The chariot has a rider!

 The St Mewan shunters truck has been completed.

Using a moulding from the Dapol range of workers, Claud Farquharsen has been securely affixed to said chariot.

It is satisfying that aged figures can be used and without breaking the bank.

Claud is fetchingly attired in light grey overalls, his wife having spent some time boiling them to remove the grease and coal stains.

00 Gauge Replica Railways Collett Goods.

Proof that you can make a decent model from a long out of production model. This one is a Replica Railways Collett Goods from the late 80's.

The moulding is very good- almost as good as the present rendition by Bachmann.

Purchased as a non-runner- it has been stripped and new parts added as needed. Add to this the addition of lamp irons, coal irons to the tender and a crew makes this model into a gem.

Cruelly enlarged images show how effective even the slightest of adds can lift a model into the super detailed idiom.

This one has had the couplings removed and loops for Sprat and Winkle etched couplings substituted. This loco is destined for use on the GWR era of St Mewan, my micro 4mm layout based near St Austell.

Crushed real coal and a crew- Dapol figures, complete the modifications and after testing, was deemed ready to take its place on the loco roster.

 Please excuse the two crew members fighting under this loco- lockdown heh?

4mm Scale Dapol Class 52 Western Diesel.

The recent upload of posts has been erratic to say the least. This is due to life outside model railways and the fact that some things aren't considered to be of interest to you- my adoring public!

I have many models which haven't been recorded including this one, my Dapol Class 52 Western which was a limited edition from the |London Transport Museum some time ago.

This one made me part with the Heljan example - wish I hadn't. This is part of the St Mewan project which has just about come to fruition!

 

00 gauge Hood & Son Wagon from POWsides rub down transfers.

The limited edition wagons are getting increasingly expensive, so a set of rub down transfers were ordered from Powsides.
I obtained a 7 plank without opening end door cheaper than buying an unpainted version.

A quick rub down with a glass fibre brush removed most of the printing.

It was then undercoated with grey primer and , once dry, had the top coat of green applied.

Again , once dry the ironwork was masked up and  touched in with matt black.

Again, once dry the transfers were attached in place on the wagon side- I must admit this is easier on unmade wagon kits- and then rubbed down with a soft pencil.

They really are simplicity itself to do- even I can do it!

The result is a crisply lettered wagon which hasn't broken the bank.

I have several unmade kits in stock plus a few RTR wagons which can be utilised.

The completed side above and below is the completed wagon after a coat of matt varnish.
 

0 gauge S&D Limited Edition wagon

These are lovely models from The S&D Trust to assist funds to keep their artefacts in good condition.

A new number means I now have two Mendip Mountain Quarries wagons to accompany the Foster Yeoman one that I bought at Wincanton, what seems an age ago.

More releases are expected from The S&D Trust so the moths in the wallet may be released soon!

This will be an 00 and 0 gauge release so more expense!

 

Powsides 4mm scale rub-down transfers.

The price of Limited Edition wagons from Dapol has become one step too much.

So, what to do to expand the China Clay fleet? Now what I am proposing is probably too much for the purist- so please look away now!

Powsides catalogue is extensive in both 4 and 7mm scales with quite a few ready printed kits and RTR models thrown in for good measure.

However, I aquired some very inexpensive 4 plank Oxford Rail wagons and after removing the printed on legend undercoated and then sprayed black.

The inside has been left in primer grey but, being gloss black, the transfers will adhere well.

I will admit it is trickier to apply the transfers rather than a flat unassembled side as I had previously done.

After cutting to size and attaching the film to the wagon side with low tack adhesive tape I was able to rub the transfers on without too much trouble.

The result -below- bears this out I feel- then one more black wagon to similarly treat then I will see what kits I have left or if more  Oxford Rail wagons will need to be sourced. Just need to seal with matt varnish then reassemble the wheels, buffer heads and couplings.One more clay wagon to go before another Somerset collieries wagon is started.

 

A canal boat for Gwartha vellan.

I believe that this moulding originated from Anyscale Models- some time ago. It languished in grey primer and a black hull until I finally plucked up courage to add colour.

I am quite pleased with the result, I just need to source some suitable transfers to decorate the cabin area- it will not be quite so elaborate as the original- anyway I can't find suitable signage!

The coal load is a resin moulding which, with a modicum of fettling fits the loading bay.

The canal wharf at Gwartha Vellan will have something to moor now!