Friday Update: Seventeen Seven Twenty...

This week has been pretty busy and the world seems to be returning to some sort of normal. A few commissions making progress ahead of a batch of Hudson Hunslet, and the summer holidays are looming...

However, first things first... back at Christmas I started work on a 006.5 micro peat layout - but didn't finish. One of the stumbling blocks in my mind was the lack of stock, however, now thanks to Narrow Planet I have a pair of these neat etched peat wagon bodies. I didn't get the chassis as I wanted to re-use the Busch chassis I had already. The etched bodies are delicate and even with a hold and fold I found it difficult to assemble them squarely but I added extra dents afterwards anyway, as these would not have stayed straight for long! Once the holidays start the plan is to make progress on the peat layout once Pont-y-dulais is finished.

The RT Models Sentinel has been a great model to build, I've really enjoyed it. I've made a fair bit of progress but not since last week - I added the foot steps and re-railing bars this week, a few etched bits I still plan on soldering but things like the handrails and windows will be superglued in place. This will probably slow down in future weeks - so I need to push on with it! 

I've just finished this absolutely wonderful book by Brian Hart - the K&ESR and Colonel Stephens are a new interest for me, and I thoroughly enjoyed the way this book was written, as well as the subject and photography. It's not an amazing book when you pick it up and flick through, but it draws you in with the mixture of style and subject. Totally recommended! I've got a copy of the Wild Swan Selsey Tramway book to read next...

In terms of commission work this pair of Tralee and Dingle coaches have been moving along - the open 3rd was just a simple strip down and repaint - I took the opportunity to refine the finish of the roof and some of the soldering. The brake composite was from kit, a mix of the Branchlines kit and a Worsley Works scratch aid body kit. This was detailed with parts from the Branchlines kit. The lovely Branchline bogies were 12mm gauge and much too tall for the smaller (H0?) sized locomotives so I have lowered them on Peco L&B wagon bogies. Finished in BR crimson and BR coach grey roofs, with handles picked out in brass. Next up glazing and then a light weathering...

Finally this week, the Lyd2 is progressing and now has it's basic finish complete. The red pin striping was added with a bow pen, there are few spots that need touching up but the photo is a cruel close up of a model that looks lovely in the flesh. The plates are customs from Narrow Planet - the chassis, as described previously, a re-worked Farish 08 with a replacement chassis block and rods.

I hope you've had a good week, and thanks to those who have been in touch with words of encouragement either about kits and projects or just in general. Enjoy the weekend, I'm looking forward to some downtime... more soon...