Well, it has been a while hasn't it? Barely seems a few days since I last posted. I've been laid low by a heavy cold over Christmas which has kept me all out of motivation to do much. Things are picking up though and a few small projects meander towards completion while another makes a start. Most of the wagons were bought at Middlesbrough show in May and have awaited refinishing since.
Firstly, here's a blast from the past for some of you. I'm not old enough to remember these. I was given this and a similar recently, clearly in the knowledge that I'd feel compelled to finish them off. I wasn't even going to repaint this one but removing the brake wheels left too much mess. The bolsters really were that low according to the drawing in Tatlow; I've added some 10 thou strip to represent the steel plate on top. Not much more to do, really.
Pair of 3H opens. One as a Cheshire Lines example just for a bit of variety.
Lastly, apart from the Ks shock wagon, an Oxford Diecast PO. I couldn't find Adrian's list of everything wrong with these, so this one has had new buffers (LMS), capping strip clips removed and a London plank let in. Hopefully it's nearer passing muster.
Now, to the next project. The Stirling Single is finally within sight - I saw the production sample at Warley - and although it's two years late for the birthday for which it was intended, it's time to start on the train to accompany it. This will be the 1938 exhibition train which ran to various parts of the country after the Flying Scotsman launch and (hopefully) will feature on
Grantham when complete.
For anyone not familiar, Mike Trice led an excellent analysis of the makeup of the stock
here. To quote from that thread, the train comprised:
"GNR Diag 303 (LNER 4220) Full Brake 29' x 7' 11.125" wide, 20' 0.5" w/b
GNR Diag 245 (LNER 4179) 5 Compartment Third 32' 1.5" x 8' 2" wide w/b 22' 5"
GNR Diag 155 (LNER 4078) Composite 34' 10.5" x 8' 2" wide w/b 24' 6"
GNR Diag 84 (LNER 4047) Toilet First 33' 8.25" x 8' 2" wide 24' w/b
GNR Diag 84 (LNER 4047) Toilet First 33' 8.25" x 8' 2" wide 24' w/b
GNR Diag 155 (LNER 4078) Composite 34' 10.5" x 8' 2" wide w/b 24' 6"
GNR Diag 303 (LNER 4220) Full Brake 29' x 7' 11.125" wide, 20' 0.5" w/b"
Of these, Bill offers the D 303 in brass (and shortly in resin) and Dan Pinnock the D 245. For the rest you're on your own.
So, let's go for the low hanging fruit first.
I think Dan did these in one of the 2016 lists. I've had it a while, anyway. Nothing clever or innovative, just a pleasant way to spend Christmas Eve. The D.303s are on the way from Bill.
For the rest, I have been talking to friends on the Grantham team and so was in possession of these:
These are Rowmark sides, laser cut (I think by York Modelmaking, but not entirely sure). The upper panels have a layer which pulls away to give the recessed panelling, the lower side has grooves to quide the attachment of beading, in this case Evergreen 20 thou rod. The upper side (D. 84) is unstarted, the lower (D. 155) has had panels removed and beading attached. Unfortunately I have run out of rod, so I'm making floors (Paxolin), ends and whatever else I can while some more arrives. The springs/axleboxes are by Mike Trice from his
Shapeways shop.