Robert Shrives

Had a chance to progess some more with thanks to the info from members of the forum. NIR 8911 roof vents, side grills and roof holes this built up on an older airfix MK 2D BSO with roof hatch removed, side grills are BR class 37 refurb nose grills chopped about a bit , the round grill is an N gauge class 47 roof etch , long grill has been glued on for a long time and I think was from A1 models Model from the ark - yes I have two of them ! MTK brass etch, plasticard roof hatch as etched item was armour plate thick but made a template for roof lift lugs- Mine not totally identical but having seen pic of tortured ones they pass ok. Top air intake had some fine mesh bought a model boat show. The Exhaust elbows exercised the mind and electrons but in end a light bulb moment got me to tomix N gauge sprue from a lorry. - it had 2.5mm dia sprue with nicely moulded elbows. I also cut and bent out door steps and infilled resulting slots with thinish plasticard from offcuts box - but strong backed with a 30 thou evergreen strip . All that is missing are the roe-vac roof vents - on order from Southern pride models. Both models to same condition. A set of three NIR Mk 2s in various states of experimentation Decals from Darius on the SO - blue no white line on Halfords ford pale grey. The Gen brake is an early model and flawed with a door missing - the haste of youth shell mods over a decade in the making. Painted in precison NIR coach grey with Railtec Enterprise livery - white edges, available as shown or with coach numbers already added. The top coach one of the NIR second hand buys ex FK into SO painted in Halford Audi Ibis white - which is just slightly off white and matches the coaches when photo`ed in bright sun . I think this is easily the best and being an acrylic is easy and safer to apply to the enamels. It might be close enough for bumble bee livery. several rattle cans of blue to try. And finally a can you guess what it is yet picture - a late yesterday cut and hakcenbash to start of window blanks. The real one is preserved as more than a hint. It was a bit of a shock yesterday to realise I had done something to 12 body shells. For those who recall the Vic Berry coaches for scrap stack the bench when tidied and bodies stacked. I did think well ok on the lids what about the wheels etc. So this morning dug out chassis some had lima wheels out and Peters spares 12.6mm coach wheels on lima length 24.5 mm axles code is PS 34 but out of stock - some inbound from China Peter reported last week. Kaydee No5s built up and plasticard packers used to test height and spacing. No glazing at the mo but some Eastern Finecast vaccumm formed packs to hand and for suitable ones some shawplan lazer glaze in bags, but I guess these will not get used for a while.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184557747209?_trksid=p2471758.m4703, two tanktainers ? £26 first bid - private listing of first bidder... Two plastic tanks or a weeks shopping for me, crikey! Yes a jeep would work for me too. Revolution trains/ Rapdio have announced an N gauge class 28 co-bo diesel nodoubt the Crossley sound effects might have a crossover?! It shows that despite small market size a loco that in reality was a bit of a duffer has "underdog sympathy" and as it spanned the transition era it increases market pick up. 3D printing has moved on in leaps and bounds in 3mm scale Lenny Sweeny has this among others. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLASS-59-GM-Freight-Loco-3MM-SCALE/124442350241?hash=item1cf95792. They are created on his home printer and are amazingly good. Almost layer free and with a wash and dry in a cream abrasive cleaner to de grease are ready to paint. I would think with good drawings a Jeep to fit say a Bachmann Fairburn 2-6-4 chassis more than achievable. I have said at Warley show over last few years that 3D prints make for variation not cost saving and this will continue for a while longer as it is the chassis that costs to buy. Robert

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10152260@N05/48096962126/in/album-72157708799760341/ Well just proving if you wait long enough or look hard enough the web will produce. Link above shows at bi door cement pallet with door and chain attachments in lovely clarity. Hope this might be of use to folk else where - I thin a small and I mean small split pin drilled into the resin door will give a reasonable looking anchor point. Robert

Yes, Two of the box shifting big boys Hattons and Rails of Sheffield have both been shunned by major manufacturers in recent times - with items delisted and press releases from the shops. This may be due factors beyond pricing- the introduction of own label models with overlap could be seen as a likely cause. Smaller traders with own label production not affected. And works the other way with Revolution models - a two man band having an O gauge commission from Heljan - but remain to see how packaging badged. On the subject of packaging my Ballasts were in a suitable sized box, and that was it. However I notice that for the collectors wanting "mint" packaging the green box had a rigid plastic sleeve outer. - great for free glazing thanks! but apart from shock damage this will protect product in transit. I would have thought screwed Dublin newspaper could be an answer - if, like in Brum the public transport is awash with a free rag paper every day (skool kids act like gerbils to make bedding !- pet hate.) and keep costs down. My friends at Dapol once described the " first floor test" - N model in packaging and jewel case and card sleeve is thrown off fire escape and then packaging and model tested. Fancy that with a 121 anybody! Robert https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEdTLVLIgp0 FWIW .....

Ballast pack A arrived today, and very good they are too , off to be fitted with Kadyees. Thanks gents Robert

yes that is it in one ! I recon that if I make the three yellow unpowered and use the "facelifted" one as the powered - I can use that for two consists. Following on the good works on some on here I will chop up coaches for these vehicles nad keep the NIR etches for passenger sets . Lots of bright idea plans once wagon fleet is progressed and the crate stored away.

Today started well with a tidy up and I thought it will not take long to finish some long outstanding coaches. Several diversions along the way and this was all that got done. Bill Beford sides let into a lima mk 2 and given a quick spray of Halford`s Peugeot Seville orange which gives to my old eyes a match to pictures. The yellow beast is a case of can you guess ! painted in Halford`s Rover Inca yellow. Also a lima coach where model has truly mimicked real life with a MK2c SO hacked to suit along with a casting from MIR let into the outer end and etched drivers window frame - which is a bit chunky but is mid-train so hopefully not too noticeable. Has to be said the Bill Beford Etch was first fitted over a decade ago. And the driver trailer about eight years - wheels do turn very slowly.

That would be nice and for sheer bedevilment of the false god of wish listing let it be Hunslet.... but guess the C class is most likely but both after 80 class... Gets helmet and runs for cover ! Robert

I might have missed it in the 25 pages but today saw a review in Rail Express Dec 2020 issue for the 121 - given excellent review " The design of the model has been carefully considered to accommodate the drive and electronics in the narrow bonnet along with a good level of weight and delicate detailing resulting in a lovely machine which is good value for money." Double page spread on 135 worth a read. I think the quote says it all, thanks due to Mr. Paddy Murphy for seeing this project completed with such style.

Interesting background items with two types of feathers on the signals. Give OCD signal engineers a dose of the swerves.. Loco does help rule one mix and match as well. Robert

Barriers got a dose of grot but pictures show even worse - do I do more open to suggestions ? and mounted. whoops lads required with jacks! and some tanks to go in between!

Thanks ! I will keep an eye out .

Hi Just a quick one , I cannot see anything of my order - GLS is just greyed out and has a flickering sort of water mark passing on the screen- other aspects of site seem ok. Any chance that if you have an order on the way for ballasts and or gypsums could use the tracker to see if it is working or if it is me ! many thanks Robert

I had but sold on the kit for the 071 in 0 and it was a killer model ! Given the excitement in UK 0 gauge but set up costs would make eyes water in a small part of Dublin and with nothing else to run with it - How to make a fortune in the model railway business , start of with a large fortune! I guess in time ITG will be after a real one or one to become part of the National collection. Totally off topic but I guess the GM201 a bit complex for occasional outings but perhaps Cultra would fine a home for 208/9 when the time comes so future generations can wonder/ be horrified ( other emotions available.) Back to the coffee and waiting for postie..

Ok you win, due to a quick fire sale this end just ordered a bundle , thanks , I think ! Spoil bodies should make a good diorama base if anybody wants to offer. Robert

Going off topic but I have a box with 6 Mk3s painted up and Adam Warr at Electra graphics has the available kit to do some. 3D print 71 available - but a bit weak on details and chassis a fun mod. If Dapol get the N 59 out then the chassis would be a good crossover for a 3D print 201. Sorry modes ! back on topic if sales go well good it all helps clear the shelves!

DJD , Now a bit of N would certainly flat spin the big boys ! but the OO/N market share is a 10/1 so if we cannot get a GSV past the boys then N fat chance ( throwing silk glove to the floor - N 071 anybody !) ( Dapol Mk3s a possible commission but no GV.- £80K for tooling ...... ) Dapol / Gaugemaster GWR HST celeb set arrived today and spot on ! ( sorry off topic !!) Robert

Back on 7th July the first photo has right corner the hint of a problem - the two lift door palletised cements. Hard to find decent pics on the web and on here and RM web allowed a read and view of others and improvements - really helpful to me. Castings on the three wagons varied and I was unable to use the crosshandles for the pallet retainer controls and used some small brass brake wheels to hand - seems quite a few got changed in real life. As a result while not finished progress has been made, couple of pics of work up to this morning. One of the three -all now the same with end door runner chain supports and the counter balance wheels fitted. Just need to sort fixing chains to doors themselves - anybody got close up pic ? Kayee 19s on plasticard mounts , hook from Lanarkshire model, 1.5mm channel to add substance to the simple bar moulded, bodies cut down to right height This end has the clamping system part built, need to add a bit of tube - first effort removed as to clumsy in plasticard - now considering bras tube. You can see the two brake wheels - I can see the white metal shafts breaking one did see blob of glue - brass 0.7mm wire will be the way forward. On interest is the pulley on the shaft - A rubber belt drive pulley from Nigel Lawton stable , 4mm dia 1.6mm wide , 1.5 shaft hole - sleeved to 0.7. looks much sharper than the cast offerings - the others I used a dremel as a lathe and cut groves and parted in half to give a simmer affair, to match the photos I found. Nigel`s pulleys recommended. Rake of cements waiting a 141 ! The book "From CIE to IR" by Mark Darby and friends has on page 83 and 94 two inspirational pictures of these wagons at work. Showing livery had deteriorated to faded pale blue and rust with the taughtliner sides looking colourful in comparison.

cheers lads a great bargain and hope you sell out , sadly all cash on gypsums and 121s - and some N gauge that has been on order for several years now up for delivery the next couple of weeks - so will have to pass ! but would have been useful.. Eating dry bread as it is ! I would like to keep a roof over the boxes of models ! Will save up for the 50% A class next year of course ! or 20 % of the class 80 multi pack Sandite option. regards!

Bang goes eating for a month, no heating or lighting as well given its the month of festive COV19 cheer! Advised ballast pack on its way, hope gyps will follow shortly. . Thanks lads !

A chance to revisit the work pile saw work on 12 items this evening, bogie beets, Bell containers, barriers, 4 wheel taughtliner cement and the IFM 47 footer got a bit of details added. - but as supplied as part of the bogie history project. Some quick pics follow. The 4 bogie beet bodies with on left a BT xx number panel and then a height notice and a "Dublin containers" label, all from the Robert Roache stable ! and readable with good eyes but beat my little camera or what I know about it anyway. Will look good behind a 121/141/181 lash up, yes it should be 13 long but layout will, when built not be big enough... The tanks are in the last of a precision paints brunswick but will get weathered after transfers dry and over coated in klear floor stuff- seems quite inert. I muted the blue with just a drybrush of a tan earthy colour and happier as a result. The IFM 47 footer - a 3D print and 3D bogies - added kaydee 19s and rail tec transfers to the buaxite livery along with yellow stripe - not sure that goes with the round buffers but it makes a splash of colour !

Des at Studio Scale Models shows transfers for the Intercity legend and has loco numbers - as does Railtec , who also does a very good lining stripes. The SSM logo is shown for coaches but I guess could be enlarged if asked . The respsray does look good and could be refreshed and then varnished - lack of a protective layer as has been mentioned above was a shame and shortened life of the product. SSM also do some natty etches for headlamp surrounds and the like which would lift the front end. When you put MM alongside it is fun to note driving cab end windows differ everso slightly! with the Lima version taller. I just wondered with the resurgence of Irish modelling in Hornby would consider a "Linmby" 201...

Good luck to the seller! I got mine for £45 from the now closed Ian Allen in Birmingham off the bargains table... I have put this on the watch list just for fun. Robert

Good to see 66s in action, Just a topical thought on the depressed centre PCA should you not be dragging them in sideways !! The RHTT train must be on delivery - only that clean once.. Thanks for showing Robert

Brilliant news , just hope nobody of (in)substance in what might be called the UK government has a bright idea ! - mind you past perf does mean we are pretty safe !!! Sweaty palms at idea of big box gypsums and 121s landing shortly. Can join a MM 201 in Enterprise livery that came this week... might be on dog chews myself .. cheers Robert