Friday Update : Four Four Twenty-five…

Welcome to another Friday update, the first of April and the first of lighter evenings. We've had some fine weather this week which has also seen (sadly) the first lawn cut of the season. Back to the bench, lets take a look at the projects still ticking along slowly...

Our header image today is the charming Coalbridge Street with the venerable Wantage Terminal companies 45t switching an Illinoise Central reefer into Langton's yard - though for what purpose is unclear... more on this small layout later but lets take a look at this weeks commission progress...

The fourth and final Ruston 44/48 (I will not be building a second batch of these behemoths, they take up just too much space in the workshop!!) is assembled and tested following the delivery last week of the 3D printed parts including gearbox and axleboxes. This fourth model is powered by a simpler control system, 'just' a LocoRemote rather than the DCC sound (which is now resolved) and the chassis are now all primed and have had a first coat of satin black. Painting will begin next week - so far I've got dark green, Ruston green and red-oxide on the list (no decision on the fourth yet) so each will certainly feel different.

The etched brass Manning Wardle saddle tank, Littleton No.4 will be finished in a lined NCB livery. It has had a coat of gloss navy blue applied - I always find that the lining pen works better over gloss paint - this will be left to dry for a few days so more progress next week. The chassis is now fitted with pickups, the wiring is just visible here - but will be tucked up in the body when complete.

The Glyn Valley Tramway rake is really coming to life. I ended up designing my own decals for the van and numbering and Tare transfers after doing 132 - which uses the IP decals - these were a pain to use, and what's more, the numbering in Gill Sans is nothing like the hand painted script of the prototype. These differences between each show the evolution of the wagons and cycling through repair work and photos of them in service show this sort of variation, even in just a small rake. The fourth (private owner) is waiting on the IP decals to arrive. I've made the GVT van set available on my Light Railways Stores page, where you'll also find some other products based upon commission work - including the most recent, a set of decals to replace the 'Whiston' name with 'Robert' on the O gauge Dapol Austerity.

Sunshine all week and mid-week the sidings were still empty at Glyndyfrdwy. As I write there is a collection of permanent way wagons now stabled on the left of this view. The PW team and volunteers are working hard to remove the tangle of brambles on the right, things are looking much much better.

On my own layouts there has been slow but tangible progress on structures since I'm still in that sort of a mood. The warehouse at the back of Gerald Road has seen some paint applied - still a lot more to add, but the brick work, even though blurred here, is showing real promise. Coalbridge Street (below) has seen the small structure in the Langton's yard converted to styrene - the question I'm asking myself is though, is the brick base 'right' or should I replace it with vertical planking?... thoughts please...

We'll wrap things up with a windy Llyn Brenig. We took the puppy for a training walk there (not that successful, but at least not terrible), it's a beautiful spot but these days very busy at weekends... talking of those, as this one approaches I won't try to guess what I'm up to - but it will no doubt include some Dad Taxi along with dog snoring sofa time and some model making. It has been quite cathartic to sell on the Canadian N gauge (now all gone) and with the 24 and MCOs also provisionally sold I'm happy to feel like I'm back to a clean slate... I'm struggling to shift the Rio Grande day dreams, but am resisting that ScaleTrains GP30 for now. I've got a few ideas to sketch up, perhaps that process will exercise the interest? Modelling mojo feels quite low, but I am tired and struggling with energy and motivation in general of late, but happy to accept the way this waxes and wanes... 

Anyhow, I really must get a second coat of black on those Ruston chassis and begin to work up the assembly of the GVT stock. Until next time, more soon...

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