D6775

Managed to resist so far, but this is what I'd go for. Plans to upscale the NUC layout?

Having jut come back from my first visit to Portugal and the Duoro Valley I have to admit if I could find a kit (No idea if there is on) I quite fancy a 7mm 1400.

Midweek day off and a little progress made. Next up 37693. ETH bracket to removed and then the noses to repaint, but you get the idea!

Andrew is still struggling to get the etches for the ends and the handbrakes. but I made the ends up with evergreen strip. Its a little wide but doesn't look out of place. As to which is better, I sold my GJH one at our show, that should tell you may thoughts. But, its an easier build, less filling and filing and its a much better shape, the body sides are a better height, all helped by having the roof shoulder being two angles as opposed to the GJH one being one. When Andrew finally gets the etch sorted out I'll write one up. He should be bringing me another four to Barnsley in June, I'll have these two there if you are around.

Watch this space!!!!!

Its the first for me and it certainly won't be the last!

And the other side done this evening.

This has been a real slow burner but might actually now get completed. First car of the 101 back from the paint shop last night and I got one sides worth of transfers on it. Probably do the other side on Friday and maybe get the other car back at the weekend!

Productive weekend. Loadhaul Limpet ready for transfers and a second Buzz Models VGA. Also managed to get some bodies filled and primed, not 100% happy with them so will be getting more work before going for top coats. Hopefully I can keep this motivation and progress up.

First two Buzz Models VGA wagons on Dovedale, fiddle yards should take six so I had best order a few more!

There are a couple of VEA's re-coded as ZRA's on Paul Bartlett's site. Not found any still coded as VEA with painted out logo's yet though.

Dovedale has been set back up so we can get it prepped for a potential photo shoot and Guildex in September. A nice long rake of HEA's trundled through this afternoon.

Nick, couldn't resist having a play!

You should have said hi, maybe you did! I spoke to so many people over the weekend.

This has been under wraps for a couple of weeks as I wanted it for our show at Crewe. Even Andy from Buzz Models didn't know I had done it. HE let me have a kit a while back but he is still waiting for the etches, so I decided I would make the ends up with evergreen strip instead. Still needs a lamp iron and hand brake leavers but it'll do for now!

Now everything is back where it belongs I have had time to sit and look at the few photo's that I managed to take over the weekend. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success, especially the visitors over the two days. Firstly, just some of the team that made this weekend happen: A couple of my loco's at rest on Grangemouth. The light on Allerby a couple of times was fantastic. And finally the mainline exhibits from our good friends at LSL and DRS.

That's one for the 'Realistic Models' thread Nick!

Thanks @big jim We do try and mix it up as much as possible. I did have a French Layout and 1960's Hydralic layout but they had to drop out, thankfully I had a couple up my sleave. See what we can do for next year!

@Nick G & @37114 we use revers Tweezers for coupling up, because they grip the coupling and squeeze to let go.

There was nothing for my chosen scale/era last year, but it was still an excellent day out and I didn't moan that I wasn't represented. This year there is one, but its rather small given the scale! Each to their own I suppose!

Well done, looking good!

Looking good Nick, all sorted for next weekend? Do you need any different wagons?

A week today we'll be thinking about breaking down the show on the Sunday afternoon. All the hard work and prep will be just about over for another year! Looking forward to seeing lots of new and familiar faces. Just a couple of updates: West Hill Wagon Works have unfortunately had to pull out for this year, we hope to see them next year all being well. Footplate Models of Kidderminster will now be at MIOG 2023 showcasing their 7mm Snow Ploughs amongst other things. We have a card machine for catering, but we will still be cash on the door this year. Lastly, here is this years bus timetable:

Now they are done, time to get some more projects through the WB. Next up a rather rotten looking 26032. Still a way to go till I am happy though.

Finally found some motivation and got the FNA finished, though I think I may have overdone the weathering. May need to tone it down a little. Also got my second HRA conversion complete, both HRA wagons will be on the Skytrex stand at the MIOG show in Crewe next month.