RMweb Premium CF MRC Posted March 16, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 16, 2021 Very nice to see another ECML Pullman. Having made a QoS set for CF I have become a bit of a Pullman nerd. If I might comment, one thing that is noticeably different from the BB was the entrance lobby rooves, which were cut back over the doors for the ECML stock - and indeed most other British Pullman cars. The bogies on the ECML cars were also quite a bit longer - the BB ran very rough, by all accounts. Finally, and disappointingly, Pullmans did not run with curtains pre-war, they had blinds. One thing I have just noticed, though, is that my Pullman set still doesn’t have any names and numbers... I don’t have any close up pictures of our QoS set, but these pictures give an idea of the roof profile. (photos Barry Norman, courtesy MRJ). One of my future tasks is to continue the upgrade of our old twelve wheeled Graham Farish Pullmans to better match Valour for a 1923 set. Tim 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirmies Posted March 17, 2021 Author Share Posted March 17, 2021 Thanks Tim, Very useful and welcome info - much appreciated! I'd noticed the rather generously luxurious curtains on the Arnold models but hadn't realised that their apparent absence on pre-war ECML photos was because they weren't any! Now that I have a spare body shell (with one end cruelly chopped off), I can do some tests to see if I can remove the 'curtains' without wrecking the glazing - worth a try but unlikely to be successful I suspect. I had clocked the different roof ends on the ECML Pullmans compared to the Brighton Belle ones but decided to live with them as they are to avoid potential damage to the beautiful rendition of the livery as the sides, ends and roof are all one unit - another potential experiment with the spare body shell at some point. The bogies should be relatively easy to correct as the Association does an etch for 10ft Pullman bogies which are, I guess, closer to the ones fitted on the ECML carriages. This will have to go on the 'to do' list as I suspect my time is better spent at the moment, for example, building bogies for coaches I have that currently have none! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bécasse Posted March 17, 2021 Share Posted March 17, 2021 3 hours ago, kirmies said: Now that I have a spare body shell (with one end cruelly chopped off), I can do some tests to see if I can remove the 'curtains' without wrecking the glazing - worth a try but unlikely to be successful I suspect. Polishing them off with toothpaste might work. I have certainly removed unwanted marks from glazing that way in the past. 1 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirmies Posted March 30, 2021 Author Share Posted March 30, 2021 (edited) All these coaches are going to need some motive power to pull them. As before, the first targets have to be the easy route of RTR conversions. Dapol produce really very good N-gauge versions of both the A3 and A4 but the valve gear is a slightly strange combination of over scale width and very flimsy (due to the thin, soft metal used). After spending quite some time trying to convert one of the Dapol chassis to 2FS I came to the conclusion that this could be done BUT NOT EASILY. So a better route was replacement chassis. Being aware that pulling power might be an issue with the relatively long trains I am planning, chassis milled from solid seemed a good way to go and I can now report progress so far: Etched valve gear was going to be needed. My Mk. 1 version looked OK but, as with most RTR interpretations of Walchaert's valve gear, it was firmly in neutral. Cue comments of 'It would look much better if it was in gear'. Mk. 2 was in gear and I was very chuffed with it until a friend quietly pointed out that it wasin reverse! Mk. 3 has now been test built and is, I think, getting there: This is the first of a batch of five A1/3s (lighter green livery yet to be applied to this one). I also have four A4s in various stages of completion: Etches are in the pipline to correct the tender tops, and, no, the valve gear on these ISN'T in gear - in fact, the radius rods and valve rods have been omitted from these as they can't be seen behind the valence. Edited May 31, 2022 by kirmies Re-adding photos 14 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sithlord75 Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 What was the start point for what eventually becomes No 9? I turned a Golden Eagle into No 12 with the idea of building the WW Coronation set for it (in N - and its been ordered, along with a SJ set to go with Silver Fox) but I haven't the stainless steel trim on my CofA. I've wondered about a transfer or masking up and painting but that could be dangerous. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirmies Posted March 30, 2021 Author Share Posted March 30, 2021 The A4s are all in original Dapol livery. Having now had a go at repainting/lining Bayardo (the A3 in the video) I’m firmly of the opinion that the Dapol paint finish will be hard to better. 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirmies Posted April 3, 2021 Author Share Posted April 3, 2021 (edited) HAPPY EASTER! For many of us (exhibitors, trader, visitors) Easter weekend is synonymous with York Show so it is very sad that, for a second year running, there is no show to attend. But............2022 will (hopefully) see the show's return and, with this in mind (and to give people something to look forward to) this morning I've launched........ www.this-is-york.com Not a huge amount of content there yet but more will be added over the coming weeks and months and there is very prominent box counting down the days to This is York's first public arrearance at the York Show on Easter Saturday one year from now. Edited May 31, 2022 by kirmies Re-adding photos 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Andy Ross Posted April 3, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 3, 2021 Pete Excellent web site. I will be sure to watch out for updates. let’s hope all the exhibitions get to start back up before the end of the year. Andy 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kirmies Posted June 1, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted June 1, 2021 (edited) It's been a while since I posted anything here, in fact I was quite shocked to find it's nearly 2 months. So apologies to anyone hoping for daily updates! Work has been progressing on 'This is York' more slowly than I hoped and with more problems than I anticipated. Also, life in general has been getting in the way of modelling which has done nothing to speed progress towards the fast approaching deadline of Easter 2021. This is the first of several posts over the next few days to bring things up to date. The test build of the roof etch revealed quite a few errors and several possible improvements and an amended version of the artwork was sent to PPD in April. These returned commendably quickly and a second test build has now been completed: The six columns worth now built starts to give an idea of what it will look like when all 27 are in place. I was particularly pleased with the lengthways beams with their scroll work: This has had to be simplified somewhat to be (a) etchable and (b) visible in 2mm/ft. This was on the drawing for the first test etch but I messed up the fill so half etched detail got missed off. Although there were still a few minor errors in this second version, I decided I could live with the small amount of fettling they would need and a repeat batch for the rest of the 'peeled open' section of the roof is currently in the etching tank queue. Just the 23 more sections to build! Next exciting episode = designing the tapered ends of the roof........... Edited May 31, 2022 by kirmies Re-adding photos 17 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kirmies Posted June 4, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted June 4, 2021 (edited) Having cracked the beam design for most of the length of the roof the next challenge has been to design the tapered ends where the roof profile goes from the prototype arches to the 'peeled open' profile that enables the inside of the station to be visible. As a reminder of the idea, here are a couple of photos of the full sized mock up: Although the pillars seem pretty big when you're in the station, in fact, they're only about 16ft tall (32mm in 2mm/ft). I'm keen on the 'pillar box' presentation style but this is a bit too narrow! So the roof needs to 'peel open' to enable the viewer to see in. For this to work visually it needs to be immediately obvious to the eye what is going on and for this to happen the taper from prototype roof to open roof needs to be a smooth transition - I know this because early versions of the mock up were less than convincing and I think this was because the transition was too abrupt. Mock up versions of the taper were cut in card on my craft cutter and the profile evolved until I came to something that convinced: Version 4: Version 6: Comparison has been made between this design and the work of contemporary architects like Zaha Habib which is very flattering. I kinda wonder whether they use mathematic formulae to produce the smooth curves of their designs but, not having these, it was a matter of trial and error for me. The final version (v7 I think) looks pretty good I think when set alongside the test section of roof: ..and is now getting converted into a drawing to send to the etchers. With 27 columns worth of roof to build and only 4 done so far, there will then be many hours of work with the soldering iron! Edited May 31, 2022 by kirmies Re-adding photos 23 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kirmies Posted June 6, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted June 6, 2021 (edited) All these curved arches don't fit very efficiently on a rectangular sheet of etch so there are lots of spare corners for useful bits and pieces to be placed. One I'm particularly pleased with is the grabrails I've done for the rake of Barnum coaches I'm building; The bodies are 3D prints from Simon Dawson's Rue d'Etropal 'store' on Shapeways. Although Shapeways prints have been criticized by some people, these ones are actually pretty good and although they need a good clean up and some fettling. they are going to make into a very nice excursion train. I suspect the prototype grabrails were brass rather than chrome or steel so might have been better etched in brass rather than nickel silver but I much prefer N/S as it is so much easier to solder so a coat of brass coloured paint will be needed for the whole etch: In case anyone is wondering the old unwanted DVD is a very good trick used by military modellers for cutting things off etches. A scalpel blade is used and it scores the disc that would otherwise be destined for the bin without blunting the blade and it's rigid enough not to give (like a cutting mat would) so the etched component is removed without getting distorted. Ina larger scale the 2 dimensional nature of the etch would be very obvious but in 2mm getting the intricate scroll shape right convinces the eye. Edited May 31, 2022 by kirmies Re-adding photos 18 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kirmies Posted June 12, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted June 12, 2021 (edited) Slightly off topic but the current G7 summit in Carbis Bay has set me thinking again about my serially stalled project building St Ives in 2FS. This remains part built and is currently safely stored but, having become very familiar with the area whilst researching it, every shot of TV coverage has a recognisable background. It prompted me to dig out the model of the Porthminster Hotel I built during lockdown one last spring and I was moderately amazed to find what an impressive model it is: Scratchbuilt out of styrene sheet it made extensive use of the Silhouette cutter I have. This won't cut through thicker than 10 thou sheet but by laminating multiple layers together with limonene it is more than adequate and it would be quite a challenge to get all the windows this uniform in shape and size if cutting by hand. Judging by the TV coverage, it looks like most of the news media is staying here - all I need now is a mini Laura Keunssberg and BBC film crew standing on the balcony! Edited May 31, 2022 by kirmies Re-adding photos 20 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
drduncan Posted June 12, 2021 Share Posted June 12, 2021 That’s absolutely fantastic! 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirmies Posted June 14, 2021 Author Share Posted June 14, 2021 Thanks for the positive comment drduncan. As anyone who has ever built a structure this large and complex will know, they take AGES! I keep a modelling diary so, amongst other things, I can keep track of how long things take. The Porthminster Hotel had clocked up around 300 hours by the time it was finished. I guess I was putting in 4 or 5 hours on it most days through lockdown one last spring so it adds up! In the end this is the main reason for the St Ives layout stalling (again) – there are quite a few more buildings that will take approaching this long to build and, at the moment, I just can’t face that. So what am I doing instead? Why, building a layout with a massive building on it of course. One that will no doubt take far longer than the hotel……..but then there is only one of them: it’s the whole layout! 3 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
drduncan Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 I do hope you finish the St Ives layout - it will be a striking contrast to York! D 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirmies Posted June 18, 2021 Author Share Posted June 18, 2021 (edited) I'm also hoping St Ives will get finished....one day! I hadn't looked at the Porthmister Hotel model since I finished about this time last year so I was very pleasantly surprised to find what a good job I'd made of it. It did tempt me to take a break from 'This is York' and press on with the next building for St. Ives - Draycott Terrace. But, with the number of days to go until first show day for 'This is York' at York Show next Easter Saturday about to dip below the 300 mark, for once head prevailed over heart and instead I've been building most of the remaining beams for the roof: A bit of a marathon - the lengthways beams are each made up of eight parts but all of them are now done along with about half the crossways beams. My good friend Andy Ross (Trams & Locos) is building the rest of those for me - I'm painting his Hunslet stuff in return at some point (after Easter next year!). Edited May 31, 2022 by kirmies Re-adding photos 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirmies Posted July 3, 2021 Author Share Posted July 3, 2021 (edited) If you've been following this thread, you'll know that Peter Smith (aka Kirtley Models) built me models of the footbridge and signal box. He does a great job for a very reasonable price but, necessarily, his time on any model is limited so I knew I might well want to primp and add more detail. In the end, I've done quite a bit: The handrails Peter fitted to the bridge were styrene strip representing wooden rails. Close examination of photos revealed there were actually metal so stanchions were etched and 0.3mm wire used to get a bit closer to the real thing. Peter did a great job of the signal box (including laser cut windows by York Modelmaking). I've improved on his paint job and replaced the 'false' skylights he fitted with 'real' transparent ones: This transforms the light inside the 'box and makes it well worthwhile (at some point) adding an interior - it will now be visible. In case you're wondering, the W.H.Smith's kiosk is currently being 'redecorated' and the clock has been sent away for overhaul. Edited May 31, 2022 by kirmies Re-adding photos 15 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirmies Posted July 3, 2021 Author Share Posted July 3, 2021 (edited) Hang on a minute: who's that on the footbridge? It looks rather like Mike Cook. Could it be? You know, I think it just might be! Edited May 31, 2022 by kirmies Re-adding photos 6 1 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Barry O Posted July 3, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 3, 2021 Can't be Captain Cook...why? 1 no beer glass in hand and/or 2 no piano accordian strapped on Baz 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sithlord75 Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 How come Silver Fox has both a painted name and a brass plate? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirmies Posted July 6, 2021 Author Share Posted July 6, 2021 Excellent question! The simple answer is 'Because that's how it left the Dapol factory'! I may be wrong but it looks like it had the painted name when grey and this was replaced by the brass plate when it was repainted blue in 1937: I don't think it ever had both at the same time so a bit of over enthusiasm by Dapol! Thanks for pointing this out - I hadn't got as far as noticing. Now I'm hoping the plates can be removed without wrecking the paint finish. The other good question would be 'Why has it got no handrails?' This is because I've removed the rather blobby and overscale Dapol ones but not got as far yet as fitting something more to scale - it's is one of those very fiddly jobs I'm rather too good at putting off! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirmies Posted July 20, 2021 Author Share Posted July 20, 2021 (edited) The etches for the ends of the overall roof arrived the other day and this morning, before the shed got too hot to tolerate, I cut the elements of the end screens off the sheet and was very pleased with the result: As usual with the first iteration of an etch, there are a few mistakes but nothing found so far that will prevent assembly. There are 3 layers - screen, inner frame and the top girders currently just lying on top of each other to make sure they will fit together (they will!): The screens will be spaced from the inner frame with a lattice framework and this assembly then becomes part of the end 'taper': and all the metal above the top of the arches becomes part of the rigid structure of the model roof in line with the 'peeled open' part of the roof and won't be visible from a viewing angle (just as it isn't in the mock up above). More pictures as construction progresses....... Edited May 31, 2022 by kirmies Re-adding photos 17 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium CF MRC Posted July 22, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 22, 2021 How big will the viewing slot be Peter? What height will you show it at? Tim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirmies Posted July 22, 2021 Author Share Posted July 22, 2021 Hi Tim, The viewing height is the same as Laramie (Engine Terminal) at around 54” (1400mm) as it’s very much designed as a scene to look into rather than down on. In a idea ‘borrowed’ from Mick Simpson, I carry a periscope and have notices that say ‘This layout is designed to be viewed at eye level and its owner is quite tall so it is set quite high off the ground. If makes viewing difficult for you please ask - I have a periscope!’ The viewing window will be around 110mm high (4 1/2”). Although the pillars supporting the roof seem tall in real life they are actually only about 20ft - I like the idea of ‘pillar box’ presentation but a 40mm tall viewing window would be going too far! Hence the whole ‘peeled open roof’ thing artificially creating a tall enough slot. Peter 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kirmies Posted July 22, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted July 22, 2021 (edited) Yesterday's session in the pre-superheated shed involved carefully rolling the lattice work and soldering it onto the screens: And then this morning's was soldering the girder overlays onto the inner arches and fixing that assembly onto the screens/latticework to produce the complet end arches: Over the past few months since I said I'd get this layout to a presentable stage by York Show 2022 (clue in thread title!) this undertaking has at times seemed idiotic, insane or simply unachieveable. Seeing these screens take shape has made me think that it might after all be possible and that the whole concept of the layout might just be a good one. Edited May 31, 2022 by kirmies Re-adding photos 15 1 5 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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