Featured on RMweb...

As a long term contributor on RMweb I have 'Author' status and so have written up my Frank S project as a complete article. You can read it here.


RMweb is an excellent resource, a melting pot of talent, interests and scales - if you're not a member I'd encourage you to join. There is a specific Narrow Gauge and specific Outdoor special interest group.

Work started on station...

I made a start on the station this evening, it may take me a few months to finish but today I cut out the four walls and the base, and glued them together. I thought sharing a snap of how I cut out the windows might be of interest for some people...

Most photogenic corner...

In the early evening the sun drops on front of the house leaving a shaft to shine down the side and dapple this corner of the line resulting in some lovely views this evening... I can see this corner becoming rather 'over' photo'd this year!

Atmosphere in B&W...

It is Dad's birthday today so as a family we spent the day in Anglesey. Popping into Chester on the way home has it's benefits! Elly, Andy and I have been running a Zillertal train with the U tank and the Stainz. After an overcast blowy day it's turned into a beautiful evening.

For Promotional Use Only...

Coal and driver...

If you remember I removed the original LGB hunched back driver from the Frank S cab before painting. I sourced a replacement Bachmann Scenecraft crew from Jeremy at Dragon G-scale (http://www.dragon-scale.co.uk) and this evening have chopped down the drivers legs a touch and glued him in. I fear I can't fit a fireman if I want to be able to keep access to the isolation switch in the firebox!

I also smashed up a lump of real coal this evening and have painted some PVA glue in the bunker and then first placed some bigger lumps into the glue before shaking on some dust to fill the gaps. It means the coal level us some way below the top edge as otherwise it would spill onto the window ledges but it looks good and at least there is something in there to suggest a larger load!

I'm just waiting on the etched works plates from Steve at Narrow Planet now to finish Henrik off for good, just need to make up a box to protect him!

Sunset on a magical weekend...

What a weekend... First running outside on the EJ&KLR, first run of Henrik, meeting up with Tim and then a lovely Father's Day today. Thanks family, thanks Elly.

Happy Father's Day

Today has been a good day. We've dine well, visited two railways and remembered a great man without getting upset. Thank you Dad for inspiring my love of railways and for you we visited your favourite (and last) preserved railway. The Talyllyn has a unique charm, full of character. In complete contrast the beach railway at Fairbourne is pure fun.

From Austria to the USA in an afternoon...

First up a couple of shots trying to recreate the shed at Molln on the Steyrtalbahn...

Since I took these I've split down Henrik and given him a second coat of satin varnish which has improved matters further.

I'm sat inside waiting for things to dry after another shower, before that we had Dad's Shay and the new logging wagons out for a run.

Hoping to get Henrik back together after tea for a run before it goes dark, and possibly a visit by Tim, who I've not seen since January.

First trains run outside...

I should say on the 'finished' line as we've had test trains running before. Echoes of the Steyrtalbahn I hope, plus natural light shows that the finish on Henrik is not beyond rescue. I will apply a second coat of satin varnish in an attempt to unify the finish. For now let the trains run... Between showers!

Transfers and possible disaster...

This evening I've painted the red details, applied the transfers and then a coat of satin varnish... Which seems to have gone funny. It's got a White-ish dusty appearance from some angles. I'm hoping it's the White spirit and it'll even out and dry ok. If it doesn't I don't know what I'll do, apply another coat or apply black again and refinish it.

Slow but steady progress on Frank S...

After getting a second coat of satin black on Henrik last night this evening I fired up the trustee airbrush for a quick coat of gloss varnish where I'll be adding the transfers. They'll be on Friday night, and I might have a chance to get it satin varnished on Friday too, otherwise he won't be visiting Chester this weekend for Father's Day and will gave to wait to the following weekend when I'm in Chester for what was Dad's birthday.

Oh how the last 6 months seem to have gone by so quick yet it feels like Dad's been gone much longer. His memory lives on for me on these models...

Second coat...

Teaser as I'm just off to bed. Progress again tonight on Henrik. I re-fitted the lamp lenses to see how he looked!

A vision in black...

I'm VERY excited! Tonight I sprayed the first of two coats of Humbrol satin black enamel on Henrik, my LGB Frank S conversion.

It covered extremely well and the second coat will go on tomorrow. That means gloss varnish on Wednesday, transfers and detail painting next week!

Dampened spirits but planting...

What's happened to the weather!? From the early progress in April with scorching hot weather we've got rain in June.

This afternoon I dropped the logging wagons over in Chester. Despite the rain I took the opportunity to do some ballast repairs and plant the last of the conifers.

Obviously rain doesn't stop play, especially when you have an indoor line! I've run the recently refurbed OBB bogie coaches, and put the latest EJ&KLR brown wagon with the coach and van. I can't wait to get it out on the garden line, will this rain stop in time today!?

Dragon delivers again...

My most recent order with Jeremy at Dragon G- scale (www.dragon-gscale.co.uk) arrived today. A pair of log flat wagons fir Dad's Shay and a crew for Henrik.

The Liliput wagons are really nice for the money and have the advantage of being used behind either the Shay or our European locomotives.

No photos but I've sprayed the top coat on the coach roofs this evening as well.

Coaching call...

Whilst I had a fresh can of primer I decided to refresh the roofs on my three OBB green bogie coaches. These will be finished in a mid grey (same colour as the roof of my Euro Davenport model), specifically Railmatch DB Schenker Grey enamel. Finished off the primer with one and a half coats, but should be ok as they were grey, and will be grey!

Reunited...

So after a second coat of primer this evening the Frank S conversion is back together, and I've applied a base coat of Matt red to the new buffer beam area as a primer layer for the deeper satin red I'll use as a top coat...

Unification...

This evening it all came together when I applied a coat of primer to Henrik and for the first time I've had a glimpse of what the finished locomotive will look like. I can't wait to progress it further...

Riveting stuff...

Another step closer to finishing Henrik this evening, I've spent a few hours adding a hundred or so rivets to the tanks and bunker area. The real 699.1xx's were welded or riveted, I plumped for rivets to give the tanks some relief, and I'm pleased with how they've come out, I can't wait to get some primer on now!

A vision to drive me forwards...

I recently found some more archive (1977) photos of the Steyrtalbahn – and this one in particular jumped out at me as something I look forward to being able to ‘recreate’ to some fashion on the EJ&KLR. The full set are ::here::

Ready for primer...

Well another milestone this evening... Not only have my custom transfers arrived but I fitted the cab door handles which makes the model ready for a coat of paint.

Yes the rivets aren't fitted yet, the instructions advise a coat or varnish or primer on bear plastic. I'll use varnish I think.

I took these photos outside using the HDR functionality on the iPhone. What do you think?