Darius43

This is a model of my Grandparents’ bungalow in Seaford, East Sussex* that I made in the early 1980s - over 40 years ago. I scratch built it using 1mm plywood, Perspex sheet, cardboard, paint and sawdust. Time has not been good to it so my latest project is to repair and refurbish it. Sone parts are missing so these will need to be rebuilt. Cheers Darius * Not to be confused with Seaforde Co. Down.

In have been wondering whether BR type Conflat wagons operated in Ireland or did the older style containers just get placed on regular flat wagons? If they did it would be nice to model one. Cheers Darius

Cheers Darius

Superb modelling!!! Cheers Darius

Absolutely superb models. Cheers Darius

And to pull them along… Cheers Darius

A big box has just been delivered containing these. The destination panels are provided separately for northbound and southbound trains. I secured them in place with small dabs of pva to enable future removal/swapping if required. Quite superb models - by far the best coach models that I have ever seen. Cheers Darius

She doesn’t look best pleased in the photo above. Haven’t watched the vid so can’t say if her demeanour improves… Cheers Darius

Look, the money was just resting in my account… Cheers Darius

Second portal completed. Cheers Darius

Dummy tunnel lining fitted. Cheers Darius

Wing walls constructed, painted and weathered along with the tunnel portal. Wing walls attached. Cheers Darius

HO gauge tunnel portal modified to provide a bit more room at the base. Cheers Darius

At the far end of the shed the scenic levels cease to be scenic and pass behind a workdesk. The baseboards to the lower of the two scenic levels have now been constructed and track laid. The two photos above show the extent of what will be the scenic part of the layout with the tracks passing through a rocky cutting before entering a tunnel portal before the tracks curve round into the non-scenic part behind the desk. The white patches beneath the track in the above two photos are where it transitions from Code 75 Bullhead to Code 100. Because the code 100 sleepers are deeper, cardboard “ramps” have been installed beneath the code 75 track. The tracks currently terminate at the abutments for what will be lift-out double track “bridges” that span across the door opening to the shed. There will be two bridges: one for the lower double track; and one for the upper level double track, which is yet to be constructed. The Mk3 coaches and Railway Gun were used to ensure there are no clashes between stock and anything else when trains transit the curves. Cheers Darius

More terrace modelling. Cheers Darius

Terrace back yards populated. Cheers Darius

Happy Christmas everyone and best wishes for a fabulous new year. Cheers Darius

Wow - that brings back happy memories. Cheers Darius

Christmas 1972 my Dad bought a second-hand Marklin train set from a work colleague and it was set out on the dining table on Christmas morning. I can still see it now - my Grandad had built a tunnel for it (from scratch) and a station and signal box (using the Airfix kits). It was a roundy roundy with a passing loop but was absolutely fantastic. Two steam locos and some 4-wheel tinplate coaches. Happy days. Cheers Darius

Another MPD joins the fleet… Next on the bench will be No.64 in UTA Brunswick Green livery. Cheers Darius

MPD No.65 completed. Cheers Darius

Thanks Lambeg man. There’s also a colour photo of No.64 in this livery on page 47 of The Ulster Transport Authority in colour. Cheers Darius

Hi Robert, Also plan to install the interior seating, water tank filler pipes, headlamps, and buffer beam details (including those red box things with the plugs). Then complete the trio with No.64 in UTA Brunswick Green. Cheers Darius

Great book - the appended list of aircraft that he flew in his career (487) is amazing. He holds (posthumously) the record (2,407) for the most number of carrier landings for a pilot. The US tried to beat the record but their pilot had a nervous breakdown attempting it. Cheers Darius

More progress on MPD No.65 - chassis completed and glazing fitted. Cheers Darius