Friday Update: One Eleven Twenty-four…

If you haven't had a chance, now is the time to go and make a drink, perhaps grab a biscuit, pull up a chair, get comfortable and let me take you on a whistle stop tour of progress (despite half term and puppy madness)...

We'll kick things off this week with a crowd pleaser, and something I suspect many narrow gauge aficionados will recognise! The NGG16 in 009 is from a Michael Tucker kit with Farish 08 drive train and I have added RT models etched valve gear which transforms the otherwise quite lack-lustre chassis detailing immensely. So far so good, I'm finding my way with this one - perhaps in time I will grow to love it, next up will be a decision by my customer on the final livery! In the photo you'll notice some filler on the front tank, there were some pock marks left from the resin support structure removal (not done by me I might add) that I figured would need attention before primer. This is quite a beast though, it's going to need a big layout to call home!

I was very excited this week! N gauge!! Again!! On Denton Road I want a signal! I don't often use signals on my own projects but it feels part of the story. I discovered the CR Models range online, and took a punt on one of their N gauge examples as they looked, in photos, to be very promising. Upon opening the package I had a similar experience as with the Revolution 59 - here is a game changing product, colour of the LEDs is perfect, the fidelity of the ladder and light head truly breath taking! I will do a proper write up in the coming weeks - but how to integrate it into the scene with some sort of switch / timer / sensor is now at the forefront of my mind.

In the paint shop, quite the variety! A pair of N gauge wagons (seen here last week) are coming to life in colour - so far the airbrush has been king, but it will be a paint brush from now on before decals. The RS23 has gained a coat of red (Humbrol 132) which seemed a decent match for a faded CP Rail example - once this dry I will mask and spray the footplate and pilots in satin black. The Fourdees Dolgoch is another 009 model for a customer, this time in lined green - so Humbrol 3 has been used again for the initial application.

Switching (groan, what a pun) now to larger scales I've been wiring the socket and switches for the 7/8ths Ruston 44/48 chassis. What you can't see here is I have also ordered the gearbox casting for the cab areas from Si at ModelEarth and headlights from SLR Models (always happy to support other small suppliers and craftsman when possible). I've also drawn up the radiator top and these will be 3D printed along with the cab controls. Hopefully all of this will come together in November when the etched bonnet doors are also due - I must finish off the 2D CAD for the cab options, as well as the bonnet skeleton structure. That can be next week's computer job...

I remind you all that one of this batch of 3 is currently unclaimed - £1300 will get you a basic model with LocoRemote control, options for full sound are available, get in touch now to be able to personalise the finish as it progresses!

Not quite as large and somehow a lot more fiddly, the wiring is complete on the Hudson GoGo. This included wiring the on/off switch, fuse and battery plug connections. Each of these small models is fitted with a LocoRemote, everything but the battery is squeezed into the frames so I can model the full engine and cab detail. The LiPo battery is slim enough to fit in a tool box on the side of the cab, and the roof is removable to allow access for removing this to re-charge it. All fiddly stuff, but having done one already (see below) at least I have some idea of what I'm doing!

Coalbridge Street has been slumbering for a week or two whilst I waited for some electrical plugs to wire up the lighting and power supply - but in the meantime I have finished a first coat of paint on the fascia and the track is down permanently. The mock up back scene is on version 3, I think this is the one - next up adding 'wire in tube' point control and beginning some of the scenic foundation work... this being despite a lack of clarity on both the type and method I want to use for the trees (ideally I'd love some of Mike Confalone's natural material but can't afford a trip to the fields where he harvests it once a year) or the structures. This will evolve and mature - for now I'm continuing to enjoy operation... so much so that a Bachmann GE 45 ton switcher is being looked into for a second piece of motive power! I will break the 'one/four' ratio - oops!

In customer corner this week I have had two lovely emails with a view to sharing these with you all - thank you Jonathan and Martin. First up is a glimpse of 'Fancy another beer' after its successful transatlantic voyage, arriving intact and without damage...

"Hi James, I attach a photo of the layout on my bench. I love how small it is and the lighting yet how the fiddle track stores away with the layout. I can envision a typical evening operating the layout by pulling an 'empty' car from the warehouse, swapping it by hand on the fiddle stick before setting that 'loaded' car in the warehouse. Of course, this gives me an excuse to buy a couple extra hopper cars and maybe another NYSW leased loco for some variety! I mostly wanted a respite after a day from work, perhaps with a cold beverage, and spending 20-30 minutes operating and enjoying the scene. I spend most of my hobby time working on standalone models, so it's really nice having a piece to operate. Thanks again for all the hard work on this project".

Jonathan Izen photo.

Second up is the Hudson GoGo tractor I finished earlier in the year. Thank you to both Martin's for the photograph, showing the model on a recent visit to the infamous 'Wigfa and Llanwrst'! Dave Mee's garden line is full of character, and it's somewhat embarrassing that despite several invites I have yet to return - only having visited the once!

Martin Heywood photo, courtesy of Martin O’Keefe

It has been a busy week as I teased in the introduction with the girls off school and a new puppy (just 9 weeks yesterday) but despite all that I'm pleased to have reached the end, the weekend ahead of me and a chance for at least some personal modelling time between puppy sitting! This weekend is pretty much the last running on most preserved lines until the Santa and Mince Pie services so hopefully you'll all make the most of your local, find some time with a good railway book or get on with a modelling project or two! Oh, and all being well there will be another live video operation and weekly wrap up this evening. I’m told it’s the early 90s and SW1500s were on the Dartmouth Terminal roster. Until next time, more soon...

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