The Pit with No Name...

Well after  what seems like forever I have finaly started on the Pit/Colliery and as the title say's it has no name(yet)
       After working out a small track plan and built the points using SMP rails and copper clad sleepers along with SMP flexi track it seems to work ok after a day tweaking, mainly the knuckles at the Vee sets...but seems to be sorted?

This is where I did my tweaking session (when the wife was out for the day)

Now to today and I have the base of the screens in place and setting in pva glue and coal dust, Yes real coal dust...Gathered from Royston Coke Works. after the red hot coke goes under the drenching tower the steam that rises takes up particles of coke, The wind carries it and falls the other side of the road and settles up agains the kerb....I got myself quite a bit and put it through a tea strainer and hey presto miniture coal.....

As you can see I have taken a step back to the Mercontrol as it is better for the hand made points, and a lot cheaper. The heavy weights are to hold it down until it sets. The lights are mainly for me to see under the screens and can be dimmed really  low when running the layout..
     The screens building is removable and so is the roof.

I just thought I would try a night shot in the dark

Well so far, so good as we say up here in Yorkshire...

Catch up Time

Well as I have been busy doing things other than modelling I think it about Time for a catch up.
    At the last Doncaster toy and train fair I picked up a white metal model that had been built using areldite and it looked hideous, you could not make out any detail at all. After a night soaking in caustic soda I carefully took it apart and saw that the parts had not been dressed. After a few days I got it something like. I had to fashion a hook from lead flashing and after paying £5 for a model that would cost £38 from Langley Models I thought it was a result. One thing I will say is the model is challenging..

Ransoms Rapier 6ton Mobile Crane

About 2 weeks I decided to buy a loco I had been thinking about for some time, and I am glad I did as it is a Ivatt Class 4 MT Bachmann Collectors Edition, one of only 1000.

 C   Next came a few days building points with a view to another project coming to mind which Cwill become clear in the future .

 And on Wednesday I decided I wanted to build another 3 Way Point

Now we come to the Present. Today I got a K3 pre owned but excellent condition, I have chipped it and removed the LNER decals in preparation to make it early crest...

The other item I purchased today was this little bus as my father, was a conductor for the West Riding when I was a child

Well that's all for now....

Pithead Screens

Well here we are after about a weeks work.

 And below is the result of a few days into week 2. And the roof section is removable.

Below is a better view of the roof windows...

 

 Now after a couple more days we have it up on legs.

Now it is time to give the legs a undercoat and see what's next...


REgards...Alan 

NER 20 Ton Hopper Wagon

Well I always wanted at least a couple of NER 20 Ton Hopper Wagon's. And now I managed to get my grubby little hands on Ten. Well whenever the opportunity came up I would squirrel myself away into 'The Den' or The Man Cave as she calls it.
         After many hours of modelling and making 100 grab rails and cursing as I got to grip with Methfix Transfers my results I submit for your viewing.
         The Spratt and Winkle  couplings were a doddle to fit during construction.

 They all have a different Number

 

 Now starts the weathering process

This view shows the grab rails on the ends.

Now, To me that looks far better than a couple.

 

I Hope you Like?

J94 No.20

Well there I was with 19 J94's and one on order, I thought 'That's enough'...Then I went to Elsecar  Toy and Train Fair ...in and out in under 5 minutes with J94 No.20...for a little under £34

After totally stripping it down to just bits I cleaned and lubed and decided to do anothen Lambton Cab....
          Below is how it is coming along...

 Getting there me thinks...

 Here pictured with my first attempt...I'm pleased and at the end of the day that's what really counts..

 And below is what I bought today from my local Model Railway Emporium (Going Loco, Wakefield)  I just had to show it off. With Sound...

 Both Linda and myself decided it was a must have...

That's it for now.....(I really must get that tender close coupled)

Fleabay and White Metal Models

A couple of weeks ago I purchased two lots of built white metal kits from Fleabay and was very pleased at the price. When they arrived I decided to strip them in Caustic Soda and hot water (Outside I may add) If you have not used Caustic Soda please do take care...It can be nasty if you do not treat it with RESPECT.. And rinse thoroughly in cold water...
 Any way, After the paint was removed I repeated  the process once  again which freed the glue joints and I was able to dismantle the models and dress the parts and start to rebuild the models again...Here follows the before and after piccy's

After the Caustic Bath...

 This is Batch one...

 This is after a rebuild and I put my mark on them...The Exhaust pipes where made from Brass rod and Brass tube...

 This was the second Batch...

 This is after. Yes I know the horses are to be painted and I have some touching up to do on the wheels, But at least it gives the idea?

  The above photo is as I bought it last year, Pre-owned...I was not happy how the cab sat resting on the front wheels...So I carefully split down the model a with a bit of shimming here and there and new windows and glazing bars I came up with the next photo...

I think the Fordson looks better with the orange steels, and of course my home made exhaust pipe? 
 I must admit I feel quite pleased with that...


I hope you enjoy my pottering's

Lambton Cab J94

This is my first attempt at brass modeling as such, I think I should have started with something simple (I thought this was) But we all have to learn? It has however turned out better than I thought, although far from perfect. Modeling is a learning curve.

   The far side of the cab does not sit flush to the foot plate. As long as I view it from this side, I don't see it. Next time RT Models is at a show I think I will get another cab fret and with the pit falls from this first effort, I think I can only improve...

  At one point when the cab fell to the floor, I thought of replacing the original cab, but the I thought 'nothing ventured and that'

    The cab looks a bit knocked about after it's fall. You should have seen it when I picked it up!!!

I have got a few nuts of Yorkshire coal to crush and fill the bunker. And then we'll see what next

Easter Weekend, In the slow lane...

I have been doing some pottering in my den doing a few little jobs that I have been wanting to do for a while.

My last J94 gets it's nameplate.

'Vulcan' pays a visit sporting it's New brass nameplate.

I made a fixed fall plate, home made drain pipes and front step.

 A new group of firemen recruit's practicing their formation stoking. Whilst they are awaiting painting. I cut off the base, drill the foot and glue some brass wire in the foot. I's not painful, I don't feel a thing...

This is one of my black J94's which is having a Lambson Cab fitted, So while it's waiting I thought a little color to the boiler face was called for?

Wagon Roundup

Over the past 10 years or so I have picked up a few wagons, So I thought I would bring some out of storage boxes and have a look at what could be done to improve the appearance as my weathering skills I think have improved since I started. This blog is looking at how they are now, Then at a later time I can see if any need to be updated.

 A thing about brake vans

Queen Mary

I had a grey one of these but turned it into a mess van for the breakdown crane

I got this dance hall cheap so I thought I would mess it up a bit.

Two old kit build ones...

I do like these Bogie Bolsters

And these...

Must have some tankers.

This really does need some more weathering...Watch this space.

No plank, One plank, Three plank..

This is a Cambrian Shunters Truck Kit.

A pair of old Airfix Lownac's I picked up some years ago..Plastic wheels (yuck) as the small wheels are like rocking horse manure to get hold off.

Three fruit vans...I like a bit of fruit...

These venelated vans were accidental weathering but it turned  out different?

50ft parcel..I picked this up for £12 years ago, I shudder to think what it would cost today...

One time I had a thing about cattle trucks...

I think it got a bit out of hand?

Now a few Private Owner wagons, A little closer to home...I mad my own loads (real Yorkshire Coal 'Tha Naws')

A few empties.

Feel free to leave comments about my weathering, As the saying goes 'Every littlehelps'