dj_crisp

Amazingly the sun came out for 10 mins!! A few work in progress snaps as I put the 50s back together... Sir Ed Thunderer St Vincent Lots still to do including weather of underframes! Cheers Will

I've posted for a while as my modelling has been slow n steady.... and as I'm batch building my 50s there isn't much new to show! Apart from minor tinkerings with a 47 I'm managing not to get distracted I've been playing with lighting... and trying to get something that looks a bit more like the prototype. On my test track is Sir Ed; My photography skills aren't up to be able to capturing the brightness as this is a long exposure in quite a dark room. But hopefully gives a fair impression. The front LEDs have all been replaced with warm white versions and I've kept Hornbys light guides. I've installed a new circuit with resistors but also have used the decoder to reduce brightness.... although the photos look bright!! For the tail lights I've simply kept Hornbys originals... but chopped down the light guide, blocking one off with plumbers sticky sealant, so only one is illuminated. I'm much happier with the overall effect now and pleased that I have independent control of each light as they operate on individual function outputs of the decoder. Happy modelling and roll on summer! Will

Some cracking weathering and modelling Andy! I'be been tempted by the Bratchell models Class 456 kit but really can't justify it! Are you going to bother with fitting working lights? Your wagons look great. If you get chance I wouldn't mind a close up shot of the oba Cheers Will

The White PBA looks rather good... I won't be able to resist

I've noticed that a number of my 50s have the same issue... contacted Hornby but they don't have any spare ones. Chassis look ok which is the main thing Will

An excellent bridge! If it's any help I use pixresizer for my photos... very simple piece of software. Hope that helps Will

Provincial & Regional Railways please All other liveries are either too modern or a bit out of my modelling area.... and I'd prefer blank destinations so i can add me own. But getting the lighting right is more important to me than the destinations. looking forward to seeing it in the flesh one day

I'm liking the 31 alot

One step forward... one sideways. It happens to me no matter how careful I am. Your 67 does look great though. For matt black I've had excellent results with Halfords rattle cans which save me getting out the Airbrush. Will

And I'm sure our currency hasn't helped...

Thanks for sharing Andy I shall follow with interest Will

Happy New Year everyone and Happy Modelling for 2017! New years resolution for me... finish the 50s! Cheers Will

Happy New Year Lee! I hope you find that excellent shed a new home. Cheers Will

A proper scruffy prototype... that'll make a great model! Will

Sounds like a perfect Christmas to me Merry Xmas! Will

Some great modelling I'm very impressed with your seacow and would be really interested in knowing how you did it (especially the rusting effect). I'd find it very hard to not keep the fantastic mainline blue 58 and your Loadhaul 60 looks great. I've treated myself to a "looking back at type 5 locomotives" book... and just noticed there is a nice photo of 58017 in there. I'm sure you'll make a nice model of it! I'm sure I also recognise your layout.. what's it called? Cheers Will

Cheers Nick I agree with you on the numbering and I almost took the plunge... but got distracted by 50s and I've been messing with them ever since! I've left the cab sides untouched just in case I change my mind though. Brian @ Shawplan keeps promising he'll have a go at the 58 which I'm sure will make this a fab model. Andy - I'm looking forward to seeing your weathering I really enjoyed messing around with mine and I hope u do too. Will

I think painting the grills makes a big difference and it's a pity Heljan missed this in their first batches. Overall I like Heljans and I like what you've done to yours Cheers Will

The external door lock lights.... but now you mention...

For me.... lots of lights Separate head/tail. Night/day headlights Interior Illuminated destination & Door lock lights Not too much to ask for. Lol. Cheers Will

How about a nice class 115 DMU

The underframe looks rather good Thanks for the link

Looks very smart

Just thought I'd post a few in progress photos of St Vincent since I've re-united the body with the chassis. Apologies for the naff photos... its very grey and gloomy today! It took a while and alot of patience but I've finally been able to glaze the front windows.... in comparison glazing the rest of St Vincent was easy being laserglaze. I've modified the chasis a bit in order to fit kadees in such a way they don't foul the bufferbeam details. I also spent an age getting the lighting to how I want it. Headlights and Marker lights have been replace with warm white LEDs, and I've kept the original circuits for the tail lights. Only one tail light is illuminated and I'm quite happy with the overall effect Lots more to do... the chassis needs gently weathering and I've got stop PH steps to solder up and fit.... but it now feels St Vincent is getting closer to where I want to be. Happy Modelling Will

Does anyone have a few photos of the Railtrack 156 in the flesh? cheers Will