Darius43

I never did any extra vehicular activity like that but was at scout camp in Staffordshire in 1976 aged 11 where we constructed a sort of assault course that comprised two ropes strung vertically above each other between two trees about 30 feet above the ground. You got up the first tree via a log propped up against it at angle using a rope to pull yourself along. Then you traversed to the second tree using the two ropes - feet on the lower one and hands gripping the upper one. At the second tree was the “reward” a kind of zip wire that got you back to the ground. Went round it several times. It was great fun with no safety gear or harnesses in sight. Cheers Darius

Turnbuckles and tie down chains next. Cheers Darius

Oxford Diecast Bedford RL modified and repainted to be a Lowmac load. Before:- After:- I lowered the tilt to “railway transport” configuration. Cheers Darius

A bogie container flat that I had made using a Dapol LMS coach chassis had responded badly to a spell in the sun… Today I finally got round to sorting the bogie flat out using a hot water immersion bath and judicious bending with a plunge into cold water. The plasticard top plate was scribed to represent planking and stays made from etched brass strip installed in pre-drilled holes. Next step is to add the tie down chains to the containers, which are Bachmann - available as a set of four. Cheers Darius

Some videos of a running session earlier this month. Cheers Darius

Well…

Finished - bar some light weathering. Cheers Darius

Chassis arrived today and has been cleaned up and the buffer beams painted red. Etched ladders fitted and a coat of Halfords satin black applied to the cab and body. Cheers Darius

I decided to modify the spare Bachmann Class 08 body from the D3/12 Shunter project to represent what followed - a Class 12 Shunter. A spare Bachmann Class 08 chassis is on it’s way from eBay. Cheers Darius

Cheers Darius

Light weathering applied. Cheers Darius

Decals applied followed by a coat of matt varnish. I used HMRS pressfix decals for the BR emblem and home made cabside number decals. I glazed the cab windows using panels cut from the packaging of a Parkside kit. Each panel was secured in place with a small amount of superglue then “cleared” using a coat of Klear acrylic varnish. The front step handrails were made from 0.7mm dia. nickel silver rod. Cheers Darius

New project started yesterday - Maunsell 1937 diesel shunter. Golden Arrow Models resin body kit designed to fit on a modified Bachman Class 08 chassis. Cheers Darius

My friend’s grandson is a big “Thomas” fan so I have been refurbishing some of of his 1960s childhood Triang train set stock for him… Nice to give models that are as old as me a new lease of life Cheers Darius

“The joint’s full. Keep walking…” Cheers Darius

Two more box wagon kits completed. Just did these as regular box vans without the roof ribbing. Cheers Darius

And one more still… Cheers Darius

Just had an email from IRM UK to the effect that I have a refund of about £35 for the single magnesite wagon that I ordered as part of the bundle of wagons in the total order. Obviously it’s nice to get a refund but I did actually receive the full order, including the single wagon, so I’m curious as to what the refund is for - the email didn’t say… Cheers Darius

Another Cambrian LMS 1-plank wagon kit constructed. Cheers Darius

Another eclectic running session today. Cheers Darius

Cheers Darius

Short session in the shed this morning. Cheers Darius

Hornby APT taken for a spin on the layout this morning - all fourteen coaches The full APT successfully negotiated the helix down to the lower storage level - at least in the downwards direction… We’ll check upwards next week. Cheers Darius

Decals and light weathering applied to the box vans. Cheers Darius

And now for something completely different… Cheers Darius