Happy new year, where did 2018 go?

OK, I know I said I'd post more often... I meant to but I've been very busy in the, so called, real world. Anyway, back here in the world of modelling I've done a few bits and bobs.

 

First thing to mention is a nice little 3D print of a Simplex, not sure how accurate it is but it looks the part. Designed to sit on a Portram chassis, I've painted and weathered it, filled the engine cover with liquid lead but I'm buggered if I can find the spare Portram chassis I know I have somewhere... sure it will turn up.

 

I've also finished a couple of steam locos, the first being a 'Pugbash'. Shock horror! I've seen a few nice Pugbashes recently and decided to have a go as I had all the bits lurking including a brand new Fleischmann 7000 chassis, an A1 models etched brass cab and all the relevant bits of an Airfix Pug kit.

Bashing has begun.

 

First job was to make up the tank with the front and two side bits, I then removed the hand rails, the chimney etc and then sanded and filled the remains. I also shortened it by a third which left it without a water filler.

Bashing almost complete

 



I soldered the cab so that it would be structurally sound and drilled holes to fit handrails. The footplate was cut from Plasticard as was the cab roof. Chimney and tank filler were whitemetal castings, the couplers the lovely brass castings from RT models.

A waft of primer

 

The finished article - Nefertiti

 

A good Peckett green finished the job

 

It came out a bit big for my rolling stock but looks the part with the slightly large PECO skips

 

The other loco is a Narrow Planet Bagnall seen here in primer

 

Talking of Narrow Planet, I mentioned to Steve at Warley that I was after a Meridian Talyllyn brake van kit which he didn't have for sale because they were waiting for the buffer castings. Fortunately I knew that I didn't need these as I was going to build it IoSR style without them. A week later I had the kit in my clammy little hands. I last built a TR van from a Mike's Models kit about 40 years ago, being one of the very first 009 kits I ever made. I made a right mess of it and painted it gloss black all over.

 

This time I've made a bit of a better fist of it. I didn't want an exact TR van so I've left the booking office and ducket off and made the veranda open all round. As mentioned no buffers either.

The roof is Prof. Insley bog roll covered.

 

The finished article which I really like

 

With a matching coach and the finished NP Bagnall - Joe

On the layout itself I haven't done an awful lot except some basic scenic work between the quarry and the beach. I've also added a couple of inches to the front edge of the quarry board to help with future developments in that area.

One other small change has been to add about a foot more baseboard between the main beach board and the fiddle yard. This has moved the fiddle yard as far into the corner as possible and will allow a better transition from the halt area to the non scenic bit.

I've also finished sectioning the sidings, adding more isolating sections

Father Christmas was kind to me and I now have three PECO maroon GVT 4 wheelers which will get 'Stonerised' before long. He also brought me another TR coach kit to complete the little rake.

 

I will be exhibiting Arnold Lane Wharf and Castell Coed a few times this year, the first time being at the end of February at the National Slate Museum exhibition in Llanberis. Guaranteed to be the coldest weekend of the year. I'll also be at the 009 Society AGM with the F&WHR stand and also at the Bala Lake Railway show in May.