Weshty

Here is the current state of the master model.

Rich,

Thanks for the kind words, they are very much appreciated, and it makes the research all worth while. In terms of design, it's a case of keep it simple, no kit should at heart be tricker than a 72nd scale Airfix Spitfire kit, and given CAD easily enables tolerances of 0.1mm, they should fit together easily as well.

Must be said, I would happily pay for a new edition of Modelling Irish Railways. Between his website and the book, Steve has been a huge influence from the get-go. Indeed, the signalling section was one of the inspirations to starting the range of signal kits. It's hard to believe the first edition is only eight years old, given the quantum change in what is available in the irish modelling sphere. And there is plenty left to come out yet!

Must get me one of those 2600s .......

Regards

Des

I've updated SSM as promised with some photos that were the basis for the oil tanks:

http://www.studio-scale-models.com/Oil.shtml

 

A lot of people forget in the present that what we have now will be history some day so I would urge people to get out there and photograph everything no matter how mundane or uninteresting it might appear to be. As when they are gone they are gone. ..... Compiling photographs drawing scale elevations of buildings, photographing the track, seeing what kind of chairs are holding the rail, where the keys are in the chairs, how many bolts are in the chairs, what way they are facing is as, if not more important than building and constructing the models. How can you build a scale model if you don't know what it looks like.

Richie, have to completely agree with you on this. At the risk of sounding like John Waters, today is the future's past. We take so much for granted and then it changes and is gone. 60 years ago people bemoaned the homogeneity of the A and C classes and yet now will travel across the country now to hear one in Downpatrick! You have to almost step outside yourself to look at everyday scenes in a fresh light and see what needs to be recorded.

Examples? Photograph passengers waiting in the concourse. Clothes colours, haircuts, styles, the types of cars parked outside or on the road, advertising hoardings. Upholstry on buses and coaches, the floor coverings. Give it 10 years and everything will have changed. Telephone boxes will soon be a think of the past.

If I was to advise on one thing? Victorian and edwardian railway architecture. Cut stone bridges, cast iron furniture, downpipes, guttering, canopy supports. 150 years ago they were not only designed to last but had an asthetic to them, they were meant to look well and in harmony with the rest of the infrastructure. Particularly focus on the older or closed lines as they are being removed, rusting away or being swallowed up by overgrowth.

Given taking a photograph has zero cost compared to the equivalent of €20-30 for 36 shots 30 years ago, get shooting, and now.

 

Ah yes, Steve Rabone's CIE lorry photo. I really need to kitbash one of my bedfords to make this one.

 

Ah the memories-The Ballina based Bedford,

I would definatly like a couple of these on my layout-any suitable doner?

 

I got an oxford flatbed for about £6. Not ideal but better than spending £16 on one of the LLEDO. Might tackle this evening...

 

Have to say Anto, that NR transit is spotless.

Ah yes, Steve Rabone's CIE lorry photo. I really need to kitbash one of my bedfords to make this one.

Aren't there some 70's montage pictures on the old site that might be useful? They're not high resolution, but they would give an idea.

Any good photos of ESB vans, P&T etc would be welcome

Trawling here looking for good pics to send to my supplier and not having any great luck

Any era but would prefer 70's - 80's

Some high roofed transit pics welcome too.

Hi Dave,

Having been through this trawl myself, good shots of 70's P&T or even early Telecom Eireann vans on the web are almost non-existant. As for 70's ESB, not an idea. Reeling in the Years might be useful.

Regards

Weshty.

Oi, Dave, where's mine? For services rendered etc.....

The thanks must go to you Des for bringing out these

kits and making the hobby so much more enjoyable.

The LC gates need more work to finish and will post

more photos when done.

Very much look forward to that. And of course a seat on the SSM wall of fame!

Are we talking about something along the lines of the bogies that Bill Bedford produces Des, where it is a sprung bogie as opposed to a compensated bogie as produced by MJT. Something designed and produced definitively for MM Cravens and MK11's would be a God send.

 

Rich,

Hi Rich, probably a simplified 21mm bogie along the lines of what Comet do at the moment. Longtitudinal, but no transverse compensation.

Eamon, you have done a superb job on all the SSM bits and bobs.

Junction signal (love the grating for the platform)

Ground signal, people just don't realise how small it is!

The level crossing is just too sweet, it really looks well insitu, particularly with the two supporting stays. It's a kit that is close to my heart as there was a lot of work to get the detail right.

Top drawer sir.

another great pic mayner! to me there is no such thing as an ugly steamer- even this has a certain attraction!

Jayzus Heirflick, you've obviously never been in Sacks Hotel of a Thursday night back in the early 90's.

That can be sorted... ;-)

The Modern one anyway....

The end ladder detail is a separate part, so I think I'll email atlas and see if they have any spares in stock. They should have the bogies at least. As you said, bit of weathering, maybe some glue and she'll be lovely. The walkway on the top is etched metal, so could be bent into a more realistic shape.

 

As you can see the detail on this babies is lovely.

 

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Cheers for the idea Seamus, I have a heavy duty flat car and an old Athearn Switcher body set aside for such a load. Just need to detail the body up and build up some bracing! On the 'to do' list which is getting longer and longer these days...

 

You seem to be posting a lot of American pics these days btw, are you on the turn?

Damn that etched walkway is lovely. Great for d'oul inspiration must say. And have to concur with Anto, fix up the bogies and make it look like in-service damage, awesome!

Oh lordy....decisions decisions....

IE

IR

Supertrain

Freight

Weathered IE to be got for sure...

No bother at all Rich. I may look at producing a 21mm bogie equivalent for use with cravens etc. as well.

Studio Scale Models produce a 21mm Wagon Compensation kit (Rocking W-Irons). They are €5.50 per set/unit, which includes pinpoint bearings and wire for the rocking unit.

Is that an old six-wheel coach acting as departmental stock in the left hand side of the picture? If so, was it one of the ones that ended up in Mallow in the early 80's?

just going to tell gareth its from your website westy....looks like it was taken in cork- will you clarify that des please. great shot of the green metro behind her!

Yup, it's in Cork alright. I get homesick just looking at it ;-))))

I've enjoyed the odd party in the houses up behind on the hill.

Well, shed track will have to wait for tomorrow now Ended up finishing the bracing and adding extra sets of legs to the terminus. Is all beautifully level and rock solid now. It was irritating me before that some stock would roll so now I can drop any item onto any part of the track and it wont roll away

 

I also used up 50 cable ties and tie anchors tidying the cable (yes, I am OTT and OCD )

Well, let's face it, to get into modelling, one has to be a bit...precise.

To do 21mm gauge, definitely approaching OCD.

To try making masters and models from scratch....'nuff said. Arrrgh! ;-)

Looks really well. Studio Scale Models stock both white and red 1mm prewired LEDs that are suitable for fitting and come with resistors. All you need then is a flat 3v battery and a switch for independant operation.

Alternatively, for full control you could fit a basic DCC decoder and wipers to the wheels. Someone did just that with a brakevan a month or so ago but I can't find the link.

That,s one beautiful looking loco thanks for the pic HF.

It's a 35mm original slide that I got recently and now use on SSM to illustrate the B4 kit

 

 

westy-cant find any reference to the B4..do you mean D4?

Sorry heirflick, the B4 is the CBSCR Bandon Tank 4-6-0T

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CBSCR_Bandon_Tank

Any more pictures of the latest work Des

I'll put up pictures when the current phase of model preparation is completed at the end of the week.

I bet you still wear that T shirt DES

Jayz Anto, must you must think I was a horse of a young fellah if that's the case. More into Holister or Abercrombie these days...

Anywayz, back on topic. Last night was spent finalising the inner cab lining and tablet catcher spaces at the cab ends. I also sanded down the curves and cleaned up the window opes as well as assembling and shaping the patterns for the two fuel tank elements. Finally, the engine access panels were shaped and riveted prior to being fixed to the roof.