All new projects will appear here – check back soon for anything new out of the shops.
009 Layout
It’s made a change these past few weeks or so to of been away from the modelling bench, and up on my feet working at the carpentry bench instead, as I undertook the commission of the baseboards for a customers up and coming 009 layout.
With an overall scenic length of 8 feet, plus an additional shorter board for the sector plate, this was something of a task, as it incorporated various gradients, and the objective was to keep the boards as light as possible.
From the outset, I also had a hand in assisting the customer in the design of the plan/track layout, and gave it my usual touches, such as the curved frontage, along with my usual finishing touch of beading all round. Also, as it’s intended to be operated from the front when in use within the home, the fiddle had to be designed so as the front screen of which incorporates the stock storage racks is detachable, so this was designed to simply slot into place, whilst the end panel section folds down for transportation. Oh, and then there’s the curved backscene boards… now they weren’t the easiest of tasks, one in which you wish you’d that extra pair of hands.
Should you be after some baseboards for an up & coming layout, and want something that extra bit more special, then do feel free to drop me a line to discuss it further.
Chassis Build
Here we have a little study piece of which I finished off earlier this year, simply to place on my demo stand at exhibitions as an example…..
A 4mm scale diesel, of which has been bashed from a Knightwing Models kit, and rides on a Bachmann Underground Ernie chassis. It was originally started by a friend of mine, yet he lost interest and didn’t get very far with it, so I took it off of his hands as a little project.
Yes, there are refinements that could be made to such a model to bring it up to finer standards, but there’s nothing fancy or out of the ordinary here, and it features no additional parts except for the buffers (from what I recall). It simply demonstrates what can be achieved with a little imagination and a bit of quality time sat at the modelling bench.
Another labour of love has just been out-shopped here at The Works, in the form of a Peckett & Sons Cranmore class 0-4-0ST, in 4mm scale narrow gauge/009, built from one of the excellent precision designed kits from Stuart Brewers Small Run Batch range.
A batch of five 7mm scale Welsh/Ffestiniog narrow gauge slate wagons, four 2 tons, and one 3 ton.
Two more jobs to come out of The Works, both for the same client, are in 0-16.5/7mm scale narrow gauge.
Firstly we have a Springside Models “Fowey” loco body kit, comprised of whitemetal castings, riding on a Dapol L&Y Pug chassis, of which has been given additional detailing. Due to it’s freelance design, it’s not one of the easiest of kits to work on, yet hopefully it captures the feel of a small Bagnall tank, or similar.
And the other completed model is a Glyn Valley Tramway third class four wheeler, built from a Wrightlines kit, comprised mainly of whitemetal castings, along with etched sides, and I decided to fabricate the roof from brass sheet, as opposed to the suggested plasticard.
Both were painted using assorted enamels, and have been weathered using a basic selection of enamels, also.
New Workshop
Back in May, some big changes occurred for The Works, as I moved into a purpose built workshop, situated within the new HQ of my friends from Narrow Planet. This move means the turn around of jobs should become that much quicker and efficient. Also of great benefit, the opportunity has been taken to invest in a variety of new tools and equipment, of which means I’ll be capable of undertaking certain tasks I was unable to do so within the confines of the previous work facilities.
Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railways Hunslet
A Parkside Dundas (or should I now say “Dundas Models”) 4mm scale narrow gauge kit of the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railways Hunslet 2-6-2 Tank Loco No.14, formerly of the Sierra Leone railways.
A bog standard whitemetal kit of good quality, riding on a Minitrix chassis, to which I’ve added a great amount of extra detail and refinements to the body, such as pipework, brass smokebox door handle, hand/grab rails, as well as fabricating a brass roof to replace the rather heavy cast one supplied.
All in all, a very satisfying build…….especially as I got to put my new ERSA soldering unit to test
Meridian Models Talyllyn coaching stock
Another Midget
For those not so familiar with railways, this locomotive, a Manning Wardle “Midget” in 4mm scale/009, has been finished in what is commonly known as a weathered condition, in that it’s depicted looking somewhat aged and in great need of some TLC…
I don’t normally keep a written record of how many hours I work on each individual model, as you tend to do little bits here and there in-between other tasks, but for this I reckon it must be the best part of 40 hours.
It’s been built once again from a Narrow Planet kit, the same as that of which I did last year, and for the very same client.
Corris No.4 – Edward Thomas
A 4mm scale/009 model of the Kerr Stuart built Corris Railway No.4, assembled from a Meridian Models brass/whitemetal kit, riding on an N Drive chassis. It’s finished in it’s Talylln guise as “Edward Thomas”, and weathered to appear in it’s early preservation days condition.
7mm Scale Narrow Gauge Brake Van
Built from a Wrightlines kit of the Glyn Valley example, it has been modified so as to have the open ended verendah, along with open doors on each side, and fitted out with interior detail.
Corris Railway No.4
A 4mm scale/009 model of the Kerr Stuart built Corris Railway No.4, assembled here at The Works from a Meridian Models kit, sitting on an N Drive chassis.
Talyllyn Railway Fletcher Jennings
Following the release by Bachmann USA of the model of “Skarloey”, for their 4mm scale Thomas the Tank Engine range, those nice chaps at Narrow Planet released a conversion kit to alter the loco into a more to-scale representation of the Talyllyn Railway Fletcher Jennings prototype.
Part of this includes replacement cylinders and motion/valve gear, of which I have been commissioned on several occasions during the past year to assemble for customers.
Manning Wardle “Midget”
A recent loco outshopped from The Works for a client, was a Manning Wardle “Midget”, in 009/4mm scale narrow gauge. Built from a Narrow Planet kit (see links page), it comprised of a 3D printed body, with etched nickel overlays, riding on a donor RTR chassis from the Minitrains range. Finished off in enamels, and fitted with loco crew from the Dart Castings/Monty’s range.
Table-top layout
Every railway modeller must of had a table-top layout as a child. Well, I was recently approached by a local retired couple to build just that for their five year old grandson, to allow him to run his Thomas the Tank Engine on. It comprises a single track, yet is in the guise of an inverted/looped figure of eight, a passing loop, and two sidings, of which allows for that bit extra running line than what your basic oval would give you, along with additional operating potential.
Measuring 6’x3’6″, it has a softwood frame work with sundeala surface for the baseboard, Peco trackwork, and a Gaugemaster combi controller to make it all work.
Handbuilt 7mm narrow gauge turnouts to 0-14 standards
Destined for a client’s 7mm narrow gauge chalk pit layout. Copperclad built with code 82 fb rail. Roy Link/KBscale templates.
Whitesands Quay Outshopped
All finished, Whitesands Quay was ready to be handed over to the client at Expong 2015.
Whitesands Quay set up in the living room to give an impression of how one of my dioramas can fit within the home.
Based on Whitesands Quay
Just as one layout project finishes, another one commences. Once again, this is to be in 009 and based on Reinier Hendriksen’s “Whitesands Quay”, the customers request being for the baseboard, trackwork, and electrics completed. So, here we have some progress shots……”
009 layout build
Due to my own personal interest in the modelling of narrow gauge railways, I appear to be attracting customers with similar tastes, particularly 009 modellers wanting compact diorama style layouts. The following was recently out-shopped for a client whom wanted a layout built up to a stage where he would be able to commence with the scenic work.
Baseboard is my usual combination of MDF/ply/softwood, finished off with moulded trim, and trackwork from PECO, with wire-in-tube turnout operation.
Passengers must not cross the lines except by means of the footbridge:
A GWR footbridge from a Hornby (now Gaugemaster) 4mm scale plastic kit.
Meridian Models 009 motorbogie
Mulberry Modelling Works was commissioned to design, construct and assemble the baseboards & track work for a 009 diorama style layout.
Measuring some 3’6″ x 2′, the main specifications given were that it had to be light in weight, compact and, most importantly, presentable. The boards were made using a combination of MDF for the tops, softwood/pine for the framework/legs, and 3.6mm ply for the fascia, backscene, and pelmet.
A compact diorama, built to Gn15 narrow gauge standards, based on a potato farming railway.
At 30″ x 20″, it was built to be as light as possible, as had to be posted to the customers home overseas. Track-work by Peco, with manual operation of turnouts via working surface mounted rodding. Buildings built from scratch, and made removable to allow access to hidden loop.
