Giles

Quoins and Windows added. The quoins were done in the same way as the window cills - layer of fire cement added on, and then cut back. If you wanted flush quoins, one would do them first of all, and then add the stonework after the quoins had dried. The quoins would benefit from a quick rub over with fine sandpaper or similar, and then everything needs colouring. This is all its natural colour at the moment ( the white being talcum powder added before pressing the mould in to stop it from sticking). Capping stones will have to be made soon.....

Anyway, another of the joys I'm discovering is lintels and cills. If one is using 'stone' lintels and cills, one can simply dampen the site slightly, apply a thin sausage press it down firmly so it sticks, and then carve it to shape...... (Someone please stop me if this is boring or self-indulgent)

Lovely stuff, Allan - this is all very useful. I shall carry on with plan A, as I very much like the effect, and if I have to re-do it in 20 years then so be it! I also love the ability to do things like create cills and things so easily by adding and carving the fire cement.

Thanks Allan...... Oh bu***er..... It does such a nice job too!

Allan, a word of advice if I may...... I am having a play with fire cement on a couple of 7mm buildings, and I hear rumour that over time it crumbles away to n'owt..... Does this echo your experience, or is the modern stuff pretty good? On the end wall I did get some structural damage due to surface contraction - so (apart from plenty of internal reinforcement) I am 'countering' to use enamelling vernacular. I am applying fire clay on the inside surface as well, to balance it. The dodgy bit is that these walls are two thicknesses thick, so there is the possibility that this will simply separate the two..... We'll see. If that should prove to be the case, then the way to build will be countering a single thickness. However, on the bright side, I am getting the result I wanted, with plenty of surface interest, and a nice porous surface. The natural colour is good too, so experimentation with staining etc. Is called for. Quoins will be added later!

I did get some damage due to surface contraction - so (apart from plenty of internal reinforcement) I am 'countering' to use enamelling vernacular. This means I am applying fire clay on the inside surface as well, to balance it. The dodgy bit is that these walls are two thicknesses thick, so there is the possibility that this will simply separate the two..... We'll see. If that should prove to be the case, then the way to build will be countering a single thickness. However, on the bright side, I am getting the result I wanted, with plenty of surface interest, and a nice porous surface. The natural colour is good too, so experimentation with staining etc. Is called for.

Having a go on the 'oldest' part of the factory, which is stone built. I do like textures and unevenness where I can get away with it, so I'm experimenting with applying fire-clay to the wall, and embossing it with my handy latex mould. The test piece I did warped the card a little, so I've reinforced the building quite a lot. I'll see if I get away with it tomorrow when it's dried! I'll add quoins and door lintel when I can see that it works.....

A start has been made on buildings - doubtless they will be slow.... Rubbish photos!!!

That's undeservedly kind, Daniel! There's some lovely stuff out there.... However, I have tried with the track work, both painting (lots of different colours on there) and ballasting. In particular I mix some smaller ballast in with the larger stuff, as out of the packet it's terribly uniform, and then even on well-maintained track, I add a little sprinkle of soil or ash, which you hardly notice - but you do notice if it isn't there...... The factory sidings (not finished yet) are heavily ashed over all this, and will receive some sparing growth and oil stains.

I have a GreenScenes Flockit - which I heartily recommend. It's at least as good as the WWS machine (Gordon Gravett has one), and run on 12V is spectacular. It is also a bit cheaper than the WWS one. I have no connection with GreenScenes other than being a satisfied customer.... I've laid 20mm horse-hair as a test with mine. I used to have a Noch GrassMaster, and sold it to buy the Flockit.

My Great nephew received this loco for his Christening - his parents were genuinely pleased (his mother is a fireman on the Bluebell). He is now just over two, and takes railways extremely seriously, and is very well informed. He knows all the major parts of a steam engine, and has driven several!

I suspect that many people may find the topic (and indeed the reality) slightly uncomfortable apart from any other reason because of embarrassment apart from anything else. Not knowing what to say, when things are out of your own experience...... I've spent my life in Theatre, which has always been more accepting of things than most other walks of life, so I'm often somewhat surprised myself by more conventional reactions. Regarding jokes - by and large, the more serious the subject, the higher the stakes, the more delicate the subject - potentially the funnier the joke - or more awful a disaster... T'was ever thus, and this subject is no more exempt than any other, I suspect. But this is a good opportunity to learn and inform, and for us to become more understanding and kindly.

..... that's the workshop I wanted to go to.....

I just showed my wife your latest batch of buildings - and she was stunned - and she's got high standards! If ever you decide to run a couple of days 'workshop' - I'll be you're first customer!

More steps added... the remaining jerkiness is due to backlash in the gearbox...

The lack of a man has been bugging me, moreover, simply hanging a man onto the gate won't quite do either - so an attempt to have him 'walk'. It still needs some refinement, but the principle works.

The best of luck with the planning application!

argh...! Maybe a nice bucolic run beside a road and a stream - I've alsways fancied a Pastoral like that!

Looking very pretty and purposeful! One of the very few mods I intend doing is soldering up the three-links. For very practical reasons, I don't think any manufacturer does it, but particularly in a photograph, it does make a difference when they're 'welded'

A little toy.....

It was delightful to see the 2nd Engineering Prototype - with the few concerns I had had very nicely addressed - and looking to have a clean bill of health, if one can be so bold..... It's true to say that these ready-to-run locos are just getting better and better in quality.

i too saw it, and was very impressed. The bonnett appears to have the correct taper, so far as I could tell. I'm greatly looking forward to it.

Simon, of course you can get miniscule flanged bearings which you can recess into your wheel (as a hub) ever so easily - and these make the wheels go round!

Bless you Chris - ever the Gentleman! I look forward to seeing you on Saturday!