30368

Here here! Some humanity is called for, our hobby relies on many one person businesses, if they are having a bad time then the business suffers. Let us save our ire for those that really deserve it, I can think of more than a few.... Kind regards, Richard B

RE soldering white metal. I have found that using an old Weller 40W iron i.e. no temp. control, on white metal kits has given the best results. This provides a lot of heat capacity into the joint but you must remove the iron as soon as the solder is in its liquid state, usually a second or so. I found that both temperature controlled irons and, say, 25W irons often needed to be applied for longer with a greater risk of the casting melting. I tend to use the dreaded super glue for all small parts - it works. As Tony suggests, try different approaches and find one that works for you. Kind regards, Richard B

Hi Steve, Sorry I have not replied earlier, we have been in the US visiting one of our daughters and family. It would have been one of the two Precision BR loco Green Aerosol's P100 is the pre 1954 version but I would have used the post 1954 version on Bunsen, sorry I can't recall the code for it! Kind regards, Richard B

Good luck with this project Peter. As many have said, I have found memories of the area when we lived in Mickleover and later Marston Montgomery. Kind regards, Richard B

Another update, hoist is now near complete. I have to add bracing to the uprights - which appear to be made from wood in the prototype- the ladders and a few other bits and pieces. It will havew to wait though - we are off on Queen Mary 2 on Sunday to New York and then flying down to Tennessee to see our US based daughter and family. PS I know it should be 30368 under the hoist but she is packed away somewhere. Kind regards, Richard B

Many thanks for posting Mike(?). I am aware of the Farnham Clubs layout, it is a really good model of so much more than my limited shed yard and some running lines. Some really good 2mm SR loco's especially the B4! Re the Engine hoist in the above snapshots, I have now made it about 15mm narrower so it now fits! Kind regards, Richard B

A few snapshots of progress with the loco hoist. It is going to be a tight fit with all the size compromises of the layout but pleased with the look. Lots of detail to add not least the guide rails for the hoist trucks.. Kind regards, Richard B

My goodness, too late I have a green BR set on order from TMC with "Light Weathering". More correctly, Mrs B has bought me the set for Christmas. I can live with the errors. I will check set/vehicle numbers and re-number if required. Kind regards, Richard B

I am now building the hoist that was such a prominent feature of Basingstoke shed. Years ago I bought a Ratio Locomotive Lifting Hoist plastic kit thinking that this could be easily adapted to represent the 70D version. Well I was very wrong! Apart from a few bits a pieces I will have to scratch build the Basingstoke hoist since it is so different having large riveted carrying trucks on which the hoist is mounted. I am sorry but I have no idea where I located this image... The two carying trucks are brass sheet. The wheels (wrong type but hardly visable) are mounted on stub axles which are mounted on the two side frames of the truck. Kind regards, Richard B

I took the plunge and bought one back oh.. a while ago. This colour too. In many ways a very useful car although one had to plan an overtake of a very rare slower vehicle for some way back. I bought my daughter a very nice low miles red 2CV from our village pub landlord. It was one of the last made (Spain?) and was just wonderful you truly had to drive the car. In some ways, in my madder moments, I wish I still had one. Thanks for the reminder. Kind regards, Richard B

The Spear fencing has arrived so I can have a go at the chalky path that ran alongside the fence and, where it was fairly easy to gain access to the shed. Within the space limitations I have tried to create my memories of a spot often visited. The chalky path.. I guess that it is all a bit self indulgent but gives much pleasure and keeps me off the streets... Kind regards, Richard B

Hi Phil, It is a few years since I was involved with these things but back in 2000 - 2006 or so most stock was still ex BR designed and was painted. On top of the paint, many TOCs (but not all) added vinyl "wraps" for the (or so it seemed!) monthly livery change. In theory these could be removed without damaging the paint underneath and this was largely the case with only a touch up or two required. The Leasing Companies were/are, responsible for the major overhauls of components such as bogies and the body stucture. So towards the end of a Franchise those multiple units that required an overhaul by the Leasing Co were re-painted (usually white) and the vinyl wraps not applied since the current operator may not win the Franchise. So you could end up with a TOC fleet in many colours, depending on the progress of the latest vinyl livery and how much Franchise term was left to run. Hope that is clear.... I recall National Express winning the East Anglian Franchise "One" as it was initially called. As the guy that produced the winning fleet plan I (and many others) also had to ensure that a Mk3 DT, class 90 and a Mk3 coach or two had the "One" vinyl had all been fitted overnight before the "One" launch, kept under cover and then run down from Ilford to Liverpool Street for the launch. It all happened ok but sadly the loco and, I think, the DVT had lovely shiny vinyls and absolutely filthy travel stained bogies and underframes - took away some of the impact.... When I retired, the guys bought me a Hornby class 90 and Mk3 DVT in One livery, a nice thought. I still have them. Kind regards, Richard B

The image gives a good Impression of the Musee d' Orsay. Kind regards, Richard B

Well Phil, I have a couple of V2's and a B9 and plan to build the JEdge V4 kit in the near future on my 70D shed layout. The V2's are easy, they did run on the ex LSWR main line. The other two a wee bit problematic. Enthusiast Specials? I can see though how an EM loco and catenary down at Seaton might be tricky..... Kind regards, Richard B PS Have been following chats about the new Bachmann Bulleid coaches. Can you please advise on which three to buy to create a 3 car set? (Either livery). Thanks.

I have persevered with the static grass and the results are now encouraging. I have overlayed the 2/4mm grasses with 6mm to create more variation both in hight and colour. The bank running alongside the shed was on chalk and in places the loose chalk cascaded down into the shed yard. I have used crushed plaster of Paris bits and pieces to replicate this. The images don't really do justice to the result. A lot more detail to add but it is getting closer to my objectives. 32331 tries out the concrete buffer stops. Some the detail at the buffer stops. Kind regards, Richard B

Hi Ian, An interesting point. As a Southerner going North in 1974 I experinced the point you make but the reverse case. When I worked for the CM&EE SR at Southern House we spent much time working with Maintrol analysing all delays down to us (Please remind me, delays greater than 2 mins? can't recall now) and introduced mods as appropriate. I also spent time preparing reply's to Parliamentary Questions directed at the then Minister (whoever that was) about delays etc. When I arrived up in Derby I was astonished to find that delays down to M&EE were treated very differently, I hesitate to say in a lacksidaisical way, but very much a low priority. But then I was working for the BRB CM&EE at the capital of the railway world and London was viewed as a very provincial place..... Kind regards, Richard B

I have started to use my static grass kit for the first time. Not overly impressed with the results so far although I am using 2mm grass only with 4 and 6mm on order. Perhaps when I have layered this on top the appearance will improve. I have made the sleeper retaining wall from, surprise, surprise, plastic sleepers from scrap track sections. The walled section is made from a modelrailwayscenery cardboard and paper kit. This area of the shed yard should be much wider, the shed turntable was located in this corner which explains the wide expanse of unused area on the prototype. I just have not got room to model this so yet another compromise.... The coping stones for the wall yet to fit. The rail chairs at the base of the sleeper wall will be mostly covered in yard ash and crud. Kind regards, Richard B

I have not updated this thread for some time due largely to holidays (more to come, lots of catching up to do!) spot of illness and being submerged under the baseboard fitting SEEP point motors to the Engine Shed yard. Pleased to say that this is now complete so I can make a start on the shed "scenery" if thats the right word. I am using polystyrene sheet cut to profile and then covered with a plaster bandage, that approach has worked quite well on the small woods at the London end of the shed. This is the grassy bank that those of us that knew Basingstoke shed yard did our loco spotting, Kind regards, Richard B

Can't say that I rode my Lambretta under that bridge but enjoyed the Mod nostalgia. My TV175 slimline was painted white and maroon and fully equiped with racks and fly screen but no spotlights. I only fell off once just outside the village pub. I deserved it! Can't recall seeing a scooter on Gilbert's high ways and byways? Kind regards, Richard B

The A4 looks really wonderful and capable of matching it's protoype in terms of pulling power. I was intrigued to note the blue pullovered photographer taking a picture or two as she passed through. I bet he was pleased and very surprised to have caught this A4 in its experimental gold leaf livery. Kind regards, Richard B PS I have one to build too, I will try to match your high quality efforts!

Welcome back David. Hope the trip(s) were successful and/or enjoyable. We have just returned from Italy and vist one of our daughters, who lives in the USA, next month. I have not posted much either being fully occupied with wiring up 21 SEEP point motors from under the baseboard.... Almost finished Basingstoke shed yard now so I can continue the rest of the scenic bits soon. I may get diverted by a Nu-Cast and/or a PDK A2/1 both of which need building. Kind regards, Richard

Good morning Gilbert, firstly sorry to here that you are unwell and hope that things improve soon. Secondly, 60500's smokebox and boiler top looks so very well weathered with the appearance of soot plus steam condensation on top. I have tried to capture this effect with limited success but will keep trying! Great image of one of Thompson's "Brutalist" pacifics. Kind regards, Richard B

Gilbert, I know that these pictures of your latest (and last?) pacifics were a while ago but I have been living it up in Italia with Mrs B for almost three weeks, we had great time which included a couple of trips on Frecciarossa train sets which were very good at 260Km/hour. 60032 and 60063 look absolutely brilliant, a tribute to Tim's work and the photographer. In particular, i really like the logic behind Gannet's grubby condition, it just seems very sensible. Seems like not everyone has been very sensible whilst we were away, glad we have lots of Euro's left....... Kind regards, Richard B

Two very wonderful images, my particular favourite is the first one with the shadow limiting our view of the valve gear and other detail. This is often the case when searching for some good images for loco modelling. The second image also captures very well the sense of great depth with the bright light at the other end of the station. We had a lovely trout stream in our front garden when we lived in Wiltshire, our bane was the local Avocet that had a real liking for young trout. The fly fishers at the ponds served by the stream became very tense. I didn't think there was much I could do about it not really being a hunting, fishing type of person. A picture of our entry into the village scare-crow competition - we won that year with Miss O. Very romantic... Very sorry Gilbert for the diversion, what's this got to do with Peterborough and the ECML? Kind regards, Richard B

(with apologies to Tony and Carry on fans) As Peter Butterworth (Brother Belcher) said in Carry On Up the Khyber "Of course, they're all completely mad you know" Welcome to the funny farm Paul. Kind regards, Richard B