David Holman

Starting to gild the lily.

Fascinating stuff, as ever! Meanwhile, in the prototype for everything department, nice to see where the cab handrail protrudes inside, just like the wire does on my models!

Gordon did indeed build model ships as his day job, working for a firm that made large scale models for shipping companies and so on. I was wrong about the rigging on the 2mm model though - that is there too. I think he must have a tame spider to do it. Articles in MRJ about the ships and a beautiful model he made of a French metre gauge loco, plus numerous tributes to Iain Rice.

A couple of distractions came my way this week. The first was the latest copy of Model Railway Journal, which arrived by post on Monday. On the front cover is a fine picture of one of Gordon Gravett's recent creations - a pair of Somerset and Dorset Colliers, one in 4mm scale and one in 2mm. I can take a [very] small amount of credit for these, after sending Gordon a photo of VIC96 in Chatham Marina, though he'd been thinking about building one for ages, while the 2mm scale version was built for another master modeller, Jerry Clifford. A bit bigger than a VIC and certainly over 30 feet longer than a Puffer, the heritage is clear to see from both. Needless to say, both models are completely scratchbuilt and stunningly good in the flesh, as anyone who went to this year's Uckfield show will testify. However, what also stands out is that Gordon has included ALL the rigging, for the mast, derrick, anchor, etc, etc. I hadn't really appreciated this at Uckfield, but now, haven't done a very limited, hamfisted version on Acla am feeling somewhat inadequate at his exquisite work. This is 4mm scale, remember - though I don't think he's done anything like as much on the 2mm version, so the man is human after all... The other distraction came from the Chatham Model Club, when I decided to liberate an old SMR model of a Sentinel shunter, to see if was possible to regauge it to 5'3. We must have had it for at least ten years, maybe more. It's a good little runner, with belt drive giving four wheel drive, so surprisingly powerful too. Seem to remember they only cost about £100 & obviously were the precursor of the current Dapol model. Why a Sentinel? Well those of you who know your Green Bible will realise the GSR bought two standard Sentinels, which variously worked in Cork, Tralee and [especially] on the Limerick Market Branch. Not out of the question therefore to think that one might have made its way to Northport Quay as the resident shunter and the temptation to acquire an [almost] ready to run loco is another of those itches that has needed scratching for a while now. Turns out that all that is needed to regauge the model is to tweak the wheels out to 34mm back to back and then adjust the pick ups so they still touch the wheels. Just as well, because the axles are very much not standard diameter, so best not messed with. The only other thing needed was to grind a bit off the back of the axle boxes, though a fair bit of cosmetic work to the body will be needed to make the guard irons line up, along with a few other improvements too. Probably best if I asked the Club if I can have it before I go any further though! I'm well aware that this SMR model is far from perfect. The wheels don't line up with the axle boxes for one thing, while best not to compare it too closely with the two Limerick shunters. Nevertheless, the Green Bible opines that it is perhaps a bit odd that GSR/CIE didn't go for a few more of these little engines, especially during the various fuel shortages, so I will not feel in the least bit guilty if this one eventually appears on Northport Quay's roster. Could make a basis for a nice little 7mm scale cameo layout too - one was tried out on the Castleisland branch, a sort of steam powered Deutz G class diesel. Any takers? The Dapol one can be got for around £100 or so, though I have no idea if it can be regauged in the same way.

Looking into both - including an email to Gordon. If anyone knows, it's him!

Build my own track, Ray so assume you can cut the wires - after all, you can always solder them back.

No electrician Ray, but have always used live frog points and as far as the third question is concerned a live frog point will isolate a loco if switched against it. So you are correct.

A mixture of crabs, flat fish and silvery fish, Leslie! Courtesy of Skytrex Models, as is most of the other cargo.

With the missus laid up with a broken foot for at least a couple of weeks [no, she didn't kick me, nor me her], apart from being chief cook, bottle washer and general dogsbody, there has at least been time for multiple short modelling sessions in between the chores. A good chance therefore to experiment with some weathering of various kinds. Weathering in more ways than one, as I've attempted to create things like seaweed and the green patina you get on sea walls. Various acrylic washes seemed to be the way to go, but also noticed there can be orange brown stains [rust?] higher up. Got a bit heavy handed with this, but found that I could sand it back with some fine wet'n'dry. Seaweed comes in various colours [you can Google pretty much anything of course], so went for my finest grade of dark green crumb along the join between water & quay wall, with strands of weed done with long static grass fibres, flattened down & held with dilute pva. Not sure about this at the moment & may well need longer [& thicker] fibres, like painted sisal perhaps? The Acla has received a bit of weathering too - a mixture of dry brushed rust coloured acrylic and weathering powders. It may need a bit more, or even some of the powders removed. I find such things need going back to multiple times before I'm happy, so the last few days [and the next few!] are ideal for this sort of thing. Finally, felt a figure was needed amongst the cargo on the right hand quay and found a nice one of a chap leaning against something, holding a mug of tea.

A seasonal favourite round here is a store that do Christmas Reefs - this is the land of Estuary English, after all! Technically speaking, I fink reefs ought to have multiple 'f's [you hear of lot of those too], while on Sheppey, where they speak a sub-dialect, known as Swampy, there are many more, richer varieties...

Likewise! These days, when I go into Currys, I find that that not only do I not understand what I'm looking at, I actually don't care much either. Equally, I certainly applaud the 3D printers, because am always impressed with anything I cannot currently do. However, this bit of old school modelling shows what can be done and is all about breaking a component down into basic shapes and going from there. Love it!

Yep, good fun. Creating that world where our modelling resides definitely enriches satisfaction and helps bring the model to life.

Thanks folks - much of what I do is inspired by everyone else on this forum.

After several workshop posts, thought it was time to look again at the layout as a whole. Various small bits of work have been going on, notably painting, positioning & fixing of various scenic items, mainly to try and create a busier quayside, with various cargoes ready to load/unload. Several figures have been relocated from the platform on Belmullet/Northport, where, with the layout being turned round are no longer easily visible. The rather portly, dishevelled looking gentleman is a bit of a favourite, while readers of the Arigna/Belmullet threads may remember what happened when I went on line to look up details for painting the two nuns - suffice to say the search also threw up some interesting options for dressing up at the weekends! Another figure is the fishmonger, or maybe he is a high end restauranteur [sort of Irish Rick Stein], looking at the latest catch? The Acla has also received a bit more attention, with mooring ropes toned down to look less bright. It still needs some weathering though. In the general scheme of things, the left hand siding, nearest the tunnel, will only ever hold open wagons, so as not to block the view with taller vans. Hence there are lot of barrels waiting on the quayside, along with a few smaller packing cases. The track in front of this siding is where the rail mounted crane will be, so it is important to leave this space clear. The Irish Shell tank wagon may well be for fuelling local fishing boats. Similarly, the right hand siding, behind the Acla, is actually more of a shunting neck, to allow wagons from the off stage pier to be swapped with those from an incoming freight. Hence this needs to be left clear, which is why the various bits of loose cargo are stacked between the siding and the 'main line'. Given the recent Railcar thread, it was hard not to resist including Railcar 2b, though where it gets turned is current still a mystery!

Walkers of Wigan certainly seemed to go their own way with railcar design, especially when almost everyone else was doing the conventional thing with a cab at each end and underfloor motors. But hey, it worked and some of their products ran up astonishing mileage. I guess that because they used fairly conventional practice, purchase costs were kept down, though the lack of being able to work in multiple meant the Donegal were paying three or more drivers on some of their special trains. Then there was the fact that early railcars couldn't run back to back in pairs, presumably because they only had a single reverse gear. The Colonel Stephens railcars had the same problem, with the rear facing one needing to be towed, in neutral. All sorts of weird stuff, from roof mounted driving cabs to Howden-Meredith patent wheels, but what a delight for historians and modellers!

Now we know why there is a sudden world shortage of bulldog clips.

Master modeller Gordon Gravett has been using this method for years, so you are in good company - though he mainly works in 7mm scale. Cutting window frames 0.3mm wide seems bonkers to me! Respect!

Can't open the videos on my tablet, but if it is not possible to separate tender body from chassis, can a hole be cut in the underside? Alternatively, liquid lead, held in place with 5 minute epoxy should do the job in terms of filling nooks and crannies on the underside without making any holes.

There is that picture of Lissadell, albeit some time out of traffic, where there seems to be more rust and dirt than paint! Perhaps because my memories of steam are from the early 60s onwards ( and especially 66 onwards), I rarely saw a clean loco. I also think that it is not easy to make a convincing job of a clean black loco - especially a shiny one. Gloss finish looks too much to my eyes, while almost as soon as a loco begins work, then a patina of dirt and dust is inevitable, which on a model gives all important texture and contrast to an overall black finish. Indeed, there is little if any black in the photo of the prototype above, just many shades of grey. Fab photo either way. Nice looking track David - Code 100 flat bottomed, I presume?

Whisper it quietly, but it is significantly easier to do 5'3 in 7mm scale. There are several MGW kits available from Alphagraphix, including the E/J26, G2 and J19. All in etched brass, but a lot easier to build than in 4mm scale. Slater's do the broad gauge axles to go with their wheels. There is a range of 6w coaches too, plus several wagon body kits in card, with whitemetal chassis available. The axles on Slater's wagon and coach wheels are long enough to move the wheels out to 34mm back to back. Indeed, the only barrier to broad gauge is getting someone to turn up a 36.75mm track gauge, because C&L point kits are available, or you can buy crossing vee and blades ready made, or indeed ask Marcway in Sheffield to build points for you. 7mm scale is expensive - points cost over £50 rtr, a loco kit will start at £150 (double that for a tender engine) and even the bits for a wagon are £20 a time. There again, look at the prices of new 4mm rtr. Space is the other consideration, but my Arigna Town/Belmullet project is under 16' long in total and the scenic part of Northport Quay is just 7'6. Well worth thinking about, especially if you are starting from scratch and very addictive too...

Plenty of good advice here from people who KNOW. The key advice is you do NOT need to use P4 standards to do 21mm gauge. I've had the pleasure of helping operate Andy's Valentia Harbour and it all runs beautifully. My Fintonagh, albeit 7mm scale is 21mm gauge, but uses 00 wheels and track standards: 1mm flangeways in the points. On my wagons and coaches I replace the steel axles with 2mm brass wire, with the ends filed to a point to go in top hat bearings. Brass wire means the axles are not attracted to magnetic uncouplers. Back to backs of around 19.3mm seems to work just fine.

Inspiration for us all here, Ken!

Not a lot of progress it must be said - or perhaps that should read much messing about for little apparent progress! Following George's wonderful pictures of his 1/24 Puffer, I've been scouring them and various web pages to see what additional rigging I might include. I've also been trying to see how the ship would be moored to the quayside, plus what other bits and pieces might be found on deck for added detail. Overall though, in truth feel I'm none the wiser, so I'm throwing myself upon the mercy of the court of the More Knowledgeable! What I've done is add a third rigging line on each side of the mast, plus a short chain and hook to the business end of the derrick. Can't for the life of me work out whether there would be an extra cable to the winch [along the derrick beam], or if the hook would be connected by rope to whatever was in the hold, with just the boom going up & down? Raising & lowering the anchor is also the cause of much head scratching. On the VIC96, the chain seems to go over a large fully on the steam winch and down below deck. A Puffer seems to have an anchor chain davit, though quite how this works I again have no idea. At the moment, the mooring ropes are looped over the vertical rubbing beams, though it may be more sensible to turn up a few hefty bollards to set into the quayside. A couple of loosely coiled ropes complete the picture, along with some old tyres as fenders. Quite how many more ropes/rigging I'll add, I'm not sure. My photos of VIC96 in Chatham Dockyard show any number, the purpose of which I haven't clue - while actually doing what I have so far has been far from enjoyable!

're both the above, he does indeed batch build, so not all stuff is readily available. As for scale, yes there are mostly 7mm scale kits, but these include 0n30 designs. Thus far, not sure any of my turntables have been built to the scale intended. Arigna Town first had the Dapol/Airfix one, then used the South East Finecast version (worth a look), both of which are 00. Belmullet's is the Kitwood Hill 0n16.5, while Fintonagh's is Peco N gauge - two changes of scale. In each case, I made a new deck and sometimes added new sides. Ultimately, a turntable is about the operating bits, which are the centre 'boss', the circular track, the pit and the deck. Indeed, on full size TTs, the loco sits just off centre, so only one set of guide wheels is on the circular rail in the pit, whereas on most model ones the boss takes the strain and why stereo jackplug and sockets are often used on home made versions - they can carry power to the track. All in all, not surprising ready to run TTs are expensive, especially if you want to feed an array of tracks, but with a bit of thought and care, cheaper options can be made to work well and the hand cranked Frizinghall Models kit is the one I'd recommend for simple, reliable operation.

Those birds are tiny, but can nevertheless see we have mallard (ducks and drakes), plus herring gull. Fine painting to go with the printing, Ken.