Western Stalwart

Will make the trip to So'ton just to see this. So glad that I will have the chance to see it in the flesh. Regards, Mark

I hope to be along in the PM. Kin I 'ave a play please mister? Be good to see Combwich, it'll be another Nevard layout to tick off in the spotters book. Regards 'n' all that

Sorry to hear your sad news BoD. My condolences to yourself, wife and family at this sad time. Mark

"Johnny. What are you doing in your bedroom?" "I'm shunting Mother!"

<pedant> Dear Mr. Nevard, I quote. "Mr & Mrs Penguin ponder on whether they should go in to The Pedant & Armchair public house next to the halt at Polbrock." It was "The Armchair & Pedant" the other day. Please make your mind up or pay more attention to you typing. Yours etc Mr, P. Edant <pedant> Oooh! Your leaving yourself wide open there Chris. Some will say that type of pillbox was never used in Cornwall. Regards, Mark

Surely all those pedants wouldn't own Rovers. They have to take the bus/train everywhere. If they do the most certainly won't have used 5th gear. Looking good Chris.

Well my infrequent blog is updated two days running. As you all guessed it is of coursea Bulleid tender for a DJH Merchant Navy that a bought a fair while back in the days before Hornby's efforts. I have just sold on ebay a Crownline Q1 kit again bought before Hornby bought out their RTR model. I decided not to build that as I purchased one of Hornbys finest. The Merchant Navy came out of the draw at the same time and I decided to make a start on it. Anyway this is the state of affairs after another day at the workbench. I have also added the whitemetal castings for the coal space which can't be seen in the pics. On the whole the kit goes together very well but the instructions leave a bit to be desired. There should be a cople of castings to fit in the front of the tender (front tender curves or something) but the drawing is so vague I can't identify the castings in the bag, so the plan is to leave them off for the time being and see whats left at the end. I know that there is still a blob of solder to clean off of the tender side and some other bits to identify and attach but so far I am pleased with the result. I would like to thank Tony Wright at this point for is kit construction dvds which gave me the confidence to solder the white metal parts to brass. Hope you will be back to full health as soon as possible. Regards everyone!

Well as the title sez, I'll post updates to my blog at irregular intervals. Today I dug out a kit that has been languishing in my collection for more than a few years. Todays efforts have produced this along with some scorched fingers. So as the entry states, can you guess what it is yet, and yes it's a tender. Wheels are a bit of a give away Sorry for the crap photo.

I agree with nigelb. I bought some of their slate sheets at the scaleforum. Again though lifting problems may occour. Also have you looked at scalescenes buy and print papers? I think the flat version on the hut looks good despite the lack of overlap, the painting and weathering have disguised the lack of that. As for the Wills sheets could you not bevel the exposed edge to reduce the effect. BTW whatever method you use your modelling skills will make the result look tremendous.

Cheers Graham. The comments about the show were tongue in cheek of course. Looking forward to catching up with you. All the best, Mark

I can actually make Wycrail this year Graham. It always falls on a Saturday when I am working but have managed to book a days holiday this year. Heard lots good things about the show so am looking forward to it. In future can you either change the date or make it a two day show ;-) Regards, Mark

I was going to suggest that you placed a street name on one of the buildings, that being the Street of Cunning Artificers. Or Treacle Mine Road. Distressed Pudding anyone? Regards an' all that, C.M.O.T. Dibbler

Chris's tale is so convincing you almost have to Google it. Lovely picture Chris!

@ Chris. Thanks just didn't know if a local shop stocked such stuff. @ Lisa. Yep! Alton's a great shop but around 30 miles each way didn't know if Chris got his stash anyway nearer.

Nice work as always Chris. Can I ask where you source your embossed plasticard in the Guildford area? I know you go to Addlestone models but I admit I have not looked for it in there. Or do you use mail order? Cheers, Mark

I'm home from work. Is it finished yet?

I don't believe you've built the baseboard already Chris. I'm still wondering why 66134 isn't available in S gauge and how you seem to have so much spare time to do all this. Hope the pint was cool, tasty and refreshing. Cheers.

Here he goes again! Rubs hands with glee, looking forward to more inspirational work. What happened to the collery layout you started Chris? Also was that chain on the Ambis stand any finer that I mentioned at Scaleforum?

Class 37

Could you place a small piece of foam rubber on the underside of the wagon rubbing on the axle to provide a bit of drag. You could paint/dye it black so it wasn't so noticable. Or maybe a small bit of brass strip again rubbing lightly on the axle. Or is none of that workable. Like the video. A lot!