Andrew Young

Only just found this (thank you Neil!). Lovely modelling and looking forward to seeing this develop. First discovered the CVR about twenty years ago when I was lent the first edition of Dr Patterson's book and found it enchanting, the range of kits available for the CVR in 7mm scale is most impressive. Regarding the Ragstone kit, how much of the valve gear is included in the kit, is it just the parts you can see above the skirts or is it a full set of valve gear? Thanks, Andrew

Very nice!

I accept this could be jumping the gun but, do when will you be able to announce your expected price? I rather fancy a 48DS and will have to consider whether I buy an rtr one or the kit version due out next month. Thanks, Andrew

The choice of wagons does make a good mix. Think Slaters do a private owner China Clay wagon which may be suitable? Shame about the quarry as does give some operating interest, see what you get space for? As for the modules, if you have the space, making them 2ft deep would give a little more space. Cheers, Andrew

Neil, Really like the modular idea with each module being one board in size. Very reminiscent of the layouts I've seen Jim Read and Mike (sorry, forgotten his surname, but Mr Reelly Grate layout). Or possibly a vertically stacked set of modules like Iain Rice's 'Virtual in Industria'... The Lionheart tank wagons are delightful, and having an oil fired mill is a great idea to run one. Along with 16T minerals for the coal, sheeted opens bringing in chemicals, some China clay hooded wagons and the vans taking away the finished product would give a good variety of operation. Plus, wasn't there a quarry up one of the branches? You could always expand the locomotive fleet from the prototypical locos as you have a Tin Turtle iirc, plus, should you want to get one, the Ixion Fowler would be ideal plus your Manning Wardle 0-4-0. Would be good if you could print out the maps and photos for our next Brunswick meeting and go through where it all fits together. Cheers, Andrew

Nice to see this project resurrected Neil! The forthcoming 48DS kit from Judith Edge has to also take some credit... Think this is a really cracking prototype, whether modelled accurately or as the inspiration for some freelance modelling. Have to admit that your previous layout plan is quite eye catching too, any plans to have a crack at that one too? Cheers, Andrew

Neil, Just a thought. the Board of Trade wouldn't have sanctioned passenger working over a wagon turntable. However, if you put the wagon turntable in the rear siding (by the dairy office) you could have a flat crossing across the main running line. Cheers, Andrew

The milled frames for the L&B 2-6-2 were produced by Kay Butler who used to have the Wrightlines range and they stayed with Kay when Wrightlines returned to the ABS stable and Kay traded as Keykits. As far as I'm aware, they're no longer available. Though I do know of a friend who's trying to get some more made. They were developed to provide a chassis for the Chivers white metal body kit. Cheers, Andrew

Thanks Neil. They're Fox South Eastern & Chatham ones. Cheers, Andrew

Yes Don, lots of fun! But has hampered modelling time though... The photo is taken just above the lake, between the car park and the Cader Idris visitor centre / cafe adjacent to the road junction and Minffordd Hotel at the base of the path up Cader. Cheers, Andrew

Distractions. I did mention that October was full of distractions, namely three successive weekends in Tywyn for some last driving of the season, a Council meeting and our annual fireworks party. Does mean I get to spend plenty of time in Mid Wales in Autumn, my favourite season. Hopefully, when the MVR eventually gets to the stage of being developed scenically, I'll have a stab at modelling the place in Autumn. Had a couple of days driving No 6. Red Meadow by Andrew Young, on Flickr Including a spot of Cowboy driving.... Cowboy Crew by Andrew Young, on Flickr My last turn of the season was a charter for some filming work, resulting in driving this fine array of vintage wreckage! A suitable end to a very enjoyable season. Meals on Wheels by Andrew Young, on Flickr The trip for the Council was a very long day trip, so varied the route a little and drove via the Tanat Valley. Stopped to look at the very rusty rails at Porthywain. Trains No More by Andrew Young, on Flickr Plus time to enjoy the autumnal colours at Talyllyn. Talyllyn Autumn by Andrew Young, on Flickr There's also been plenty of work to distract me, including twelve days of action packed diversions via Kidderminster and the land that time forgot. Stopped by Signals by Andrew Young, on Flickr November has a much quieter diary, the only distraction so far being fireworks at Klondyke Mill, only ten minutes drive down the road. Klondyke By Night by Andrew Young, on Flickr Now back to the modelling desk... Cheers, Andrew

Some iPhone photos showing the carriages with transfers applied. The transfer backing shows up more on the photos than they do on the models. Shall have to see whether I can improve that with weathering. Shall take some photos with the proper camera once the carriages are finished. It is thought that the luggage van was a later addition to the fleet, it's not air brakes for a start and is understood to have been purchased to act as a parcels and goods van to run on the goods services. So there's a deliberate gap in numbers in case of future additions to the carriage fleet. Cheers, Andrew

Thanks Neil. Transfers were applied yesterday evening and a waft of Dulcote was put over them this morning. Left them in the airing cupboard whilst I went to work so will see how they've come out in the morning. Cheers, Andrew

Painting the four carriages in one go seemed a great idea, until getting the brushes out and it has seemed like a never ending task..... Not helped by several distractions in October, including three consecutive weekends in Wales. However, pleased to say that all the main bodywork painting is complete. Next job is transfers..... Still a way to go yet, there are some fittings still to paint up / chemically blacken before a quick spray of dulcoat and on to the weathering. Then I suspect the carriages will be finished off one at a time with glazing and a scattering of passengers. Plus two of them need a roof and seats making. Thankfully, November's diary is looking a lot clearer.... Cheers, Andrew

Enjoying your current build, a very nice job. Styrene is an under rated scratch builder's medium in my book. Cheers, Andrew

Very nice job on the 'yellow peril' Ruston. They're distinctive looking locos and fits the scene perfectly. Remember being captivated by the NRM's ex BR version on one of my youthful visits to York. Thanks for posting the overall view of the shed, shows what can be achieved in a modest space. Using DCC, do you find that the sound travels through the tunnel connecting the two halves? If so, must heighten the experience of standing at a location hearing a train approach long before you can see it. The rural industrial look you've achieved does remind me of Foxfield, though no doubt there were plenty more examples of the ilk in days gone by. Cheers, Andrew

The honest answer is I don't know as I haven't seen the Hornby Peckett yet. Though I may well be tempted by one when they appear, even if it did mean another modelling distraction that I don't need.... Do you know the wheelbase, wheel diameter and how the motor is fitted? Cheers, Andrew

The drawing is in: Townsend Hook and the Railways of the Dorking Greystone Lime Co. Ltd By J.L. Townsend. Its A5 sized with a pink cover, ISBN 0 9504720 4 2 published by the Brockham Museum in 1980. First knew about it when I saw the copy that I now have on Andrew Neale's book stall at the 7mmNGA Convention a few years back. Cheers, Andrew

Thanks Phil. After posting that comment I'd been wondering where I'd got the idea to paint drop lights tan from, think it must've been you! Agreed about tan being a good match for varnished wood, it's the colour I paint the insides of carriages too. Cheers, Andrew

Thanks Neil, I wanted a brownish red and thankfully, my first car was just such a colour! Although the tin says best applied over grey primer, I've applied over red oxide primer to enhance the browner hues as sometimes dark reds can have a pinkish hue. The tan isn't overly prototypical I suspect, but it gives some welcome relief to the main body colour. Will keep you posted. Cheers, Andrew

As part of my Melyn Valley Railway project (link to the thread in my signature), there will be a narrow gauge Upper Melyn Tramway feeding in, for the locos, I fancied an elderly Fletcher Jennings as the initial motive power for the line, still wheezing away in old age in the 1920s. Wanting something different to the Talyllyn or Dolgoch seen on a number of layouts. Many months ago, I embarked on a project which yesterday turned into something real for the first time with the arrival of a parcel. The project is a 3D printed model of 'Townsend Hook', comprising a main body, with separate smokebox door, firebox and cab roof. A straight, square and pretty accurate canvas to which I can add as much detail as I want. All designed to fit on a modified Branchlines 'Talyllyn' chassis. There are a couple of compromises to make a 3ft 2 3/4in gauge loco fit on a chassis that's 16.5mm gauge, though remarkably few. The chassis is the correct wheelbase and wheel diameter, the main compromise here being that 'Talyllyn' is a double slide bar loco, whereas 'Townsend Hook' is a single slidebar loco. But that's a compromise I'm willing to take. To achieve a reasonable price for the print, I'm having four made, with three friends paying for the other three to help me out. The photos show the parts straight from the box placed on the Talyllyn chassis not having had any work on the surface finish, which I reckon is pretty good for a 3D printed model. This one shows the component parts. Thought it worth starting a separate thread in the narrow gauge section for the build, which will be carried out in parallel to the standard gauge modelling I'm in the middle of. My intention was to use 3D printing as an aid to my own scratch building and producing some of the parts that would be more difficult for me to scratch build. Once I've built mine, my intention is that should others want a 3D print to aid them in their scratch building then I would make it available should there be sufficient demand. Cheers, Andrew

My modelling mojo has well and truly returned now. Between shifts this last week or two, the carriages have been primed (Halfords Red Oxide rattle can), followed by a couple of coats of the same VW red rattle can that the Selsey carriage was painted and the open third has received some cream panelling too. Now that I've wandered across the road to Tutbury Models, I now have fresh supplies of Humbrol tan paint for painting the droplights. There's still plenty of painting to be done, but little and often is the order of the day. There has also been another narrow gauge diversion.... I'm not quite sure what exact form the Upper Melyn Tramway will take, other than bringing granite, slate and timber down to the standard gauge and delivering coal and sundry supplies in return, but ideas are forming in my mind. Whilst there will be a heavy Kerr Stuart bias in the loco roster, I fancied an elderly Fletcher Jennings as the initial motive power for the line, still wheezing away in old age in the 1920s. Wanting something different to the Talyllyn or Dolgoch seen on a number of layouts. Many months ago, I embarked on a project which yesterday turned into something real for the first time with the arrival of a parcel. The project is a 3D printed model of 'Townsend Hook', comprising a main body, with separate smokebox door, firebox and cab roof. A straight, square and pretty accurate canvas to which I can add as much detail as I want. All designed to fit on a modified Branchlines 'Talyllyn' chassis. There are a couple of compromises to make a 3ft 2 3/4in gauge loco fit on a chassis that's 16.5mm gauge, though remarkably few. The chassis is the correct wheelbase and wheel diameter, the main compromise here being that 'Talyllyn' is a double slide bar loco, whereas 'Townsend Hook' is a single slidebar loco. But that's a compromise I'm willing to take. To achieve a reasonable price for the print, I'm having four made, with three friends paying for the other three to help me out. The photos show the parts straight from the box placed on the Talyllyn chassis not having had any work on the surface finish, which I reckon is pretty good for a 3D printed model. This one shows the component parts. I'll start a separate thread in the narrow gauge section for the build, but I'm expecting to carry out painting the carriages alongside the completion of the FJ build. My intention was to use 3D printing as an aid to my own scratch building and producing some of the parts that would be more difficult for me to scratch build. Once I've built mine, my intention is that should others want a 3D print to aid them in their scratch building then I would make it available. Cheers, Andrew

Thanks Neil, will bring the carriages along to a meet once I've finished them. The lamb was very tasty! After eight hours in the Smokebox, it fell apart, the shoulder blade just sliding out. Bought from the butcher in Tywyn and reared locally, the food miles were less than one for the raising and thirty for cooking! Cheers, Andrew

Thanks Don. Yes, it's been rather fun! Agree about the Dysynni Valley, very peaceful. Would make a good subject for a narrow gauge railway layout... Cheers, Andrew

September started with a Road Trip.... Through glorious Wharfedale. Work has also intervened somewhat (sadly, mine was the one on the right). The lure of Cadair Country was strong, Liz and I headed over for a week where the weather warm and sunny for the most of the week. Dysynni Valley with Birds' Rock and Cadair Idris in the background early in the morning. There was once again the temptation to play away, Yeo with the Mawddach and Cadair Idris behind. But then it was back to the usual toys, with the same boring scenery... Local photographer Darren Turner, ended up getting his camera out for the only grey day of our week, capturing this fine shot of me on No 7 crossing Dolgoch viaduct. Finally, it's back home for a bit, concentrating on the finer things in life, such as Modelmaking and Bakeoff! Back to the modelling bench now!! Cheers, Andrew