tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26521076842908947602024-03-11T21:52:33.866-07:00Choppers Railway: Watergate Halt00 and 0 gauge modelling of North Devon railwaysChoppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02510680630387220612noreply@blogger.comBlogger337125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2652107684290894760.post-35473592601118357952024-02-18T23:54:00.000-08:002024-02-28T10:45:48.885-08:00O gauge Wagon Progress<p style="text-align: justify;">The last few weeks has seen some intermittent, but steady progress on a few O gauge modelling projects. I managed to finish a Slaters Conflat A wagon over the last few weeks and all in all I am pretty happy with it. There was a lot of subtle weathering that I applied to the wagon, which seems to have been lost with the application of transfers and final weathering coats, but overall it look good I think. As per normal it was Railmatch enamels from an irbrush and tranfers are a mixture of Railtec and Fox.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjAi_sKBmyeiG3yNyjlOjU5TnvQnE2JodwybZikdo_1PE0irdMdBRUp9YrtKlBr6N1n-0ihiJftKM-XGJkDQ34DZ9knZqOovfZD0VVcowmWCoryTw8FCX3V2uIDrdXF9lSYMo8Wi8p0Tcdtlz2o4FLXifngl-6-nDFk68RaAosaEH2HASrFt-v7mavvNp/s1600/IMG-20240218-WA0015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjAi_sKBmyeiG3yNyjlOjU5TnvQnE2JodwybZikdo_1PE0irdMdBRUp9YrtKlBr6N1n-0ihiJftKM-XGJkDQ34DZ9knZqOovfZD0VVcowmWCoryTw8FCX3V2uIDrdXF9lSYMo8Wi8p0Tcdtlz2o4FLXifngl-6-nDFk68RaAosaEH2HASrFt-v7mavvNp/s320/IMG-20240218-WA0015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Conflat A wagon finished on the test track</i>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitS_geIFcvDt8oSlwgDWuXu0TZas_m-ZEXEeNzq-vCn3xucTfl9xIfCoxpgV3T85AVTNVnO1UErIdFwf2dIfaoRVeQ5UVg6e5k1AA2GqTQ-2PtG7JvF-DsWxsIe802fRUMi5CiuphzLchpcT5DF15fYJ4QysiM_BZEbMdwGnM8JZmp9CMg5fLT_Q7tkifa/s1600/IMG-20240218-WA0016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitS_geIFcvDt8oSlwgDWuXu0TZas_m-ZEXEeNzq-vCn3xucTfl9xIfCoxpgV3T85AVTNVnO1UErIdFwf2dIfaoRVeQ5UVg6e5k1AA2GqTQ-2PtG7JvF-DsWxsIe802fRUMi5CiuphzLchpcT5DF15fYJ4QysiM_BZEbMdwGnM8JZmp9CMg5fLT_Q7tkifa/s320/IMG-20240218-WA0016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Top view showing the weathered wood floor. </i></div><p>Another wagon I have been playing with recently is this Dapol RTR 5 plank 13T corrugated end wagon. This wagon was an attempt to broaden my modelling/weathering repertoire, using AK international washes applied from a brush. Specifically, I wanted to develop my application of rust deposits, produce more realistic weathered wood effect, alongside attempting to work more quickly through the weathering process. It has been a good learning curve and whilst the wagon is not perfect, something usable will come from it. I am now airbrushing in some weathering on the underframe, before blending it all together with some final varnish coats. This wagon is a bit of experiment and I might well end up putting a tarpaulin over a wagon load at the end, if the finish is not quite right.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGvJ7bBs6fepq1vJrSDJ8kucJlGJduPV4uOnx4iUBYF_Mhuh5ePLiLyUl8et4kBi2YYp_bsKyujINicDJ2v1cooJg9G2_Wzq0ql5rt0jKh06yr5c7GSS98drXBlSN9sQH1v8KWUsZK2-CYPmDBgGgFG105dP5_X5a4xMxthVua3HzPX0vt8DWOZWmsTOY/s1600/IMG-20240218-WA0009.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGvJ7bBs6fepq1vJrSDJ8kucJlGJduPV4uOnx4iUBYF_Mhuh5ePLiLyUl8et4kBi2YYp_bsKyujINicDJ2v1cooJg9G2_Wzq0ql5rt0jKh06yr5c7GSS98drXBlSN9sQH1v8KWUsZK2-CYPmDBgGgFG105dP5_X5a4xMxthVua3HzPX0vt8DWOZWmsTOY/s320/IMG-20240218-WA0009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>This wagon so far, has only been weathered by hand. It is definitely good practice to learn some new techniques</i>.</div><p style="text-align: justify;">The SR pill box brake van is making good progress towards transfers and glazing. There are a couple of bits of weathering to sort out and I am now painting the interior of the wagon, finishing the floors and painting the stove (why did I not do this before I glued it in place!). I am hopeful I can complete this wagon in the next couple of weeks.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMAvq_h9OJhq7loChRdGrjhj3vfvXWiC9F_B24VKUoQ2Y9o_Aafqy1F123yDM0VSUPZTevgWGbOjeGGbtQNpmLXEOaz-9dDR19KS6bKxzKORawIAh4_c3Z6NCa2OjJhVY5M_2xXQMsTTVvVQzB857DvdsMH-JgsOGd_dl60Eb8d9GGnBlYirPyrUS_Rzm/s1600/IMG-20240218-WA0006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMAvq_h9OJhq7loChRdGrjhj3vfvXWiC9F_B24VKUoQ2Y9o_Aafqy1F123yDM0VSUPZTevgWGbOjeGGbtQNpmLXEOaz-9dDR19KS6bKxzKORawIAh4_c3Z6NCa2OjJhVY5M_2xXQMsTTVvVQzB857DvdsMH-JgsOGd_dl60Eb8d9GGnBlYirPyrUS_Rzm/s320/IMG-20240218-WA0006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The underframe needs a little more detailing (grease in particular).</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4uxZRo2FywtUe-ZRZboYsmRmEkWVEBFzis1tolOlH6_Tp1g3l6GoBa-eQAKgM4FUq9lddGKSoPXE8xYkbkPdX8slcZEv8ZwIMiD-oEFM-TdHjAJkUzBgwY32FhyphenhyphenEO0VXu5LA4dwLmG-I0UT1jcWTOrr5IoOoNfciB895nErsb92D1tYc0oLlqpIPraBI/s1600/IMG-20240218-WA0007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4uxZRo2FywtUe-ZRZboYsmRmEkWVEBFzis1tolOlH6_Tp1g3l6GoBa-eQAKgM4FUq9lddGKSoPXE8xYkbkPdX8slcZEv8ZwIMiD-oEFM-TdHjAJkUzBgwY32FhyphenhyphenEO0VXu5LA4dwLmG-I0UT1jcWTOrr5IoOoNfciB895nErsb92D1tYc0oLlqpIPraBI/s320/IMG-20240218-WA0007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The interior needs some more painting, a second coat for the wall and flor. The black smudges on the floor are an attempt at footprint</i>s. </div><p>Lastly the SPV painting is coming on, applying faded BR blue. Multiple coats have been applied to try to create some tonal variation. This wagon was recently paint stripped and partially rebuilt, due to some bad transfers last time around. The underframe now needs painting and there is a bit of weathering to go on the body, using some paint washes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0e-ug7BB68Y0fyWMY9jrC0N-D8pNjLu1GoYlh0EjZcZfgNXohfUaaP466q6fs_pSxrrpabSnKi0Fq82xMRcG0_xBVQH7AfYILIOochddSCsX4L0L6_5zTCc3qW6WWL6B934JqaxbdiGeKPpEN6TqDr0WV1IqbQdFTNK8Ix3akohx4vMGcg4YX_yu6RGlu/s1600/IMG-20240218-WA0004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0e-ug7BB68Y0fyWMY9jrC0N-D8pNjLu1GoYlh0EjZcZfgNXohfUaaP466q6fs_pSxrrpabSnKi0Fq82xMRcG0_xBVQH7AfYILIOochddSCsX4L0L6_5zTCc3qW6WWL6B934JqaxbdiGeKPpEN6TqDr0WV1IqbQdFTNK8Ix3akohx4vMGcg4YX_yu6RGlu/s320/IMG-20240218-WA0004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>SPV painting in progress</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">So some good progress. I am going to clear a few of these wagon painting projects out of the way, then it is building the micro layout/test track - such as weathering the track, adding in some buffer stops and ballasting. I also took the class 33 downstairs to add on the details before it has a full repaint, alongside the detailing of the class 122 and class 03. I am also clearing out a lot of the old stock from the railway room that I never got around to detailing - I have too much stuff(!). It feels great to be having a clear out and to be focusing on a smaller number of O gauge projects.</div>Choppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02510680630387220612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2652107684290894760.post-41296086563215530002024-01-27T01:32:00.000-08:002024-01-27T01:32:06.638-08:00Heljan O Gauge Class 25 - DCC sound and detailing completed<p style="text-align: justify;">I have been building an O gauge layout for at least 3 years now, and frankly progress has been very slow. The layout is all wired up and scenic work has started, however, two house moves in two years has really disrupted progress. The other big limiting factor has been a lack of rolling stock ready to use and completing the fiddle yard for the layout. Well I have partially managed to remedy one part of this equation with the completion of the class 25 detailing project.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28zxmCcH2hYsGUQhI91uNSv8jri0n6eTnZeA3PgovxKPMQlz-i-h-OXVN3nAtOnleqdzZI91gI_6XJ6ufNICT8POpFqny3A6OnY2G_6M_aJwNhHsgQlT750FZ_s_gMrr-EzgZwuRIdsywEUCITvAhLJCEcOmVFXGA2J35aeOTd8tUIry37xCbiHQPoZQ2/s4160/Upload%20RMweb%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28zxmCcH2hYsGUQhI91uNSv8jri0n6eTnZeA3PgovxKPMQlz-i-h-OXVN3nAtOnleqdzZI91gI_6XJ6ufNICT8POpFqny3A6OnY2G_6M_aJwNhHsgQlT750FZ_s_gMrr-EzgZwuRIdsywEUCITvAhLJCEcOmVFXGA2J35aeOTd8tUIry37xCbiHQPoZQ2/s320/Upload%20RMweb%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Weathered and sound fitted class 25 on the test track</i>.</div><p style="text-align: justify;">The model is the first release of the class 25 by Heljan and I pre-ordered it as soon as it was announced. A mere 7 or so years later I have installed the DCC chip and finished the weathering. The transfers on the locomotive are from Railtec, and all weathering was done using Railmatch enamels from an air-brush. The decoder fitting was an ESU Loksound V5 Xl with screw terminals and figuring out how to wire it up was a good challenge! Once I had got my head around the common return, it was relatively straightforward...... </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUqzflXA5dQs5AiCDBJ2CZdHqZrekP6wW_8XgxBN-msa7n37UIOgptCUsVeZIhUfW7aKcTiP2Ko_q3JYdeoce6tdtflTe3aLbj2qg3P0FYyGwOsBq-i5FYdaT69t8MZNSov65KoSh__kf0WwqWEh_MK3ixK_Crlo72aeS6S3ZqHQJrTBHqBUDYYzyljod/s1483/20230418_173415%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1112" data-original-width="1483" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUqzflXA5dQs5AiCDBJ2CZdHqZrekP6wW_8XgxBN-msa7n37UIOgptCUsVeZIhUfW7aKcTiP2Ko_q3JYdeoce6tdtflTe3aLbj2qg3P0FYyGwOsBq-i5FYdaT69t8MZNSov65KoSh__kf0WwqWEh_MK3ixK_Crlo72aeS6S3ZqHQJrTBHqBUDYYzyljod/s320/20230418_173415%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Screw terminals on the Class 25 DCC sound chip, after complete removal of the PCB board - take a deep breath when you do this for the first time!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">After weathering the bogies, underframe and body separately - I reassembled the chassis first to fit the dcc chip. I placed a speaker on two small pillars of foam packing, glued to a piece of plasticard, so it sits above the drive shaft. I also added the headcode transfer to some very thin clear pasticard (from food packaging - after washing) and trimmed these to fit the headcode boxes.</span><span style="text-align: justify;">When I was reattaching the body I realised I had lost one of the red tail lights (typical) and had to fudge a new one using some red plastic. Once all this was done I reattached the body - which I really struggled with. Getting the body to sit on the chassis correctly was really hard work and took me about an hour. I, of course, scratched the roof when doing this, so I had to touch up some paint (I do not think this is too noticeable - but it was very frustrating). Handling these big O gauge diesels is tricky - but once it was back together - I did having a wow that looks great moment.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0fsS71AJm-7p2kTaEXnkmZZuWnMk6Mj03lypPi5kssniQ4CpGwwVJCMB3OtbvCHUBOZBwUWB0CabS1DHHMHLMmSFK3UQfiatrXQOFjuidALPqszhW-lXrZ2of8ydLEbsvBIBhhdrZqDUKqnq_CY2pRTQA89kyorAZq-Yj9C2klkbIGpBTJ50ER4-oOVf/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-11-06%20at%2010.18.08.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0fsS71AJm-7p2kTaEXnkmZZuWnMk6Mj03lypPi5kssniQ4CpGwwVJCMB3OtbvCHUBOZBwUWB0CabS1DHHMHLMmSFK3UQfiatrXQOFjuidALPqszhW-lXrZ2of8ydLEbsvBIBhhdrZqDUKqnq_CY2pRTQA89kyorAZq-Yj9C2klkbIGpBTJ50ER4-oOVf/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-11-06%20at%2010.18.08.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I removed the bogies and weathered these separately</i>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD37T4iT8btekBRHD9JZF2djJ0zHauGNKCaJ8qZ8QxwenepLV82pOQQH75vz75fljBQMvJ3zrocsA9FmWm0jgq89V2wn5JboS4NYa9Qak9WfZaUTiJm5jIiD9eYJo1NkwoQqe9exdrh8SefI6ZnSMmjS3Ure9WPROuh_aLkCUbQ5CCz5hLhUmO-uu63wue/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-11-06%20at%2010.22.11.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD37T4iT8btekBRHD9JZF2djJ0zHauGNKCaJ8qZ8QxwenepLV82pOQQH75vz75fljBQMvJ3zrocsA9FmWm0jgq89V2wn5JboS4NYa9Qak9WfZaUTiJm5jIiD9eYJo1NkwoQqe9exdrh8SefI6ZnSMmjS3Ure9WPROuh_aLkCUbQ5CCz5hLhUmO-uu63wue/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-11-06%20at%2010.22.11.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Chassis reassembled</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7mh7xwG8zafB1Cip5ANGNhenqK3jBX7E9RxtNRqeschqZEGlA0N4yDyR-0y_f6HMH2tmN5ZBWDYR3_sclSUaPQQMyGdyB6iwDFjBRVCU4r1CiIzdbURFui-EOH91ZgUrSoBL6DToYENSAgxYzQHKp-sKkQC_C89K5JbK0WSDVoVQDtt2IoENXvHTCeQF/s4160/20240121_164054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7mh7xwG8zafB1Cip5ANGNhenqK3jBX7E9RxtNRqeschqZEGlA0N4yDyR-0y_f6HMH2tmN5ZBWDYR3_sclSUaPQQMyGdyB6iwDFjBRVCU4r1CiIzdbURFui-EOH91ZgUrSoBL6DToYENSAgxYzQHKp-sKkQC_C89K5JbK0WSDVoVQDtt2IoENXvHTCeQF/s320/20240121_164054.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The speaker cradle constructed from plasticard and two pillars of foam packing, so it sits above the drive shaft and the bogie pivot</i>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmBobXB1x0pOsczNCt-oipbt-DOzRtsSJI9jDIh5NZxm6rZS6QeYwtci-C-bxkKTHhI3FkjGLhiy8LOCWBCHPCv0ISv2vrYwA3m9Bd5ir0d2ykBkJPjl06iU-KSNSwggRiGhSjg7MBy0Ek-vrhBkP5_POD6vAUfg2yZMLfIfKfKueCQ_QVnakuGJxatDB/s4160/20240121_170242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmBobXB1x0pOsczNCt-oipbt-DOzRtsSJI9jDIh5NZxm6rZS6QeYwtci-C-bxkKTHhI3FkjGLhiy8LOCWBCHPCv0ISv2vrYwA3m9Bd5ir0d2ykBkJPjl06iU-KSNSwggRiGhSjg7MBy0Ek-vrhBkP5_POD6vAUfg2yZMLfIfKfKueCQ_QVnakuGJxatDB/s320/20240121_170242.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Headcode transfers applied to some very thin plastic - these were then trimmed to size</i>.</div><p style="text-align: justify;">Beyond these tribulations - putting this locomotive on the test track and hearing the sulzer engine was a delight! I am however, not that impressed with the speaker and might add some more packing around it, it has a somewhat tinny vibration at the moment. I have turned down the volume a little and this has helped. Anyhow, it is now fully operational and whilst I might replace the speaker in due course - this locomotive is finished. Taking some photographs of the locomotive - I must say I am pretty happy overall with how it turned it. It was also a great learning experience, being the first O gauge diesel I have sound chipped. Like all modelling projects, there were bits I could have improved, but it is all learning.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMIWDbSgiziLVj7JCcD7qxWKDj3ViSZt0PgBJ9zfHYjVY5ROnJrnvdWISqTB5QceaItAGa_ptyWiBft774-yZvK6SbgNjmVKC1hkIipA8EuuCsTh-J2mHlaFdgh9f2lI-f8viwjwzd8QA18EBoMeW8JOFnhWtHmkpI3fBOMiwF13ad0sslI4YtO__lYXK/s4160/20240121_203209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMIWDbSgiziLVj7JCcD7qxWKDj3ViSZt0PgBJ9zfHYjVY5ROnJrnvdWISqTB5QceaItAGa_ptyWiBft774-yZvK6SbgNjmVKC1hkIipA8EuuCsTh-J2mHlaFdgh9f2lI-f8viwjwzd8QA18EBoMeW8JOFnhWtHmkpI3fBOMiwF13ad0sslI4YtO__lYXK/s320/20240121_203209.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Body side view, showing the layering of faded paint and bodyside detailing</i>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUaHGZlxDH3EYfnlKOiK5JPLHVN4spE5X2AWUBwgLxDuLa3Ob8MSRaSQ4Q2nKqLG0ehvIXKSDpGqj-fJldKnff5KpYOlgUNrKmjd8-X-kGn_jD77t365k928EddKH8IqNPTw80Jr_KJaXcG_b6geQeGxQfOHXbZ9v3oQndLs2XUZy5ZIL1wj2C8eUmuzm/s4160/20240121_210856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUaHGZlxDH3EYfnlKOiK5JPLHVN4spE5X2AWUBwgLxDuLa3Ob8MSRaSQ4Q2nKqLG0ehvIXKSDpGqj-fJldKnff5KpYOlgUNrKmjd8-X-kGn_jD77t365k928EddKH8IqNPTw80Jr_KJaXcG_b6geQeGxQfOHXbZ9v3oQndLs2XUZy5ZIL1wj2C8eUmuzm/s320/20240121_210856.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The other end of the locomotive, showing the wobbly headcodes - a characteristic feature of the 1970</i>s.</div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">In my experience, the smooth running of Heljan locomotives is the best there is - and this model is no exception. I spent a good few hours letting the locomotive potter about the little test track with the sound running - really great fun.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyIcjR8T-QUazwpPgTVgrkSk2plekgshPMpvzkwFBMw-Xr-bfBYKIaKsFqpBFesgtMDT7IvOqbRmv2NNuRYPQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>And the first passenger train leaves the station on the test track behind the class 25</i>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx5qUzUIa4Cy3LnBwoRLZO5T3OW1rporJI9pX1JsWlukQoGC3IS-7n6ZHiQVKmtywdH9jcjjjMTs5TCy64LAw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Class 25 coupling up to its train</i>.</div></i><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">From here, I have a clear set of modelling priorities, to fit around the ongoing house renovation. First up is to finish some buildings and add some detail to the micro-layout/test track. The only rule for this, is I have to use stuff I already have lying about (except for maybe the backscene), just to keep costs manageable in the short term. I have a couple of Slaters wagon kits on the go atm, alongside rebuilding a Dapol milk tanker and these projects require finishing off. I am also weathering a class 03 shunter and fitting a stay alive to this locomotive - that will be perfect for operating the microlayout. I am also about to detail and dismantle a Dapol class 122 and a Heljan warship. These are the the priorities for the next 6 months or so, alongside the painting of various wagons already in the paint boxes. The aim will be to have the little micro-fully operational in a few months - and if it looks OK I might take it to a few exhibitions. Then from summer onwards, it is back to the proper O gauge layout - I have the traverser ordered for the fiddle yard, - so when that arrives it will really help with the running of the layout and getting the layout over the line.</span></p>Choppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02510680630387220612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2652107684290894760.post-89647440870361278202024-01-16T08:52:00.000-08:002024-01-16T08:52:50.957-08:00O Gauge test track<p style="text-align: justify;">We are still renovating the house and this has really impacted my opportunities to set up my O gauge layout. This is really frustrating as I have several O gauge projects that are nearly complete and I need somewhere to test rolling stock, especially the DCC sound fitting to the O gauge diesels. So over the last week or so I decided to build a small O gauge micro layout/test track. I had a 5ft scenic box that I purchased from Tim Horn several years ago - I had made the box up, but had gone no further. So I dragged this out of the garage and started to arrange some track. I was keen to see what track I could get into a 5ft box in O gauge - the answer is not much!!! However, I added in two points, wired in the polarity switches (Gaugemaster), and used the Express Models Powerbus kit all soldered up. I also added in a small internal light and added a control panel for the NCE powercab on the front. By the end of Sunday it was operational - fantastic. I cut out some simple paper templates of buildings to see how things could fit, and I now plan to add a couple of buildings to the layout, alongside a backscene and some simple scenery to provide a photographic plank, as well as a fully operational test track.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_4ZOK-TovSDnVnYhISwoQbih05AwvXX4zZp1D37xhUsDCX4pao-Xvoweu437cl2nUQB-9eLjyTJpGT2ND7RsRPTQyRoVZT5sfLyAwX4TJSDSPJxbfzNtxgyZ0byplZ3tqXdjaYy-vIF6AWX2_vEZjcYzqC3V9C2zqfAfN-3N83ZyIvyWEF9c8ApmIMde/s4160/Upload%20(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_4ZOK-TovSDnVnYhISwoQbih05AwvXX4zZp1D37xhUsDCX4pao-Xvoweu437cl2nUQB-9eLjyTJpGT2ND7RsRPTQyRoVZT5sfLyAwX4TJSDSPJxbfzNtxgyZ0byplZ3tqXdjaYy-vIF6AWX2_vEZjcYzqC3V9C2zqfAfN-3N83ZyIvyWEF9c8ApmIMde/s320/Upload%20(6).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Test track operational. This is with the lighting unit switched off, showing the real benefit of O gauge and coach lighting</i>.</div><p style="text-align: justify;">So now there are now excuses for not finishing off some DCC diesel detailing projects. I am determined to finish off the Class 25 project this week and reassemble the locomotive. I cannot wait to try it on the test track. Otherwise wagon building and painting continues, with a Conflat now ready for transfers and the SR pill box brake van and the SPV being painted. Lots of fun and a satisfying weekend... I plan to spend this evening building another wagon!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8Xkd79otkOEuhIlMbdiedqJRfVIGjvDER4LSusAvnbBth_jzlduJQTzRmNU49U1_NahY1UvCBqdR1oGKqGZ47_6ocmsU2p92wJV4SAF-L2ZCFV48rr7TvsZXd2830Ca-fwWTVVkiadOxe0kdzVjMKg309Vz5lbygfeuWrSODv354daCyh9Ql4crD7Hcs/s4160/20240114_181949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8Xkd79otkOEuhIlMbdiedqJRfVIGjvDER4LSusAvnbBth_jzlduJQTzRmNU49U1_NahY1UvCBqdR1oGKqGZ47_6ocmsU2p92wJV4SAF-L2ZCFV48rr7TvsZXd2830Ca-fwWTVVkiadOxe0kdzVjMKg309Vz5lbygfeuWrSODv354daCyh9Ql4crD7Hcs/s320/20240114_181949.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Aerial view showing the very limited track layout</i>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WmOIjvWez6MnqWya15_lFPBdcdZiLhGNKXvECcipwVMX8aDs7JG0zd6zHXGbJJ6Z49jx-ppycxJYv5dVI3oTOrsLGl8SrC0gCtPCutn8dAhXZ1yrefOryiaFKBcEb2YPOmjxEhpT3Vk2PCCqRWYcZWxYXSa1wgm4WC2sr4LSNYoy39BU1o0vdKC-Pumh/s4079/20240114_182001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2566" data-original-width="4079" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WmOIjvWez6MnqWya15_lFPBdcdZiLhGNKXvECcipwVMX8aDs7JG0zd6zHXGbJJ6Z49jx-ppycxJYv5dVI3oTOrsLGl8SrC0gCtPCutn8dAhXZ1yrefOryiaFKBcEb2YPOmjxEhpT3Vk2PCCqRWYcZWxYXSa1wgm4WC2sr4LSNYoy39BU1o0vdKC-Pumh/s320/20240114_182001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The internal lighting is visible to good effect in this picture</i>.</div>Choppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02510680630387220612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2652107684290894760.post-79782259625232530032023-12-31T02:19:00.000-08:002023-12-31T02:19:03.806-08:00End of 2023 and back to modelling in 2024<div style="text-align: justify;">The end of 2023 and it has been a quite a year for us. Looking at the amount of modelling done this year is quite disappointing, but this is hardly surprising given we purchased a new house and then set about renovating pretty much all of it - certainly more than we were originally anticipated. However, the majority (not all) of the renovating has been completed downstairs and certainly in 2024 I will have much more time to model and for my other hobbies. This is a real relief, as the second half of 2023 was a bit of a slog. Anyhow, over the xmas break I slowly started to reawaken the modelling projects that were dutifully put away before the real mess of the house renovating started. It was difficult coming back to modelling projects after a gap of several months, as I had forgotten where I had got to with each model.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The class 03 that smashed onto the floor sometime in early summer was an expensive mistake. The locomotive has now been completely disassembled and I have slowly started rebuilding it. The main body is now finished and this will be heading to the paintshop later today. The chassis needs a bit more work to glue some broken bits back on and make sure it runs properly, alongside adding a stay alive to the decoder. Ultimately, the poor running of the locomotive was the cause of the crash, so hopefully the stay alive and rebuild will cure the temperamental running. I need to source some new buffers for it, but otherwise I am optimistic I can get this locomotive back to running pretty soon. The sheer number of components that I removed from the the locomotive is a little daunting, but hopefully I will remember how to get it all back together.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmc2y3NTB2AN2evOMQTOkGb8t7TuKx6a1iQT1EhONZtNCocghsa40owaivB7fw48ZbJpS4awybQX81crnapPzrJBM3DcPAMKRLjjkrrG6HD8wEys15PDXfxrPHNbsKx6WBVjX8raeY0ofF7bEivMKEitW4mtgoZOcNxVvqiYGKK7rh-4jv5uwxJxlODdO/s4160/20231230_144341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmc2y3NTB2AN2evOMQTOkGb8t7TuKx6a1iQT1EhONZtNCocghsa40owaivB7fw48ZbJpS4awybQX81crnapPzrJBM3DcPAMKRLjjkrrG6HD8wEys15PDXfxrPHNbsKx6WBVjX8raeY0ofF7bEivMKEitW4mtgoZOcNxVvqiYGKK7rh-4jv5uwxJxlODdO/s320/20231230_144341.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Class 03, only lacking buffers now.</i></div></i><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have also been building some new wagons, first up is a GWR diag 032, from the Parkside kit. This is now finished and will be washed and enter the paintshop today. It was pretty straightforward build and was done a few hours each evening over the festive period.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_K_sg-LKPfNFbqm066ie7EjqLyG-CFheRolftDMnv4fgsuhNcfZe17azKS-4hTN4H3bT8cAmq-J9ncFsd4MkHo_vGScLeS4i9o8bok5W5W3m7lhzwQkJTXLpwW-cnx0iVi1shqOxTYBwWXf6UIjBnLrhSH5BzZtVRzz0Gegg8m57LXCWRK0sH_HN1oTEt/s4160/20231230_160858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_K_sg-LKPfNFbqm066ie7EjqLyG-CFheRolftDMnv4fgsuhNcfZe17azKS-4hTN4H3bT8cAmq-J9ncFsd4MkHo_vGScLeS4i9o8bok5W5W3m7lhzwQkJTXLpwW-cnx0iVi1shqOxTYBwWXf6UIjBnLrhSH5BzZtVRzz0Gegg8m57LXCWRK0sH_HN1oTEt/s320/20231230_160858.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Diagram 032 wagon, ready for painting in BR bauxite</i>.</div></i><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had also started a Slaters GWR 6 wheel milk tanker and of course in the intervening months of no modelling I had lost some of the sprues. So this project has stalled a little whilst I await the spares, although I have built the tank and now need to fill this and sand it down. Earlier in the year I also set about destroying(!) a Dapol milk tanker. This is now finally dismantled and I will now wash and paint the milk tank before reassembling and detailing the chassis. I have ordered some Slaters spare sprues at the same time to use on this wagon, so it will become a bit of a hybrid build and I will be happy to produce any useable wagon from this process - this is one of those projects where I wish I had left it alone and not started!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4o-jEzWzq7o27mWTQJNKfIss9joI_iUCXs7cC0e067YiclWnKse0wh-cUyufBOaDYNvRSsORVnbvjAMmED-6gf_AvceSnbaFfgEo5Go7RcwZCiHEBotFMPWEeSbvVb98DWKibMz4lh2rlYMn3ktO_GxZN1rFOjshTLcsqmzgiz8ZbRMYAMHCZdMj2N0ZR/s4160/20231230_144537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4o-jEzWzq7o27mWTQJNKfIss9joI_iUCXs7cC0e067YiclWnKse0wh-cUyufBOaDYNvRSsORVnbvjAMmED-6gf_AvceSnbaFfgEo5Go7RcwZCiHEBotFMPWEeSbvVb98DWKibMz4lh2rlYMn3ktO_GxZN1rFOjshTLcsqmzgiz8ZbRMYAMHCZdMj2N0ZR/s320/20231230_144537.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Slaters GWR milk tanker making slow progress</i>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5u055qYJTK1mRVhIC8Q9_1qa2VOHB23o3VFNm9eD5sFoXcnkvVmoz-dKaudx115mnHeiap1H-EZMzoifZTQnYz3WOp9mgVlQJkgPyIhTtknjViH4Vks9P2x2pCjrscrGHobzpRMUVDkG2E946DpfNuJ3k4WVzN6TSuhSyRUY9xmqyEC9N4B6hlUBPg00M/s4160/20231230_144037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5u055qYJTK1mRVhIC8Q9_1qa2VOHB23o3VFNm9eD5sFoXcnkvVmoz-dKaudx115mnHeiap1H-EZMzoifZTQnYz3WOp9mgVlQJkgPyIhTtknjViH4Vks9P2x2pCjrscrGHobzpRMUVDkG2E946DpfNuJ3k4WVzN6TSuhSyRUY9xmqyEC9N4B6hlUBPg00M/s320/20231230_144037.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Dapol Milk tanker - now a total mess and the rebuilding and painting can begin</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The air brush has also be set up and is running again. I have got some transfers on the Vanwide, the Conflat is making steady progress with painting and the Pill Box brake van is heading to completion. It is great to be painting again and I am optimistic that I can get several wagons finished over the next couple of months.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6JFM7fO1LJdSM275PBETDGIBjNN-notq62UvAVEEDL_KBa5QN8ZD0eaDUXsKdvFjQMGMJB2ue5k0S_FraYrLXJOYQ5epjhzfGbWgTDnhTrxKkA03W5y_Kg6zlKoXc1gnTsCjyLpAKFm5lXaKhmCZY9WrVQHtsRrMQoKHRLUVnBvBjzwDXFe-hPjoo4nl/s4160/20230625_135501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6JFM7fO1LJdSM275PBETDGIBjNN-notq62UvAVEEDL_KBa5QN8ZD0eaDUXsKdvFjQMGMJB2ue5k0S_FraYrLXJOYQ5epjhzfGbWgTDnhTrxKkA03W5y_Kg6zlKoXc1gnTsCjyLpAKFm5lXaKhmCZY9WrVQHtsRrMQoKHRLUVnBvBjzwDXFe-hPjoo4nl/s320/20230625_135501.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>SR Pillbox Brake van, part way through painting in faded olive green</i>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">So what modelling plans do I have for 2024? - well of course plenty! The biggest problem at the moment is that the house still needs plenty of work done and this will essentially curtail me setting up the layout. I think that not being able to run and test locomotives easily is a real drawback; whilst setting up the layout is doable, it will take up a lot of the lounge and I need to be finishing off various projects in the lounge and kitchen. Therefore, for use over the the next few months </span><span style="text-align: left;">I am going to build a small DCC test track, something that will probably become a micro layout in the fullness of time, but for now it will be something where I can just test the rolling stock that I am finishing off. I have a 5ft Tim Horn scenic box already built for this purpose and I have ordered the track for the project. </span><span style="text-align: left;"> I have a the class 25 to reassemble and check, plus the class 03, a class 122 DMU ready to be weathered and I am also about to start a class 42 warship. Therefore, having a test track to easily set up and test locomotives has become essential and I am looking forward to starting this project tomorrow. So for now a happy new year to everyone and I hope to update this blog with a lot more content and projects in the new year.</span></div>Choppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02510680630387220612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2652107684290894760.post-82941025902281221162023-12-24T06:02:00.000-08:002023-12-24T06:02:06.360-08:00Happy Xmas Everyone!<p style="text-align: justify;">Modelling has been pretty quiet for me over the last 6 months - hence the lack of updates! We have been busy renovating our house - and there is light at the end of the tunnel. I should be able to get my airbrush up and running again over xmas - ready for the new year. I am also optimistic of a little modelling time over the Xmas hols. </p><p>However, until then - I hope everyone has a very merry xmas and lots of train shaped presents!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LsYXrZQ1oMhyAG-N5NuXlSb4YAvDwopohbzfYI8w022_tmUDgeSfgGeQjLkSO_iM0UiR_dVuVJC6W8eb5YQNNKNicM2GN_nXEjKCFOC7eAy1i_7kCASW-tiaGO9vB7CjwgMIpg6I9hAi0WduoZ3dYWueJRMpySHXVY-kb434y1MTjO9iHRbbWMDWKWDH/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202021-02-14%20at%2020.50.02%20(2).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1600" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LsYXrZQ1oMhyAG-N5NuXlSb4YAvDwopohbzfYI8w022_tmUDgeSfgGeQjLkSO_iM0UiR_dVuVJC6W8eb5YQNNKNicM2GN_nXEjKCFOC7eAy1i_7kCASW-tiaGO9vB7CjwgMIpg6I9hAi0WduoZ3dYWueJRMpySHXVY-kb434y1MTjO9iHRbbWMDWKWDH/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202021-02-14%20at%2020.50.02%20(2).jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Choppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02510680630387220612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2652107684290894760.post-73041763379063157792023-07-15T01:47:00.000-07:002023-07-15T01:47:02.652-07:00O Gauge Layout progress.....<p style="text-align: justify;">I have been a bit quiet on updating my blog recently, due to a variety of reasons. There is a lot of renovating on the house going on and this will continue for most of the summer, coupled with a change in my professional life. This is all great news, as come winter I should have plenty of modelling time, which I am really looking forward too. I have numerous kits stashed away to build and a number of locomotives that I really need to get around to detailing, however, I never have enough time! So from November onwards the house will be largely finished and my work commitments will be significantly reduced, freeing up a lot of time to do other things in life. We are about to knock out what is left of the kitchen, rip up the lounge and replace the diner and bathroom. However, before this all begins (and the mess that goes with it!) - I set up the layout in the lounge to really push forward on some of the detailing aspects. There were lots of little niggly thing I just needed to get sorted out before I pressed on with adding some of the detailing elements. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">So to start with the ballasting is all but finished (I have a couple of bits to tidy up today). It was a longish job, but a little bit each evening soon saw completed. I took the opportunity to rectify a few areas of poorly running track in a couple of places whilst gluing in the ballast and everything now runs as it should - fantastic! The points are all free and I cleaned the track and test ran a few locomotives..... The Heljan class 03 was running like a bag of old spanners, so I gave the wheels a good clean and popped it on the track - it spluttered than ran straight off the baseboard onto the hard wooden floor. The class 03 It is a bit of mess now - so there will be a complete rebuild of this locomotive over summer - a very expensive mistake that one.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYPpu3XY8e_yzyHgq18oSaeK85zfEozPHTxPLzplczZYj5b-1FeZft9wwp3gU084n7ZlnOfc1CvBuFeN1xtymHOpJZq26z8GyXfD6DCaL6ucZQmYbYwccr7yh43IFL21yzaxeoN_-2BX4pmDHmLW8wEJYDMhKiVHf8rLbzHmmhiEwRdkSZd4rQhoAL4-Z/s4160/20230712_202346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYPpu3XY8e_yzyHgq18oSaeK85zfEozPHTxPLzplczZYj5b-1FeZft9wwp3gU084n7ZlnOfc1CvBuFeN1xtymHOpJZq26z8GyXfD6DCaL6ucZQmYbYwccr7yh43IFL21yzaxeoN_-2BX4pmDHmLW8wEJYDMhKiVHf8rLbzHmmhiEwRdkSZd4rQhoAL4-Z/s320/20230712_202346.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Completed ballast looking into the platform</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">I have added a small crossing by the platform for people/road vehicles and glued this in. This is just some wooden coffee stirrers and brass wire, suitably weathered. I also used some fine sand to build up the ground level in a handful of places around the layout and this has been glued in.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig65CQ0XT1u_sp1bT1VFvoYpJMjXi3FL57h4tVFvsVVsAgqK15q9LQ2Aw7Qo5AAxF7gBBc74fzSo6greI1GE849umX_uEe0tOyxAoH7AF6DXh6EMqIY161EQToBY9wxPlGsSMxxMLn1o7oRHozE6pU9leR7nMFg5uMA0pa1biNANlqVYfsIS68Y-6aSTju/s4160/20230709_185122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig65CQ0XT1u_sp1bT1VFvoYpJMjXi3FL57h4tVFvsVVsAgqK15q9LQ2Aw7Qo5AAxF7gBBc74fzSo6greI1GE849umX_uEe0tOyxAoH7AF6DXh6EMqIY161EQToBY9wxPlGsSMxxMLn1o7oRHozE6pU9leR7nMFg5uMA0pa1biNANlqVYfsIS68Y-6aSTju/s320/20230709_185122.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Level crossing added at the end of the platform.</i></div><p style="text-align: justify;">I had also been dithering about the tunnel and had made no progress with this. I completed a tunnel mouth last summer, but it is very big. However, I have now decided to bite the bullet and use this - so this has been glued in place. It will need the scenery building up around it when I add in the backscene, but this can be dealt with, when the house renovations are complete. It just about fits across the baseboard - but it is a tight squeeze.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvF1_pxdJP6a6c5aJs2aXIHFXrciF_fwUM3yPntva4l_OsZ7ybF99ayUqYPA0HkFOQxUOe3O4Etyi6xji-CiDJbU8EJk1LKTd23Kn92Os7IDJQyWl9LxCIjBiydALydUe1wSA1_Z3u5vlh_hE0NQki22Iy_ejQnX9-DZD0-anpTAPoU_av0ER6rIx9hAB/s4160/20230715_085018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvF1_pxdJP6a6c5aJs2aXIHFXrciF_fwUM3yPntva4l_OsZ7ybF99ayUqYPA0HkFOQxUOe3O4Etyi6xji-CiDJbU8EJk1LKTd23Kn92Os7IDJQyWl9LxCIjBiydALydUe1wSA1_Z3u5vlh_hE0NQki22Iy_ejQnX9-DZD0-anpTAPoU_av0ER6rIx9hAB/s320/20230715_085018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Tunnel mouth now in place</i>.</div><p style="text-align: justify;">On the quay side I have been building up the water level using coats of PVA glue - this is an attempt to even out what had become a very rough surface and provide a rippling effect for the application of some water gel. This has been largely successful, although there is more to go here, finishing this off. I will get one more coat of PVA on it today, alongside adding in some wooden posts on the quay side. These have been made and will be glued into place later today.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaFO0GMu3i-81uPfAu_8yeTlGSUI9n-bmvD_2OXi0BtheD6Fw11TXAbIOmLW0NjFH037M3QGUunGPbT6FBjDV9BSn9JnqfvCsqIM4OWYKhJuiqQvezk2kQ9IaRglgXFHQSeJPfRygm-Z0p5m2z5sEHfFsxFRoT7jNPDhLult2lBJrS3wuDJGMBV8DXHbU/s4160/20230708_181644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaFO0GMu3i-81uPfAu_8yeTlGSUI9n-bmvD_2OXi0BtheD6Fw11TXAbIOmLW0NjFH037M3QGUunGPbT6FBjDV9BSn9JnqfvCsqIM4OWYKhJuiqQvezk2kQ9IaRglgXFHQSeJPfRygm-Z0p5m2z5sEHfFsxFRoT7jNPDhLult2lBJrS3wuDJGMBV8DXHbU/s320/20230708_181644.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>PVA glue drying off for what will be the quay side. I really like this sort of scene - looking up at the trains as they come into the platform and edge along the estuary</i>.</div><p style="text-align: justify;">Lastly, the buildings for the layout really needed some progress. I recently completed the pub and have made a lot of progress on finishing off the dairy office. I have added the interior detail, popped in some lights, and added the roof. It is now just a question of a little more detailing of the doors and gluing these into place, adding some lead flashing to the roof, then weathering the down the tiles and finishing the guttering. This will be a job for over summer, when I can snatch a moment of modelling time in the evening.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaYZxbZiKjbHhgPpi0nC5W9vlod86R5Kam9AcpP1VOSMMuPZy_smdCEzXF2wQLkKDClCAqgyMPVqQXXqikREnVxkv_sVtHeoSjdiGA0y0FSL_6ky9SODzveCWwBhqdPE9FJoNohYGwW7_elwrlSduZnYfYVxTVdes00IC24EuGcuYJM78T2uewV_hiJQM/s4160/20230702_111421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaYZxbZiKjbHhgPpi0nC5W9vlod86R5Kam9AcpP1VOSMMuPZy_smdCEzXF2wQLkKDClCAqgyMPVqQXXqikREnVxkv_sVtHeoSjdiGA0y0FSL_6ky9SODzveCWwBhqdPE9FJoNohYGwW7_elwrlSduZnYfYVxTVdes00IC24EuGcuYJM78T2uewV_hiJQM/s320/20230702_111421.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Guttering being installed into the dairy office</i>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz629WKhvV1sFjilADxg81w0pWbFEbuImwelVGxNeynQixABO_af6SyBdSuRksXviQzm4nWpohtJxbxRMI0Fg5OnA4MkE-WdkwIenxstrN5f1Kc1ye7SqpVKm6egLATYLFuO0UOOPWg2QmCC5GgCopGMWq-20Mt5M7pWbwO56nkw1D-8VclyS128JOm2KU/s4160/20230703_200954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz629WKhvV1sFjilADxg81w0pWbFEbuImwelVGxNeynQixABO_af6SyBdSuRksXviQzm4nWpohtJxbxRMI0Fg5OnA4MkE-WdkwIenxstrN5f1Kc1ye7SqpVKm6egLATYLFuO0UOOPWg2QmCC5GgCopGMWq-20Mt5M7pWbwO56nkw1D-8VclyS128JOm2KU/s320/20230703_200954.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The interior lights really help bring this model to life</i>.</div><p style="text-align: justify;">So plenty of layout progress, even if it has been in fit and starts; I can now finally see this all coming together. Tomorrow morning I am packing down the layout for the next 2 months or so, whilst we move through the real life house building projects. In the mean time, I intend to build a couple of wagons and continue with the finishing/detailing of the buildings. I also have the Class 03 to rebuild and weather, alongside detailing the Dapol Class 122. In addition, the Class 25 just needs reassembling, then I can start on the detailing of the next locomotive. I have a Hymek, Warship and Western sat in my modelling boxes. It is really fantastic to now have an operational layout, although ideally I also need to get the fiddle yard sorted - being O gauge this will need to be a traverser, as handling these O gauge trains is somewhat tricky. However, I can see that by Christmas, I will have a layout that is largely finished, with a handful of O gauge trains detailed and some kit built rolling stock finished to play with - happy days!</p>Choppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02510680630387220612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2652107684290894760.post-88032975755626703662023-06-16T23:36:00.004-07:002023-06-16T23:36:47.920-07:00An O gauge Pub and a start on the dairy buildings<p style="text-align: justify;">Recently I have decided to finish off a number of projects that were started a while ago, but have subsequently sat around. I am hoping that over summer I can get the layout set up properly and finally finish the ballasting, add in the backscene and do a lot of the detailing projects, i.e. have a usable model railway. Right now, the O gauge layout has stalled somewhat, after moving house and having to install a new kitchen/diner, etc. When I finally get around to setting up the layout, I want to be able to add in some of the buildings and then move relatively quickly into adding small details/scenery around the layout. So to be able to do that I need to get cracking with finishing off some of the buildings.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEightpzJDiNJreCy1fpJrS1N8HPBFWRGzm1wo3Ehi-padFgp83KbwW7tlXVD1luvU_W0gqHE9zbpcc1iJuthC1Z9zxq8LYlZwGkJEMVgVzfEDhS84XrZvexrAShrSdIvsiJJitAkIQV8zUAq3mhbBqVYBUMRYH_pclv0ssp4xfTW1wumscuUbOCPjR9lg/s3947/20230611_171103%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2960" data-original-width="3947" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEightpzJDiNJreCy1fpJrS1N8HPBFWRGzm1wo3Ehi-padFgp83KbwW7tlXVD1luvU_W0gqHE9zbpcc1iJuthC1Z9zxq8LYlZwGkJEMVgVzfEDhS84XrZvexrAShrSdIvsiJJitAkIQV8zUAq3mhbBqVYBUMRYH_pclv0ssp4xfTW1wumscuUbOCPjR9lg/s320/20230611_171103%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2s5yJlDk6BlG6SqBOK-eysprd_2XA3BP0Ae18HS_iQhskLNKDhNVZoYW-Jk6yCKXnd5N2l7mvs7zFSf9ysQE5IL674vWv3f3ullxcTQgiP1YTmGQwfXNlUznQ5jaJwmusKIprnZmMjBj50p1k6NbnbJFrJ9lhi-XBzQXPrlxh_bNVxy2z4GYLNvjiQ/s4160/20230611_171126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2s5yJlDk6BlG6SqBOK-eysprd_2XA3BP0Ae18HS_iQhskLNKDhNVZoYW-Jk6yCKXnd5N2l7mvs7zFSf9ysQE5IL674vWv3f3ullxcTQgiP1YTmGQwfXNlUznQ5jaJwmusKIprnZmMjBj50p1k6NbnbJFrJ9lhi-XBzQXPrlxh_bNVxy2z4GYLNvjiQ/s320/20230611_171126.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Finally finished the pub - now I just need to set it within a 'scene' on the layout.</i></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The pub has been an ongoing project, having been close to finished for a while. Some final bits and bobs needed to be added, such as a few piece of guttering and a bit of painting here and there. The basis for the model is a Petite Properties kit and this was first my attempt at producing a model building like this. I have learnt quite a bit from doing it, especially that sanding down Polyfilla goes everywhere! However, it has turned out OK and I can see how I can improve the overall finish on subsequent models. I have installed some lights in the pub and it has a fitted interior. Modelling in O gauge does provide the opportunity to install lights/interiors as features of model buildings and quite a few of the buildings will have lighting installed.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoNr2AF5-zjYF6ZHBThOY5ehYtZ8-sALhyCRISDyTdcYghy44xrzjCuyRtfp7MpmVo3SDfZ2IIA1r7PaHnWqB2gvSM9LSEDIvSK01BVTU7DukTB9FR0czMN79E7MA6vHYUdSh5LKxIkMlN0NR_yVhvgiRwZiblTxmJHdA_AWSWXOCAqYpu6oW4QuZFA/s4160/20220501_093921331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoNr2AF5-zjYF6ZHBThOY5ehYtZ8-sALhyCRISDyTdcYghy44xrzjCuyRtfp7MpmVo3SDfZ2IIA1r7PaHnWqB2gvSM9LSEDIvSK01BVTU7DukTB9FR0czMN79E7MA6vHYUdSh5LKxIkMlN0NR_yVhvgiRwZiblTxmJHdA_AWSWXOCAqYpu6oW4QuZFA/s320/20220501_093921331.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hL-z2mOt1X6RsfSSM2jTLJVM3rRTTKS1ocLXK1_XBwjba1RN4t5IiMfPCfx23TPcC2xgusVZRdoyck6eyqypzABVErgZf1eZIoDdOOiuniA-uUWG1EUpzJSRj_T1dWXQtb1cCHBhOdfBHQhbNGuC8uRlI5oTBquCTjcc-RSsN2CycewbS_csFnakEA/s4160/20220501_093940635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hL-z2mOt1X6RsfSSM2jTLJVM3rRTTKS1ocLXK1_XBwjba1RN4t5IiMfPCfx23TPcC2xgusVZRdoyck6eyqypzABVErgZf1eZIoDdOOiuniA-uUWG1EUpzJSRj_T1dWXQtb1cCHBhOdfBHQhbNGuC8uRlI5oTBquCTjcc-RSsN2CycewbS_csFnakEA/s320/20220501_093940635.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The pub has working lights and the local landlady visible. She is well known to the locals......</i></div></i><p style="text-align: justify;">With the pub finished I am now detailing one of the dairy buildings and make a proper start on painting the Quay masters cottage. After this I have the second dairy building to do, that will sit on the top of the dairy platform at the end of the layout. If I can get these bits knocked off in the next few weeks then I can really make a start with some of the basic detailing elements over the summer (once the kitchen has been installed anyhow!). The other big job, is to sort out a tunnel exit - I have now purchased two tunnel kits and neither of them fit the bill, so I am just going to have a go at scratch building something - fingers crossed. I need something smaller for the end of the layout - as the purchased tunnels are just too wide. The other thing I am planning to do relatively soon is install the water scene on the quay - I am going to buy some AK interactive water gel and give this a try - although I plan to do some experimenting first.....</p>Choppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02510680630387220612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2652107684290894760.post-64342125888190705482023-06-02T23:58:00.003-07:002023-06-02T23:58:35.498-07:00Another O gauge wagon - Slaters 12T standard van<p style="text-align: justify;">Who knows where the time has gone in the last few months - life has been really busy and modelling time has been somewhat limited. The little modelling time I have had, has been spent building some wagons very slowly in the evenings and the odd spray painting session with the airbrush. I currently have a couple of wagons nearly built in O and OO gauge, and a couple of O gauge wagons nearing completion in the paint box. My biggest challenge right now is to focus on the finishing of some ongoing projects on the O gauge layout, particularly some rolling stock, alongside finishing off some of the basic scenery detailing and buildings. I have far too many projects half finished and I would like to move at least some of these to the finished pile.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">One project that has been ticked off and is now finished is a Slaters 12T box van. My first Slaters kit took me about 6 years to get around to finishing. This 12T van was the second one I did, started in 2020, so a mere 3 years later it is finished. Undoubtedly, I have now become more used to Slaters kits and can get a really good build from them - they are great kits, but they do require a bit of time and patience. This van was painted with Railmatch paints via the airbrush and had Railtec transfers applied. All good and another one finished for the layout. The next one of these I do, I will be a little more adventurous with the painting of the body, adding some in some different coloured planking, however for now this finish is fine.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYW1pvIRAMbDqWhuwYuVVSIsp1OVf2DGh9oiIC7y1myXKTSbDOH77guehjjBBT0pfEISkPkNbAQ2i2yj8IOS_ptM56ri7VWnOzGut5boHjcV5faUQ0kOtJBXkJt8wgVHT_oa949srhXqijp8WIV7nvfG63e70CdnD9FAsAtRgSEMIhqxvtHmpOs-o7A/s4160/20230531_161824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYW1pvIRAMbDqWhuwYuVVSIsp1OVf2DGh9oiIC7y1myXKTSbDOH77guehjjBBT0pfEISkPkNbAQ2i2yj8IOS_ptM56ri7VWnOzGut5boHjcV5faUQ0kOtJBXkJt8wgVHT_oa949srhXqijp8WIV7nvfG63e70CdnD9FAsAtRgSEMIhqxvtHmpOs-o7A/s320/20230531_161824.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Finished 12T standard van - the rolling stock for the layout is slowly getting built......</i></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">The layout has made slow (non) progress in recent months, with only a little ballasting being finished. I am still mulling over the tunnel exit and likewise the landscaping at the end of the layout. This all needs a little more thinking about, so next steps are to finish the ballasting nd get the tunnel mouth and embankment at the end of the layout sorted. Once this is done, I can get the backscene in and really start cracking on with the detailing.</span></p>Choppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02510680630387220612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2652107684290894760.post-25835009091740154232023-04-19T00:03:00.001-07:002023-04-19T00:03:31.754-07:00Heljan O gauge class 25 - dcc sound - nearing completion<p style="text-align: justify;">This week I managed to sit down and tackle the install of the class 25 ESU Loksound XL decoder into the class 25. This locomotive has been sat in the paint boxes since last summer, but over the last couple of months I have made a concerted effort to move this model towards completion. One of the big stumbling blocks was the fitting of the DCC sound chip - in OO gauge this is the most simple of tasks - take off the backing plate and put the new chip in - solder up a speaker and you are good to go. In O gauge this was a slightly more daunting task.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYL9XZx3MngyMs4TMPfwJ-xVRpYrBEXk_elwphlrXxGu8dU1EkMgwkYexDXNRRd1rmn0TSFSwglstdQTGBEF2jmgKh6OU8_ulWU_AYZcYXw7PlQkA27HY5HwJz47TH7LtF3NkTNP_7xaK-cHLf5JDCQY3s2q11UTeSkSsT-BLIXcPUWhfiRDDytFA-2Q/s4160/20220605_165216261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYL9XZx3MngyMs4TMPfwJ-xVRpYrBEXk_elwphlrXxGu8dU1EkMgwkYexDXNRRd1rmn0TSFSwglstdQTGBEF2jmgKh6OU8_ulWU_AYZcYXw7PlQkA27HY5HwJz47TH7LtF3NkTNP_7xaK-cHLf5JDCQY3s2q11UTeSkSsT-BLIXcPUWhfiRDDytFA-2Q/s320/20220605_165216261.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The factory finished bodyshell - note the end glazing is out - but the side glazing has been left in. I could not get the side glazing out without damaging the body shell.</i></div><p style="text-align: justify;">The class 25 from Heljan has come in for loads of criticism on internet forums - mainly to do with a perceived error in the cab end. When I got my version (about 6 years ago now) I was worried that the model was inaccurate (O gauge locomotives are not cheap!) - however, since taking it all apart I think it is a cracking model. A bit of detailing on the body and the model really comes to life. So progress so far has been to spray and then varnish the body shell - this weathering was applied on top of the BR blue factory finish, using streaks of faded blue, before building up the weathering coats. I found the glazing a nightmare to get out, so I ended up leaving some of it in place - however before I finished varnishing I removed the masking from the glazing - to blend the model together. This was a big mistake, as the glazing reacted with the thinners in the varnish and clouded over - I have tried to correct this with a little acrylic varnish, which has been partially successful - I guess it is all learning! The glazing now looks OK - although the original glue used by Heljan for the glazing is noticeable on the factory finished model (see above). Likewise, the underframe had the bogies removed and was weathered separately to the bogies before reassembly.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghueZYEdLCDaakHELZYpgoj7GVvs4EDIXQFvRgaImEslbLFQXx4JWG4Jw5q18zSnwYGwSMGy6FiXDO8txwd1CJLpCB_DnSBcoqooEX2ClP1IRsngZvPPbtCqf3yMqBlNE0RP8lpryoXbXAWwwUnDQAB3yGexSNfRD_Vhn_F2ES9kKRJbBozd6N-DIqcQ/s4160/20230416_172049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghueZYEdLCDaakHELZYpgoj7GVvs4EDIXQFvRgaImEslbLFQXx4JWG4Jw5q18zSnwYGwSMGy6FiXDO8txwd1CJLpCB_DnSBcoqooEX2ClP1IRsngZvPPbtCqf3yMqBlNE0RP8lpryoXbXAWwwUnDQAB3yGexSNfRD_Vhn_F2ES9kKRJbBozd6N-DIqcQ/s320/20230416_172049.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Weathered</i></span><i> body shell - note the streaks of faded BR blue - it is all finished with a satin varnish. Also note the clouded windows after reacting with the thinners in the varnish - this has now been partially cured.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLmZUkfIWqZKu3Ooo9c1Km-G5HSFgkb6Rq9NUTa3R-XtjF_baR4ZiTUjHY3A24ZyLzrMZtMidy2sUZMyQSwnTjABWU5AOuFyBFMo94fr_8LUXH7mVvHYUvLidvNclnuFYj9DPLNtZg_goTLcjihT6IN0iFPOY20UZ6Qr9Apo3u6txl31KuVq5gtCNcA/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-11-06%20at%2010.22.11.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLmZUkfIWqZKu3Ooo9c1Km-G5HSFgkb6Rq9NUTa3R-XtjF_baR4ZiTUjHY3A24ZyLzrMZtMidy2sUZMyQSwnTjABWU5AOuFyBFMo94fr_8LUXH7mVvHYUvLidvNclnuFYj9DPLNtZg_goTLcjihT6IN0iFPOY20UZ6Qr9Apo3u6txl31KuVq5gtCNcA/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-11-06%20at%2010.22.11.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The finished underframe, prior to the DCC chip install</i>.</div><p style="text-align: justify;">With the body only now needing the final reassembly (a job for later this week/next week) I managed to fit the DCC sound chip yesterday. Not knowing what I was doing meant that it was quite a long job. In the end through it all works - I wired in the track feeds and the motor connections first. After this I added the headlights to the front light / rear light terminals, whilst putting the tail lights on the Aux1 and Aux2. All the lights on the Heljan locomotive work through a common positive and these were all wired through U+, via a 10KOhm resistor. It took some time to get it done - whilst watching some You Tube tutorials (thank god for Hither Green!) - as I had to work out quite what I was doing alongside testing it as I went. Of course the biggest concern was getting it wrong the blowing the chip up - luckily this did not happen!! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtd9CZFKVn37eikyrqpqR2h7vFJ3m2-IKtQshu_GVakkAggKh38vMMjXGZf3_Hjgb-FWK_eiZXjvso8A_IPPIpV9BcVymoLc-VFGx5NdwArdFocuq_oRIterOhJy5OrRUwQJt9VDDIxcNXYK2-BPvpJ2WNKZnwfFXH2b8yGh6JID50j2B2TK5Kze9Sg/s1483/20230418_173415%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1112" data-original-width="1483" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtd9CZFKVn37eikyrqpqR2h7vFJ3m2-IKtQshu_GVakkAggKh38vMMjXGZf3_Hjgb-FWK_eiZXjvso8A_IPPIpV9BcVymoLc-VFGx5NdwArdFocuq_oRIterOhJy5OrRUwQJt9VDDIxcNXYK2-BPvpJ2WNKZnwfFXH2b8yGh6JID50j2B2TK5Kze9Sg/s320/20230418_173415%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Wired up DCC chip - with the common positive U+ resistor feed yet to be placed in its terminal. The track feeds and motor are to the left of the chip, whilst the lights and Aux functions are on the right.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: justify;">So jobs for this week are to reassemble the body shell by adding in the glazing, put the roof fan back (it is now non motorised), put on the headcodes (Railtec) and then finally reattach to the chassis. The underframe needs the DCC chip secured alongside making a small plasticard cradle for the speaker, which will then be glued to the chassis block. Fingers crossed that it should not take too long to achieve this and then hopefully I will have finished my first O gauge locomotive. Lots of lessons learnt about how to handle O gauge locomotives whilst weathering them, removing glazing, masking, installing the DCC chip after removing the PCB board - so hopefully this will stand me in good stead fr future projects.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwZQ797FzHe0LrS5JtxsH6DuvYSHxeSO7He7WCOz0Uw7DSMJdcgk_F2Za5tN42zlVyBMIwixRxJwck1L_p_3g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>And it all works (somehow!!!!!!)</i></div>Choppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02510680630387220612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2652107684290894760.post-66296965335725583902023-04-07T00:34:00.002-07:002023-04-07T01:28:54.311-07:00An O gauge Heljan catfish wagon and some other bits and bobs!<p style="text-align: justify;">We are still bedding into the new place, with plenty of work to do on the house. However, the really crazy time of moving and unpacking has largely subsided and I have had more free time to model in the evenings. I have also had the airbrush up and running and managed to do some painting - this has certainly helped gain some momentum with a few projects. Having taken stock of what projects I currently have on the go, I decided I really needed to focus on a few projects t get them over the line. So this weekend is going to be dedicated to finishing a few items of rolling stock and buildings for the O gauge layout, which I can hopefully set up next weekend for some detailing.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwP0sSl5LUnWi2nZ2kOhlrZv8rxA4HQzLWfZW2MiDGKr5SaQdgvI5H6xxKI8VbPk8T-Gs3HtU_UVR1WvgIqK9f_81Aymy_ohOJzC7K_iLzAREUBkgyWtaOxW3itEMW2FjN8Vou90fYB7HLCwGw8k_PHR7E_8al0Odp2UZWAs7tTyoIJc7z5p-uYi8hA/s2048/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-04-05%20at%2018.18.24%20(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwP0sSl5LUnWi2nZ2kOhlrZv8rxA4HQzLWfZW2MiDGKr5SaQdgvI5H6xxKI8VbPk8T-Gs3HtU_UVR1WvgIqK9f_81Aymy_ohOJzC7K_iLzAREUBkgyWtaOxW3itEMW2FjN8Vou90fYB7HLCwGw8k_PHR7E_8al0Odp2UZWAs7tTyoIJc7z5p-uYi8hA/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-04-05%20at%2018.18.24%20(1).jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Weathered catfish wagon ready for the layout</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: justify;">So the first project I finished this week is some pretty standard weathering of a Heljan catfish wagon. This wagon is in olive green livery and served as a test bed for weathering/detailing rtr stock in O gauge, alongside the Dapol fruit van I recently finished. The weathering was pretty simply applied, being two shades of rust, followed by various shades of sleeper grime, weathered black and frame dirt, etc. It was all done via an airbrush using Railmatch enamels. I feel reasonably happy with it, although the final finish could have been further developed, such as fading out the olive livery, etc. I have another Heljan dogfish to weather soon, and have ordered a sealion wagon and shark brake van - so the engineering O gauge train is slowly taking shape. There are some other wagons to add to this mix, such as a lowmac, various spoil wagons and probably another dogfish, but these kits are yet to be purchased or built!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzWX6yTwAhDr19aoahhkjYwJMZ8-Obn2Lzud6PTQ_FWc18tMEmhkQWIOHscav_jUr98wbNNgldiLh_IspDYwLOiO7ed93E0n_En_Uo5zur3bC3hTkDT3iaAJu39Fk0MrSA4Yp9JrmZv7W5vgZ4EHhn4ummQMa9XJkkU4iSW9OHsVZBCyw2Fid04C6RA/s2048/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-04-05%20at%2018.18.24%20(3).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzWX6yTwAhDr19aoahhkjYwJMZ8-Obn2Lzud6PTQ_FWc18tMEmhkQWIOHscav_jUr98wbNNgldiLh_IspDYwLOiO7ed93E0n_En_Uo5zur3bC3hTkDT3iaAJu39Fk0MrSA4Yp9JrmZv7W5vgZ4EHhn4ummQMa9XJkkU4iSW9OHsVZBCyw2Fid04C6RA/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-04-05%20at%2018.18.24%20(3).jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Other end of the finished catfish wagon.</i></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">Other projects in the paint box include a nearly finished class 25 - which just needs two more coats of varnish and then it is ready for reassembly/dcc fitting, plus a 12t box van ready for transfers. So hopefully there are a couple of other projects I can finish over the weekend. On the modelling desk is a partially constructed Slaters lowfit wagon and I have made a very slow start on the first of the O gauge milk tankers, which I am really looking forward to constructing. Finally the O gauge buildings of the pub, dairy office and quay masters cottage really need to be finished off, so this week I am going to spend some time on getting them done to. Plenty to be getting on with anyhow and a little bit of free time to spend on these projects!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxTyNSMCzwTZfs1e91Wwx5fcsCGe4INMjKK52Jf_16own0lTIZhW3khDQB9_0eeqKCRgJyWRDibTyJhNrugPNCm2njBf0oWKG3GbmOIAZCoN7NlQeYrW5fmmebAxqN45K770XiuyYbc_2hv--OTuwSSHR-iv16lS-KqHKGQD_64PrPi5W_ELCKQz_1g/s4160/20230403_194349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxTyNSMCzwTZfs1e91Wwx5fcsCGe4INMjKK52Jf_16own0lTIZhW3khDQB9_0eeqKCRgJyWRDibTyJhNrugPNCm2njBf0oWKG3GbmOIAZCoN7NlQeYrW5fmmebAxqN45K770XiuyYbc_2hv--OTuwSSHR-iv16lS-KqHKGQD_64PrPi5W_ELCKQz_1g/s320/20230403_194349.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Partially constructed Slaters lowfit wagon</i>.</div>Choppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02510680630387220612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2652107684290894760.post-87865596796973884092023-03-26T01:15:00.007-07:002023-03-26T01:15:48.595-07:00Slaters O Gauge Conflat<p style="text-align: justify;">Well the last few years have been pretty hectic with moving around - we have moved again and it is our 3rd home in 3 years. However - the best news is - this is our forever home - or at least our very, very long term home. The bad news about this move is that - my time has been sucked away into house repairs almost continually! This has left little time for modelling. The other very bad news about the house move from a modelling perspective, is that although I have lots of opportunity for a modelling room - I do not currently have a room where I can operate my layouts. This is limiting layout progress, so I am currently focusing on building some wagons.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsA-abE6m5cMfqxQzIywNbGB2GEWiTyI-HJPOXir92MEixQ7m-5el3A5QAyznnZk2IU9ywRu1wRiKKi4E4cD7URvLio_wmiVZR9n3iFcTWdhObhfB1Pd5VSGhcHzi-xquB1lB_ou4mZgfM2mHgYUl7BmnzukTMItdHc-VXAq7_7yLWQHgkueJndBDXA/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-03-18%20at%2007.54.00.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsA-abE6m5cMfqxQzIywNbGB2GEWiTyI-HJPOXir92MEixQ7m-5el3A5QAyznnZk2IU9ywRu1wRiKKi4E4cD7URvLio_wmiVZR9n3iFcTWdhObhfB1Pd5VSGhcHzi-xquB1lB_ou4mZgfM2mHgYUl7BmnzukTMItdHc-VXAq7_7yLWQHgkueJndBDXA/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-03-18%20at%2007.54.00.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Built Conflat A ready for painting</i>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOSgQ--o6qgbMrmwZxDLhguswDYF5SaZZxmhqI1_C-7UYOWA7g-ss6XKhcDl20LX5ArlVlZHtS5ErWMEoEbe0tdAfU1UU09HEohiWfxNbN45WrB3t2oZP-0IyTtoKVIBmEYyNMDCzRzlY7HG1PYn682_9bdMoejTnADWTncBkWZ71U30gcLC4YfuwMw/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-03-18%20at%2007.54.01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOSgQ--o6qgbMrmwZxDLhguswDYF5SaZZxmhqI1_C-7UYOWA7g-ss6XKhcDl20LX5ArlVlZHtS5ErWMEoEbe0tdAfU1UU09HEohiWfxNbN45WrB3t2oZP-0IyTtoKVIBmEYyNMDCzRzlY7HG1PYn682_9bdMoejTnADWTncBkWZ71U30gcLC4YfuwMw/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-03-18%20at%2007.54.01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The latest off the workbench is a Slaters Conflat A wagon. This wagon has pretty terrible instructions - and the break gear is a nightmare to assemble, as shown in the picture instructions. I pretty much had to rebuild the wagon underframe part way through - which was a bit of pain, but finally it has been finished off. I am now building a Slaters Lowfit wagon and I am trying to assemble the brake gear first, before gluing the completed assembly to the wagon - I think this will work a lot better.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEM_i9hUpJ_Aaa-UYBNzIacx79bwpqSeXSaTHQm7Mce9nj7oRYyBce1ifHhsnFA7RZnUpzmB4-V9NJVwTWbJpaFAwvY-NdrhMaUhQzNhcDen5E353IQZtoX5UMa3F4Za691gW0elAw_KiLk5hcrWVJvvrTumRWysKM21kIyZXqrIYFVl3KmLfqzq-Kqw/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-03-18%20at%2007.54.01%20(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEM_i9hUpJ_Aaa-UYBNzIacx79bwpqSeXSaTHQm7Mce9nj7oRYyBce1ifHhsnFA7RZnUpzmB4-V9NJVwTWbJpaFAwvY-NdrhMaUhQzNhcDen5E353IQZtoX5UMa3F4Za691gW0elAw_KiLk5hcrWVJvvrTumRWysKM21kIyZXqrIYFVl3KmLfqzq-Kqw/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-03-18%20at%2007.54.01%20(1).jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The completed underframe of the Conflat A wagon</i>.</div><p style="text-align: justify;">Alongside the Conflat A/Lowfit I have been tinkering with a Parkside Fruit D in OO gauge. This will be onw of the final wagons to go in my engineering olive green train. It is interesting how small I am finding the OO gauge wagons now - they are tiny in comparison to the O gauge stuff. I think that once I have finished the detailing on Pottington Quay - I might solely focus on O gauge - as I am finding it a much more enjoyable scale to model in. However - I will keep the Pottington Quay layout for running trains in OO gage as I have previously finished off so many trains and kits! There has also been a little painting going on recently - the O gauge class 25 is nearly completion, amongst other projects - so some little slow, but steady progress.</p>Choppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02510680630387220612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2652107684290894760.post-75309979718508722982023-01-02T11:41:00.001-08:002023-01-02T11:41:21.323-08:00Pottington Quay - the new layout and a modelling new year!<p style="text-align: justify;">I hope everybody has had a fantastic xmas and I wish you all well for the new year. Over the xmas period, alongside eating way to much and doing a lot of great walking, I have made a lot of progress on the Pottington Quay OO gauge layout, amongst other modelling projects. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I initially spent some time building the curved baseboards that I ordered from Tim Horn last year (obviously they were awesome and went together like a dream). After this, I aligned the curved boards to the pre-existing Pottington Quay scenic board and built a simple straight fiddle yard board (Tim Horn again). I then laid and soldered the track down for a continuous run. This was a pretty simple wire up and three points have been installed on the fiddle yard and one on the scenic section. These are now ready to lay down the track for the fiddle yard sidings and quay front, but I did not manage to get that far over the xmas holiday. What has been awesome was to plug in the NCE powercab and just run some trains on the loop - it is amazing how different it is to operate the trains on the continuous run instead of the terminus to fiddle yard as per the Charlton layout. For a start - many of the trains had a much lower top speed than I anticipated. Secondly, the way you have to drive the trains is quite different, notching up and then easing the power off - all good fun - but it will take some time to learn how to operate it all properly.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdPyA5UC-FM7ctpxUABjYTe75LUAhF1KxIk8t_acJuoS-GDAX26-iexC9tGg19rfA3GXa9Ua9OAHNvsVqDYb_D4NSmN-yh7nwY6Xq7IgQQDefCz3RZ0Xs84ZGKtrpP36eq9xg8z6GvRRmjq1Ls4hV4t5j9bjZc_Hf5ikb0gQsbOTb9n79p5EtN_PXTg/s2048/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-01-02%20at%2017.57.54%20(2).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdPyA5UC-FM7ctpxUABjYTe75LUAhF1KxIk8t_acJuoS-GDAX26-iexC9tGg19rfA3GXa9Ua9OAHNvsVqDYb_D4NSmN-yh7nwY6Xq7IgQQDefCz3RZ0Xs84ZGKtrpP36eq9xg8z6GvRRmjq1Ls4hV4t5j9bjZc_Hf5ikb0gQsbOTb9n79p5EtN_PXTg/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-01-02%20at%2017.57.54%20(2).jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Curved end of the coninuous run.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7LNyUW41K8Yn7OyK4G5xBFpFK4M6SzN5CAyb9OqNU4K-f-LmW-Tl8RCkPknRFcfePhySZP8OPkUnOHuPqgjDhKT5yxuqtnRX9I0c3IJOZoVZLjMrMKafFwWFtTcVpx7ug4nMxUcywFrbgoP-7WJLaYPQq9itZ_Uzzx7Zx4I1IjmfQbDilFGzSkR4YA/s2048/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-01-02%20at%2017.57.51.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7LNyUW41K8Yn7OyK4G5xBFpFK4M6SzN5CAyb9OqNU4K-f-LmW-Tl8RCkPknRFcfePhySZP8OPkUnOHuPqgjDhKT5yxuqtnRX9I0c3IJOZoVZLjMrMKafFwWFtTcVpx7ug4nMxUcywFrbgoP-7WJLaYPQq9itZ_Uzzx7Zx4I1IjmfQbDilFGzSkR4YA/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-01-02%20at%2017.57.51.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The main scenic board for Pottington Quay</i>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKuyKaVf9XMTOuRPkEWkxpleNcdDR7M0V10m36Yu-7HOp5WO7xl2bNVMO-NB9uyIn4TM9Ed69mmqs3_VImZIpYW80PsNqZ39gVra2fW3wcVbUcNcSTQFwHNEw3HLfxd9_XvI6cvz84QUeOdmNzlmXhdrnExY27rJMYhhwLEeii6VzB18gAy1Q3_2uVQ/s2048/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-01-02%20at%2017.57.51%20(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKuyKaVf9XMTOuRPkEWkxpleNcdDR7M0V10m36Yu-7HOp5WO7xl2bNVMO-NB9uyIn4TM9Ed69mmqs3_VImZIpYW80PsNqZ39gVra2fW3wcVbUcNcSTQFwHNEw3HLfxd9_XvI6cvz84QUeOdmNzlmXhdrnExY27rJMYhhwLEeii6VzB18gAy1Q3_2uVQ/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-01-02%20at%2017.57.51%20(1).jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The class 45 speeds through Pottington Quay</i>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsrwYoZX9FGVOU6IkbJnzL-SGIPB6HQB_6t_pzLknXRPNsWNKkEjHsVUd7td3aIc6RHXeEDsrniwtxIFhRWBFLRq600TwbHfDDBHL-bXboHuaAMjoI7_Pu7iobWj1zLEIohsx6jmwoyIto8VlX1RIGsM9EQtjfnPR-9j8WGfi3PxiO_eeHO6vSxhqIA/s2048/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-01-02%20at%2017.57.45%20(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsrwYoZX9FGVOU6IkbJnzL-SGIPB6HQB_6t_pzLknXRPNsWNKkEjHsVUd7td3aIc6RHXeEDsrniwtxIFhRWBFLRq600TwbHfDDBHL-bXboHuaAMjoI7_Pu7iobWj1zLEIohsx6jmwoyIto8VlX1RIGsM9EQtjfnPR-9j8WGfi3PxiO_eeHO6vSxhqIA/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-01-02%20at%2017.57.45%20(1).jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The full extent of the scenic board.....this might be extended</i>.</div><p></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;">Alongside building the OO gauge layout, I have paint stripped the O Gauge SPV and Dapol milk tanker (that is another blog post in its own right) and I also stripped the paint on an OO gauge CCT and PMV. These are all now pretty cleaned up, partially rebuilt and are now ready for re-entering the paintshop. T</span><span style="text-align: center;">he platform has also been rebuilt on Pottington Quay and likewise this now needs some repainting.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyxak4Ep7buqzACjng3ZHZFc6yPdIvG-mvfCAInH9y02VMcjsHR1B1u3SGUPFBT1FhpHBy1BlaVs1lc7fdXfQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Class 45 leaving Pottington Quay</i>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx-HoMzpmwrTyOAP0lIadYRt0M6hUJz8Oas6YCwj8zzZ_ZT15cCAB9hMzB_arUenRkV5QwG5n-Totnb4LoNCA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Class 25 bringing in a passenger service</i>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyFbl7logDKiwN-gXfnVzPSP0w3uWiwkyjHHrHYZkny1DA1x1OJTkXQ6z2q1XsKrPpysACVWzuXqk8ynf6iVw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Well it is dark, as a warship speeds through!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="text-align: justify;">So at the start of January what does the modelling year hold for me? Well initially we are about to move to our forever home early next month - this will be a real relief after several years of hopping around. Once we are moved in there is a lot of decorating to do. This will take up a lot of time. However, after the initial burst of sorting out the house, I have a summer of modelling planned. I have an O gauge layout and an OO gauge layout to finish and that is the goal this year, alongside getting back on the exhibition circuit. I have a drawer full of model wagons to build, alongside Warships, Westerns and Hymeks to detail and sound chip in both O and OO gauge! So I have plenty to do and an exciting year of modelling planned.</span><p></p>Choppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02510680630387220612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2652107684290894760.post-67140395891208408432022-12-24T23:53:00.001-08:002022-12-24T23:53:08.804-08:00Happy Christmas one and all<p> A happy Christmas to everyone!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJh8RaDsyuU0dYjvf_Go5D9iJZGqzTH5R_U7fndoomXroxn-gNREN7o8CnoAZBfAL5nV6OJMdxt93gU7FxD1aRCvLGfwJsxFjvr_HVQ1eN7-LVLEE3EQdnKJcOveT6qHJ9xBqZ_njownaJMsZ3I8bSE-GDCTfeJXLJuPYM2WzC1KAVC00jr15Nkw-8AA/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202021-02-14%20at%2020.50.02%20(3).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1600" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJh8RaDsyuU0dYjvf_Go5D9iJZGqzTH5R_U7fndoomXroxn-gNREN7o8CnoAZBfAL5nV6OJMdxt93gU7FxD1aRCvLGfwJsxFjvr_HVQ1eN7-LVLEE3EQdnKJcOveT6qHJ9xBqZ_njownaJMsZ3I8bSE-GDCTfeJXLJuPYM2WzC1KAVC00jr15Nkw-8AA/w409-h184/WhatsApp%20Image%202021-02-14%20at%2020.50.02%20(3).jpeg" width="409" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Choppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02510680630387220612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2652107684290894760.post-11284779613753289422022-12-18T01:46:00.001-08:002022-12-18T01:46:39.667-08:00Superstrip 2 - revisiting some old wagons<div style="text-align: justify;">With Christmas looming, I finally have some time to indulge in modelling. I have been craving some dedicated modelling time and it feels great to finally be able to get stuck into some projects. The current main task is to finish building the baseboards for the continuous OO gauge loop. I have built one of the five boards I need, so later today I hope to get another 1 or 2 finished off. The aim is to be track laying and soldering by Wednesday and to be operational by Thursday - but lets see. In the meantime I have got the airbrush up and running again and have put a little bit of paint on a couple of wagons and the class 25. My other big task at the moment is to paint strip some wagons. The first of these is an O gauge Parkside SPV. I managed to make a real mess of the transfers when I did this wagon originally and tried to hide the poor transfers with some weathering. The wagon never ran that well anyhow, so it has been stripped and washed, and I will start to clean it up later today and sort out the running issues.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jpvWKMVg7Js4wIb6gFC13PlH6z_XmVHzVKqxKhNSKhEmGnsthJFaMBjW31lymEMsKpJJ00LrwHxcmXk5Hicq8xSZ1D-t95Zwv5m0OXXrdJuYSHz_S7_xuVGID7gBVVqqtQjEv5m8_W-Tt9oRn8RxHtcHZx0n3QYOajVuPZg_flEaFQ71ajdf_nlkpA/s2048/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-12-18%20at%2008.15.47%20(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jpvWKMVg7Js4wIb6gFC13PlH6z_XmVHzVKqxKhNSKhEmGnsthJFaMBjW31lymEMsKpJJ00LrwHxcmXk5Hicq8xSZ1D-t95Zwv5m0OXXrdJuYSHz_S7_xuVGID7gBVVqqtQjEv5m8_W-Tt9oRn8RxHtcHZx0n3QYOajVuPZg_flEaFQ71ajdf_nlkpA/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-12-18%20at%2008.15.47%20(1).jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Original paint finish on the SPV, which I then tested out some weathering pencils on.....</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaieYgyy-yGqwlMgacntqVyi7PxNdqksGzOQs4-cB49PLbtl3lqoJOBkqk4SvKo07vr6ZXqQvsghi7wTf5_vOrIwY4sk3RqMK4MmN9jS0BmdipXAw_EnTubRtqq8v7Orp7vmqIZwUdmYUCaC7oigPnfVH4Dcv8r0RbciME1rR0XBloNvdD5mefO3-yIA/s2048/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-12-18%20at%2008.15.48%20(2).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaieYgyy-yGqwlMgacntqVyi7PxNdqksGzOQs4-cB49PLbtl3lqoJOBkqk4SvKo07vr6ZXqQvsghi7wTf5_vOrIwY4sk3RqMK4MmN9jS0BmdipXAw_EnTubRtqq8v7Orp7vmqIZwUdmYUCaC7oigPnfVH4Dcv8r0RbciME1rR0XBloNvdD5mefO3-yIA/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-12-18%20at%2008.15.48%20(2).jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Now stripped and ready for repainting.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The next two wagons are both OO gauge; a Parkside CCT and PMV, which I built and painted years ago. These were amongst the first wagons I finished when I had my first airbrush. I was delighted with them at the time, but on reflection they could be significantly improved, so after at least 12 years or so, they are in the paint stripper. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9aXG0HK_ZTef0veVsXCFbzOGhk7k2_-ZKCskJf_5zwRXyLuRka_xELMVXEBr9niy7BuGkkWvrTzv9xk__sCDDVb3oA9DM8NVRWP3krQkvbtHYpjKAPVD5B-rqVpqigjXW_6tSxn-7XqW95xH_Oye0Bt2WJpCRQ_uYmfMD-fY68mf-bfU5nKOj5UPHQ/s2048/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-12-18%20at%2009.00.38.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9aXG0HK_ZTef0veVsXCFbzOGhk7k2_-ZKCskJf_5zwRXyLuRka_xELMVXEBr9niy7BuGkkWvrTzv9xk__sCDDVb3oA9DM8NVRWP3krQkvbtHYpjKAPVD5B-rqVpqigjXW_6tSxn-7XqW95xH_Oye0Bt2WJpCRQ_uYmfMD-fY68mf-bfU5nKOj5UPHQ/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-12-18%20at%2009.00.38.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The CCT and PMV in the paint stripper</i>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lastly, I recently purchased an O gauge Dapol milk tanker. The factory finish paint job on this wagon was very thick, with a noticeable seam on the body side. I tried to file this away and then blend it in with some weathering, but I am not happy with it. So instead I am going to go for a full repaint - this will head into the Superstrip bath this evening.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFsCawf0ndGFOIyzEzYAACOsBWaAmFPI21bwfSF0UHgOPVvEROu6U3w7RK5DG8i3KQLN-qO9zz8iDhjumCkfwOs_X7GZl78-S_g0c7ObZeVAKhwxHA-fQ43v0Oc6qRywFX7sA77btTKegzFNbSMa6ncogthdCiZXj_ywi0za2_ivlG75qSAUBng7seA/s4160/20220605_121017637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFsCawf0ndGFOIyzEzYAACOsBWaAmFPI21bwfSF0UHgOPVvEROu6U3w7RK5DG8i3KQLN-qO9zz8iDhjumCkfwOs_X7GZl78-S_g0c7ObZeVAKhwxHA-fQ43v0Oc6qRywFX7sA77btTKegzFNbSMa6ncogthdCiZXj_ywi0za2_ivlG75qSAUBng7seA/s320/20220605_121017637.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Dapol O gauge milk tanker out of the box - notice those seams!</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyN8xia_rTFO58T3b2kxPy3OX7mh8-q_H0L55NFRPxP_YttyCVa7uXH5QiU-hTtiJqCVp-PfZr2s3zRJxMZtKo9SKBH6hk7tlhngY65yKZ_7PEykbmX0_s35eda1FWM68VBDV3VwoM5VI5peEYo5xbn9_VLLD5wcmR-sBxdZKfcyoVOTOXOjsVB77yIw/s4160/20220606_163608632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyN8xia_rTFO58T3b2kxPy3OX7mh8-q_H0L55NFRPxP_YttyCVa7uXH5QiU-hTtiJqCVp-PfZr2s3zRJxMZtKo9SKBH6hk7tlhngY65yKZ_7PEykbmX0_s35eda1FWM68VBDV3VwoM5VI5peEYo5xbn9_VLLD5wcmR-sBxdZKfcyoVOTOXOjsVB77yIw/s320/20220606_163608632.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The paint seams filed away</i>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjPzJudk5WutPDhgvS4mXSXVS-ls-kFznWQOER0kbFZIgnK7PifZwZ0DmcOJgM58NdYc0PbQJOa5L1BieMHV8XR2c4qJbFbt6UM_NvCdRhm68JHzK7n9z8ubvUXvKP1dH9MSKWiLRUTxZXf3bx3_Xd0j86vEtfA254OA_GqWT9tiqnLQ5LNZsRLZABA/s2048/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-12-18%20at%2008.15.48.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjPzJudk5WutPDhgvS4mXSXVS-ls-kFznWQOER0kbFZIgnK7PifZwZ0DmcOJgM58NdYc0PbQJOa5L1BieMHV8XR2c4qJbFbt6UM_NvCdRhm68JHzK7n9z8ubvUXvKP1dH9MSKWiLRUTxZXf3bx3_Xd0j86vEtfA254OA_GqWT9tiqnLQ5LNZsRLZABA/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-12-18%20at%2008.15.48.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>First attempt at weathering - this is no ready for stripping</i>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Currently, I have loads of kits to build and lots of locomotives to sound chip and detail. Therefore, I am at a point with my modelling, where I am trying not to buy anything else, but finish what I already have! It is great to be able to recycle some old wagons and I am looking forward to painting these over the coming weeks. I have a modelling desk full of kits to build over xmas, so I am hopeful that I can get the OO gauge continuous run operational and get some wagon kits built/tidy up these older wagons.</div>Choppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02510680630387220612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2652107684290894760.post-87889083377907762552022-12-07T22:52:00.001-08:002022-12-07T22:52:24.042-08:00A continuous run in OO gauge - Pottington Quay refurb!<p style="text-align: justify;">I have not had much time for modelling recently and had a spell of a few weeks away from home. During this time I was mulling over various modelling projects. I have been a bit frustrated with the lack of train running recently as the O gauge layout develops, and I have a lot of very good OO gauge rolling stock just sitting around in boxes. Putting all these things together - I made the decision to make a continuous run OO gauge, using the Pottington Quay baseboard as the scenic section as soon as I got home. My logic for this was:</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: justify;">1. I already had the baseboards necessary to complete a continuous run.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">2. I did not need to finish detailing the layout - I just needed a continuous run - to stop the rolling stock (especially the sound chipped) locomotives from seizing up.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">3. Having a working OO gauge layout will hopefully inspire me to get the Pottington layout finished - although this can be done at a meandering pace.</p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">4. I have gathered a lot of the materials to get this layout operational over the year - so it is probably time to make a start.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXPYgEh_aN4723zQKmvKIRivf4pPuTnGKznHNkR1CryLZxKyXpBxe5IqS4NCFF_R_pvvv3HEyLRtz_rKZpJ3OYRqS48_0KJkCP1khca-M3ajZfXiUJfy6BkYN9BKyfWQz1dVhFIDXvHs8yjjRQsI9JRRhvd0e8491fN-58PPFRa9o88JKShW1Mp-eow/s2048/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-12-08%20at%2006.09.11.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXPYgEh_aN4723zQKmvKIRivf4pPuTnGKznHNkR1CryLZxKyXpBxe5IqS4NCFF_R_pvvv3HEyLRtz_rKZpJ3OYRqS48_0KJkCP1khca-M3ajZfXiUJfy6BkYN9BKyfWQz1dVhFIDXvHs8yjjRQsI9JRRhvd0e8491fN-58PPFRa9o88JKShW1Mp-eow/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-12-08%20at%2006.09.11.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The layout pre-dismantling</i>.</div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">So Pottington Quay needs a complete rewire, all the trackwork replaced and all the point motors replaced. My layout building skills have come a long way from this earlier attempt - and there is nothing for it but to rip it all up and start again. So yesterday I ordered all the track I need to make at least one continuous loop with the points needed for further extension. The original track on Pottington Quay was taken up - and this will be recycled into the fiddle yard and the cork underlay was arduously scraped up. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSX-Kn6b1bwfcCsE9Qp4zmfRzGf--Ra3m1kHWh55rwu408-n6YgFR-Jzt2RHQFpJz8rLkgGGVmeXaPR4BY23esxaba9vx1BDWBRYlPiiysUZi-HKhZ9qFPkvdCrQYj4jPlVtUkxwfSvhXgSESKUS2s9t-HDTc8OEccFah3QmXHUyRaP5MewtkYKQ_zg/s2048/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-12-08%20at%2006.09.11%20(2).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSX-Kn6b1bwfcCsE9Qp4zmfRzGf--Ra3m1kHWh55rwu408-n6YgFR-Jzt2RHQFpJz8rLkgGGVmeXaPR4BY23esxaba9vx1BDWBRYlPiiysUZi-HKhZ9qFPkvdCrQYj4jPlVtUkxwfSvhXgSESKUS2s9t-HDTc8OEccFah3QmXHUyRaP5MewtkYKQ_zg/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-12-08%20at%2006.09.11%20(2).jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Pottington Quay in the post Beeching era - track removed!</i></div><p style="text-align: justify;">The jobs for this week are to build the curved baseboards (Tim Horn) and construct the straight fiddle yard to finish the continuous run circuit. I reckon with a bit of imaginative point laying I can accommodate a western or warship with 6 mk1 coaches in the 'offscene' run around - which will be far too long for the layout - but it will definitely be fun to sit down and watch with a beer in hand</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0nr9oKwdrJaGLwmoB9naRV3rpGUf4ORarytJAVOhABfD3pbg4DQLv3CtvRsYKiJXJjnBI5Fi3qKPZqYTQhEzxFEX6vjPb2024EPXyj0iPYgQM1dc7SfmzD72TqwgAFbz4ZrO5gfYDJ40FEzea_LcU62LNBR5_Kh-0daSpmd4jBxzdXN-7l1Hr5ElFA/s2048/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-12-08%20at%2006.09.11%20(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0nr9oKwdrJaGLwmoB9naRV3rpGUf4ORarytJAVOhABfD3pbg4DQLv3CtvRsYKiJXJjnBI5Fi3qKPZqYTQhEzxFEX6vjPb2024EPXyj0iPYgQM1dc7SfmzD72TqwgAFbz4ZrO5gfYDJ40FEzea_LcU62LNBR5_Kh-0daSpmd4jBxzdXN-7l1Hr5ElFA/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-12-08%20at%2006.09.11%20(1).jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Removed extension of the platform for repainting</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Whilst dismantling the track work I took a scalpel to the original station - I was not happy with the paint job, especially on the extension. It came off with a little bit of damage done - but this is now on modelling desk to fix up this weekend and get back into the paint boxes asap. The plan is to get the continuous loop run operational before the start of xmas - I think this is doable - once the main loop is complete - I can add the rest of the track and point motors at a more leisurely pace over the coming year. I am not completely decided on the new track plan - so having a bit of time to mull it over will be beneficial.</div>Choppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02510680630387220612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2652107684290894760.post-91646142167834135942022-11-06T02:30:00.000-08:002022-11-06T02:30:06.675-08:00O gauge Pipe wagon finished<p style="text-align: justify;">Recently I managed to finish off the Parskide O gauge pipe wagon. I am really enjoying building wagons in O gauge, but it does take a long time to get anything finished(!) - so it is great I have another wagon ready to roll on the layout.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTx0pnvcf6nHXkhEyaPMWvRHoncKgb_rthpuTFDsPEJ8LYB8HgJxTp8fSDPjbpfe2A1NF8t99bh7QGh13OELYXItG_7cJ6Iuk468U3FUc3fDyVwrHgIevFzPVbC4wBaJUY8-JTBogbmpEvUtrAJk2pYlkka9aerzi4g8NslO0o6otl8dRJKUehuZBLQg/s2048/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-10-29%20at%2013.26.04%20(3).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTx0pnvcf6nHXkhEyaPMWvRHoncKgb_rthpuTFDsPEJ8LYB8HgJxTp8fSDPjbpfe2A1NF8t99bh7QGh13OELYXItG_7cJ6Iuk468U3FUc3fDyVwrHgIevFzPVbC4wBaJUY8-JTBogbmpEvUtrAJk2pYlkka9aerzi4g8NslO0o6otl8dRJKUehuZBLQg/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-10-29%20at%2013.26.04%20(3).jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Finished pipe wagon - although not a brilliant picture - I need to get better a camera!</i></div><p style="text-align: justify;">The kit is built as per the instructions and is painted with Railmatch enamels and finished with Railtec transfers. I also took some time to produce a detailed wood interior for the wagon and I am reasonably happy with how that turned out. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBv8zN808zWvxYmRD2ddPdhsr5Rrkbpzx2_8JhTop_L-B5Nw3DaC1HyE7Pfug5Jx7stpJ2mdC2PIBerpvrjCOJddmCZLnweOAKIz1VFtN5vL8_v0T3yh6ZGpVnKCqV4VLzGcp8R5EeR0N8e9g8lJhoUC0VBG4cmcVu76ORIcc-Gf85lv51PmRtr2onw/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-11-06%20at%2010.25.33.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBv8zN808zWvxYmRD2ddPdhsr5Rrkbpzx2_8JhTop_L-B5Nw3DaC1HyE7Pfug5Jx7stpJ2mdC2PIBerpvrjCOJddmCZLnweOAKIz1VFtN5vL8_v0T3yh6ZGpVnKCqV4VLzGcp8R5EeR0N8e9g8lJhoUC0VBG4cmcVu76ORIcc-Gf85lv51PmRtr2onw/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-11-06%20at%2010.25.33.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Wood interior of the wagon - again not a great photo!</i></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Overall, another wagon ready to roll on the layout. However, the layout as such has seen no progress since September. At the end of November I am hoping to set the layout up and really attack some of the detailing - I have the backscenes ready to go and am hopeful I can really push on with getting the layout towards a finished state.</p>Choppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02510680630387220612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2652107684290894760.post-40675162665628840292022-10-22T00:59:00.003-07:002022-10-22T00:59:22.912-07:00Slaters Vanwide and a bit of layout progress<p style="text-align: justify;">Updates on this blog have been a little sparse this year - it has all been a little hectic! We are already one house move down this year and are just going through buying our forever home. Optimistically we will be in by Xmas, but this coupled with some hideous deadlines at work, has meant that there has been precious little modelling time available. Hopefully this will improve after November, but until then the best I can hope for is the odd evening of wagon building. However, it is not all doom and gloom on the modelling front. Focusing on wagon building has meant I have finally got some wagons finished off. The Slaters vanwide build is now complete! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrSp-wcO9dgdxGDqTLd9bOoYlPsJ3FJh4wHSIUVAHTJI5I1S5wO_5bTQ-yv8eZAGmkjXAHX9Rredm9gQU_M_-sGL_3cyExfAsovm0s81o5uiv_31mP55jJgfBftwDuoJ3v04GbpPB-vEHUbILN6b-ue2AJgnHugW5N0rkCWRZhhpYgPViWaFFerzGfw/s4160/20221016_131533627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrSp-wcO9dgdxGDqTLd9bOoYlPsJ3FJh4wHSIUVAHTJI5I1S5wO_5bTQ-yv8eZAGmkjXAHX9Rredm9gQU_M_-sGL_3cyExfAsovm0s81o5uiv_31mP55jJgfBftwDuoJ3v04GbpPB-vEHUbILN6b-ue2AJgnHugW5N0rkCWRZhhpYgPViWaFFerzGfw/s320/20221016_131533627.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Vanwide ready for a wash and then painting</i>.</div><p style="text-align: justify;">My first Slaters wagon took about 4 years to build, the second one took a year and the vanwide took about 6 months! Now I have got then hang of building the Slaters kits, I am optimistic I can pick up the progress with building some wagons for the layout. I have just started building a Slaters conflat and I have picked up the Parkside SR brake Vvn that I started about 9 years ago (it is frightening how much time has passed!). I have plenty of kits currently in the pile and am looking to build 3 or 4 milk tankers and some parcels stock over the next year. In other modelling, the ballasting has been started on the layout, although unfortunately, this has stopped pat way through and the layout has been packed down. I just do not have enough time to spend on the layout at the moment and I am waiting until Christmas when I can get the layout set up to do some serious detailing. I have the backscenes all ready to fit, so I am just waiting for some time to finish ballasting, add in the backscenes and start the scenery in earnest.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GDtCl-yFLbiBY978x148Oj_RVDq6pDNL-iN3WnYhSUTmVW7CFtHsVJqgYjKosom5eUFcqC60I11nYfxtA4SyX_sdjIoyo_QTmjlN2ppT6icyh15yTI08uwngMX4ulWLJA49_rcNe-0g0S3Q-BLEVPNXd5dJl_PQ2RX6v5g2C0tGFOhI825ikWc39rg/s4160/20220911_134122691%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GDtCl-yFLbiBY978x148Oj_RVDq6pDNL-iN3WnYhSUTmVW7CFtHsVJqgYjKosom5eUFcqC60I11nYfxtA4SyX_sdjIoyo_QTmjlN2ppT6icyh15yTI08uwngMX4ulWLJA49_rcNe-0g0S3Q-BLEVPNXd5dJl_PQ2RX6v5g2C0tGFOhI825ikWc39rg/s320/20220911_134122691%20(2).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Ballasting is now underway and sand has been added as the base for some scenic detailing</i>.</div>Choppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02510680630387220612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2652107684290894760.post-2348217419796838822022-08-20T00:37:00.000-07:002022-08-20T00:37:02.177-07:00More O Gauge progress and a finished BR 12t Plywood Van<p style="text-align: justify;">I have made some more headway on various O gauge projects over the last few weeks, although modelling time is at a premium (why do I always end up saying this!). The layout continues to edge forwards, with the quay wall all scribed and the dry brushing started. I have made some platforms for the hand operated point levers and with the track painted, I am going to start ballasting this week, once the point levers are installed. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuzRHWHviuLbrHU-JJEgVltJ9BR91bXlzCi4z4Kds173gAhXHbrbSwlDIQJDoBxlaPRus26T5HXpBoURApVMQoX7q6JDKs9HW1rUcOLFXHuvIbWmZ85AmsHmxdW6HTlY1nPgoeEmtZtglSIva7UvEpEtp_9yLQu2ZDnCR_pPBf8rgvjg9SLOeBwXkug/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-08-14%20at%2010.59.27%20AM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuzRHWHviuLbrHU-JJEgVltJ9BR91bXlzCi4z4Kds173gAhXHbrbSwlDIQJDoBxlaPRus26T5HXpBoURApVMQoX7q6JDKs9HW1rUcOLFXHuvIbWmZ85AmsHmxdW6HTlY1nPgoeEmtZtglSIva7UvEpEtp_9yLQu2ZDnCR_pPBf8rgvjg9SLOeBwXkug/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-08-14%20at%2010.59.27%20AM.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The scribed quay wall, which is now being painted</i>.</div><p style="text-align: justify;">The trackwork has all been tested over the last couple of weeks, trundling a class 08 up and down the layout and it all seems to work pretty well. I am going to get the Heljan class 03 sound chipped this weekend for a test run. The 0-6-0 wheel arrangements are relatively inflexible and some of the curves on the layout are pretty tight. So I just need to check that everything works OK before committing to the ballasting. I am certainly looking forwards to having a sound chipped locomotive to play with - having got rid of my OO gauge layout, where all the diesels were sound chipped, running trains without sounds now feels a little one dimensional.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0c-dHEeuXQdOn5jz4jwBgVmCs08rdg2TPbaaQkrIebjDGrdmR_URevB6iQmSeSD28qspzpk4H8sYFWQe3huSTMOsEpvE8gFsj8Ps8cC0fZmFv0APdrOM3f_briaxDjOa2AUnGTtPd4NGUtub5kUxqlo2iC1NhI5gTMqzTvIgEdjnMXUsHv63qd7kWQ/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-08-14%20at%2010.59.26%20AM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0c-dHEeuXQdOn5jz4jwBgVmCs08rdg2TPbaaQkrIebjDGrdmR_URevB6iQmSeSD28qspzpk4H8sYFWQe3huSTMOsEpvE8gFsj8Ps8cC0fZmFv0APdrOM3f_briaxDjOa2AUnGTtPd4NGUtub5kUxqlo2iC1NhI5gTMqzTvIgEdjnMXUsHv63qd7kWQ/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-08-14%20at%2010.59.26%20AM.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Painted trackwork and quay wall, ready for ballasting to start</i>.</div></i><p style="text-align: justify;">I have also managed to finish off adding a bit of life to a rtr Dapol 12T plywood box van. This van had some details picked out on the underframe alongside some body weathering, via the airbrush and railmatch enamels. It is quite a good model and I am pleased with the finish on it. So now I have four whole wagons ready to use on the layout! I also have a slaters 12t van nearly finished, it just needs a solebar to be replaced and the painting finished, whilst a vanwide has sat on the modelling desk for about 3 months waiting to be finished. In my opinion, this is the most pleasing aspect about modelling in O gauge; each piece of rolling stock takes quite a long time to build and detail, and they are reasonably expensive. Therefore, I do not have masses of stock, but I am slowly taking my time to build everything. This is proving to be a lot of fun and I am now settled on this way of modelling, certainly for the near future. I am keeping all the OO gauge stuff I have detailed, but I selling off a lot of the OO gauge stock I acquired but never got around to using; which has provided some funds for my O gauge adventures. In some ways it feels like a relief to get rid of clutter and old models that I never got around to using.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6WwKiRyVWBRw19rJMT-8TM6_NdnG3tuqOY2Lb0akj7FJm-KfMS7VZoAlqaIcvxGLTqktdT8kEo_n7sSYSxNQXW8j4e-ys2Sx4vIfx-aI6ck7vpJ4oQDklfdATKwnnCtqprCEbCsb7gN2RbKmPmHIgoyxGsX4njtgTrRlzjGfgZaCW2dTvxge12I8LQ/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-08-14%20at%2010.59.30%20AM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6WwKiRyVWBRw19rJMT-8TM6_NdnG3tuqOY2Lb0akj7FJm-KfMS7VZoAlqaIcvxGLTqktdT8kEo_n7sSYSxNQXW8j4e-ys2Sx4vIfx-aI6ck7vpJ4oQDklfdATKwnnCtqprCEbCsb7gN2RbKmPmHIgoyxGsX4njtgTrRlzjGfgZaCW2dTvxge12I8LQ/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-08-14%20at%2010.59.30%20AM.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Finished O gauge van</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGtW42B8pS8G6Xz8r996_SeRfaxSfER3Dx50IpIVbrJjFgk8v1e0au44OMH3CpKaE6xo53hiod0un2fssGIRxv1BUW003dAoSqfs0IoYg89x1RpTvU-he8tg3FrhK2Kw9sUWO3jjJ4EqVyBCU3jVTh2gTr9yGvGdoCwMv9FeHXfms_ZkUEY-__Z2XIw/s2048/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-08-14%20at%2010.59.32%20AM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGtW42B8pS8G6Xz8r996_SeRfaxSfER3Dx50IpIVbrJjFgk8v1e0au44OMH3CpKaE6xo53hiod0un2fssGIRxv1BUW003dAoSqfs0IoYg89x1RpTvU-he8tg3FrhK2Kw9sUWO3jjJ4EqVyBCU3jVTh2gTr9yGvGdoCwMv9FeHXfms_ZkUEY-__Z2XIw/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-08-14%20at%2010.59.32%20AM.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Choppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02510680630387220612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2652107684290894760.post-90500395587209671832022-07-23T11:55:00.002-07:002022-07-23T11:55:32.614-07:00O gauge wagons: A vanwide, 13t open wagon, pipe wagon and pill box brake van <p style="text-align: justify;">Recently the building of both the OO and O gauge layouts has been slow. The weather has been glorious, we have had people to stay and there has not been enough time or space to set up the layouts to work on them. So the small bits of time I have had for modelling I have been focusing on building some wagons for the O gauge layout. In reality the O gauge layout is miles away from being usable; I only have two wagons finished, no locomotives finished and only non detailed rtr coaches. So there is very little useable stock for the layout, coupled with the detailing on the layout being in a very basic state. However, the joy of O gauge is certainly building the rolling stock, in my case very slowly. It is a very satisfying way to model.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">So first off I managed to finish the Slaters 13t open wagon. This is my first finished Slaters kit and I think I have now cracked the basic Slaters design. I am hopeful I can finish off some the other Slaters kits I have much more quickly now. The wagon is painted using the air brush with Railmatch enamels and uses Railtec transfers.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDu4dTQVgUcIEeMJxWdsXu5Pjqk6tmVGL0B0DxzN1rElabj3ujfSvpVjtQRImCGVyFzgVRpaYx6G_XKhyWuegrJfTEyND_rhTL5CKkH45a8txrKVdkjvg5sH9mwAyOZfgpdi1bUp0PL_H3m4G7T_pVwrels9LNqzl6ECcku0_lEQMV0cGAM6989SHIw/s4160/20220718_131448512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDu4dTQVgUcIEeMJxWdsXu5Pjqk6tmVGL0B0DxzN1rElabj3ujfSvpVjtQRImCGVyFzgVRpaYx6G_XKhyWuegrJfTEyND_rhTL5CKkH45a8txrKVdkjvg5sH9mwAyOZfgpdi1bUp0PL_H3m4G7T_pVwrels9LNqzl6ECcku0_lEQMV0cGAM6989SHIw/s320/20220718_131448512.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Finally finished 13t open wagon!</i></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Next up is Parkside pipe wagon. This wagon I had built years ago and completely forgotten about. I found it in a box when we clearing out our storage unit. So this is now in the paintshop, again being painted with the air brush and Railmatch enamels. It is pretty much ready for transfers now and a bit more weathering.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGIV-GTSSINWPWcfGH0POIqMzz7u6_lismhQBUKcOLQYrLsDDTCLYtyydfLgJRBkE3kHwFItsVVNm1JTh3HP0RcZJ8rEncSRH4uKXNtzi6TB9qg9b_SSCwjsFZilRdqZ6raOoZ_n5HJklJtEYOdhV37MrCuxHKMqYOq02idSsiBft7ZrHb1AOpEzCqJw/s4160/20220718_131211699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGIV-GTSSINWPWcfGH0POIqMzz7u6_lismhQBUKcOLQYrLsDDTCLYtyydfLgJRBkE3kHwFItsVVNm1JTh3HP0RcZJ8rEncSRH4uKXNtzi6TB9qg9b_SSCwjsFZilRdqZ6raOoZ_n5HJklJtEYOdhV37MrCuxHKMqYOq02idSsiBft7ZrHb1AOpEzCqJw/s320/20220718_131211699.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Pipe wagon ready for transfers</i>.</div><p>I have also picked up a Pill Box brake van I started building in 2014; this build had stalled and I had lost the instructions. However, I now have a fresh set of instructions and am looking to complete this wagon over the next week and get it into the paintshop.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sbRNdliUfRswjTuMRgMesvbxMeneS36dN0HSiQGPXq_prCHw6SOtR78Y3sI1TLc3S7y4yBon9n6CXya2H43HGsD5DGzLOt4blLuU1PLyQtsuHie5yN2hoEJeSJxKY5X5fTbuccnSebqJSIRwrKMM5_IDsEJGHR3EKJhoEdkhZjbOjU-33q_aHfsPkQ/s2048/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-07-23%20at%207.15.49%20PM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sbRNdliUfRswjTuMRgMesvbxMeneS36dN0HSiQGPXq_prCHw6SOtR78Y3sI1TLc3S7y4yBon9n6CXya2H43HGsD5DGzLOt4blLuU1PLyQtsuHie5yN2hoEJeSJxKY5X5fTbuccnSebqJSIRwrKMM5_IDsEJGHR3EKJhoEdkhZjbOjU-33q_aHfsPkQ/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-07-23%20at%207.15.49%20PM.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Pill box brake van</i>.</div><p style="text-align: justify;">The main wagon I am currently building is the Slaters Vanwide kit; this kit is a little fiddly, although it is shaping up nicely. I am planning a modelling day tomorrow and I aim to complete this build tomorrow. This one has only be under way four months or so - so a speedy build!!!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKhRMVhZwgP4pTohxgxsFokCW1901tmBZaWogpp_uZWAm0ExBvfy0aACWorzsyF9aaYL93scsnnobfkWBNf8RL1Yp99TeBLR43xhtbZNd3DE4VsHrSOe3UgmBF3qcut4oaV_Gd_X92A4TaFKwrErW36r1wbM7yxmOd0DyllV4ndq784CTY6XnywXEYg/s2048/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-07-23%20at%207.15.49%20PM%20(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKhRMVhZwgP4pTohxgxsFokCW1901tmBZaWogpp_uZWAm0ExBvfy0aACWorzsyF9aaYL93scsnnobfkWBNf8RL1Yp99TeBLR43xhtbZNd3DE4VsHrSOe3UgmBF3qcut4oaV_Gd_X92A4TaFKwrErW36r1wbM7yxmOd0DyllV4ndq784CTY6XnywXEYg/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-07-23%20at%207.15.49%20PM%20(1).jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Slaters Vanwide, hopefully not too far from being finished</i>.</div><p style="text-align: justify;">So some slow but continual progress. I have been thinking about the sort of trains I want to run on the layout and it will involve a lot of kit building. A small parcels train, a milk train and a fertiliser train using 12t vans, will require something about 12 wagons to be built. I also plan to build some engineering wagons - so it is going to be quite a lengthy process. However, I am enjoying the planning of the trains I am going to run and the building of kits - it is great to not be overwhelmed by having too much rolling stock. The next wagons in the line to start are a Slaters milk tanker, a CCT and another SPV. So plenty to do and plenty of enjoyment being had! </p>Choppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02510680630387220612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2652107684290894760.post-80622160359080753032022-06-24T23:52:00.000-07:002022-06-24T23:52:20.225-07:00OO Gauge Fruit D in BR Blue<p style="text-align: justify;">Modelling time has increased a little bit in the last couple of weeks and a few projects in the modelling boxes are moving towards completion. I always find it a relief when I finally start adding on the transfers to a model and I know it can be used on the layout. Recently, I finished off a Fruit D wagon in BR blue - to add into the ever growing parcels stock. The wagon is sat on the Pottington Quay layout, which I am hopeful I will get some time to play with over this summer.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyhSt-bbmPx-TbuLn1UdYAvlS3Sqvm3QRzksBbxZ1HcqTZ3pN3bguHlptMt9MvMSgmi_eTW95shXQ3GjketfafNCQQxjxlEJetX4Z4TqzWWYSWyivC7VTkgstIU7I7FOCG-3Lr-OkY4xXW29hNCAow5whcKq_RJZ8uObIi2xo3VW9kObAPqcil-qqaA/s4160/20220624_122056107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyhSt-bbmPx-TbuLn1UdYAvlS3Sqvm3QRzksBbxZ1HcqTZ3pN3bguHlptMt9MvMSgmi_eTW95shXQ3GjketfafNCQQxjxlEJetX4Z4TqzWWYSWyivC7VTkgstIU7I7FOCG-3Lr-OkY4xXW29hNCAow5whcKq_RJZ8uObIi2xo3VW9kObAPqcil-qqaA/s320/20220624_122056107.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Finished Fruit D on Pottington Quay</i>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1Fmi4l9nfnQzSk8zpE8CtQbwlC0zlSLToisPc8KqqqSAEveaNIUEYniKXGheifCxKL7BWrWUqgRx4zNpgqgc2gdfZ8_LrEV2xy92EaeN3ZXeOgpz7iVfJoc80MLmt_gDA80JgAL4jfu3ilOVL4-tnHH65e_jmPkwiwPrbnwaWtQhZBtcoCwABCHvrw/s4160/20220624_122132667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1Fmi4l9nfnQzSk8zpE8CtQbwlC0zlSLToisPc8KqqqSAEveaNIUEYniKXGheifCxKL7BWrWUqgRx4zNpgqgc2gdfZ8_LrEV2xy92EaeN3ZXeOgpz7iVfJoc80MLmt_gDA80JgAL4jfu3ilOVL4-tnHH65e_jmPkwiwPrbnwaWtQhZBtcoCwABCHvrw/s320/20220624_122132667.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Fruit D in the sidings on the layout</i>.</div><p><span style="text-align: justify;">The Fruit D is the standard Parkside kit, finished with 3 link couplings. It is painted via the airbrush, using Railmatch enamels and ModelMaster decals. I am pretty happy with how it turned out in the end, although it must have been in the paint boxes for about 2 years!! </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">My OO gauge modelling has taken a back seat recently as I dabble in O gauge; however, I do have a lot of OO gauge stock, so I am hopeful to get the Pottington Quay layout rolling quickly - in order to allow me to just play trains some evenings. I am aiming to turn this layout into a continuous loop - it will probably end up being 7ft by 4f - or something like that, if I manage to make any progress with it. I think there are a lot of advantages to a continuous loop layout- especially if exhibiting - it would really take the pressure off on the operation side to stop turning stock around in the fiddle yards. So a vague plan, although lets see how the summer progresses!</p>Choppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02510680630387220612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2652107684290894760.post-79288675661850195012022-06-06T10:29:00.001-07:002022-06-06T10:29:51.222-07:00Detailing an O Gauge class 25 and a modelling itinerary<p style="text-align: justify;">Recent modelling work has been a bit restricted to a little painting, a little wagon building and a little layout detailing. However, I am close to having a wonderful summer of beaches and modelling to hand, with a little academic writing thrown in for good measure; all glorious things to occupy my time! After what can only be described as a horrific couple of years in academia due to COVID, I finally have the luxury of some time to really get my teeth stuck into some modelling. I have written a list of modelling projects I want to complete over summer. These are principally to weather and sound chip a class 25 and class 03 diesel locomotive (O gauge), finish building 4 O gauge wagons and get the O gauge and OO gauge layouts to a completely operation state, with backscenes installed and ballasting finished. I will be able to take off at least two weeks dedicated modelling time, so I am feeling optimistic I can achieve some of this and start updating my blog regularly again.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">So with these grand plans mentioned, I have made a start on the Heljan Class 25. When this model came out I paid £500 for it; quite honestly the price tag has made me feel a tad nervous about attacking it (or at least dismantling it), but I needed to just get on with it. I took a dep break and made a start. Taking this locomotive apart was quite difficult, there are so many moving parts. I managed to snap one piece of window frame, which came away with the glazing. I quickly glued this back in (it is barely noticeable) and resolved to not removing any of the side windows during weathering (they will have to be masked with maskol). I also managed to snap one of the central cab windows, totally destroy the supplied printed headcodes and lose one of the lights. It felt like a bit of a disaster to start with, but now I am quite relieved. I hope I have the modelling skills to make a good job of this and the locomotive is no longer a shelf queen, but now it is a model that I can grub up and experiment with in O gauge.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUirbrOgtB2xMwW7ij8h0eEkAvoSVmgF1Cur4D-3XdKp2s-wP1v2mf_1NiDfArN2gMjDrkTl1-JOQWGaK2A96vigi5j8eUPNrZzUfbKGI7ds1ogHbbKKOYLiQXxmHOQw5a0oUTzgDDfDg5R3Lma6oMkdQGQRBXg_sYrxEh30WjvZ5sOVlICleT_J5gg/s4160/20220605_131959514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUirbrOgtB2xMwW7ij8h0eEkAvoSVmgF1Cur4D-3XdKp2s-wP1v2mf_1NiDfArN2gMjDrkTl1-JOQWGaK2A96vigi5j8eUPNrZzUfbKGI7ds1ogHbbKKOYLiQXxmHOQw5a0oUTzgDDfDg5R3Lma6oMkdQGQRBXg_sYrxEh30WjvZ5sOVlICleT_J5gg/s320/20220605_131959514.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The body shell finally disconnected</i>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVjRkNH0O9YpOVklcmW02ottQkpqkaXoR8gNEXY1xGe4e8Ymlk5uC1EZS16MomcTMG1OfOgr-XUgj-aPSEhgt42clo4b_QJW9iOVRRLbzIRlCU0gYkjwn81EHs0pYh3XYtQKlC3nqN-pjEd4jxUOi4Ou_fmO3frpWWcPJO0xzlvmYlUSbAFQ8GkHQIw/s4160/20220605_165209645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVjRkNH0O9YpOVklcmW02ottQkpqkaXoR8gNEXY1xGe4e8Ymlk5uC1EZS16MomcTMG1OfOgr-XUgj-aPSEhgt42clo4b_QJW9iOVRRLbzIRlCU0gYkjwn81EHs0pYh3XYtQKlC3nqN-pjEd4jxUOi4Ou_fmO3frpWWcPJO0xzlvmYlUSbAFQ8GkHQIw/s320/20220605_165209645.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The class 25 bogies removed</i>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUGG14hyidzaQEnFtandGi8dsjCagZPN5oZnq33v4ybq0uAomUqzt_zocETeAayZozLDFDfOQNJm7t7evkdGKVH2jf0Jdyo4lNIZoOjJEelFsj3LLgCwtJS4kNWHCnfVx1ilsk3sJ4e2svj4c2hMsSnqoObb1wK24UocMQqOhEDtUpwEzyDOuyBUeLA/s4160/20220605_165216261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUGG14hyidzaQEnFtandGi8dsjCagZPN5oZnq33v4ybq0uAomUqzt_zocETeAayZozLDFDfOQNJm7t7evkdGKVH2jf0Jdyo4lNIZoOjJEelFsj3LLgCwtJS4kNWHCnfVx1ilsk3sJ4e2svj4c2hMsSnqoObb1wK24UocMQqOhEDtUpwEzyDOuyBUeLA/s320/20220605_165216261.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The class 25 body shell ready for washing and weathering</i>.</div><p style="text-align: justify;">Other projects tick away in the background. I have ordered all the point motors for the OO gauge layout and will set a day aside to get this layout running again. I also am extending the O gauge layout by another 3ft, alongside finishing some buildings and building some O gauge wagon kits. I have also ordered a new O gauge class 03 after seeing some pictures of them on the Hemyock branch. So hopefully more updates to quickly follow.</p>Choppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02510680630387220612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2652107684290894760.post-12880694048095587732022-05-01T01:30:00.001-07:002022-05-01T01:30:26.163-07:00Rescuing an old project - Pottington Quay<p style="text-align: justify;">It has been a long time since I posted on my blog - time has a habitat of running away with itself. I have been modelling, although mainly in O gauge, but this has been in fits in starts. This is primarily dues to us having finally moved home to North Devon, delayed for just over 2 years by covid, best laid plans and all that. It has been a hectic time for us both, with endless packing, unpacking, driving and the like, but finally it is all done and dusted, we are home, the long term storage unit has been emptied and life is good and happy again. This brings me to the subject of this blog post, my old layout that has been in storage. About 5 years ago I was posting on my blog about building Pottington Quay, the next step in my 00 gauge modelling. Since that point I have built, what I would call my first proper working layout (Charlton - now sold on) and had moved onto my next project - the O gauge layout. In all aspects of modelling, but especially layout construction, my skills have really developed and improved, to the point where I am now quite confident about to build a durable, working model railway.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNGzpf0MmAl8TGDsPmYG8tBWZngpPOYE7HzWSvc8kWi9u-TatGoitwaJJqiAWOw2gK3Ojj63YEh_dFyhFjQ4qPQWLvmglFFoYXJbU0QvX115F6gvOcC7qregzobea3IZxusxdx04jDJD1sg_FCIb2_HRky_-TP3RLSmtYo4xNIjvyAUl8mSwQhflqlQ/s4160/20220429_204910391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNGzpf0MmAl8TGDsPmYG8tBWZngpPOYE7HzWSvc8kWi9u-TatGoitwaJJqiAWOw2gK3Ojj63YEh_dFyhFjQ4qPQWLvmglFFoYXJbU0QvX115F6gvOcC7qregzobea3IZxusxdx04jDJD1sg_FCIb2_HRky_-TP3RLSmtYo4xNIjvyAUl8mSwQhflqlQ/s320/20220429_204910391.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The old layout Pottington Quay, now out of storage and sat in the new modelling room.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">So taking out this older layout, my initial intention was to throw it away, after breaking it up. However, after some reflection and some suggestions by 'the other half', I decided that maybe I might have a go at resurrecting it. A lot of the hard work has been done, putting down the track, building and painting thet the platform (which is quite good), scribing of clay for the quay walls and cobbling, etc etc. In fact, whilst the quality of the modelling can be improved in all areas, I think it will be a fun challenge to sit down and start upgrading this layout. My other half said she might help to do some of the scenery, which would be a wonderful thing to do together.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglI1ekv-Sf_yY_7Dopu2hwRaiXv1OaPv2pQ9nR6qW4lr2qIfVhgvhHjnUsJdRDmGpxBnXMnwVNiCOh4tnRFFeF6ZORDRa0QoAm7TCyOMyCTSr6qJ1dwqo8IOszEwd75BUiA-Z15H3GyZ6O1BdnyP5SMnr966OuspPEN9FVDwCGuJ-6r-pZxBlNq_2eVQ/s4160/20220429_204934246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglI1ekv-Sf_yY_7Dopu2hwRaiXv1OaPv2pQ9nR6qW4lr2qIfVhgvhHjnUsJdRDmGpxBnXMnwVNiCOh4tnRFFeF6ZORDRa0QoAm7TCyOMyCTSr6qJ1dwqo8IOszEwd75BUiA-Z15H3GyZ6O1BdnyP5SMnr966OuspPEN9FVDwCGuJ-6r-pZxBlNq_2eVQ/s320/20220429_204934246.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Platform above the quay wall.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkXZNvdFY6-0KuZZz6mHVZy_RF0YfjKtTP8-VqUsAEe5MvTMxwOhqxZV3eoS3-v6aB0sDsHHn2dIlKfZZNigIytZDMp9snvKsW7wmMZ_Do3Kcj2I3luOWN8pzgq7wUQ6BqgVM1IyeDTOycTjfju-A8jIuwGjUEwLO6YW7EBVjqEGecFJztZP2eaZUYg/s4160/20220429_204945222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkXZNvdFY6-0KuZZz6mHVZy_RF0YfjKtTP8-VqUsAEe5MvTMxwOhqxZV3eoS3-v6aB0sDsHHn2dIlKfZZNigIytZDMp9snvKsW7wmMZ_Do3Kcj2I3luOWN8pzgq7wUQ6BqgVM1IyeDTOycTjfju-A8jIuwGjUEwLO6YW7EBVjqEGecFJztZP2eaZUYg/s320/20220429_204945222.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Part of the older quay wall, reminiscent of the quay side at Bideford</i>.</div><p style="text-align: justify;">The first job will be checking the electrics are all sound. The soldering on this is not great, so I do need to double check it. After this, the point motors need replacing and microswitches for the electro frogs need adding. I can remember when using the layout the old switches on the SEEP motors were not working correctly. In a a pique of enthusiasm (and pay day), I ordered the micro switches and point motors, CDU power supply, etc. I also need to add a lighting pelmet across the front of the layout. After sorting out the electrics, I am going to add a little more bracing to the baseboards, before giving the layout a jolly good clean, maybe tidying/trimming some of the track, before adding in buildings, repainting the quay wall, etc. I think I have most of the buildings for the layout, although I might construct a few. I am sure the addition of a backscene will also be transformative. So I am hopefully this will be a relatively quick project to get going with over summer. The size of the board means it is relatively easy to move into the lounge, so I can work on this whilst my other half watches TV! I am going to work on both this and my O gauge layout together, so I should have somewhere to run my OO gauge stock reasonably soon.</p>Choppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02510680630387220612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2652107684290894760.post-28826227443231944252022-01-29T22:48:00.005-08:002022-01-29T22:51:44.881-08:00Kimmington Quay - buildings and quay wall<p style="text-align: justify;">This week has seen some good progress on the new layout. Having got the track painted and working, it feels like a milestone has been reached, allowing my very limited modelling time to be used to construct the buildings and the scenery. I had put most of the foundation of the quay wall into place using foam packing several weeks ago, glued down with PVA glue. Last Sunday I covered this with several layers of plaster bandage. This is now going to be covered with DAS clay, which I will scribe to form the wall.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFtcZq7Bfc1ehcUTO-LTVW6eE0PqrP3WvBkqoQdKZkVMlCRQv4tqZblNwENd-QySt9OhqBu4Z4-28rszLxSEIMolRS5CnJKJejpBENhtClppi6YJVF8WpElWqR8HW2Jh6WuBRfZHk1Ngd1q1bgDptx6bvPxGoIpcAI07OasMc-kh1empl1mv9b1B6vnA=s4160" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFtcZq7Bfc1ehcUTO-LTVW6eE0PqrP3WvBkqoQdKZkVMlCRQv4tqZblNwENd-QySt9OhqBu4Z4-28rszLxSEIMolRS5CnJKJejpBENhtClppi6YJVF8WpElWqR8HW2Jh6WuBRfZHk1Ngd1q1bgDptx6bvPxGoIpcAI07OasMc-kh1empl1mv9b1B6vnA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgO4GIULwj-XnmhmIDMrgwGH7PksgYPAmgXVuM5Ql7_MsWNeddpu5pfPQ2RBPTBQjMyQQUaQ9fHJ5fANTKeJ0auPR9nyza1vHQzJEFNm7reuJOTbZ_7rq7cThq9DjBi1TCnBWjCKVbh-nrtRBF4B_4UW72317RHhnd6dgKMfi0T5qV_zWi3Btbg8hVwg=s4160" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgO4GIULwj-XnmhmIDMrgwGH7PksgYPAmgXVuM5Ql7_MsWNeddpu5pfPQ2RBPTBQjMyQQUaQ9fHJ5fANTKeJ0auPR9nyza1vHQzJEFNm7reuJOTbZ_7rq7cThq9DjBi1TCnBWjCKVbh-nrtRBF4B_4UW72317RHhnd6dgKMfi0T5qV_zWi3Btbg8hVwg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4fzHzq4X11rcx-XVThw7OhDXUx3yND6zVvo4m9f2VrQz3w0_rSeP8iyQLQtjOZBjnG0h3QeFWk4BYrTujvIv6bdyQ2dlLIIIPiHFA2lcJ7KqFoeeRwcAjhVsFtqqoVIGSCps6GqQa8aeu9MtdfuBa6R3vLHiWeZMUkDakDHr8x9KQFdMEpCqm3jxzKQ=s4160" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4fzHzq4X11rcx-XVThw7OhDXUx3yND6zVvo4m9f2VrQz3w0_rSeP8iyQLQtjOZBjnG0h3QeFWk4BYrTujvIv6bdyQ2dlLIIIPiHFA2lcJ7KqFoeeRwcAjhVsFtqqoVIGSCps6GqQa8aeu9MtdfuBa6R3vLHiWeZMUkDakDHr8x9KQFdMEpCqm3jxzKQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The quay wall in place, now ready for some DAS clay.</i></div><p style="text-align: justify;">I also managed to get the platform for the dairy built several months ago, but it is only in the last few weeks that I have got around to putting any paint onto this. This is now being painted and I am hopeful I can get it finished in the next week or so. I find painting concrete takes a long time, adding in various layers of colour. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXnPXSiIPzEaxmK8ni6YdcoRF87Tl5nraAlSXb5NGbNEStkYr3DZgk2hQd98MaEkaPaa3PgdgdCn3KLgmwOX55pGygK_Vc7o3MBR4coxuOP1CBLmPCs2T4oGy78gMmVeoCoituCCPuxkdPg7_aHqTgSlTzu8KnsN_wJjut5PnMdI1WdKdiZwfPkWJTEA=s4160" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXnPXSiIPzEaxmK8ni6YdcoRF87Tl5nraAlSXb5NGbNEStkYr3DZgk2hQd98MaEkaPaa3PgdgdCn3KLgmwOX55pGygK_Vc7o3MBR4coxuOP1CBLmPCs2T4oGy78gMmVeoCoituCCPuxkdPg7_aHqTgSlTzu8KnsN_wJjut5PnMdI1WdKdiZwfPkWJTEA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqLkXSd_lZRYdXhqsmb66HIokuc71AfiZS-K2vRLO84auAG97DzI74_rAXAdaIq-_YqVtV90TvUH4hbRr5PAzmgbY5yHbWmW0dMXzS52F7d3g2BYIXSeLT93aTBEiO3bA3vOJAKfsJQefnAXRMJIC0UvUPwDjVvIB2MDTv9f8BzXs7gl8hpuW8Q4WJ1w=s4160" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqLkXSd_lZRYdXhqsmb66HIokuc71AfiZS-K2vRLO84auAG97DzI74_rAXAdaIq-_YqVtV90TvUH4hbRr5PAzmgbY5yHbWmW0dMXzS52F7d3g2BYIXSeLT93aTBEiO3bA3vOJAKfsJQefnAXRMJIC0UvUPwDjVvIB2MDTv9f8BzXs7gl8hpuW8Q4WJ1w=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i>The dairy platform during painting</i>.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">On top of the dairy platform there are going to be several buildings, which are in various stages of construction. I am using lasercut mdf shells, onto which I paint PVA glue and apply polyfilla before sanding flat and scribing. This is copied from Chris Nevard's wizardry, and it has certainly helped me to be able to construct realistic and individual buildings for the first time, like the pub building I have still yet to finish!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwxXvXKEuJkdm4onYVVO5yQd3T10ZWZ3yGXS5EIuha7rdlwXHc8FGDjS_YVsu8O8_3RMddLyDW5w265X_jnK6AbpTSfRcP7hy1TzJuXooRsF-01hLkgiPu6RKuFEfmLb5E3MKI61E4BQAhleDR7ZEbD4Egw1ivOy2ayqVIC8oI7Tlqbd1B4v2gumFH4Q=s4160" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwxXvXKEuJkdm4onYVVO5yQd3T10ZWZ3yGXS5EIuha7rdlwXHc8FGDjS_YVsu8O8_3RMddLyDW5w265X_jnK6AbpTSfRcP7hy1TzJuXooRsF-01hLkgiPu6RKuFEfmLb5E3MKI61E4BQAhleDR7ZEbD4Egw1ivOy2ayqVIC8oI7Tlqbd1B4v2gumFH4Q=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Dairy warehouse</i>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpbSSaIMet7bUEUF0L0zChq1s63JnkKLZXSa6odtGArXdNZA5y_guQ-6R6iLhOGrEBwQ7rV47RCDtuHi3D6vhFdH7JonwFL5mlr6G19T7Vdt93xgxA0NI-8oN_nG629O6TjehfIAvot09cyW2z96HPvIcUkiCd8GbaH3AtzNNlRY08FUjTGmiX-ho_wg=s4160" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpbSSaIMet7bUEUF0L0zChq1s63JnkKLZXSa6odtGArXdNZA5y_guQ-6R6iLhOGrEBwQ7rV47RCDtuHi3D6vhFdH7JonwFL5mlr6G19T7Vdt93xgxA0NI-8oN_nG629O6TjehfIAvot09cyW2z96HPvIcUkiCd8GbaH3AtzNNlRY08FUjTGmiX-ho_wg=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Dairy office during painting</i>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrHgFyhx9ZyV8HndDx5QRwGyOZjUj12TdmPTyk7A1i_uxkdQQaB02u9JBIIbOtwe-5EDiU9w-eRFxRwFHUyYAnsBaQp7xk7ipnaihTGNWEPkJ4hJz3s4bfnwV0BYgxWCsMbqFXtZfM_VLKvCE8ekEFI2fdOGmZTIXfSqblEhjN0YZeHdnLiYW9rIyE0A=s4160" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrHgFyhx9ZyV8HndDx5QRwGyOZjUj12TdmPTyk7A1i_uxkdQQaB02u9JBIIbOtwe-5EDiU9w-eRFxRwFHUyYAnsBaQp7xk7ipnaihTGNWEPkJ4hJz3s4bfnwV0BYgxWCsMbqFXtZfM_VLKvCE8ekEFI2fdOGmZTIXfSqblEhjN0YZeHdnLiYW9rIyE0A=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Main dairy building</i>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhW2zvc9MDRAvUyrbi62R0XaD91nND5SPB7T5soqRP1I2y4oE58NZbvq-H8o_yQLEX8eCQm3pLRGtf4U5rmvKRpPRIcZiCGncHpLPQcJ0qIlqkkaTzL1NjIyv3dTXuLPicigraFRwo47iiWp0MvGrweYIahKiOcL1BGT6Gj_GoUGs9Yp0-S-kVt0Xg__g=s2000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhW2zvc9MDRAvUyrbi62R0XaD91nND5SPB7T5soqRP1I2y4oE58NZbvq-H8o_yQLEX8eCQm3pLRGtf4U5rmvKRpPRIcZiCGncHpLPQcJ0qIlqkkaTzL1NjIyv3dTXuLPicigraFRwo47iiWp0MvGrweYIahKiOcL1BGT6Gj_GoUGs9Yp0-S-kVt0Xg__g=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The pub which is still yet to be finished!</i></div><p style="text-align: justify;">So all in all, some cracking progress this week and I am hoping to get the quay wall started today.</p>Choppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02510680630387220612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2652107684290894760.post-4047904689146635682022-01-22T10:58:00.003-08:002022-01-22T10:58:58.161-08:00Kimmington Quay further progress<p style="text-align: justify;">So I have made some good progress on the new layout. All of the DCC side of the layout is operational, with the points all working fine with DCC concepts point motors and levers. I have now finally finished painting the track and alongside this I have managed to glue the platform into place. Alongside this I have now managed to make a start on painting the dairy platform. This is now the rate limiting step; as soon as this is painted then I can make a start on ballasting. It really feels like I am making some progress now and can finally make a real start on detailing the layout and starting to add in the scenic details.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbEH8W-5HW0lV7_F8OEKj3YljxTBwsD7zj0T1pqRLRNIPXeSK1SiEdSKzW_4oLN4E6_ZHfLIluRb2bd8y5bwTpcOSYcYHnR5FoZDqvGU_DiGQQZf8n2AwytJiCjx9sAQYGeNQUSQsvR-g2N2-pAEKy-nYGH0Zc5gl8jF6v3HyjWlUwYCfRMm9e2yA7kw=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbEH8W-5HW0lV7_F8OEKj3YljxTBwsD7zj0T1pqRLRNIPXeSK1SiEdSKzW_4oLN4E6_ZHfLIluRb2bd8y5bwTpcOSYcYHnR5FoZDqvGU_DiGQQZf8n2AwytJiCjx9sAQYGeNQUSQsvR-g2N2-pAEKy-nYGH0Zc5gl8jF6v3HyjWlUwYCfRMm9e2yA7kw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Platform at Kimmington Quay being glued down</i>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgoCSl8WpVNHYCsVnyMuQ_CKQYinrnOuA8gml9m7zvaNQJs5hW6IAJMZiLxjTjpfTEfEKZqh7SGcHhYJDL9lDp79M-v_8nIqqwe7ywNUWBshVCGwlWmnu0daz37hY-n9lOf0CdH-zC8INKr6zsziHJDavUO4IvPbsHNVGKe41lS4HWWut5tm1QSIBgl5A=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgoCSl8WpVNHYCsVnyMuQ_CKQYinrnOuA8gml9m7zvaNQJs5hW6IAJMZiLxjTjpfTEfEKZqh7SGcHhYJDL9lDp79M-v_8nIqqwe7ywNUWBshVCGwlWmnu0daz37hY-n9lOf0CdH-zC8INKr6zsziHJDavUO4IvPbsHNVGKe41lS4HWWut5tm1QSIBgl5A=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Track painted!</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAQ_ENptu-mRlpKHQiwWM0Q37gvYa-a6FU0X0xemuNa1BUiwJldhn7d-LkBUZto_1tNc_mRTLmQID3WXCq5t0iGaH6bpRoE-E1PwNewUFI_2lHpf6UD70jJF_otmsxgJlu5iLzN7AisS_JOHv66DVlwxihBoShPKEvomEna5YRciIfYq_a8wJHaI_GHA=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAQ_ENptu-mRlpKHQiwWM0Q37gvYa-a6FU0X0xemuNa1BUiwJldhn7d-LkBUZto_1tNc_mRTLmQID3WXCq5t0iGaH6bpRoE-E1PwNewUFI_2lHpf6UD70jJF_otmsxgJlu5iLzN7AisS_JOHv66DVlwxihBoShPKEvomEna5YRciIfYq_a8wJHaI_GHA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The view of the platform from the inter tidal muds!</i></div><p style="text-align: justify;">In other modelling, I have managed to crack on with the painting with the 13t open wagon and also the 12t pipe wagon, both in O gauge. I also managed to sound chip a Dapol class 122 DMU today and chip a Dapol class 08 to use as a run around to check the layout. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxaNMWGGDmpMBkW5gV-TBeUEUPA6RAjJUHXkbIgF8SEyJumnCMKjfyZH7v-aiT__z98AZrD5HezWXblMZXQ3A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Video showing the extent of the O gauge layout.</i></div><p style="text-align: justify;">So all in all, very satisfying progress. It really is a new world working in O gauge. Whilst I am very confident whilst working in OO gauge, the step into O gauge has meant that I am learning again as I go. However, it is a lot of fun and I currently have a little momentum with pushing on with the layout. Being able to run trains around transforms the perceptions of progress on the layout. Hopefully, more progress to follow!</p>Choppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02510680630387220612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2652107684290894760.post-70393732222081818312021-12-28T01:05:00.002-08:002021-12-28T01:05:17.671-08:00Further O Gauge Layout Progress - Kimmington Quay<p style="text-align: justify;">Over the last year I have not achieved as much modelling as I would have liked, life continually got in the way. My work life has been very time consuming since August and as a result modelling has firmly taken a back seat. One of the aims for the new year is really get modelling again and drive the new layout forward.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0JAgB2IsG0i2D7Be9drQQVdXH9sGNGc2WU00Em56n-FJeSiM4q3-3pGfY4tcFgu3_db71G70WjJaJ5pqzzVoYTffdOIP9fOTEPTQRP9fy7G_4QqvvuI7rpvnW0K16ZDPIXhx-Ke9bMZoFpL9HdtuV2Xqel_-wY36mgJWxuMc5U984Ts_vmu72SaHBVw=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1600" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0JAgB2IsG0i2D7Be9drQQVdXH9sGNGc2WU00Em56n-FJeSiM4q3-3pGfY4tcFgu3_db71G70WjJaJ5pqzzVoYTffdOIP9fOTEPTQRP9fy7G_4QqvvuI7rpvnW0K16ZDPIXhx-Ke9bMZoFpL9HdtuV2Xqel_-wY36mgJWxuMc5U984Ts_vmu72SaHBVw=w544-h244" width="544" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Track wiring complete and the first trains are running</i>.</div></i><p style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, the new O gauge layout has a name, Kimmington Quay, and of course is set in North Devon. There has been sporadic progress on the layout over the last few months, but it has been very stop start, a consequence of having to work far too many weekends. Anyhow, the layout is now all wired up. It has a control panel, built as an extension for the layout providing enough room for a diesel to run around its train. It is a compromise on space, but the thing with O gauge, is it is big! The control panel has a DCC Concepts Alpha Unit to operate the point motors via S lever point switches and Cobalt point motors. Whilst this is slightly more pricey than a standard point motor fired off a solenoid, the reduction in underboard wiring alone is worth the cost. Add in the satisfaction of using the point levers and in my book it is a winner.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuTB5wA0z5ZvYdZ_XrrS0COpaDo1vvIK24TTGTX3KI9lbnijFznBrp9MjoxEpVWzjqZdywvMXQnlW6J5yCJ4mexYO2qab5k7rUPhJMvLvHHCIMcsgIZ2mpGZMZJS9NmquMqCbaCFp4_Hr9-78Qx9VKN8ZSm6pi_7P6mjDLIO3JNzbHr327rgm_isjYvA=s1920" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuTB5wA0z5ZvYdZ_XrrS0COpaDo1vvIK24TTGTX3KI9lbnijFznBrp9MjoxEpVWzjqZdywvMXQnlW6J5yCJ4mexYO2qab5k7rUPhJMvLvHHCIMcsgIZ2mpGZMZJS9NmquMqCbaCFp4_Hr9-78Qx9VKN8ZSm6pi_7P6mjDLIO3JNzbHr327rgm_isjYvA=w555-h313" width="555" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The control panel unit for the layout with track extension. The DCC Concepts Alpha unit will be mounted - another job to do!</i></div><p style="text-align: justify;">The power to layout is supplied using a NCE Powercab, as per my OO gauge layouts. However, as I plan to have at least 2 sound chipped locomotives in O gauge, I used a Tam Valley Booster to up the available current to around 3 amps. This is now all wired up and working. The trackwork is all Peco FB Code 143, with electrofrog points, using Gaugemaster polarity switches. All the trackwork is now glued and pinned down. The curves are very tight for O gauge, but it all just about works. The Powerbus is the Express models kit, with 2 droppers soldered to every piece of rail. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7o7GvNlxpWHg4o25VQaNT7ykZR4Qnn1J7O3rvFIn0plYYnCyvajRV1i6ki_tScy01OglM2qIa9Y9KjEcaFcVAvnvYAbsBa4czPrkEWYc8IsNGEzcouxvEZ6ZXIW5Am99reGZ6i4mH7ehCRekRmim6PFP7payxQR43Rq7E1UpnwoY5kgo_zveqD1bo1A=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1600" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7o7GvNlxpWHg4o25VQaNT7ykZR4Qnn1J7O3rvFIn0plYYnCyvajRV1i6ki_tScy01OglM2qIa9Y9KjEcaFcVAvnvYAbsBa4czPrkEWYc8IsNGEzcouxvEZ6ZXIW5Am99reGZ6i4mH7ehCRekRmim6PFP7payxQR43Rq7E1UpnwoY5kgo_zveqD1bo1A=w498-h224" width="498" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The curve heading towards the fiddle yard, aka Barnstaple Junction.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmU4iLeljWDSOxChkM6Vv5KbbQXoAZ-zpODtrLmbN40YncAPRafo_OwcqrX5GSoX_fMU0fk5E5JwG1_ZA3cEf7gbsb55c5lEl08fwPWdsReANPEQl0FIl2Q3zOUUTZBqkwnlCg6WGUAeeSkA0cZceWsLTj5xDoreQlOr3UfkBu57ca2eqIqej31HeRdw=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1600" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmU4iLeljWDSOxChkM6Vv5KbbQXoAZ-zpODtrLmbN40YncAPRafo_OwcqrX5GSoX_fMU0fk5E5JwG1_ZA3cEf7gbsb55c5lEl08fwPWdsReANPEQl0FIl2Q3zOUUTZBqkwnlCg6WGUAeeSkA0cZceWsLTj5xDoreQlOr3UfkBu57ca2eqIqej31HeRdw=w489-h220" width="489" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Kimmington Quay platform halt, viewed from the inter tidal estuary.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1mE1AqNuITUg1l7xYGpdUmPKartBwnrzPUfEs-ObKdOq_kM1wvVRh5JpIRmpfHxPK9rmTlrv4dPjoI7TwO5YVjGD8iV9VIhIH36YN_A_xiqPPl4QL68-AH-2u3n0ZZ8eRA-xdZIxsOrI2AgTL_HrXqe--bCd7Fh9nnqlagr6OcyuEVSisQibZEhEXrQ=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1600" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1mE1AqNuITUg1l7xYGpdUmPKartBwnrzPUfEs-ObKdOq_kM1wvVRh5JpIRmpfHxPK9rmTlrv4dPjoI7TwO5YVjGD8iV9VIhIH36YN_A_xiqPPl4QL68-AH-2u3n0ZZ8eRA-xdZIxsOrI2AgTL_HrXqe--bCd7Fh9nnqlagr6OcyuEVSisQibZEhEXrQ=w497-h223" width="497" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>View out of the station heading for the control panel run around, aka towards Ilfracombe!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I ordered a Dapol class 122 with a decoder fitted, as I needed something to test the layout with. This has been pottering around the layout to get a feel for how it will operate. I think the layout will work well, although ideally it really needed to be 4ft longer, however, I just do not have the space. The platform building is 4ft long and in O gauge this doesn't even accommodate 2 Mk1 coaches, so this is very much a halt rather than a mainline station.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz8EfppLrlTocAbM2RYUzRflXnK2OBHfe8ZrDnaxhFHCEWepfk1k7rL_H-yh0o1X0gua-8CE7HowIt_SkHO0A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The layout is finally operational with the class 122 pulling 2 mk1 coaches into the station</i>.</div><p style="text-align: justify;">So current tasks are to paint the track and then glue down the platform. At the same time I am going to start building the quay wall at the front of the layout using a combination of plaster bandage and DAS modelling clay. As for the layout buildings, the pub is 99% finished, I just need to add some guttering and finish this off and I have started building the harbour masters office for the front of the layout. There is a dairy located at the back of the layout, with the platform built and ready for painting, another job for the coming weeks. So plenty to do, but hopefully progress will be a bit swifter than it previously has been. </p>Choppershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02510680630387220612noreply@blogger.com0