Railbus debut and new servicing facilities...

Before the heavens opened yesterday Elly and I ran a few trains. Unfortunately I didn't take any of the Faur Lyd2 but I did snap some of the railbus and new servicing facilities at Alisendorf shed.

The water crane and tool rack were Christmas presents - the water crane definitely needs toning down a bit, and will live inside, but the tool rack has been left outside and bedded in to see how it fairs in the weather.

Post winter maintenance...

Can you believe it is last November since I last used the outdoor line (http://ejklr.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/autumn-on-line.html). The right of way had no maintenance all winter and the snow and heavy rain have taken their toll on the ballast.

So before we ran trains today Elly and I re-ballasted about half the line... We did run some trains but the heavens opened which was good for bedding in the fresh ballast but did stop play!

Railbus finished bar weathering...

Well it's been nearly 10 months but my makeover of the Piko G scale VT98 railbus is finished...

This morning I reconnected the lighting and the chassis and then replaced all the securing screws. To my relief and as I had thought, the lack of screws behind the old buffer locations has not made any difference and the ends I the chassis don't droop.

This now clears the way for a pair of coach repaints...

Railbus 99% finished...

Well it's nearly there now, after detail painting, satin varnish and a trial assembly it's the home straight now. Just a dash of roof exhaust, glue on a broken detail, reconnect the electrics and screw it all up.

Railbus transfers...

This evening I made a start on the finishing touches to my Piko VT98 railbus bash. This makes use if some home designed transfers printed for me by John at Precision Labels (www.precisionlabels.com). Quite a plain livery but keeping with the austere post-war period and similar to the Bosnian railbus' it was inspired by. Note the Syldavian black pelican on the right.

Kof bash custom etched bits arrive...

Thanks to Steve at Narrow Planet (www.narrowplanet.co.uk) my custom etched works plates (the large rectangles on the small nickel silver fret in the first picture), the etched grill surround and the pressed steel number plates have arrived. The number plates read 'Helli 1' on the prototype, mine are tweaked for my daughters benefit!

The grill surround is absolutely spot on, I'm looking forward to cracking back on with the project now!