Progress in the Works
Hudson Toastrack Carriage
In every shed on every heritage railway in the country lurks a project that's been there for years - perhaps because the volunteer workforce have lost interest, because parts have been lost, or because the line's priorities have shifted elsewhere. This one's mine - this photo was taken in 2010, and nothing's changed since.
The time may finally have come for my Hudson toastrack build though - since completing the line I've found that I could really do with some shorter carriages, because my run-round loops can't cope with full-length trains of longer ones. Perhaps by next summer this carriage will finally leave the gloom of the workshop?
In every shed on every heritage railway in the country lurks a project that's been there for years - perhaps because the volunteer workforce have lost interest, because parts have been lost, or because the line's priorities have shifted elsewhere. This one's mine - this photo was taken in 2010, and nothing's changed since.
The time may finally have come for my Hudson toastrack build though - since completing the line I've found that I could really do with some shorter carriages, because my run-round loops can't cope with full-length trains of longer ones. Perhaps by next summer this carriage will finally leave the gloom of the workshop?
Baldwin 590
Work is now underway to turn my Accucraft WD Baldwin into a representation of the Welsh Highland's version, number 590. The first task was to remove the large, US-style, lamps. The square bracket the front lamp sat upon will need replacing - the original was soldered onto the lamp body.
Work is now underway to turn my Accucraft WD Baldwin into a representation of the Welsh Highland's version, number 590. The first task was to remove the large, US-style, lamps. The square bracket the front lamp sat upon will need replacing - the original was soldered onto the lamp body.
The Baldwin project rumbles on slowly - here's a worksplate commissioned from Narrow Planet, a replica of the original but cunningly altered so that I could name the loco after my wife without adding a nameplate. I've also added "590" numbering to the tanksides using a homemade stencil. Next steps are currently undecided, but at some point I need to be brave and try to make the cab roof extension and distinctive spectacle hoods.
Daisy
Another "on and off" project which will be carried out bit-by-bit while the loco remains in service. So far Daisy has gained the Baldwin's old headlight, a Swift Sixteen cowcatcher, a little repainting and some weathering. I've started work on a tender, and when that's done (it could be a while!) I'll repaint the whole loco in a yet-to-be-decided but probably pre-grouping colour scheme.
Another "on and off" project which will be carried out bit-by-bit while the loco remains in service. So far Daisy has gained the Baldwin's old headlight, a Swift Sixteen cowcatcher, a little repainting and some weathering. I've started work on a tender, and when that's done (it could be a while!) I'll repaint the whole loco in a yet-to-be-decided but probably pre-grouping colour scheme.
NWNGR 4-wheelers
The last year or so has seen me learning CAD in order to laser cut carriage parts I can't make for myself - like all the curved windows and beading overlays on these 4 wheelers. The NWNGR had three of these, long gone by the time the Welsh Highland came into being - but in my alternate version of history they weren't scrapped but shunted to the back of Dinas carriage shed, pulled out again decades later for use on the Clarach branch...
The last year or so has seen me learning CAD in order to laser cut carriage parts I can't make for myself - like all the curved windows and beading overlays on these 4 wheelers. The NWNGR had three of these, long gone by the time the Welsh Highland came into being - but in my alternate version of history they weren't scrapped but shunted to the back of Dinas carriage shed, pulled out again decades later for use on the Clarach branch...
