RedRich

Right guys some pics of just some of the components available through the trade. P4 Track Co 4 bolt chair P4 Track Co 4 bolt fishplate these act as insulation also as well as being cosmetic Some of the sleepers that I have colored and weathered slightly. Each sleeper is uniquely weathered and no two are ever the same. The sleepers around the mechanical area of the points will be weathered to give an oily greasy like finish. Sleepers that are usually under where a loco stops will be weathered with gunmetal to give an oily sheen. All keys on the chairs should face the same way, although I have seen the keys facing each other where two pieces of bullhead are locked by the fishplates. A weathered sleeper with 4 bolt chairs. I will dry brush the sleepers with some silver paint very lightly as sometimes timber that has been weathered by the elements can take on a silvery grey hue. I paint the chairs and rails a mixture of raw umber, burnt umber, burnt sienna, and raw sienna depending on which rails see more traffic. I have seen some interesting new weathering products for painting rusty rails from Woodland Scenics and I might invest in some to try it out, as it is always nice to find a product or alternative that is designed specifically for one purpose that actually does what it states it can do. A weathered sleeper with pandrol clips for using flat bottom track on wooden sleepers Some P4 Track Co Concrete sleeper panels. Each pack contains enough for 2 meters of track. I will split these panels in the center of the sleeper for 5 foot 3 inch rail, cut off the webbing, and bond it to my template. When it is bonded I add some ABS to fill in the gap in the width of the sleeper. Trials and experiments have been successful with this method so I will proceed with this method myself. I will upload more when I have more time guys. Rich,

Some bullhead Points in Clonmel and the associated machinery that operates the switch rails. Permission was granted for all pics that were taken on site. Rich,

Here are some pics guys of some 5foot 3 inch CWR on concrete sleepers. The rails are held in place by pandrol clips. Rich,

It's not as expensive as you might think Gareth if you are starting from scratch. If people want to stay with 16.5mm track and want bullhead rail. You can buy track panels from the P4 Track Co that have pips on the sleepers so that you only need to place the chairs over the pips (the chairs have holes in the bases for this purpose) hold it in place with a tweezer or your finger and run some Butanone around the edges of the chair. Capillary action will let the Butanone bond the sleeper to the rail for life. It's always best to thread the chairs onto the rails before bonding them to the sleepers. I know I said that I would start a build today as a way of demonstrating how I do it but something came up and it will be After Monday before I can begin. I promise that I will post up some pics and tips as I go along. Like the King said a little less conversation a little more action, and believe me guys there is way more truth in that song title about me than I could ever deny. Gareth the pics of the bogie flats will be sent tonight mate. Rich,

I can't add anymore to what John has said in his post as it pretty much sums up everything. Here are a few pics of some bullhead rail in the UK. The key would be hammered in to hold the rail in place. Rich,

Speaking of young blood. I was in my Dads during the week and he was clearing out some clutter and he came across some Railway Modeller mags dating back to the late 80's and some Beet wagons I built during my early teens. They have warped a bit over time being in a loft for 27 years takes it's toll on plasticard due to differing changes in temperature. I always had a fascination for beet trains and they were the first wagons I ever scratch built. I have a new design in mind for the wagons that I will build for the layout using half round strip from Evergreen for the corrugations. Rich,

And a coffee for the late night builders. Did you ever build any MTK kits Gareth. Colins strapline was hammer and nails required. I think he also called them the El Crappo range. Des's masterpiece looks fantastic. Gareth pm me your email adress and I will send you the pics of the bogie wagon flat underframes I promised. Rich,

Are things any different now Pat. Getting back to the kit it will be great to see some finished samples. Rich,

Here are some pics guys of the different chairs, switch and crossing chairs needed for bullhead points. There are slide chairs that the switch rails move on, Bridge chairs Check chairs Crossing chairs Switch chairs The point sleepers are wider than plain track sleepers and need to be cut to lenght Rich,

I shall oblige tomorrow. Rich,

When I first saw this topic posted earlier today I thought Anto had been converted to the beautiful game, and we were going to get the Irish football team sorted. We need to get someone with excellent soldering skills added to the list. My own are very rusty and a bit ropey at the moment, I spent to much time using solder paint on rolling stock kits, that I need to get back into the swing of using the old solid solder and flux again. Rich,

Anyone can do it Anto the time and the patience are the biggest factors involved,there are so many different products available from the trade that make it so much easier. There used to be a lot of snobbery involved in finescale track building that has thankfully been eradicated from the hobby through groups like this. you don't have to necessarily build your track to 21mm standards as it can be built to 16.5 as well. Let me know when you have time as I am sure it is a premium for you at the moment. I thought a nice piece of bullhead rail might be nice for you to display your work on as it is very common on the network but not available from Peco. If you are to busy I will build a panel for you and we'll sort something out with getting it to Casa Anto. Rich,

I will make the same offer to you Anto that I have made to Gareth regarding sending a few bits and pieces in the post to have a crack at if you would be interested as it's always nice to add another string to your bow. If you are ever down this way I'd love to have you round for a visit and some grub. You could bring the family and we can let them head down to the amusements with my missus and kids, and bring your airbrush. Rich,

Gareth would having a crack at building some track appeal to you. I would be delighted to offer you some of the ingredients and post them to you. Or if you are ever down this neck of the woods you would be more than welcome to come to my home and have a chat and some grub and build some track. Rich,

I spent the other day staining some sleepers as I have some free time this weekend I thought I would build some track panels of different variety. I will use bullhead and flat bottom rail on wooden and concrete sleepers. This gives an idea of what is needed in the tool kit to get started. Here is a sample of stained sleepers (I stained 300 plain sleepers not all of them are in the picture) some concrete track panels, pandrol clips, 4 bolt chairs, fishplates, butanone a nice number 3 paint brush for applying the butanone, and some wheelsets. The great work that the lads are doing has me inspired to get cracking and dust off the cob webs. I will upload photos as I progress. Rich,

You obviously haven't seen the great work that Tony Miles has done on Adavoyle Anto. Loughrea is another masterpiece in track building also. Rich,

The IRRS Journal is invaluable as a source of historical accuracy Eamonn. Rich,

Anto excellent=)) . A splendid time is guaranteed for all. My setup is dual action I'll bet yours ain't, you get what you pay for. Rich,

Fran speaking of American prototypes was it you that asked me to take some pics of the Details West air dryer filters. My daughter took the camera today as it was her last day in primary school and the memory stick is full. I will take some pics after she gets her prints over the weekend. Rich,

I had a punt on the Italians before the tournament started Dave. With all the talk of match fixing and the state of the domestic game in Italy I thought it would be just like them to win it. Pirlo and Buffon have been the outstanding players in the tournament for me. Rich,

Another thing as well lads is if you have any elderly relatives or neighbors talk to them ask them what they remember of the railways in bygone years. I remember talking to my Gran uncle many years ago about traveling by rail. He described the coaches, the way they were furnished and laid out, the smell of steam heated coaches. I said to him why haven't you ever told me this before, he said you never asked me. Jack O'Neill is a railway historian living in Waterford and his brain holds more information than a computer. I remember attending an IRRS tour of Inchicore years ago and railway historian and modeller Donal Murray was doing the tour with his dad. His dad had worked there and the stories he told us were priceless. We were seeing the works in it's current state and getting a history lesson at the same time. I'll never forget it. It's criminal Richie that CIE are going to pull down that shed it's one of the highlights for me to see the building whenever I am travelling north out of Connolly. I will have to etch it into my memory the next time that I pass it. Rich, Rich,

Brian it might be an idea to spray more light coats and allow it to dry between coats. Any little blemishes or imperfections can be rubbed out with some very fine wet and dry. I know that when I sprayed my first models many years ago I was a little enthusiastic and tended to spray more heavy coats. Four or Five light passes of the airbrush or rattle can will give much better results than one or two heavy coats. I use a dual action airbrush myself Brian as it allows you to control the amount and flow of the paint. It's been one of the best investments I have ever made. You have done smashing work with the 201 and MK111 coach in your first pic and the Kadees look great on your Cravens. Keep up the good work and you will be a match for anybody on here soon, well done . Rich,

Very good Wiggy and very innovative, something new being brought to the table again well done . Rich,

That shot almost looks like a model railway. It also goes to show that you can get away with modelling rolling stock ex works. Rich,

When the time comes for me to install the Cobalts Stephen for the points and signals, expect an invitation to Casa RedRich. Food and drink will be provided free. Rich,