The Square

For a while now, I’ve wanted to scratch build a locomotive from plasticard. I was thinking of making a simple freelance tank engine at first, but I decided to dive in and have a go at making the Earl Of Merioneth or ‘The Square’, nicknamed after it received it’s ‘modern’ tanks in the 1970s. I think it’s a good engine to start off with and to have for two main reasons;
1) As its nickname suggests, it’s square! There are no radiuses on the tops of the tanks, much simpler for a beginner.
2) I’m going to need one sooner to later; as it’s one of the most used locomotives on the railway. So I might as well have a go at it.
3) I only know of one other model of the ‘Earl’ with its ‘70s tanks. I think it would keep some people interested.
The photo's where taken on my phone, that's why they are a bit blured.

Picture 1- Most of the components that will be used to make the engine.
Picture 2- The plasticard carrier frames compared to the Langley whitemetal frame.
Picture 3- Progress as of 22.00 on 20-03-2012

I got some measurements of the tanks by measuring the prototype engine a few weeks ago, and after a few minutes with a paper and pencil, made some 009 drawings for the tanks and cab.
I had previously bought a incomplete un-built Langley Fairlie kit off Ebay, and I was planning on modifying the body, but it turns out that it would be much simpler to just build an entire body from scratch. The only parts I will be using is the chassis, a modified Bachmann GP50, and I will possibly be using the ‘Ashpan’ which secures the body to chassis and other white metal castings such as the chimneys and toolboxes. The nameplates from the kit will also be used.
The ‘Boiler’ will be made from a piece of mild steel round bar; turned to the correct diameter, and then milled for the chassis to fit underneath. I’m planning on painting it Gloss Black, the colour that the Ffestiniog Paint new/overhauled engines whilst they are being ‘Run in’, but the colour is the last job on the list for now.
I am also thinking of building a Fair-ratt, which is a possible engine that the WHR will build out of the remains of 140 and other NGG16s. There are no definite plans yet, but they are a very curious and strange engine, which is the sort of thing I like. But, for all of you readers what is a ‘Fair-rrat’? Post your answers in the comments box underneath.

Some sort of an update...

I've never done this before, but I thought I’d post, about someone else’s layout. So, here we go...
The layout is a 009, fictitious Lynton and Barnstable extension called Cliffhanger, by John de Fressynet, who also built the well known (and well admired) County Gate and Bratton Flemming layouts.
All of John's work has an unbelievable amount of research behind it and detail in it. If you are not aware of his websites, there is a link on the left for Bratton Flemming, County Gate and Cliffhanger.
I believe that the layout Cliffhanger, would be one of the best, if not the best exhibition layouts, with County Gate close behind. Below is a picture he has put up on the 'News and Views' section of the layout's website, which makes the layout look spectacular, even without all of the scenic work done!

Now, back to Traeth Mawr!
Not much has been done to the layout since the last update, but a lot of thoughts have been going round my head. Firstly, I’ve managed to find another operator for the Warley show, Oliver. He is a Buffet Steward on the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways who has recently started in 009. He has kindly agreed to bring some of his own stock to run at Warley. Also, the forms for Warley have been sent. A update of my rolling stock and locomotives will be posted shortly, along with potential candidates for future purchases.

Motive power! (12inches to the foot scale!)

Over the last few months I’ve been looking for a car. And, as I’m sure most readers agree, young drivers' insurance is silly money! So, a van was the answer! It’s cheaper because there are only 2 seats. Anyway, it’s a 1.7 CDTI Vauxhall Astra Van. A brilliant run around and very cheap insurance (compared to other vehicles).
The reason why I am posting this on here is that it is also the perfect vehicle for transporting fairly large goods, or a 009 Model railway of the FR!
I will need to make some racks to support the boards on top of each other, but otherwise, it’s good to go! The number plate isn't really '009 TMR', it's just a play on photoshop. :)

One of the reasons that I haven’t posted over the last few days was that I was busy helping Mum to do some work on a shop she just bought. Brethyn Blaenau (Brethyn = Material) It will sell all sorts of needlework tools, supplies, knitting things, cross stitch kits and will also be doing a framing service, as well as a photography studio upstairs. If anyone is interested (or they’re wives/partners), I will post a link here for the site once it is up and running.

Progress on the scenics!

Earlier on in the week, I had booked Friday off to prepare things ready for a weekend away with the Army Cadet Force. It turns out that plans where changed and I only needed to go on the Saturday. So, I decided to spend a few hours on the layout.
Firstly I attached the back board that runs along the ‘Blaenau’ end of the Works board. Then I tipped the layout on it’s side and started to work on the cliff face; here is how I did it.

1) Basic Shape.
The basic shape of the rock face was made up using polystyrene blocks, trimmed to size and shape using a sharp hobby knife. I found that the type that the blade ‘snaps off’ is the best, as the blade can be extended to several inches long. Perfect for cutting all the way through and giving a nice, clean and mess-free cut!

2) First Cover.
I first covered the polystyrene with a thick(ish) layer of filler; abut 2-3mm thick. This was done on all of the ‘flat’ surfaces. On the top and corners, a bit more was added to ‘blend in’ the blocks.

3) Little Details.
Finally, the tool used to apply the filler was used to shape the filler to the shape of the rock face.

And finally, here is a photo of what the area will hopefully look like! Here is a England engine (Welsh Pony or Prince, undecided yet) taking a load of empties back up the line.
The keen eyed readers will notice the cliff face (and tunnel) at the end of the layout haven’t been made. This is because I still need to run the track to the edge of the board and make a ‘tunnel liner’ to look like the inside of a tunnel.
Hopefully, I will get that sorted Saturday evening or Sunday.