lapford34102

Hi, My Saturday help for the Canterbury Show this weekend has had to pull out at short notice - some things are more important than playing trains - so if anyone fancies having a play then come and have go. Anyhow look forward to seeing people over the weekend. Cheers Stu

Thanks Gents, the comments are appreciated. You mean it's got move as well....................... I've been a bit wary of using acrylics for weathering because they've never seemed as "controllable" to me as enamels something I've always put down, rightly or wrongly, to the pigment in acrylic being coarser than enamels. But for this one I decided to have a go. The whole roof was given a fairish coat of dirt, left to dry for a time and then the engine room panels attacked with a flattie brush loaded with thinners to take most, but not all, of it off but leaves it denser around the panel lines. This leaves the cab roofs alone as 22's like some others classes such as the 33's seem to suffer from dirt being attracted to this area, no idea why though. I then went over the whole roof again with a thin coat of dirt to "soften" everything. That just left the exhaust staining to do. What I will be interested in is to see whether acrylic weathering is less prone to the effects of handling than enamels are. Stu

Hi, My attempt at weathering a 22 A couple more pics here http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/5331-drewry-lane-weathered-22/page__st__75 Stu

My attempt at weathering a 22. I'm really not sure whether I've actually got this one anywhere near. but I'll live with this for the moment. The distinctive white steaks from the cooler group overflows either side of the fan grill, the white comes from the coolant additives IIRC, vary immensely from loco to loco though seem far worse in their later years. I have a pic of 29 which shows limited streaking. What is difficult to find is decent roof shots so this is based on what can be seen. The base weathering is acrylic with enamels on top. This means that if I do decide to change anything I won't have to do the lot again. Comments/criticsm welcome Stu

Dapol’s Class 22 has rightly received a positive reception. Overall it’s an impressive first effort for a 4mm loco marred only by a few things that are relatively easy to correct. I can easily forgive them this as even a few years ago a RTR 22 seemed highly unlikely. The OLE warnings are of the late 70’s type so wrong for any 22 and these have replaced by the correct type – see http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/47247-Dapol-class-22-photo-review/page__st__75 Also the cab door windowframes were body coloured and not left unpainted. Also easy to correct though it calls for a steady hand. I’ve also filed down the bufferheads to make them look a bit more like the real thing. Other work has been to add a crew in the cabs as their absence is rather obvious and put in headcode decals rather than use the ones that come with it. The codes themselves are probably quite specious but they were what I could cobble together from what was left on the sheet. I have renumbered it but not for any particular reason except that it seemed a good idea at the time. However Dapol’s printing is pretty tenacious and wasn’t going to go without a fight. I nearly fell into the trap of picking the wrong number given the end detail of this particular model so it does pay to check carefully. The pics aren’t brilliant but I hope give the idea. One thing I have noticed from them is a “bloom” where I varnished over the new numbers. Not really visible under normal lighting but might need remedial work. All the remains now is to weather it which should be a challenge as a bit like Tigers there’s not many of them and they all have different markings. In the unlikely event anyone’s interested a reminder that DL will be at the Canterbury Show on 21st/22nd Jan. Stu

What errors have been pointed out seem to have been done in a generally constructive or at least neutral manner in, I imagine, a spirit of informing others whether it be fellow modellers or the manufacturer. As with any model one man's minor error is anothers deal breaker, it's all down to the individual, as is the gauge of the track he uses. To take your argument to it's (illogical) conclusion you shouldn't be buying anything with an OO wheelset. But as you say it's all down to personal opinion. Stu

Another tiny niggle here http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/47247-Dapol-class-22-photo-review/page__st__75 with the OLE warnings. Posted a link here as this thread seems to be getting the activity. Stu

Hi, Just been invoiced by Hattons for mine. Hopefully tomorrow if not Monday. Stu

Hi, Yes, very impressive and has made more determined to lash out on one. Anyhow it was good to have your company and help over the weekend, I look forward to seeing any pics you took plus any of Spensford especially when you've fitted the new lights. If W Dorset has a blackout we'll know who to blame.............. Cheers Stu

Hi, Andrew, I need no convincing the specialist sound chip guys do a good job. My Class 24 has one from Coastal DCC and has an edge over the Bachhy 20. I imagine the it's a lot to how the RTR companies source and install their chips. Are they done here or in China. Perhaps someone out there knows. The point I was trying to make, but perhaps not to well, is that if you pack a lot of sound loco's into a fairly small space the effect can be "garbled" Stuart, good to hear your comments about the Pannier chip. The diesel chips seem to generate a good deal more comment than steam ones. Did you use a normal or micro sized chip ? Thank for the comments 60163. Until I learn to build my own track - probably never - I'm stuck with Peco though as many have proved better than I with a bit of imagination it can look quite good. Thanks Stu

Look forward to it Steve Stu

Hi, Somewhat belatedly an update. Thoroughly enjoyed the Shenfield show and now getting sorted out for the trip to Weymouth which is going to be something of a homecoming as I helped out at my first exhibition back in the late 60's when I belonged to WADMES and they held their week long shows every summer in the Melcombe Regis school. Maybe someone on here remembers them. DL has a couple of new loco's, ones that are moving it away from it's original scenario. A couple of not too good shots but it'll give the idea. Why these ? Hard to explain but a cheap RTR sound 20 started the rot. The only reason I even considered these two was that I'd spent some time idly looking at various books, this website http://www.emgauge70s.co.uk/index.html and going back to Brush Veteran's remarkable photo collection looking for something else which started it all off. If the late 60's/early 70's interests you and you've never had a browse then http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=44175&hilit=brush+veteran 24 pages of inspirational nostalgia for someone of my generation. I used the 20 at Shenfield and found the reaction to a sound loco compared to a non sound one interesting. I think we're still some way from sound being expected on a show layout but I get the feeling we're moving that way however I'm still a bit ambivalent about it. I was at a show fairly recently with a largish layout which featured a diesel MPD with a dozen or so locos all happily burbling away. It may be my hearing but to me it sounded like white noise however I'm sure we each have our own view. I am though curious at getting hands on a Pannier sound chip to see how it sounds and looks as the one sound steamer I've looked at really closely left me feeling like I was watching a film where the actors mouths and the soundtrack were never quite in synch. If you make it to Weymouth do say hello and have a go. It's going to be a long family weekend for me so I'm on my own and any help would be welcome. Stu

Hi, With DL's next show only a week away possibly a good time for an update so this is programme so far Shenfield Sat 17th Sept http://www.midessexmrc.org/ Weymouth Sat 29th/Sun 30th Oct http://www.weymouthm...-2/exhibitions/ Canterbury Sat 21st/Sun 22nd Jan http://www.ccmrs.co.uk/Page_4x.html Stowmarket Sun 29th Apr http://www.stowrailclub.org.uk/ Got a couple more in the offing plus a photoshoot with a mag possibly arranged. In spite of my sudden interest in "N" hopefully have some new stuff for next weekend and may be able to get some shots posted beforehand. Cheers Stu

Hi, I see that The Signal Box, amongst others, are now listing the blue one as in stock http://www.thesignalbox.co.uk/index_new.php?pg=3&p_cat_id=43&prod_id=10792 Stu

Hi, Not getting involved in the rights, wrongs or otherwise of this but some may like this Stu

Hi, Just in case anyone is considering buying a Tablet the following might be of interest. http://www.phonesreview.co.uk/2011/08/20/hp-touchpad-tablet-needs-android-to-survive-best-buy-cuts/g the HP is pulling the plug on its Touchpad tablet. There are plenty of pages out there about it. Apologies if you've just bought one. However might be worth watching as they're being now sold off very cheap in N America. Stu

Hi, Have your read any of Arnaldur Indridason books. They're set in Iceland, largely around Reykjavik. Personally I think they're very good. http://www.eurocrime.co.uk/books/books_by_arnaldur_indridason.html Stu

Hi, Any of Graham Hurley's "Faraday" novels. A comtemporary Morse, well possibly but a deal grittier than Morse. Set in Portsmouth. My only comment would be to read them in order as they do then make more sense. Something a bit off the wall - Charles Stross's Halting State and Rule 34. Stu

Hi, Volcanoes tend to actually have a cooling effect on the climate. This is because of the sulphur and particulates that are put into the upper atmosphere and increase it's ability to reflect solar radiation. There's quite a reasonable explanation here http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hazards/gas/climate.php also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year_Without_a_Summer We had a rather poor summer here a few years back that was caused by a South American Volcano. Stu

Having read through some of the comments I'm glad you pointed this out. These two "labels" were first used in the mid 70's in an article entitled "Climatic Change: Are We on the Brink of a Pronounced Global Warming?"1 It was the press that decided Global Warming was a better headline than Climate Change I'll leave you to decide why. Before the mid 70's the phrase inadvertent climate modification was used which while hardly being catchy did rather sum things up. Looking at how human activities might affect climate and environment goes back rather further than most realise. Studies into Urban Heat islands were undertaken in the 1800's. Stu

You did indeed James but I didn't put in any names to protect the innocent....! I've got a link to your impressive 31 thread in my favourites as I kept going back to check on progress. However I'm fundamentally a lazy sod so took the easy option. At DEMU's ShowCase I did speak to Brian of Shawplan and hopefully planted the idea of doing the bits to update the Hornby pilot to an early production but doubt it will make the to-do list for a long time, if ever. I did though come away with some Extreme Etchings fan grilles for my Cromptons so I'll see how I cope with them. I only had a good look at them when I finally got home Thank you for the comments Neil, much appreciated. Cheers Stu

Hi, Thanks Mark. It's about the limit, size wise, for D.l. Looking at the Howe's site I noticed they do a sound chip for the Mirlees engine version. If I had the spare cash I think I'd be very tempted. It doesn't actually fit with the original idea for the layout the class never appearing in the SW till the 70's. But the first loco I ever bought with my own (christmas) money was a Tri-ang TT one some I'm claiming sentimental reasons. Might also be an excuse to get a Class 15 to keep it company. A couple of shots taken on D.L. mk2 Drewry Lane will also now be at the Stowmarket Show early next year. Cheers Stu

Hi, I know the fashion at the moment seems to be to take a Hornby 31, send the body for landfill, hack the chassis into 3 bits, find an old Lima body, speak to the nice man from Shawplan and do some serious modelling. The Hornby model doesn’t offend me to that extent and I picked this up comparatively cheap with the intention of turning it into a late 60’s version. I couldn’t find another Green headcoded version (Mr Tailby has my original one) and it remains a mystery to me why Hornby didn’t re-release that one but went for the Pilot one again. That was until someone who knows these better than I pointed out you can only do an early Pilot loco as it lacks the engine room door louvres and cab front footsteps. I did wonder about doing my own modding job but decided it was probably beyond me. Equally I couldn’t find any really hard info on how long the original livery with only one number and the “duck egg blue†trim lasted. I wasn’t too convinced by the colour Hornby used for the trim anyway. So back in the box it went. Then at Showcase I picked up a copy of the latest Modern Locomotives Illustrated about the Class 31. In there was a handful of shots of the pilot loco’s before the door and footstep mods but in the more conventional livery of light grey trim, numbers in four corners and looking a little travel worn. So off I went. Knocked all the glazing out, took off the handrails and got rid of the numbers. Masking up the bodyside stripes wasn’t actually that difficult except for the top stripe where is goes round the cab corners as the masking tape tended to slip. But what colour to use for them ? The references say light grey but in every picture I’ve seen it looks so near white as to make no difference. Using the old excuse of “scale colour†I used some Tamiya white with a dollop of mid grey added to take the edge off the white though to be honest it still looks white. I’m still a little unsure about how the weathering’s come out but as it’s been done with oils and weathering powders over what is effectively an acrylic base them I can wash it all off and have another go if it doesn’t grow on me. Early diesels seem a somewhat neglected area. I’ve got the black 350hp but am now wondering if a Pilot D8000 might not be a suitable companion. Stu

311 or 312. Either or both will do me Stu

A look only a mother could love and all the grace of an arthritic camel in motion. After a protracted effort to get the running up to something passable it's now weathered up and will hopefully be a useful addition to Drewry Lane's motive power. Stu