Killybegs

Spent a few hours today planting trees and undergrowth on Abergynolwyn, just enough to fill the background in the photograph! However, I'm now running out of leaves and because I foolishly didn't put the labels back in the various bags when they were first opened some time ago, I will have to wait for Railex when, hopefully, I can pop along to Greenscenes to match up my samples.

Those locos look fantastic

Many thanks Ian. I do find that solder paste and an RSU do make it much easier to keep everything clean! John

This is the Backwoods Miniatures Class 5 kit with the Worsley Works kit to convert it to a 5A. The latter provides new footplate, valances, tanks and bunker which go together reasonably well although some of the tabs don't fit the slots and there is a gap below the front of the tanks. Matching it up with the original kit is more problematic, there is a poor fit between the cab/bunker/tanks, particularly in relation to height but this was overcome relatively easily. The 5A is 1'5" longer than the Class 5 so, as you don't get a replacement chassis, the original one needs lengthening. Unfortunately this involves two cuts not one, as you need to insert 4mm in front of the rear bogie and 1mm behind it. Nothing that can't be fixed with the soldering iron and some scrap etch!

Yes, in due course! Static grass will be added generally to the relatively small amount of open grassed areas and 'sporadically' to hard surfaced areas including track. Various types of ground cover will be added to wooded areas, rock faces, etc. John

Since the my last post, I have put a 'base coat' down in preparation for future 'planting'. Most of the hillside will be covered by scrub and trees in due course. The access road and platform have also received some initial treatment and the back scene has had a splash of colour added. It's amazing how just a bit of colour starts to bring things to life. For PcnPete, I'm also attaching a close up of the track as requested.

Pete, Yes, the filler was left with a smooth but not altogether level finish and then 'ballasted'. If you are filling to rail height, you should be able to achieve a smooth level surface as Tony demonstrated on his blog. Over the next couple of days I hope to be 'surfacing' the platforms and access road. Both of these had what may best be described as a dirt finish! Today I am experimenting with suitable mixes, best so far is stone dust/sand/small quantity of ash ballast. Just been over to the beach to get more sand, having used up that which came off my trainers! Will post another blog with the results and include a close up of the track, either in the blog or in my gallery. John

But not a good idea to drop white metal models into boiling water, the 70 solder won't like it! I also find that a small amount of 'Easyflow' mixed with solder paste flows beautifully when using an RSU. Same warnings about washing afterwards.

Robin, There's nothing quite as satisfying (modellingwise that is!) as a nicely completed bit of soldering. Once you've cracked the first one, the rest will be a piece of cake! John

Hi Pete, I don't think either of us were knocking your modelling skills, we were hoping to give you encouragement! I have to say that I admire your perseverance in trying to get everything just right, which you have certainly proved that you can in the past and, no doubt, will in the future. Keep up the good work. John

Hi Robin, I have now uploaded colour pics to my gallery. I know I have plenty of time to sort the coaches (and locos!) but time does seem to disappear rather rapidly at the moment. Abergynolwyn was supposed to be finished by now!

Absolutely delightful Mikkel.

Having been following poor Pete's tales of woe with regard to filling, I was prompted to return to 'Abergynolwyn' (after far too long a gap) and finish the filling between my own tracks using my trusted method of lightweight filler (as also used in the MPD on Bruckless Junction). This is set far enough below rail height for the rails to stand just proud of the finished surface after ballasting. I used a bit of 40 thou plasticard to to create the flangeway while the filler was setting then cleaned it up afterwards, but then, it's a lot easier in 7mm. I gave the filler a suitable wash of colour using artists' acrylics prior to ballasting with a mix of coal dust and ash from the hearth. Also splashed a bit of colour on the rocks while I was in the mood! Now then, shall I do a bit more landscaping or shall I get back to upgrading the coaching stock for 'The Cornishman'!

Once you get used to it you will be surprised how much you use it! Good luck and happy soldering. John

Both models are looking very nice.

Many thanks for your kind comments.

Thanks guys.

Have you tried premixed lightweight filler. It doesn't shrink and it's easier to scribe afterwards. If you get the timing right you can do it when it's partially set. May be worth trying on a small test section before committing yourself again! Whatever you decide, good luck!

It's been a long haul but I think it's just about there.

Robin, I think it must be that time of year, Steph came home with a colour chart yesterday. Can't think what all the fuss is about, the paintwork looks alright to me! John

I used Phoenix Precision Paints County Donegal range, although I did mix a bit of yellow in with the red with as I felt it was too scarlet straight out of the tin.

Well, it's finally finished, running and painted, although I might try and tidy up the black lining and give it some light weathering. Nice sunny day here in Donegal!

While looking for something else (that I haven't yet found) I did find these old pics of my Kingham Junction layout that are well over 20 years old. I wonder if it's still around somewhere! The second attempt at a back scene looks a lot better than the first, rather bright, one!