naturol

Got the nod from brian Tucker, my tanktainers and boxes will be weathered up and ready to collect this weekend,

He's also weathering the Bachmann polybulks and the Roco gas tanks.

Seen a few proofs of the backscene with a Stolt gas tanker coaster added, looks the part now.

Might even use the Stolt terminal as the name instead of " THAT " other one.

Simon I stuck the " bellend " vinyls on your car Watts, has finished the low level container sides so I had an hour glueing them up.

Not perfect the old alignment but let's see when it's got a coat of primer and some extra detail added.

Good choice on Jouef Polybulks.

Agree. Wheels seem ok and the couplers come with a NEM box, so my Kadees just popped in.

Jouef grain hoppers turned up. Yippee. I can live with the 1:87 difference. Hardly noticeable against my Bachman 37 or 08.

And at less than £20 each new I feel well stoked.

Backscene image on hold till tomorow. Asked for a few amendments.

Hopefully will pick up the frets of plasticard for the 4' low level containers tomorow,

Found this image on the inter web of the low level containers on an MPV

And the backscene, asked a pal Danemouth if he could assist with some photoshopping of the STOLT tanker.

Picked up a proof of the backscene, dropped it in place for a pre view.

Looks ok, the rest may have problems lining up the picture scene with layout details.

So, to assist, I think I may overlay an image of a Stolt tanker ship to the left hand end on the dock side.

Ordered back scene from a different supplier, Beacon printers, penarth, 12'x 10" should have it this coming week.

Ordered a pair of European Polybulks of Ebay by jouef, for variety.

Stripped the EFE merc minibuses apart and re sprayed in White, will post images off to Rail Tec for info for them to make up my vinyls for the side of the hire fleet.

Been making more brambles for the front of the layout and more little grass tufts, these are the long boring bits.

Need to consider sourcing warning signs and posters for the chemical plant and road sigh age. I think scale scenes do some.

Started enquiring about the photo back scene printing.

I was given the details of a printer in Pontypridd, called GIcleer masters.

http://www.gicleemasters.co.uk/index.html

I have emailed them and await a reply.

I'm after an image approx 8' long by about 10" high, ( or longer if possible.)

What should I expect to pay?

This is the link.

 

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/100621-knuckle-yard/

 

I can sense a diorama coming on, ahead of the concrete plant.

Started an info thread on the knuckle yard/ exchange sidings/ stabling point/ wagon repair facility near Margam.

yard

I will drop in the link shortly as it fell off the mouse.

 

But. Here are a few of the loco shots ( not on the thread.) posted here coz this is what I would like to run this thread, but, I know the 60 will be maroon army livery, beggars can't be choosers,

Elliot being dragged around by his dad again, on another industrial outing......

( we did go to "the busy tea pot " and to the waterfalls at Pontneddfechan,

( where I salvaged a 3' length of 180 year old tramway track from the river which is now in the garage.) so a balanced day out.

Surprised to see so much motive power stabled up . And to get the pictures.

What will " bet fred" give me for the DBS security machine to kick in and ask how I got the pictures,?

Ooooh. Transits from Oxford commercials, plus two container trailers, mini buses from EFE all turned up.

Email from railtec transfers, they are endeavouring to make me some transfers for the CJ contract hire.

Dropped the plasticard and the drawings for the container opens to Wattsy for him to cut out.

Containers and gas tanks have gone to be weathered.

But.......

Disappointing news from the organisers of the cardiff show where the layout is to debut, the rugby World Cup hits cardiff the same weekend and there is no accommodation available. So this years festivities are cancelled. I got the email earlier.

But, as one door closes another opens.

Working with Peter at Lord and Butler models me and 2975. ( brian) we are looking to promote a small show which will fill the void in the calendar, no dates or location yet but around 8-12 layouts have offered their operators to assist.

So, follow progress of this interesting development either here, or on a thread to follow, we intend to promote all the layouts well in advance.

Paul.

Back scene image.

And look what my nephew sent me today...... And he's just become a da for the first time and still found time for his uncle.

Bit of modellers licence applied here, but this is what I'm sending off to get laser cut, will build six to start with, four for the MPVS and two for the yard.

Found this, bit more visual.

In your scenario, it could be possible for the MPV to carry half height open top containers (which do exist!) Filled with 55gallon barrels or similar.

http://www.matts-place.com/intermodal/part2/images/opentops/dnvu2040244.jpg

 

Cracking idea. I'm going to have a bash at four of the open top crates as in this picture from your link.

Cheers, great help.

Bit of a spending spree this end.....

Ordered some plain white Oxford die cast transit vans for the CJ contract hire yard.

I have sourced the odd minibus from a swap meet, and now two merc. Mini busses from EFE are en route but will need to be respray end.

I have been in touch with Steve at Rail Tec transfers to see if we can commission the art work for some CJ hire transfers for the vans and minibuses, hoping for a reply shortly.

I also cracked for an Oxford diecast container fret and dad tractor unit, but it may prove to be to large for the area I want to put it.

Whilst on eBay I found an old orange Cardiff bus, double decker Manchester mark, with " make an offer" so I did 1/3 off asking price and it was accepted, an impulse buy but there is a bus storage yard behind Jewsons with old cardiff buses in there that the bus enthusiasts seem to get pleasure out of doing up.......each to their own.

Brian Tucker of this fair parish is to be commissioned to weather the containers.

Pete Harvey of PH DESIGNS has a cracking container trailer fret that will look good in the terminal, but I can't solder, so I have approached some mates at the cardiff 4 mm club to assist, I'm hoping one will take up the challenge shortly and I can purchase the kit, see attached pictures.

The 30 bulk containers have been built, sprayed and transfers applied, the prototype uses 20' but I'm not going to hack them about, I can live with the compromise.

Had a fantastic day, spent it with my son Elliot, went to the newport show saw some cracking layouts, but Baz and his shepcote lane tippler will take some beating as a cracking work of modelling art.

Had a Father's Day gift of. 4 Hornby OBA wagons ready for the concrete layout to follow.

But the shard , pinnacle, top, big kahoona point was a trip to the newport transporter bridge. And a trip across and up and over it.

For only £4.50 for the pair of us we spent about two hours in awe at this structure, highly recommended to all of you to come down and experience a fantastic industrial treasure.

Taken prior to crossing.

Taken the best part of 300' up on the main gantry.

Postman left a nice treat..... Ten C Rail 30' bulk container kits, yippee. That's an hour of ME time sorted.

 

Off to the NEON newport Gwent club show, at Cleppa park tomorow. might i see some of you there ?

.The limiting factor is the MPV deck is too high for normal containers to fit within loading gauge, however there has been reduced height tanks ook.

I've tried Wikipedia, Gareth Bayer, flickr, various search words but can't find any info for me to model the containers. Thought about a crail HO tanktainers, but it would be low, but not the right width or length, so I could try and chop a crail OO kit but a picture would be handy.

But now I've started it'll bug the king kongs finger out of me.....

It's coming on well, I'm looking forward to the day we can expect to see this one in the flesh. How is it from an operator point of view?

Im expecting long periods of boredom on a Sunday afternoon at exhibitions, it is somewhat restricted in its appeal as an operator.

But. I intend running lots of non prototypical stock, like a Bachmann MPV with a pair of frets as a trial working delivering tanktainers.

The infrequent inspection saloon being propelled into the yard.

A DB working with vans of palletised goods for the nearby tank farm.

An avonmouth and severnside spotters special in a pacer, doing mileage bashing on freight only lines.

So there is room for some play value moments.

 

First outing is at the cardiff show in October.

Chris Nevard coming to take pictures in September so a bit of a push now through the evenings.

Hopefully an article in Model rail around Christmas and if it lights a spark possibly some invites next year.

 

Nice job for your brother baby sitting beer............

A B&Q trade card made light work of the two sheets of 1/4" ply, cut into 30 pieces for £30.00.

Awaiting my nephew who has kindly offered to stitch the back scene images together on photoshop.

Good progress.

Silicone imPlant. 36DD. Toxic , cow snoring, Barry Plastics, are but a few that have been suggested locally.

Day on the AutoCAD. Three extensions to draw up. And time to map out the cutting list for the scenery box and lighting pelmet.

Off to B &Q for some precision timber action.

Recent purchases will see 10 C Rail 30' bulk containers arrive, and some EFE merc. Minibuses from flea bay for CJ rentals.

( ask my brother about the parking fine they passed his way following our exhibiting Ranelagh bridge at Derby.)

Whilst I save for a new NCE powercab, I've repaired the lead to my Bachmann dynamis, so will try and fire the layout up this weekend.

Spoke to Peter at L and B, progress being made on my cl66, 60, and 09.

Container terminal with detailed boxes placed on for an idea, they need weathering next, but the baseboard needs to be cut first for the supports for the pelmet.

Sound good Paul. Bet that's gonna cost you a few pennies (loco wise) lol.

Good old fashioned bartering, but I no longer have a 1970s train set anymore.......

Spent the evening adding decals to the tanktainers, next stop weathering.

Commissioned a Hornby 60 and a Bachmann 66 from Peter and Adrian, they are sticking sound in them and weathering them up, also sourcing a grey 09 for shunting.

Will be starting on the base boards soon.

Took the back scene images today. Set up the tripod on the roof of my fiesta, and then stood up there as well to get a clear view over the palisade fencing.

Next job to take my nephew up on his offer to stich them together.

Some images to follow soon.