New arrival 321406 from Bratchell models. Although a Network Southeast liveried unit would have covered a wider time period, I couldn`t resist the striking Silverlink livery. I shall consider an NSE example at a later date. All I need to complete the model is a motor, which without any doubt will be another black beetle unit.

There`s plenty of activity on my workbench at the moment, having purchased several items from the Warley exhibition yesterday. The cartic 4 I wanted from Intercity models had sold out, but I managed to pick up a couple of old Hornby cartic (2s!) for possible conversion.
Despite obvious similarities, the picture above is not a new Bachmann release, but is a Birthday cake kindly made for me by my wife.... Maybe Shawplan should venture into an icing range.....!

Here we have a recently aquired German class 110 locomotive by Fleischmann. The idea was to use its motor and bogies for another scratchbuid class 83 or 84. The spoked wheels would make it ideal for the 83! The bogies would still require much work and altering though, with several parts cut away, and several small scratch built items added. However, the more I look at the loco, I take pity on it. Can I really destroy a good model like this? I`ll put it up on the shelf for now and make further ponderings!
In the meantime, I`ve eventually added a few more pictures to the photo section. Litterally hundreds more to come, time permitting....

Friday morning - 12th November 2004

Sunday morning - 31st October 2004

It`s been another week of non-accomplishment! We`ve had a few deserved days away, and since we`ve been back, I`ve only managed to look at my recently arrived Sothern Pride 310 kit for several hours contemplating wether to start it today, in a few hours, tomorrow, or next week...!! I`ve also been trying to hunt down issue 1 of Modern Railway Modelling, but with no luck....
I did, however, manage to purchase a Lima RBR buffet carriage for a couple of pounds, and am in the process of detailing, flush-glazing and adapting commonwealth bogies to fit... The roof will need a lot of work. I`m wondering if it`s worthwhile continuing with this one....

Assembled Commonwealth bogie from DC Kits, with part of Lima bogie glued on top...

On my Stereo: The Ruts - The crack

Friday lunchtime - 22nd October 2004

Almost there! Work on the 304 unit is now almost complete. Jobs left to do are to finish the glazing, make cab interiors, and add a little weight to the carriages. After that, it`s just a case of final tweaking and weathering. The unit has fully fitted interiors with a few chatting passengers inside. 304001 was the unit number decided on, not because the car numbers were already made up in the transfer sheets (But, if you read this Charlie, why not a pair of each number?) but because it`s a unit I have travelled on on more than one occasion. I am pleased with the result of the model, and I feel it captures the look of the unit much better than model featured in Model Rail 33, page 42. I don`t like to criticise unless it`s constructive, but the model in the magazine features no tail lights, no lamp irons, the roof sticks out over the cab fronts too much, the rainstrip around the front should be painted yellow, and the rail grey does not extend to the cab end enough on the DTBS..... I`m only mentioning this as an aid to others who may wish to model a 304....

On my Stereo: Allister Brimble - BANG! Tick... Tick...

304001 nearing completion...

Friday afternoon - 15th October 2004

DC kits have kindly sent me my missing underframe castings for my 304 unit which are pictured above alongside the black beetle motor which will power the model. Bogie construction has now commenced, but there`s still many hours work involved. Where will the forthcoming weekend go?

On my Stereo: Day One - Ordinary Man

Monday morning - 11th October 2004

81017 undergoing overhaul

Oh dear, what`s happened here? A whole section of html (12th September - 1st October) has disappeared, deleting a few ramblings which I posted on here. I commented how I was thwarted in my attempt to have 2 class 81`s back in running order for the weekend because I had run out of flush-glaze. I had included a couple of pictures of 81017, and 81018 during overhaul, so I may as well post them on here again. I also asked why reducing file sizes made my images (and painting skills) look wavy! If anyone does know how to avoid this, please let me know.

On my stereo: Kasabian

An unfinished 81018

Sunday Lunchtime - 10th October 2004

Completing my 304 unit is taking much longer than anticipated. I have discovered that the pack of cast underframe details is missing, so I`ll have to contact DC kits in the morning. I`m finding adding the seperate door hinges and door handles etc a little tedious, but if you get a few good runs with a regular coffee break it can soon be accomplished! Still to do is the assembly of one underframe, construct bogies, add motor, add missing underframe details, and handrails to one car, add interiors, add cables and other details to cab fronts, add pantograph and insulators, paint, glaze, add transfers........ Anyway, time for a coffee!

On my Stereo: The Teardrop Explodes - Everybody wants to shag...

Monday morning - 4th October 2004

I`m not sure if I`m having good luck or bad luck at the moment. We were off to the Croydon MRS railway exhibition yesterday. However, it turns out that we had got the dates totally wrong and we were a week early! On a more positive note, I have found the 310 I have been looking for. Southern Pride produce kits for both the 310 and 312. Two 310 cars with original cab fronts are pictured above.
I shall hopefully have one of these units up and running soon, along with my 304 unit which I aim to finally complete during the next week or so......

On my Stereo: Pink Floyd - Meddle

Friday morning - 1st October 2004

Wave goodbye to the missing html!

This section of html had disappeared, however, I have posted the exagerated picture above because that`s how some of my photographs are looking after I`ve reduced the file size. I am yet to find a solution to this.

On my stereo: The Stranglers - Rattus Norvegicus

Friday morning - 12th September 2004

Although I`m focusing on 00 gauge at the moment, we decided to visit the N gauge show at the Warwickshire exhibition Centre today. It`s nice to look at other layouts, and you can always pick up a few new ideas. Of particular interest was Woodhead, Kings Park, Hawes, and Hedges Hill Cutting. Kings Park particularly caught my interest as it`s modelled on the Southern end of the WCML in the early BR blue era. It was interesting to see 501, 304 and 310/312 units! (I`m still to finish off my 304 kit.) The layout also featured early AC electrics. I noted at least one example of 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, and 87.  It`s possible to buy the 86`s and 87`s RTR, and althought I wasn`t so sure about the squatty looking 85`s, it was good to see someone having a go at producing some of the earlier locomotives.

So, how am I going to get a 312 for my layout?

 

Friday morning - 6th September 2004

A DIY class 83. More coming soon...........

The latest edition of Model Rail sees part 3 of their Perfectly Formed series, which looks into prototypical train formations. This month sees them looking at a WCML secondary express featuring a class 83. There is no current class 83 in 4mm as they correctly state. However, with a little hard work and patience it`s possible to make one yourself. I can`t see them being available RTR however long we wait..............

I witnessed a class 92 hauling a class 56 and a 58 both freshly painted in 'Fertis' livery through Brandon today. It seems ironic that our 'familiar' traction over the years is going overseas, while our new traction comes from overseas............ Pity.

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