Tullygrainey

Moist eyes here too Patrick. Lovely video.

Thanks everyone. Number 12 brings the County Down roster to 7 locomotives. The fitters are saying they've lined out enough locos to do them for a while. Me too. Back in September 2024 I started out to build a small exhibition layout for this lot to run on but got distracted. I probably should get back to that. In the meantime, new arrival No.12 is stretching its legs. Alan BCDR No12.mov

The differences are fairly subtle but I think scratch building the body on version 2 got it a bit closer to the look of the prototype. I wish now I'd just scratch built a chassis while I was at it. Wouldn't have been that much more work in the end!

Thanks David. Yes, I took these pics a couple days ago. Version 1 with adapted Adams Radial bodywork and unmodified chassis on the left

The BCDR bogie tank is almost done. At last. The bit that should’ve been no trouble, the ready-to-run chassis , fought me every inch (25.4mm) of the way. Part of that was my own fault for hacking and filing bits off without protecting the motor and gears from metal filings. It still makes odd noises going backwards. However there was also an intermittent short circuit which took days to track down and fix. The big hammer was close to deployment more than once. Seems ok now. I settled in the end for Number 12. One of the of the first batch of 5 bogies tanks (“Series A”), it was built by Beyer Peacock in 1904. Still needs a coal load and maybe some more weathering. After taking the pics I managed to destroy one of the tank side number plates so a new one is getting made. Body bits bolted together after painting and lining ... ... and chassis fitted. Crew hide the lack of inside cab detail, as usual. Alan

Lovely job Derek. The colouring is just right. That back scene works well too!

That one threw me too, causing me to paint mine blue. Subsequently corrected

Is there a 'scale' element to colour as well as everything else? Colours that are accurate to the prototype but look wrong when applied onto a model. It's often the case that pure white looks wrong on a model and needs to be toned down with a bit of grey to look 'correct'. Those Rathbone paint jobs are exquisite. I picked up a second-hand copy of his book recently. It's really informative and totally demoralising in equal measure!

Many thanks for this. It's very sound evidence for what many of us probably suspected but couldn't have articulated so thoroughly. You've certainly helped me stop worrying whether my County Down locos are the right shade of green Alan

Just fabulous!

Nice slow running and impressive pulling power! Now there's a thought. Stay-alive was conceived to help DCC driven locos overcome momentary breaks in the signal which often tended to stop them dead. In my experience, DC driven locos are much less temperamental and don't usually need these sorts of aids but it ought to be possible. Stay-alives are just capacitors. Would you need some way of regulating the charge to and from the capacitor?

Very sorry to hear about your illness Derek but glad to know things are looking a bit better presently. Chemo can be pretty brutal and I'm sure it's been a long haul since December. Hoping you're beginning to feel a bit better now. Very best wishes for the coming months. Cheering for you here. Railway modelling is great therapy. Don't forget to post the pics. Alan

And me!

Terrific work David. Love the footplate detail and that three quarter view in the second photo is a gem. Very convincing.

What a great opportunity David! Gordon Gravett is up there with Iain Rice and Mike Sharman in my list of railway modelling heroes. Though I never managed to see Pempoul in the flesh, for me it took modelling to a new level the first time I saw photos of it in BRM. And later, Arun Quay was equally impressive. Sounds like Ashford was a great show. The Swilly tank is brilliant. Perfect weathering job. You've definitely achieved the look you were aiming for. Totally convincing. The rods and wheels are just right for a well used loco. I know what you mean about airbrushes. It takes a deal of courage to spray a weathering mix all over a pristine model. Something I haven't yet had the guts to do!

Devious little blighter. He's also been known to leave a part prominently in the middle of the carpet a week after you lost it and one hour after you ordered up the replacement.

Wholly appropriate response given the circumstances.

A few progress pics of the BCDR bogie tank. Managed to get through the painting process without any major disasters. A first? I think I'm learning, albeit at a glacial pace. Halfords grey etch primer from the rattle can then Tamiya acrylics. X18 semi-gloss black followed by XF70 dark green, both airbrushed. I've started the line dancing now. Fox transfers. This bit always takes a while. Alan

Evenwood is a total joy. Not just a fine example of master model making, it has real presence and atmosphere and is a perfect demonstration of the principle that less can be more - no gimmicks, no clichés, just careful observation of a chosen landscape and subtle modelling of it. A brilliant achievement. Many thanks for the opportunity to see it close up. Alan

Yes, it’s time for a digital extraction procedure

A very enjoyable 2 days at the NDMRS Bangor Show. Good atmosphere, lots of variety and some epically good modelling on display - I've posted a few pics in the 'What's On: Bangor 2024' thread. Great to see so many familiar faces and also meet some on-line acquaintances in person for the first time. The Stone Yard behaved itself impeccably all weekend and also hosted a few guest engine drivers in the age 5 - 10 group. Budding railway modellers every one! No locos were harmed in the process. Thanks to NDMRS, to everyone who stopped to talk and to Kieran Lagan for sharing loco superintendent duties. Alan

Many thanks to NDMRS for a fine show and to everyone who stopped to chat over the 2 days. Enjoyed it very much. Some pics... Alan

Correction- the open wagon in the first pic is a resin kit. The second one is the coffee stirrer special

Yes, recycled timber from the Costa Coffee Company

Speaking as someone who never feels quite in control of weathering, I’m watching this with interest. Thanks Chris Alan