Paxton Road

The lure of the NGG16...

2012-02-10T14:57:00.000-08:00

Inspiration comes in many forms, and whilst I still have plenty of modelling in 009 to complete with my first two projects, my thoughts have turned to 'what next'. Sensible head is saying perhaps some rolling stock, or even a small diarama.

However the lure of the NGG16s, in particular the Backwoods Miniatures kits, is very strong. I remember visiting the Welsh Highland Railway with my Dad back around 2005 (I think) and being absolute transfixed by these huge, powerful and purposeful looking narrow gauge locomotives.

Keith Hilton 1942-2011

I'm visiting the line again this weekend - and will be travelling the length of the route from Caernarfon to Porthmadog. I've not got the funds at the moment as the kit is nearly £200 but when you combine the real right here right now inspiration with photos of the engines in South Africa prior to preservation (as above) then it's more a question of when, not if...

Viking's ready for plastic...

2012-02-05T11:34:00.000-08:00

I got an hour clear to spend on Viking today...

I only had a few parts left to fit in brass, namely the hooks on the buffer beans and the foot steps. These went on without too much drama, using low melt solder and holding the parts with tweezers or pliers whilst the solder took a second to cool.

The steps at the front are formed from two pieces, but went together with ease. There are no locating half etches on the underframe for either the front or back but they went on ok, but I did have to keep tweaking them until the were straight, they're not perfect but the advantage is how strongly attached they are over the superglued ones on Wasp.

Next I'll start building an axle box assembly and then see if I can take a mould from it to cast my the 4 I need, or whether it will be just as easy to build them all by hand.

Neat fenders...

2012-01-29T14:35:00.000-08:00

I managed to grab another hour on the Worsley Works Schoema this evening...

I started by finishing the cab etches by adding the two eyebrows (sun shades) to the rear windows. Tricky little things, in the end I tinned them first, then held them with tweezers whilst applying heat to the adjacent material until the solder flowed.

Moving on I assembled the fenders from the fold up etch. The hold and fold ensured I got nice clean bends, but soldering the little triangle fillets in to the middle positions was nerve wracking but the result is worth it. It's my aim to solder all the metal detailing parts before moving on to working in plastic, lesson learned from the Wasp! Superglue is ok but no where near as strong as a good soldered joint.

A trainset inspiration...

2012-01-28T09:52:00.001-08:00

I picked up the January copy of Model Railroader today for some light reading. It features there annual starter project, this year a 4x8 based on coal mining country in the Appalacians.
It's use of sharp curves, gradients and clever view blocks has me wondering of a similar plan could be drawn up for my 009 project?

From flat to 3D...

2012-01-27T15:36:00.001-08:00

In just four hours modelling time the flat pack Worsley Works kit has become a diesel...

It's gone together really easily actually, and I am pleased with the result. It's not perfect, but it's close enough and what a well proportioned, detailed and designed kit - it basically just falls together. You don't need instructions when something is as self explanatory as this!

I always use 145degC low melt solder - it means you don't have to worry about damaging components from excessive heat with the usual 180degC stuff - plus with a good flux (I use Carr's green) you get really well flowing neat joints. I just have a basic Antex 25W iron - and find it fine for most work, with ample heating capacity. On top of that I have a selection of needle files and now a fibreglass pencil as well. Just goes to show you don't need expensive complex equipment to work in brass...

The basic order of construction was chassis first, then the bonnet was folded up and the end soldered in. This was then soldered to the cab front. Front buffer beam next, before adding the bonnet assembly to the chassis. Then just building up the cab sides and finally the cab rear. It's gone together fairly square, although I added the grill to the bonnet front before it was fitted to the bonnet sides which means it's slightly skewed and off centre. I used solder to fill any gaps and tidied this up as best as I can with a file and glass fibre pencil.

Still got some more brass bits to add - steps, pilots at both ends and rear window shields - then I'll drill out all the handrail holes and start on the detailing - most of which will be in plasticard. The roof goes on last as there is no access from underneath.

The Kato chassis will be a push fit I think - and I will just make up some plasticard spacers to get it to ride at the correct height.

Finally a shot to show comparative size to the Wasp - it's nearly as wide, and quite a bit longer - so both of these are quite big models in 009.

Starting on the Schoema...

2012-01-26T12:37:00.001-08:00

This evening I've made a start on my second 009 project, as means of a change from my G scale projects...

This is the Worsley Works scratch aid kit for the Isle of Man Schoema diesel. An odd prototype but I was drawn to it as an European styled prototype, something I found familiar from my usual G scale models...

Again I plan to use the Kato tram chassis so I sourced one through eBay, bringing the kit cost up to about £40. Very reasonable...

I started on the hood by adding the 12 louvred to the bonnet sides, carefully soldered on using plenty of flux and a low melt 145degC solder.

I have also modified the chassis to fit within the kits underframe. Potentially this gives room for a DCC chip and lighting, maybe even an N gauge sound setup but we'll see. This modification was done using a razor saw.

You may ask what's happened to Wasp? Well it's awaiting priming as I need to paint it before I fit the interior. I am looking into a good primer for etched brass. Recommendations welcome, please leave them as comments.

An un-glamorous end...

2012-01-15T05:39:00.001-08:00

After 4 years of stop start and plenty of other modelling distractions I've finally skipped Paxton Road Mk1...

It helped me get back into the hobby, practice some landscape modelling and provided a photographic backdrop for my late 90s modern image 00 locomotives and stock.

However living in the garage without a cover was always an issue - trying to discourage the cats from sitting on it! In the end the damage caused by neglect meant it was only fit for the skip. This time I didn't mind the cat sitting on it!

Good bye Paxton Road and thank you.

Wasp ready for primer...

2012-01-04T14:10:00.000-08:00

Well after about 3 weeks on the workbench she's ready for painting...

There is still quite a lot of work to do yet - as I've not started on the interior detailing but I'm really really happy with how it's turned out so far - the Worsley Works kit has responded very well to gentle fettling and extra detail. More than that though, I've really found my 'small scale' mojo again and have loved every minute.

The roof gap has been filled and sanded with Milliput, and I've used plastic 1mmx1mm L shape extrusion across the top of the doors - both making a massive visual impact to the look of the finished model, very typical of the prototype. I've used sprue off cuts to model the headlights and vent on the flat panel on the roof - which I hope will look ok when painted.

I'm particularly pleased with the wipers - these are 0.45mm brass rod for the arms, as I mentioned in my last post. Back then you couldn't see the effect of filing a flat on them had visually though, to my eye it's a great impression combined with the finer, round section 0.3mm rod used for the blade. They're modelled in a variety of positions based on prototype photos where they never are symmetrical!

The next stage is a coat of Halfords 'plastic primer' - I find this fine straight onto brass as long as you burnish it lightly and degrease first. Then painting of the body and chassis before I can add the interior - which will be some control panels to the cabs, engine cover (in blue) behind the radiator and some benching along each side. Hopefully I can get it pretty finished before I'm tempted to start on the Schoema IOM diesel when that arrives...

Fiddle and filler...

2012-01-03T11:55:00.001-08:00

After my trip earlier today to Waltons model shop to pick up some modelling materials I've been spurred into more Wasp action.

I needed some Milliput to fill the gaps at each end of the roof, created by putting the crease in the middle. This is superfine, the only issue I ever have with Milliput is the fact you can never mix a small amount - I must have used less than 5% than I mixed on the roof - so it seems quite wasteful. However an excellent tried and trusted product.

The fiddle has been adding a few more details - pictured here on the workbench. The chassis has had an exhaust pipe (0.9mm brass rod) added below the battery box (as well as some lead that you can't see as it's on the top surface). The 2 yards of track have allowed some gentle 'running in' of the chassis which was also left suspended for 15 minutes running at a variety of speeds. Slow speed responsiveness is improved - but not amazing (yet).

On the body I've fashioned door handles from 0.45mm brass rod, with a flat filed to represent the handle. These needed tiny holes drilling in the doors - which was tricky and I realise I need another tool - a spring punch or similar to help seat the drill. All done and fitted now. Also pictured, but not yet fitted until the Milliput is dry and sanded, are the windscreen wipers. The arms are 0.45mm brass rod with the front face filed flat. The blades are 0.3mm brass rod, and they're simply superglued together. I'll fit them to the body before priming.

Not pictured is the 1mmx1mm L section Plastruct used along the top of the door each side - the door runner assembly. This was attached with liquid polystyrene cement to the edge of the roof.

A visit to Waltons...

2012-01-03T05:40:00.000-08:00

As a child I used to regularly visit my local model shop in Chester.

At that time there were two in the city centre, Arts and Crafts and Waltons in the Forum. Waltons was always the better model shop, more space and more railway stuff and I always enjoyed going in an gazing at the locomotives in the display cases.

Fast forward 20 years and Waltons shut up in Chester in my late teens, and I'm stood outside their original store in Altrincham...

What a lovely model shop! 80% trains and all scales, kits, accessories and a friendly and cheerful owner whom I'm sure I recognised from all those years ago in Chester?
Anyway I managed to pick up a haul of tools and parts for an experiment in 009...

More on that later!

Waltons of Altrincham, highly recommended.

White Pass drawings and Dad...

2012-01-02T09:21:00.000-08:00

I've managed to track down some old copies of drawings of the two types of White Pass and Yukon diesels.

These are from the 70s in US magazines I think, and I've scaled them to HO. The correct gauge should be 3ft, i.e. 3.5x3=10.5mm, but I'll look into using 009 bogies and wheelsets for any stock and modified N gauge chassis for the locomotives, running on 9mm track (about 2'8 scaled out).

It's nearly a year since my Dad passed away on the 10th January 2010, it's been a hard year. Dad had a long held interest in Canadian railways and the draw of the Yukon in particular. He never rode the railway, some might suggest he was a little 'tight', but he did pay for me and my brothers to ride from Skagway to the summit on a family holiday, the last family holiday actually, in 1999.

The Wasp is roofed...

2012-01-01T01:42:00.001-08:00

Last night before going out for the seasonal celebrations I finished off a few more details.

I fitted the battery box, foot steps, and found some small details in my scrap box for the plugs and fillers on the chassis.

I then cut some 60 thou plasticard to shape for the roof. This was scored down the middle to give the prototype ridge, and then shaped with a small needle file before being superglued to the roof.
The last few jobs before painting include headlights, horn, door handles, wipers, couplings and an interior (including some lead weight)

I've now ordered another Worsley Works kit, the IOM Schoema diesel.
Happy New Year!

Sand boxes for Wasp...

2011-12-31T16:53:00.001-08:00

Crafted earlier this evening from 10thou plasticard...

New book and a kit...

2011-12-25T07:26:00.001-08:00

Christmas has been kind so far... A cool book on the narrow gauge in Saxony and a new kit.
I say kit, I mean Lego really. I'm looking forward to putting it together...

Thankyou Railway Modeller...

2011-12-23T08:11:00.000-08:00

Today, I'm a VERY proud Dad. My 4 year old daughter built her first ever kit, the free Metcalfe Models signal box that came free with The Railway Modeller.

She did a wonderful job, really enjoyed herself and being trusted with the glue, and didn't do a bad job at all...

Kato N tram chassis...

2011-12-20T10:26:00.000-08:00

To power the 009 inspection saloon is a Kato tram chassis, which required a little getting to get it to fit, cutting the front and rear buffer beams off it, and some material removed from the cut outs on the brass underframe.

You'll also notice a new radiator grill (a scrap Shawplan Class 37 nose grill etch) and filler panel on the side (another part from the same Shawplan etch). Now the chassis fitted work can commence on chassis detailing, along with door handles, roof and other body finishing touches...

That's that...

2011-12-18T04:39:00.000-08:00

Another half an hour of work and the Worsley Works bits are used up and I'm left to my own devices to finish the roof and detail it up.

I think I'll use plasticard for the roof, and I've some fine 0.45 and 0.35mm brass wire and white metal detailing bits from my old 4mm days that I'll use for handrails and underframe details. It's been fun but instructions would definitely be worthwhile even if you had to download them yourself to keep costs down.

Wasp sting...

2011-12-17T13:11:00.001-08:00

Well it's been 12 months but I cracked out my soldering iron and metal working tools and in less than an hour I have a distinctly Wasp looking thing on my workbench.

It's certainly 'scratch-aid', no instructions and I wonder not very beginner friendly...
Still good fun, and definitely I want to try another kit... Will it be a Backwoods next?

Dipping my toe...

2011-12-17T08:48:00.001-08:00

I've bought a Worsley Works scratch aid 009 kit for the Welshpool and Llanfair 'Wasp' that fits over a Kato N gauge RTR tram chassis.

I've an itch to scratch here, an ambition to build my very own railway landscape in miniature. Inspired by the Lynton and Barnstable, Leek and Manifold as well as my favourite Welshpool and Llanfair. Think big engines, long trains, transporter wagons and proper structures with no slate in site.
Watch in for more over the winter...

Perhaps the Welshpool and Llanfair...

2011-12-08T10:57:00.000-08:00

In my ponderings over an 009 project I've found myself back with the Welshpool and Llanfair...

We shall see what, if anything comes of this latest fancy but imagine if you combined the Leek and Manifold transporter wagons with the Welshpool and Llanfair engines with the passenger traffic of the Lynton and Barnstable...

and if you've not seen it here's a classic film from before closure...

White Pass winter...

2011-12-03T08:58:00.000-08:00

With hugely evocative photos like this I wonder how long it will be before I attempt a White Pass and Yukon model railway, in G scale or perhaps H0m (or is that HOn3)...

A Lynton and Barnstable adventure?

2011-11-21T11:47:00.001-08:00

Well the 4mm mojo didn't return for long with work on the Bachmann Class 66 over pretty much as soon as it started and a few more projects rattled off in G gauge for my outdoor project (http://ejklr.blogspot.com)...

One of my favourite aspects of railway modelling is research and inspiration comes from funny places. Ever since Lyd was built and unveiled on the Ffestiniog a year or so ago I've found myself strangely drawn to the Lynton and Barnstable railway - not it's current mile long form, but in it's hey day.

I've heard it described as the railway enthusiast's 'lost city of Atlantis' with the stories of Lew still in existance in South America - but there is certainly something about the line. For me it's the strange magic that's wrapped up with the words placed on a wreath at Barnstable station the day after closure...

'Perchance it is not dead, but sleepeth...'

So where was my inspiration?

Walking along through a wood on the outskirts of a village next to the sea in Dorset, called Ringstead. I've always thought this part of the world is very beautiful and wondered 'what if... a railway had been built'. Highly unlikely, a tiny population and no industry it really would have been a folly of a railway but inspiration it was never the less...

I quickly found the excellent website 'County Gate' and it's numerous resources, surely the seminal collection of L&B material on the internet, and the draw of a Backwoods Miniatures Manning Wardle or Baldwin etched kit is beginning to prove very tempting indeed... with the Baldwin 'Lyn' edging it at present due to the easier valve gear.

Class 66 project awakens...

2011-08-31T13:10:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what happened but I thought I'd make a start on the Class 66 again tonight. Out came all those old but familiar tools and materials. I had hoped to make a lot of progress but the complexity of the pipework routing had me studying detail photos for nearly an hour so I started simple and began at the cab end section... What do you think?

RMweb 2011 challenge: proof of concept

2011-06-13T10:28:00.001-07:00

Well, it might be creeping back, the 4mm mojo...
After a few days musing over the RMweb diorama challenge I think I've come up with a model that will be a useful photo plank, small shunting layout and something to get me working in the smaller scales again.
G-scale projects still dot the workbench and I'm going to start on another structure too soon, but this diorama, provisionally titled Paxton Road 2, uses track, ballast and scenic materials I have in stock. I just need to draw up a baseboard design that will allow a small cassette/traverser system to be put alongside.

Little and large...

2011-03-18T12:19:00.000-07:00

Class 37 or narrow gauge bogie coach, which is bigger...

Depends on the scale!

Here are the two extremes of my modelling at present. The 37 will get a breath of finer details and the coach will be refurbished with a resprayed roof (at some point!). Progress is slowed though due to other commitments, explaining the reduced output both here and on the EJ&KLR blog (http://ejklr.blogspot.com).

Revisiting another old friend...

2011-03-10T12:05:00.000-08:00

You will have noticed a massive decrease in progress shared here and on RMweb in recent months...
Why?

Well I'm deeply engrossed in a new project and new scale and loving every minute (http://ejklr.blogspot.com). However it has helped me focus my 4mm interests though and I've firmed up my longterm goals. These are two fold...

1) Paxton Road Mk 2
OO gauge, 1998, based on Didcot yard.
2) Meadow Lane
P4 gauge, 1983, based on the Manchester Ship Canal railway at Ellesmere Port.

So I've sold my green tractor and fitted the sound chip and speaker to my EWS version, which now sits on the shelf behind me waiting to be refreshed with finer details and new headlights. It is safe to say it is likely to skip past both the 58 and 66 on the workbench!

Introducing the EJ&KLR...

2010-11-25T08:57:00.000-08:00

Inspiration?

European coaches and small powerful steam locomotives on a picturesque line in mid Wales! The Welshpool and Llanfair has been a favourite of mine for many years - especially it's original steam locomotives with the GW rebuilt chimney, dome, safety valve and number plates. Chunky and purposeful.

I have wanted an LGB garden railway for pretty much my whole life - I think it was my best friend Tim's Christmas present when I was 9 that started it all, an LGB starter set. His Dad soon purchased an extra locomotive and some second track and I remember the last summers of Primary School spending ages in Tim's garden created our very own railway properly playing trains rather than the finer scale modelling we both were into with our OO layouts.

Fast forward twenty years and with Dad's retirement and Elly turning 3 this summer I'm in the mood for re-living those childhood memories, so I sit here with a 95% certainty that this project is a goer...

So the EJ&KLR (Elly, James & Keith Light Railway) is born... with an LGB Big Train set and a Liliput diesel shunter plus some extra track. Where this journey will take us I'm not sure, but I'm hoping for lots of fun playing rather than modelling :)

So this frames all my other modelling now perfectly. I've yearned for a railway to play with in addition to my shunting planks and detailed P4 ideas but I just haven't got the space inside... now things are clear! Paxton Road (and it's successor) will be shunting planks for my detailed OO RTR modern image locomotives, my P4 bug will be fulfilled by the MSC project 'Meadow Lane'. So where does this leave Rose Hill? Out in the cold I'm afraid. I'm going to finish off the Pacer (interior and wiring) and sell it along with the buildings and base board and track - along with some older stock I don't need any more - a way to start funding some of my longer term garden railway plans.

An exciting time - and I can't wait to share more with you all soon :)

Third time lucky...

2010-11-20T08:31:00.000-08:00

This model of mundane 37013 in 1998 condition pretty much sums up my re-birth into the hobby. I started her back in February 2008 with just a 'simple' respray as the livery wasn't available RTR and I fancied a more involved project.

Back then I'd just purchased a Badger 200 airbrush and got a great finish on the blue and with the faded varnish. Over time I added buffer beam details and light weathering and considered her finished (for the first time).

However as is often the case with my modelling projects as I improved my skills elsewhere I found myself wanting to improve the model further. This first re-visit involved slicing off the sideframes to narrow the bogies and adding the brake actuation chain - two modifications at the time (early 2009) I was particularly proud of!

So that brings us to more recent times and 37013 has literally been on my workbench for the past 3 months getting a second re-visit to add finer details, improve the weathering and lift the overall finish. I hope to document more of these improvements soon - in the meantime there is more specific detail in my Paxton Road Workbench (links on the top right).

So is she finished now then? What do you think!

I think that last photo has a real sense of realism for me, a hazy summer day, with bright light and defined shadows in the sidings at Paxton Yard (my photo plank).

A scenic update...

2010-10-16T09:48:00.000-07:00

Progress has been at a snail's pace recently and motivation at a real low point. I'm torn between junking Paxton Road, selling it or finishing it... then selling it.
It's a great shunting plank, but I think I've outgrown it's limitations and lust after something a little more specific.

Anyhow a few weeks ago I snapped some outdoor shots when the weather was finer as I've been playing with some Woodland Scenics fine leaf foliage (basically sea moss with foliage attached already, from what I can tell).

The layout does do one thing well, and that is act as a coherent base to photograph my stock on - digging through the cupboard I realised I've got quite a lot of stuff that really needs finishing off. The VAAs for example need brake discs and calipers adding and I need to sort the droopy couplings - and the OCA has a Land Rover load in the making.

The Seacow is still one of my favourite weathering jobs though...

Fenced in and the grass grows...

2010-09-01T13:14:00.000-07:00

09007 caught between shunting at Paxton Road this afternoon...

That's my favourite photo of my favourite loco so far on this layout journey. It's a modified Bachmann 09 that's been featured in Model Rail (December 2009). You can also see I've aquired some Woodland Scenics 'fine green foliage' from Hobbycraft (but I can recommend Nairnshire Modelling Supplies as a very satisfied customer over the past 12 months or so!)

I've been progressing the warehouse area of the layout in the last fortnight focusing on getting the fence fitted and 'bedding it in'...

This is simple a Knightwing injection moulded plastic security fence that has had it's pips removed, glued together and dusted over with a white primer to give a patchy look as per the real galvanised steel. It's planted with PVA into the baseboard and then I've used static grass tufts (two colour, spring) from International Models and Woodland Scenics foliage (medium green) to blend it into the existing ground finish. I'm happy with how it's coming - but I'm in need of some more Silflor gras-mat for the front embankment before I can finish this aspect of the layout.

Tractor matters...

2010-08-24T14:53:00.000-07:00

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I quite often find myself re-visiting models!

This time it's my resprayed Bachmann 37/0 - now masquerading as 37013. I've fitted a DCC decoder this evening as Paxton Road progresses and my Dynamis is semi-permanently installed now, and looking at the details things felt a little chunky and crude compared to my latest 37, Caerphilly Castle.

So I dug out the Hornby Class 31 buffers (a huge improvement over the Bachmann effort) and the 40 links per inch chain (thanks Jon) and knicker elastic (thanks other Jon) for a bit of fettling. The buffers were replaced - the MU socket replaced with a part from the Hornby 31 detailing pack and then the knicker elastic was used to replace the MU hose, after drilling out the plug and bufferbeam connection 0.5mm to accept the elastic. I've then used some brass etch fret to form the brake actuation rod and threaded the chain onto that at one end and 0.35mm wire at the other. I've also added sanding pipes front and rear on the one bogie (so far) which is a big visual improvement as these are elastic they can actually be fitted to the chassis and bogie without limiting motion. Last but not least I used some stainless steel etch fret to make the bufferbeam foot step.

Work will continue on the other four bogies, other buffer beam and then the fuel tanks will be modified like I did on Caerphilly Castle. I'll finish off by touching in the details, dusting some grime along the bottom tumblehome with my new airbrush, adding some more exhaust powder to the roof before sealing with a fine mist of varnish.

A little progress on a lot...

2010-08-15T02:47:00.000-07:00

33108 has visited Paxton Yard now that the ballast is firmly glued down and the grass has begun to grow - the photo plank is finished and looks great!

On my other layout, Paxton Road, progress at the warehouse continues slowly - this week the erection of the security fencing. This is Knightwing plastic and goes together quite quickly. This will be painted with grey/silver and the yard will be weathered and scenic'd before it is fixed in place.

I've also finished my rake of PNAs - these are modified Bachmann models with S-kits Brunninghaus springs added to the chassis and then weathered - largely with Humbrol 98 washes and some black powder on the chassis. The interior was the last to be finished and this is 98 and 100 on the sides, with a little added to the seams on the floor - and then whilst wet 64 stippled into represent the tide mark from loading. The finishing touch is some granite ballast added to represent where the mechanical grab has failed to unload the wagon completely.

Finally here's a shot of my pair of 37/4s which I've been enjoying running the last week or so and that have been the subject to a little dusting of dirt using my new airbrush over the existing washes and powders.

Next up on the 'to do' list for the layout is to progress the overbridge - but then I've also got a Bachmann 66 mega build, a P4 etched brass kit to finish off and my Rose Hill project! As RMWeb is working really well at the moment more frequent updates can be found on there - check the links on the right hand side of this blog (the RSS feeds of my blogs on there).

Paxton Yard - a new OO photo plank...

2010-07-14T11:54:00.000-07:00

Paxton Yard? You've never heard of it?

My OO gauge photo plank was getting on a bit and I wanted to try out some ballast, scenic and weathering techniques on some track work so came up with the idea of laying a couple of tracks to give a different sort of photo plank.

I think I succeeded - obviously this is still a work in progress! It's built on 24mm ply (so should be warp free) and the P4 Track Co, Exactoscale 'Fast Track' with steel rails has been used. The two tracks at the back are wooden sleepered bullhead rail and the front is concrete sleepered flat bottom rail, ballasted with Woodland Scenics fine grey ballast (not quite got round to gluing it down yet!). The track also has cosmetic fish plates fitted and has been sprayed with Humbrol 98 (Matt Chocolate) to tone down it's plastic appearance.

So what do you think? Next I'll be gluing the ballast down before adding some grass and overgrowth to the front edges and between the rails. It's going to be a great tool to use to photograph my detailed ready-to-run locomotives, and use wagons as a backdrop. Inspiration for this idea was drawn from Weston Road (the P4 diesel depot layout).

I'll leave with favourite - 33019 parked up - my favourite Crompton (that still needs it's second side finishing).

Overcast but still the sun shines...

2010-06-19T13:21:00.000-07:00

It seems an age since I made the drive down to Paxton Road, what with the myriad of modelling projects on my workbench at home - including two P4 layouts! However with DBS 37/4's being on their death bed it was worth making the effort when I heard on the gen that the weekly Didcot MOD trip might show up something special...

I wasn't dissappointed! 37411, still in EWS looking pretty tatty and sporting it's Keith David Hilton plates!
Just the usual two vans and I grabbed a few snaps as she ended up doing the shunting herself since DBS got rid of the shunter at Paxton Road last year.

Nothing like a tractor is their! However it's funny isn't it, with the introduction of the Freightliner GE Class 70s somehow the GM Class 66s take on a utilitarian charm (same with all their US products too! GE in my opinion have always been ugly, whereas the GM GP and SD series always have a chunky familiar appeal).

Flight of fancy aside... progress on Paxton Road has been slow - but then massively rapid after I attended DEMU Showcase last weekend. I've planted the warehouse, glued down some grass, painted the track and ballasted the yard... These photos were taken showing that power has been fitted and works - check out the lights in the last photo! The backscene and sky have been added in Photoshop!

The MOD warehouse is planted...

2010-04-11T09:03:00.000-07:00

I've got Paxton Road off the wall at the moment to progress some of the scenic work on the layout. I got all creative, and I love this shot - I can't wait to recreate it with a full blue sky background! The BMX needs pedals though really!

37013 is my favourite tractor - probably because I repainted it myself. It's currently on the workbench for an underframe work over (beefed up brake cylinders, finer brake chain, fuel tank detailing, new buffers and thinned down MU cable) so was an easy choice to pose for a few shots.

I've treated all the rail surfaces where the track is painted and ballasted with Carr's Steel Blackening fluid to good effect. It's not taken 100% everywhere - but in my opinion is a big improvement! It's taken away that yellow gold shine to the rail surface and we'll see how it tarnishes compared to the natural Nickel Silver.

So the MOD warehouse is now placed on the layout so I can begin to bed it in. The track in this area has finally been painted. Originally this area was going to be track laid into a road surface with an unloading crane - but I mocked it up and visually it didn't work - it became too cluttered. So this area is going to become the same finish as the rest of the track seperated with a security fence.

All this OO work though has made me miss my P4 projects. No matter how good the scenery gets it never will never look as right as P4 does! I can't wait to build my scenic operating diarama, Meadow Lane, this summer.

Blue steel (or is it Nickel Silver?)

2010-04-11T08:48:00.000-07:00

I've tried an experiment...

I remember reading in Martyn Welch's 'The Art of Weathering' over ten years ago that it was possible to take the yellow tint of Nickel Silver rail with steel blue (Birchwood Casey if I remember correctly).

With the purchase of my first etched brass kit - where I have a few things to blacken - I got a bottle of Carr's Steel Blackening fluid. I wondered if this would have the desired effect on Nickel Silver?

So after cleaning the rail surface with a track rubber, I used a cotton bud to work the fluid into the surface. It gradually turned black and dried with a matt oxide layer. You've got to remember to neutralise the acid with water - and once it was dry I used a polishing mop in a mini drill to take off the oxide layer.

So the result?

I think it's pretty good! The rail on the left is treated, right original. You can see the 'blue' effect nicely. So is it longlasting? I'm not sure... the chemical works by creating a new oxide layer. After polishing it shouldn't need cleaning as unlike un-treated Nickel Silver it shouldn't oxidise any further... so it might be possible to rub it off with a track rubber - but you shouldn't need a track rubber again! We'll see anyway!

Fingers - first stuck then burnt...

2010-03-08T15:19:00.000-08:00

I've had a productive few weeks on the modelling front - at least it feels that way! With Caerphilly Castle finished (and an article for Model Rail written) work has turned to new projects.

When I placed my order for P4 parts last year I also picked up some moulded plastic fish plates - cosmetic - from Exactoscale. I've been meaning to slice these up and fit them to Paxton Road for sometime but for whatever reason the job kept slipping down the priority list! Well at last I pulled my finger out (only to stick them together) as I fiddled about with these microscopic details and superglue! They just catch the bottom of deeper flanges but things don't ride or jump up, just 'click' so it actually adds to the audial experience!

Rose Hill has been seriously neglected in recent weeks with day dreaming of Meadow Lane and modelling in OO taking up my time. However last weekend I found myself pulling out the station for some work. The idea is to finish the brickwork and paintwork before I add the finer details - that way the finish will continue underneath posters, drainpipes, cabling etc - rather than go around it! So far I've done on end wall, painted the green woodwork and the flat roof. It's coming on nicely and I'm dead pleased with it so far!

Literally hot of the 'desk' - my Sentinel kit (Judith Edge) arrived today from Charlie at DC Kits. Excellent service, and despite a custom built Black Beetle motor bogie from Australia I received my kit in under 4 weeks.

I could hardly contain my excitement so out came the tools and I managed to get the first 5 sections of brass soldered up. It sounds silly but I'm so proud of what I've achieved. This is the first etched kit soldering I have done in 10 years. Yes if I did it again now I'd have a squarer more professional finish but I learnt so much burning my fingers and messing around with 145 degree solder and flux it was definitely worth it. I'm using a 25W Antex iron with 3.5mm tip - and it provides all the heat I need. The 145 solder has made assembly a lot easier then I anticipated and by lightly tinning each surface it goes together very nicely. I can't wait to progress this in the coming weeks!

I also gave the Black Beetle a gentle running in to check it worked ok. It's tiny - just 26mm wheelbase.

It's all in the detail...

2010-02-23T11:51:00.000-08:00

Well Meadow Lane is go - so to speak and over the past week or so I've been abusing the credit card (again). In the last sketch I showed some extra details - this was inspired by finding some Preiser detailing kits. I was struggling to find these in the UK and nearly ordered from Germany until I checked the Gaugemaster website - and they came to the rescue! This Preiser stuff is well worth checking out if you need some fine details, expensive (£3.50 a kit) but worth it www.gaugemaster.com

Here you can see 18355 (Lathe and pillar drill), 18356 (Tools, tool chest, bench vice and grinding wheels) and 18364 (Generator set and welding equipment).

I've also been buying other details and find that Nigel Burkin's shop at Nairnshire Modelling Supplies to be excellent - well stocked and excellent service.
I've picked up some more detailing parts and also baseboard alignment dowels.

Very finely cast and a lot cheaper then the competition.

Then here we have some more details for Meadow Lane from S-kits. Firstly the etched brass catwalk for a Bachmann TTA. This is also fitted to Mobil ones, and bitumen tanks, and when painted is very effective. You need a hold and fold to put it together though (luckily I picked one up for when my Judith Edge Sentinel arrives).

I also picked up some manhole covers, a small pallet truck and some gas bottles for the workshop.

All this stuff has gone in the parts box - as before I do anything else I want to prove to myself I can build this etched brass kit, otherwise it could all be used in vein! Comments, questions or encouragement welcomed! Thanks for reading.

A glimpse inside the shed?

2010-02-19T15:19:00.000-08:00

Well thanks to Jan from RMWeb I managed to get hold of a long out of print book on the MSC and it's reignited the interest for Meadow Lane, in general, and more specifically the shed itself.

I've been sketching out how I think it would work, and the stuff you see in the sketch is stuff I plan on scratchbuilding or have ordered from Gaugemaster (as they do Preiser stuff and a very nice lathe, pillar drill, welding kit and tools are in their range!).

Once RMWeb is back online I intend to start a new blog for this layout so keep your eyes peeled.

A gathering of Gronks...

2010-02-15T12:17:00.000-08:00

I've a peculiar habit - nothing like that! No I mean I've a habit of revisiting older models and bringing them up to my recent standards.

This is most evident when I have more than one of a locomotive type - actually that's nearly all my stock (3 08/09s, 2 33s, 3 37s and just one 58). I find working on a newer model makes me re-evaluate a previous effort and look to improve it. I guess this progression is pretty natural and is a good way for a beginner to progress - so guys, don't be afraid of re-working models you thought you'd finished - it's very satisfying.

I've found the Bachmann 08/09 a lovely model and it responds really well to weathering and detailing. The models pictured here were completed in the order EWS, RF Grey and most recently the Mainline liveried 09 (featured in December 2009 Model Rail ). As I've done each model I've updated the previous versions and after adding wire handrails to my Pacer project I wondered if the small short Gibson handrail knobs I'd aquired for that project could be used on the 08s?

The answer - as you can see, is yes! Check out the revised foot step handrails!

The foot steps need modifying first (as described in the article) and then it's a simple job to fit the Gibson handrail knobs and wire. I'm really impressed - so impressed that I'm going to roll out the modification to the other pair at the same time!

These models are ones I'm really proud of - the humble shunter and mundane appearance of all three is perfect for my layout. I think the Bachmann model, with these small modifications really comes to life. I'm planning on fitting Brassmasters rods to all three at some point this year once I master soldering with my Judith Edge Sentinel kit in the summer.

One month, two celebrities visit Paxton Road...

2010-02-11T13:45:00.000-08:00

With the cold weather I've not made a huge amount of progress on Paxton Road recently - but with the green 37/4 on my workbench and needing some shots for an article I'm writing I set up the camera and lighting and dug out a 33 for some quick snaps too!

I obviously can't share many of the 37 shots but here are my favourite 33 ones and a teaser of the 37. You'll have to keep your eyes peeled on a future issue of Model Rail for more :)

More scribbling from my notebook...

2010-02-09T14:38:00.000-08:00

I did suggest that my scribblings weren't over and I was right. The visit to Ellesmere Port last week has fuelled the energy behind this small project and I've found some more inspiration for the other end of the layout. This includes some large stone blocks to stop vehicle access to the right, and the security building / entrance office from the docks as well. I've also got a better idea of road layout, finish, curb stones and iron work and where signs will work (and won't) - so all in all a worth while evening.

and here is a better sketch of the proposed (simple) track layout. The idea will be the scenic section can live indoors on my bookshelf - and when I want more involved operating it will slot into a more substantial structure with cassettes to the left and a sector plate on the right. Also note the chain link fence along the front edge will have an angled gate - and the inlaid track will pass under this slightly. The baseboard will have a matt white backscene (I think) with perhaps a touch of grey towards the top. The shed will hide the exit for the back track. The front track is more of an issue, not thought that one through yet. The right hand side the hedgerow and small building disguise the exits. I guess the alternative is that the backscene doesn't frame the layout at each end? Hmmm - a little more thought and perhaps some sketches with a more construction nature.

It's exciting - but does seem to be taking over at the moment. I'm worried about loosing momentum with Rose Hill (I can't loose momentum on Paxton Road as that's stopped! - at least until the weather warms up and I can get out in the garage again!). At least this one seems to be moving somewhere and it feels like Paxton Road did (does) in that it's something I want to build, freelance but based on reality, achievable and most importantly as it's P4, doesn't require a huge stock investment - plus I'd never dream of using Paxton Road stock on the layout - that's a money saver for a start!

Scribbling again...

2010-02-07T12:28:00.000-08:00

Picture this... whilst my daughter was drawing lovely pictures of her bike and our house I was drawing another sketch of what my industrial diorama mini layout looks like in my head. You can see the shed has morphed from purely based on the one at Ellesmere Port to a cross between that and the one at Mode Wheel, the hub of the MSC Railway's Trafford Park and docks complex.

The tankers are TTAs and represent the traffic from Eastham refinery - the track they're on in my head is the link to the mainline, whereas the track visible on the left heads off to another of the refineries and quays. Traffic will be largely oil - with potentially some coal as well (imported). The idea of a 'works van' of some description trundling back and to from the yard and shed is also appealing. The sketch probably doesn't have enough rubbish and old equipment about the yard, and I'd also like to include an operating roller shutter door on the shed - as well as leaving the door propped ajar to suggest the presence of people, rather than use static moulded plastic individuals.

So what next? More research!! Anyone with photos of the MSC Sentinels actually pulling trains around either at the Trafford Park or Ellesmere Port ends would be much appreciated. I've found a few good sites via Google but not with any actual 'trains' on - just the Sentinels alone at the shed.

Some more Class 37 prototype chassis shots...

2010-02-05T12:13:00.000-08:00

I spotted a heavily faded and work worn 37255 at Quorn on the Great Central Railway last weekend and took advantage of the low sun to get some great detail shots. I have to say I was thoroughly impressed by the GCR. My wife, daughter and I met my brother at the Lostock and some Smoking Barrels event, and 8 engines in steam is impressive. My favourite was the BR Std 2 tender engine - hopefully one day Bachmann will do her as a RTR model :)

Work is progressing on my model of 37411 - and you'll be able to read how I created it in a future issue of Model Rail. For now another teaser shot as she progresses...

Meadow Lane - another distraction?

2010-01-24T13:13:00.000-08:00

Not another one I hear you shout! Paxton Road is 2 years in the making and still only 60% finished - and Rose Hill is barely 3 months in, what is he thinking?!!

As readers of RMWeb will be aware this week I've been musing over building a 230hp Sentinel shunter - a chain driven one based on the Manchester Ship Canal examples - using a Judith Edge kit. This would ideally be P4, DCC and possibly even sound fitted. It would definitely feature working headlights, cab light and flashing beacon on the roof.

An aspiration since I started the pointless (as in no points - not as in no point!) Rose Hill was to try my hand at building my own track in P4. Now I've got the confidence I can do this I wondered about a small diarama and out came the sketchbook.

I think it holds some charm - an overgrown down at heels track across the front, a road crossing going to a small yard and warehouse with overgrown rail access. Behind the back security fence is the link to the mainline. Off to one side is either a traverser or cassettes and on the right is a simple sector plate.

We'll see I guess - 50% certain this one's a goer!

Nosing ahead...

2010-01-24T13:07:00.000-08:00

My second Bachmann 37/4, sound equipped Caerphilly Castle is coming along nicely. This model will only be lightly weathered and as previously mentioned I was going to try and up my game with the end hose detailing on this one!

Here's how she's looking so far - the hoses still need the ends painting and the MU hose and socket need the orange touching up. I've also not fitted the centre piece of the snow plough under the Kadee yet but already she's showing a lot of promise.

Pacer update - ready for the paint...

2010-01-24T13:04:00.000-08:00

My P4 project, part of the RMWeb 2010 challenge is a model of Rose Hill, Marple. It's a toe dipping exercise in prototype observation - not 100% to scale (something more like 80% with the station building and pub) but with the definite intention of 'feeling right'. That means fantastic observation of prototype and artistic colouring.

The only rolling stock required (until Bachmann release a 150/1 in Northern Rail) was deemed to be a Pacer as I had one of the original Hornby ones to hand from my childhood. Over the past few months this has undergone a massive transformation (more details on RMWeb) but I reached 2 milestones today. 1) Ready for painting and 2) Ordering the custom decals from Precision Labels!

One thing I'm particularly pleased with is the underframe. I've not gone to the extent of massive rebuilding but with new front dams, beefed up suspension units and some judicious cutting of the box for the weight I've got something I'm happy with.

I'm also pretty pleased with the new exhaust pipes - the pipe at the bottom will be glued to the underframe rather than hanging down once the body is painted.

So now I just need to source some suitable paints!

Another mad cap scheme...

2010-01-22T16:22:00.000-08:00

Another mad-cap scheme... or the lure of the Judith Edge kit!

I've long held a fascination with parts of the Manchester Ship Canal railway, the stub at Ellesmere Port and the network around Trafford Park. In the early days of planning Paxton Road it was a line that inspired some early sketches as to what this could look like and gave some direction to a layout that has gradually evolved into a completely different area and subject! Such is modelling fiction.

A chance browsing of the RMWeb forum and seeing Halfwit's blog on the Steelman Royale taking shape and I found myself back on Fotopic searching out the snaps of the Manchester Ship Canal railway's Sentinel shunters.

I've not build a proper etched brass kit before - only brass chassis packs and one white-metal kit in my teens. I'm a little apprehensive about taking the plunge but a speculative email has been sent off to Judith Edge to check kit availability.

So where does this project fit with all the others? Paxton Road is going to still be finished. Most of my modern stock will stay OO and for now this will be a great layout to use them on. Rose Hill is a foray into P4 and is proving to be worthwhile in polishing my whole range of layout building skills and I'm really enjoying it. Neither is the place for a Sentinel...

Leading us to the only sensible outcome! A third layout - probably in 2011, probably VERY small (1x4 or so) to fit in my study. DCC and P4 so the Sentinel can be fitted with lights (and sound maybe?!) and P4 to try my hand at point building.

In the meantime we'll see whether a box from Judith Edge arrives - and if I can keep it shut long enough to finish the other layouts!

Working with what you've got...

2010-01-19T12:40:00.000-08:00

Are aftermarket components any better then what can be achieved by fettling off the shelf products? I'm not convinced. The air horns on my Bachmann 37 are a good example.

Plenty of firms (A1 and Markits spring to mind) offer turned brass air horns for the model. I think people think that it must be better, otherwise why would someone have produced it? Yes they may be more robust, and I've definitely seen them added to a model to good effect. However, I'm cheap!

The Bachmann moulding actually looks pretty good. A nice shape, fine detail at the non-horn end (that needs to be added to the brass aftermarket ones anyway!) and fairly robust to minimum handling. I wondered what could be achieved with a mini drill!

Answer? Something pretty good I think! The secret is to start with a very small pilot hole and slowly increase drill bit size. I started with a 0.3mm drill, then a 1mm drill, then used a reaming bit to open up the tip a little. All using my Mini-craft drill powered from my old H&M Clipper controller to adjust the speed. These will look fantastic with just a lick of paint.

In addition I've also attempted to fettle some of the other details that come in the bag. Bachmann are really lagging behind Heljan, ViTrains and Hornby when it comes to the quality of the air and vacuum brake hoses it provides with it's models! On the 37 you also have a multiple working cable that is very thick indeed. I've modified the plug end with a file and knife to reduce it's height and add a rounded back side, and then sliced off the original hose. I then used a 0.3mm to drill a pilot hole before nerve-wrackingly drilled the 1mm hole to accept a replacement hose. This is still overscale but I couldn't find anything flexible that was smaller diameter - in fact this wire is from the inside of a USB cable - found after stripping down old headphones, mobile headsets and all sorts in the search for a fine wire!

Anyhow - it looks ok, better than the original. You can see the difference in this picture, the original Bachmann hose is on the blue 37 in the back (the plug end has been modified), with the modified one on the green 37 at the front. Comments and questions are welcome!

I'd also ask you to follow me on Twitter for more regular updates.

Class 37 chassis detail...

2010-01-16T11:52:00.000-08:00

I took my daughter for a trip out this afternoon to our local preserved railway, the Churnett Valley Railway at Cheddleton near Leek. We spent many happy days there earlier this year and were hauled on numerous occasions by the lines resident Class 37 due to a steam engine failure for a lot of the summer.

The line is 'closed' during January but I thought we'd see something today, and since my daughter really wanted to see some trains it was worth a punt. Cheddleton was pretty busy and we found 37075 in the platform - much to Elly's delight! She loves the big blue diesel.

Anyway since I'm about to embark on detailing my third Bachmann Class 37 I though it prudent to take a few chassis detail shots to help me with my detailing - and thought they might be of wider interest so have shared them here as well.

Hope they are of some use!

Paxton Road, a potted history...

2010-01-16T07:51:00.001-08:00

Well the old stuff is still live and available on the old forum, CLICKY CLICKY, but I thought to start off the blog it would be good to recap a little, so here we are - the history and development of a small scenic shunting plank...

Paxton Road started life back in September 2007, my return to modelling spurred on by the arrival of my first child and a realisation that the track day car project was a non-starter! I should explain that Paxton Road is actually a childhood memory adaptation - and I'm not a Spurs fan!

With the realisation that I didn't have much space I shopped around for minimum space ideas - and a 6'x1' grew to 7' x 18" plus! I used brown wrapping paper and cardboard models plus some old track to work out if it would work and spent an enjoyable evening pushing stock around on the floor!

You may notice the distinct lack of a layout fiddleyard - at either end - the layout was originally conceived as a shunting plank to fit in with the rules of the 2007 challenge. The size increased but the fiddleyards were never added to the design. The layout can be operated by anything from an 08/09 up to a Class 58 and still be 'shuntable'.

The initial scribblings were based on a industrial estate railway - similar to Trafford Park, with the excuses of van traffic and short trains in a gritty location. However things quickly headed Southern with my new found love of the Heljan Class 33.
Research showed MOD workings also used short trains with small vans - perfect for a space starved modeller - so the layout concept was set as a small MOD establishment receiving explosives and general merchandise in largely van traffic but potentially the odd open.

Paxton Road had just been 'somewhere in the Southern region' until I was browsing a book on the Didcot Newbury and Southampton railway. I read about Worthy Down, just north of Winchester and it's part in WW2. I summised it's importance continued after the war and when the rest of the line was abandoned the chord built during the war for access from the GWR to the Southern, just north of Winchester, remained open as far as Sutton Scotney - although abandoned any further north than Worthy Down. Paxton Road is the ficticious name of the road that crosses the line on an overbridge (the centre of the layout).

The baseboards were built using some foam insulation board after reading about in Pugsley's 2007 challenge layout thread. This proved lightweight and fairly stiff, but does have drawbacks - being hard to fit wiring and point motors. This foamboard was framed with 9mm plywood - cheap stuff from a DIY place - I'd use decent marine ply next time. Underside was strengthened, and the sides cut deeper than the foam board to allow wiring to be tucked out of harms way.

Trackwork is Peco Code 75 (with short radius electrofrog points - another thing I'd not do next time - definitely worth medium or large radius if you can afford the space) which was laid on some grey foam I had from work - about 4mm deep deep this would give a realistic height for the road bed above the surrounding landscape and give a nice ballast shoulder - something missing on a lot of layouts which does impact the realism in my opinion.

I really wanted to do a good job on the scenics of this one - and although I'd inherited a large quantity of Woodscenics scatter I was drawn to static grass - which I'd see in Model Railway Journal and on layouts like Cement Quay and Chittle. Not wanting to splash out on a static applicator I took the plunge and ordered some ready made 'grass mat' and 'static grass tufts' from International Models (Silflor is the brand) - which led me to the Noch puffer bottle at a later date.

Which brings us bang up to date with my last update on the old RMWeb. A major milestone - 2 years on and first half, all 3' of it, is 'about' finished! It's been an interesting two years. In the same time I've churned out a fair number of models on my workbench, some of which have been moved on and others still prized possesions. I do enjoy the layout and scenics, but I find myself split between that and modifying ready to run stock and weathering - so one day I'll get there with Paxton Road - and probably with too much stock!

Thanks for reading!

Why an independent blog?

2010-01-16T07:46:00.000-08:00

Most of you who end up reading this will probably have seen my threads on the old RMWeb 3, and more recently on the new RMWeb Community. I've taken to using blogs on the new community to post my modelling progress - I really like the formatting and control - and the way comments are less obtrusive. In addition the functionality linking to the galleries is fantastic.

However in recent weeks RMWeb has suffered a few gremlins and it's made me realise just how, hmm, transient some things can be that you don't have control over.

So here we are, a stand alone blog on Blogger. These pages will become a focus for information, photos, progress and ramblings. I shall be keeping RMWeb up to date - but for those days when other sites are down I hope people will stop by hear in the same way I stop by James Wells, Nigel Burkin, James Makin and George Dent's blogs.

Introduction and explanation about what why and how over I'll post up a potted history of Paxton Road and some photos in a seperate post. Thanks for stopping by!