4mm Llanfair

[LarryG]

The last of the brass coaches built during 2021 was completed today although painted yesterday. This C81 corridor third introduced more changes to windows. Of note is the compartment with an external door. The design was continued on a longer underframe after the war under Hawksworth...


No wonder they were christened 'Sunshine Coaches' with all that glass. To my eyes, there wasn't much structural strength on this side. The droplights were etched into the Comet sides, something I much prefer as they make for more secure glazing.....


I consider these late 1930's coaches epitomise the Western Region in the mid to late 1950s and i will consider building a few more at the end of the summer...

 

[Nick Rogers]

As always, beautiful work, Larry. Are the pair running on Hornby bogies?

Kind regards,

Nick.

 

[LarryG]

As always, beautiful work, Larry. Are the pair running on Hornby bogies?

Kind regards,

Nick.

Thanks Nick, This pair are running on Bachmann bogies. They look a bit clunky on some coaches and not others. The coach furthest away in the above picture (Dia. C77) might get a pair of Hornby bogies seeing as I am scrapping a Hornby Hawksworth.

 

[Nick Rogers]

Thanks Nick, This pair are running on Bachmann bogies. They look a bit clunky on some coaches and not others. The coach furthest away in the above picture (Dia. C77) might get a pair of Hornby bogies seeing as I am scrapping a Hornby Hawksworth.

Thanks, Larry.

As you have said before, it is such a shame that Hornby doesn't offer the 9' pressed steel bogies as a 'spare': I think they would sell very well.

All the best,

Nick.

 

[LarryG]

I got carried away with BR lined maroon in 2021 and finished too many in this livery. So this model of an LMS D1751 corridor composite has had its BR lined maroon replaced with carmine & cream. It looks much better to me, but this is probably because I saw so many real coaches of this kind in sidings awaiting the call of summer holiday traffic...

 

[LarryG]

This D1916/1946 open brake 3rd coach was the final repaint into carmine & cream. The remaining coaches will stay in BR maroon.

The current coaching stock position is as follows:-
12) in BR carmine & cream
5) in BR lined maroon
8) in plain carmine red

A new gangway connector has since been fitted. This plastic one had curled up...


Close up of the open lavatory window

 

[paulc]

I have deleted my reference to the goods shed being at the back of the layout. It didn't work! Everything is back together in the yard apart from cattle. Livestock was often loaded on a short stub off the running line so it could be readily attached to a passing cattle train, so that remains.

The goods shed no longer blocks the view of passenger trains in the station. Track renewal is minimal, the aim being to work with the present track layout as much as possible. All I can show is a photoshopped image of the intended new arrangements...
View attachment 155721

Hi Larry , i quite liked the goods shed at the rear as it broke up the view of the backscene but you are there so can see the layout from all different angles , also its your layout so rule one applys .
Beautiful work on the coaches . I have just sprayed the plum on four LNWR coaches and heeded your avice to someone else about a brown being applied before the actual colour . They can sit now for week then mask them off and apply the white ish colour then the lining . My fingernails are bitten off just thinking about doing that but in for a penny etc .
Cheers Paul

 

[LarryG]

Hi Paul. I sprayed my cellulose 'plum' on top of red oxide primer. It covered well because the plum mix was LMS crimson lake plus black. It's a good while since I sprayed LNWR coaches, but I remember I sprayed the darker colour on first when doing Toplight coaches. Initially I added a hint of blue to the white until David Jenkinson told me one of the restored coaches at the NRM was turning greenish because of the yellowing affect of copal varnish.

I agree with you about the good shed. It did look neat there.

 

[LarryG]

I need space between the goods and and the backscene and so the signalman is going to have to lean out of his front windows while a porter holds his legs if he wants to see up the line ahead....!

I wouldn't go so far as saying I'm having sleepless nights over this, but a larger signal box is on order ~ just in case, and I might have to widen the shed 2 inches ~ only kidding! Sometimes we just have to go with the flow if we really want something, and bedamn to the consequences.

 

[LarryG]

Space at the back of the goods shed was found this morning when I discovered the base of the backscene had not been screwed and could be pushed back to the shed frame. Temporary track into shed shown...


In addition, the signalman has a clear view past the shed wall...

 

[paulc]

Space at the back of the goods shed was found this morning when I discovered the base of the backscene had not been screwed and could be pushed back to the shed frame. Temporary track into shed shown...
View attachment 155872

In addition, the signalman has a clear view past the shed wall...
View attachment 155873

Typical of railways Larry , making a land grab . So how many extra acres did you aquire when you pushed the backscene ?
Cheers Paul

 

[LarryG]

I purchased a laser cut signal box. Following a short struggle trying to locate the treads in staircase runners, I decided where the best location was for this signal box...

 

[Pencarrow]

Oh dear Larry, what make was the laser cut kit?

 

[LarryG]

Oh dear Larry, what make was the laser cut kit?

It wouldn't be fair to say, but I think all laser cut staircases are the same. Even an etched brass staircase of the same assembly would be awkward to assemble. This is where a one-piece plastic or 3D moulded staircase would come in, but sales in the UK probably wouldn't warrant such an item. (I was so used to looking at laser-cut signal boxes that I completely overlooked the older plastic products).

I had no use for box on the layout and it was cheaper to throw it out than my hair.

 

[Flaxfield]

I had no use for box on the layout and it was cheaper to throw it out than my hair.

Well, that's all well and good for those of you with hair. Us.............follicley frugal types have to adapt according in times of frustration.

Rob

 

[BrushType4]

Oh dear Larry, what make was the laser cut kit?

It’s not one of mine!

 

[Pencarrow]

It’s not one of mine!

Didn't think so!

 

[LarryG]

Spare time and sunlight have been a rare commodity of late, so this is a catch up on the final GWR coach to "enter service" at Llanfair for this winter. The D127 is a brake third version of the all third next to it. These late 1930's coaches are without doubt my favourite designs. You might note it is rather cleaner than the others...


Llanfair Road was designed around a station for five coach trains, the result being the layout was nearly all station. Later ideas have gone for shorter trains. So while the track cannot be altered very much, the platform length can be shortened to make a more compact terminus.....

 

[MoatLane]

Three coaches sufficient for Shrewsbury Flower Show special?

 

[simond]

Plastruct do 1/48 staircases, which I used on my coaling tower. There are matching handrails.

I suspect they might do something near to 4mm too.

then again, perhaps not…

http://www.plastruct.co.uk/StairsT2.html