Railway Lyons

While watching the Women's Rugby World Cup (Hard Luck Ireland), time for some weathering and transfers to progress the NIR 80 Sandite. Only 3 car for now while modifications on a MK2 to make 4th car(Yellow or Blue/Grey i havent decided). Anyways, progress the 3 I have: Weathered and transfers started. Numbered and looking well. Will be on MK2 dummy chassis until I can get appropriate power unit. Interiors and lights will be added, and the 2x replacement buffers.

Got up to attic and put in new desk for working on projects. Increased my area by 30%. Took the chance to put up display for some ongoing projects. Plenty there, and only the motive ones, and many more round the attic. Got to try keep them moving along, and the rolling stock to accompany. Happy modelling is the key!

Hi All, Another hiatus due to work and home commitments, and a thriving U12s rugby season. Firstly the oil tanks are finished with transfer, and there was a lot of them. Wheels and weathering, then they can be ticked off the list. Next up B103 Sulzer got paint and transfers. Hornby Deltic chassis next up and windows to complete. And back on table, comsuming quantities of plastic strip, are my IOA conversions to taras. Side ribs removes and correctly modelled, with IRM bogies waiting to be fitted. More transfers going onto the Jeep in small increments, and purchase of additional Eurostar coaches for Enterprise waiting the cutters. New larger desk on order for attic room, more boarding out and storage installs. Back up when weather cools a bit.

2 weeks back, I mentioned a "Special" project that was bubbling. This one has been on my list for a long time, and one i really wanted to do. Well I am happy to show it off now - Enterprise DVT, and coaches to follow. This is the 3rd or 4th iteration i have tried, with previous attempts using Mk3 and Mk4 coaches, but never quite right or good enough in my eyes. This time I took plunge with Hornby Eurostar coaches. This will be done in original livery from mid 90s. Its a resin 201 body, aquired many years back, cut down, and a eurostar coach cut down. Modification to the Eurostar coach for 2 bogies, and not sharing with intermediate wheelset. Still work to be done on the joint area, last window to be halved, additional end door ro be scribed in, and valance restored. Roof has had Eurostar ridge removed, mid filled, plastic rod ridges added, and other details dropped in. Still more details to be added, glazing, buffer beam detail, lights, paint, transfers. Still a ways to go, but so much happier I am on the right path now with it.

Not as tricky as the top part on each tablet catcher space on the sulzer. Had to file part off old pliers to be able to bend small enough, and still be square.

Only 2-3 hours free this weekend to get to the workbench, so it was all go with the brass handrails. Sulzer, RPSI Guard Van, and Hunslet all ready for primer. And yet another project on the go .....NIR Class 80 Sandite Car 1,2 & 4 ready for primer. 3 in process of being converted from DBSO to Driving Trailer. There is 1 special project that has been bubbling for a long time. Hopefully have a lot more on this in the coming weeks.

Glad to report that baseboard assembly has begun, with daughter being my apprentice. More over Christmas, and see hiw we get on. Concrete sleeper flex to be obtained, and then track laying can begin.

Finally Airbus "Beluga" is just about there. Lots of fiddly transfers. Now just the sealing and remove window maskol. After that, my dad can take delivery to add to his extensive collection.

Been catching up on this thread with interest. Well done on your efforts, amazing work. Will reach out to you in the very near future.

Well, a relatively straight forward build in the end, even if a little tail heavy. Nothing a little wagon weight won't sort. 2 evenings and its built. Just paint and transfers by weekend. Night 1: Night 2:

It's a SSM variant.

Tend to find if I'm always working on 1, I lose interest while waiting, so few on go to change between is good. There are many more waiting their turn too

There has been a bit of Milky Bar tinge to the workbench last few evenings. Still more details to be added, primer(and the inevitable small fixes) before paint and transfers. We have RPSI Guards van to accompany RPSI MkII, Fertiliser wagon on IRM bogies, B101 Sulzer, D101 Hunslet and a painted barrier wagon. Bit of break while assemble Revell A300 "Beluga" for my dad's 1:144 collection.

Timber store has been visited, and the supplies obtained to construct the required boards. Construction to begin very soon and will be documented as I go. Here is to a hopefully successful year, and a new layout to see in 2026.

Unfortunately the Galways Mk2s didn't go as planned. Finished article just wasn't sitting well with me. Partially my own fault for not going all in on the prep, and the paint got some orange peel and dulled, so it's back to the start and full strip down. Few other items on the bench to keep the mojo going (updates on these in few days), until I can bring myself to reattempt the Mk2s.