Southernboy

Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful and totally absorbing in all aspects I await the final episode with excited anticpiation.

Very, very, impressive. I'm going to take some time at the weekend to read through again from page one.

I feel like a long-lost friend has come back into my life I've been missing all those wonderful buildings full of character and love the work on the tram (although at the same time always feel sad to see trams dilapidated - but that's just my affection for them). Anyway, hopefully there's more to come / more regularly on Gresby in the near-future

Your photography perfectly captures an era, a story, and a very specific, slighly tense atmosphere. I felt myself shifting uncomfortably in my chair as I read your posting. I don't think I want to read the original Old Bailey proceedings - why detract from a perfectly interersting and inventive narrative? (Ok, I may take a peek later). I'll look forward to the next exhilerating episode (Is it being syndicated in the Penny Dreadfuls? )

Many thanks indeed for further very helpful replies. As always, I am much indebted for the sharing of experience and advice. At the moment I am commited to trying to make the etched headcodes work as they are firmly fixed in place and to remove them in favour of Photoshop versions would now require some butchery as the cab fronts are firmly soldered / glued, painted and detailed in all repects apart from transfers. Additionally I'd hoped the etched headcodes would herald a step-up in terms of the degree of detail I can achieve (I'm always trying to push my skills - but maybe this time I pushed a step too far? Time will tell). If necessary I'll have to revert to a printout as suggested. Tonight I found in the local artshop 10/0 and 5/0 short hair brushes, plus a 3/0 spotting brush. I'll have go with these and see how I get on. I've taken on board Richard's comments regarding paint ... my current thinking is I need to finess the degree of fluidity / dryness of the paint I'm using to control the degree of flow or otherwise above what I've done before. It's a long shot - but it just might work! I'll also look at the magnifaction / illumination issues ... Thanks again for the valuable comments, they all really help my train of thought.

Thanks all, very much appreciated. I wear glasses, and have one of those illuminated lamps. I think the answer is going to be between extra maginfification and thinning out a fine paint brush (somehow you know these things in your bones before you even pose the question, yet pose the question all the same!) Many thanks again, Mark

Hello 2mm people. I'm working on some N gauge 3-Subs (thread in my signature), and although I have one of those desk-mounted illuminated magnifying glasses, am still struggling to see what I'm doing when it comes to the fine detail - in my case painting the head code stencils in particular. Can anyone offer advice on how to paint such small lettering / any magnifying products I can use in addition too / instead of the maginifier I already have? In terms of painting fine lines, I'm using a 000 Kolinsky brush, but even that feels a little clumsy. Would it help to pull / trim some hairs? I'm fairly good when it comes to having a steady hand / perseverance / patience / it's just seeing / focusing on what I'm doing and finding a suitably fine tool to paint with that is problematic. I've tried cocktail sticks, pins, but they're not doing the trick (combined with previously mentioned difficulty in seeing) Many thanks in advance, Mark

I have to say the combination of trams / road vehicles / cyclist all on the move is pretty impressive. Just a thought: As I was watching that clip I really wanted to hear the sound of the trams (the gong / the motors / maybe the conductor's bell) ... and it made me wonder whether you've thought of some ambient soundtrack to play when exhibiting? It could perhaps be mixed with the echo of a motorist's horn or sound of a passing motorbus? It may not work in an exhibition space because of so much background noise of course ... it was just a thought that occured to me

I'd go for curved boards - visually quite pleasing and when looking around our eyes naturally follow an arc - plus it just makes a change. Going by Smithdown and Aylestone I'm keeping an eye on Stanley Park I like the track plan - was there a planning thread somewhere that I missed?

Sorry to hear about the windows Andy. Could you use R/C Modellers Glue - a product you introduced me to some years ago which I'm still using for many model applications - and was planning to use for fixing the glazing in my Subs. Either way, dont give up on those Pullmans, they look magnificent and it would be a shame to give up on them so easily

Exemplary Andy. That is really looking the business. I somehow suspect you enjoyed the razor-sawing bit ...

Firstly to say much respect to the OP. A very brave move indeed. I grew up in the 60s when the disfigured / invalides / those with mental health problems / were simply kept indoors or locked away in institutions to save social embarrassment. I am so glad things have moved on. I recall some 20 years ago falling into conversation with a nice old chap in a pub. His wife had recently died. And so he decided he could finally come out as being gay. He'd spent his whole life in the closet for fear or prosecution and for fear of letting down his wife, his family, and above all, for not fulfilling social expectations of what a 'man' should be. That old gent is probably no longer with us. But it struck me at the time that no one should have to live a totally false life for the whole of their existance on this planet in order to avoid the displeasure / persecution of others. I felt so sorry this nice old chap was never allowed to be his true self in his own lifetime. Very sad. Thank goodness things have changed, and good luck to GarrettTheThief (and anyone else in a similar boat!)

Echoing all positive comments above - and noting the quality of the 'graphic design' of the layout plan in post No 1 Would be interested to see the 'hidden' elements of the track plan too. Good luck - an interesting project.

I think that page is quite old. I received an email from Osborns in December 2013 stating the results of the vote as 54% Maunsell, 25% Malachite, 21% no preference. Maunsell green it is then

Regarding the omission of lining / some finer detailing: People tend to 'scan' what they're looking at for familiar shapes / forms / other broad clues / as a sort-of mental shorthand - and the brain fills in the missing bits. Consistency is the key of course. There will always be a few who scrutinise in more detail because it's of particular interest to them. For instance, I'll always study photos around my chosen era and area in great detail, but really wouldn't notice much amiss on layouts depicting another time or place. To me Mikkel your modelling has always seemed quite exquisite and I'd never noticed you'd skipped the lining until you pointed it out - please don't dispell any further illusions

You should deifinitely get a Union Mills loco - if for no other reason than they are such classics. The box they come in, and weight of the loco itself, the products just ooze charm, tradition, substance, integrity and craftsmanship. And you can just pick up the phone to the very nice gent that made it if you have any queries. The lack of detail is more than made-up for by the above - and is nothing that can't be remedied by the purchase of a few detailing packs and a couple of hours at the modelling desk

Etches for curtains! I never knew such things existed. I'll probably embarrass myself now - but I'm not quite sure exacly how many projects we're looking at here (sorry!) Am I correct in thinking you have on-the-go the following: 1 x 4-VEP (Blue Livery) 2 x 4-CEP (Blue and Grey livery) 1 x Rake of 1951 Pullman coaches (Cream and Umber) 1 x Class 33 / 1 1 x Class 33 / 2 1 x Golden Arrow rake in reverse BR Blue and Grey livery Either way - exquisite work Andy - expecially the rooves, I keep just ... looking at them

Pullmans: Would there be anything in the Pullman Profile books from Noodle? http://www.noodlebooks.co.uk/search?searchTerm=pullman+profile Loco: I love the ripples. In fact just a week or so ago was observing some (not that old) units out of Waterloo, noticed how their panelling was sagging (concave) in places, and thought of you. You're mention of the Waterloo to Weymouth services brought memories of seeing them cruising through my local station (probably mid-1970s) Anyway, impressive and inspiring work as always Andy.

Thank you, I hadn't realised that. Thank you also for the link, which I'm watching now Mark

Firstly, just to express my continued admiration for this impressive project: The fine degree of collaboration which must be involved (and take some organising) - alongside the particular skill-sets of individual contributors (and I'm sure many others in-between) - must all add up to quite a combined effort. I have much respect for you chaps. But a question just popped into my head: I've never been a member of a modelling club (too much of a hermit) - and I wondered how all of this superbly extensive and finely detailed masterpiece is actually paid for. I understand the principle of clubs and subs. But doesn't something like this cost quite a bit more than the average (not meant in a derogatory way) modelling club's layout? How do you pay for it? Do you charge higher subs than average? Is it normal subs, but you just have a very high number of members which covers the costs? Or perhaps you won the lottery but didn't tell us ... Either way, I'm just curious really. Probably the answer is obvious but I just didn't think of it. Thanks

Re. the jumpers - just been back and taken a closer look. It seems 50/50 between grey / leathery-brown or buff. All post-war pictures. I guess new jumpers were black, but weathering over time made them leathery-brown or buff (and the brown being probably more winter pictures - buff being summer - it all depends on the light when pictures were taken / moisture in the air and all that). Seeing as you're lighting the interiors you know what I thought may be neat? Slithers of tin foil to represent cutlery on the tables, it would catch the light Either way, nice work Andy.

Hello again Gents, many thanks for further positive comments and clicks. All really very much appreciated. F-UnitMad "If you were in the Argosy, how did you get in-flight pictures of the Argosy...??!!" Because everything about Frankland is a total flight-of-fantasy, silly! I do like the aircraft of this era - and Flying Boats in particular - but know little about them in reality I'm afraid. What I do know is a fair proportion of trains through Frankland are en-route to Amblesea Marine conveying officials and dispatches to all corners of the Empire Baby Deltic: "What we need now is another Frankland broadcast ... " Indeed: Do be sure to check the cinema listings in your local paper around October / November. There'll be something in the newsreel before the main feature --------------------------------------------------- As an aside: I had an idea ... Before Christmas I'm going to get printed (I have a friendly printer) Cigarette Cards for the rest of my motive power and passenger rolling stock, with detailed reverses as they used to do - bundle them up into sets wrapped in sage-green spectacle cord, and use them as stocking fillers for family and close friends. They'll be presented alongside one of those calenders that have different pictures at the top of the page for each month... The pictures will be my favourite moments from the evolution of Frankland. My family and friends are the sort that appreciate something unusual, different and personal. So that's half of Christmas done already

Many thanks one-and-all for your kind comments and 'likes' - very much appreciated indeed. Mikkel: " ... isn't that a tree growing out of one of the structures?" Erm, yes, (thinks quickly) - it symbolically represents the faltering of the building industry in the great depression Baby Deltic: "...It looks like the front driving wheel of the T9 is off the road". I can confidently say it is not. I just checked the original file, enlarged it, and scrutinised it thorougly. Well thanks again everyone for popping by, it's been lovely chatting, but I have to get back to Frankland now... Mark

Interlude: An Aeroplane Trip Over Frankland It's been quite a while since I've updated here, and to be honest whilst there's detail stuff continuing in the background - there's nothing worth a proper post until that work is concluded, probably around October. In the interim I thought I'd share with you a very exciting time I had today... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I went on one of those novelty "Aeroplane Afternoon-Tea Trips" over Frankland that are all the rage at the moment. It did cost £2/2/0 - and I know that's a week's wages for many people - but sometimes you have to push-the-boat-out a bit We were greeted by the steward as we boarded the aeroplane. It was an Armstrong Whitworth Argosy which apparently can fly at over 90mph! As we flew over Frankland we were served finger-sandwiches, tea, and cakes. All quite delightful and what a thing to actually be in an aeroplane! Apart from a few clouds we had a good view - and I saw a train below hauled by a locomotive I hadn't seen around Frankland before ... ... I thought to myself I'll have to research what that locomotive was when I get home. So when I got home I got out my collection of Cigarette Cards. Here's what I've got so far ... (anyone up for swops? ) I think card No. 11 is the locomotive I saw from the aeroplane .... And it's been happily trundling around Frankland the last couple of days I hope to bring you a full and proper update in the form of a newsreel in October / November. Buy your cinema tickets early to avoid disappointment! All the best, Mark

Thank you John - noted - and much appreciated. Mark