Question. Many BR western region coaches came out in this ex GWR livery, but was it common to see whole rakes of coaches in this livery, or were they mixed formations. It is difficult to tell on old black and white photographs.
Lima used to do Mk1's in this livery but their colouring was not the same. I used to think that was the new livery but now I think Lima colours were out. I remwmber their king class in a wierd green colour, and was puzzled until I saw a coloured picture of a king class when the sun was bright but yellowy just before it went down, and if Lima copied the colours from that photograph during the sunset, they were spot on!
The difficulty with making models in countries where the modelmakers did not see the real thing poses the same difficulties that modellers have who are not old enough to remember the real thing. One is relying on drawings and photographs which is ok if one has lots of them, but with some earlier railways (Especially industrial narrow gauge systems associated with small mining systems or secretive MOD bases), trying to find any information other then basic track plans from old maps is difficult.
My Mum used to do door to door interviewing and she met some very interesting elderly people with memories of the past, but I was always a bit too shy to go and speak to them to ask questions in my youth. Trying to get me to speak at all could be an effort, let alone speak to people I did not know! I seemed to open up a little when I reached my 20's due to jobs I took in shops etc., though trying to use the phone was a challenge. I once remember being teased by a fellow employee when I phoned a large works to ask Dai to pick his bike up as it was ready. The reply came "We have 2500 employees and about 50 of them are called Dai. Which one do you want?" They actually did find the right one! It wasn't my fault though as the only information that the man had given when handing the bike in was Dai and the phone number.
But anyway... The model is amazing. The transfers can't have been easy to track down? I love the effect of the curtains!
Question. You mention ex. Triang stock, but what techniques do you use to thin out the windows? I know GeraldH uses black paint which does give the illusion of thinner windows. I have attempted to use the file from the back, but it is real delicate work. I was just wondering if there was an easier method if no etched sides are available.
Painting is an area where I struggle with and lining. Easier with 7mm scale but still a challenge. (Though I paint freehanded and don't use an airbrush).
At the moment, I can't get my hands to do finer work so some projects are delayed. I broke a few 7mm scale handrail knobs trying to fit them. Seeing the little holes is hard enough!
