George Dent Model Maker

TRANSFER DAY

2012-03-05T09:45:00.003Z

After a weekend of transfer action, two old Airfix kits near completion.

Over the weekend, in between building a vestibule and decorating a hallway, I managed to fit in some work on some rolling stock projects that are to feature in my next book. As I like to work in batches, I've had a variety of models all awaiting their turn in the transfer queue, two of which are the old Airfix kits featured previously on this Blog. The Meat van is quite remarkable as the waterslide decals supplied with this 1980-vintage kit were found to work perfectly. After 32 years, that's quite a feat.

As for the Esso tanker, I didn't bother trying the supplied decals as they had turned an ugly shade of yellow and cracked badly. Happily, Cambridge Custom Transfers produce a lovely pack of waterslides for this iconic kit and they go on a treat.

Both wagons now need sealing varnish coats before final assembly and weathering. The Meat van's scratch-built compensated chassis has had to be partially dismantled as the paint began peeling from one of the soldered joints - a clear sign that I'd missed some flux residue in a awkward corner. But that's what you get for rushing...

DERBY TAIL-ENDER

2012-03-02T11:44:00.000Z

In response to a number of queries, here's a look at the brake van at the end of the 'Derby Winner' consist.

As mentioned in the previous post, the latest issue of Model Rail includes one of my Diary entries detailing how I recreated a modest 'Jinty'-hauled freight working captured at Derby in the 1960s. The Bachmann brake van was modified in a number of minor ways:

The running boards were trimmed back to stop at the upright just outboard of the axleboxes and the remaining holes in the solebars filled.
Extra lamp brackets were fabricated from etched brass strip, as sold by Shawplan for creating locomotive lamp irons. Three are fixed in a triangular formation on the ends of each veranda.
The inner veranda partitions had the half-glazed entrance door removed and replaced with a piece of plastic card, scribed with vertical planking and fitted with strap hinges from 10x10thou Evergreen plastic strip.
The factory fitted handrails were removed and replaced with finer wire (0.3mm brass wire from Alan Gibson), with the main access handrails modified to be split into two sections (see image).
The roof ventilators were cut away and replaced with castings from Comet Models.
The existing brake gear was enhanced with cross shafts and safety loops (0.7 and 0.3mm wire respectively).
The body was repainted with Railmatch freight bauxite and re-numbered as E246700, part of a batch of LNER vans built in 1940/1 (or thereabouts).

The van was based on the preserved E246710, owned by the NRM but on long term loan to the North York Moors Railway. In the early 2000s, I was a volunteer with the p'way gang on the NYMR and travelled on the van a few times and took many photos of it. Therefore, the model was based primarily on these images, plus extra info from the excellent book A Pictorial Review of LNER wagons, Volume 2 by Peter Tatlow - now sadly out of print but probably available via your local library.

A similar conversion was covered briefly by myself way back in December 2005's Model Rail (issue MR86), although the text includes a few errors due to a draft being published rather than the final text - I was ill at the time, as I recall, and there was a mix up in my absence. But hey-ho...

DERBY JINTY

2012-03-01T19:18:00.001Z

Recreation of a trip working features in new Model Rail, out today.

Today was the official 'on sale' date for the April issue of Model Rail magazine (MR167), although subs copies have been arriving for the past week. We'd taken a big bundle of them to the Glasgow show last weekend but had sold them all by Saturday lunchtime. Within this issue is a wee feature on how I was inspired to recreate a specific short freight train, from a black & white photograph that I came across by accident.

The 4mm scale 'Jinty' is a detailed Bachmann model, with a comprehensive detailing kit fitted from Brassmasters. Representing non-vac fitted 47629, quite a few modifications were needed, including larger bunker coal rail and flat coupling rods (the model originally carried fluted rods). A full demo of the conversion appeared in my book Detailing & Modifying RTR Locomotives, Volume 2. The brake van (also a Bachmann model, as is the tank wagon) also needed to be converted to an ex-LNER style, with different handrail, lamp bracket and footboard arrangements. See the mag for more info and to see the original snap by J. Cooper-Smith that started the ball rolling.

I LIKE 'EM BIG & I LIKE 'EM SMALL

2012-02-29T20:04:00.000Z

And if you asked me to take one, I'd take 'em all...

With apologies for the obscure AC/DC lyric, I've been building a couple of coal wagons over the past few evenings. One is an 'O' gauge offering from Coopercraft (a GWR N13 Loco Coal wagon) and the other is an 'N' gauge PFA and Cawoods coal container from C-Rail Intermodal. They're both jolly nice kits to build, although the bigger one has required quite a bit of work in the way of flash removal and other tweaks to get the bits fitting properly. The sides were also badly warped, so I had to perform my old hot water and clothes pegs trick... In comparison, the wee C-Rail kit more or less built itself, the parts fit that well (the parts are moulded for C-Rail by Parkside Dunda s, I believe).

I don't recommend working on two kits of vastly differing size at the same time. Having got used to the bulkiness of the 'O' underframe, adjusting my eyes to fit the miniscule brake shoes on the PFA gave me a headache.

BONNIE SCOTCHLAND

2012-02-27T22:01:00.001Z

Glasgow show enjoyed by all.

This was something of an impulse purchase from the Heljan stand at Model Rail Scotland. I'd actually been looking at the BR 4-wheel railbuses that were on sale, but I've been mulling over getting one of these Class 15s for a while. I've always been a big fan of small Bo-Bo diesels and, when Kim offered it me for a song, I couldn't resist. It's a lovely model - one of Heljan's best so far...

The day after a long weekend show always has a slightly anti-climactic feeling and I've been chilling out a bit today, after my exertions North of the Border. Having been up there since Thursday, it was nice to get home in time for the cup final yesterday. I'm not sure what was more tiring, manning the Model Rail stand at the SECC in Glasgow or watching Liverpool win the cup on penalties...

Regardless of the footy, I thoroughly enjoyed Model Rail Scotland - as always - and a combo of extremely friendly locals, some fine layouts and a couple of agreeable nights on the town made it another year to remember. Thanks to all the punters and traders who came to say hello and for all the hard work put in by the organisers. I'm already looking forward to next year...

Another source of great excitement for a wagon enthusiast like me, was the new Parkside Dundas kit for the iconic LNER 20t '100' hopper. Can't wait to put this one together...

A blast from the past: It was great to see a BR blue 86 and 87 parked up at Carlisle on the way to Glasgow. The only means of photography I had was the webcam on my laptop, so I tried to capture the 86 at least, though it's come out back-to-front for some reason... looks like someone's put a waterslide decal on backwards.

CONSOLIDATION'S THE NAME OF THE GAME

2012-02-23T08:33:00.002Z

NCB fleet swells further with another Hornby/Parkside hybrid.

Another upgraded mineral wagon rolled off the production line last night. This time, it was a 20t Hornby steel-sided bodyshell, with the now standard (in the Maudetown fleet) Parkside Dundas underframe. Under the many layers of weathering can still be glimpsed the wagon's former owners - Consolidated Fisheries of Swansea and Bristol. I think I've said it before, but these Hornby bodies are really rather nice, with plenty of crisp rivet detail. It's only a matter of a few quid and a couple of hours to fit a new chassis and the model instantly looks much more convincing.

GETTING THE LOW DOWN

2012-02-22T10:00:00.004Z

Bachmann 'Lowfit' body put to good use.

I've had a couple of Bachmann BR 'Lowfit' wagon bodies in the spares box for years, having purchased them from Mainly Trains at a bargain price, with a view to them coming in handy one day. Well, one of them has finally found a use as an internal user vehicle for my colliery 'service train' fleet. With a Parkside Dundas underframe and some MJT buffers fitted - also from the spares box - it has made a pleasing model. Most notably, the vacuum brake gear has been omitted, in line with it's humble allocation. Instead, just one set of brake shoes are in place, being actuated from either side. All that's lacking now is some load restraining chains that I want to drape artfully over the decking, perhaps with some wooden blocks. For just two evenings' work, this has been an enjoyable mini project.

Deluxe Materials Liquid Gravity adds sufficient ballast to the underframe and some plastic angle section supports the bufferbeams on the flat underside of the body. You need a strong solvent to bond the Parkside parts to the Bachmann body, but I found that Deluxe's new formula Plastic Magic was well up to the task.

A QUESTION OF FRACTIONS

2012-02-20T08:59:00.001Z

Blame those pesky decimal points...

Cor, it never rains but it pours. After the JPA demo stepsgoing haywire, I've just spotted another error inModel Rail issue166. Within my Jones Goods feature, I muse on the reasons why I’d omitted theultra fine white element of the loco's lining, having judged it too thin to scale down satisfactorily to ‘OO’. In print, I’m quoted as saying that it’s ‘nigh on impossible toproduce a line less than 1mm thick’. Given that I’m using 0.5 and 0.75mm decallining, the quote is rendered contradictory.

In fact, it should have read ‘0.1mm thick’. The actual white lining on the real locomotive is specified as being 1/4in thick. In 4mm/1ft scale, that works out as 0.086mm (to 3 decimal places), or 0.1mm thick, whenrounded-up to 1decimal place. With that, I rest my case as to why the white liningelement was omitted. Anything would have been an overscale compromise, purelyon the basis that it should be there.I did try adding some white, as thinly as I could, but it looked awful.

Anyway, having checked my original manuscript, the error is purely my own - so blame my fingertips!

With Model Rail Scotland only days away I haven't had any time to get the loco ready for display and, with a day in Peterborough scheduled for tomorrow, it's looking tight. But I shall have a go...

THOMMO'S BG

2012-02-16T11:46:00.001Z

Hobby Night comes a day early this week

As I've other plans for tonight, my now weekly Hobby Night Thursday was brought forward 24hours and saw some work on this old LNER Thompson BG. Built from a Mail Coach kit that I picked up from Pennine Models in Haworth about 10 years ago, I've added some Comet detail bits and pieces, plus a set of Bachmann Gresley bogies of the correct 8ft wheelbase (6in shorter than the Thompson passenger stock). After an inauspicious start, the model is looking OK. Due to it's age, the parts needed quite a bit of work before construction could begin, with acres of flash to file away. The roof was the main problem, though, being much thicker on one side than the other. But, these things are sent to try us, as they say, and my perseverance has paid off. It's a long time since I've built a plastic carriage kit, so a bit of practice is never a bad thing.

FEELING BULLISH

2012-02-14T09:29:00.001Z

Hornby Bullcroft Main wagon enters NCB fleet.

The privately owned fleet of mineral wagons belonging to the National Coal Board, Maudetown Area Division, has been bolstered by a new arrival. Formerly owned by the Bullcroft Main colliery, this wagon was absorbed into BR's stocks upon Nationalisation, being treated to a 'P' prefixed number. However, it found itself stored surplus to requirements in the late 1950s until being serviced and put into traffic by the NCB.
As BR seldom repainted these old P.O. wagons, simply replacing the odd timber here and there (and leaving the wood unfinished), the original livery and markings are just visible beneath the various layers of filth and revised markings. Indeed, wagon No.39 has been working at other NCB installations for at least a decade before finding its way to Maudetown. The on-site repair staff have just applied some fresh white paint over the 'internal user' cross, diagonal stripe denoting the end door and brake handle, to meet the local safety regs. What they haven't got round to doing yet, is to fit a new coupling and drawhook, hence why the wagon is being shunted into the servicing siding.

.... well, that's the imaginary story behind this model. As described in earlier postings, this is one of a number of Hornby and Dapol RTR wagons that I've been upgrading for my fictional NCB layout. As the bodyshells are moulded and finished to a high standard, I've sought to make the most of them by adding kit-built underframes from Parkside Dundas, with a bit of scratch-building and scrap-box-raiding thrown in for good measure. New cast metal buffers complete the job and transform these cheap and cheerful wagons into authentic-looking scale models. Not only are they cheap to complete, but the modest nature of the job makes them ideal evening projects, especially at this time of year.

A MEATY SUBJECT

2012-02-13T09:27:00.003Z

Another Golden Oldie gets the upgrade treatment.

After the recent enjoyment of building and detailing a Dapol/Airfix oil tank wagon, I've dug out a few other old kits from my collection. At the top of the pile was this Airfix meat van, that had been partly assembled about 10 years ago. Now sporting a pair of compensated axles, enhanced brake gear and buffers, the wagon is almost ready for priming and painting.

I also took the opportunity to try out a technique for recreating a distressed roof covering, using tracing paper and poly cement for an upcoming book project. Indeed, these recent forays into plastic wagon kit-building has helped me roadtest some new plastic glues for Deluxe Materials - a full write-up of which is to appear in Model Rail soon.

ESSO SO GOOD

2012-02-10T08:08:00.003Z

Another hobby night sees a venerable old kit finished.

Another Thursday, another hobby night. Fuelled by a bottle of Timothy Taylor's Landlord, I spent an hour last night finishing off this Dapol (ex-Airfix) plastic kit of the iconic Esso oil tank wagon. I've had a pile of these kits, mostly in Airfix packaging, for decades but only now am I getting around to assembling them. Well, a couple of them. Like most of those old Airfix kits, dating back to the 1960s/70s, they make excellent models, with only a handful of detail refinements necessary to bring them up to current specs.

Brake rigging, sprung buffers and etched ladders are the main enhancements and, in retrospect, I think I should have replaced the plastic tank-top walkways with some etched chequer plate. But, I'm happy with the results and am looking forward to completing the other two wagons under construction, whereupon they can enter the paintshop. Some new transfers are required, so I'll be trawling through the lists on Fox's website soon. I've just learnt that Fina operated some of these wagons in the '60s/'70s too, but I've gone and fitted the raised Esso lozenge now. Oh well...

For anyone interested in tank wagons, look out for the mighty tome by R. Tourret, Petroleum Rail Tank Wagons of Britain. It includes a number of images and plans of the Esso tank, as well as a complete history of tank vehicles on Britain's railways. See www.tourretpublishing.com

COLD, COLD CREWE

2012-02-08T22:04:00.000Z

It might have been freezing, but the welcome was warm.

BR blue 03073 - a former Birkenhead-based machine - basks in the winter sunshine at Crewe Heritage Centre. Note the bin lid exhaust cover.

I was lucky enough to spend today at Crewe Heritage Centre - or The Railway Age, as it's also known. I haven't been here for about 7 years and it was nice to be invited on a visit organised by the guys at Hatton's of Liverpool. A full guided tour of the site, by the centre's manager, proved insightful and it was nice to see a few old favourites from my spotting days, including 87035 Robert Burns. Other highlights included 'K4' The Great Marquess, 6100 Royal Scot (in bits!), ex-Merseyrail Class 73 73006 and Crewe-built Class 47 47192. I also enjoyed looking around the former Exeter signal box, rebuilt as closely as possible and full of atmosphere. The job of a modern signaller doesn't really appeal, but those old boxes, with cast iron stoves, oil lamps, comfy chairs and a very cosy feel always capture my imagination. But then, I'm too much of a daydreamer to be an effective signalman!

There's plenty to see here, especially if you're interested in signalling and the iconic APT is worth the admission alone.
The interiors of most of the cars and one cab are open and we were treated to a look through the cramped confines of the power car. The buffet was an eye opener: not only was the public corridor a bit of a tight squeeze - not for the portly - but the original menus are still pinned up. Anyone for a steak meal, accompanied by a bottle of wine, for fiver? Or a double Scotch for 79p. Those were the days...

Looking from Crewe North Junc. signal box over the Heritage Centre site. The APT and a Crewe-built Brush 4 take centre stage. The Underground Ernie-style station roof over the miniature railway came courtesy of Tesco; they're surplus trolley shelters!

WEEKEND VARIETY

2012-02-06T12:29:00.002Z

Kit building bonanza!

What with all the snow, spending a Sunday afternoon at my workbench seemed an attractive proposition and I managed to crack on with a number of rolling stock kits that I've been meaning to build for a long time. A MARC Models Night Ferry 'Fourgon', Ian Kirk LNER full brake, a Parkside LMS van and a bunch of Dapol/Airfix oil tanks have been started with varying degrees of success. The brass 'Fourgon' is to be appropriated and modified for my WW2 Egyptian layout, while the Parkside van kit has proved frustrating, with the body sides and ends not fitting together very well - a sign of its age, perhaps, as Parkside kits in general are usually excellent in this respect. A few internal reinforcements seem to have done the trick and a bit of filler work will have to follow. The Dapol tanks, on the other hand, despite the kits being 'donkeys years' old, almost build themselves.

I've also been stripping an Alan Gibson 'Jinty' for refinishing. Chris Leigh gave me this loco a few years back, having been expertly built by Dave Lowery. However, I want to add some extra details and paint it up in NCB colours, so the shell has been in a stripping bath for a few days to get it back to the etched primer coat (nothing's going to shift that!). The chassis, although motor-less, is fully compensated which is a novelty for me - not usually being into that sort of thing. I hope I can put it all back together again...

KING OF THE STRIPPERS

2012-02-03T11:19:00.000Z

Vi-Trains bodyshells ready for action.

Had a jolly trip to Model Rail HQ in Peterborough yesterday and, while I was away, I left a couple of Vi-Trains bodyshells 'pickling' in paint stripper. Being a bit wary of dodgy chemicals, I usually just rub down the surface with abrasives - and sometimes a bit of T-Cut - before repainting, but I thought I'd have a go at doing things properly for a change. As the factory finish on Vi-Trains products is usually quite thin, I reckoned it should come off quite easily.

So, with a heavy duty plastic tub and 2 bumper bottles of Phoenix Precision Superstrip, the shells were submerged and left for 24hours out in the safety of a locked shed away from curious pets and spouses. Bright and early this morning, I ventured out in the sub-zero temperatures with a bucket of warm water, gloves and an old toothbrush, extracted the locos and marvelled at how the paint simply dropped away with a very light scrubbing.

It pays to be thorough with the cleaning-up - I used a cream cleanser abrasive cleaner, followed by Flash all-purpose detergent and plenty of clean water changes. Eye goggles and an old jacket are recommended to protect against splashes and make sure you get all the residue out from the grilles, recesses and the inside of the shells. Oh, and dismantle the models completely beforehand as the stripper may loosen any glue bonds, leaving small details to vanish in the vat of stripper; and it will ruin clear glazing.

The Superstrip can be returned to the bottles for re-use or, as I do, left in the plastic tub that has a water-tight lid that is clipped firmly in place and left in a very safe place in the shed. The stuff also works on Hornby and Bachmann models, but usually needs a bit longer - about 2 days, depending on the model and its paint scheme.

But what are these models destined to become? The 37, originally in BR Railfreight 3-tone grey is to undergo a DRS conversion, whilst the 47 is going in reverse: a DRS loco being back-dated to late 1990s BR condition. Both are to act as test-beds for more fabulous detailing parts from Shawplan and PH Designs. Stay tuned for more updates on these later in the year.

THOMPSON'S FINEST

2012-02-01T10:27:00.000Z

Work starts on Hornby B1 project.

Hornby has excelled itself with the finish on this B1. I'm no expert on the real things, but this is a real improvement on the old Mainline/Bachmann version.

The LNER Thompson B1 4-6-0 is a thing of real beauty, despite it being designed as a mass-produced, utility machine. With standardised, interchangeable parts, it's a tribute to the designers that it turned out so graceful in appearance and sprightly in performance. No wonder they gave them such inspiring names, such as Springbok or Roedeer. Anyway, with the lovely new Hornby version now available - as well as Bachmann's revamped version - we thought that we'd do something interesting for Model Rail issue 168. So, with this beautifully lined-out LNER liveried example, I've made a start on something a little out of the ordinary. Any guesses...?

So far, I've added some AWS equipment and replaced the LNER legend with a BR totem, plus some incomplete BR lining around the cab sides, but no number. It looks a bit of a dog's dinner at the moment, but all will be revealed in due course.

BACHMANN BEAUTY

2012-01-30T13:44:00.000Z

More glazing progress.

After 'laser-glazing' my Vi-Trains 47, I also tried out a pack designed for Bachmann's take on the Brush Type 4. Again, the results speak for themselves. For about £9 per pack, the glazing isn't cheap, but it's well worth the money in terms of tangible results. After all, if you've put the work into detailing and/or weathering your model, you may as well add the icing on the cake...

Read more about Laserglaze products on Shawplan's Blog or see my Bench Test article in Model Rail issue 158.

This Bachmann 47 was one of the initial releases (complete with erroneous reinforced windscreen surrounds) and was detailed and weathered as part of an article that appeared in Model Rail issue 139 (Jan 2010).

MORE PRAISE FOR LASERGLAZE

2012-01-28T11:14:00.001Z

The proof's in the pudding.

May I present a few more images of the EWS Vi-Trains 47 fitted with the new Shawplan laser-cut replacement glazing pack. I've also fitted some new Shawplan wipers (pack DP4511A) and used some PH Designs etched weathering masks to suggest the sweep of the wiper blades. I'm a big fan of the Vi-Trains 47s, not least as they can be picked up from some retailers for about £40 and, if you're prepared to put in some detail work and, perhaps, a repaint then they're great value. As far as the underframe's concerened, no-one else has got captured the bogies as well as the Italians.

The factory-fitted glazing is OK, but not a patch on the Laserglaze alternative. The prismatic effect around the outside of the windows exaggerate the thickness of the plastic and the dodgy fit of the cabside glazing spoils the appearance. Well done Shawplan! I'm currently drawing up a list of other glazing packs to invest in to transform the look of many more of my diesels.

RED, GOLD AND... BROWN

2012-01-27T17:51:00.000Z

Grubby EWS 47 finished.

As mentioned in the previous posting, I've been working on a Vi-Trains EWS Class 47 project for Model Rail issue 168. Back in July, I made a start on distressing and weathering this loco, but the project then stalled while I waited to get hold of a Shawplan Laserglaze pack. It's certainly been worth the wait, as the new glazing looks superb. I've also fitted a pack to a Bachmann 47 and some photos of the results will follow.

Have a good weekend everyone - I'm hoping for another good result for the Reds in the cup tomorrow...

DOUBLE GLAZING

2012-01-26T18:51:00.000Z

Pair of Duffs get the Laserglaze treatment.

With Model Rail issue 166 on sale today and my contributions for MR167 all in the bag, I'm now working on stuff for issue 168. As 168 is the Spring issue (out in late March), it feels like I'm speeding through 2012, yet it's still only January. Mind you, I wouldn't mind a bit of Spring-like weather as I'm getting fed up of the cold and short hours of daylight.

Today, I've been trialling some new laserglazing packs from Shawplan, designed for the Class 47s of Bachmann and Vi-Trains. I've used some of these glazing packs before (CLICK HERE), albeit on different locomotives, and a Benchtest review appeared in MR158. These two glazing kits follow the same method of being fitted from the outside and are shaped to allow a friction fit that can be reinforced with clear varnish or, preferably, Johnsons Klear acrylic floor polish.

Both packs fitted well, although I had to fettle the windscreens on the Bachmann model a bit, but this was more down to this model having been repainted than the design of the glazing. I've just completed a little extra weathering to blend the windows with the rest of the dirty bodyshells, making use of some PH Designs wiper masks. I'll post a finished image here in due course, while you can read about the project in more detail in MR168, including a demo of distressing and weathering the EWS 'Duff'.

JPA DEMO DERAILED

2012-01-24T18:53:00.001Z

Cement wagon steps in corruption shocker!

I suppose it has to happen sometimes, but it'sfrustrating when mistakes creep into a publication, especially when a lot of hard work has been put into an article. The latest issue ofModel Rail (MR166) features the PH Designs detail kit for the Bachmann JPA in a Workbench Test (pp48-50). However, the step-by-step instructions have somehow become corrupted. Below is the order in whichthey were submitted. And apologies for any confusion caused...

Regular readers may remember my Blog entry on the subject of this detail kit, back in September 2011. Click here to read it again. More info on the PH Designs kit can be found here.

((Step 1))

The replacement JPA tank walkway kit consists of a singlesheet of 0.15mm etched brass. The original bulky moulding needs to be cut awaywith a sharp knife and the wire rails pulled out and put to one side.

((Step 2))

Razor sharp, heavy-duty scissors, or a set of shears designedfor use with etched metal, are essential to avoid damaging the delicate partswhilst cutting them from the fret. Remove the waste as you go to give the jawsroom to work.

((Step 3))

Study the supplied instructions and diagrams carefully beforefolding the walkways to shape. A Hold ‘n’ Fold is heartily recommended, as itwill keep the brass flat whilst bending with a long, flat blade.

((Step 4))

Use a small setsquare against the base of the Hold ‘n’ Foldto gauge the angle of the fold. Make any adjustments with the blade along thelength of the component and recheck until a 90^o angle is achieved.

((Step 5))

Fold up the small handrail mounting brackets to a U shape andfix to the walkways with cyanoacrylate glue. Use a straightedge and pencil tomark their positions first, ensuring the brackets are in a straight line.

((Step 6))

Dab a drop of slow-drying cyano glue or epoxy onto each ofthe mounting feet and fix the walkways into place atop the tank. Re-fix theoriginal wire handrails into the new brackets and secure with cyano.

((Step 7))

Careful masking will preserve the finish whilst painting thenew parts. Begin with a thin coat of Alclad2 grey primer, sprayed from anairbrush. Leave the mask loose to produce a soft blend between the new and oldpaint.

((Step 8))

Alclad2’s Dull Aluminium is a perfect match for the Bachmannfinish and was also sprayed from an airbrush (this paint cannot be applied byhand). Due to the loose mask, a virtually seamless ‘feathered’ edge isachieved.

IDLE PLANNING?

2012-01-23T09:37:00.000Z

Maudetown's further expansion considered.

With Maudetown signalbox almost complete, and with a number of attractive buildings awaiting use, I've been wondering about an additional extension to Maudetown Colliery. It's all a bit 'pie in the sky' at the moment as space remains a limiting factor. However, with the use of modular boards, I'm intending for the layout to be operated in either 1, 2 or 3 board form.

The colliery extension is planned and the board constructed, while I await some spare time to start laying track. On the other side of the central, existing board, I'd like the NCB line to emerge from the tunnel into an exchange siding with the BR branchline. But this might require far more space than I can manage, unless I can come up with something creative.

Over the weekend, I tried out some different configurations on my workbench, using a lovely Scalelink GWR station that I built a few years ago, plus a Townstreet goods shed. Including the latter is probably asking too much but the station should be well suited to the vaguely South Wales theme. This section is also intended to be operated as a standalone micro layout as well as an extension. There'll be some more hours of head scratching and sketching before the project goes any further...

Before too long, hopefully, trains will emerge from the other end of this tunnel into an exchange siding adjacent to Maudetown station.

BOXING AT NIGHT

2012-01-20T09:59:00.000Z

Maudetown signal box almost finished.

I've said it before, but Thursday night is hobby night in the Dent household so, as Mrs D practiced her piano scales, I sat down with a bottle of beer and my acrylic paints to finish my signal box for Maudetown. As described back in October, this 'box started life as a humble Metcalfe card kit, but has been re-clad and detailed inside and out.

All that remains is to add gutters, downpipes, door handles, railings and staircase. Then a suitable sign needs to be printed, once I've refined the name. Either Maudetown, Maudetown Junction or Maudetown Colliery Exchange Sidings. The idea is to extend my colliery layout in both directions (the colliery side is already underway) including the line at the valley bottom and the link with the local branchline, perhaps with a small station if space permits.

PHOTOSHOP TUTORIAL

2012-01-16T20:03:00.002Z

First steps in photo jiggery pokery

Although I use Photoshop on a fairly regular basis, I've never really devoted much time in trying to enhance or manipulate images. But, being at a loose end over the weekend (and full of a cold), I thought I'd have a go at seeing what I could do with some images already on file. So, with my scratch-built War Department Whitcomb and a section of my Egyptian layout, I superimposed the models onto a summer Devon sky and messed around with exhaust smoke and an illuminated headlamp. It took me a while and plenty of mistakes, but now I think I know what I'm doing. Maybe one day I can give Chris Nevard a run for his money...?

PAINT IT RED

2012-01-11T10:34:00.000Z

Secret to rendering Scottish Region ballast revealed in MR166

There’s a distinct Scottish theme to the forthcoming issueof Model Rail magazine (issue 166, out Jan 26), mainly to coincide with theexcellent Model Rail Scotland exhibition in Glasgow in late February. We allenjoy trekking North of the Border for this annual 3-day mini train fest, itbeing my particular highlight of the modelling year. I’m always up for a tripto Scotland, although I still haven’t ventured further north than the Clydevalley and Edinburgh. Maybe this year I’ll make the time to tour the Highlandsby train, as I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid…

But in the meantime, after several queries from Model Railreaders, I’ve produced a quick guide to replicating the distinctive red-huedballast that is a common feature in Scotland, to appear in MR166. I won’t giveanything away here, save for the preview image above. What do you think?

The project also allowed me to create a new photographicdiorama, which has given me a bit more variety when shooting loco and rollingstock portraits. Indeed, the scenic landscape was formed with an interestingnew product that I’ve been testing for a manufacturer. It’s great stuff butit’s all hush-hush at the moment. Hopefully, I’ll be able to reveal more aboutit in Model Rail in the near future…

JONES GOODS UPDATE 4

2012-01-06T13:29:00.002Z

We're almost there...

A slightly euphoric feeling is beginning to swell inside my chest, after re-wheeling the Jones Goods loco for a photo shoot this morning. After so long, it's finally coming together. I need to mount the wheels in my bench drill and clean up the tyres before assembly can begin in earnest - they're still covered in paint overspray, as you can see in the image above. I also need to add the long boiler handrails before the shell can be finish-varnished, in a nice satin coating - it's a bit too glossy for my liking, at the moment.

My target is to have the whole thing done and dusted in time for the Glasgow show in late February, so it can take pride of place in the Model Rail showcase. In the meantime, you can read all about how I lined-out this little beauty in the forthcoming issue of Model Rail (MR166), out on January 26th.

JONES GOODS UPDATE 3

2012-01-04T17:17:00.001Z

Fancy lining is almost complete.

Happy New Year to one and all! It was back to work with a bang yesterday as I knuckled straight down to finishing off the Jones Goods loco kit. At the close of play today, the lining is all done and sealed with an interim varnish coat (a final layer will follow soon). The shiny metal bits - buffer heads, safety valves, whistle, lubricators and smokebox door handle have all been picked out with metallic paints. The chimney's copper cap also needs adding, but my tin of Humbrol enamel had dried up, so I'll have to pop over to the model shop tomorrow.

So, what's left to do now? Add handrails and them paint silver, finish painting the wheels and apply the final satin varnish coat. Then, the slow process of reassembling the chassis can start, fitting the motor, transmission and power collection system. A period of running-in will follow before the smaller details can be attended to: coal in the tender, glazing in the spectacle plates, fit and detail the firebox backhead, add footplate crew. So it might be a few more weeks until this project is finally signed off.

JONES GOODS UPDATE 2

2011-12-23T18:47:00.004Z

A hard day's lining.

On my last day before the festive break, I've been adding the next layer of lining to the Jones Goods loco kit. Having applied the olive green base scheme, today was the turn for the black lines, this time using waterslide decals. This has proved quite difficult on the eyeballs as the black is hard to discern from the dark green backing, so I've had the big photography lights on the model all day. The finer red, white and yellow lining will follow next, after the Festive break.

And on that note, may I wish everyone a very HAPPY CHRISTMAS, with all best wishes for the New Year. Let's hope it's another great year for model railways and don't forget that the new Model Rail will be in the shops next week!

A SORT OF CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

2011-12-23T07:51:00.000Z

It's not what I intended to buy, but it's very nice...

What's that popular saying about good intentions..? Well, I'd popped out to get a bit of Christmas shopping but all I came back with was this lovely Hornby Maunsell luggage/parcel van, which is my treat to myself for the Festive Season. There are few things I despise more in life than shopping, but shopping in the run up to Christmas is even worse. Why do all the big shops remove anything decent and replace it with a load of garbage, yet charge you a premium for it? But, I shall resist from entering the full grumpy old man role as 'tis the season for goodwill, and all that.

The impressive BR blue van is to enter service in my early 1980s parcel fleet of 4-wheel and bogie stock (CCTs and GUVs) and needs but a gentle weathering job and scale couplings to complete. The underframe detail is especially nice and saves me the bother of having to add any bits of wire or brass. And to think, I've had to laboriously scratchbuild replacements for my ex-Lima CCTs before they could reach this level of realism (see Model Rail issue 110). But that's what I enjoy. Although the nice chap in the model shop did me a good deal on the van, it still cost a fair few quid - but you certainly get a few 'bangs for your bucks'...

JONES GOODS UPDATE

2011-12-21T22:10:00.003Z

Complex Stroudley-esque lining begins in earnest.

The project may have begun a couple of years ago (featuring in Model Rail issue 141 and 148), but I'm now on the home straight with this DJH kit of the iconic Highland Railway 'Jones Goods' 4-6-0. The lining process is a very convoluted one, with the olive green base needing to be applied before the red, black and yellow stripes can be added. I've tried a departure from my usual bow-pen and hand brush method for this stage by using extensive masking and airbrushing and have been very pleased with the results. The masking takes ages (about 4hours!) but then the bow-pen is also painfully slow and only one side can be done per day as the enamel needs 24hours to cure before handling. Swings and roundabouts...

This evening, whilst listening to a frustrating Liverpool FC performance against Wigan (0-0 but the Reds should have had a hat-full in the 1st half and missed a pen in the 2nd...), I've added the black base lining to the claret underframe on loco and tender and a clear gloss coat will follow in the morning before the finer lining can be added. This is one of the reasons why complex liveries like this take so long - hours of careful prep and masking, an hour or two's painting, 24 hours drying, varnish, 24hr wait, lining decals, wait, varnish, wait, bow-pen and handbrush touching-up, wait, varnish, wait.... then you've got about 8hours worth of final assembly.

It's looking like my hopes of getting this done before the Christmas break have evaporated, so I'll be doing a few bits here and there over the holidays. The lining process will be demonstrated fully in Model Rail issue 166, out on January 26th.

FROM THE ARCHIVES 2

2011-12-20T21:00:00.002Z

More stuff from my NRM days unearthed.

Trams, boats, cranes and 10in gauge wagons were once an everyday part of my job, interspersed with the odd signalbox fitting or station sign. Of course, there was also the real trains to titivate too!

As described a few weeks back, I recently found a box ofdrawings and research material amassed whilst I was employed at the NationalRailway Museum in York in the early 2000s. As well as sketchbooks, I also founda big pile of photographs, showing the variety of artefacts that I restored,ranging from signalbox track layout boards, to engineering models, totelephones and station signs.

Most of the artefacts were being taken out of store to enterthe then fairly new ‘Warehouse’ area of the museum. This was once a realtreasure trove and a great compliment to the Great Hall with its vastlocomotives. Indeed, on my first visit to the NRM in 2000, I spent most of theday lost amongst the never-ending racks of items; many of which were small,but interspersed with the odd bigger artefact (like an APT coach!).

Most of this was later removed to make way for the enormousand pretty pointless Flaming Scotsman exhibition (minus the real Flying Scotsman, naturally)and I presume it went off to Shildon rather than back into store. However, muchof my passion for the museum had been sapped by the time I left in 2003 so Inever really paid attention…..

This enormous model coal wagon was built by apprentices and was an exact miniature of the real thing in every way. The brakes even operated in exactly the same way as the prototype. From what I remember, this only needed a clean and re-oil and it was as good as new - testament to the builders in the 1930s. I think it was built as an advertising tool for the Manchester coal merchant, to sit in their head office. And yes, it did weigh a ton - no wonder I've got a bad back these days...!

TEAK PERFECTION?

2011-12-19T17:42:00.000Z

New Hornby LNER 'subs' under the microscope.

In between the laborious job of lining the Jones Goods 4-6-0 kit, that I'm aiming to finish for the New Year (stay tuned for progress reports), I've been casting my eyes over a pair of brand new Hornby LNER non-gangway suburban carriages, rendered in the eye-catching 'natural teak' livery. They may not suit any of my own current layout projects, but they're pretty fetching nonetheless. Look out for the full appraisal in Model Rail issue 166, out on January 26th.

If anyone is in the Liverpool area tomorrow (Tuesday 20th), be sure to pop along to the big 65th birthday bash at Hattons. There's free festive refreshments and lots to see and do (plus some great offers and competitions). I can't make it over there myself, but it sounds like it's going to be a super shebang!

SUNDAY AFTERNOONS WERE MADE FOR...

2011-12-18T20:39:00.001Z

... building plastic wagon kits!

Yet another mineral wagon has been assembled and has been added to the queue waiting to enter the paintshop. It's a bit cold for spraying paint out in the shed (only managed 5degC today) so I think I'll hang on and see how the weather pans out over Christmas. If I know I've a few jobs to tackle at the same time, then I don't mind cranking up the 'leckie' heater and piling on my thermals and big socks to spend a full day in the shed. Airbrushing paints should only be tried at a minimum temperature of around 12degC, or the liquid never behaves properly. The fact that I use acrylics for the vast majority of my freight stock, makes this even more crucial.

Anyway, this Parkside Dundas hopper has been a joy to build, although it's not a quick job by any means. After all, it's quite a complex shape and the chassis takes time to get right - ensuring that both axles sit correctly. Adding weight is vital for reliable running but, as I wanted this wagon to run empty, there's limited space underneath for ballast. I managed to squeeze a fair bit of Liquid Gravity - secured with Roket Hot thin cyano glue (both from Deluxe Materials) - into the hopper base and behind the bufferbeams. As I'll be fitting working coupling hooks, I had to leave space for them to be fitted, with notches cut in the inner ribs too.

I've a few more Parkside kits to work on over the Festive period, although not all of them are for my colliery project. There's a trestle wagon that I'm planning on upgrading and a brake van too. Plus a couple of 'N' gauge vehicles for a bit of variety...

WINTER REACHES MAUDETOWN

2011-12-16T19:30:00.003Z

Maudetown's de-icing train has its first outing.

It seems appropriate - what with today's heavy snowfall around these parts - that Maudetown's new 'De-Icing Unit' has seen it's first runout. Consisting of a detailed and repainted 'HO' Lima track cleaning tank wagon, plus a van and guards van, this short consist is designed to maintain the rails in the valley leading up to the Colliery. The Lima wagon has received new wheels, bufferbeam and buffers (to suit 'OO' stock) plus finer break gear, ladders and walkways. A repaint into departmental yellow, complete with Hazchem warnings (from a Fox Transfers pack designed for Merseyrail de-icing units) completed the job.

I just need to reassemble the cleaning pad that sits between the axles and the train can start earning its keep. The great thing about this Lima wagon is that the pad simply clips into the underframe - so it's easy to run the vehicle in cleaning mode or as an ordinary wagon.

This short de-icing train will add a bit of colour to the drab colliery setting.

PUTTYING IT TO THE TEST

2011-12-15T10:28:00.002Z

More kit building allows new model filler to be tested

Another coal wagon kit is nearing completion, this timebeing a BR 21t hopper (Parkside Dundas). I’ve been building up a good head ofsteam with my wagon building in the past six weeks and am planning a few moreover the Festive break (wife permitting). All this recent work in plastic hasalso allowed me to test a number of new glue and filler products that have beenunder development. But more on these at a later date….

The Parkside hopperbody goes together nicely, although there are bound to be areas that needfilling. A good quality putty that can be sanded super-smooth is essential ifthe repairs are to be seamless.

The BR vac-fittedhopper is a lovely kit to build, but it requires much more work than many ofParkside’s other kits. Not surprising, given the complexity of the real thing.Once you reach the stage of fitting the chassis and all the various hoppersupport brackets, it starts to look like a wagon at last!

SILVER BULLET, TAKE TWO

2011-12-13T08:39:00.000Z

Etched ladders built at second attempt.

Having failed at the first attempt, I've managed to make a better job of the etched replacement ladders for the Dapol Silver Bullet, from PH Designs. As I explained in the earlier post, a mix of my own impatience and the wrong drill, saw the task end in tears, but with a second set of etched parts, I made sure I took my time and went out and bought some new drill bits before making a start.

The etched holes were drilled-out to the correct 0.35mm with the ladders still on the etch and with the brass held firmly onto a block of hardwood; this prevents any distortion. The distinctive brackets at the lower end were also folded and soldered before the parts were cut from the fret. The kit includes a small part that folds up into a useful spacing tool, to keep the sides of the ladders at the correct distance, whilst lengths of 0.3mm brass wire are inserted into the holes and soldered to form the rungs. Snip away the waste as close to the edge as possible and gently file flush when all rungs have been added. It's still easy to damage the ladders at this point, so just take it steady and don't rush it.

Once the ladders have been fitted (soldered to the new walkway at the top and glued to the solebar at the bottom), they're surprisingly strong and will take gentle handling. While I originally thought I'd keep the original Dapol castings, having filed them to a more refined profile, they now look enormous compared to the scale brass replacements - there's really no contest...

See the project in full in Model Rail 166, out on January 26th.

P.O. PROGRESS

2011-12-12T09:53:00.001Z

Dapol & Hornby mineral wagons receive attention

Back in October, I put up a post about a bunch of private owner mineral wagons that I'd bought, for conversion/detailing and eventual use within my NCB fleet. Well, the weekend saw me build new chassis for a couple of these vehicles, using Parkside Dundas kits, Gibson wheels and a bunch of odds and ends from the scrap box. The Dapol (P.J.J.P) and Hornby models (Bullcroft Main) now look much more authentic without the bulky moulded underframes and massive tension lock couplings and just need weathering and rebranding with NCB markings to finish off.

It only costs about £7 to treat each wagon and requires about 2 hours work (just the thing to fill a few spare hours on a wet Saturday afternoon while listening to the footy on the radio). With the bodyshells being nicely rendered, they deserve to be sat on a better class of underframe and will add even more variety to my motley coal fleet.

The bright red brake gear was from the scrap box - left over from an ancient Airfix Meat van kit! The metal buffers are from Lanarkshire Modelling Supplies and the solebars and bufferbeams from Parkside. All you need to do is unclip the Hornby chassis, flatten the raised bits, mark out the centre lines and stick the new bits on. Well, you need to get everything set up right if the wagon's to run perfectly, so maybe I shouldn't sound too flippant. Look out for a full demo in print sometime next year...

BOLSTERING THE FLEET

2011-12-10T17:05:00.001Z

Ian Kirk kit finished and loaded

As mentioned previously, I’ve beenbuilding an Ian Kirk LMS bolster wagon kit to form part of an upcoming Model Rail feature on timber traffic. The kit had been lying around in the attic forthe best part of 10 years, so it’s nice to see it finished and ready forservice. It was a pleasure to build and, despite the parts needing quite a bitof cleaning up before assembly, they eventually went togethereasily. The fine underframe is particularly impressive, enhanced by the lovelyspoked wheels (supplied with the kit).

I put in a bit of time on the timber decking, using a handy set of Lifecolor acrylic 'Weathered Wood' shades to build up a convincing wood-like appearance and the paintedand weathered ‘log’ load – from Ten Commandments tops itoff nicely. The chains, cast into the plaster load, just marry up with thebolsters, although I still need to finish these off with some extra chain andhoops. As it is, the logs are tied together, but not actually to the wagonitself!

Anyway, in the Model Rail feature, I’ll show how I achievedthe painted finish on the logs, as well as how to fill the Hornby OTA and a fewother wagons with timber loads. Look out for it in MR166, out on 26^thJanuary.

TANK WEATHERING

2011-12-07T10:14:00.001Z

Detailed 'Silver Bullet' gains the dirty treatment.

Having fitted the PH Designs etched detailing kit (and cocked up the ladders), I gave my Dapol 'Silver Bullet' a suitably weathered finish. What a difference it makes from the toy-like shine of the 'chromed' barrel. It's funny how you only get to appreciate a model's quality once you've made it really dirty!

Anyway, Peter at PH Designs has taken pity on my cack-handed approach to building the ladders and has offered to send me a replacement set, so I'm going to have another go. Watch this space...

ETCHED BRASS & CHOICE WORDS

2011-12-05T13:45:00.001Z

Dapol 'Silver Bullet' gets the detail treatment

The replacement walkway, handrails and tank filler is lightyears ahead of the originals - the only disappointing facet of the standard Dapol model.

Just putting the finishing touches to a Workbench Test article for the March (166) issue of Model Rail, dealing with a pair of etched brass detail upgrade kits for two recent RTR wagon models. The Bachmann JPA cement tanker is one of them, but here are a few images of the Dapol 'Silver Bullet' china clay slurry tank. Both wagons have been fitted with excellent kits by PH Designs and, after just a few hours work, the models have been elevated to true super-detailed status.

The kit for the 'Silver Bullet' is a tad more challenging than that for the JPA and it pays to take your time. I didn't, and ended up ruining one of the ladder assemblies. It was entirely my own fault - the etched holes needed opening out to take the 0.3mm brass wire that forms the rungs. However, I've been on a drill breaking odyssey of late and so tried to open up the holes with a 0.4mm bit, thinking that the solder would fill the gaps. But the thin brass wouldn't take the oversize holes, distorting the uprights and fatally weakening the structure. A break was inevitable and, although I could probably have repaired it, time was running against me, so I wondered about sprucing up the original die-cast metal ladders. As the Model Rail article will show, I think I've gotten away with it!

The wagon is just about to be weathered in the shed (the heater's on, warming up the painting area as I write this). After a sharp drop in temperature over the past few days and a snow shower this morning, I need to pack up all my water-based paints and glues and bring them indoors for the winter. After being caught out last year, and left with a large pile of ruined paints - I'm determined not to be bitten twice.

The etched ladder requires folding and assembling using 0.3mm brass wire for the rungs. After an hour trying to bodge it, I managed to make a real mess of it - entirely my own stupid fault. A few choice words followed before I decided to refine the Dapol ladders with a file.

STONE ME! (Part 2)

2011-12-02T09:06:00.001Z

Finishing off the Trouts with a weathered finish

After loading up my fleet of new Hornby Trouts, I decided togive them a lightly weathered finish. Despite some of the review samples thatwe received being in factory-weathered condition, I wanted something a bit morerealistic than the uniform layer of light brown paint. A handful of weatheringpowders is all that I used and each wagon took only about 20 minutes, so even a long rake won’t take long –just the thing for these dark December evenings…

Once the ballast load had dried out completely, a mix of ‘rusty and dusty’ shades of MIG powder was applied to the exposed areas of the hopper interior. This also helps to disguise any stains left by excess glue. A soft-bristled flat paintbrush gives best results with powders.

Similar shades were also added to the outside of the hopper, with darker shades used around the recessed areas to exaggerate the shadows and bring out the best of the model’s moulded relief. Gently varying the shades adds visual interest and creates a more realistic appearance

For the hopper chutes, I wanted some distinct streaking effects, so Tamiya pigments – applied with a cosmetic sponge applicator – were used. A mix of ‘snow’, ‘light rust’ and ‘dark rust’ did the trick, using only vertical streaks to mimic the effects of stone being released from the hopper.

Finally, a larger, clean soft brush will remove any excess powders and pigments, using vertical strokes to prevent any inappropriate streaking. Blowing away loose powders with your breath runs the risk of moisture landing on the surface and, reacting with the powders, creating a nasty stain.

TANKED UP

2011-11-29T09:56:00.001Z

Ex-GWR tender finds new life as a fuel oil tanker.

Ex-BR Class 14 NCB31 is hard at work hauling a stores and fuel train up the gradient towards Maudetown Colliery.

As part of my on-going colliery project, not only have Ibeen amassing numerous mineral wagons under BR and NCB ownership, but I’ve alsobeen creating a range of stores and service vehicles. Allowing the Coal Boardto maintain its own rail network and industrial infrastructure, a motleycollection of open wagons and vans have been taken from BR’s surplus stocks and‘bodged’ about to keep them working.

As Maudetown Colliery is set atop a hill, high in the SouthWales Valleys, it’s my supposition that much material and resources has to beshipped up the branch from the exchange sidings. This includes clean water andfuel for the colliery’s small fleet of steam and diesel traction. Having originallyenvisaged converting a spare GWR Collett loco tender into a water carrier, Ichanged my mind during the painting stage and rendered the finished model as afuel oil tanker.

Having finished Maudetown’s water tower a few weeks ago,it’s probably time that I did the same with the diesel fuelling point!

With appropriate Hazchem warning signs, the fuel tank certainly looks distinctive as part of Maudetown's service train.

MINK SIGNED OFF

2011-11-28T18:28:00.001Z

More wagon kits completed over the weekend.

As mentioned in the previous post, a Ratio GWR 'iron mink' kit, first begun in 2004, has now been completed and is ready for service. After weathering and finishing, the fine moulded detail of the original kit and the Model Railway Developments conversion/detail parts, really comes to the fore. After all those years in store, it only took a few hours to paint and weather the van, not least as all was done with acrylics and an airbrush.

Another GWR wagon has also been completed: a Coopercraft kit of a 'Provender' wagon (below), also discussed in a previous posting. Now wearing NCB colours and markings, the distinctive vehicle has entered use as part of the stores fleet at Maudetown Colliery.

REDISCOVERED MINK

2011-11-27T09:37:00.001Z

GW wagon kit almost finished after 7 years.

Construction began in 2004, but this Ratio Mink has had to wait until now to be finished...!

As is often the case, a search through boxes of stuff for something completely unrelated turned up this little 'OO' Ratio GWR Mink van that I'd built for a Model Rail review in 2004. The test was centred on an etched detail & conversion kit produced by Model Railway Developments - allowing the wooden door variety of van to be modelled. Improved brake gear, a replacement roof (with plenty of rivets) and a few other small bits and bobs make up the kit, which is still available (click on the link above for more details).

One of my earliest reviews for the magazine, this felt like a 'blast from the past' when I found it and, with the model left unpainted following completion of the review, I decided to finish it off. So, with a set of whitemetal buffers from Lanarkshire Model Supplies, the van has been primed, pre-shaded and painted with Lifecolor acrylics. I just need to add the numbers, varnish and complete the weathering job before the Mink is ready for service.

The MRD conversion kit is a little tricky to put together, especially the brake gear and door hinge/catch details, but it makes a massive difference to the Ratio plastic kit.

TIMBERRRRR!

2011-11-25T12:29:00.001Z

Logs, timber and wood wagon loads recreated.

My rake of OTA timber wagons is swelling. A mix of kit-built and Hornby wagons, they're each carrying suitable loads of logs, three piles per wagon, with nylon strapping - just like the real thing!

Another Model Rail feature is nearing completion, on the subject of creating realistic timber wagon loads. With the recent Hornby OTA release (and the impending Bachmann version), now's a good time to look into this fascinating and attractive traffic. I'll also be demonstrating some tips on loading-up pre-TOPS era wagons, with logs, pit props or converted timber - complete with protective sheeting! Using natural materials and a variety of off-the-shelf solutions, there should be a technique to suit all tastes and eras. Look out for the article early in 2012...

Stone-cast wagon loads, from Ten Commandments can look very effective when painted and weathered. Shackles and tensioned strapping adds the final touch - see how it's done in Model Rail soon...

PLASTIC KIT PROGRESS

2011-11-24T17:59:00.001Z

More wagons roll off the production line.

This Ian Kirk kit has been lingering in a box of unmade kits for about 10 years, since purchase from Dean Sidings in Lydney for the princely sum of £3.00. Complete with a set of Keen Maygib brass wheels and bearings, plus a lovely set of turned brass buffers, it's a jolly nice kit to work with. However, there was a fair bit of flash to remove from the various plastic bits, especially the solebars and brake gear.

I've added some safety hoops from brass strip to enhance the underframe but otherwise, what you see is what you got in the kit. These kits are hard to come by these days, with the Kirk range now concentrating on 'O' gauge products. Built as part of a wider feature that I'm working on for Model Rail, the finished wagon will gain a load of timber logs.

Also now ready for priming and painting is this interesting Coopercraft kit of a GWR provender (horse feed) wagon. Cheap and excellently rendered, the Coopercraft wagons literally fall together and you even get a little piece of metal to form a ballast weight (sealed in place with a discreet plastic cover under the floor. The transport of animal feeds to railway installations on the GW system was a serious business, necessitating the building of a dedicated fleet of wagons to move the straw from the Didcot depot to outlying areas. While this isn't really my period or sphere of operations, this wagon is destined to enter service as part of the NCB fleet on my colliery layout.

WATER TANKS (Big & Small)

2011-11-23T08:56:00.001Z

Water carriers for Maudetown

More stock for Maudetown Colliery has been taking shape, including these two water carriers for different periods. Firstly, an ex-GWR tender has been adapted to carry a larger amount of treated water (from the lower valley up to the Colliery's engine shed), while the European tank wagon has been obtained for the same purpose - probably as a 1980s replacement for the loco tender. The tank wagon is a Lima 'HO' track cleaning wagon, modified with larger wheels, new bufferbeams and extra details. I just need to come up with some way of improving the appearance of the cleaning pads between the axles.

Both models are in the priming line, awaiting attention in the paint shop. Look out for progress reports here, although a full demo of the conversions will appear in Model Rail mag in due course. Ironically, the full size water tank in the attic of Dent Towers started leaking whilst I was in Birmingham, so I've been effecting some emergency repairs - looks like another weekend will be lost to DIY...

Plastic card and strip form the water tank extension (hiding the moulded coal bunker that I couldn't be bothered cutting out), embellished with individual rivet detail. The centre axle has been removed to help the vehicle cope with the tight track layout and a new bufferbeam and ancient Collett-pattern buffers have been fitted to the footplate end, along with handy access ladders at the rear - no doubt a safety conscious measure recommended by the Unions...

SHOCK AND AWE

2011-11-22T14:21:00.001Z

Post-Warley fatigue sees a BR Shockvan finished.

With another Warley NEC show to chalk up (my 8th), the inevitable 'hangover' from a tiring but enjoyable weekend was well and truly in force yesterday. Three days away, hours stood at a stall, very little sleep and a fair few beverages consumed, meant that my head was well and truly glued to the pillow on Monday morning. It was a great show, though, and it was nice to meet so many readers - thanks to all those who popped over to the MR stand for a chat. Thanks also to those who bought models from our charity sell-off, from which we raised plenty of cash for the RNLI.

There weren't that many new models unveiled at the NEC, but there was lots of progress to be seen on forthcoming releases, most notably (for me at least) was to chance to examine one of the first production Hattons/Dapol LMS 10000 and Bachmann's BR blue Class 85 (lovely!)... See Model Rail issue 165 for the full story of Warley 2011.

Despite the tiredness, I spent yesterday working on a few wagon kits that have been lying around for the past few months. Back in Model Rail issue 162, we featured ademonstration of how to brush-paint your models effectively, using a BR vanbody as an example. Well, the kit in question – a Red Panda BR 12t shock absorbing van – has been finished off, lettered and weathered.

Using a couple of images from the amazingPaul Bartlett’s wagon photography website as inspiration, I’ve lettered thewagon by hand, complete with trios of white vertical white lines on the sidesand ends (denoting the shock absorbing status). While Bachmann’s RTR 'Shock' vansand opens are splendidly rendered, with immaculate white lines, Mr Bartlett’simages show that such uniformity was the exception rather than the rule, especiallyon the post-1970s railway. Ad hoc repairs and peeling paint played their partin creating a plethora of different marking styles, leaving no two wagons thesame.

Having settled on a 1980s period van, mymodel carries the departmental TOPS code ZVV, along with evidence of repairs tothe doors and steel framing. There are also black patches where the oldpre-TOPS markings have been obliterated.

Painted by hand using Lifecolor BR livery paints (acrylics), the lettering and markings have also been added by hand, using a Rotring ink pen. A couple of coats of satin varnish seals all the markings in place prior to the weathering process.

Weathered by airbrush, using enamel paints, the wagon's appearance suits the 1980s period, when this van had entered use with the Departmental sector.

DORIS DONE & DUSTED

2011-11-17T18:41:00.001Z

OO9 train ready for service at Maudetown

With a few hours to spare, my little narrow gauge train is complete and ready to be packed up for transport to the NEC tomorrow. It'll be on display at the Model Rail stand (B7).

The loco is virtually complete, but still lacks a pair of steam whistles. Also, the interior needs a bit of extra work to hide the Farish motor unit from view, although it already boasts a full set of controls at each end and a footplate crew. It also needs a pair of couplings, but I'm hoping to pick up a set at the Warley show.

As for the rolling stock, the open wagon has received a load of pit props (cut from kebab sticks) and I'm looking out for a few other OO9 scale kits to complete the train. At the very least, I could do with some sort of brake van and, perhaps, some side-tipping wagons. Hopefully Parkside Dundas will have something suitable on its stand.

Anyway, I'd better pack my bags ready for tomorrow... maybe see you there!

NCB No.2 Doris, is ready for action with a suitably dusty and careworn appearance.

DORIS EMERGES FROM THE PAINT SHOP

2011-11-16T09:14:00.001Z

OO9 loco awaits final fitting-out.

The distinctive blue and red NCB livery is favoured by the staff at Maudetown Colliery.

With a fresh coat of NCB blue and suitable lettering, ‘No.2’, Doris, is almost ready to enter service at Maudetown Colliery. I dug out some etched nameplates from the spares box (by Modelmaster Decals) and they seemed to fit the bill nicely. I’ve also fitted some shiny brass builders’ plates (Gorton Works). Once the sealing varnish coat has cured, I need to fit-out the interior, fix the chassis in place and add a little weathering. I also need to source a nice brass whistle - I'm sure I've got one lying around somewhere...

Alclad2 Klear Kote lacquer is a superb varnish medium for airbrush application. It's pre-thinned and can be built up to a glass-like finish that forms a perfect base for waterslide transfers.

READY TO ROLL

2011-11-15T18:59:00.001Z

OO9 Wagons almost finished

With Warley fast approaching, I've been trying to finish my OO9 gauge NCB train in time to display it on the Model Rail Stand. As of today, the rolling stock is complete, with just a load of pit props to be added to the open wagon. I've been airbrushing Com-Art and Vallejo acrylic paints, using a pre-shading technique to accentuate the relief on the bodyshells (demo in MR issue 159). This is a very effective way of weathering the model before it has even been painted, with the shading showing through the topcoats. After lettering by hand, using a Rotring draughtsman's pen and white ink, a clear coat has been applied to seal everything in place.

The loco's coming on well, too. Watch this space...

NORTHLIGHT EXTENSION

2011-11-14T16:35:00.002Z

Maudetown Colliery buildings gain a few storeys.

While I may still be thwarted by time and space, my extension to Maudetown Colliery has begun in modest terms - a new level of low relief buildings have been added atop the NCB's engineering workshops and supplied depot. Making use of the excellent Ten Commandments cast plaster facades, the extra two storeys adds a much more convincing vista to the original baseboard's backdrop; balancing nicely with the tall winding tower and washery plant.

Also from Ten Commandments, are the individual 'northlight' roofing panels - these are reversible to suit whichever direction is deemed to be north on your layout, with finely rendered brick detail on both sides. The plaster sections just need a little filler to seal any gaps before painting and weathering.

I'm still tweaking my trackplan for the second baseboard. They had been planned and 'approved', but with my recent foray into 'OO9', I'm wracking my brains to work out how a little stretch of narrow gauge track can be squeezed in.

OO9 LOCO PROGRESS

2011-11-10T15:17:00.004Z

Loco enters paint shop

My 'OO9' gauge narrow gauge colliery train is coming on nicely, having entered the paint shop this morning. The last few etched details were fixed in place last night and the model washed and left overnight to dry. A quick primer coat (quick-drying cellulose) was sprayed before breakfast and a few tiny blemishes were filled with Vallejo acrylic putty (another rapid-drying formula). After a few hours' rest, a coat of vaguely NCB style blue (Humbrol 104 enamel) was sprayed. Once the blue dries, I'll paint the roof, add a clear coat and some lining and detail touches.

Can't wait to get some 'OO9' track laid and get the little train running. The plan is to get the train finished in time for display on the Model Rail stand at Warley.

STONE ME!

2011-11-09T08:50:00.004Z

Creating a realistic load for the new Hornby Trout

The latest Model Rail (163) contains the first review of the splendid new Hornby Trout ballast hopper and, since writing the review I’ve been busy making suitable loads for my small fleet. Using the terrific Geoscenics wagon load kits, a pile of real stone chippings inside the hopper, plus a lightly weathered finish, really brings out the best in these ‘OO’ wagons.
Here’s how I did it…

The Geoscenics kits include stiff card with which to create a false floor for the stone to sit on. A rectangle was cut that sat inside the hopper, about 8mm below the top edge. Once one former has been trimmed to the ideal size, it can be used as a template for the rest of your fleet.

There’s no need to glue the card in place. Simply pour on the stone chippings with a teaspoon, helping it into all corners and shaping it to a suitable ‘pile’ – the handle of the spoon is a handy implement for this.

Having mixed some PVA adhesive with warm water and a drop of washing up liquid, apply the fluid over the ballast, preferably with a syringe. Work patiently, trying not to disturb the pile, letting capillary action take the glue throughout the chippings. Use the spoon handle again to correct any disturbances and leave the model to dry for a few days.

Not only does the load of real stone chippings look ultra realistic, but it also adds some useful weight to the Hornby wagon, which is pretty light otherwise. The lightweight is not a big problem but if, like me, you’ll be hauling a mixed rake of Trouts and a few heavy whitemetal Catfish and Herring hoppers (Genesis Kits), the imbalance might lead to trouble.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

2011-11-06T14:02:00.002Z

Loft rummage turns up study of NRM’s furniture collection.

It’s amazing the amount of effort that was expended on designing and building even the most humble pieces of furniture. The tatty green moquette-covered chair on the left was found inside the NRM’s 2-BIL EMU when it arrived for cosmetic overhaul (having become a depository for tons of seagull poo whilst in ‘safe’ store).

In the dim and distant past, I found myself working at the National Railway Museum in York, as a Conservator. The job may have paid a pittance but it involved a pleasant variety of tasks, some of which were more engaging than others. Apart from the excitement of working with real and model trains, one of my other passions – furniture design and making – was also piqued by the restoration work that I was required to carry out on some of the NRM’s extensive collection.

While much of this work was fairly basic, it did allow me to closely inspect the various chairs, benches, cabinets and desks and to keep my own records of patterns, profiles and construction techniques. Having studied for a City & Guilds in furniture crafts immediately before joining the staff at York, this situation was a real boon and, at the time, it provided plenty of inspiration for the career in furniture making that I was planning.

But then the job at Model Rail magazine turned up and furniture has taken a backseat for the past 7 years. It was a nice surprise, therefore, to recently find a stack of notebooks containing measured sketches and surveys of a wide variety of furnishings from the Museum’s collection. Featuring items on display and from the stores, attention was paid to the various railway crests and monograms and everything from the plushest ‘Director’s’ chair, to a humble signalman’s stool was studied.

I’d forgotten just how much information I’d managed to gather, due mostly to a wait of over an hour at the end of each working day for a bus back to the village in which I was living. Apart from Fridays (when I usually went for a pint!), late afternoons were spent mooching around with tape measure, pencil and camera. Maybe all this info will come in handy one day…?

Corporate identity has also been a subject of interest and the railway companies’ obsession with branding anything and everything is a telling sign of the times. I like the way that the style of branding differed not only by period, but also by 'class'. The upper pages are sketches of logos taken from hotel and buffet crockery, the more ornate devices appearing on the poshest tea sets!

It’s easy to forget the vast amount of pre-Grouping companies that existed prior to 1922 and the various monograms could get a bit confusing at times, especially those companies who shared the same initials. The elegantly carved Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire logo (right) was one of my favourites.

Another favourite was this red signalman’s chair, complete with glass lookout panels in the wings. Sitting in this chair in front of a cast iron stove would have been very cosy, with the tall sides being effective draft excluders! A common feature of pre-1930s signal box seating was a lack of upholstery – I doubt the companies wanted their staff being too comfortable when expected to be alert during 14-hour shifts! The Railway Clearing House also boasted some impressive fixtures and fittings.

SHED LOADS OF FUN

2011-11-04T10:28:00.002Z

A bevvy of beautiful Class 66s, in 3 different sizes…

Also featuring in the latest Model Rail (issue 163) is my special detailing article on the subject of the Class 66 ‘Sheds’. Love ‘em or loathe ‘em, the real things get everywhere and few contemporary layouts are complete without at least couple of them. Personally, I rather like the real things and there is, at least, a fair amount of variety in terms of colour schemes. Looking more closely, there’s also much in the way of small detail differences, especially on the longer-established fleets such as that operated by DB Schenker. Radio brackets, side mirrors, auto-coupler conversions and a few other ‘in-service’ mods provide the avid detailer with some challenging projects.

As my article demonstrates, one of the most visible modifications are the EWS/DBS side mirrors and PH Designs offer a great little etched brass kit to make the job a little easier. Explained and demonstrated in full, the MR feature shows how to assemble and fit these mirrors to your ‘OO’ Class 66s, along with a few other possible detail upgrades in both ‘N’ and ‘OO’. There’s also a repainting demo on the mighty Aristocraft ‘G’ scale ‘66’. MR163 is on sale now.

ROLLING, ROLLING, ROLLING

2011-10-31T11:07:00.002Z

Latest Model Rail features a low-down on the best Rolling Roads

Copies of Model Rail issue 163 will be hitting the shelves of newsagents this week - and landing on doormats of subscribers already - and within the pages are a host of useful articles offering tips and techniques for modellers of all abilities. In the Workbench section, we have a Supertest on Rolling Roads and Model Lubricants, while there's also a 'Basics' guide to keeping your locos running in tip-top condition.

What's more, there's also a free DVD on the cover (featuring footage from Model Rail Live and much more) and free China Clay hood kits.

MR163 offers tips and advice on keeping your models properly lubricated...

... and a range of rolling roads are assessed.

Thursday night is hobby night

2011-10-27T20:25:00.002+01:00

A little progress on the OO9 train

Thursday nights, for people of a certain age, will be forever associated with Dad's payday, Mars Bars, Top of the Pops and Mission: Impossible. Now I'm a grown up (without a TV), the odd spare Thursday evening is usually taken up with an hour or two's work on some of my 'pet' projects.

Tonight, my little 'OO9' narrow gauge train has received some attention, with the loco now mounted onto its motor/chassis and a few fine details added to the cab ends. Once the roof joint has cured, I'll be adding handrails and other bits to the sides, which will take away the 'boxy' nature of the kit. The top of the boiler needs one or two fittings, plus a chimney, safety valves and whistle. After that, the mini threesome can enter the paint shops, although I haven't settled on a livery for the loco yet.

Couplings have been added to the freight cars, making use of some 'N' gauge buckeyes from MicroTrains.

The power unit: a chassis from a Farish 'J94' 0-6-0ST. The body has now been mounted, but I need to insert a few shims to get it riding at the correct height in relation to the wagons.

F****G WHAT?

2011-10-26T10:31:00.005+01:00

The steam locomotive that dare not speak its name..

Captured in the NRM's workshops back in February 2011, a national icon resembled a full-size kit. I hope all those bits are numbered and that the NRM haven't lost the instructions...

Akin to one of those challenging brass loco kits that sits in a box on a shelf, only coming out now and again for more hours of hair-pulling and cursing, one of our national treasures has been in the news again recently. Although much of the ins-and-outs of the saga have passed me by (not being a huge fan of L**R stuff), the story has recently been on my mind.

After a recent visit to an undisclosed location, I happened across a large black engine that looked vaguely familiar. However, the generous invitation for a look around included a proviso that no photographs were taken, which was fair enough. But after reading Pip Dunn's recent editorial in Railways Illustrated, lambasting the National Railway Museum for its lack of transparency concerning a certain locomotive, I'd been musing on the reasons for the veil of secrecy.

It might be my inner pedant coming to the surface but, having worked for the NRM and National Museums Liverpool - both classed as civil service jobs - I know that items in National Collections are owned, essentially, by the tax payer. So, why not just come out and say that something's broken and needs repairing. We'd all understand. After all, we're talking about something nearly 100 years old, that's covered millions of miles. And, what's more, we paid for it...

ON THE SUBJECT OF WATER

2011-10-24T09:34:00.003+01:00

Maudetown's water supply up and running

Mentioned in a previous posting, I scratchbuilt and installed a water tower on Maudetown Colliery nearly a year ago - anyone who has bought my latest book (Airbrushing for Railway Modellers) will have seen this model being weathered - yet I've only just completed the scene, with a few finishing detail touches now in place.

Progress on the layout itself has stalled somewhat, especially as I'd begun the extension baseboard in Spring, but not track has yet been laid. In fact, I keep tweaking the trackplan to suit my changing desires. Indeed, my recent foray into 'OO9' narrow gauge means that I'm scratching my head, wondering where I can find space for a short length of 9mm gauge track.

Apart from a consistently heavy workload, the other main reason for limited progress on any of my layout projects has been the dire state of my shed (where they're housed). However, the weekend has seen a little more progress on the building's ropey fabric, with more cladding replaced and a full re-wire affected, complete with a modern (and much safer) fusebox.

Anyway, it was nice to remove the dust sheet and pose a few wagons and a loco. My small fleet of water carriers should soon prove their worth, keeping the tank topped-up on a regular basis. I've a couple more Dapol rectangular tanks to repaint, plus a couple of 'scrap' loco tenders to convert. Combined with the various internal works trains and regular deliveries of pit props and engineering equipment, there should be plenty of traffic variety; not just a constant stream of coal wagons.

With Maudetown now easier to access, perhaps some progress can be made over winter. But I've also got my modern loco depot layout to work on. And my mini 'N' gauge project...

With a Knightwing water column and a Bachmann boiler atop the scratchbuilt gantry, the watering facility looks fairly convincing. I'll be demonstrating the building of this in a future book project.

OO9 PROGRESS

2011-10-21T18:16:00.002+01:00

Narrow gauge wagons near completion

The pair of laser-cut styrene 'OO9' wagon kits that I started earlier in the week are now almost ready to enter the paint shop. I've been fitting assorted detailing parts (mostly from Mainly Trains) to add a bit of extra relief to the bodysides and chassis. Couplings are next on my list - probably using 'N' gauge buckeyes from Micro Trains. The locomotive hasn't seen much work, though. But I shall get on with it next week.

It's all proving great fun...

IN DEFENCE OF STONE CLADDING

2011-10-20T18:30:00.003+01:00

Card kit gains extra layers in bid for relief

In the same bag of review samples as the 'OO9' rolling stock kits (from York Modelmaking) was a selection of laser-cut roof tiles and slates. After trialling them on a previously-built Metcalfe card signal box, I was so taken by the improved appearance that I've experimented by cladding the walls with embossed Plastikard to see how the model will look. The extra relief has already bumped this structure up a few notches in the realism stakes, and it'll be interesting to see how it looks after painting and finishing.

Watch this space...

BRANCHING OFF INTO ‘OO9’

2011-10-19T09:33:00.002+01:00

First steps in narrow gauge modelling

My little NCB works train is slowly taking shape.

The past few afternoons have been spent assembling a handful of laser-cut styrene kits from The Bespoke Carriage Company. Although they need much more work before they're complete, I’m already redrawing my Maudetown Colliery extension plans to include a short run of ‘OO9’ gauge track. Narrow gauge has never really appealed to me until fairly recently but I’m really gripped by the idea of a little works train pootling about amongst the full-size mainline traffic.

The ‘Ratty’ steam loco kit is designed for mounting atop a Kato ‘N’ tram chassis, but I wondered if I could try something different. At the moment, I'm trying to mount it onto a Farish J94 0-6-0 underframe. That way, I can have a set of coupled wheels beneath the bodyshell, adding a little more visual interest. Hopefully , it should be running by the end of the week.

Look out for an in-depth ‘Benchtest’ demo/review in Model Rail in the New Year. In the meantime, though, you can learn more about this range of kits and modelling accessories at www.yorkmodelmaking.com

Presented in the form of sheets of 0.8mm laser-cut styrene, the kits are simple to put together and can be readily customised and enhanced with extra details. I'm planning to use a 0-6-0T chassis under the loco.

The underframes are also cut from styrene and built up in layers to give realistic relief. A small range of rolling stock is available, although the kits are only being produced in limited numbers. A full evaluation and demo will appear in Model Rail soon.

Growth in Private Ownership

2011-10-17T08:44:00.002+01:00

More wagons destined for NCB fleet

In a brief flurry of expenditure, I picked up a handful of new wagons over the weekend, most of which are private owner 'minerals' for my colliery layout project. From both Hornby and Bachmann stables, they’ve been chosen for their South Wales markings (well, 2 out of the 3). Consolidated Fisheries of Swansea (Hornby) and James & Emanuel of Newport and Cardiff (Bachmann) are perfect for my location, whilst the Bullcroft Main wagon (Hornby) was chosen purely because I love the big bovine logo!

The Bachmann model just needs a set of scale couplings, but the Hornby counterparts will be mounted on new plastic chassis kits from Parkside Dundas. All will be weathered and re-branded into National Coal Board ownership, although their original markings will still be visible.

With countless BR designs of minerals already in traffic at Maudetown, I’ve been working to inject a bit of variety with some ex-Private Owner designs. Coal wagons are amongst my favourite rolling stock so it’s really no chore. In fact, I’m doing this as a form of relaxation...

What the new wagons will soon look like: this Hornby 21t mineral bodyshell now sits on a Parkside chassis and the original AAC Anthracite livery is still visible beneath the dirt and NCB brandings.

HO HO HO!

2011-10-14T17:32:00.002+01:00

'HO' scale ISO Container kits built for review.

What better way to spend a Friday afternoon than with a quick kit-building project. I received a couple of Walthers Cornerstone 'HO' tank container kits for review and they went together in a matter of minutes. Pre-painted, all you need to do is stick them together and, hey presto! As you can see in the image above, the 'HO' tanks (left) are smaller than 'OO' versions (right) so they're no good for 'OO' rolling stock. But they may have other uses, such as filling the outer reaches of an intermodal depot, for example. See www.gaugemaster.com for more details.

QUINTET OF TYPE 5s

2011-10-12T09:20:00.002+01:00

"You wait ages for a 'Deltic', then five turn up at once..."

Here they come... all five working 'Deltics' in the one train: not something you see everyday!

Standing in the typical Northern October drizzle, just a handful of eager enthusiasts stood on the platform of Bury Bolton Street, waiting for a very special train. Just after midday yesterday, a procession of five 'Deltics' arrived onto the East Lancashire Railway, having run on the main line from the NRM at Shildon.

Hauled by D9000, the consist reversed at Castleton to access the ELR via Heywood, this time with green D9016 in charge. With the unmistakable sound of a throaty Napier approaching, the convoy soon hove into view, rewarding those who'd waited patiently for their arrival.

Leading the convoy, the former Porterbrook purple Gordon Highlander looks like her old self again. The modern WIPAC light clusters have been removed and a more appropriate livery applied.

The reason for the visit of all five operational 'Deltics' (Tulyar, the sixth survivor, is under restoration at Barrow Hill), is a spectacular Deltic Gathering at the 'East Lancs' this coming weekend (15-16 Oct). Along with the usual highlights of regular ELR diesel galas, the five Class 55s will be powering an intensive service, including evening trains on the Saturday.

I hadn't seen 55002 'KOYLI' since I was a young teenager, when it was based at the North York Moors Railway.

The full line up is: D9016 Gordon Highlander, D9009 Alycidon, 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier, 55002 Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, D9000/55022 Royal Scots Grey

A full timetable and other information can be found on the ELR website

The bulk of the Class 55s is usually pretty obvious but, when a bunch of them are coupled together, you realise just how long they are.

It's a shame that I can't make it to the Deltic Gathering this weekend, but I was glad I waited in the rain to see the arrival of these wonderful machines.

Fill 'em up!

2011-10-10T17:36:00.003+01:00

Geoscenics wagon loads are proving a real talking point

Finely graded power station coal (using the 'N' gauge pack) in this Hornby HAA looks just like the real thing.

Since the latest issue of Model Rail hit the shelves, I've had quite a few emails expressing interest in the Geoscenics wagon load kits that we're offering as a free gift to new subscribers. These are excellent kits that add an unbelievable degree of realism to RTR and kit-built rolling stock. Containing coal, ballast/stone and iron ore, about 10 wagons can be filled with each commodity and sheets of high grade card are supplied to form false floors for the chippings to sit on.

A full demo of how to use the kits also appears in the latest Model Rail (issue 162). Remember that natural materials are used to represent their miniature equivalents (or as near as possible), so their realism is virtually unmatched. The dust of each set of chippings is also an excellent source of weathering powder. Kits can also be ordered direct from Geoscenics.

The real coal chippings have that authentic 'oily yet dusty' appearance.

The red-tinged stone chippings are a dead ringer for iron ore - just the thing for a rake of Bachmann and Hornby tipplers and hoppers.

Red Pannier

2011-10-09T16:22:00.003+01:00

After flopping onto the sofa after a quiet Sunday enlivened by a burst central heating pipe and attendant flooding, I've been endeavouring to 'chill out' by pottering amongst my upcoming modelling projects. Thinking of better ways to spend my weekends than on emergency plumbing repairs, I finally got around to unpacking this delightful little 'Pannier tank' from Bachmann.

I've promised to detail and weather this model for my colleague Nick Brodrick, who writes for Steam Railway magazine. Having picked up the model while I was in Peterborough last week, I hadn't had a chance to take it out of its box until today. Nick's a big fan of these 'choo-choos' and I have to admit that the lined red livery is a real treat on the eyes; Bachmann have done a grand job on the model's finish.

To help me in the project, Nick's lent me a copy of Red Panniers: Last Steam on the Underground - a fabulous book and superb reference with plenty of colour images. Copies are available from Transport Diversions. With a good many of these ex-GWR 0-6-0Ts entering private ownership towards the end of BR steam, I'm wondering if one would do for my NCB colliery layout. Indeed, the LT red is a close match to that on my other industrial steam engines; all i'd need to do would be to remove the LT lettering and substitute the Coal Board's logo. I wonder if Nick would notice...?

S&C to Buxton & Trouts!

2011-10-07T14:29:00.003+01:00

Had to dash to Buxton library this morning in the face of a potential fine for not returning a book. The tome was on the subject of model railway layout design by the respected author Iain Rice. Realistic Railway Modelling (Haynes) is a good read with lots of great ideas and I’d renewed it up to my limit over the past few months. In fact, I liked it so much that I’ve decided to order myself a copy from Amazon!

An amusing feature of the train journey was the fact that the Class 156 was adorned with vinyls advertising my beloved Settle-Carlisle line and the tabletops inside featured illustrated maps of the route! While I love the ride to Buxton, especially the section between New Mills and Dove Holes, it did make me long for a ride up to Dent or Garsdale.

While the S&C services have been ‘upgraded’ to Class 158 traction, I’ve missed the 156s on that route. They may be noisy but at least you can open the windows and I find that the sealed, air-conditioned(!) 158s somehow insulate you from the surroundings. Indeed, last time I was up in the Fells, the train I caught back from Dent had a 153 attached to the 158 unit, so I opted for a seat in the rickety single car.

There was only a few young blokes for company and I initially assumed that all the other passengers had opted for the relative comfort of the 158 cars, until I realized that said group of youngsters were getting tanked-up noisily on super-strength cider. But no matter, they turned out to be a quite pleasant and witty group of Leeds Utd fans and was a pleasant alternative to the ‘blue rinse’ brigade listening to the on-train guide in the ‘posh seats’.

I don’t mean to sound like a miserable old so and so, but as a regular S&C traveller, the tourist nature of many of the trains is a bit tiresome. I’d rather it was treated like a proper train service. But I suppose it’s more important to get bums on seats, even if many of them are being transferred from a coach at Settle to another one at Appleby or wherever; many of them not ever considering train travel for any other purpose than a novelty trip. Once you’ve overheard the same story about Ribblehead for the hundredth time, all you want to do is plug in your Ipod and turn AC/DC up to full volume!!

Anyway, I arrived home to find a parcel from Model Rail HQ in the hall, containing a few of the brand new Hornby 'Trout' ballast hoppers. They're real beauties and I'll be putting them under the microscope for a full review in the magazine ASAP. I love the olive green version (also received a 3-set of weathered wagons), although the S&C theme continues with the NE branded hopper that has some delightful lettering proclaiming "EMPTY TO APPLEBY SLAG HEAP".

Nice...

Figuring it out

2011-10-06T09:20:00.002+01:00

In MR162, all facets of working with mini people is discussed, including the use of forced perspective. This 'OO' layout is backed with 'N' gauge scenics and figures in an effort to exaggerate the depth of the scene.

Having picked up a copy of the new Model Rail (162) in the office on Tuesday, I'm pleased with how this month's Masterclass turned out. The subject - figures - is a big one and I enjoyed the challenge of compressing it into 7 1/2 pages. While Chris Leigh demonstrates a few ways of altering poses, I offer a few hints on painting and 'planting'.

We also decided to illustrate what we thought were 10 of the best miniature scale figures available. There are obviously more than 10 brands out there, but some of them are a bit on the dodgy side. There were also a couple of brands that I would've liked to include but sadly they're no longer available. Inkerman Castings is the most prominent omission, the small range of superb characters seemingly no more.

However, the brand new range from Supercast was a treat to work with and Dart Casting's ever increasing selection is full of believable characters. Painting figures can be great fun and a well turned-out and positioned character certainly brings a scene to life. But we all have our own foibles in this area of the hobby: many of us like to create amusing cameo scenes while others think this is sacrilege. But, who cares - do what you want to do! Maybe subtlety is the keyword, though. For years I've been populating my layouts almost exclusively with ginger haired figures, yet nobody except Mrs D has ever even noticed...

Sometimes less is more: a single NCB donkey jacketed figure adds atmosphere to this corner of Maudetown Colliery.

A cameo scene doesn't have to be a grand performance. This resting gardener and his dog describes this idyllic scene perfectly.

Blue 67 was a surprise

2011-10-05T13:20:00.002+01:00

On my way to Model Rail HQ at an un-Godly hour yesterday morning, I spotted a pair of 67s at Doncaster station. One of which was resplendent in a fresh coat of blue. After quizzing my colleague Richard Clinnick (of RAIL magazine), it seems that a few of these locomotives have received the Arriva Trains Wales colours in preparation for them taking over the WAG express services (Holyhead-Cardiff) from the hired-in Class 57s. I suppose this makes sense as DB Schenker, the owners of the Class 67s, are a major shareholder of Arriva Trains.

Anyway, apologies for the poor images above, but I only had my phone with me and ATW blue 67001 can be seen hiding behind EWS liveried 67022, which was ticking over on stand-by duty.

The 67s suit the blue, but I'm not sure about the light grey roof; never a good idea for diesel traction. I believe that they'll be gaining some vinyl logos in due course.

There are more (and better) images of 67003, also in ATW blue on the Railway Herald website. Click this LINK to go straight there...

October already?

2011-10-03T09:00:00.003+01:00

An Aristocraft 'G' scale Class 66, repainted by me, on John Peck's garden railway. John's Precision Labels outfit produced the Colas decals and their application will be demonstrated in Model Rail issue 163 (November issue).

Maybe it's the recent burst of hot autumnal weather, but I can't believe it's October already and just a couple of days until the next issue of Model Rail hits the shelves. MR162 is on general sale on Thursday and, as I work a few months ahead, I'm now putting together my stuff for MR164, the Christmas issue. It's true that, when working on a magazine, you're somehow speeding through the year in indecent haste.

Anyway, the Blog has been quiet for seven days while I spent most of last week glued to my computer, writing up lots of features, reviews and other odds and ends. I also had a jaunt to Chester to meet up with Precision Labels' John Peck, for a tour of his garden railway and an insight into how he creates his superb range of model railway transfers.

We take for granted most of our model products, but the amount of work that goes into every Precision Labels pack really took me by surprise. It was fascinating to see how the long process of colour matching is carried out - John uses an ALPS printer that employs wax rather than inks, so creating an exact livery shade requires different waxes to be layered on top of each other.

Coupled with the origination of each graphic, logo and digit within a CAD software package, it's a labour intensive operation and, considering the prices of the end products, we modellers are getting incredible value for money. So, if you've never tried the range of decals, headboards, nameplates and more, have a look at www.precisionlabels.com for more information.

John has modified his '66' for DCC control, including sound and a smoke generator. There's also a mini CCTV camera in each cab! Look out for a more detailed study on this model in Model Rail sometime in 2012.

Although MR162 is on sale this week, I've just finished a long feature for MR163 on the subject of detailing the ubiquitous '66' in three different scales. That issue will be out on 3 November.

Hopping to it

2011-09-26T18:08:00.002+01:00

Back in November 2010, I was ruminating on how to progress with my rake of detailed and repainted Hornby HAA merry-go-round coal hoppers. Nearly a year later, they were dug out of the limbo of my ‘In Progress’ box and, with a projected date to appear in the pages of Model Rail (Issue162), the final push for completion was soon under way.

My quest has been to recreate a short rake suitable for use in the mid-1970s-1980s, and, with the basic form of HAA not so freely available in recent years, I’ve had to adapt what I could find. Although this situation (typically) has now changed with Hornby backdating its most recent releases, I’ve been converting CDA china clay wagons and removing the top cowlings from HFAs. As I intended to completely repaint each model, the specifics of each donor model was not important. Indeed, one of the main points of this exercise was to see if the Hornby paint finish could be improved by stripping and recovering with Alclad2 cellulose metallic lacquers.

Now that my rake of HAAs is entering service at Maudetown Colliery, I'm left to reflect on the completion of another long term project; one that has been very enjoyable and well worth the effort. See MR162 (on sale 6th October) for a full demonstration of how these wagons have been improved.

The HAA project stalled last year as I pondered whether to replace the incorrect Hornby buffers. I soon realised that this was really a ‘no brainer’, as the factory fitted units are nothing like the real things. It only takes about 30mins to treat each wagon and the results are well worth the effort. Suitable replacement buffers are available from Intercity Models or Fourmost Models/ABS.

JPA upgrade

2011-09-21T16:33:00.002+01:00

Just finished assembling and fitting an etched replacement walkway onto a 'OO' Bachmann JPA cement tank. The kit's from PH Designs and offers an instant improvement over the solid plastic factory-fitted unit. It took a couple of hours to fold up the parts and fix everything together. There's no need for any soldering - it's designed for use with cyano glue. But something like a Hold n Fold tool is essential to get the long parts to fold accurately.

The kit costs £5.60 plus p&p and can be obtained from www.phd-design.co.uk

2mm Class 66 ready for action

2011-09-20T09:23:00.004+01:00

I'm not sure that a 2mm scale detailing project was the best thing to do after a tiring weekend at Model Rail Live, but I threw myself into finishing off the final piece in my Class 66 jigsaw yesterday, for a feature that will appear in Model Rail issue 163. Using the Dapol model, the cab interior was given a lick of paint, a driver and assorted detritus, such as discarded newspapers and magazines. I also fixed a new valance to the bufferbeam along with a scratchbuilt coupling hook and brake pipes. Look out for a full demo in the magazine.

Once weathered, it looks pretty good - not bad for someone who rarely works in N gauge, although I'm slowly becoming a convert... well, to a point!

I just need to take some portrait images of the other 66s that I've modified for the article - a handful of OO models, plus a whopper in G scale.

The eagle-eyed will be able to make out the enhanced cab interior and a suitably attired driver in this Dapol 66. Working in the smaller scale feels like good exercise for my eyeballs - I can feel them working overtime as I try and drill the tiniest of holes!

Images of MR LIVE!

2011-09-19T10:50:00.003+01:00

After a terrific weekend at Barrow Hill, here's a small selection of images from this year's Model Rail Live event. Thanks to everyone who came and we hope everyone had a great time - we did! Above is 56101, specially named Frank Hornby by a Model Rail reader on the Saturday. It had been bulled-up nicely for the occasion. I wonder if this means that Hornby will at last be offering a new '56' in large logo blue?!

Barrow Hill's roundhouse is hard to beat for railway atmosphere - it's what a railway museum should be like (take note NRM). There was a wealth of steam, diesel and electric traction to be seen and enjoyed.

My personal passion for early AC electric locomotives was sated by the presence of preserved examples from Classes 81, 82, 83, 84 and 85. Oh, and the unique 89001 was there too. Inter City-liveried 82008 took me back to my trainspotting heyday of the late 1980s/early 1990s.

More AC electrics and a '26' sit around the turntable. It was also good to see progress on the preserved 58016. You know you're old when a loco that you remember being built becomes a museum piece...

The calm before the storm! The Model Rail stand in the DPS shed looks quiet just before the gates opened, but it wouldn't stay that way for long! It was nice to meet so many readers (of MR and this Blog!) and we were all kept busy selling our various limited edition models and magazine 'Goody Bags' that fairly flew off the counter.

If only we could all work in the presence of a Deltic! This was the view from the Model Rail stand all weekend, in the Deltic Preservation Society's shed. D9015 Tulyar's progress is looking impressive and I enjoyed looking around the various spare Napier engines and components salvaged from Navy gun boats from around the world. Oulton Road, a lovely little 'OO' layout to be seen in front of the loco, is in the process of being 'snapped' by Chris Nevard - look out for it in Model Rail sometime soon.

Mr Nevard's own layout, Brewhouse Quay, was also displayed and I was lucky enough to spend a few hours operating it on the Sunday. Talk about addictive... Chris asked me to have a quick go and he had a job getting me off it!! It's a pleasure to operate and proved very popular with visitors all weekend.

The East Midlands Trains shuttles from Chesterfield to Barrow Hill proved very popular (I have to admit to taking the vintage buses instead - although they were younger than my old Micra!!). Also drawing the crowds were the steam services operated by Tornado and Mayflower. I'd fancied a ride on one of these but never got the chance. Maybe next year?!

AIRBRUSHING DVD ON SALE

2011-09-15T11:56:00.002+01:00

I've just received a parcel from Telerail, containing two-dozen copies of the new Model Rail DVD, The Definitive Airbrushing Expert. As regular readers of this Blog may remember, this programme was filmed over a couple of months earlier this year and it's now on general sale.

With over 60 minutes of professionally-filmed footage, subjects include:

Choosing the right airbrush
Setting-up and using an air compressor
Preparing your models for painting
Mixing and thinning paint
Practice techniques
Creating smooth, even coats of paint on flat and 3D surfaces
Applying primers, topcoats and clear coats
Achieving special effects
Working with acrylics, enamel and cellulose paints
Cleaning and maintaining your airbrush

Steam and diesel-era models are featured, ranging from an Ivatt 2-6-2T to a Turbostar DMU and each subject is explained fully.

I'll be taking these DVDs to Model Rail Live at Barrow Hill this weekend, so look out for them on the Model Rail stand. Otherwise, copies can be obtained direct from Telerail. Normal price is £30, but Model Rail readers can save £10 by using the order form or reference code printed in the latest magazine.

Hope Valley Idyll

2011-09-11T10:01:00.004+01:00

The view from the bridge 1: EMT's Norwich-Liverpool sprints through the Hope Valley near Edale village. It's a lovely spot here, once all the weekend walkers have b******d off back to the city in their massive cars, leaving the valley very tranquil.

Just returned from an enjoyable break in the Hope Valley, Derbyshire. Having decamped to a wild and remote farm cottage, with only sheep for neighbours, me and Mrs D spent the week climbing the hills on horseback. Well, Mrs D did much more of that than I did, as I couldn't resist a bit of 'line-siding' on our own private bridge over the railway. It might have rained for most of the week and my little car broke down, but it was all good fun!

Come home to a fleet of EWS 66s awaiting attention and a couple of articles to write on motor maintenance, which is slightly ironic given that I've got a full size Micra to try and fix too. I'm also counting down to Model Rail Live next weekend, which will, no doubt, prove to be a busy few days...

The view from the bridge 2: We actually climbed to the top of those hills on horseback. It was terrifying and exhilarating, but I drew the line at cantering on the way down - I stuck to a sedate trot. There was no stopping Mrs D though, as she raced across the fields at a gallop... madness!

GRONK EXTRA

2011-09-07T10:23:00.002+01:00

This was the first 'real 08’ that I bought years ago in York and it’s covered a fair few miles since, although it still runs perfectly. It actually took me a while to get round to the detailing and weathering, the work being covered in my first book for Crowood Press, Detailing & Modifying RTR Locomotives, Volume 1.

With issues of Model Rail issue 161 fresh on newsagents’ shelves, here’s a selection of images leftover from my article on the humble Class 08 shunter. This proved to be an enjoyable Masterclass feature to put together, with a number of different takes on the ‘Improve a ‘Gronk’’ theme, including adding DCC to a non-DCC-ready model.

Regular readers of this Blog may recall a number of previous posts on this subject, with a few installments covering progress on my NCB-branded 08, plus a few other BR machines. I really can’t get enough of these little shunters and can remember buying a secondhand Hornby model (the ancient one with the Tri-ang chassis) when I was a kid. With much perseverance, I got it running pretty smoothly and the bodyshell went through a number of livery changes, from BR blue, to Railfreight grey and then 3-tone sub-sector grey. Then, as I recall, it went back to blue, with Red Star branding. It was in this guise that it chugged off into the model scrapyard after Bachmann introduced their far superior version a couple of years before I started at Model Rail.

I was living in a rented house in East Yorkshire at the time and the landlord had built the basics of a loft layout before he vacated the property, so it was just a matter of laying a circuit of track on his baseboards. To celebrate, I treated myself to an ‘08’ from the NRM’s shop (my staff discount used to come in handy!) plus a handful of coal wagons and I’d sit happily at my workbench in the attic for hours with this little engine pootling round and round at crawling pace. Happy days!

Another 08 that featured in my book, is this Hornby version. Both the Bachmann and Hornbymodels are great and it’s hard to say which is best. OK, Hornby’s has the opening cab doors and superb interior, but Bachmann’s version look almost as good from the outside but can be much cheaper. You pays your money…

It’s the small things that add up, such as painting the wooden surround to the cab droplight, plus an oil leak from the engine compartment. Then there’s the shunter’s hook and spare oil lamp on the running board and the scratchbuilt fuel filling pipe under the cab.

Bufferbeams can be improved with a few extra touches, such as a coupling guard, piping between the twin air tanks and cross beam linking the front steps. Nice blobs of grease on the bufferheads help, too. This is done with an airbrush – see my latest book Airbrushing for Railway Modellers, for details.

This black number is one of my favorites. It’s one of Model Rail’s recent limited edition Bachmann models, depicting D3052 in plain black but with wasp warning stripes at both ends. Only a handful of ‘Gronks’ gained the yellow and black ends while still in black, so it makes for an interesting sight on a 1970s-era layout.

You can see how most of these ‘08’s were detailed and weathered – including making my own shunter’s hooks - in the latest Model Rail magazine, out now!

Bunking into Maudetown

2011-08-31T09:39:00.002+01:00

Here is a tantalising glimpse of hopper wagons about to enter the coal loading area at the NCB's Maudetown Colliery. Having just scooted over the iron railings, between the headstock tower and washery building, the fitters have just popped off for a cuppa after packing up their tools into the Morris pick-up truck. If we were to just stick our heads around the corner of the wall on the left-hand side, maybe we could see a Coal Board 0-6-0T shunting engine taking on water from the elevated tank that's just visible. Or maybe one of the diesels are working today instead. Either way, it might be an idea to scarper before the donkey-jacketed foreman turns up and turns red in the face...

Ballast Hoppers unearthed and a mention on BBC radio!

2011-08-26T20:32:00.004+01:00

Built from a Genesis kit, this 'Herring' is slightly easier to build than the Catfish (see below), due mainly to the design of the hopper's side braces, which just need bending to shape. I used low temperature soldering for both these whitemetal kits, to speed up the job and for rugged construction.

After worrying that they’d disappeared into the great void of my attic/junk store, never to be seen again, I finally found the little box containing a trio of ballast hopper kits that I built for Model Rail magazine a few years ago. Consisting of two Genesis Kits whitemetal vehicles and a plastic Cambrian Models product, each one took a good while to refine and finish, so it’s a relief that they’ve turned up safe and well. Not least as I’ve been thinking about adding to their ranks having recently, especially as I've had a few ideas about upgrading the Hornby SHARK brake van that will be a perfect tailpiece for this short P’way rake...

...another project in the ‘to do’ pile!

I was chuffed to hear Shaun Keaveney give this Blog a 'shout out' on his breakfast show on BBC 6Music this morning. That was a pleasant surprise. Mrs D had sent in a text on the subject of cars with pet names, with a mention of the much lamented Milly Molly Micra, the 'multicoloured beauty' - as described on a post from July. Quite a bizarre feeling to hear your car's name and blog details being broadcast in between Noel Gallagher and The Waterboys. I almost spat out my corn flakes!

You can listen to the programme online for the next 7 days - click this link. It's at about 1h12mins or so...

We're big fans of Shaun. His unique northern Lancs humour is very appealing; very dry. He plays some cracking music too.

This Dogfish was built from the Cambrian kit, just before the Heljan RTR model appeared. I still have a handful of these kits un-built – something for a rainy day perhaps… All three wagons appeared in Model Rail issue 111 (Dec 2007).

The Genesis Catfish builds into a lovely model, although it needs a little extra work to get the best out of it. New buffers (MJT) and etched handwheels (Mainly Trains) are a real improvement. The angle iron hopper braces have been replaced with Evergreen plastic, as the original whitemetal castings are pretty awkward.

Buxton Limes

2011-08-24T13:58:00.003+01:00

My obsession for collecting modern freight rolling stock sees no signs of fading as I get older. the latest thing to catch my eye while browsing in a model shop was this Bachmann JGA aggregate hopper, adorned in the stylish Buxton Lime Industries livery. These things pass by the end of my street behind DB Schenker Class 66s so I quite fancied adding one to my collection. Besides, the freight scene around Buxton has always inspired me and is on my list of things 'To Model Before I Die'.

So, with a suitable weathered finish and an ultra-realistic wagon load of real limestone chippings - from the superb Geoscenics range - the finished model really looks the part. So much so that I've just popped back to SMTF to grab another handful of wagons! I have a mixed rake of BLI and RMC liveried vehicles in mind...

...but I need a layout to run them on!

The real thing: an ex-Buxton Lime Industries JGA at Dove Holes quarry, near Buxton in 2009.

Hillsborough Petition needs our support

2011-08-23T10:40:00.005+01:00

Apologies for the non-railway theme of this post but I feel moved to urge readers of my Blog to put their names to an e-petition on the Government's website. Started by This Is Anfield.com’s Brian Irvine, it has just reached over 100,000 names, only a week or so after being launched. While this is enough to oblige the Government to discuss acting upon it, I must stress that it doesn't force them to do anything about it. Therefore, getting as many names on the petition as possible will strengthen the case for the disclosure of secret files that document discussions held by the Thatcher Government in the aftermath of the disaster in 1989.

They may reveal a cover up by the authorities, or they may reveal nothing much at all, but the fact that they've been withheld for over 20years is a source of anguish for all those touched by the tragedy. There are still many families of the 96 fans who were killed who still don't know how or when their loved ones perished, as the coroner enforced a common time of death, when there is strong evidence that some of those were still alive up to an hour later.

There are so many unanswered questions from that day and subsequent inquiry and it's hoped that these documents will at least shed some light on events, or at least the prevailing attitude within the Government and the police force. The petition has the support of many important voices within the sport, media and the wider society. Perhaps most notably, Liverpool's manager Kenny Dalglish, who was in charge when the disaster took place, has lent his support to the campaign, saying “Please sign this petition. It is very important that we support this.”

Plenty of former (and present) Reds players and names from other clubs, have also lent their support.BBC’s Football Focus presenter Dan Walker wrote “Doesn’t matter whether you support LFC or not. The families of the 96 deserve to know the truth.” And fellow BBC presenter Gaby Logan added “Please find time – The families of the 96 deserve to know the truth.” Even the Government's independent Information Commissioner, Christopher Graham, has ruled that these papers must be seen by the public, yet Mr Cameron is not very keen on the idea.

So, please just take a moment to put your name on the petition, by clicking HERE or going to:

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/2199

All you have to do is fill in a very short form, then click on a link in an email that will be sent to you to verify your email address. Your details are kept secret and not disclosed to anyone.

Thank you.

HAAs arrive at Maudetown

2011-08-21T15:02:00.003+01:00

Maudetown Colliery finally received its first rakes of HAA merry-go-round hoppers, following a few modifications to the loading machinery. Having been built in the immediate post-Nationalisation era, Maudetown's washery and loading plant was designed with the humble 16t and 21t unfitted (or later Vac-braked) wagon in mind.

However, there are still a few operational problems to overcome, not least concerning the resident NCB motive power - both steam and diesel - that are not equipped with air brake equipment. Also, only the original-pattern HAA hoppers are permitted up the Maudetown branch due to clearances within the tunnel and under the loaders, so none of the HBA, HDA and HFA wagons with their top skips can be accommodated.

So, until these issues can be resolved, the humble little NCB shunters are having to move split rakes of HAAs up the branch to the colliery from the BR exchange sidings down the valley. For now, the NCB engineers have decreed that a maximum of four loaded wagons and six empties can be moved at any one time. Luckily, the HAAs are fitted with traditional hand brakes on opposing corners, so there is a degree of safety available by 'pinning the brakes' down before the descent of the valley. It's doubtful whether the BR chaps would be happy about their wagons moving with lumps of wood jammed between the brake handles to keep the 'shoes on', or maybe they're turning a blind eye.

Either way, I wonder if the inevitable outcome will be for BR to reach an agreement for its own locomotives to traverse the NCB's private line? If so, it would be nice to see a blue '37' - or even a pair of '20s' - chugging up the steeply graded Maudetown branch with a full rake of MGR hoppers.

The ‘Ultimate 37’ that YOU could own!

2011-08-19T16:58:00.002+01:00

IN a follow up to a number of previous Blog postings, here’s a small selection of images left over from the ‘Ultimate Class 37’ feature that appears in the latest issue of Model Rail (MR160). With 30 illustrated step-by-step instructions, it’s probably the most comprehensive guide to upgrading the Bachmann 37 yet to appear in print and gives a flavour of what can be achieved by using a handful of Shawplan and PH Designs detailing parts and about 20hours of enjoyable work.

The Bachmann model, probably the best ready-to-run ‘37’ yet, is actually a limited edition run of BR blue 37003, produced on behalf of the Class 37 Locomotive Group. You can buy your own factory-spec limited edition model, or alternatively you can send a sealed bid to win this super-detailed and weathered loco, with all funds going towards the restoration of the real 37003.

It’s been a joy to work on this model and I hope whoever wins the auction enjoys running the model on their layout (or regarding it on a shelf!). It’s always a nice feeling when a restoration group can raise some much-needed funds from selling a bespoke model. Let’s hope the real 37003 is soon restored to full order so that she can be enjoyed by enthusiasts for years to come.

For full details of how to bid for the model or to order your own Bachmann model – or just to drool over loads of lovely images of real ‘37s’ - simply go to www.c37lg.co.uk.

The cab interiors were upgraded and weathered – an important step as the model is fitted with interior illumination.

With distressed and weathered bodywork, I’ve aimed to create a typical mid-1970s condition blue ‘37’, complete with radiator grille covers and steam heating equipment.

This Bachmann Railfreight ‘37’ was also in the workshop at the same time as 37003, but to receive some less intensive attention: snowploughs (from PH Designs) and new buffers (A1 Models) were the main additions.

More N Progress

2011-08-17T09:37:00.002+01:00

Having been awoken at an un-Godly hour by my slightly poorly dog, I thought I'd spend a few hours putting in a bit of work on my N gauge layout project, concentrating mostly on the small allotment site. The vegetation has received a few final flourishes and some suitable figures have been added. I’d originally ‘planted’ bushes around the perimeter, but with the surrounding land earmarked as grazing pasture, I thought a fence might be more secure against any eager herbivores.

The allotments are created using the various packs of castings from Timecast Models (see a review in Model Rail soon), which are available either pre-finished or unpainted. I’ve used a mix of both, although only the compost bins and cold frames have been left in their supplied painted finish. In order to blend in the four different sections (well, 3 and 3 quarters to be exact), I seated them into a bed of wet plaster, cleaning up the excess and filling the gaps at the same time.

The scarecrow and figures are from Langley Models and, once painted, look pretty good. The dog, by the way, is a 2mm scale version of our own Pepper, the white Collie, and the seated chap is meant to me, as that’s what I do on our real allotment – sit and reflect on what jobs need doing!

When dry, the whole lot was painted with a mix of Tamiya textured acrylic paints that give a highly realistic soil effect. When this too was dry, I painted the raised details to represent various plants and added tiny fragments of Woodland Scenics bushes and foliage to give a better representation of a successful allotment.

Adding blooms to the strawberry beds and fruit trees, plus the squash and courgette plants, using tiny blobs of acrylic paints, adds the finishing touch. It also sets the scene in mid to late summer, which is perfect for this idyllic slice of England around August 1961, somewhere in the West Country. In 2mm scale… I also picked up some useful N gauge stock from the MR office yesterday, including a lovely Farish GWR diesel railcar - just the thing for this tiny layout!

The plots are in a wonderful setting: beside a scenic West Country branchline halt and within spitting distance of a fine hostelry. Just the thing, after a hard day’s graft on the plot… a nice cool glass of Scrumpy!

The Timecast Models allotments provide a great basis for a highly realistic set of veg plots. They’re available in many different formats, including sheds, cold frames, compost bins and water butts.

Hazel Grove MRS Open Day images

2011-08-16T14:04:00.005+01:00

A tasty snippet of Walmington, a fictional town in East Anglia. This is part of a large layout run by Hazel Grove MRS (image taken from the HGMRS website).

After my enjoyable visit to Hazel Grove Model Railway Society's open day, back in June (see Blog post for June), the Society's website now has a selection of images from that day, including a good look at some of the layouts that the society runs. Walmington, a finescale OO layout based in the East Anglian coast was particularly impressive (see image above), as was the 'in progress' Smethurst Junction.

Have a look at http://www.hgdmrs.org.uk/ for more details.

Also, make a note in your diaries of the weekend of 29-30th October 2011, for the annual Hazel Grove Model Railway Show, held at Jacksons Lane Recreation Centre, Hazel Grove, Stockport SK7 5JX.

Bufferstops Extra

2011-08-13T14:35:00.002+01:00

The humble Peco plastic bufferstop kit is available in several styles and in many different scales. With a modest amount of work, they can look great.

With copies of MR160 now on general sale, may I present a few extra images to expand on this month's Bufferstop Supertest. Below is a Fleischmann N gauge 'stop block', that has been Anglicised from its original European style, by simply cutting away the moulded warning panel and repainting in Humbrol 'bufferbeam red', with the essential white stripe across the headstock.

As I mentioned on pg.76 of MR160, the Fleischmann stops in HO/OO and N are excellent and both can be modified easily to suit modern British layouts. With its shock-absorbing trolley behind, and sited just ahead of the end of the siding, the red structure now makes for an eye-ctaching and authentic feature on my contemporary N gauge diorama.

The Fleischmann N gauge modern buffer stop is ideal for 21st Century layouts. Available from www.ontracks.co.uk.

The DIY solution! A scrap sleeper chained across the rails was a common sight at railway backwaters in steam days.

N Weekend

2011-08-07T18:59:00.002+01:00

In between changing radiators, stripping wallpaper and replacing skirting board, I've managed to get a little bit of 'fun' modelling done on my mini N layout project. The farm has been populated with cattle and machinery and the pond now plays host to a small family of ducks.

The cows are from Langley Models and I've painted them up as a herd of South Devon cattle, in the distinctive orangey-brown shade. This sort of suits the loosely GWR-theme of the layout. However, I'd really wanted to paint them as a Limousin herd, which are amongst my favourite bovine breed (reader, I'm a cow spotter!). But, these animals, originally from central parts of France, were not introduced into Britain until the early 1970s, so out of my time period as far as this project goes. It's going to be a late 1950s/early 60s era scene.

The little pagoda style halt is in place and now only lacks a platform sign. I need to come up with a name, though. Currently I'm thinking of Bank Farm Halt or White Dog Halt... it needs to be short, to fit onto a sign about 12mm long, while still being legible.

The farm has gained a smart looking tractor and implement, also from Langley Models. I'm enjoying dabbling into N gauge - it makes a nice change and I find it a real challenge, not least to my eyesight!

Powering a Park Royal Railbus

2011-08-04T12:33:00.002+01:00

Just been running-in my latest project for Model Rail - a Dapol Park Royal railbus kit, mounted on a fantastic ready-to-run 'BullAnt' chassis from the Hollywood Foundry. The high specification motor and chassis is fully assembled and ready for service, with just the mounting to the model's floor necessary, via a few minor, but specific, modifications.

The ancient Dapol kit (originally a 1960s Airfix kit) still creates a good model, being impressively accurate as far as dimensions and outline are concerned. However, the age of the moulds and the basic nature of the kit (it's basically an empty shell), means that yo need to put in a good bit of extra detailing work to achieve a realistic recreation of one of these charming little railbuses. Especially if it's to sit well alongside one of Heljan's forthcoming ready-to-run AC Cars and Waggon und Maschinenbau vehicles.

With the chassis fitted and some weight added to the bodyshell, the 'bus' has been cruising along on my rolling road for the past few hours to bed in the cardan shaft gears (although they barley needed this as the unit is exquisitely constructed. The main drive is delivered via a belt drive which offers superb performance and it's remarkably quiet.

Look out for a full demo on how to fit this power unit, plus a more detailed assessment of performance in Model Rail issue 161, out on 8 September...

SNCF 231G brings back memories

2011-07-31T17:39:00.002+01:00

I've been up in the attic this weekend, sifting through my never-ending boxes of junk. Unexpectedly, I came across a HO scale SNCF 231G 4-6-2 (a DJH kit), that I built for the first issue of Model Rail International (April 2005), in the days when it was offered as an occasional supplement within the main MR magazine.

I’d only been in my job at Model Rail for a couple of months when Ben and Chris presented me with this highly complex metal kit. They both had a glint in their eyes when they said I only had a couple of weeks in which to build it. Perhaps it was trial by fire…

Anyway, it was a joy to build, although it’s never been out of the box since undergoing final testing and running-in on the old TTF office layout in Peterborough. After sitting for its portrait photographs, it was packed away and forgotten about. It was a nice surprise to discover it again after 6 years and it's now sitting on a shelf until I find somewhere safer to keep it…

Built at my office desk at Model Rail's HQ over 4 weeks around the turn of 2004/5, this DJH kit was a test of my ability just after starting at the magazine. The plumbing alone took a few days!

Building stuff like this in a busy office is not ideal - there were a few annoyed faces whenever I turned on the mini drill or smelly soldering iron! It's no wonder my old desk used to be a bit messy. It's hard to believe that this was built way back in 2005! I'm sure the years get shorter the older you get....

PROJECT SENTINEL UPDATE JULY 2011

2011-07-28T13:35:00.004+01:00

PROJECT SENTINEL UPDATE JULY 2011

SENTINELS: THE SECOND BATCH

With the first quartet of exclusive Model Rail Sentinels now arriving – and almost sold out - we’re delighted to announce that a second batch will be available later this year.

To keep disappointment to a minimum following the rapid sell-out of our first BR Eastern Region ‘Y3’ model (MR-003), two additional BR early emblem versions are in development; ‘Y1s’ No. 68150 and Departmental Locomotive No. 54 – the latter based on the sole surviving ex-BR Sentinel based at the Middleton Railway in Leeds.

These will be joined by our first LMS black Sentinel – No. 7161 - which is one of three locomotives acquired by the company in the 1930s and used at various locations including Burton-upon-Trent, Shrewsbury, Sutton Oak and Ayr. The locomotives passed to BR’s London Midland Region in 1948, becoming Nos. 47181-183. It is hoped that an LMR version will follow in 2012 if there is sufficient demand.

Finally, the fourth model of Batch 2 will be decorated in lined back as preserved ex-GWR and ex-industrial Sentinel Isebrook. This version will be supplied without branding or numbers and will be an ideal base for freelance or industrial locomotives. Isebrook was the subject of the 3-D laser scan that forms the basis of our ‘OO’ gauge Sentinel and is based at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre at Quainton Road. It was also a guest at last year’s Model Rail Live event (see separate story), where it proved extremely popular hauling brake van rides.

Orders are now being taken for all four models, which should be delivered in time for the Warley NEC show in November. Telephone 01209 613984 or place your advance order online at www.modelrailoffers.co.uk

We also have limited numbers of our GWR, LNER (fewer than 50 of each left) and BR late crest Sentinel models still available (MR-001/002/004), although these are expected to sell out shortly.

Gronk Heaven

2011-07-27T08:52:00.002+01:00

Just putting the finishing touches to my latest feature for Model Rail magazine, to appear in issue 161, demonstrating a number of ways in which the Bachmann and Hornby Class 08s can be improved. Six '08s' have been treated, 4x Bachmann and 2x Hornby, ranging from an as-built 1950s example, to a Freightliner-operated 'Gronk' for the 21st Century. Here are a few left-over images, giving a sneak preview of what's involved...

One of the models that I've been using is this lovely black number with wasp ends. This is a Model Rail limited edition model from Bachmann and represents D3052, a loco that managed to retain its 1950s black livery into the 1970s, having received the 'new' warning panels and overhead wire warning stickers. Supplied factory weathered (this is how it appears straight from the box), I've since added some extra details, upgraded the cab interior and applied some extra patches of grease and oil here and there... See www.modelrailoffers.co.uk for more details on this splendid little model.

The cab area before... this is where the Bachmann and Hornby model differ markedly!

... and after. Although the false floor precludes modelling the cab to its full depth, a cut-down figure and a suitably transformed bulkhead and console make a massive difference.

I've added some scratch-built detail to the Bachmann chassis, such as this fuel filler pipe and drain cock. The Hornby model also benefits from a few detail additions - look out for the full article in Model Rail 161, out on September 8th...

Finally... Lima 47 completed

2011-07-25T15:13:00.004+01:00

At last - the Lima/Vi-Trains hybrid Class 47 is finally completed and ready for service. Despite requiring only the fitting of glazing, wipers and a few minor adjustments, the model has languished on my 'To Do' shelf since May. However, the South Eastern Finescale flushglazing pack was eventually ordered (from Howes Models), promptly received and eventually fitted.

With the new Vi-Trains chassis, performance is lightyears ahead of the old Lima 'pancake' and the appearance of the undercarriage is also much improved. The bodyshell is pretty good for its age but, on reflection, I wonder if I've chosen the wrong livery, as the black surround draws attention to the windscreens, which is, in my humble opinion, the only area where the Italian moulding is lacking. Indeed, even though the SEF flushglaze is much better than the factory fitted 'glass', the prismatic effect at the edges, especially in the curved corners, accentuates the problem. I wonder if those whizz kids at Shawplan/Extreme Etchings are intending to add the Lima 47 to its range that already includes laser glazing for the Heljan and Vi-Trains 'Duffs'....?

I'm chuffed that my Lima bodyshell has a new lease of life, but the windscreens still let the model down, probably made worse by the black band. No matter, at least I've got a Railfreight Type 4 in my collection and the prototype, 47280 Pedigree, was one of my favourites from my spotting days in the 1980s. The nice shiny nameplates are from Shawplan. See previous postings on this model for a full parts list - simply put Lima 47 into the search engine on the right hand side...

37003 in service

2011-07-21T07:17:00.002+01:00

The Bachmann model is all done and dusted and ready for service, depicted in a typical work-stained condition. With the 4-character headcodes still in use, radiator grilles in place and a lack of air brake equipment, the model is rooted in mid-1970s condition.

While it's taken a lot of work, the quality of the original model is such that it provides the perfect basis for the detailing work and a decent weathering job brings out the best in the moulded detail.

See the project demonstrated in full in Model Rail issue 160. And don't forget that you can order your own limited edition model of 37003 from the Class 37 Locomotive Group.

Class 37 progress pt2

2011-07-20T09:39:00.002+01:00

Just a quick update on the Class 37 project - we're almost there, with glazing, reassembly and a few tweaks remaining. A late night weathering job kept me in the shed after dark, but a bottle of Robinsons Unicorn and Radio3 made it all seem quite civilised...

Blending in new metal components, without having to repaint the whole model, can be a tricky business. Find out how I did it in MR160, out August 11th...