Little Jobbies!

Such a nice day here at Dukedog Manor I decided to have a modelling session outside on the front deck.

So, after returning from our Sunday lunch at the pub I set to and made up a few little bits that I am going to need soon for a little "project" I have on the workbench at the moment. (more on that as and when)

One of the jobs was to make a replacement Brake standard (Well water scoop standard actually) to replace one on a Bachmann GWR 3500 gallon tender that got dropped by me( Clumsy so and so as I am!)

Here's the result of a Sunday afternoon's work. Not much to show for it but I enjoy making little bits like this.

 (Click picture for bigger image and read the text)











As well as the standard I made 2 x Steam heat pipes with shut off cocks, 2 different types of Vacuum brake pipes and a set of fire irons.
Materials used are 1.5mm brass tube, brass or nickel silver wire 0.7mm dia, 5Amp fuse wire and some scrap brass from etches.
I know I could have just nipped down to my local model shop and bought all this stuff but, what I like about railway modelling is actually making stuff like this. It adds to my satisfaction when a loco, wagon or coach is running on the layout with home made bits like this.
Then there is the cost, I'm not tight (Even though I have Scottish blood) but that little lot above would have cost me about a Tenner!
 As it is, it has cost me coppers and time that's all.
Maybe this post will encourage some of you to have a go and save money whilst enjoying your hobby.

More soon
Frank

The "Flying Kipper!"

Those of a persuasion towards all things LNER please hit your browser BACK button NOW, otherwise the following text may cause you  some hypertension!


RANT TIME!

What is it about the "Flying Scotsman" (Flying Kipper) that makes it such a legend in certain peoples minds?
It seems that every rail or model rail magazine that has been published over the last few months have some sort of "Special collectors item" leaflet in it appertaining to this locomotive.
The latest one is a bankers lamp with a crude model of said engine on the base.
Who the heck buys this sort of tack?
It seems that every Christmas for the last umpteen years some unknowing people have seen fit to buy me a "Flying Kipper" themed present, last Christmas it was a calender and DVD set! Needless to say it is still in it's envelope unwatched and unused!
The classic one though has got to be the "Build the Flying Scotsman" part work magazine where you get a little bit of loco each week to build into an 0 gauge model of the Flying Kipper!
Working it out it would cost you about £500 to build the wretched thing! needless to say I declined to buy it!
Now if they did a part work for a GWR Castle or King I might be interested but, the Flying Kipper, NO chance!
I remember Pete Waterman buying this engine, repainting it in BR Brunswick green and then receiving hate mail from flying kipper fans for all his trouble. Needless to say he didn't keep it very long!
As for reliability from what I can make out it's off the rails more than on it! It must be costing a fortune to maintain it. Best thing would be to cut it up and bury the thing!
If you haven't guessed by now, my honest opinion  is that this engine must be one of the most over rated locomotives ever built! 
I've never been a fan of LNER stuff anyway, To be honest there is not ONE single engine from that company that appeals to me in any way shape or form.
I've always been a GWR/Western region fan and have likings for some LMS Stanier designs along with some Southern Pacifics buit LNER No way!
I don't really know why I have this anti LNER thing, I just have! I suppose it must be like football supporters only their team matters and no body else! 
That brings me on to yet another rant, DIESELS! but that will wait for a future blog entry!


I am expecting some flack over this post I wait and see!

Cheers!
Frank