DoctorPan

Looks like the D&M Models version.

Considering the Class 66s are expected to hit shelves Jan/Feb next year and the Class 31s mid 2023, they were well into production by the time Heljan announcing their interest and opening the order book. Indeed it seems that Hornby have been quietly developing this range since 2017, considering how much they have in the pipeline for the next 12 months of TT. Hornby have practices to be rightfully called out on, this isn't one of them.

It is a bit harsh to blame Hornby when they have already got EP and CAD models while Helijan and Gaugemaster were asking for expressions of interest.

They're the couplings they used with the Chaldrons.

More of interest will the supply of chassis for 00n3 models. How long before we see Swilly tanks using these new TT models as a basis.

Along lines broad and narrow... One of the MSR's Parliamentary train rakes, made up of two cut down Dundas VoR coaches and what I think is a Dundas Pickering brake I picked up cheap on the bay. Continuing the 1600mm model theme of NPCVs, a very famous and familar coach is taking shape once more. Just really needs a minature burco boiler for the tae.

Now that is just the bees knees.

Love the club card system! One question, does old orders count towards level and trophy progress or is it brand new today?

Two more vans roll off the workbench.

Ah that brings me to the 2nd point. That is a greenway and no-one can decide if a greenway is for commuting cycling or only for leisure. Some greenways including the one mentioned above offically state that they are only for pedresians and leisure cyclists and those commuting should refrain from using. Then out of the other side of the mouth say that they are putting in cycling facilices and cyclists aren't using it. We've basically conditioned cyclists to not use the cycling infrastructure because we half arse it, can't decide if they should use it, actually design it correctly and keep cars off it. End of the day though is bikes have as much right to be on the road as cars and most motorists need to remember that. Plus every bike is one less car in traffic.

Because the cycleways and lanes aren't built following any design standard and oftentimes are more dangerous to use then sticking to the road.

A weekend's work saw the narrow gauge plank transformed from bare wood to something more akin to real life.

Indeed it's my go to for Flying Snails but I fancy some Red Hands for some variety. Thanks Lambeg man, I will have to try that next time. Thanks for the tip!

Continuing the theme of Big 4 wheel vans, my two copies of Leslie's wonderful kits finally enter into the paint shop. Not fully sold on the green, Humbrol Brunswick No.3 doesn't look exactly like UTA green in my eyes. Any shade recommendations from off the shelf?

And vis versa, will the green bags be available as seperate load when the ferts arrive?

Yup, the tool van was a rebuild of the TPO.

New builds together really give the striking impression CIE was going for when both the As and the vans rolled out of the shops but both look more natural in trains of mixed colours.

Got around to adding transfers to the Tin Vans. There's few Irish prototypes that I think look wrong in a clean condition. One of them being the double beet wagons. The other being the silver Tin vans. So out came my oil and rust washes and my smoke, black and rust powders and I went to town on the luggage van, taking care to use cotton buds to wipe the powders down vertically to simulate rain washing dirt down the sides. However I did want to keep one clean to highlight the contrast between the two and how filthy silver things got in the era of steam.

Hope you don't mind losing your bet, offical policy for Electrification has been OHLE since the introduction of the DART project plus 3rd Rail is unacceptable from a safety POV, in the UK, ORR has prohibited any further expansion of 3rd rail electrifiction because of the unacceptable safety risks it poses. Also Irish Rail is not going to return to loco hauled trains with electification, it's the stated public policy of CME Peter Smyth that the Enterpise might retain it's loco in the next form but the rest of IE services are intended to go MU and locos exiled to PW, frieght and railtour duties.

Tonight's work, spraying a base coat of white onto the vans to allow the aluminium paint to shine through properly as opposed to direct application to the grey primer.

And then there was two, awaiting painting.

Currently awaiting driver training and trial running before she can haul a railtour.

Ready for the paint shop,now to get the luggage van ready to join it too!

Cheers Jonathan, the 009 stuff is fun, researching Awdry's writing and notes on the line and filling in the gaps with prototypical practice, something fun and different compared to my 00 gauge exploits.

And joined by the TPO van with roof just placed for a sense of what it will look it. An extremely enjoyable build and I must give credit to the kit designer for a great product.