read that right, I'm actually in the process of laying track. I know back in February 2017, I said I would have trains running by the end of the year but I did not say which year. As it stands at the minute,. I can run a fairly lengthy freight train (22 short wheelbase carriages) through what will be the station and also do some shunting. Gives me something to do when I have a break from the track laying. Problem is, it also distracts me from same!
     
    I have struck one hurdle though and that is the gap (1350mm) across the doorway which is on an angle from the corner of one cabinet across to another. After another call to my neighbour (the cabinet maker), it should be sorted on Tuesday evening. I can see I'm going to have to buy this bloke something nice for Christmas.
     
    Anyhoo, I see by Mickey's hands that it is getting late (Either that or he is cheering something) so I shall sign off for now. Hopefully, it won't be another 8 months before the next instalment.
     
    Cheers for now.
     

    The Ratio Coach with its "floorboards" in place.

     
    This is where the bridge will cross to complete the lower circuit of the layout.

     
    The Station area as it stands.
    Left line is the branch line to the upper level and the two main lines in the middle. The loop on the right is just over 2m long.

     
    Two of my favourites.

     
    A little something to give the rivet counters apoplexy.
    Otherwise known as "It's my railway, I'll run what I like".

  2. milkman matt
    Now that my life is returning to something resembling normality, I have managed to get more done in the train room!
     
    I have roped my cabinet maker neighbour into constructing the bridge piece for my layout (he rarely says no to a cash job) so I may actually make some headway with the layout in the not too distant future. I probably should think about laying some track eventually!
     
    I have moved forward with the MMS white metal Hilman kit though. It has been given a (Hand painted) coat of paint and I have started assembling it at last. I'd forgotten the joys of small kits until I found myself on my hands and knees looking for the headlight (about 3mm in diameter) that pinged out of the tweezers as I was trying to place it on the model. Initially, I was using Araldite 5 minute 2 part epoxy to assemble this (I don't have a soldering iron) but I found this was getting wasteful as I would have to mix more than I could possibly use before it set hard on the card it was mixed on and would, consequently, have to throw it out. I have since discovered UHU "Super glue" in small 1g tubes which is much more convenient and user friendly. Quick tip though. It may not dry fast enough for you on the model but it will dry INSTANTLY on your fingers! No I didn't stick anything I shouldn't have but it was close!
     
    Meanwhile, the grounded coach now has a roof on it! In the end I just used a sheet of plasticard formed to shape and held firmly in place with a generous amount of "Super Glue". It was then that I realised that the interior was almost impossible to see owing to it being very dark inside. I may be able to rectify that with a light in it but it will take some careful planning to retro fit one. But, for now, It will just have to be. Time to start on some outside detailing. I've added a window box for now and will eventually mount it on some sleepers cut from some old track. I may look at adding roof details such as vents and lamp tops. Maybe even give the roof a coating to resemble canvas or bitumen. I'm open to suggestions here. I was thinking of adding rain gutters and downpipes but, when I offered them up to the model, they just didn't seem right. I think I will just add rain strips which would be more in keeping with a railway carriage.
     
    Speaking of adding different parts to kits, I've made a final addition to the Metcalfe coaching inn that I built while on "Light duties" after the heart attack. Instead of using the supplied paper to make up the chimney pots, I ordered the large castellated ones manufactured by Dart Castings (L67C). After a coat of Humbrol stone (121) and a wash of Model Masters Black acrylic Detail wash, I think they are far superior to the rolled up tubes of red paper that are offered in the kit.
     
    This leads very nicely onto the subject of paints. I realised, tonight, that I had a lot of Humbrol paints that I had not even opened in a good many years. Although tightly sealed, they still don't last forever it seems. After examining the contents of approximately 15 tins, I have had to throw about 9 away as they had either hardened or separated in a such a way that they could not be saved without more effort than I care to make at this time. That said, most of them were colours that I, most likely, wouldn't use in the next ten years anyway.
     
    To close this missive out tonight, I was looking through a draw in the train room the other day and came across a Hornby "Town and Country" Victorian semi detached terrace still in it's original box. I immediately started thinking of how much fun the grounded carriage has been...........
     
    The Hillman kit.

     

     
    Araldite v UHU. Spot the difference.

     

     
    The grounded coach with roof!

     

     
    Definitely look the part in my book.

     
    Hmmm, I wonder.........

     

  3. milkman matt
    With apologies to Monty Python!
     
    Received a couple of packages last week which has helped move things along a bit. First up, I received two white metal kits from MMS models which I ordered about 3 weeks back. Apparently the delay was caused by the ABF (Australian Customs) wanting to take a look inside the package. Maybe one of them is thinking of taking up the hobby!
     
    The second package contained the Noch furniture that I was waiting on for the grounded coach body project so a little more progress has been made there. First up was the floor covering in the kitchen. this was acheived using with a piece of graph paper and a 0.5mm pencil to colour alternate squares giving a tiled effect. Then after some messing about and indecision regarding the layout, I finally have the kitchen sorted. That now leaves the "Sitting" room.......or is it the bedroom? Either way, another purchase may be necessary. For a project that started out as a bit of a folly, it seems to have taken on a life of it's own! I also intend to add a chimney, gutters and down pipes and a few other items of interest as time goes on. Now my biggest issue is where am I going to place it? I guess the answer will come as the railway progresses. Or maybe I might just make it a diorama of it's own.
     
    Taking a break from the carriage, I had a look at the MMS Hillman Van kit that arrived (the other was a Superpoise Lorry) and decided to clear out the window apertures. The kit itself is fairly straightforward and being white metal I figured it would be reasonably robust.........rookie mistake I guess. Whilst I was clearing the area near the top of the windscreen pillar and the roof, I managed to break the pillar off. Hopefully, the neighbours didn't hear what I had to say on the subject of my clumsiness. I should be able to save it though. Time will tell.
     
    For those who read this blog through my Facebook page, here is the scale of the carriage project.

     
    The completed bathroom.

     
    The "curtains" are a piece of a single ply of kitchen towel stuck to a piece of 0.5mm plastic rod.

     
    Kitchen Layout Mk1

     
    The final layout of the kitchen showing the graph paper "Floor covering"

     
    The MMS Hilman Van kit and instructions as delivered.


     
    OOPS! Again, for my Facebook readers, that broken piece is a little over 5mm long.

  4. milkman matt
    Well, only two levels actually. Baseboard construction has been proceeding apace now and I feel that I'm on the home straight. With the exception of the bridging piece, today saw the last of the lower level frames completed and supports for the upper level built. I'll be the first to admit that I'm no Carpenter/joiner but, I am quite happy with the results thus far. As for now, there will be a short pause in construction to allow funds to regenerate and then I shall push on.
     
    I have decided to create a hidden fiddle yard under the upper level as it seemed a waste space to have 6 ft of 2 ft wide base board with just 2 lines of track Running on it. "But you won't be able to reach the far tracks," I hear people cry. Thought about that already. The only real problem would be when it comes to cleaning them. On that point, dear reader, I seek your sage advice on the best method of cleaning hidden track work. As to retrieving trains from the far lines, it would be a simple matter of shunting the train from one side to the other via the double slip in the station (See plan on last entry) so that it ends up on the closest line Which will run just above my workbench! Of course, I could just run out into the open but, where's the fun in that? After all, isn't the hobby about running trains as often and for as long as you can?
     
    As to region and era that I am modelling, I have gained quite a collection of LMS and GWR stock from various eras over the years so I don't think I'll be too specific about era but if pushed, I would say around nationalisation....ish! For region, I'm thinking GWR line with share arrangements with LMS. Partly because I like both and partly because I recently obtained one of Metcalfes Wayside station kit. I know a number of people are cringing at this idea but, as they say, it's my railway and I'll run what I like! Besides, didn't the GWR have the APT first?
     
    Here are some progress photos for those playing at home!
     
    The final section of frame work nearly completed. The more observant will notice the front edge dips back over my workbench. More on that anon!

     
    General view of the support structures showing their height. Originally, they were actually about 16mm taller but I wanted to keep the gradient to the upper level as light as possible over the 10 or so feet that I have to work with. To that end, the height from the lower board to the top of the upper board is now 130mm.

     
    A quick mock up of the hidden fiddle yard for planning purposes. he point that leads straight into the support will, of course, not be there in the finished product. It just happened to be the right length of straight track for the job!

     
    Back to the front frame that I have set back over the work bench. Here is why. The rail just happens to be deep enough and the frames high enough to create the perfect shelf for little things like my rolling road, Audio remote and mobile phone. which helps keep some of the clutter off my bench!

     
    A quick mock up to show approximately where the nearest line in the fiddle yard will run above my desk.

  5. milkman matt
    25/02/17
     
    Ok, so this is turning into a bit of a saga now. After a bit of a slack period due to work commitments, home commitments, a rushed wedding in country Victoria followed by a repeat 2 months later and the passing of my father after a brief bout with cancer, I finally got started building some baseboards. I managed to get 2 done before I suffered a heart attack in January which meant no lifting any thing over 2kg for 6 weeks.
     
    However, I digress. Previous to all of this, I did manage to finish off the cabinets and get the floor down which has made quite a difference to the room. Whilst I have been on "Light duties", I have been able to make use of the custom built work desk which has stopped me going completely stir crazy while sidelined.
     
    Now that I am on the mend, I will be getting back into the baseboards again so, hopefully, I will at least be able to run a train before the end of the year. I know that sounds like a long time off but I haven't really set myself any timeline to complete the layout which means I don't have to stress about getting things done. After all, this is supposed to be a hobby to help me relax and de stress which is precisely what it has been doing for me while I'm under doctors orders to rest.
     
    Of course a railway room would be complete without a clock that makes railway sounds every hour. The certificates either side of the clock are service awards from my employer (15yr & 20yr) and from the voluntary emergency service I belong to (5, 10 15 and 20yrs)

     
    The custom made retractable work bench built by a neighbour who is a cabinet maker. I have a couple of design flaws I'd like him to sort (My fault) but otherwise, it's is perfect for me.

     
    Of course, sometimes I just enjoy the view from my workbench.

     
    Being restricted to light lifting and therefore having to put base boards on hold, I put my energies into some other projects. There are one or two items I need to fix but, I'm quite pleased with this even though it is only my second card kit.

  6. milkman matt

    It all started......

    By milkman matt,

    When we bought our house about 10 years ago, One of my many plans was to create a space for me to have a model railway. The garage was earmarked for conversion to a room for that purpose. Finally after years of inaction due to life, IVF, My Wifes cancer and just plain lack of money, I am about a month off
    having one. The house came with a "double" Garage but we never once put the car in it! Instead, it was used as a sort of storage shed/dumping ground for anything that didn't fit in the house or was not needed anymore. Eventually it just filled with "Stuff" and the trains got pushed back slowly into the "one day" category. That all changed last November when we received a gift that enabled us to afford to finally do something about it. Since then, my nephew and I have been working on it each Saturday and it is very nearly complete.
     
    This is how the Garage looked before work commenced. Those cupboards in the back are the halfway point of the Garage!!

     
    After clearing out 3mt of "Stuff" including the aforementioned cupboards we set up the wall frames to make 3 rooms. The front Half of the Garage will be the train room and the back will be divided into a craft room for my wife (2/3) and a storage room (1/3)!

     
    Another view of the train room under construction. Under all of that stuff in the foreground are cupboards containing my trains. You can also see what will become the storeroom in the back corner

     
    Moving forward a few months and now there is a door and front wall where the tilt door used to be.

     
    From the outside looking at the front of the garage. That large metal framework leaning on the shed was the frame for the tilt door!! The colourbond off the tilt door was used to protect the work during the winter months and later became the side of the chook pen.

     
    One window in and we finally get to move the colourbond and and replace it with small pieces of ply until we get the side windows sorted.

     
    For the side windows, I managed to pick up these 2 panels from a builders yard for $30 each. Just had to get frames made up for them.

     
    Like this! From the inside looking out through one of the completed leadlight windows.

     
    Windows in place and a coat of paint and we're getting closer by the day. Still need to finish off some trims and paint the side windows. The overall idea is to get the feel of an old station office. I think we have it right.

     
    Of course, the view from the inside doesn't feel like a station office! Maybe a nice mural on a wall outside the window?

  7. milkman matt
    2015
     
    Wow! Is it really 4 years since I started this? Not sure what happened but things came to a halt for too long after the last entry. Now it is moving ahead again. I'm not going to make bold predictions this time. Just make entries as things happen. First up, I finally finished the walls and gave the interior a coat of paint.

     
    Next up came bases for the cabinets. It was at this point that we discovered thet the floor has a nasty slope into one corner which meant the the Bases at the far end had to be packed up by 40mm to bring them level with the nearest one. To minimise the gap under the base, I had to nail on a strip of 18mm x 18mm pine to it.

    I had trouble trying to work out what sort of cabinets I wanted and who I could get to build them until I hit on the idea of using IKEA kitchen base cabinets as I could buy them to suit my needs and build them myself. $2000 later and I have most of the cabinets I need for my room. There are still three more required to fill gaps but they will have to be bespoke units, one of which will include a work bench which I haven't quite worked out yet. I am thinking of a slide out type bench as the railway will be running across the top of the unit. Stay tuned and I'll get back to you. Hopefully it won't take another 4 years.

     
    There are more cabinets at the other end of the room but this should give the general idea.

  8. milkman matt

    Moving on.

    By milkman matt,

    As I mentioned in my last update, I had a heart attack in January (21st) this year which not only slowed me down but also acted as a bit of a wake up call. You'd think 20 years of rescue work would have done that but, no, these things always happen to other people! It has been mentioned several times since that I am still young (turned 53 on Jan 4) and still have a fair few more trips around the sun to go.
     
    Prior to the heart attack, I had a bit of a tendency to being a "Gunna" and was always going to do this or that soon. Now I find I have a new impetus to get out and get more active with both the railway and a myriad of jobs that have been on the "Gunna" list. Of course, I have to take it a bit easy still but I feel changes are to be wrought this year. Now that I am getting back to something resembling normal health, I have started back on the baseboards again. Not rushing of course but making some steady progress.
     
    For the main part, the baseboards are in 4' x 2' sections although they will probably never be separated as I do not intend this to be an exhibition layout. The frames are made up of 42x19mm pine which will be held together with 5/16" "T" nuts and bolts. I managed to add another 8' of frame today which will have tops (12mm MDF) added over the weekend with any any luck. This means I now have a 16' section of "L" shaped board now finished and ready for whatever I decide to do next. I would like the next sections to be on open frame baseboards as they will eventually include a hill and upper level of track.
     
    The room itself measures 17' x 9' 4" and the railway will run around the edge of the room as previously mentioned. The plan I have Come up with in Any Rail is a Lower level tail chaser with a branch to an upper level. I know this is probably a bit ambitious for a first layout but, as I have said, I'm not in a hurry to complete it. I do have one quandary at the minute. The upper level will be on the short side of the cabinets which runs over my work desk and I was wondering at the possibility of putting a fiddle yard under the raised section as there would be about 7' x 1'6" of space available although I don't plan on making the raised section too high in order to minimise the slope. I would welcome thoughts and suggestions on this point.
     
    The completed section of Baseboard frames with the tops sitting on them. The section on the right is approximately 10' long and the other 6' long.

     
    These are the "T" nuts used to hold the boards together. Being in Australia, I got these from Bunnings but I assume that B&Q or someone similar will also have them.

     
    I initially started off drilling holes for wiring to run through but then realised that it would probably be more practical to get the Jig saw out and open them out to slots. I will be running this as a DC layout so I guess I should make a bit of room for wires!

     
    In this shot, you can see the initial holes I drilled for the wires at the far end and the slots in the frames nearer the camera. I may open the holes out but, I don't plan to have a lot of electrics in that area of the layout so I may just leave them as they are.

     
    The master plan for the railway as it stands at the minute. My work bench is located under the section at the bottom of this picture.

     
    The plan showing just the lower section.

     
    The yards at the top of this picture are on the lower section and then the branch rises to the station and yards which will be above my work desk. This is from an earlier plan as Any Rail wanted to mess me around and not let me hide the lower section. Still very much the same plan but with minor changes.

  9. milkman matt
    Strange and exciting things are afoot in the train room this week.
     
    First up, I took delivery of a custom made book case thanks again to my neighbour. He also made those modifications to my work bench that I alluded to in one of my previous entries. I now have all of my books in one place and not spread throughout the house (Believe me, they were!) and a work bench that stays put and nothing can fall off the back of. Seems I could use some more books though!
     
    Now for the strange bit. I went out to the train room today to think out a few construction points for the layout. Next thing I know, I was looking at some long forgotten projects that never really got off the ground. Amongst them was a pair of Hornby 4 wheel coaches that I picked up off Ebay some years back as spares/repairs units. I had cut open the centre door of one of them with a view to using it as a grounded van somewhere. However, that idea changed somewhat today when I also found a Pola kit of a building under demolition. The kit has a sprue of some interesting items of interior fittings so I though to myself, "why don't we have some fun here?" What was going to be a workman's hut and store is now in danger of becoming a three room dwelling! A quick rummage through the bits box produced 2 doors (1 of which is actually 2 sided) and a few other interesting bits and pieces. Some hours later, the coach has a solid floor, 2 internal walls have been cut out and the interior has been planned out including a bath room. I only wish I could find a 1:76 scale cooker or stove for the kitchen. I'll just have to keep my ear to the ground for now.
     
    The book case. We planned it with 6 shelves but it only needed 4 it seems. I guess I could always get more books!

     
    One of the 2 Hornby coaches I picked up on Ebay. I don't remember the provenance of these but the white plastic is unusual.
    Maybe I shouldn't be cutting one up.

     
    But cut it up I did. This is the second of the 2 which has also had the lugs removed from the bottom.

     
    The donor kit for interior bits. Strangely there are no doors in this kit which I thought a little odd.
    Maybe the demolition company sold them first.

     
    However, You'd think they'd sell some of the other fittings as well. The kit had 2 of these sprues in them.

     
    A quick mapping out of the van to get a feel of the spaces. The chairs and table, I think came from another kit for a cafe that I had many years back.
    I might repaint the table though.

     
    A quick floor made from a piece of styrene sheet to cover the various holes moulded into the floor of the coach.

     
    Test fitting the bathroom wall and door. The lovely wallpaper also came from the Pola kit. I'm going to have to find a sofa for the sitting room too.
    I will have to assume it to be a sofa bed as there is no actual bedroom.

     
    I'll post more as the project continues. I'm not sure where this s going to lead so it will be just as much a surprise/disappointment for me as it will be for everyone else!
  10. milkman matt
    It seems that, if you wait long enough you will find more than you need.
     
    In my last entry, I mentioned that I need to keep an eye out for a cooker for the grounded carriage project. By some happy coincidence this week, I found a set of interior furniture by Noch (set 14833) that includes not one but three different cookers! It's a puzzle as to why they would have three cookers in a set that only has one of everything else but I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. I have ordered said set from AJM railways and it will hopefully be here within the next 2 weeks.
     
    Meanwhile I have been slowly progressing with the coach. The "sitting room" has had wallpaper added courtesy of the Pola donor kit as well as "Carpet" in the form of self adhesive felt from one of our large fabric stores here. The kitchen area has had a coat of paint (I believe the colour to be called duck egg blue) and I have rebuilt the wall between it and the "Sitting room" using components from an american lumber kit which I originally bought for a different purpose.
     
    I have also bought a couple of entry lights from the "Just Plug" range which I will mount on the outside of the carriage. There are still a few ideas floating around in the back of my head which will require further purchase from O/S but that will have to wait until next week. A lot of time is being spent on waiting for parts to arrive or for paint to dry but that's what the hobby is all about sometimes, isn't it?
     
    The Noch set in question!

     
    The lovely wallpaper in the sitting room!

     
    Cutting out the window apertures required some thought. My solution was to place the paper on the inside of the carriage and trace the opening with a pencil whilst using a coffee stirrer to give support.

     
    The result is an easy to follow outline.

     
    These are the self adhesive felt sheets I found in the fabric store. They cost about $3 AU each but they will go a long way.

     
    The "Just Plug" wall mounted entrance lights. Possibly the most expensive part of the project thus far.

     
    Where it all stands at the minute. The kitchen has since had another coat of paint (I'm typing this while waiting for it to dry) so the streaks shouldn't be so obvious. The arrow indicates the 1.2mm hole on the wall for the wires that will lead to the entry light outside.

  11. milkman matt

    Hmm Now what?

    By milkman matt,

    Ok, this is getting ridiculous now. Those of you who have been following this saga would know of my heart attack in January. Well, 4 Weeks ago, I found myself in hospital once again but, this time, it was a bleed in the bowel. The remedy this time was for the doctors to remove 1/3 of my bowel. Hopefully, that will be the last time for a good while to come.
     
    However, I digress. The grounded carriage project has been coming along nicely and I'm quite happy with it in general. During this recent brief interruption, I received a delivery of Noch set 14832 (Bedroom / Living room furniture) from AJM Railways. Admittedly, a lot of the furniture in the set doesn't quite suit the decor I'm thinking But the sofa is close and that was all I was really after. This, more or less, completes the interior so I can move onto the exterior finishes now. I have also installed the external entry lights which are quite impressive (although tiny) when lit. I have also received a delivery of assorted chimney pots and vents from Dart Castings. I was thinking of adding one to the carriage but I'm not so sure now. I actually have a few things planned for the exterior but there still may be some "organic" components to it. I don't know about anyone else but, I'm really curious to see how this turns out now! One thing I do need to figure out is the roof and how it will look. If anyone has a spare 4 wheel coach roof they don't need, I'd happily take it of their hands!
     
    Another delivery I've had recently is a product called "Micro Kristal Klear" which is a clear adhesive and window forming solution. The idea is that you can use it as a glue for clear parts or to form "windows" in small apertures by the simple expedient of applying it around the outside of the frame and then use a toothpick or similar to draw it across the opening to form a window. I have tried it out but I think I need a bit more practice on it!
     
    So far, this little project has been quite a lot of fun and a bit of a learning curve for me. For those of you who have never tried kit bashing, I suggest you give it a go. This is my first attempt and I have really enjoyed it. There have been some frustrating moments along the way but those are the times that you just have to sit back and stretch and think about things for a while. The best advice I can give anyone wanting to try this is to not put any deadlines on the project and just let it happen as it happens!
     
    The furniture set from Noch

     
    The couch is all I really needed

     
    The entry lamps from the Wills "Just plug" range

     
    Quite impressive in the dark too!

     
    The Window forming fluid mentioned

     
    My first attempt at forming windows

  12. milkman matt
    Having got the grounded coach to near completion, including the fitting of internal lighting, and also finishing the MMS Hillman van kit, my attention has turned once again to the baseboards and a small step forward has been made in the form of a slope to the upper level. It isn't quite as I would have hoped it would be in as much as it seems a little steeper than I thought it would be. Indeed, a test using 2 Hornby clerestory coaches showed that certain engines will not be able to cope, namely an older "Mainline models" Collet goods 0-6-0. However, as it will only be a branch line with a small terminus station, I don't envisage too much trouble with engines hauling the small trains up there. I have also started placing track on some boards and found that the curves may be a little tighter than I was lead to believe on Any Rail. If any of the local (Pakenham, Melbourne Aus) DURM members could offer some help with this, I would be very appreciative.
     
    As is my wont, I also found a couple more projects to work on at the same time as all of the above. I've made a tentative start on the MMS Superpoise Lorry kit and have also started "populating" a carriage with passengers. It was at this juncture that I discovered that I have very few "seated" passengers despite having a large number of figures that I bought many years ago when I was much younger and quite directionless with regard to my railway modelling.
     
    In my last entry, I also mentioned the possibility of detailing a Hornby Victorian Terrace that I found stashed away in the bottom of a box. With the help of a fine point permanent marker, I have made a start by mapping out the upper floor room plan but, that will be all for the time being as I want to be able to take plenty of time on that project without being distracted by other task at hand. Given my propensity for having multiple things on the go at one time, that could be a few years in the making.
     
    I've also taken delivery of a couple of "John Day" white metal kits as I recently discovered this range and decided to give them a try. Initial impressions are very encouraging with these and I look forward to building these two kits. See my post in "Small suppliers" in regard to these.
     
    Now that spring is here, there might be a little more activity in the train room as is won't be so cold in there at night. For those who have followed this saga from 'the beginning, you may have noticed that I never mentioned insulating the room when we built it. I hope to rectify that in the not too distant future but. for now, it's dress warm and keep the heater close!
     
    The Gronded coach with its internal lighting installed.
     

     

     
    A few photos of the finished Hillman Van
     

     

     

     
    Supports for the slope to the upper level and general view of the grade.
     

     

     
    The brackets for the support were made from this "make a bracket" strip which cost under $2 at Bunnings. (Aus)

     

     
    Floor plan for the first floor of the Hornby Victorian Terrace.
     
    The hole in the middle will, of course, be where the stairs come up and there will be a wall down the middle of the two.

     
    And finally, the 2 John Day kits as delivered.
     

     

  13. milkman matt
    Seems I have been slacking off a bit with my blog entries of late.
     
    I blame the weather. Now that it's warming up, I'm spending more time outside and less in the train room but that doesn't mean I have been slacking off in the room altogether.
     
    The ongoing project of the grounded coach body continues and seems to be slowly turning into a diorama of its own. After my last entry, I have added a window box, outdoor seat and "resident" as well as giving it a coat of paint. The painting was unintentional but I wanted to try out an acrylic wash and a 1/2" wash brush that was given to me by my wife as part of a set last Christmas. As the coach body was really only ever intended as a learning tool, it seemed the most obvious choice for this trial. I must admit that I am rather pleased with the result and the coach has taken on a whole new character to what it was in white.
     
    Speaking of paint, I have made a couple of purchases recently which have really helped eliminate the various storage containers that have been the home of my paints and brushes for many years now. The first one was a steel pencil case with a tray in it which I use to store my brushes, stirrers and mixing pipettes, The other (and more important) is a small 2 draw organiser which is just the right height to hold my numerous 15ML Humbrol paint tins along with the aforementioned pencil case and other paraphernalia. The whole lot is now one tidy unit that fits nicely into the draw that used to have 3 different boxes and various bits and pieces in it. Unfortunately, the draws aren't high enough for paint jars from the likes of Tamiya and Model Master so they are still in a separate box. All up, it cost me about $40 AU at "Officeworks" which is a large stationery chain of this shire. I'm not sure what the UK equivalent would be but I'm sure someone from this forum will have that answer.
     
    Unlike the paints, another collection I have is more by design than accident. For about 10 or so years now, I have been collecting Tri ang / Triang Hornby trains. For the main part, these have been kept in various boxes and parcels in cupboards until a couple of weeks ago when I decided to pull them out and see just what I had. Three hours later, I'd managed to cover a 17'x2' bench with no room left. Think it's time I got a display case on the wall.
     
    A little side project (I know, there are many) that I currently have is a scratch built shed that I started a great long time ago (When the train room was still the garage). This was built using plastic rod and "timber" from an Atlas "Mill lumber" kit. Not sure why I started this but I think it had something to do with the plan of a men's facility that was published in one of the Volumes on the SEVERN & WYE railway. Somewhere along the way though, it morphed into becoming the basis of a small, slightly run down, garden shed. At this time, it is still a work in progress but it may end up joining the grounded coach body at some time.
     
    A new trick this old dog has learned recently is making trees. I know many of you are saying "But that's easy, I've been doing it for years," but I really only knew the basic concept of tree construction and not the technique. However, thanks to a video on You Tube (isn't the internet wonderful?) I finally cracked the mystery of tree making. My first attempt was not so flash as I used the wrong gauge wire and ended up with something that looked not unlike a very sick weeping willow and so that was consigned to the "I might need that one day" box. At this point, Mrs Milkman came to the rescue once more with some florist wire that she no longer needed. Attempt number two was a vast improvement as far as the frame went but I feel I was a little to gung ho with the latex (First time I've used it) so it looks just a little chunky although still very passable as a tree. As I type this, I am waiting for the adhesive to dry so I can add more foliage. Attempt three, at this time, is looking the goods and I am quite pleased with it. Of course, practice makes perfect and I will be practicing a bit as time goes on although nature is not perfect so you could almost say near enough is good enough when it comes to trees.
     
    For now though, I must leave you dear reader until next time. If I don't manage another entry before then, have yourselves a merry little Christmas and I hope that the big guy in the red suit brings you much joy on the day.
     

    The grounded coach with it's "new" paint, window box and the resident reading the latest copy of his favourite railway modelling magazine

     
    The organiser that now holds all of my enamel paints and painting paraphernalia.


     
    General overview of my Tri ang collection.

     
    Trees! The one on the right is attempt 2 with attempt 3 on the left.

     
    The scratch built "shed" and the Atlas kit used to build it.


  14. milkman matt
    Hi all. I trust everyone had a happy Christmas and that the big guy was good to them. Hands up all those who got a lump of coal. As I've said previously, rail modellers are a lucky lot. If we're good, we get what we want for Christmas and if we're bad, we get a lump of coal which we could use anyway so it's a win win situation.
     
    I must have been very good as I received an apple watch for Christmas along with some very interesting materials that could be used on the model railway when the time comes.
     
    Now that we've got Christmas, New year and my birthday out of the way, it's time to get back to the story.
     
    The story so far is this. The grounded coach body seems to have ground to a halt for the minute while I contemplate the next move. I can say it may involve a base and possibly a couple of trees that I have made. I did mount it on a piece of styrofoam but I wasn't too keen on how that reacted to the spray paint so I have swapped that out for a piece of MDF I had around. I also plan to try out some of the aforementioned materials that I received for Christmas to see how they look in a scene.
     
    Another rummage through the boxes has turned up a part built Ratio 4 wheeled GWR coach that I seemed to have inherited from somewhere. As the previous owner had gone to the trouble of fitting metal wheels and three link couplings to it, It seemed silly not to finish it. I have built three of these myself (also with three link couplings), so it isn't much of a challenge to do these. I did however, think about fitting an interior to this one as I was never quite happy with previous ones not having one. A quick look in the spares box produced two double platform seats which, by a happy chance, are just the right length to fit in the carriage. Problem is, to make the 4 compartment interiors, I need 4 of them. 3 to be left whole and 1 to be cut in half length ways to for the end seats. Guess I need to go shopping. To make the compartments, I flattened off the top of the seats with an emery board (Formerly from Mrs Milkmans nail care box) and glued a piece of plasticard to each one. After painting, they look very much like a single wall with a seat either side. Hopefully, I can find a couple more seats to finish this off and maybe build more of them. Aside from the seat availability issue, the is also the matter of a bend in one of the sides to be sorted. Seems the kit was exposed to some high temperature t one point and has a lovely wave shape to it.
     
    Those of you who have read my previous post, would know of my passion for collecting old Tri-ang trains. It seems that, lately, the Tri-ang gods are smiling on me as I have picked up several items off Ebay at what I would consider to be reasonable prices. First off was a "TransAustralia" double ended diesel for $45Au which came from a seller in the next town from me. He was kind enough to drop it off to my door so I saved on postage there. Next came a 1957/8 Dock shunter in excellent condition which cost me $60Au including shipping from the U.K. I have since seen several more examples in worse condition being sold for almost double that. Last but by no means least, I have managed to pick up a R4DA TransAustralia set dating from about 1965-7 for a shade under $200Au which I consider a good buy as these sets don't come up all that often.
     
    Well, that's all I have for you now my friends so I'll bid you adieu until my next installment. Until that time, take care and happy modelling.
     
    The materials I received from my beloved for Christmas. Found them in one of our large fabric chain stores.

     
    The part built Ratio Coach I found in a box at the back of a cupboard.

     
    Looking along the distorted side of the carriage.

     
    The Station seats in situ as carriage seats.

     
    Flattening the tops of the seats.

     
    Pieces of plasticard added to form the compartment partitions.

     
    Two of my recent purchases from E-bay.


  15. milkman matt
    Ok, so maybe I didn't actually build a bridge. However, the bridge has been built and I can finally get over it.
     
    It's been a busy few weeks for me in the train room. My neighbour has installed the bridge across the doorway for me and I have managed to complete the 2 lower circuits of the railway as well as half of the fiddle yard. Now the fun can really begin, Ballasting! Any volunteers want to come around and help (do it for me)? Given that about a third of the lower level will be in a tunnel, I guess it isn't really that big a job. Of course, there is still the upper level to be sorted out but that's another blog entry to come.
     
    I've found that the biggest trap now is that, now that I can, I just want to run trains so I have to try and resist the urge as long as possible when I'm out here. I'm just chuffed that I can sit and let rains run while I mess about . I have found a happy medium to the dilemma though. I have a work train running while I work. Once I finished the first circuit, I made up a train of three open wagons, a bolster wagon, and a well wagon all hauled by my Bachmann Pannier 5700 class pannier. The bolster wagon carries long lengths of rail which is purely for looks more than anything but the three open wagons actually serve a purpose. One has the track nails in it, one has sleepers that have been cut off and the third has any small off cuts of rail left over from track laying. I'm sure there must be a use for them so I'll hang on to them for now.
     
    One thing I am fortunate enough to posses is a tack hammer that has a "T" shaped head on it which has a magnet in one end. This has proved its worth time and time again 'when it comes to dropped track nails. simply flip the hammer over and the magnet does the job that my slightly large fingers cannot. It also means that I don't have to stop the work train every time I want some more nails. I simply wait for it to trundle past, dip the magnet into the carriage as it passes and Viola! a half dozen or so nails stick to it and the train continues on its merry way. I just have to remember to make sure I use the right end to drive the nails in.
     
    Ok, enough about my shenanigans with trains and track laying. On the modelling bench, things have been a bit quiet but not entirely at a standstill. I have partly built Metcalfe station platform which I'm tossing up between using for the main station or the branch line. I am leaning toward the branch line at this time as the mainline will be a large station which will require more than the on kit if I do use a Metcalfe kit.
     
    Another little project that happened quite out of the blue (that seems to happen a lot here) is a cenotaph for the eventual village that I plan to have one day. After some years Mrs Milkman and I have started on a project of dressing up our rather plain internal doors by the simple expedient of adding some decorative beading squares to them. Of course, this meant cutting a lot of triangle pieces off the end of the beading the get the angles right and I found myself thinking about what I could do with all of the off cuts. I found that, if you place four of them together, you get what looks like the stepped base of a cenotaph memorials in some towns. I figure that, by gluing them together and with the addition of the square end of a chopstick (the irony is not lost on me here) followed by paint and weathering, it should look quite good. Stay tuned for future updates.
     
    That actually means that I now have four unfinished projects on the bench at t his time Problem is, I am trying to source scarce parts for most of them with the exception of the grounded coach body which is just stalled while I think about the next move with it.
     
    The off cuts of beading from our interior decorating

     
    And how they look when glued together.

     
    The bridge with the two tracks across it.
    I still have to cut the tracks in order to make it removable so, for now, I have to practice my limbo skills when entering or leaving the room.

     
    Half of the fiddle yards.
    I used Peco setrack points here as it will eventually be hidden and they are a lot cheaper. I also used a number of Setrack straights that I had around and save the flextrack for other work.

     
    The "Works train"


     
    Playtime!!
    While I was typing this entry, I had these three tootling around across the top of my work bench. After all, all work and no play.......

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