Wagons for Parkstone Part 1

It's been a few days since i posted anything so thought i better get off my posterior and do something about it.

This is what i have been up to over the last few days.
I did a bit of weathering on 47148 i also fitted some lazer glaze from Shawplan and changed the headcode from roller blinds to Domino, this was a pain because the loco was bought second hand a previous modeller had already changed the code an absolute pig of a job getting the old code off the perspex window.

 
Now, why is it i always seem to pick on a period that is hard to comprehend. I was looking around for some wagons for Parkstone.
!975 or there about; so guessing, right in the middle of the "transition" period. The Southern had virtually rid itself of unfitted freight stock, definitely all was gone by 1977. To early for air braked stock. "Railfreight" didn't really get going on the Southern until late 70s so that's your VAA, OBA, BAA and Oby-conoby's gone out the window. What was around at this time. I have been looking through old photo's, books, racking my brains trying to remember, well, basically your Vacuum braked stock. Any further advances on this would be a great help. Please.

I must mention this book "Modelling the British Rail Era" by Ian Fleming, Steve Flint, Ken Gibbsons and Jeff Taylor. It gives a really good insight into this period and how to model it.

Anyway, getting back to wagons, yes we all love wagons and lots of them.
It would appear that Bachmann have done pretty well on this. so this is where we are so far.

Your 12 Ton pipe wagon or SOV according to Paul Bartlett ( what would we do without this guy) A common carrier built 1956 and have a photo of one in Poole Yard dated 1977. so that's a start then.

Next an STV (making sure i spelt that correctly) Built 1960 and photo's galore. So that's ok then.

 Not so sure about this one but possibly given a ZHC code under tops i may get away with it. I just liked it and it's the latest offering from Oxford Rail. I have weathered it to within an inch of it's life. It wouldn't have been around for to much longer.

I have more but will leave those for another day when i have weathered them.

 

Backscene for Parkstone

I was having a little play today with  the Backscene for Parkstone Goods. Now this is all experimental at the moment but it gives me some sort of idea of what i am trying to achieve.

After visiting Parkstone i tried to take some photos of the view from the footbridge but nowadays there are just to many newbuilds and flats in the way so, had to re-think this.

After visiting various vantage points this is what i came up with.

I just printed these out on normal paper just to get an idea. All looking a bit blue so will have a word with "Avatar"

On the whole i think its looking pretty good. I will go away and play with Photoshop and will see you all next Christmas, so if you don't hear from me after that please send out the search party

Spray cans

Thought this might be of great interest to us modeller's  I had never come across them before but not really wanting to throw a nearly full can of spray glue away, i did a search.

How many times have you gone to use a spray paint can only to find the nozzle has blocked up. Yes, the last time you used it you done your absolute bestest to turn the can upside down to clean the nozzle out but alas it has still blocked up.

Well, here is a solution to this ongoing problem.

I found these by accident really, You can buy the nozzles  separately, just go to eBay and type in "spray can nozzles" and you will be amazed at what comes up, all different type's fat and skinny nozzles.
Nozzles you can attach tubes to, nozzles to give a thin line, nozzles that spray out like a fan. You name, it you can pretty much get it,

Now, here's the best bit, they only cost about £2 for 5. Ok so there is postage at £2 but order 5 of one type, 5 of another type and postage is still only £2.

The only thing i noticed to watch out for is weather your can is "male" or "female" how to tell is if you pull the nozzle off your can and there is a plastic tube sticking out the top of the can it's a "Male" can, if there is just a hole well it's a female can. Sorry, bit obvious really when you think about it (know i won't spell it out).

I hope this helps a lot of people, hopefully the end throwing out half used cans and having to rush out and buy some new ones.        

It's Parkstone again.

Took these today, it's coming along nicely now.

Really need to sort out the Backscene sort of run a blank on that one but have some ideas.

I shall leave you to puruse  

Southern Railway "Swans"

Keep on meaning to post a bit about these. I think they are exquisite little lights and the only place that does these sort of lights (unless of course anyone knows different)

Otherwise known as your typical SR Platform lanterns swan neck Straight.

They will work on any voltage from 12-16 and come complete with a resistor ready to instal and plug in.

I plugged them in to a 12 volt supply and they glow just nicely and of course the lower the voltage they should last a long time.

You can find them here 

I have know attachment to FMR but if you model the Southern i think they are a must 

Parkstone's footbridge

Well we got there, it's done and yes i did stick the top row of bricks on individually (sad or what)Bricks will be bricks.

Think it could do with a bit of weathering but i have to say i'm pleased with it.

A really handy tool

Every now and then you find a tool that you just can't imagine how you ever got on without it. I have had this for a few years now and is worth it's wait in gold. It's called a chopper, it comes with a 45, 60 and 90 degree angles and is very solid and well made. I still haven't changed the blade. Believe me, it has been used a lot. If i remember right it was only about £12. I saw a similar tool advertised in a recent Railway Modeller and it was £35, so this proved to be a bargain.   

I have just used it to chop out all the bricks that are on either side of the staircase on the footbridge for Parkstone, felt like hundred's but actually didn't take that long to do.

Just the girder section to do now and then a visit to the paint shop.

Small layout

A friend of mine sent me a couple of picture's of a small layout in a Post office window that he goes past everyday. I won't say where it is. He tried to ask about it, weather it was based on anything or who built it but know one was around.

For a small layout there are lots of details to look at, the farmer looking after his horse perhaps getting it ready to do some ploughing. some people waiting by the GWR pagola (think that's what they are called). A nice water crane, the lady posting a letter. The stone built barn looks very good and so does the dry stone walling. Looks like a gentlemen attending to a section of wall. Nice detail with the wheelbarrow complete with tools and an out house.

Anyway, i shall leave you to peruse through these Two photo's.

    If anyone should happen to know the layout please get in touch.
I think it may have been built some time ago, a time before small layouts were the "in thing"

3mm scale

Sorry guy's, i nearly forgot about this one. Came through the letter box last week. The 3mm Society magazine, No 204-July 2016.

Get your Toad here, They seem to have rather a lot of them.

An article from Doug Richards, his 6th layout "Mendips"

Ian Fraser's "Garret" that's impressive.

More picture's from the AGM.

Victor Hall's article on a Midland Jinty.

Scratchbuilding a GWR king Part 2.

And some photo's  "From the Archives" I always like these, how things have progressed. You never had it so good.

On a slightly
different note, well a different magazine anyway. The Saga drives on in Railway Modeller about RTR 3mm scale.  

Parkstone's Footbridge

It's been a few day's since i posted anything (sorry about that). There is of course a reason for this. I have been working on the footbridge for "Parkstone Goods". It's quite a structure, originally had a roof but it was blown away in a storm one night during the 1950s according to my cousin.

Thought i would post a couple of photo's of the real thing first, taken by my own good camera.

 So, to the model. so far this is the result, still lots to do tho. I wish i had made a door rather than use one i found in the "bits box"

 this was the worst part, doing the steps. I thought they would have been concrete but their not. They are brick riser's with tiles for the steps so will be cutting out lots of tiles. (must be mad)
 

 The step's, all 18 of them. Sort of glad i am only doing one side of the station.