Posts

Fletcher Number 4

Image
 After the successes with the coaches, I decided that it was high time that the fourth Fletcher Jennings locomotive was given some attention. I had been soaking it in strip-magic, primed it and then left it whilst I focussed on the coaches. I know that nowhere had a fourth Fletcher but I think that my railway would benefit from a third of these amazing looking machines.  I planned to attempt to recreate the Penrhyn livery. I wanted to try reverse masking and this was the perfect opportunity to give it a go. I masked up the boiler and the sides of the cab.  As you can see the results look pretty good. I have actually accidentally created a version of the Lancashire and Yorkshire livery. I still need to work on the running plate and cylinders to make them match the work that I have done so far.  I have taken all the masking tape off the locomotive and it looks well for my first attempt at reverse-masking. I plan to paint the running board black and the cylinders to mat...
Post a Comment
Read more

Coachworks Update

Image
 Life has returned to some normality now and I have been able to find some time to work on the coaches. The Dundas Vale of Rheidol Carriages have languished on my "to-do" pile for some time since I started the process of changing the kit bogies for the more reliable Peco RTR examples. My original rationale for using these bogies was to give the coaches more consistent running and to rationalise the couplings across the whole fleet.  I had originally just drilled a 4mm hole in the floor which helped but I had not accounted for the excess material on the original axles. I filed the material away and constructed new collars out of styrene to mount the bogies into. I re-drilled the holes to 5mm and added the 4mm collar melting it onto the floor with poly-cement. My hope was that it would be more secure.  Coaches 2 and 3 were given this treatment and the carriages were finished with glazing and the rooves being attached. Coach 4 was an attempt that had not gone to plan with my...
Post a Comment
Read more

Constructing a Castle

Image
  I have been keeping my powder dry with kitbuilding for some time, partly due to not having time to spend on construction and partly due to lacking confidence to build something complex.  Conwy Castle is one of the more elusive diesels in the Ffestiniog fleet. I have only seen it in the open air on one occasion and was very taken with the rich history that there is behind this locomotive. It was adapted to work on the Push-pull train which is something that I am keen to try and build.  I bought the kit with a Kato Chassis which meant that I needed to make some quite hefty alterations to the frame of the kit to fit the motor into the void. It took me quite a while to heft the floor of the cab away.  I attached the side board and removed the cast axle boxes. I removed them because they don’t line up with the wheel sets so I took them off. It means that the model won’t be a true representation of the real life equivalent but I am only aiming for an approximation of Con...
Post a Comment
Read more

It has been a while

Image
 It has indeed been some time since my last update on Bron Effans. I have simply not had any time free to do any work on the layout, which has not been fun. There are various aspects of the layout that have required my attention and I have addressed them over the last few days in my Christmas holiday time. I am limited in what I can do by the current Covid-based issues. I can't get to my local model shop as it is in a different tier to where I live. I am not prepared to break the rules for my hobby. I do not see the point.  I have acquired some new locomotive projects for me to be working on along with several new pieces of rolling stock to use on the line. I have taken delivery of two custom pieces of stock, built by my good friend Leigh Hullatt. They are decorated with the initials of the line BER for Bron Effans Railway. Rolling Stock I have obtained a Bachmann Narrow gauge coach to compliment my burgeoning Talyllyn rake. This coach is exceptionally well made. I am pro...
Post a Comment
Read more

Catching a few moments

Image
  I have struggled to find time and motivation to sit at my workbench for any length of time. A consequence of this is that the layout has really been neglected. I gave myself a day to myself and set about doing some small jobs on the layout. I have received some new rolling stock and items that can be used on the layout. Coaches I managed to secure a new Indian Red Lynton and Barnstaple styled compartment coach to match the brake coach. I have been looking for suitable carriages to replace the European style coaches that I repainted over the summer. This will form the second main rake on the line and they fit the aesthetic of the railway with a more uk based design and size. Ultimately, my rationalisation of the stock was intended to give my layout a more unified theme. This rake will help form backbone of services on the line. I can also use it for "Covid secure" services as it is a compartment coach. I feel that the Indian Red coaches look more appealing than the Southern ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Operational fleet list update

Image
  I have taken some time to update and amend the details of the motive power on the line. I am also working on a rolling stock page, which will be published in due course.  Please find the updated page using the following link.  https://www.blogger.com/blog/page/edit/2166231028384630191/8580419163129318916
Post a Comment
Read more

Notice

 Notice I am sorry to announce that I have recently suffered a bereavement. I have not been able to devote any time to my layout. Normal service will resume as soon as possible.
Post a Comment
Read more