Robert Shrives

The Hornby shorty got 7 window s first production as somewhere along the line going short was deemed necessary for "train set" layouts but the compromise saw scale length windows still produced. After a spot of froth the later runs the print screen for the windows was adjusted to shrink windows to make for 8 - making the subterfuge less obvious. On Ebay from time to time you can see sellers not stating that it is a shorty and with luck bargains can be got. In N gauge Garham Farish MK1s had inserts that were moulded clear plastic with frames and have only just been bettered by newest China productions. Later batches had clear printed strip before a fully formed smooth shell - had bumps for door hinges was moulded in clear plastic. Cheaper no doubt but the bland side was a let down. So like the Hornby shortie the consumers comments saw improvements to scale lengths and more detailed sides, higher price, but does allow us merry convertors lots of fun! I like the work you have done and it shows how the subterfuge can be improved and used to make trains look longer as the eye can imagineer the lengths . We make short freights on models and happily imagine a few more between loco and van.

I won`t tell ! FWIW I and I guess Mike will as well know of many rail staff who retired and dies in a matter of years and really saw few fruits of their labours - the worst was just two weeks, made even worse we all thought he had got the wanderlust but he was dead on the floor of his flat. ... The government generously tells me my state retirement age is now 67.. I might stay longer just to spite them and the tea is free at work. Robert

Ireland - PaulineMcKenna (smugmug.com) Pauline , said it was ok to share the link with these new pics. Robert

Hi, Midland Valenta is a one man 3D print business who has done 4mm current scene bits for HSTs and a while back started development of a 3D print Mk3s including an EGV - of course he is aware of the MM models but his coach should be available shortly. However I asked could he lift the grills out and sell on their own - as they look like the ones in the Dutch EGV conversion. This he has done and a set arrived today. https://www.facebook.com/MidlandValenta Should let you find his FB page . Hope this helps more than just me. Robert

You will be in the market for two of the new finescale point kits ...

Done ! IRM getting vote is several areas. Hopefully 80 class in a few years will be on the list.

When beer was safer than local water you can understand drinking a weak brew was very common. Water standards in parts of the world have improved so no need for the pales and browns of old, now with designer beers and largers that are strong enough to rot the pipes then the ban on rail transport and limitations on road are essential protections for those buying tickets with the expectation of a safe arrival. Random and post incident testing now also covers drugs does make you wonder where it all went so wrong. At least railway modelling and Patrick`s evocation of a better simpler time allow some balance!

Certainly mastered the Fox lining to perfection - something not to rush but you can get into the flow, but once it goes wrong is the time to stop, refresh - many choices! and then with hands steady and eyes back in focus all will flow again. I really look forward to seeing the whole engine, as even now it looks a star. Thanks for showing your labours.

And no pub for the crews these days - where has all the fun gone! The price of progress and a great memory to share. Robert

Impressive works and hopefully wiring carries on with blackouts ! Have fun and hopefully weather means more inside time.. the garden will look after itself but will be more work later... Robert

Patrick, It is good to see the recuperation has worked wonders and I hope in the nearest of futures you are back to full mobility. The wagon works and weathering are great and tips filled in grey matter- if I can find them again of course !! The short videos are brilliant fun to watch and thanks for putting them up for us on the forum. Take care and stay safe at this strange time Robert

Hi Just to clarify, Wayne Kinney at British finescale was asked but currently up to his nostrils in 00/EM bullhead point design and perhaps by now building stock for first push of sales - he did indicate when time allowed to look at a bit of 21mm pointwork but this could be a year away. Plain track was with Mr Sprue - who makes short run N gauge parts and we have looked at a single sleeper with a spacer peg attached, about 10 days ago he was to have a chat with the spark erroder tool maker he knew to see what was possible at a reasonable cost - certainly no name on the sleeper for trials anyway and a modern track clip over a fiddly pandrol type pigtail spring. - given the modern and horrible to my eye of throwing stone everywhere regardless of cost - ok I know its meant to add to stability of track, then a minimal clip should be visually ok . If you did want a clip then peco individual lay should keep you out of mischief. I will give a couple of weeks and see how Mr Sprue has got on and likely price of tools and a test run. For FB points you are on your own with soldering iron and copper clad as bearers - check out C&L. Of course I will update once more known. cheers and thanks for interest. Robert

Hi Having part built two 4mm ones it has been a case of trawling the internet for details. As a thought on front ends is it possible to provide a wrap around to avoid the corner join - with having join on a door line perhaps? Robert

Robert, Quite a project , and count me in for one for a cross platform one. It will look good with beet wagons "thundering" past. Robert ..

Had time to watch this the other day. It did look pretty muddy at times and a shame that no future use for it - cannot see a housing estate on the brown field site of the refinery as being likely for many years with inbedded pollution. I guess rail would be good to a preserved line before two long.

Hi Ignore the time request - should read before "shouting " sorry ! Robert

Brilliant work , a 3D printed strip the gussets and brackets inspired and easy for you ! Certainly as much fun as soldering up on the SSM version. The Railtec transfers are just the job as well. For weathering perhaps some frisket masking sheet cut to decal size and then a gentle "dunk" in rail grot will certainly tone down the black.. To add the foot bridge is sublime, but how long to print, really asking for a friend who was looking at printers.

Thanks for heads up will have to have a gander. Robert

Useful for turnback of trains, guess clipped oou for 6 months waiting on S&T and new ops instructions about use of crossover. Work does seem to have gone well and I am sure the gang retired to a suitably socially distanced mess room to celebrate with a cup of tea....

Have fun , building track is generally therapeutic! and like riding a bike once lessons over it is not forgotten, but then experiences kick in and progress can be quick. - But like bike riding falling off/ over the handle bars a risk - burnt fingers and not cleaning off flux properly spring to mind. Robert

"WoW" barely covers that modification - it does not show and as you can see certainly gets you back on course.. Some deity likes model railways.

Well a hour spare yesterday allowed cleaning of the bench and then I thought time to fit tail lamps and latest from crail- containers are not glued but held by the black tacky stuff used to retain electrical string on models. - and very good it seems. Glenderg lamps on IRM - by everso slight opening up bracket to buffer beam the lamp slide on and no need to glue. C Rail B+I on IRM flat - ex pw spoils and bogies give a quick brush over with bauxite. In back ground is a Yellow 2mm sherpa casting acting as a chock for a MIR 45footer which is work in progress. The two water tanks got lamps - ok so naughty having lamps both ends but hopefully loco will disguise most of the time. I did learn having read already ! the handles are very fine - do not use tweezers on the handle.. Another view of the 45 footer, I have added little black dots on the container lug pocket to suggest the hole therein. What the camera has shown is that I need to add hooks and vac bags to the barriers, SSM kindly have supplied holes so better fill them. The Bell is my effort as shown a while back. So that has used all six flats off the discounted bulk pack from IRM Crimbo bargains period. I now have green boxes with yellow spoil containers tucked away - if anybody is after just the yellow boxes... Back to the spoils , bogie and 4 wheel Cements, beet prototype, container oil tanks for coal and oil train and bogie tanks - so the barriers can be usedful! - 20 plus trucks to keep me off the streets - lockdown does have its benefits..

Looking good - always good to see historic modelling ! A great shame the real ones now out of service. The mods do look quite extensive . Check out Shawplan glazing items he has a range of MK3 lazercut tinted glazing to suit. Robert

https://www.flickr.com/photos/northernblue109/albums/72157636435273666 Interesting take on your favourite locos and liveries, had to share but possibly some seen before . Robert

Hopefully wiring up will be successful and a spot of the old ballasting and you will be more than well on your way. Thanks for sharing progress.