Darius43

So it was. Couldn’t find it in the box so I made a replacement. Cheers Darius

Arrived today The thing is, I model in OO gauge It is rather nice, though, Cheers Darius

Painting completed. Cheers Darius

Started yesterday - work in progress on the Isinglass Models Gresley OO gauge TPO Sorting Van kit. Cheers Darius

Oxford Diecast Commer Walk Thru vans. Same treatment as the Leyland FG vans. Cheers Darius

Three Base Toys Leyland FG vans improved (I hope) by painting the edges of the window openings with matt black enamel. This disguises the thickness of the plastic body - especially around the cab. I completely disassembled each van to paint the windows, also painting the cab interior, the bumpers and the insides of the wheel arches. The main windows on the crew bus had their sides painted black to reduce the prismatic effect of the thick clear plastic The whole body was sprayed with matt varnish before re-fitting the glazing and reassembly. Cheers Darius

Repainted and detailed Hornby (ex Lima) model. Cheers Darius

Protective mesh panel for Test Coach Mentor observation windows made from brass wire and “N Gauge” steel mesh. Cheers Darius

Bring me four fried chickens and a coke… Cheers Darius

Two of the remaining few bits in the box were these cable drums. I built a “timber” support cradle using cardboard and fine chain to create a wagon load. And installed in a wagon (Parkside Kit). Cheers Darius

I looked at photos of NR Class 73s and they don’t appear that dirty even around the exhausts. The NVA is used as a brake force runner. Cheers Darius

Additional painting, details and weathering to complete the NVA (apart from couplings). Cheers Darius

Light roof weathering applied. Cheers Darius

Good point - will have a go later. Cheers Darius

It’s a Dapol Class 73 in Network Rail livery from Olivia’s Trains. The yellow NR livery is courtesy of Dapol. I just added the buffer beam details at one end and applied light weathering to the chassis. Cheers Darius

To haul/propel the Network Rail coaches that I’ve been acquiring. Cheers Darius

Decals and light weathering to “rescued” Siphon O2. Cheers Darius

Network Rail NVA built from a 3D printed kit. Only four parts: nicely detailed complete bodyshell, chassis and two ends. I printed the decals on clear decal paper and used Bachmann bogies. Still to do are the orange cantrail lining, warning flashes and some end detailing. Cheers Darius

Just received this book, written by Joe Cassells, from the RPSI that tells the story of the spoil trains that ran from Magheramorne to Greencastle carrying the material for the reclaimed land that is now underneath the M2 motorway. Absolutely fantastic book with plenty of great photos!!! Definitely recommended. As we didn’t move to Belfast until 1978 these trains were before my time there but I do recall watching, from our house in Ben Madigan, the causeway for the M5 motorway link extending northwards. Cheers Darius

Meanwhile the Parkside chassis for the LNER steel open wagon arrived today. I used strips cut from an old etched brass fret to make the door bangers. Cheers Darius

Turned the leftover parts into another grounded van with the aid of some plasticard and cardboard. Cheers Darius

Last two wagons completed. There’s always some bits left over at the end… Cheers Darius

Brass bearings fitted to GW van chassis. Cardboard formers used to straighten out warped van body. New plasticard roof glued in place. Cheers Darius

LNER steel open wagon body (thanks to the guys on RMWeb who identified this for me). The bodyside “dimples” housed internal tie downs rings which I added using brass wire. I also repaired some damaged end stiffeners. Body painted and awaiting a Parkside LNER chassis to complete. Last wagon in the box - GWR box van. Roofless body on a mazak chassis. Googling has identified this as a wagon from a clockwork train set made by Pyramid Toys in the 1950s. It is most likely not to scale or of any actual prototype but it is rather nice so it will be re-roofed and wheeled etc. Cheers Darius

I think this one is the Ratio kit of a GWR “Iron Mink”. Painted and plastic wheels swapped for metal ones. Also eased the brake shoes away from the wheels. Cheers Darius