Time to build a railway...but where?

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Fri Mar 11, 2016 6:38 pm

philipy:116742 wrote:Thought you were preparing for Welsh Independence, Peter!!

I seem to have inadvertently revealed our secret weapon.....

Soar Valley Light · Post by **Soar Valley Light** » Fri Mar 11, 2016 7:44 pm

Another stunning piece of work Peter. It's always a treat to see the results of your work.

I never knew the RHDR gun had achieved a success!

jim@NAL · Post by **jim@NAL** » Wed Mar 16, 2016 8:26 pm

all looking great peter I do like the gun that is some model how long did it take you too build .also how is your back iv been off work with a bad back not much fun even more so being self employed

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Wed Mar 16, 2016 8:35 pm

Hi Jim, good to hear from you again... It has been so long since I built the Railgun I forget how long it took to build, but I think it was some time as I had to stamp out all of the rivets and stick them on individually. Also the bogies took some thought so they could negotiate a 5ft radius on our exhibition layout. Please remember it was so long ago and I have never been good at record keeping!
I will send a PM about the back pain as I don't want to bog down the thread on personal issues.

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Tue Apr 05, 2016 8:40 pm

Well I have eventually got round to working towards getting the Fairlie finished. It has already been sprayed with etch primer then a first coat of satin black all over. Having allowed (too) many days to harden I have masked off the areas which I want to remain black so that a further spray coat of the red can be liberally splashed all over!
The pictures show the model in Tamiya masking tape ready for spraying. Today was the first opportunity I have had to add the red colour on the panels but I have no pictures to offer until tomorrow.

A lot of work and a huge amount of tape!

LNR · Post by **LNR** » Wed Apr 06, 2016 4:44 am

As they say Peter, painting is all about preparation. The Fairlie certainly has much fine detail, can't wait to see it together and in its final livery. I wish you success in removing all that masking (always a nervous time in my experience ) to reveal a job well done. Then just sit back and grin!

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Wed Apr 06, 2016 6:53 pm

Its coming along nicely Peter and I look forwards to seeing next time we play trains.

Does this mean that you now have Fairlies at the bottom of your garden?

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Wed Apr 06, 2016 9:37 pm

LNR, I heeded your warning about removal of the tape and approached with caution... the result was a great success, in my opinion, especially as it is only the second time I have used Tamiya masking tape, which is the best thing since red wine!!!
All of the lines are straight and crisp with no bleed at all. There is still a lot of finishing brushwork to pick out pipework etc, but I am well pleased with the work so far.... with one exception........ in order to cover the smokeboxes and chimneys I thought I would use Clingfilm with taped down edges. Big mistake!!!! The paint I used caused the plastic to bond to the smokeboxes and I have had to attempt a rescue mission to make a repair. So far not a great success and I will have to do another paint strip and mask off the red this time in order to get a satisfactory finish. It is the only way to learn so I pass on this information so you can avoid the same mistake.

Big Jim... the reason I have Fairlies at the bottom of my garden is because they don't have a gnome to go to.

LNR · Post by **LNR** » Thu Apr 07, 2016 3:07 am

Ah! Red wine and masking tape. Do hope your grinning from ear to ear Peter, nice job. Whilst I can't see all of the problem with the smokebox, would some judicious weathering (which you are good at) applied to the areas (always the first to show ageing signs anyway) not get around the situation.

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Thu Apr 07, 2016 6:32 pm

That's looking really lovely...

Soar Valley Light · Post by **Soar Valley Light** » Thu Apr 07, 2016 7:01 pm

Another wonderful job Peter and a pleasure to see.

Andrew

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Thu Apr 07, 2016 8:05 pm

Try British Gnome Stores.

Seriously though....

Looks fantastic Peter.

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Thu Apr 07, 2016 8:20 pm

LNR...... I just couldn't live with the finish on the smokeboxes so I have removed the paint and will try again...... not that I am a perfectionist or anything!
There is some good news however, I have lining transfers being made to measure which should arrive within the next day or so, plus correct FR Fairlie nameplates, 'Myrddin Emrys', 'Fairlies Patent' plates and smokebox plates from John Lythgoe which also should arrive next week.
I'm hoping it will be worth the effort. Combined with those items I will also be installing RCTrains (Deltang) receiver, which I have ready and waiting.

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Tue Apr 19, 2016 9:32 pm

The time has come...... and about time too!.... to unveil the finished product.
It has taken so long due to many feeble excuses I won't bore you with now, along with a long period of cold and very wet weather preventing me from using my Train Shed and doing spray work. However, the arrival of custom made transfer lining, driver and fireman figures and etched nameplates have spurred me on.
I proudly present 'Merrdin Emrys' in rebuilt condition and livery. (It might not be 100% accurate but it looks the part).

Excuse me for feeling so pleased with it but it is a locomotive I have always wanted (in any scale) but this is one impressive beast. It also runs beautifully with the RCT control system with both bogies powered by separate motors and a 10 AA rechargeable battery pack mounted in the centre. I am surprised by the combined overall weight of the loco coming in at 3.314 Kg. but nothing will stand in its way.

LNR · Post by **LNR** » Tue Apr 19, 2016 11:48 pm

Well! pleased you should be Peter, that is one incredible modeling work of art. Museum quality definitely, I'm running out of superlatives. Smokebox looks perfect as well.
Grant.
PS don't imagine that will see any of your weathering techniques ha! ha!

Dwayne · Post by **Dwayne** » Wed Apr 20, 2016 3:44 am

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Wed Apr 20, 2016 8:29 am

Splendid, Peter.
OI look forwards to seeing it in the flesh so to speak.

Soar Valley Light · Post by **Soar Valley Light** » Wed Apr 20, 2016 7:11 pm

That really is superb Peter, I'm so impressed! I had to look twice (and carefully at that) of the shot of the Driver to be sure it wasn't 12" to the foot scale!

Andrew

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Wed Apr 20, 2016 10:04 pm

Wow, what a beauty! Lovely work, looking forward to seeing photos of her in action.

Cheers,

Andrew.

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Wed Apr 20, 2016 11:19 pm

Thanks guys, I'm happy you are pleased to see the finished loco which has given me sleepless nights and empty pockets!
I have to admit I am more than satisfied with my efforts and will now put it through running tests to see how effective the battery power, and pulling power perform. At the moment I am just satisfied to look at it and enjoy the moment.
BUT........ all my wife wants to know is... 'Are you going to sell it?'
WHAT??????...... you have to be joking!

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Time to build a railway...but where?

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