David Holman

Roger's 7mm scale kits feature a one piece etched chassis. Have mentioned before that you solder in the bearings, then simply fold the sides and spacers. They are designed for 32mm gauge, so you fit the top hat bearings inside out for broad gauge. Never had any problems with clearances for splashers and other bodywork, so presume things should be ok in 4mm. However, if there are no castings, what you will get is the same as with Worsley Works, so that means sourcing or making everything from chimney, dome, buffers, cab details, whistle tender axle boxes, brake standard, etc, etc. Without wanting to rain on anyone's parade, finding such things is a lot harder now than it was ten or even 20 years ago, when there were many more whitemetal and brass castings available, though 3D printed options may be possible now.

Starting halfway down page 27 of David's Work bench is a step by step account of how I made the Alphagraphix J26.

Interesting to read that bits of Sprite linger on in No 90. Have often tinkered with the idea of building Sprite and its pay coach, because they travelled far and wide in their time and would make a novel addition to my 1900s scenes on Northport Quay. Thus far have only got round to making an outline drawing, using info in the Green Bible, but if anyone has anything else, it might just be the nudge I need...

Last photo looks a great place to work from. As for mixing co!ours too dark or bright, got lots of t-shirts in that drawer!

The Alphagraphix J26 is pretty simple, especially the chassis. It's a single etch, so you just solder in the wheel bearings before folding up the sides and folding down the frame spacers. No alignment jobs required. I've built two and you can have a rolling chassis in a couple of hours. Very satisfying and very effective.

They can work out very expensive, so consider buying a large sheet of acrylic and make your own.

A thought: the sky is very dark, especially when compared to the near white of the prototype scene, or are you going for twilight? That said, earlier pics with the trees posed in front it appears less so.

I actually bought a ready to run, 0 gauge engine this week - a rare occurrence for me. indeed, had to look up my journals to see when the last time was. Turns out that was in 2010 & even then it was a couple of Bachmann Brassworks models [08 shunter and Derby Lightweight DMU], which required painting and detailing, so certainly not rtr in the accepted sense. The same year, I also bought a couple of Shays, one a two truck 0n16.5, the other an HO three truck and these were fully finished. Otherwise, have to back to the 1980s and everything else has since been kit or scratch built - a total of 75 locos to date. So, you ask, what is it that prompted this extravagance? Well, it's about as small as it gets in 0 gauge: a Heljan Ruston 48 DS and very dinky it is too. Needs work, as far too clean for my liking, while also crew and [eventually] AJ couplings. The version I've bought fits in with the aim of there being a dairy on my new project and the Ruston fits the bill nicely as I already have three six wheel milk tanks, one [a Slaters kit] in full Express Dairy livery. A bit more work has been done on the layout, with the station master's house now well under way. The 'chassis' is mounting board, covered with Howard Scenics embossed brick paper. Back in the last century, I used to paint all the bricks individually, until sanity prevailed when I realised I could do it far quicker with water colour pencil crayons. Windows will be from York Models.

Good way to increase a layout's usefulness. Should I ask how you are going to widen the track?

That is a beauty.

Must be very deep pile carpet! Fine work Alan.

Can only agree with the comments above. Lovely stuff.

Fine work John and certainly looks well worth it.

Two fine 4-4-0s!

Will be a very good place for photographs.