Jack P

Update! Sorry for the multitude of posts that are effectively the same thing! I have however managed to get the radial finished, and the T9 numbered without mild dyslexia getting in the way! Lined up with with my other 2 T9's. More exciting things to come, maybe even a different shade of green? thanks for reading guys!

Update! Successful numbering! The 6 looks a bit wonky in the picture but I assure you it is straight, sorry for the rushed picture. (I've only done the sides you can see in the photos), luckily i've managed to get the numbers in the right order! Will update again soon, Thanks for reading

Would you believe I actually wrote the number down and had it on a bit of paper infront of me! Thanks so much Chris, I think it will end up as 3125, hopefully that's the number it actually ends up with on the sides! this gives me a chance to change the number size too! Thank you for the info on the M7's, looks like 243 is the only option for renumbering then. I may have to deal with it being lined, but I do recall there being a discussion about unlined malachite on a few engines, looks very odd but If i can renumber I could probably take the lining off too! Unfortunately up next is ANOTHER renumber, this time however, I come to you, the general public, before attacking it with numbers, I was thinking 726, as it's thin splasher with a 6 wheel tender. If you see it in the background of the last shots, it's in bits, this it it back together with most of the painting done! That's all for now, it's not very exciting, everything is either malachite or black - but thanks for reading anyway!

Ahahahahaha!! I hadn't noticed, that's hilarious, It wasn't late, but I am extremely silly, and this has turned out to be even more of a stuff up than usual. Quality control has some serious explaining to do!

Update! A massive failure and oversight on my behalf has left me with this! Not only are the numbers on the bunker the wrong size, it's also got incorrect frames for the number, which is odd to me because the base model was BR 30584 with these frames, but the soon to be released Oxford rail version with this number has different front frames, so i'm not sure where the muck up has occurred. Either way the numbers are still too big, which is a shame, because IMO it actually came out quite nice, and looks ok with the larger numbers. Ah well, live and learn, Will probably take a back seat for now though, while I finish off the T9 lurking in the back there As always thanks for reading!

Phil, I'm not sure either, that's a very good point. I think the long framed variants look nice in black anyway! (now to get my hands on one) I know that on of the two Hornby produced (676?) was allocated to Guildford in 1947, as I have another on the way I may have to locate an M7 that was definitely in malachite before I renumber!

Dt that is a very smart looking model! Where did you get those excellent night ferry vans from!?

Not much going on, just building up my stock, and stockpiling projects. Most recently I picked up an Oxford Rail Adams Raidal, it was a steal, and while I probably just should've waited for the Wartime black/Sunshine livery release, It's no fun if you're not doing something yourself. I was amazed at how it came apart, absolutely excellent! It really is a nice model, I may just pick up the SR livery option when it's released anyway. This is where I managed to get up to tonight, the biggest mission was getting the number plate and shed code off the front of the smokebox, but I think it looks ok, need to paint the cab and add transfers over the weekend when I get time, and hopefully it'll see some track time at the club on sunday! That's all for now!

Hi guys, Just wondering about the livery of the majority of the SR EMU's. Obviously all of hornbys productions have been in olive green or BR/S green, were any units ever painted in malachite, the same as the coaching stock? prior to 1948? or I suppose, at any point? Cheers!

That's very kind, would definitely be willing to lend a hand, would need to be extremely long, to reach to spain - but the intention is there haha! That PMV was pretty simple though, just took the BR/S markings off with some enamel thinner and put on some methfix ones! I have the same issue, probably not as far away but all but some essential files, craft knives and glue are packed away in my parents garage - move is all done (thank ####) currently in my temporary accomodation until I hear back about signing my life away on a mortgage! Transfers coming off is actually the issue i've been having with this Lord Nelson I've been trying to improve Had to cut the rear brake shoes off the end of the second bogie to they wouldn't foul the steps. might need to look into improving them so they actually sit closer to the wheel - an improved lord nelson would actually be fantastic (Bachmann if you're listening!) And the transfers have started coming off with my handling which i'm not to happy about - will look into the best way to go about fixing this, probably be re-lining the whole area which is a bit daunting The donor schools class has really proved that it was a worthwhile investment - getting one engine complete and detailing the interior of this cab (and leaving me with a spare tender!), still working on the planking for the cab floor and shortening the tender-loco connection, needs vacuum hoses and pipes as well as plenty more to be complete, but it'll get there - the cab interior needs a quick repaint to finish it off before planks go in, then theres cab doors, fallplate etc :S Next up is a T9 that I picked up locally which has already had the numbers removed and is waiting for primer to then be repainted black. Will keep the same number, just in wartime black. Also flipped the tender frames around and repaired the break and the missing cab handrails which was part of the reason this loco was so cheap! more updates soon, hopefully! Cheers for reading

Pardon my ignorance, but what are royal mails differences with how she ran post war? surely the livery was the same?

Hey Tony, Using HMRS transfers here too, I just mean I'm sure it needs the XP transfers too - not sure where i'd get those from! cheers

UPDATE Not much has happened recently, but that's because the majority of things have been packed up while we sort out a house. I did take delivery of a BR/S PMV which I've had a quick go at renumbering, i'm sure it's not correct, but I've got no idea whereI would get the correct transfers - tips appreciated! Also picked this up locally for about $6, I was rapt! Hopefully more soon! Thanks for reading

Wow, what a tasty selection of southern motive power!

Duke, Wellington is actually my home town, I am far to young to remember the days of steam, or anything before these electric multiple units: When I was younger my dad took my on a few steam railtours, behind a JA I'm fairly sure, but my knowledge/interest in local steam traction is slim, which is a bit of a shame as I am a 2 minute drive away from a preserved steam rail centre. Although people at the local club do try and convert me, i must admit some of the steam prototypes are getting increasingly more interesting (to me at least) New Zealand sure is a beautiful, place very lucky to live somewhere like this, let me know if you are ever over here for a visit and i'll sort you out with a room! It's funny you should say that, I work at the bank, and I suppose our equivalent of a regional manager is an ex pat who loved it here so much he decided to stay!

PM sent, Duke, will be picking your brain

Looking excellent as per usual!

More photos (of everything) please

Update! Made a bit of progress here and there, impending move, (next weekend) means things will probably slow to a crawl for a while. Ah well, such is life. I had a go at weathering, on an olive green PLV, to hopefully represent the condition it would've been in, still being this colour between 1945-1947. Sadly it changed a little with the application of matte varnish, but i'm happy for now. Also gave the crane it's first coat of grey, i actually have no idea if this is the correct colour, but I think it will suit it just fine. Also made some progress on the first few crew members for the rest of the loco fleet That's all for now!

Feel free to drop me a PM and I can give you the lay of the land (sort of)

Are you nz local already? What's prompting the move?

Update! Nothing very exciting to report, went ahead and ordered an airbrush, so excited for that to arrive and test it out. Took arrival of another one of these gorgeous M7 tanks, if Hornby is listening, a long frame variant in malachite would be excellent! Weather is getting decidedly cold here, will hopefully have more to report soon!

Thanks Nile! Definitely glad I went with meth-fix, seem to be very robust to handling, and are becoming easier and easier to use. The only issue i'm faced with is the clouding of unvarnished acrylic painted surfaces. But i'm sure I can sort a work around for that!

Always welcome are photos of the layout and stock. The push-pull set looks excellent!

I concur, followed for future updates, really like the station building and the bridge!