Blauturm bogie testing...

Well despite bench testing the modified bogies I thought it was worth testing them in anger on the outdoor line, since I was popping into see Mum anyway...

Result? Faultless performance!

Railbus solo buffered...

Well it's been a slow burn project that started before the Faur was finished, but one that's been on the cards for sometime. After finding photos of the VT98 railbuses in Serbia with modified buffing gear it got my mind racing and this project intends to capture a little of there character, combined with a narrow gauge back story and plenty of freelance ideas inspired by the Bosnian Duro Dakovic narrow gauge diesel rail cars.

So the buffers, shanks, coupling, air hose/covers have been removed and smoothed over. The gaps where the airhose/covers were have been plated over with styrene and a centre buffer from the LGB 2091 diesel added.

I need to fabricate some handrails and fit some covers over the old buffer screw holes, and then an overall silver repaint will follow, relieved by a blue sole bar and V stripe at each end.

Blauturm bogies fixed...

So with a successful bench test completed I can safely say the bogie modifications were a success. The combination of filing the backs of the springs, opening out the axle holes and adding some 40thou plasticard spacers have provided sufficient clearance.

Blauturm bogie modifications...

Part one of bogie modification was completed tonight with a mini drill to file away the springs on the rear and open up the axle holes a touch.

Part two I'll fit some 20thou (ish) spacers before trial fitting them later in the week!

Vintage Polaroids from Alisendorf, 1983...

Thanks to Hipstamatic for iOS you can get some cool retro and quite artistic photos if you've an eye for composition...

1983 at Alisendorf...

Well not quite as sunny as Faur testing yesterday, but since I finished painting the shed, and putting up some shelves for Mum before lunch, I have found time to run another train this afternoon - and since I'd left it out from yesterday, VL10 and the 1980s rake has seen some more use...

I quite like how it looks in orange against the lush green of the trees. Before long we'll be running autumn specials... and then I hope to have the railbus finished and fitted with interior lighting for dusk running :), and next spring I'm planning on installing a 16V outdoor lighting circuit for some lamps on the station and yard.

For now enjoy a few photos of the small orange Schoema at Alisendorf, bringing images to my mind of the StLB Ratten branch in the early 1980s...

EJ&KLR in the 1980s

Faur Lxd2 testing...

Well, the Lxd2 has been on test today. It looks absolutely superb out in the garden, and suits the scale and muted colours of my other EJ&KLR stock perfectly.



So mixed feelings really - because it looks great, works smoothly and sounds excellent - but the bogie springs rubbed on the wheel faces taking off some of the paint, causing a lot of squealing. I took them off so I could run the engine properly, so I'll take it back home this week and modify them with my mini-drill.

Faur finished in the garden...

Schoema works plates...

Well along with the awesome etched nickel silver number plates that Steve at Narrow Planet (http://www.narrowplanet.co.uk) made for my Faur Lxd2, he also did a set for the EJ&KLR Schoema.



This model, if you remember, is a repainted and detailed 'Lehmann Oil' version.

The works plates finish it off nicely - and it is an incredibly smooth runner.
In my eyes, this train mimics the StLB in the 1980s perfectly.

Schoema works plate...

September sun...

More photos later...

Blauturm black bogies...

I hand painted the bogies this evening and have now fitted them. They look good, and the Faur is now 99% finished. Just waiting the replacement works plates and some light exhaust weathering.

All set for a trial run on the EJ&KLR this weekend...

Just bogies and lights...

This evening I fitted the second side of glazing. Oddly, this side was slightly too small, as in it wouldn't wedge in so they were stuck in with a bit of gloss varnish.

I then moved on to the chassis and fitted the speaker grill, brake pipes, couplings and mounted the chip to the chassis with the screws supplied.

Then back onto the body and I fitted the light surrounds and glazing after painting the former in silver. Seeing how visible the LED will be behind has me thinking about a better lighting solution so for now they're not fitted.

I then put the chassis and body together and screwed the pair firmly fixed. The last job is to paint the wheel faces on the drivers side, and to spray the bogies satin black before fitting them. Still on track for a first 'finished' play this weekend on the EJ&KLR

Blauturm glazing fitted...

As it feels I'm on to the home straight now the visible progress comes thick and fast...

Tonight I only managed a half hour but in that time I fitted the milled styrene push fit flush glazing that Rene at http://www.blauturm.de had prepared for me!

The end windows needed a touch taking off the height with a file, carefully trial and error until they were a tight fit, all the glazing is firmly pressed in. I have used a tiny spot of gloss varnish on the inside of the largest pane, to endure it can't twist. I have also fitted the wind deflector.

The transformation is incredible and the flush effect is truly superb!

I'm going to finish the second side tomorrow, and will be fitting the LGB driver, through the largest pane, leaning out on the window sill.

Better Blauturm photos (nearly finished)...

Definitely on the home straight with the Blauturm Faur Lxd2/L45H now - and since Friday's photos were taken indoors I thought I'd take advantage of the lovely weather this afternoon and take a few more snaps outside.

Jobs left? Painting the bogie sideframes black, and fitting them. Fitting the couplings and brake hoses. Fitting the LED lighting (if I can be bothered - it is going to be a faff). Fitting the light covers. Fitting the glazing. Weathering the exhaust. Firmly fixing the chip inside the body. Screwing the body and chassis together.

Not a lot really, just a few evenings work - and since I should be at the EJ&KLR on Friday/Saturday I should really make the effort this week!

(and anyone who is wondering if I've glued the Faur on one of the bonnets too high, they're like this in real life!)

Blauturm Faur etched plates...

My custom etched nickel silver plates have arrived from Steve at Narrow Planet (http://www.narrowplanet.co.uk).

They've arrived just in time, as I was ready to fit them tonight!

Steve has done an amazing job on the custom artwork, he is thoroughly recommended! I think they look awesome on the model. Unfortunately I measured the works plates wrong do they will be re-etched at a smaller size, and fitted later.

In the last picture you can see how she's shaping up, with bogie side frames, still in primer, balanced in position. It's a testament to the general 'rightness' of the kit (http://www.blauturm.de) and it's straightforward construction along with my paint job. I can't wait to see her running when finally complete!

Faur is varnished...

The dreaded varnish stage, I've so many bad experiences at this point in a model build that I put it off and off.

However a note from Steve at www.narrowplanet.co.uk spurred me into action. To save from any airbrush disasters with thinned varnish I used a Himbrol Satin rattle can for enamel. It's turned out nice and smooth and now it'll sit on the shelf for a few days to harden. I can then fit the glazing, final details and lighting.

Return of Resita...

We had a rather lovely and relaxing weekend away at Llanfair, to visit the annual Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway's steam gala. Last year was a lovely event, seeing Joan, a childhood memory, back in steam. This year saw the line's Romanian Resita return to service so hoping for a repeat of the previous years weather we headed over to Mid-Wales.


We weren't dissappointed, and Number 19 truly is magnificent. Standing on the end balcony, facing the smokebox, you get a real feel for just how powerful she is, and her Lempur exhaust sounds sublime as she attacked the gentle gradients out of Llanfair. The whistle too, really is powerful and intoxicating. Elly and I stood listening, smelling and feeling the power for a good 20 minutes. Absolutely wonderful!


Here are the photos (Picasa Album link below) and the videos...

W&LLR Steam Gala