Oil barrel wagon

Another Phillip Sharples kit purchased from E-Bay was this neat little oil barrel wagon, As with all these kits it is very easy to put together and gives a nice useful wagon at the end of construction,

The kit is very simple and well produced

The axle carriers are fitted

The coupling blocks are fitted

The chassis and running gear is complete

The barrels and holders are painted (excuse the open wagon photoboming!)

The wagon complete and ready for action.

Open Wagon Kit

This useful little wagon was built from a Phillip Sharples kit purchased on E-Bay.

The kit in all its glory

The axle supports are glued in place

And then the buffer blocks

Wheels and body is added

and finally the vehicle is painted to make a very nice little truck.

Christmas Train - Present Storage Chest Truck

This truck began life as a £2 wooden jewelry box from The Works and, after addition of some strapping, paint and running gear, it is now ready to join the train along with the sleigh on its flat truck.

The box as initially purchased. It has some nice, tarnished brass fittings.

The fittings were removed and the lid separated from the base to aid adding the strapping and painting them.

The strapping was made from thin card

The strapping all added. A coat of sanding sealer over everything prepared it for paint.

The paint going on. the strapping will get a coat or two of gold.

Paint done, not sure if I will paint the inside yet.

Fittings all re-fitted and we have a rather nice treasure chest

Blocks to support the buffer beam are glued in place and the coupling blocks have been shaped and drilled.

The buffer beams are fitted

Followed by the axle box support beams

On go the wheels and axle boxes followed by the coupling blocks

Completed truck almost ready for service, just a coat of matt black to the bare wooden parts and it is finished.

The complete Christmas train (so far) posed ready for service. Sam T. Claus seems happy with it.

Next truck, probably for next Christmas, will be a reindeer carrier.

Christmas Train - Santas Sleigh

The Sleigh kit was built just before last Christmas but it has taken me until now (October) to mount it onto its flat truck. This is the process including a recap of the builds of the sleigh and flat truck.

Both the Sleigh and flat truck came in this same form

The sleigh under construction

The flat truck under construction

Both vehicles completed and ready for paint.

Both complete and being checked out by one of Santa's helpers

The sleigh has been glued on the flat truck ready for the chain to be fitted.

Chain hooks are added

And then the chain. Coupling hooks have also been added.

The rest of the Christmas train will follow soon.

Change to updates

The current update frequency is leading to long posts with many pictures that are not that easy to read. I have decided to go forward with a smaller weekly update with longer posts detailing individual projects once the projects are complete.

New Page added

I have added a new page to this blog detailing the lines characters including passengers, staff and residents. Just click on the characters tab at the right hand side of the page.

September Update

September has seen less work being done in the workshop due to lots of DIY and family business. The IP Railcars have had lots of work done on them and will hopefully be in service soon.

IP Railcars

Work to be done on the Railcars includes the interior and the control system.

The seats have gained a coat of red paint

The floor in the power car has had its coat of grey paint, the other floor will soon be cut out and painted.

The seats fixed in place.

The drivers cab dividers are under construction. the glazing will be sandwiched between them.

The control panel's have received their control arms.

The seat back rests are held in place whilst they dry.

Work being done on the control system.

The edges of the cab dividers are tidied up using wood strip.

The dividers ready for painting.

Fendyke Brake Van

This model is nearly complete and just needs me to order the couplings for it and add the handles and hand rails.

The step boards are fabricated from some scrap wood strip.

The step boards fitted and ready for painting.

All painted with just couplings and handrails to add.

Critter

More paint has gone on the Critter and now thoughts turn to how to power it.

The chevrons on the buffer beams are complete.

Other Jobs...

A water top-up bottle has been purchased for the Brunel.

A multi-tool for use with my steam locos.

A tidy up in the workshop plus this new shelf to hold my paints.