Tullygrainey

Piercing saw in play again. Outside frames cut as a pair. Some tricky stuff coming up soon - wheel hubs, springs and brakes Alan

Predictive text at its mischief again I see, David

This is wonderful! A really fine piece of modelling at every level from research through to implementation. You deserve medal for the points rodding alone Looking forward to seeing it continue to develop. Alan

Well, we have some louvres at last. The Archer 3D resin transfers were tricky little brutes, very delicate and easy to break. One of the larger ones rolled up on me and had to be refloated to unroll it again. Then, eyesight being what it is, I couldn't quite make out which way up and which way round it was meant to go The narrow strips on the engine casing are actually 2mm scale and had to be doubled up to get near the correct width - a total of 40 separate transfers in the end. Not ideal, but passable under the two foot rule. All in all, it was a bit of an ordeal, given that I barely had enough of some of the sizes and little chance of getting more. Archer is closing down at the end of this month, the owner is retiring and attempts to order direct from the US via PayPal fell over at the last hurdle, every time I tried. I'm reasonably happy with the results but anyway, I think it's beyond me to improve on this, whatever the method. So, onwards with a gently muttered "Phew" Alan

Lovely work Patrick. The layout looks terrific and the low light stuff is really atmospheric. Those paving stones shining in the reflected light of the wall lamps really do suggest one of those misty, slightly damp Irish evenings. Alan

Thanks everyone!

Thank you. Me too! But don't hold your breath

... and solder on this

Ah Patrick, the blue one is just for photographs This is the one I cut on

No idea. I ordered mine directly from Hornby on their website. I've just checked and the order is still outstanding with no indication of delivery times. Alan

Time to say goodbye to all that nice shiny brass. Halfords Etch Primer. The chimney is a brass casting from Alan Gibson (4M711, 'County' double chimney, early type), gently chastised with needle files. I'm experimenting with these Archer 3D transfers. We'll see how this goes Onwards with trepidation Alan

Still waiting for a Ruston & Hornsby 88DS from Hornby, 18 months

Love the way the light is catching the carriage windows

A few small but time-comsuming details added - handles and lamp irons mainly. Also a support for the cab roof. The roof itself, in 0.010" brass, is held down with a 12BA countersunk bolt which screws into a nut soldered underneath the support. It's curved slightly tighter than needed so that when the bolt draws it down, it spreads and seats nicely all round. The bolt will be covered by a ventilation hatch eventually. Don't know if the original had one of these but this one does Onwards by small increments Alan

That's a heck of an undertaking David! Looking forward to seeing Fintonagh and saying hello at Cultra on Saturday. Wishing you a safe journey. Alan

Thanks everyone Yes! Yet another steam reference alongside the chimney, bunker and tanks. Ah the louvres, the elephant in the room! Still pondering but I'll have to confront it soon No plans for a new layout as yet but Ballynahinch terminus would make a good subject wouldn't it. Nice track plan and opportunities for shunting Alan

What a fine bit of modelling - subtle, detailed and perfectly proportioned. Inspirational! Best wishes, Alan

Another little bit of progress - that tricky bit in the middle between the cab and the engine casing. Tricky to guess the shape, because the photos of the prototype don't reveal much, and tricky to make too. There was a fair pile of brass filings by the time it was finished Added some doors and drilled a few holes for handrails too. There's no doubt you can get nice crisp edges using brass. It's been a joy (mostly) Onwards and forwards Alan

Thank you Mike. If I'm honest, I spent at least 3 years thinking about this one

Thanks again everyone. Have to say I'm pleased with how this is going so far. Yes, there's definitely a house style about the Harlandics. Each one seems to be a slight variation on the same theme. With the possible exception of the other BCDR diesel, the bogie no 28, though even it had side 'tanks'. I'd be brassed off if I wasn't making progress Patrick. I'll see myself out Alan

The cab parts went together pretty well, with the help of an engineer's square, Blutack, masking tape, clothes pegs and anything else that might help to keep things in place whilst the solder went in It's beginning to look like something at last Alan

Phew! Engine casing done. It wasn't just the brass that got sweated. Used up my remaining stock of expletives on this one. It's got a very slight twist but the designer said it'd do. 0.010" brass sheet for this, annealed in a gas flame before bending. Next up - the Ikea cab flatpack Alan

Perfect solution! Much better than trying to blend platform into woodland. Those bricklayers are a speedy bunch Alan

Thanks everyone for all the positive comments and encouragement. Alan

Some more bits of the jigsaw. two layers, tack-soldered and cut together, then separated. Piercing saw earning its keep. Also that nice Vallorbe file that cost the same as a chicken dinner Alan