Garden Railway Forum

'We' (well, where we are now) had a large hole dug by badgers, in the corner of the garden..
About 3'6" long, 18" wide, and 2' deep.

It had been the site of a compost heap, was probably easy digging, and full of juicy, wriggly things..
Dad found it, when the trestle holding the scaffold plank he was standing on to cut the top of the hedge, disappeared from under him.

It was infilled, and covered with two old steel shelves, which are still there.

Phil.P

This is the wonderful 'Spooner's Boat' model from Porterhouse Models, which I showed on Dec. 26th 2022. It was originally intended for use on the Ffestiniog Railway and ran downhill by gravity. It then operated across the Cobb with the aid of a sail, fitted at Boston Lodge, to complete the journey into Porthmadog. This model is motorised, although an un-motorised option is also available ....
. .
Here it is today, this time complete with driver figure (from David Clavey) and sail, which now makes it possible to use on my level track and still look correct as I don't have inclines on my line....
.

That does look good, Peter. Of course, you could always add RC to the sail's mainsheet so you can have it properly wind powered and tack into the wind.

Rik

ge_rik wrote: ↑Sat Feb 11, 2023 6:19 pm That does look good, Peter. Of course, you could always add RC to the sail's mainsheet so you can have it properly wind powered and tack into the wind.

Rik

Why stop there Rik? With just a little careful planning I might be able to install a sound system with whistling wjnds, flapping sails and cries of 'Thar she blows' !!!

Peter Butler wrote: ↑Sat Feb 11, 2023 7:16 pm

ge_rik wrote: ↑Sat Feb 11, 2023 6:19 pm That does look good, Peter. Of course, you could always add RC to the sail's mainsheet so you can have it properly wind powered and tack into the wind.

Rik

Why stop there Rik? With just a little careful planning I might be able to install a sound system with whistling wjnds, flapping sails and cries of 'Thar she blows' !!!

Now you're talking .......

Rik

Where does the time go?... the last entry on this thread was dated Feb 12th. and although I have been reading and posting elsewhere I haven't added anything here. I will try to catch-up with recent developments now.
A number of things have been added to the BURPS collection during that time, including some 3D printed bits from a friend.
A life-belt and stand for my harbour scene.... A cement mixer to fix on the stores van of the Drain Train... Some bespoke lettering (vinyl) to add to my fuel oil tanker... and a very sorry looking GRS locomotive... The latter will be the subject of a restore and re-build story.

Love the extra detailing. Looking forward to seeing what you do with the new saddle tank. It's always satisfying to save something like that.

This is to trace the re-build of the saddle tank loco, which was a GRS kit assembled by some unknown builder and handed down to me by my good friend Brian.
As can be seen from the following picture, the foot-plate had been cut and dropped at the front of the cab.... very strange as the step wasn't included in the metal chassis frame, resulting in the whole length of the locomotive gently sloping down towards the front!
The original green paint wouldn't accept grey primer, even after sanding, so it all had to be removed. Nitromors would barely touch it, so scraping and rubbing with wire-wool was the only way forward. Eventually it was clean enough to start all over again....
A complete new footplate was cut and assembled with the firebox attached and a wooden effect floor installed... The electronics came with the model but had to be re-sited...

Peter Butler wrote: ↑Sat Mar 25, 2023 8:56 pm The original green paint wouldn't accept grey primer, even after sanding, so it all had to be removed. Nitromors would barely touch it, so scraping and rubbing with wire-wool was the only way forward. Eventually it was clean enough to start all over again....

Don't you just love modern paints? It looks like the solvent in the primer attacked the existing paint, you'd pay a fortune for that finish on furniture.

Nitromors was never sold here in Oz, but I think it was reformulated due to EC paranoia about Dichloromethane. 'Safe' replacements never work as well as the original in my experience. All part of life's rich tapestry......... Sigh!!!

I can still get automotive grade paint stripper locally, that will strip two pack acrylic back to bare metal, but it attacks plastic, including resins. On plastic models I use caustic soda (oven cleaner) to remove old paint. It's slow to lift acrylic paints and works better on enamels, but it won't attack plastics.

The new footplate looks much better than the original and the loco won't look like a rack loco now. I'm sure the model will be as well finished as your other models when complete.

Regards,
Graeme

The RC included everything, battery pack, Deltang receiver etc. as it was already a fully operational loco, just not a pretty sight! Some modifications were necessary to make items fit and have accessible wiring, including plugs and sockets for removal if required....
The cylinders had never been painted (?) so gave little trouble. Firebox needed some cleaning and painting too...
The original cab had pre-cast (raised) spectacle rings and were of quite small diameter, so I filed them flat, drilled them out and searched for replacement brass rings in my spares box. Unfortunately, I could only find one pair so e-mailed my colleagues in the local area garden railway group for advice on suppliers. Straight away I had two replies to offer to make a pair to match them. One of which came from someone I had never met. He asked for details and within about three days they were delivered to me FOC! Wonderful to have such supportive friends in the hobby!
After spraying and reassembly I thought something was missing.... lining! So, another very kind friend offered to cut some from self adhesive vinyl using her cutting machine. I took the loco for measuring and colour selection and decided to have a three-line, white-black-white pattern. This is achieved by cutting a broad white background then overlaying a thin black line in the centre, amazing!...
She was even able to follow the curves of the cab roof and saddle tank...
A final coat of clear satin lacquer and a much improved locomotive joined the fleet!

Very nice Peter. So.. it IS possible to make a silk purse from a sow's ear after all!!!

Wow Peter. What a brilliant job you have done. I love the colour and that lining is just brilliant. Now that is what good friends do for one another.

Love it, love it, love it.

Looks really great, Peter. I'll have to experiment with lining on my cutter (another job for the list ..... )

Rik

Beautiful restoration! Don't see a lot of brown locos, the colour just "works" so well on a steam engine. And the lining!

On the subject of vinyl lining, this scratch-built loco body, on another GRS chassis, is one I made some years ago, but never felt happy with the transfer lining I used. Such a shame to hide it away as it is a great runner, so I asked for more vinyl lining of the same colour as shown above, and here it is.....
Much happier with it now and will proudly use it when we hold meetings.

Also, another item passed down to me by Brian.... thank you Brian, is this carriage which had been fully assembled but never painted. I always like to paint overlays prior to fixing, so they had to come off. This is where I discovered how Gorilla Glue is less efficient than PVA in such circumstances. The glue had foamed and set but not penetrated the woodgrain, so some careful slicing with a thin blade soon had everything reduced to its flat-pack state for the process to begin again. I can't identify this kit which has individual, thick (2.5mm) pre-cut glazing, which slotted between inner and outer wall panels. Possibly Lineside Hut?...

Other quirks (also from Brian) are these two small quarry wagons, I'm fairly sure these were Lineside Hut kits (they will be sorely missed!) which needed a little paint and lacquer to finish...

Still more to follow!

Peter,
How delicate is the vinyl lining?
I would imagine it still takes a steady hand, and good eye, to apply?

Is it quite robust to handle (does it stretch?).
And,
How easy is it to adjust, once you start applying it?

Lots of questions, sorry!

Phil.P

In answer to your questions Phil,

1. The lining isn't 'delicate' (see below)
2. It does need a good eye to place correctly (see 4)
3. It is self adhesive so is attached to a release backing sheet with a semi-opaque top sheet which assists positioning. Because it remains supported whilst fixing
it doesn't stretch.
4. If lightly attached at first, and before the top sheet is fully removed, it can be carefully peeled back and re-positioned without causing stretching or distorting.

Once attached I use a burnishing tool to firmly press around rivets etc. Finally, a light spray coat of lacquer (I prefer clear satin) to protect.

Thanks Peter,
I had not realised there was a top-sheet, which obviously greatly assists in holding the shape during application.

The thought of peeling 'sticky-back plastic' off a backing-sheet, and attempting to wrangle it to a loco boiler, would be a nightmare.

Phil.P

Nice kits there Peter. Lucky you having a friend that gives you free stuff.
Wish I had a friend like that

FWLR wrote: ↑Wed Mar 29, 2023 6:48 am Nice kits there Peter. Lucky you having a friend that gives you free stuff.

I have known Brian for many years and tried to support him when constructing his garden railway and assisting with his stock collection and building. Unfortunately he is now in a position which prevents him form continuing with his outdoor activities and he had promised to pass on his collection to me in return. I'm sure we all have friends who share our interest and give support, this Forum has proved that to me many times.