Horsted Keynes OO, - Captain Baxter Kit available.

[Black-Marlin]

Hi Gavin good to see you back here.

Im very impressed with the model, smooth reliable running straight from the box, max haulage on the flat 6 - 7 mrk1 coaches, can manage 5 up a model gradient in 1 in 20 apparently... but can't fault it... only gripe I have is... the brake blocks on the tender they must of been designed for broad gauge they are so far out of alignment... it's unreal.
Generally vey good, well balanced, captures the prototype well, and a welcome addition by the looks of how they are selling....

Hmm...maybe Bachmann are quietly testing the water on making RTR stuff P4 compatible? On the basis that the P4 fraternity will really care about brake block positioning, whereas the 00 crowd are less likely to be so discerning?

Thanks for the welcome back!

[mattmay05]

Humm well don't think so, most of their tenders are like this... were on the C-Class if I remember... maybe just for reasons of fitting or ease of moulding them on to the frames for support... no idea...the loco wheels and brake blocks are inline... so no idea shame would of been a perfect model otherwise... but still a bloody good model... right up there.

[bsa77]

Kind but I can handle it thank you.

Not really being kind, just happy to pay for something that looks very good and I'd love on my railway, plus having had a small business in the model industry (planes) a few years ago, I know how much support is needed! - I am sure you will be shouting from the roof tops, but if you turn this into a business then please let me know, wallet is open.

[mattmay05]

Hi bSA77

Yes I mean these are still at the prototype stage still have 2 versions to build, but the one pictured are more along the lines of how I wanted to come out. But I will keep you in mind.
I have had some news in the past week that another group or model shop is looking at doing them in Resin but they keep telling me they are not looking at it... which is odd... but I also here they are doing the converted ones when they were electric fitted... in which case they would be quite different.

My plan wasn't to make it a business so to speak it was to fill a gap that people want the carriages are attractive I think I'm right in saying they are the oldest close coupled set to exists?

But if they are successful they will be on off to the public... but if you wish to speak further just let me know, as I have another 2 - 3 coaches in build, as this was the first to be tested with the new design.
More info on the coaches: http://www.newrailwaymodellers.co.uk/Fo ... 6&start=60

[mattmay05]

Photos of 2 new arrivals: Dukedogs, BR early 1955 condition, and GWR version.
Still a couple of things to do on these 2 mainly on the tenders,
Pictures can be found on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebellmo ... 564437752/
And on model rail photography: http://www.newrailwaymodellers.co.uk/Fo ... 5&start=90

[skyblue]

Brilliant photos as usual. Just out of interest, how do you do the grass on the platform tops in the first photo? Also, how are your other platform surfaces made? - I've tried sandpaper but it just doesn't look as good as yours.

[mattmay05]

Thanks for the comment's
The grass, is the normal grass on a roll / grass matts you can buy, stuck down with PVA, I cannot for the life of me remember who makes it but that's what is used for the platforms 1 and 2.
Originally I did use sand paper which is not to bad but, found N gauge ballast was a bit better, so that's what is on there now, and is simply scattered on to the PVA.
Hope you find this useful.

[skyblue]

Thanks for the comment's
The grass, is the normal grass on a roll / grass matts you can buy, stuck down with PVA, I cannot for the life of me remember who makes it but that's what is used for the platforms 1 and 2.
Originally I did use sand paper which is not to bad but, found N gauge ballast was a bit better, so that's what is on there now, and is simply scattered on to the PVA.
Hope you find this useful.

Thanks for that. I think I might use some N gauge ballast as you suggest to add a bit more realism to my sandpaper platform.

[mattmay05]

The Metropolitan coaches are finally looking up.... Brake 3rd due next week.

[TimberSurf]

Forget sand paper, use "wet 'n' dry"!
Self coloured black and every grade in the universe to choose from.
If you actually use it first as a wet sander, residue and unequal drying will leave stains that look like variations in the tarmac!

[mattmay05]

I think you came in half way through the convo there... asking how the gravel effect was done, didn't ask about the tarmac surface which was done with wet and dry, and now painted down a touch.

[mattmay05]

The first 2 coaches from the Metropolitan set have been completed and test run this evening, approximately were running for 3 hours, no problems which is good news for releasing later this month. I will be writing up how to finish one eventually, but I will be taking a break from these coaches for a little while, as it's been full on for over a year, so now just time to enjoy the 2 that have finally been finished.
You may also spot the GNR / LNER Directors Saloon tagged on the end, half finished.





The replacement Q-Class is making progress, replacing the motor and gearbox has been one of the major costs of the rebuild, as well as minor details which all add up at the end of the day....
The U-Class not much has happened, wheels have arrived as well as motor and gearbox, crankpins... so will get round to that at some point.
Can find the progress on the workbench.

[Admin4]

They look absolutely fantastic! Good job on not only the result but for sticking it out to get them to this point really impressive work

[mattmay05]

Thanks Alex, yes always helps when you have a team so it's not just down to me, it's a group effort, to get to this point today, it's taken time but we have now got a direction and moving forward, hope to have the first 2 on sale end of the month... plenty of interest so far which is good.

[flying scotsman123]

Ad I have said before, these are amazing, really one of the biggest jewels in your already bulging crown! Whenever you get stuck with something from now on matt, you only need look at these now, remember not too long ago you'd all but given up on these, have more confidence!