Galteemore Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 (edited) Another Alphagraphix kit under way here: real old school modelling this one! Card and - if you want a running vehicle - white metal. What you basically do is cut out the card bits, laminate to thicker card, and glue it all up together. Add a few bits of whitemetal and you have a running wagon in theory. This is my first one - may try another few. It’s a CIE butter wagon with double roof, running on Walsall Model Engineering wheels pushed out to 36.75mm. It’s a bit rough around the edges (literally!) and I have now learnt a fair bit about how many knife blades such a kit will burn through (about 5). But it’s a cost effective way to acquire stock and fairiy quick. Just some final painting and finishing to do. I’m hoping some gentle weathering will smooth off the rough edges! Edited March 12, 2019 by Galteemore 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhb171achill Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 (edited) Looking good! Edited March 13, 2019 by jhb171achill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galteemore Posted March 13, 2019 Author Share Posted March 13, 2019 (edited) Thanks JB! Comes as a flat Card sheet. You cut out each piece and stick to 1mm mount board. Then fit those laminates together. This one also features cereal packets, coffee capsule boxes, and wooden stirrers in the mix! Edited March 13, 2019 by Galteemore 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Holman Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 Looks very good. Must admit that, though I've bought many card kits from Alphagraphix, I've never actually built one. Instead, just use them as very handy colour drawings as a start for scratchbuilding. Maybe I need to give one a go. Cutting card does take its toll on knife blades though, which is why I've long used the snap off blade variety. It is the tip which blunts so quickly and a snap off blade means you can renew it instantly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhb171achill Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 (edited) Alphagraphix don't seem to have any website....if they do, it must be on the "dark web" because I can't find It anywhere! Any thoughts / ideas, anyone? Edited March 13, 2019 by jhb171achill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlinxlili Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 I have just been down this route - you can contact Roger Crombleholme on sirberkeley@outlook.com. Very helpful and an enormous range of stuff, including the Tyrconnell 7mm etched kits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galteemore Posted March 13, 2019 Author Share Posted March 13, 2019 Roger doesn’t have a website JB but does offer a catalogue in exchange for some stamps! Here’s a pic from his stand at a show.....prepare to drool 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhb171achill Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 (edited) NO website? Wow - does he have electricity or running water, I wonder! Drooling is indeed appropriate, but the idea of putting stamps in the post to someone was outdated forty years ago, and I premise he'd want British stamps. This makes it awkward for anyone in the south to even see what he has, let alone order it. I'll keep it on the long finger..... And with no website, where do we get his postal address? I love the GNR station! His take on loco liveries, by the look of what's displayed, is unfortunately very wide of the mark in many cases. I like his clerestory GSWR 6-wheeler too, though its livery is somewhat inaccurate. There were only a few GSWR six-wheelers with clerestorey roofs, but at least one, I believe, made it into CIE days. Maybe he might attend some of the exhibitions here.... Edited March 13, 2019 by jhb171achill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murrayec Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 57 minutes ago, jhb171achill said: And with no website, where do we get his postal address? Alphagaraphix address = 23 Darris Road, Shelly Park, Birmingham B29 7QY. Eoin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galteemore Posted March 13, 2019 Author Share Posted March 13, 2019 1 hour ago, jhb171achill said: NO website? Wow - does he have electricity or running water, I wonder! Drooling is indeed appropriate, but the idea of putting stamps in the post to someone was outdated forty years ago, and I premise he'd want British stamps. This makes it awkward for anyone in the south to even see what he has, let alone order it. I'll keep it on the long finger..... And with no website, where do we get his postal address? I love the GNR station! His take on loco liveries, by the look of what's displayed, is unfortunately very wide of the mark in many cases. I like his clerestory GSWR 6-wheeler too, though its livery is somewhat inaccurate. There were only a few GSWR six-wheelers with clerestorey roofs, but at least one, I believe, made it into CIE days. Maybe he might attend some of the exhibitions here.... Lovely stuff all round and he’s a really nice bloke. You’re right that the livery is not always strictly prototypical , although his GNR (I) stuff is spot on. In fairness his MGWR tank unlike mine is at least in emerald green! And if memory serves, Drew Donaldson had a penchant for painting locos in the livery he thought they should have worn.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhb171achill Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 1 hour ago, Galteemore said: Lovely stuff all round and he’s a really nice bloke. You’re right that the livery is not always strictly prototypical , although his GNR (I) stuff is spot on. In fairness his MGWR tank unlike mine is at least in emerald green! And if memory serves, Drew Donaldson had a penchant for painting locos in the livery he thought they should have worn.... Yes, indeed, and despite my frequent murmurings here about the authenticity of lack of it, of a model, I stand very firmly with the idea that “it’s your layout”. In early 20s I had a fledgling 009 layout based on the West Clare. It never got finished (do they ever?), but I had bought a whitemetal kit of a Donegal railcar, which would be finished in black’n’tan, had I ever built it. The idea was that the line had lasted into the 1970s, so that a (black’n’tan!) F class could haul a container train! In authenticity terms it would have scored a big fat zero. However, I do feel that it is vitally important to have correct info “out there” and widely known, because a great many modellers do seek authenticity. Drew’s models were great, and his layout a joy to behold. Like the famous Donegal layout of the late Sam Carse, the emphasis was on correct railway operation, though devoid of scenery. Drew was a very dogmatic type of character, and as you say he knew better than CIE when it came to liveries! While not authentically painted, I have to agree with him that ALL locos looked better in lined green, than plain grey! As far as Alphagraphix is concerned, they seem to have CIE locos in black, when almost all were dark grey, GSWR locos in unlined black (they should be lined in red and white), and that green Midland engine should also be lined out in black and white. I must get his catalogue for the craic. And I still wonder what a West Clare railcar and an F class diesel would have looked like in black’n’tan! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Holman Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 The catalogue has a price of £2 on the cover, so suggest emailing Roger to ask him re alternative payment methods. Doesn't do credit cards either, yet on the other hand, his etches are clearly CAD. Very good value and a fantastic resource across a range of media. Easily the widest range of Irish stuff that is readily available, especially for 7mm scale. The Worsley Works catalogue possibly has more, but not all at the same time and the etches are just that, no castings or instructions for that matter. Great starting points though. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galteemore Posted March 13, 2019 Author Share Posted March 13, 2019 34 minutes ago, jhb171achill said: Yes, indeed, and despite my frequent murmurings here about the authenticity of lack of it, of a model, I stand very firmly with the idea that “it’s your layout”. In early 20s I had a fledgling 009 layout based on the West Clare. It never got finished (do they ever?), but I had bought a whitemetal kit of a Donegal railcar, which would be finished in black’n’tan, had I ever built it. The idea was that the line had lasted into the 1970s, so that a (black’n’tan!) F class could haul a container train! In authenticity terms it would have scored a big fat zero. However, I do feel that it is vitally important to have correct info “out there” and widely known, because a great many modellers do seek authenticity. Drew’s models were great, and his layout a joy to behold. Like the famous Donegal layout of the late Sam Carse, the emphasis was on correct railway operation, though devoid of scenery. Drew was a very dogmatic type of character, and as you say he knew better than CIE when it came to liveries! While not authentically painted, I have to agree with him that ALL locos looked better in lined green, than plain grey! As far as Alphagraphix is concerned, they seem to have CIE locos in black, when almost all were dark grey, GSWR locos in unlined black (they should be lined in red and white), and that green Midland engine should also be lined out in black and white. I must get his catalogue for the craic. And I still wonder what a West Clare railcar and an F class diesel would have looked like in black’n’tan! I think we’re probably on the same page, JB! For me the issue is historical plausibility and consistency - having a convincing narrative you can measure the layout against. So basically - could scenario ‘x’ conceivably have happened and what might that have looked like? So a Black and Tan NG set up could well have happened had the West Clare lingered on a few years - and a consistent layout built on that theme could be effective. My planned layout envisages a might have been branch from Sligo to Rosses Point as it was c 1956-57. So I can’t run 141s or 071s -but I can pretend that ‘Argadeen’ was sent out west by CIE after Timoleague shut down! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhb171achill Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 Just now, Galteemore said: I think we’re probably on the same page, JB! For me the issue is historical plausibility and consistency - having a convincing narrative you can measure the layout against.......... My planned layout envisages a might have been branch from Sligo to Rosses Point as it was c 1956-57. So I can’t run 141s or 071s -but I can pretend that ‘Argadeen’ was sent out west by CIE after Timoleague shut down! Exactly, Galteemore. (Though Argadeen would have been dark grey!) Equally, it could have survived until 1967, allowing a 141! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galteemore Posted March 13, 2019 Author Share Posted March 13, 2019 (edited) JB. I promise that my next steam loco will be in the best approximation to CIE grey I can muster! Edited March 13, 2019 by Galteemore 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhb171achill Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 (edited) I’m sending off for an Alpha etc catalogue tonight! I will write a letter, stick a stamp on it and put it in a local Edwardian letterbox tomorrow. My letter will go to Kingstown Pier, and onto the steamship for Holyhead, from where a big LNWR locomotive will bring it to the capital of the Empire. A postman with a big hessian sack will then deliver it to Alpha. I hope they are well stocked up with tallow candles to read mail on these dark evenings...... Edited March 13, 2019 by jhb171achill 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galteemore Posted March 13, 2019 Author Share Posted March 13, 2019 (edited) It’ll be worth it - lots in the catalogue to tempt you and he is such a nice bloke who has done a great deal for us Irish enthusiasts. His trading modus operandi is fairly common in the scale - I have one supplier who trades in brass fittings and motors for 7mm. I place an order, he sends me stuff with an invoice and I pay him by cheque! All very old school and rather charming! It is probably worth pointing out that between them the DSER and LNWR would probably have delivered your letter faster than would happen today. I spent a great deal of time in archives in a past life examining various documents. Looking at the dates on letters, the speed at which correspondence could be exchanged was quite remarkable. And post arrived twice a day in some urban areas! Edited March 13, 2019 by Galteemore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhb171achill Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 42 minutes ago, Galteemore said: It’ll be worth it - lots in the catalogue to tempt you and he is such a nice bloke who has done a great deal for us Irish enthusiasts. His trading modus operandi is fairly common in the scale - I have one supplier who trades in brass fittings and motors for 7mm. I place an order, he sends me stuff with an invoice and I pay him by cheque! All very old school and rather charming! It is probably worth pointing out that between them the DSER and LNWR woukd probably have delivered your letter faster than would happen today. I spent a great deal of time in archives in a past life examining various documents. Looking at the dates on letters, the speed at which correspondence could be exchanged was quite remarkable. And post arrived twice a day in some urban areas! Correct! I like to think it all went pear-shaped after the Post Office cancelled the mail contract with the MGWR for the Achill line..... Letter posted to Mr. Alphagraphix now; by DSER / LNWR he should have it in half an hour! With An Post and Royal Mail, he might get it by July. I didn't say which July....... Anyway, I've laboured that point ad infinitum. I look forward to seeing what his wares are. If the catalogue lends itself in any way to reproduction of the Irish stuff, I'll post a list here of what he offers. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galteemore Posted March 13, 2019 Author Share Posted March 13, 2019 (edited) Decided to crack on tonight and see where we got. I was incredibly sceptical that a thin sheet of printed card could ever make a convincing wagon. The early stages of construction didn’t allay my fears much - due to my own errors ! Put too much glue on and all that kind of thing...some Proses magnetic squares helped remedy the situation by at least keeping it all square. Anyway, the roof went on last night and tonight I fitted the couplings (sprung 3 link) and did a bit of painting and varnishing to tone down the shiny card. Varnish still wet in the pics I noticed . Museum quality it ain’t but from Normal Viewing Distance (always a good qualifier) it’s passable. Given the paucity of Irish freight stock kits in 7mm, I can see myself making a few more.... Edited March 14, 2019 by Galteemore 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayner Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 Alphagraphix focus primarily on 7mm scale (brass and card kits) where setting up a website may be more bother than its worth as the majority of sales are likely to arise from exhibition sales, specialist societies and magazine advertising. While on-line selling is ideal for fast moving rtr models, it can be very expensive and in-effective for low volume slow moving items like kits and components like wheels and detail castings. A bit like the railways and the big cattle fairs in the West, specialist suppliers like Alphagraphix are likely to make their profit (or at least cover their costs) through exhibition rather than postal or internet sales. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galteemore Posted March 19, 2019 Author Share Posted March 19, 2019 (edited) MGWR parcels van under way ....partly putting this up to show what can happen. Bending the u channels for sole bars did not go well and one snapped. Soldered it together (liberally using 145 degree stuff into some tight angles hence the very obvious solder bleed in places). Was all pleased until I realised that I’d solidly soldered it all to the wrong side of the chassis. Choice was to live with it (only real consequence being that the doors will run left-right rather than right-left) or risk twisting the chassis by wrenching the solebars off. I went for option a! Building to 5’3 brings its own problems. The brake gear has had to be moved outward , and the bright idea I had of inverting the axle bearings backfired as the axle then sat unevenly. But brass is very forgiving ... Edited March 20, 2019 by Galteemore 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galteemore Posted March 20, 2019 Author Share Posted March 20, 2019 A bit more progress tonight. Body soldered up. Solebar overlays sweated on and early stages of cosmetic running gear ... 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Holman Posted March 22, 2019 Share Posted March 22, 2019 Following this one with more than usual interest, as I have one to build too! That said, the chances of me making similar mistakes and more will still be high... I've used 1/8" I/d brass tube for bearings in the past, which has worked well. An issue with Tyrconnel coach kits is they are designed for 32mm gauge, so brake gear is a bit of a faff Turning into a nice model though. Will it be green or brown? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galteemore Posted March 22, 2019 Author Share Posted March 22, 2019 Thanks David - that’s helpful. I keep finding even more errors! I tried the old Tyrconnell loco bearing trick but the axle step on carriage axles rules that out. It’ll be green I hope with Flying Snail when Railtec get them in. Found a shade of Ford green which I’m keen to try on this before the passenger stock proper gets under way... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Holman Posted March 22, 2019 Share Posted March 22, 2019 I originally used Ford Laurel Green from Halfords, but it is a bit dark, when compared to colour photos of the 1950s. My MGW six wheelers are on pages 2and 3 of my workbench thread if that helps. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galteemore Posted March 22, 2019 Author Share Posted March 22, 2019 Thanks David / I have a tin of Brooklands Green which is also a bit dark. I’m going to try Ford meadow green I think... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galteemore Posted April 3, 2019 Author Share Posted April 3, 2019 After many delays I have finally got this ready for the primer stage. The early mistake in construction has worked its way through the build - the lovely etched roof provided has had to be inverted to fit the door runners and therefore I’ve had to fit my own rain strips. Hey ho - not the end of the world. On the night construction started I was actually fearful I’d completely trashed it so again it proves how forgiving brass can be.... 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhb171achill Posted April 3, 2019 Share Posted April 3, 2019 Now that is an absolute beauty! Will it be finished in Midland, GS or CIE livery? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galteemore Posted April 3, 2019 Author Share Posted April 3, 2019 Thanks JHB - it’s my first Irish coach so I’m fairly content. Learned loads. She’ll be finished in 1950s green as per Des Coakham’s pic below. My rolling stock roster is based on Irish NG practice whereby stock cascaded through the 3’ gauge systems as they closed. For 5’3”, I’m imagining that stock from Tramore (like this van), Courtmacsherry et al, drifted north west in the mid 50s to the lightly laid Sligo / Rosses Point line. It’s essentially Timoleague in Connaught if you can imagine such a thing. So stand by for all kinds of Irish bits and pieces making an appearance... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhb171achill Posted April 3, 2019 Share Posted April 3, 2019 Well, a van like that is absolutely appropriate for such a scenario; indeed, it's likely its the same one that was on the opening train in 1899! The livery will be well shabby by then - the light green lines in that livery were lined in thin black and gold lines, and the "snail" in gold only. The logo I use beside my name on this site is a photo of an actual flying snail transfer, so use that; the green it is mounted on is authentic Inchicore paint, as now seen on "Maedb" and various preserved buses. Ends black and roof dark grey; both weathered, though, to a nondescript dark greyish dirty colour.... Superb work. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galteemore Posted April 4, 2019 Author Share Posted April 4, 2019 Thanks JB. Black roof and ends I take it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayner Posted April 4, 2019 Share Posted April 4, 2019 8 hours ago, jhb171achill said: Well, a van like that is absolutely appropriate for such a scenario; indeed, it's likely its the same one that was on the opening train in 1899! Entirely appropriate for the 1st and possibly last trains on the Achill Branch or the afternoon "Perishable" from Rosses Point to Sligo. The Alphagraphix kit is a model of MGWR Mortuary Vans 42 & 58. The GSR re-numbered the vans 56M & 58M and ran them as fish vans. 56m (van in photo?) appears to have ended her days most likely as a luggage(pram?) van on the Waterford & Tramore. (Carriage Stock of the MGWR) IRRS paper Padraig O'Cuimin 1972? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhb171achill Posted April 4, 2019 Share Posted April 4, 2019 Yes, one went to the Tramore line for bikes and prams. Ends & chassis black. Roof either black or a very dark grey. A van like this would be very heavily weathered in real life, as they rarely saw a paint brush! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Holman Posted April 4, 2019 Share Posted April 4, 2019 Seriously good stuff, everyone! Especially interesting for me as I have one to build too, though maybe not that soon. The brake gear looks good too. Have always hated doing it, so any pictures/info welcome. The one problem with Alphagraphix etched brass kits is they are designed for 32mm gauge and need a bit of fettling. This one looks very nice indeed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galteemore Posted April 4, 2019 Author Share Posted April 4, 2019 (edited) Thanks David - she’s prepped for priming tonight so I’ll post some brake gear pics when there’s some paint on and all the masking’s off. The brake rodding etc didn’t take too long but bending the brake shoes out to clear the 36.75mm became rather vexing. Envisioning the afternoon perishables ambling off to Sligo helped me persevere. And I’m very keen to see how this Ford aerosol works out in yielding the right shade of green.... Edited April 4, 2019 by Galteemore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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