Another Parkside by PECO kit, this time a vanwide which now comes with transfers specifically for the wagon produced by Modelmaster.
Using the Smart Models Magnetic Clamps to ensure square corners, this kit goes together easily and with the minimum of cleaning up.
https://www.smartmodels.co.uk/magnetic-clamps.html
All ready for spraying- red oxide primer is an acceptable substitute for freight stock Bauxite- and a lot cheaper- this years top tip!
From an e-bay seller I have dealt with before this example was found and, although Christmastime, the Post person pulled out all the stops and delivered within the 48 hour time.
So, this is just about perfect and will join the roster for Woodlands once the third rail is installed.
And no it won't be DCC I like easy wiring!
On the right is one of Hornby's latest offerings and to the right is an earlier batch which he has converted to an Isle of Wight bunkered version.
The latter is lacking in several areas- mainly pipework but otherwise captures the prototype rather well.
Thus it happened that trains, once again, ran through this rural bywater on a sunny Sunday.
The track is now a pathway but is largely intact due to some excellent conservation work.
A rare meeting saw several scales running on our host, Nigel's, test track.
These included Nigels own class 33 and 08 plus Roberts two class 47@s, one a white metal kit, the other a resin casting. The 47's had Tri-ang TT adapted class 31 bogies.
The Brutes in the lower photo are to 0 gauge.
My three Pecketts which, quite honestly, withthe exception of one don't really fit into any of my plans. But I love them. They run superbly putting larger engines, with more pick ups in the shade for their size.
Hawkchurch, Stephen and Kilmersdon deserve a layout of their own- we shall see!
As usual they are from Narrow Planet and well worth the wait. They are in Peckett style.
Apart from a crew this one is complete and ready to join the S&D fleet.
They were mounted on L shaped plasicard first and then affixed to the footplate.
I have used the Wills point rod kit and this will be more of a representation than a faithful reproduction. This is due mainly to lack of forward planning and the fact I am not going to dig out the ballast.
First a coat of track dirt and it's ready to position.
Found this in the bits box. A quick paint and its ready to be placed in St Mewans coal yard.
You may wonder why the lifebelt. Well being near the sea, the area is prone to flooding so it's better to be safe than sorry- the toilet paper is also waterproof!
So I ordered these three items on Monday afternoon and they arrived on the doormat today- Wednesday lunchtime.
Easy to order on a live website and paid via Paypal with debit card.
Recommended supplier and credit where it's due.
Next on to the undergubbins. Because each is a cut and shut, with the exception of one of the coaches, all will have to have fabricated frames.
The longest, ten compartment third, has had some white metal castings fitted. These I have had rattling around the spares box for ages- knew they would come in handy one day.
Below shows the results so far and before painting as it gives more clarity.
Then , when the transfers are dry, a waft of Testors Dulcoat to fix everything in place.
The windows were then secured in place with Glue and Glaze. I did consider individually glazing each window with SE Finecast glazing but too much filing of the apertures was needed so I just used clear styrene.
The time between the announcement and release of the new EFE Rail must be the shortest yet.
Several ex KMRC models including the Beattie Well Tank and Southern Gate stock are welcome re-releases.
Will we see a fresh run of 02 0-4-4Tanks? Lets hope so.
These appear from time to time and have the advantage that they come with wheelsets which run on code 75 rail!
Of a Southern Steam prototype, these fill my requirements perfectly and also add weight where its needed most.
They really are excellent castings with little or no flash to clean up.
Below is the picture I omitted last post which shows how the roof fits-almost flush. Just the original roof mounting hole to fill and it will do before undercoating and painting begins- when it stops raining!
This was done by cutting plasticard to the inner roof profile and superglueing in place.
I am aware that the coach ends shouldn't have a tumblehome but to reshape would mean a lot more work - this conversion is not meant to be an exact facsimile!
There are similarities of Southern coach ends and the clerestories produced by Tri-ang and later Hornby.
However, once painted black the missing part of the detail won't be too obvious.
Next is roof vents of the Torpedo type- and ,yes, you've guessed I don't have enough- just 15 short!
However, several months later and I discovered that the one's I had were too wide. So a quick call to SRG , the transfer of a few pounds and the narrower type, 31mm, landed on the doormat.
They are still slightly wide but a bit of judicious filing and now they sit almost perfectly, just a bit more fettling to do.
The impetus to complete St Mewan so I can restart Woodlands my other 4mm scale layout which has been in storage far too long.
The buildings for Woodlands have nearly all been made and await blending into the awaiting countryside.
So- work to do and a couple of layouts to sell!
Couldn't resist a few shots of the 02 with the converted Tri-ang/Hornby Clerestory coaches.
Conversion was detailed in previous posts which I won't repeat.
Although St Mewan is an ex-GWR station I plead modellers licence with Bodmin as the main witness!
Idly sorting through the bits box I came across a bundle of coffee stirrers of various sizes.
Roughly cut with a pair of sidecutters and stuck together with quick stick PVA they have turned out quite well for no outlay.
A coat of acrylic brown paint mixed with dark grey they are all ready for a delivery of coal and a Coal Office.
The SE Finecast version stands a little higher than the Kernow offering but later builds had a cab 6'' taller than the original batch.
A crew has been fitted into the SE Finecast version, it being nearly impossible on the other due to the cabside doors being modelled in the closed position.
Which do I prefer? Undecided!
