RedRich

Super work George. Doing the extra bit of work on the roof of the MIR kit makes a huge difference, can't be to many kit's around now. The An Post vans are smashing and who better than Eamonn to cast a critical eye over them in his post. Rich,

I don't even think Lenny Henry could come up with anything more zany Pat. Rich,

Building finescale track is a book that anyone taking the plunge shouldn't be without. As you say Pat very easy going and intuitive at the same time. Rich,

I'd definitely be interested George, I think it's a great suggestion. Rich,

Depending on how heavily they were thinned could cause changes to the shade of paint John. The type of thinners also needs to be of a type that wouldn't attack the material of the structure of the model. Looking at a model in differing degrees of light, early morning, evening, indoors, outdoors and things do begin to take on a different hue. I agree with the gloss finish on models, however if you have painted the model yourself a gloss finish can be a great aid to adding different mediums of weathering. Of course when it is weathered you can give it a satin or dull coat to get the finish you require. I read a great piece on using authentic paints from Ian Rathbone years ago and it was truly eye opening. Rich,

With the amount of great info in this thread it has made me have more sympathy with manufacturers of models. It must be an absolute nightmare trying to come up with a near or perfect shade of colour. Colour is the one thing that is difficult to scale down whatever the scale. If the model that Pat has mentioned (I have the book) was painted would it have been thinned down to a ratio in scale with the model. If so would it have been an exact shade to the original. Once again very interesting subject, I look forward to more. Rich,

Great fun. It's like the Sweeney, the A Team, and an American b movie all in one. Rich,

That will change pretty soon Vincent when DCC operations start on the layout. This where the real fun begins. Rich,

Lovely stuff Karl, things are really moving forward. Keep us posted. Rich,

Looks good Stephen. The tarmac is very effective. The fact that the scenic work is being tackled now must be a great incentive to push on, time permitting of course. Richie is definitely the man to go to for anything railway architectural. That water tower looks sweet. Rich,

David thanks again for sharing this with us, as railway modeller's we all need inspiration and this is truly inspiring. Your modesty deserves mention also. I really look forward to updates and can't wait for the next instalment. Rich,

There was a conductor on the Browns Road bus service in Waterford well into the eighties John. When we were kids we used to call him Elvis. Jet black hair slicked back, he was a lovely man. When conductors started being withdrawn from services there was an outcry from the commuters that used the bus and he stayed on the service until he retired, He was the last conductor to work in Waterford if not Ireland. Rich,

All the great artists have suffered for their art, and that is why it is so good, as is yours. Keep em coming. Rich,

Fantastic work on the wagons Nelson. The weathering on the brown van is very effective, and the photos are good enough to grace one of the monthly modelling mags. Rich,

Cheers Fran that will be very interesting. Rich,

Top marks for the work on the buffer beam and draw hook housing. I love the scene with 082 and 171, very atmospheric as Des has said. Rich,

Great pics as usual Wanderer. 086 was always one of my favourites. I must get out and track her down myself for some pics. She looks cool with the orange and black door. If it is the same door, it has appeared on a few of the 071's in the silver and black livery. Rich,

Great piece of story telling John. There is nothing like first hand memories of times gone by. If I close my eyes I can visualise it and that is what makes it so special.. Rich,

A secret affair Seamus and she must never find out, nod nod, wink wink. Rich,

I see that Bachmann have released the first 2 of their LMS Twins. Anybody got their hands on one yet. From the pics that I have seen they look smashing. I would have loved one of the FIA trains models, but they were a bridge to far for me price wise when they were released. I don't think that I will be able to resist one of these models, and a purchase will be made. Rich,

Great to see that you have reached this stage Vincent. It's very satisfying to see locos under power as it really spurs you on to the next stage. If there are any frustrating days, keep that hammer out of sight. I've said it before, I love 112 and 220 and I am delighted that PM chose both these locos for release. Rich,

Those pictures are amazing Krose. A set of MM M11 aircons double headed by a pair of babies would look sweet. I actually hope that will see the MM M11 aircons in super train livery as I remember seeing them for the first time and thinking how cool and modern they were. I think every yard in the country will or did have different kinds of re-fuelling points. If I can get over to Waterford West during the week I will take a few shots of the re-fuelling point and put them in the photos section. Rich,

For anyone that is ever in York it is a fantastic place to visit. Plenty of legendary steam and diesel locos on show, and a nice history lesson at the same time. Rich,

I wonder if he was removed from the train at the next stop, if not he should have been. From the looks of the coach it is a 22000, so the destination could be a number of places. Rich,

No worries Eamonn, really looking forward to it, the wait will be worth it. Rich,