Hornby Sentinel part 2

I have finally  got back to finishing the Hornby Sentinel.

If you remember in a previous post it was stripped down to its many parts, ready to be dumped in a bath of Detol. Yeah, don't do that with this model, it don't work. You will end up with a guey mess, something like this.

a rather exspensive mistake on my part, well, can't be perfect all the time can one.

She's done.

The real thing.......

.....and the model

Rather impressed if u may say so. Just some "sprat and winkles" to fit, might be a bit of a problem as the whole chassis is cast metal, could be a challenge.

Bachmann Class 03 part 4

Think we are there.

Turning a Bachmann Class 03 into one of the Southern region's variety.

Following lots of photos we have added the front pipes, cables and brackets, rear cables and brackets, Two air cylinders and accessories box on the front left had side.

I don't think there is anything else.

More than happy with the way it has turned out.

Happy days.

Bachmann Class 03 Part 3

I've been having a play.

Bachmanns 03 shunter has some interesting features on the sound file, including shunters talking, "Squeeze up" and "Draw forward" buffer clang, draw hook coupling sound " 6ft 4ft 2ft" I need some more practice at it but it means you can Draw up to a train, couple up and draw away in a proper sequence.

All entertaining stuff, if you like that sort of thing.

Bachmann Class 03 part 2

The Bachmann Class 03.....

.....less than a day old, well, it just looked to new. 

As always, I use a photo to get an idea of what it may have looked like in 1974.

Unfortunately I am unable to find a photo of 03 086.

Out comes the airbrush and we set to work.

A mix of Humbrol Matt black and Matt dark grey for the roof and sand colour and rust brown for the lower body and undercarriage.  "Nulin oil" from Citadel paints was used to highlight and blacken the grills and details around the cabinets.

There we are, that will do for now. Some photos.

She has turned beautiful.

Just the air tanks and high level pipes to fit.

 Look forward to using her on Parkstone Goods.

Bachmann Class 03

Impulse buys are dangerous, but every now and then, something comes along that you just can't resist.

The new Bachmann Class 03 is out. It's sound fitted as well and a superb runner.

Slow speed running is unbelievable.

I bought one. I have changed the number to 03 086 as this was at Bournemouth until 1975, so fits in perfectly with Parkstone Goods. I have also changed the chimney to a "flower pot" type from a previous model and painted the buffer beams yellow. We have also fitted "spray & winkle" couplings. It will be fitted with the high level jumper cables as per the prototype for shunting southern stock.

As I said it has sound, even men talking while pulling up to a train and windscreen wiper sound, where's it all going to end.

Well, here she is.

Just the air tanks and high level pipes to fit, a bit of weathering and she's ready to go.

hornby's sentinal

Come in Number 5.

Never been happy with this, it looks like something out of Thunderbirds.

Not coming in any more, it's on its way out.

It's a good little runner but going back to my original idea of Parkstone, I think the Cement works is about to become reality at last.

Hope I can use this photo. Mmm hornby's Sentinel no less.

Number 5 has been striped down to its set of parts. Its surprising for such a small loco as to how many parts there are.

unfortunately the one I have is of the outside crank variety, may have to look into that when the thing is put back together.

So now to paint stripping.

Warley at the NEC

I felt honoured to be invited to the international model railway exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham.

Here we are all set up ready to go with Parkstone Goods. The traffic was horrendous north of Warwick on the M40. Arriving at about 5.00pm we were set up ready to go by 5.45

The Saturday and Sunday proved to be as busy as ever. A good weekend was had by me and my two fellow operators, many thanks guys.

Many rustleings were heard as items were bought from the show and stuffed under the layout. Steve Flint popped over and thanked me for the article in Railway Modeller, more thanks to him and his photography really, he's a nice chap.

A Scammel cab, bulk powder tank and chassis was purchased from Road Transport Images to make a Blue Circle cement lorry (more on this soon) I wish these guys all the best with there new venture in taking over the buisness. I was informed that a new website is being built.

Thank you all for the great coments that were recieved for the layout, it behaved impeccably throughout, apart from me blowing a chip in a class 33/1 trying to run two sugar cub speakers from a V3 chip, a rather expensive lesson learned.

Thanks to all the team at Warley model railway club for putting on another great show.

Rod Stewart and his model railway

The Jeremy Vine show on radio 2 talking to Rod Stewart and Jools Holland. It starts at around 35 minutes.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000b4vn

Passenger

Picked these up of your well known auction site. 25 seated passengers for 4 quid including delivery.

Ok, there a bit on the shiny side, a quick blow over with some Matt coat will sort that.

I bought the Thumper it needs passengers.

Planning a layout

Planning a layout and a neat idea. No computers needed.

It's always fun when you come up with a new idea for a layout. You sketch it out on a scrap piece of paper thinking, yeah, looking good.

The next question is of course, well, 3 actually , will it work? Is there play value ? Will it fit in the space available ? All of these questions are of course important and well worth taking time to consider them in a bit more detail.

I came up with a plan recently to build the Cement distribution sidings that was originally going to be built prior to Parkstone Goods becoming the layout it is.

I had a space 9ft x 22inches, drawing this out to scale using 1inch to the foot. Below is the result.

You will notice some strips of paper below the plan with, V-tanks, 33,(that's your class 33 loco), 47, presflo's and anything else that you may want to run written on them. I have cut the trains to scale as they will be in sets.

We can then use these 'Tags as a means of playing trains to see how it might run and trains lengths are ok and will actually fit in the sidings and passing loops that may be present on the layout.

I tend to do these sort of things the old fashioned way rather than spending hours on a computer with one of the software programmes available, well, it works.

Sorry about the poor quality of the picks but I did on the spur of the moment thinking it maybe helpfull to someone. This is just a little idea I had and this time, it wasn't conceived on the M40.

Kernow/Bachmanns Class 205 "Thumper"

Couldn't resist any longer.

I have been looking at one of these for months, actually years but the cost kept putting me off. The good old saying "things come to those that wait" which my parents regularly drummed into me came true.

Kernow/Bachmann went all out with this one, can sort of see why its priced like it is. 

Look at it, its gorgeous, a superb and well detailed model.

I think a new layout may be on the cards soon. EEK

Number 1122 was built 02/58 and survived until 02/80 as a 2H a 2 car unt. Built at Eastleigh, although the frames were manufactured at Ashford. Famous on the Lymington branch for a while. 

It should have been the saviour of many a branch line, but from what i have read, just wasn't given the chance. Ringwood to Poole via Wimborne, Bournemouth to Salisbury via West Moors. Dare i say, even the Somerset and Dorset. 

I get the impression that somebody had already decided that these lines were to close. Today, could have been so much different!

Anyone that travels up and down the A31 will know what i am talking about.

Bachmann DEMU Class 205

 A close up of the driving car front.

Bachmann DEMU Class 205

 You can not knock the detail. 

Passengers will be added when i fit the sound chip from Legomanbiffo.

Bachmann DEMU Class 205

 The first class area, clever they put them at the opposite end to the engine, need peace and quiet while reading the Telegraph. 

Bachmann DEMU Class 205

 The Driver trailer end. 

(couplings have been removed, we wont be needing them)

Bachmann DEMU Class 205

 The cabaling, door handles and lettering is very well done.

You could almost grab the door handle, open the door and jump aboard.  

Bachmann DEMU Class 205

 Just superb.

Bachmann DEMU Class 205

 Even the lettering is well applied.

This is the weathered version even the overspray on the windows is acceptable.

Bachmann DEMU Class 205

 I can't fault it.

Bachmann DEMU Class 205

DC Kits

Credit where credit is due.

After having a small problem with my Class 37, fitting it with one of Legomanbiffo DCC sound chips, the lights would only work in one direction. (nothing to do with the pop group)

A phone call to Biffo, a quick chat about things to try just to clarify that is was the chip and not Bachmanns famous problem with there contacts not making contact with the chassis.

I sent the chip back to Biffo on Tuesday afternoon, with a letter explaining the problem.

NOTE;

Biffo had explained to me that he is amazed at the amount of modellers that sends things to him without a note saying, address, name of person, what they want done or any contact details, Doh!

The Chip arrived back to me Thursday morning, That's service for you. I can't thank Biffo enough for his quick service. I think Royal mail deserves some credit here as well.

I have used a few of Legomanbiffo chips now and will continue to do so.

https://www.dckits-devideos.co.uk/

Disclaimer; i have never met Legomanbiffo in person or have any relation with him. he just seem a knowledgeable and helpful guy. 

  

Modelling the British Rail era

If your thinking of modelling the BR blue era, there is one book that I think is worth investing in. Even if you were around at the time, it's sometimes difficult to remember exactly what was what, how you remember something may be slightly different than the way it actually was.

Modelling the British Rail Era ISBN 0 9507960 8 5

Writen by Ian Fleming, Steve Flint, Ken Gibbons and Jeff Taylor. All well known names in the modelling world. First published in 2001 it's still of value even today. If you can find a copy it will be invaluable.

The book covers a wide variety of issues. A history of British Rail and it's goals, The Corpoate image, How stations changed, stock that was used, how trackwork changed and was developed, right down to when to use a brake van, there are even some ideas on layouts and how to model them.

Find a copy and enjoy.

Drummond's "bug" the final

She is finished. 

After 4 months of soldering, bending, filling, glueing, cursing, bashing, bodging and anything else you can think of, yes, she is complete.

I have to say, and not trying to blow my own trumpet but, she looks stunning, I am well impressed, she (or perhaps I should say, he) runs really well. If you were at the Great Electric Train Show you may have seen her, sorry, him.

Even complete with a detailed interior.

I thought he needed something better than your average box. Searching on your usual bidding site I found an old antique type cigar box that I thought might be ideal....

........complete with a detailed inlay, describing the real thing and the model.

A couple of small jobs to do, add balance weights and number on side of carriage.

This is something that I am proud of and will cherish for a long time.

Class 73 Dapol cab interior

Well, she's back together. Well worth putting a driver in her.

May have a look at some Lazerglaze for her but am thinking it may be problematic, you see, it's like this, the glass is used to hold the cab section in which in turn is the part that is used to screw body to chassis.

Happy days

Class 73 detailing cab interior

I thought now that the Class 73 is running fine, the cab interior could do with sprucing up.

A driver added and a spot of paint, it looks a whole lot better.

I shall fit them tomorrow when the paint has dried.

It makes a big difference having a driver, especially seeing that the cab lights are on permanately, something perhaps to look at in the near future.

Dapol's Class 73 running issues

My Class 73 from Dapol has always had running issues. Many tests and playing around didn't solve the problem. One afternoon was taken up to try and get to the bottom of this. 

Running each boggie on to a piece of paper, as soon as the first axle rode up on the paper it would just stall and I noticed that it was practically  lifting the loco off the track,  balancing on the rear axle only.

The boggies are not pivoted from the centre point but just in front of the two inner axles. There are 4 plastic lugs on each boggie for it to ride on, this limits any sideways, up and down movement of the boggie. Me being me, I cut off the 2 front lugs on each bogie and haypresto, plenty of for and aft movement.

Redoing the paper test, wow problem solved.

Really, that easy. I have been playing with this, on and off for weeks.

Further tests will be carried out, may have to attach a piece of spring wire but so far its looking good.

Railway scenes at Poole in the 1980s

Every now and then YouTube springs a surprise on you. A video appears on the screen which you can relate to, something that stirs the emotions and brings back all those happy memories of your childhood. 

Credit to Colin Stone for coming up with this one.

The Great Electric Train Show

Last weekend, well what a weekend, a very enjoyable time at the show, plenty to see. Exton Quay was well recieved and met a fellow Cameo Compitition modeller.

I would like to thank Mike Wild for inviting me and all the staff for putting on an excellent show. Even the A34 was running fine for the journey up and back.

Parkstone Goods at Poole exhibition.

This Sunday coming (20th October 2019) Parkstone Goods will be returning to Poole exhibition at Poole Grammer school, always a good show.

The new class 37 will be making an appearance, fitted with Legomanbiffo sound and Dapol's 73 will also be making an appearance.