Tullygrainey

I know the received wisdom is that the actual angle doesn't matter so long as it's the same on all the axles but I'm not sure how far you can stray from 90 degrees before it starts to affect the running. If your drivers are running smoothly David, then I'd say you don't have a problem but it's an interesting question.

Every tool in the box, and then some! Looks familiar. I know that sinking feeling when something you've spent hours on suddenly looks to be scrap but excellent recovery David. That was an extra hurdle I'm sure you could've done without but you seem to be back on track again. All part of the learning curve I like the idea of the keeper plate. Worth the time and effort required I think.

That is a very impressive piece of miniature engineering John. I begin to see how tricky it is to make that particular wheel configuration work properly. So many variables! On 98's tender, do the wire keepers for the front and middle axles also provide springing or is there something else in there as well? Alan

What's the white convertible just visible below the Humber? is it a Ford Zephyr or Zodiac?

All this fishy talk is just a red herring. The real issue is what sort of service* the church will have. * steam or diesel?

Still needs a new suit I see

The BCDR Oldbury coaches are just about finished bar some minor tweaking. All aboard. The roofs are detachable so that drunk passengers can be helped back to their seats if they fall over. The bodywork should probably be lined out but I don't have that sort of courage. A little bit of light weathering has helped blend body to chassis... ... and Diesel No.2 has something appropriate to haul at last. Mind you, what it's doing at Loughan Quay is anyone's guess. IMG_9006.mov

Thanks Nelson. The figures are a mixture - Some whitemetal ones from Dart Castings (the Monty’s range) and some plastic ones from the Dapol (the old ex-Airfix) passenger set. Dart also do a whitemetal passenger set - a 14 figure job lot similar to the Monty’s range but of lesser quality and considerably cheaper. They’re in the mix as well. They’re pretty crude but since they’ll be tucked inside an unlit coach, they don’t need to be perfect

may need to repurpose the spare bedroom for that one Patrick!

More little things sent to try us - glazing coach windows. It would be nice if a single bit of acetate could be used to glaze a whole side but the internal bracing meant each window had to be glazed separately. Took me two days to do three coaches. Unseemly language was used along with the Glue'n'Glaze. Still, it's done now. The seats are back from the upholsterers too. Authentic BCDR 3rd class pattern, don't you know. Ready for fitting... ... and just as well. There's a motley bunch of passengers impatient to get going. All aboard Alan

Lovely stuff David. I'm really enjoying watching your progress. Keep posting!

Back with the BCDR coaches. Primer coats... first top coat... second coat and some transfers. Travelling third class again. Alan

This has become a running joke

If I were Mr Weaver, I wouldn’t stand for it

Blooming lovely!

Lovely work. The sweep of those curves is just perfect!

Just brilliant Patrick. Real craftsmanship and every inch GNR(I). I like the headboard too. Is that for Mr Weaver’s new bed?

Sounding and looking good. Micro layouts can be very satisfying to build, in my experience.

These private owner wagons saw service on the BCDR network, transporting coal landed at Dundrum, County Down. Provincial Models did a nice model of one. (Photo: Demond Coakham) As a distraction from soldering door handles onto BCDR coaches, I did some surgery on one of my Provincial EDSS opens, (Apologies Leslie. Look away now ) aiming to try and nudge the Dapol chassis a little closer to the appearance of the prototype. Starting point - I'd already weathered it a while back. Butchery. Not pretty... but getting better... An MJT wagon compensation etch provided the bits for outside W irons... and bits from the spares box did the rest... And now, back to coaching Alan

More BCDR coach work. Group portrait in brass... Nearly ready for paint Alan

Another gem. That weathering is beautifully understated. Spot on!

These any good?

A masterpiece Patrick. Just keeps getting better!

That's a very impressive production line John with some very fine modelling in there. I'm not surprised you lose the odd wheel set. I for one I couldn't keep that many balls in the air at once without losing my place eventually