"A4 Conversion Test Etches - Part 1"

You will recall that recently, I had been indulging in some conversions of Hornby garter blue A4 Pacifics in order to gain 1949 condition A4s. I identified a few problems with this approach, went away, had a think, and came up with a solution; a set of etches that makes the removal of the valances easier, and also caters for missing components and/or damage.

Peter Harvey of PH Designs recently finished a set of test etches for a conversion kit I had specified. Unfortunately, it's taken me a few weeks to find the time to now get around to using them. One of those things - but the wait was well worth it, in my opinion... So in this first instance, we have the donor A4 Pacific; a Hornby Kingfisher which has been split from a Flying Scotsman trainset.

 

Now we bring in the etches for the conversion. The first one includes the shaping tool, which you attach to the valances, along with a few components such as the reverser and AWS plate which Hornby's fully valanced models do not have.

 The second set of etches have replacement lamp irons, doors, numberplate brackets and the crucial missing access hatch (which goes directly below the nameplates on the front end of the streamlined casing).

All in all, it looks terrific. Will it work as well? In short, yes. I attached the valancing shaping tool to the valances through a few careful drops of superglue - since the valances are coming off, it matters not that it ruins the plastic it's attached to! And then ran a sharp scalpel over the length of the shape.

Once this was done, I removed the shaping tool carefully, and have soaked it in some meths to clean it off for reuse. The wonders of brass, and the ingenuity of Peter's solution to my problem.

Using a set of pliers, I carefully bent the valances at the scalpel cuts, until they came clean away. It was so easy that it surprised me when it was all over within five minutes! It took me a good hour to do Mallard's valances previously.

So here we have the current state of play - missing all of the accoutrements for now, as it's late and I need my sleep! Valances now fully "defrocked" and awaiting some filing down and rubbing with a wet'n'dry pad to finish the job off. I don't think that's come out too badly at all. Spare Kingfisher shown for comparison.

So there we have it - one set of valances removed in a half hour on a Saturday night. My first bit of modelling for weeks, and I loved it! Until next time - when I'll be tackling the rest of the test etches for this conversion. Night all!

"500,000 Views - Episode 1"

It has finally happened - my first 500,000 views video on YouTube. Many thanks to everyone who has supported The British Railway Stories since we first aired on the 17th August 2007. Has it really been five years...!

With the new eBook coming out on the 15th July, and the new format for the series later this year, it has never been a better time to find out where it all began in 2007.

Real locations, real engines, real stories.

Until next time!

"BRWS Wiki Leaks"

It's not often I have a chuckle all to myself, but reading the BRWS Wiki pages today, I was reminded of a few things I've said about the series on Youtube. The trouble with building up the series over five years is that you forget an awful lot of the things you've said that in hindsight, you wished you hadn't!

For example, the original team planning all those ridiculous sequel series when we hadn't even released one episode - with me as the spokesperson eagerly rabbiting away as to what engine classes we'd have...! Priceless.

However, I'm actually quite happy with what's been written on the Wiki. There's some inaccuracies, granted, but it's great to see and read people taking a genuine, eager interest in my work.

However I had to laugh out loud when I realized a mistake in The Last Run that I had not at any point noticed - saying that Jerry's funnel was covered in Stephen's final scenes...only to have completely forgot to model it!

I hope in the years to come, I can address some of the mistakes made in the original model series in the new format, but I will always look fondly on what will most likely be termed in the future "The Original British Railway Stories" signalling where it all began.

I hope, after the book is released, to be able to showcase some of the test footage I have created for the upcoming The British Railway Stories feature I am planning. The format is very different to that you'll be used to, but I can say with utmost certainty the new format is likely to delight fans of the original model series, and those looking for something more professional looking. It will also satisfy me more in its look, more closely matching the style that Dean has produced for the first book.

 Until next time!

Simon

"Author & Artist"

As part of my ongoing updates to the blog, while "Project Wedgwood" (the new main website) takes shape, I have developed the original "about the author" page into the "Author & Artist" page. See what you think!

Simon

"Release date announced!"

Yes, the release date for the Kindle version of Tale of the Unnamed Engine has been confirmed - July 15th, 2012.

Until next time!

Simon

"Tale of the Unnamed Engine - Sample"

If you're a member of The British Railway Stories' Facebook group, you'll know that I uploaded a sample PDF of the first few pages of the upcoming eBook, "Tale of the Unnamed Engine" earlier this evening.

Enjoy, and feel free to pass it around.

Until next time, when I'll relate more fully my time spent at Railfest last week.

Kind regards,

Simon

"Railfest"

Just a heads up,

I'll be attending Railfest at the National Railway Museum, York, this coming Friday and Saturday.

I'll more than likely have some of the promotional postcards I had for the London Book Fair with me to hand out to anyone who'd like one, and possibly some promotional material for the book too.

I do envisage spending the days with my friends, but feel free to approach me if you have any questions; I'd be only too happy to answer and have a more general chat.

I would emphasize - most of all - enjoy the sights and sounds of what promises to be the Glastonbury of the railway world! I know I will.

Simon