4mm Llanfair ....

[LarryG]

Drainpipes from Plastruct pipe (not tube).. It bends without breaking...



The lavatory breather pipe was from a slightly larger diameter pipe held in place by split pins...




0-BB-05 Bargeboards were from the excellent range of laser cut parts from York Modelmaking.

And that's it for the time-being. It will now join the paintshop queue .....

 

[LarryG]

An aborted project. This is one in which I attempted to adapt a Peco signalbox to resemble the one at Llanfyllin. My heart sank as soon as I saw the laser cut wooden steps and balcony.

The locking room is laser cut plywood and so too are the damn steps. It's a half-hearted approach when the Peco signal box is plastic and the steps + balcony handrails could have been too....

 

[Paul Tomlinson]

Hello Larry. In case it is of interest, Churchward Models do an etched set of steps to suit their LNWR box, and you're probably aware that York Modelmaking do a laser-cut set in Rowmark with a rather more relaxed ascent to suit their Midland box. I thought there was another etched kit available but I can't remember from whom.

 

[LarryG]

Hello Larry. In case it is of interest, Churchward Models do an etched set of steps to suit their LNWR box, and you're probably aware that York Modelmaking do a laser-cut set in Rowmark with a rather more relaxed ascent to suit their Midland box. I thought there was another etched kit available but I can't remember from whom.

View attachment 173357View attachment 173358

Hi Paul, I looked at images of the York Model making steps and tried to work out how they were assembled. I have more or less made my mind up to buy a different signal box kit which is pucker Cambrian and not too expensive.

LLansantffraid Crossing Signal Box - in 7mm

This Dutton & Co signal box is based on Llansantffraid Signal Box near Llanfyllin on the GWR region. This kit is laser etched and cut for a finely detailed finish. It comes with window film, gutter, downpipe and tiles Footprint 100mm x 65mm incl steps

railmodel.co.uk

 

[LarryG]

Perseverance.....

Lots of cursing, butt joints and PVA... The peculiar shape is because the signal box will be platform mounted. Looking at it now, it doesn't capture the look I was after, so some of the parts will be used on the next box....

 

[simond]

I’m sure you’ll work your usual magic…

if you want steps, Plastruct do 1/48 with matching bannisters. I reckon they’re ok.



needs fixing down properly, and grubbifying.

And that stray bit of red insulation removing, and I’ve no idea where the screw came from…

 

[Richard]

Beware of the Llansantffraid crossing box. It is just crossing box and not a signal box and is too small for a reasonable sized lever frame. When I got it out of the box I thought they'd sent me a 4 mm version instead!

For some reason this model doesn't have interlocking bricks at the building ends which is odd when most laser cut models do have this feature.

 

[LarryG]

Beware of the Llansantffraid crossing box. It is just crossing box and not a signal box and is too small for a reasonable sized lever frame. When I got it out of the box I thought they'd sent me a 4 mm version instead!

For some reason this model doesn't have interlocking bricks at the building ends which is odd when most laser cut models do have this feature.

I've built one before. Its looks to be the same type as at Llanfyllin. I'll just have to work on it to reverse it ...

 

[LarryG]

if you want steps, Plastruct do 1/48 with matching bannisters. I reckon they’re ok.

Purely out of curiosity, how are the treads fixed to the side runners simond?

 

[JasonBz]

Purely out of curiosity, how are the treads fixed to the side runners simond?

I believe they come as a one piece moulding.

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

I believe they come as a one piece moulding.

They are a one piece moulding.



Their 1/48 ladders are useful as well.

 

[simond]

Thanks Dave, beat me to it.

Simon

 

[LarryG]

Built a working yard crane tonight from a Peco LK-735 kit...


Plastikard brick wrapped around the base...


Preparing GWR platform seats in advance. Much easier picking our the lettering in the flat.

 

[chigley]

7mm got you hooked now Larry

Ken

 

[LarryG]

GWR Platform seats painted. The GWR dark stone seat was done just for a change....

 

[LarryG]

While waiting for something to arrive in the post, I continued erecting the ancillary bits in the Peco boxes. This is the initial painting stage using a shade more akin to ivory than cream, with GWR coach brown trim. Matt varnished using Halfords acrylic cans, they are now ready for the glass shades and all the other, as yet, unpainted plastic parts ...

 

[LarryG]

Finished. 7mm is so satisfying when I can actually see the detail ...

 

[LarryG]

Still waiting for a new signal box kit, so I took advantage of the sun and plotted a few buildings between the loosely laid tracks. Even if the station building was pushed hard against the backscene, there would still be insufficient room for the goods shed at the front of the layout.

Seeing as the station takes up a lot of width, it makes sense to place the goods shed in the available space at the back of the layout. The perennial problem on the 4mm layout was the signalman's view past the goods shed. This has been solved now....



The next move is to acquire a 7mm scale lorry to test the 'road' space behind the box. Shed roof is not attached as yet...

 

[LarryG]

I've now started on a wagon kit.....It's all a bit scattergun while waiting for stuff. This Parkside kit was an impulse purchase to keep me occupied, Following instructions, I did the axleguards first and glued them to the solebars. The two grooves in the floor for the solebars were too narrow so were opened out...



Once glued in place, the chassis was set up between books while it dried out overnight...


Assembling brake gear with pincers, wagging tongue and Mekpak took a while even though I played safe and drilled out all the holes oversize. While most of the instructions are to one orientation, the brakegear drawing is upside down. I doubt it is assembled correctly...


Then I came to the joker in the pack. At no point was Part No.3 mentioned. Part No.3 happens to be the chassis frame!!!


The framework was cut into 6 parts and glued to the floor. I glued it upside down, not that the drawing showed there was a flange on one side! It gets worse. The parts are numbered on the sketches but are not numbered on the sprue.

 

[Focalplane]

I bought two fruit vans for Moor Street, the sort that brought Guernsey toms to Brum. I half built the first. I think the second would go together better if I could remember what I learned not to do on the first half of the first.

My current HO Intermountain kit is more complex but has extra small parts, good instructions and is prepainted. I bought it a long time ago, the plastic is much more rigid.