Robert Shrives

Sorry no pics to endure - cannot upload due sick pc at home. The coal containers and oil tank tainers done. Due festive overtime rates the wagon works tackled 19 vehicles over last three days- the UTA spoils are now down to fixing the chain to jacking slide. The ammonia tanks that were stalled pending a solution to brake gear - cut and made up brackets from plasticard and fitted a bracket for hand brake wheels. Bogies were made up I thought but cannot find all of them so made some more up. Finally the bogie cements I have finally fashioned the pipe manifolds for the air supplies for unloading, and glued in place. Two of the resin buffers have suffered but I have cast ones suitable for another day off. A good productive weekend - 19 wagons worked on. Robert

A million years ago ( slight exaggeration) I got a set of the coaches from Ian Allen bookshop in Birmingham, £45 in a clearout sale. And might well have been among my first NIR purchases. like these boxed and only run once or twice. Not sure if I rewheeled mine but have done a lot of lima wheelsets - Peters Spares do a 26mm axle lima pack. Robert

Yep banged by head many a time (slow learner) on the door from the balcony on van no6. As a passenger guard and as freight guard on engineering trains over many years. tooling costs hopefully not too bad for a "simple" box. Robert

Should not really "agree" too much having made lsome of flats and fuel oil wagons out of Airfix/dapol and SSM etches. But can see folk would like some. Bogie ammonia tanks and bogie cement tanks as well I guess having had wagons part done for three long will make a good rtr in time , please do not announce them just yet!

As always well observed and sharp modelling. Robert

https://www.flickr.com/photos/60539035@N02/16408993345/in/album-72157650061850308/ Well that covers all the bases for and IRM mix and match option... Robert

I guess 112 will get a smattering of IR parts in orange - roof fan cowl and window frames on cabsides? Good spot on 112 buffer mounts . I have an MIR one in the pile of part dones and really tempted to do a BR Railfreight grey . One thing I have noted but not listed was how the locos yellow panels morphed over time. IIRC apart from size corners varied being squared or rounded so did all three have same rounded small panels at the same time I wonder.. Brilliant work regardless, look forward to seeing the finished weathered locos. Robert

Good to know all is now right - as a friend remarked just now creating a Vic Berry Asbestos firing tunnel model was not on his to -do list ! Not sure how you found tooling improvements but looked pretty good in pics and at Warley - which is on 2023 by the way. Bogies looked good but if the tendency to arch is removed forever that has to be good. Have to save pennies or sell an organ for the IR sets but they do look very good. Thanks for update Robert

It is sad that Shapeways has lost its way or made it hard for designers to upgrade. Check out Lenny`s work at Lincoln loco https://lincoln-loco.co.uk/ to see what can be achieved and this on a home printer system albeit a good one. Robert

Just a line and a few numbers to do, makes my wagons look lame. Look forward to see it making its way on the layout. Robert

Very good conversion, you cannot see he join!! And hopefully runs well to boot. Robert

If I could upload pics from home - sickly PC I would happily show a good selection with double beets, UTA spoil wagons. 20 foot flats for containers, oil tanks and coal boxes. Easy to make and detail the coupling mount with NEM pocket spot on for height suitable for Kaydee no 18 or 19 or a range of TLC with spade ends. Great value for money and great fun to put together - well mainly a few big bits and a selection of finer resin parts for brake gear. As a fully satisfied customer I can fully recommend Leslie`s range. Robert

I was hoping for news on the Fintona tram fleet traction. ... surely a no brainer for IRM.

Great progress. Good to see coaches being used so quickly. Liking the plasticard end . Loads of hinges to add next! Robert

Shame but possibly recoverable.. Have to say with No5 coupler boxes I fix a screw in the hole and then lightly glue box to stop any wayward rotation. Robert

Good to see ebay purchases came with Kaydees - a bargain move! I look forward to seeing this one fly through the works! Robert

Should be a good show - We get the keys to hall 5 on Thursday 12.00 for markout and then its build, build and build until 12.00 Friday then traders et all can get in , public start Saturday and Sunday and as if normal I will among the last to leave 22.00 Sunday. The big narrow gauge loco from Severn Valley Railway - 82045 there will be wagon and bus as full size exhibits. Defo drop by C22 during the weekend. Robert

That is a shame for many but as I am broke it saves angst over trucks or tea! I hope you recover some money for the business moving the stock and clearing space in Warehouse for the 80 Class packs.. Robert

Great work!

Beauty in the eye of the beholder perhaps! certainly the 455/ mk 3 based prototypes were long lived and not all faces were totally ugly the 450 class sits mid ugly with the motor end a "plain jane" , even the BR 210 DEMU managed a bit better. Looking forward to this model and will save pennies for one. The 80 class landed with me today and is equally crisp with little layering, and is sturdy with a stiffening ledge inside that chassis sits on fully supported and will give a floor base to enable a seat unit to be slotted in place. I think the chassis can be screwed to this ledge as it is quite thick enough to take a self tapper. Robert

Hi I think you will find it is the axle box retainer , just a push back in IIRC . Robert

Hi Ordered a pair end of last week from CMAC, so hopefully a quick bit of yellow and a sandite will make progress. However was was good to note a 450 class had been created and two sets sold already £149 iirc. So two happy bunnies somewhere. CMABC did helpfully suggest it would be possible to order just motor cars so a sandite much easier. Hopefully a good match to my Lima reworkings of MK2 DTS / TS vehicles. Robert

amazing atatention and such sharp modelling - puts mine to shame ! Almost smell the oil and rust on the JCB.- brings back happy memories. thanks for showing Robert.

The slippery slope is now a near vertical ski jump.. but just sit back and enjoy the ride. The Country Terminus can now enjoy a Friday only extra from Dublin. Robert

Hi Thanks, sorry for confusion - got IRM bogies in my tiny mind! I too used Bachmann bogies on my prints as well. Must say I fitted the nem pocket on to a plasticard extension glued to the bogie and thinned the bottom of buffer beam. Your solution elegant so will store it away for next time. cheers Robert