Here is the latest Class 45/1 from Heljan. I have done it as one coming to the end of its life, but with a Tinsley painted name and their snail depot logo, I used to see quite a few both 45/0 and 45/1’s over at March Shed in 1986/7 having brought in freights. This one was also given High Intensity Headlights, but they were short lived before being withdrawn.
Transfers were by Railtec.
On the very long ‘to be weathered list’
This is the one of the latest Dapol models and I really like them, a lot. When purchased it was a NE engine and I wanted a pure Southern Loco. I changed the number from 82027 to 82023. I can now run it with my Terriers, B4’s and some kit built Locos on my Steam Loco Shed Layout.
It will of course be weathered, but it is a the back of a very long queue.
Below are some of my detailed OO Hornby and Lima Electrics that were done during the period 1980 – 2000. These were the best models you could buy then and if you wanted to improve them, then you had to do if yourself.
Most are repainted, re-wheeled, detailed, replacement pantographs and weathered. These certainly do not match their modern replacements in any way, but with extra weight they performed on several of my old layouts, Autumn Lane being best suited.
As I have moved to O gauge now, these have become surplus to requirements and I have a couple of people interested in taking them off my hands – below is about half my stock.
Great memories of improving quite basic models into the then Exhibition standards – no out of the box running then !!!
Well, I did not like the fence and it has been removed. I have applied more bushes and grasses etc. – that’s it now! Mixed gauge failure – maybe would have been better if placed hard up against backscene!
Today I just about finished the O Gauge photo plank. I have painted and distressed the fence, yes I used a OO fence to try and give distance, has it worked, not sure.
I have also added bushes, briars and the longer grasses. I have a few other grass products that could be added, we will see.
Today is the first day I have done any modelling for a month. I have been laid low by a rather nasty chest infection, thanks to anti-biotics I am now able to progress a few simple tasks, but no airbrushing for another month.
I have gone back to my new O Gauge photo plank and done the next stage. I have grassed all the relevant areas and added some fencing about an inch away from the backscene to hopefully give a bit more depth. The next job is to paint and weather the fence, then add the bushes, briars, weeds and long grass. I may put a couple of small trees to add height – we will see.
Very happy with the rounded corner and the backscene.
I have rather an old photo plank which is well past its best. Here is the start of its replacement, its 50% larger in area with a higher background and rounded inside corner to allow photos without unrealistic corners.
I intend to use a photographic backscene – just checking what’s available at present!
Two very busy days working on the O gauge stabling point board 2. All track ballasted and weathered, plus modifications in the fiddle yard. Extra protection for the stock on the shelves and extra weight on the sector plate – for smoother operation. All track tops cleaned with track rubber and then vacuumed .
I have been working on the so called ‘Stabling Point’, I am just finishing off the secondary ballasting before a final ‘ballast picking’ session to ensure no pieces have got where they should not be. Then weathering to match board one.
Note the fiddle yard is a bit different to my usual type, this means I can have up to three locos behind the scenes ready to go onto the scenic section. I can also keep some small locos or wagons in the shelving above the track. The point will remain manual at present.
I have now done the basic ballasting and weathering on my so called O Gauge Stabling Point. I say Stabling Point, but I hope to make this a multi function layout. It has been made to be used as a ‘Photo Plank’, a ‘Wagon Shunting/Goods Yard’ and an Engineers Yard. I even have a couple of other uses up my sleeve, but they need a bit more research!
I am looking at changeable scenic features to enhance the different uses. Why make four or more layouts when one can be used!
It is wired for DC operation, but it could easily made to be made with a DCC option.
I will ballast the other board first – this includes the fiddle yard – so should not take long.
