Model Railway - What's your latest acquisition?

I just posted photos of my 6225 Duchess of Gloucester with lost wax brass draincocks - Stanier pattern.

Looking at archive photos, they may be the correct pattern, but they're way too obvious, substantial, and basically, LONG!

Don't like doing it too much, but I removed the body again this morning - better access and less risk of 'collateral damage' - and checking that they had set well - they had - I trimmed both sides down to what appears a more appropriate amount of 'discharge pipework'.

I think this is better. What do you think?

Al.

For reference, I have found this - similar angle.

Obviously a lot more 'delicate', but this 'HD' application will be more suitable for my stubby fingers!!

Al.

A little refinement, and matching draincocks for the 6220 Coronation.

I recognise that the pipes kink downwards slightly just at the end, so performed a slight twist in the pipes just at the ends - of both.

I think that's about all I can do - these should remain bright and a 'prime mover' like these 2!!

Compared to 'the real thing':

Al.

The only thing I really needed to make it a whole lot easier was a drill press!

Trying to avoid the drill bit slipping off the side too often, I 'cross cut' with the metal cutting disc of a Dremel.

Coronation cylinder blocks are round and narrow - didn't help. I'd expect the Bulleid to be a bit easier.

Another way of 'priming' a hole of course would be a reamer.

I've previously been 'pretty big into' R/Control cars and trucks - these are standard kit when painting new lexan bodies. I'd recommend measure, measure, place alongside, measure again, reamer, very small - pilot - drill, then open out to the size needed.

A little more time in preparation ... grannies and eggs I know!!

Al.

I've been concentrating too much on the streamliners, so just couldn't resist ... and I thought I had been cured of random purchases for a while!!

There is a 'fault', indicated with the pen. I reckon I can cut / shape a piece of 'soft drink can' or similar, then prime and paint, then glue into position - longer term.

Looks fantastic nevertheless!!

(Yes, I also received the Silver Jubilee draincocks this morning as it didn't come with them - but it does have the brake rods installed.)

Al.

Just received the London Transport Museum/Bachmann 'S' stock set.  Good looking model, pretty basic instructions though. As there are 2 driving cars, both need a dcc chip.  I tested each motor car seperately, on DC, and ran perfectly, but I was a bit concerned as to how they would run at each end of the train.  placed the pair on the track, unconnected, and lo and behold, they ran perfectly as a paired unit, phew!

Solved the mystery of the Lt set running correctly when couples as a set, thanks to Caiptean  (Colin) and Eric, thank you very much, chaps.  I beg lack of knowledge down to not having a 2 car set previously.  As ever, this great forum has a great depth of knowledge from the members

Rod

2510 Quicksilver made it home, in it's Mallard box. A little modification was required to permit the tender to fit properly - the base area for the tender had to be trimmed to accommodate the brake rods, and just by the rear buffer beam a little more had to be trimmed from the polystyrene as the tender steps are slightly different!

Once home, I got to work on fitting the draincocks, gluing the front buffer beam, making a replacement cab hatch from a bit of brass plate, gluing it in then painting it, adding a little weight to the tender - not much, just a little, and finally fitting a vacuum pipe to the tender ... phew.

A couple of photos show it generally came off OK - cab hatch when zoomed in isn't perfect, but not a bad effort - remaining hatch alongside still slides OK as well.

Al.

 Just bought six wagons (a mixture of mainline, airfix GMR and Dapol from an antiques arcade in Hunbgerford for £6 each. All in very good condition (no sign of dirt on the wheels) with only some scuffs on the boxes. Compared to buy-it-nows onn eBay I think I got a good deal particularly as there was no postage.

Just bought a Lima class 37 in the blue Main line livery. Will be picking it up next week. Another awesome edition my freight collection.