"Paint"

Recently I've discovered a new found passion for mixing paints, mostly acrylics. It all started with a model of 60163 Tornado I made some time ago, but decided to paint it in blue. That particular paint has become one I've mixed the most, trying to match the shade as close I can, from studying photographs of engines with the livery, and the modern day Sir Nigel Gresley locomotive as a study.

A few years ago, I met a wonderful chap called Malcolm Crawley, and he described to me his way of making proper LNER apple green paint, and how he'd rediscovered the exact shade, to his eye at least. I was fascinated by the research that went into it, so, deciding that what was available from many of the paint makers today wasn't good enough to me eye, I decided to mix up my own formula.

For the purposes of my stirling single repaint, soon to be completed physically with the handrails and splasher cut outs done, I've tried mixing up an acrylic, and enamel version of apple green paint. I've tried an enamel mix first, and here's a photograph of my current mix, sprayed onto a spare (and redundant) tender bodyshell:



I'm not sure on the shade myself - I think I need to add more yellow. Thoughts on the colour - which is intended to be Doncastor LNER apple green, would be much appreciated.

Until next time.

"The future's bright...the future's green"

This is the first of many shots with a green background. Needs ironing out the creases, both literally and in a literary sense!

Until next time.

After a very long hiatus - too long - I am pleased to be able to bring you all this short trailer, for the Episode numbered 17X of The British Railway Series.

Until next time - thanks for watching.

"It's a Siphon!"

Thanks to everyone who emailed in to help me identify the wagon. Pretty much everyone said it was a G.W.R. Siphon of some sort, and it turns out it is a type F. Now normally I'd groan - out of region and period, but have been doing some digging, and found one in a train of Thompson and Gresley vehicles...on the Eastern Region!

Prototype for everything it seems!

Until next time, thanks for all of your help chaps.

"What is it?"

Found this lovely bogie wagon for sale at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway recently, and bought it on a whim. However...I have no idea what it is, and whether or not I can repaint it into a BR livery!



The original (and degrading) wheels fitted were too large, catching on the bottom of the body, so I replaced the disc wheels with the same type, but smaller diameter Bachmann versions. Overall, it's reduced the height of the model above the rails, and brought it into line with the height of the rest of my stock.



Answers on a postcard please. Have been rummaging through book after book, and still haven't found the prototype for this model yet.

Next time - Part 2 of my York Week photographs.

Until next time!

"York Week, Day One - NYMR"

I spent a delightful week in York with some good friends this last week, and we visited quite a few of Yorkshire's most popular heritage lines.

Our first railway visit came on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, NYMR for short. Here are my photographs from the day - be warned, the photographs of the S160 may distress those of a sensitive nature!



To my delight, ever popular 49395 (the sole surviving class G2a) was in steam, along with her freight link compatriot, 63395 (the sole surviving Q6). My preference for the North Eastern engine was tested, the Super D looking every bit the powerhouse it is.





The two engines then departed to everyone's delight, in a joint and spirited departure from Grosmont.



Disclaimer here - this was taken on the correct side of the fence that separates the S160's siding from the path alongside the NYMR works. I had to crane my neck and arm a bit to get the shot, mind!



While I didn't get a photograph of the most distressing sight on the line (the S15 in the long grass), the S160 - a United States locomotive, of second world war austerity heritage - was in a very bad state. Considering this locomotive appeared in Steam Railway Magazine in 1995, with such aplomb on the NYMR, the difference in the photographs of the engine in the magazine, and mine here, are indeed sobering.



I was rather surprised, if I am honest, to see that the majority of out of ticket stock was left out in the open on the NYMR - Dame Vera Lyn was apparently in the siding behind the S160 - and not looking any better. Perhaps I have been spoiled by the Great Central Railway, and Mid-Hants Railway, respectively, in this regard.



Given the NYMR's prestige, I still felt that many of the locomotive stock should be tarpaulin-ed at the very least - or as they do in Austrailia, tarred for preservation. A great shame to see, on a line which is otherwise the finished product for scenery, stock and general good natured demeanor, in terms of its staff. That said - there may be reasons I am not privy to as to the current situation, so I will happily retract my comments if anyone wishes to correct me (copleyhill@live.co.uk).

Even more distressing - here's what's left of 60007:



Nah, just joking!



It was in the workshops, being repaired. It was the first time I'd seen 60007 in the flesh for about four years, far too long frankly - it being my personal favourite of the preserved A4 pacifics.

It was a great day all round - we did a day trip to Whitby and back, the last leg being by a Sprinter unit to Whitby. Pub dinner at Lendals in York, and a great amount of banter at the cottage later on, and the day was perfect.

Until next time - where I will be relating our trip to the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.

"To be announced..."

Final word on Episode 17X of The British Railway Series, is that it is being redeveloped to better satisfy my own expectations of its quality. Therefore the release date of 10/08/10 will, sadly, pass without a new episode being released.

I am envisaging releasing the next episode in early September, but am giving no guarantees at present.

Thanks for your time.