Warley Report 5- KATO/Peco Double Fairlie.

This is the first printed sample of the announced Double Fairlie and was a very rough sample- shapes of things to come.

An excellent couple of days at Warley with lots to see and new and old friends met- Thanks Colin for inviting me and a good couple of evenings putting the world- and mode3l railways- to rights.

Warley Report 4. New PECO 'Bugbox' coaches.

In my haste to capture photos of the newly announced and prototype loco's I almost forgot the PECO Bugboxes.

Shown is the First Class coach which has a superb finish and runs very well.

Can't wait for release to augment my 3D printed brace.

Warley Report 3b. 009 England loco.

The Peco stand also had one of the engineering samples running .

Quite happily pulling the 3 prototypes of the Peco 'Bugbox' coaches around a circle of Peco narrow gauge track.

The loco runs well with no sign of wobbling or erratic behaviour-the difference between this example and the one running on the KATO stand was the tender.

Warley Report 3a. KATO/Peco England 009 engine.

The KATO display was part of the Gaugemaster stand. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Kato who showed me one of the first engineering samples of this new enterprise between Kato and Peco.

The loco was running very smoothly as one would expect from Kato products .

A completely new chassis has been engineered to power the loco which Mr Kato kindly allowed me to photograph.

The photo isn't as grainy as you would think as a mottled grey plasic mix was used to produce this engineering sample. When asked it was intimated that the England would be introduced in 2021.

Warley Report 2. Model Rail Vale of Rheidol 2-6-2T.

Pictured on the Model Rail stand was this image.

When speaking with stand staff I was told that this will be the first Model Rail loco that will be produced 'in house' .

production will also be arranged by MR and not through one of the established previous partners.

Realistically the model won't appear for some considerable time- maybe 3 or 4 years.

Warley report 1. Heljan 009 L&B Baldwin LYN.

The first of my observations from Warley is the engineering sample from Heljan. Announced as being available during quarter 3 next year ,2020.

0 Gauge Lima BR&CW Type3.

 The buffer beams complete with buffers have arrived.

Then it is simply a matter of cutting off the original beams from the chassis.

I found it best to test fit the replacements with the body in place. That way I can be sure I can remove the body.

Initially superglued in place- I use Gorrila Gel, The joint was beefed up with some quick setting epoxy resin.

Looks like it is set square so the handrails to fit next.

0 Gauge Heljan Class 33 buffer beams.

After searching the suppliers for a set of buffers, it was suggested that the spare 33 buffer beam from Howes would suit.

I must admit that this is good value for money- at least half the price of other offerings.

Once the body is completed then a start on the chassis will be made.

0 Gauge 3Aitch 3 plank wagon.

 The 3 plank needed some work so first, it has had a new end fabricated from 1mm plastic sheet. The planks being scribed on to match the existing moulding.

Some plastic strip has been added to nearly replicate the original end.

Some NB buffers by Parkside by PECO have been added- they were available-

Need to undercoat and add wheels, will insert bearings and then some Wizard Models wagon wheels which I have in stock.

3mm East Boldre station building.

The roof has been painted and windowsills added.

The chimneys are being worked on with the twiddly bits slowly added.

Once dry, they will have brick paper added together with white metal chimney pots.

Very time consuming but hey! It isn't a race!

0 Gauge Lima BR&CW Type 3.

After a session of carving off the moulded handrails, the body was masked and sprayed with Precision Paints BR Loco Green. The roof is undercoat grey.

The waistband lining has come out really well as has the window surrounds.

Having pre-drilled the holes for the handrails was a good move, it is now just a matterof measuring and bending 0.5mm brass wire and then glueing in place.

The SE Finecast flust glazing fits well without any fettling. The buffer beams have arrived so the chassis can be worked on.well without any fettling. The buffer beams have arrived so the chassis can be worked on.
Now I need to source some appropriate transfers for the numbers and corporate logo!

0 Gauge part built aquisitions.

 First was this Conflat and Container- the transfers were included for the container but had to get the ones for the Conflat from PECO-very helpful.

Secondly- Another Midland van which is largely complete but needs transfers which I will cobble together from those I already have.

Lastly, this 16 Ton Mineral is the Parkside version which differs slightly from the couple of PECO versions all have previously built. Completion needed a few bits of brake gear and buffers and end door hand holds fitted. Nicely built model and has had the body sprayed.

0 Gauge Three Aitch Mouldings.

 Part of the recent aquisition of 0 Gauge were a couple of 3 Aitch Mouldings wagons- both missing parts and appear to have had a sorry previous life.

The wheels are plastic on metal axles to coarse scale which, on the van,have been replaced with a pair of wheels ,axles and bearings from Wizard Models.

The top door runner has been fabricated from plastic strip and need a door made.

The wagon is missing an end and most of the buffers- the wheels will be similarly replaced and missing brake gear found in the bits box-hopefully. There is always Warley in a couple of weeks to find the bits I need.

0 Gauge Lima BR&CW Type 3.

This distressed model came to me through an auction lot which was surplus to the items wanted.

It is fairly clean but will receive a slight update which won't include a correct set of bogies.

Below shows the moulded handrails have been removed and holes have been drilled to enable new wire handrails to be fitted once re-sprayed.

Just need to source buffers and flush glazing and change couplings.

0 Gauge Stanier parcels.

A newly aquired bogie van which appears to be a Kirk kit, apart from needing window grilles is just about complete. I have cheated by applying Letraset as the numbering rather than investing in a sheet of transfers.

Hornby 00 Ruston & Hornsby diesel.

The much awaited 4 wheel R&H diesel has recently arrived.

From the box a superb runner with or without the match truck. This is clip and plug attached and is easily separated and re-assembled.

However, I have a problem. I can understand a 03 0-6-0 DM having a match truck attached for track recognition reasons but would an industrial diesel be similarly treated?

The match truck appears to be an ex Mainline or Dapol moulding so a replacement body was found at Warminster for the princely sum of a pound. A tarpaulined load was added and I think it looks more workmanlike.

Wincanton- Last part!

This 0 gauge S&DJR road van was pre3sent on Peter Hollins Shillingstone.

Unfortunately my picture doesn't do it justice as the weathering is just right.

Wincanton Part Deux!

To the left is Rosedale, a truncated branch line due to receive the Beeching axe, indeed he is standing on the platform!

Springfield group from Weymouth presented this well observed 0 Gauge model.

Wincanton MRE November 2019.

 There were several 0 Gauge layouts that attended this years Wincanton Exhibition.

First of these is Woolbridge which, of course, is based on the ex-SR station at- believe it or not- Wool.

Years ago I built a 4mm version from plans in the Railway Modeller and this does portray the prototype, sadly no longer in existance, very well. Indeed it is instantly recognisable which belies the mark of a good model.

 The goods shed and signal box are also faithfully modelled, I should have asked about the engine shed parentage!

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Wincanton Model Railway Exhibition 9/10th November 2019

All set up at the Wincanton Model Railway Exhibition.

Although very frosty this morning the weather soon changed and the rain hammered down .

Many excellent layouts in a good selection of scales plus traders offering many bargains .

The only problem is which bargain to buy!

A couple of bookings for 2021 were made soI can't sell the layout yet!!!

3 MM Society-Passing of Terry Smallpiece.

It was with great sadness that I received the news that a stalwart of the 3mm Society has passed away.

Terry was very supportive to my daughter, Pamela, who, at the age of 7, started a passion for Tri-ang TT model railways. With Terry's help we amassed a comprehensive collection and eventually built and exhibited a 15ft long exhibition layout of Tri-ang TT.

A wants list was always updated to Terry and it was always an exciting time when a package from Terry was delivered by the postman.

Some in the 3mm Society may remember my article in Mixed Traffic- The Financial Director- which elucidated on Pamela's collection.

Rest in peace Terry- I am truly indebted to you and that I could call you a true friend.

Narrow Planet Name and Numberplates.

It is somewhat pleasing that there are some suppliers which will provide products in various scales without having to order from multiple businesses.

One such is Narrow Planet-
www.narrowplanet.co.uk

My latest order has been received and it contains cabside numbers, smokebox number and shed code for my 57XX Pannier Tank, Nameplates for a 009 Baldwin and smokebox numbers and shed codes for a couple of 3mm locos.

The brass etches are excellent and the colouring just right.

I might just mention that they also supply other scale narrow gauge kits plus a RTR coach commissioned from PECO.

So, credit where credit is due and NP will be my go-to supplier of etched brass plaates.

O Gauge Ian Kirk Dia D98 Non Corridor Brake 3rd.

At the recent Rail-Ex Taunton, H&A Models had some plain plastic bags with O Gauge bogie coach kits for around £40.

Instructions are somewhat basic and the parts need some cleaning up but for the money!

OK, you have to purchase wheels and buffers which still only totals £60 ish.

Below is what you get in the bag- lots of bits- looking forward to building this.