009 Bachmann Welsh Highland Baldwin.

This is the full cab variant unlike the WD and Ashover 'Peggy'.
Supplied with etched makers plates this one was given half an hour in each direction on the rolling road as suggested in the accompanying instructions.
This one runs as well as its sisters and will become a rostered loco on Hillbrow at the forthcoming Exmoor Rail on the 4th August at The Eye in Minehead.

This post is the 200th 

4mm Cambrian wagon kits.

 Whilst looking for something or other I came across a couple of Cambrian 4mm scale kits.

Where or when I acquired these is unknown but having a few idle moments started to build them.
Firstly the SECR 10Ton van with lower door as right and latterly the ex-GWR Loriet below.

These 4mm kits go together as well as the 3mm versions of which I have made many.
The chassis is posssibly easier to construct than the Parkside version although the Parkside kits are supplied with wheels.

Luckily there are several pictures of the Loriet in GW/BR wagon books I have- however, again, the numbers are incorrect and missing the LORIET branding as I didn't have the correct transfers for one wagon!

There were only a very few Loriets so the chances of me building another is very slim!
Engineers wagons are rarely used on my layouts but now I have a Shark, hopper and Loriet so that's a start.

009 News August 2018.

The latest 009 News had an unexpected surprise for me when it hit the doormat recently.

Chris Ford, the editor, has published my piece on RAF Misarah- although he spelt my name wrongly!
I am quite pleased with how the photos have come out having been sent full size to Chris.

The 009 News has a pleasing feel to it and contains articles which are of interest to a wide range of skills.

Scale specific mags are possibly of an informative nature than the mainstream mags giving clues as to where supplies can be sourced and local group information is freely imparted.

4mm coach miscellany.

 During the hot weather several unfinished projects have reached completion.
The etched brass offering, right and below was found in a poor condition but was complete. It has been stripped, repainted in BR unlined crimson and will be used on a branch line as a single coach- again this has had Humbrol matt varnish applied at the same time as the 33 reported a few days ago and,guess what, it too has a white sheen to the varnish-anyway this looks a bit neglected and will stay as is with maybe some weathering powders applied.

 Below is a 62ft MK1 suburban brake which has been assembled from Replica Railway parts. It is always rewarding to search Godfreys stall at exhibitions and this is the third coach built in this way. And, yes I know that the numbers are wrong but I had some rub down sheets of numbering and didn't want to buy another sheet for one coach.

3mm scale Lowfit, Fencehouse chassis and modified couplings.

 Many moons ago the 3mm Society had a 50% sale of selected wagon kits. For some reason unknown to me, possibly alcohol related, I purchased several including four Lowfits.
Over time I rounded up the necessary Fencehouses chassis and batch built three of the bodies. One ,however, isn't quite square so will probably be substituted for the spare body sometime.
The transfers are from old Woodhead sheets- the best in my opinion, and other sheets I had lying around. What a pain to apply these to three wagons!!
Anyway, I have modified my usual couplings, the etch by Worsley Works, to be operated by magnets. The lower picture shows the high tech method which has been adopted- and it works. Hopefully the loco pickups wont be affected as they are periodically on Hennock and Teignford.

Hornby Railroad BR&CW Type 3.

I have had this partially detailed for some time and I suppose it wasn't high on the list of priorities due to a couple of the Heljan offerings.
By chance, at the Brockenhurst  Exhibition, I found a set of South Eastern Finecast flush glazing for the Lima class 33.
Never one to spend 50pence lightly, I aquired this and three sets of glazing for the old Tri-ang/Hornby Clerestory coaches as well!
Brought them home and promptly forgot about them until I was looking for something in the 4mm round tuit box.
the necessary pieces were cut from the moulding, checked for fit, window surrounds painted matt black, transfers applied- sealed with matt varnish and the windows fitted and secured in place with canopy glue. Job done- except Mr Humbrols varnish has gone a patchy matt white. Sprayed in 26 degrees C and agitated for at least a couple of minutes before applying.Note to self- don't use his again!

3MM Scale LBSCR PushPull Coaches.

 I bought this set of etchings at the 3mm Society AGM. Quite why I did escapes me now as they are ex Jidenco etchings rebranded by Falcon Brass.
Don't get me wrong but the thickness of the etch on a paneled coach is fraught with misgivings!
However, in a moment of severe optimism I have tackled the first coach- the Driving Trailer.
having created the tumblehome, the ---- thing wouldn't fold along the base etch preferring to bend just above the bottom of the panelling. This destroyed the tumblehome and  so I am sure that an unsatisfactory result will ensue!
Anyhow the tab for the roof was folded over and the four corners soldered to give a bit more strength before I progress further- don't hold your breath though, this may take a while.

Bachmann 009 Baldwin 'Peggy' .

Thank you Kernow Models for sending this little beauty so promptly after release.
Similar to the ex WD loco already described, this looks and runs superbly straight from the box.
A half hours running in in each direction and a quick smear of oil will give reliable operation.
The etched plates and makers plates have been added so all ready to go- will be performing at he Minehead exhibition on 4th August.

3MM wagons with Fencehouses chassis.

 Just a few pictures of the latest rolling stock which has been mounted on Fencehouses chassis.
Quite pleased except the rainstrip is too heavy- may well alter this if I can without destroying the wagon roof.
The last picture shows a couple of chassis ready to receive the fitting for a couple of conflats.

Dapol Electo-Diesel Class 73.

 Just couldn't resist this- special offer from Dapol of ex collectors club release reduced to around eighty of your english pounds (other inferior currencies are available) which proved to be too good to miss.
Yes I have the Hornby version but this one runs much smoother .
Little to do except fit a the buffing plates and now I have to decide whether to fit a coupling bar, as per the class 33, or persist withthe present arrangement- decisions etc!

3MM Southern Q1 0-6-0

 This loco has been quite a time in building.
Truth be said that it nearly didn't get built at all!
However, because of a resurgence of things Southern (BR) and the fact that I have several Bullied and Maunsell coaches to build it was about time something was made to pull them.
So the body was acquired from the S/H sales of the 3MM Society and a suitable chassis was already in stock. A set of the latest Bullied 'square wheels' was bought from the Society Shop and we were ready to go.


The chassis firstly had the axle holes reamed out
and some straw hat bearings soldered into the
resultant holes. Spacers were fitted then soldered into place and motor and gearbox assembled.
A wheel was loctited to each axle, inserted through the axle bearings and because they automatically quarter were loctited into place.
Coupling rods fitted and chassis run to check after generously oiling moving parts.
So, all to do now is fit the pickups and paint the chassis and all is done- looks good so far!

Quarry Siding face shovel.

The first time i saw Quarry Siding there was a Corgi Ruston Bucyrus face shovel.
I didn't include the RB in the purchase.
However, I found this at the recent Romsey Show so this one has joined the fleet.
I do like the way the cord has been added to the operating gear making it fully poseable.

3MM Southern van .

 Following on from my previous post about Fencehouses chassis here is an assembled example awaiting the chassis being painted, transfers affixed, roof cut and fitted and finally a sealing coat of matt varnish.

3MM Fencehouses chassis.

 I have several of these etches, both 9ft and 10ft.
Etched in nickel silver, the quality for the price is excellent.
I have decided to batch build all I have so firstly all pinpoint bearing holes were opened out with a broach as were the brake gear assembly, then a rough jig was made up to solder the pinpoint bearings in place. The brake gear was then soldered in place with the cross shaft aiding positioning.
Finally the wheels were inserted to check free running. All ready for chassis parts to be fitted.