Not The Eling Branch Redux

Early start for Saturday, quick bacon roll then off down the Retailplex for a bit of shopping. And we have trains running again, which feels like progress. #modelrailway #TMRGUK #BSMRGUK

Yes. Built from a Cambrian kit with a few adaptations.

A super-saturated sunny #Saturday in the sidings. It’s very peaceful here. Time to chow down on a breakfast bacon roll before I have to start work.
#TMRGUK #modelrailway #bacon

Flashing light is flashing. There’s been a lot of mucking about to make everything fit, including chopping out the floor for the electronics. Initially it’ll run on a couple of watch batteries until I can be bothered with pickups and a rectifier to power it from the track. #TMRGUK #modelrailway

Brake van progress. Roof was done with tissue paper to replicate roofing felt, but the result was somewhat lacking in subtlety so it was re-done with paint and talcum powder, with much better results. #TMRGUK #modelrailway

Home-brewed flashing tail lamp, because the decent ones are out of stock & I’m not going to debase myself with some of the dross on sale. 555 chip makes it flash; lamp is West Hill item drilled out to take 1mm fibre optic. Final version will be slimmed down & hidden in the van.
#TMRGUK #modelrailway

Brake van body with the first coats of colour on; perched on the chassis to get an idea how it’ll look.

Added buffers and roof vents (Lanarkshire Models & Supplies), coupling hooks (Smiths). Concrete weights re-shaped with Vallejo filler.

#modelrailway #TMRGUK #BSMRGUK

A slab of old-school DJ hardware, KAM KCD1000. If you’re used to Pioneer CDJ-whatever this feels like it’s out of the Ark, but it’s surprisingly useable, and apart from a slightly flakey pitch control on Deck 2 it’s fully functional.

So as the #modeltrainshow2025 reaches the point in the evening when we’ve all had a few too many beers, how about a bit of Japanese N-gauge running round the garden.

Seems like ten minutes ago it was Friday. Where did the weekend go? #ModelTrainShow2025

Staff/Tool van, adapted from the Parkside CCT kit. A bit of a rush job to get it vaguely presentable for the #ModelTrainShow2025.

Engineers’ train heading North.

#modeltrainshow2025 #TMRGUK

First priority this morning concerns fried eggs, bacon and black pudding, then it’s all aboard for the #ModelTrainShow2025. A nice break from the relentless negative headlines, and raising money for a good cause too shorturl.at/SrPtO
#TMRGUK #BSMRGUK

Gearing up for the #modeltrainshow25 with this lashed-together improv that might be ready if I lay off the booze for a couple of evenings.

#BSMRGUK #TMRGUK

This Parkside VEA kit has been hoovering up far too much of my time over the last couple of weeks.

#BSMRGUK #TMRGUK #modelrailway

iPad update, clearly coded by someone’s dog, meant I couldn’t post pictures. Appears fixed now.

#TMRGUK #BSMRGUK

I still believe in Father Christmas, and as long as he keeps turning up with stuff like this I’ll continue to do so. Plasser 12 ton crane from EFE, box-fresh and in need of some subtle weathering, but still rather lovely.

#TMRGUK #BSMRGUK #modelrailway

Jingle all the way to Alcoholics Anonymous, probably. Family Christmas lunch successfully delivered, nobody got food poisoning and it didn’t descend into a festive brawl. A success, I think. Season’s Greetings from Eling.

#TMRGUK #BSMRGUK #modelrailway

Crap things this week include iPadOS 18.1.1 making this thing run like a pig; tiresome old fanny Nicky Haslam and his stupid festive tea towel; the government’s digital ID thing. On a more positive note, I’ve finished work for Christmas. Have a seasonal Class 26 to celebrate.

#TMRGUK #BSMRGUK

Bluesky is being a bit choosy about which photos it’ll let me post this evening, so here’s a grotty GUV to welcome the weekend. Augmented Lima on Bachmann running gear. Happy #Friday everyone.

#TMRGUK #BSMRGUK #modelrailway

Fancy a bit of Cure for Saturday? Of course you do.

And for those of you who like a cartridge, it’s my final evening with the Dynavector XX-2 MkII, which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. Roksan Shiraz arrives tomorrow.

#vinylcommunity #nowspinning

Thank you, that’s very kind of you

Starting the weekend with irresponsible 4 o’clock beers and currently Devo on the turntable. Happy Friday to you lot out there.

#BSMRGUK #TMRGUK #modelrailway

LP cover for Happy Mondays’ album Pills’n’Thrills & Bellyaches

University parties were a long time ago, but this brings it all back. Just need a bottle of K and an eighth of Red Leb. Back then it wouldn’t have been a 180g pressing and we’d have been spinning it on a rough-as-guts Alba midi system. Good days!

#vinylcommunity #nowspinning

A pair of Class 33 locomotives and a Class 26 lined up in the sidings.

A #Tuesday trio of BRCW bruisers.

#TMRGUK #BSMRGUK #modelrailway

#Friday, with a bit of luck, will be a calorie-laden, boozy mess.

#BSMRGUK #modelrailway

Wednesday’s throwback photo brings glorious summertime Worcestershire skies and a sunset that looks like the Second Coming is happening over by the dairy sheds. The model portion of this was hanging precariously out of an upstairs window to get the angle right.
#TMRGUK #modelrailway #BSMRGUK

Get in the bin!

#TMRGUK #BSMRGUK #modelrailway

Thanks! This was airbrushed with acrylics into a rough version of faded Engineers’, transfers added, then given a thin wash of grime. Rust on the chutes and body uses 3 Vallejo rust shades, put on with a brush. Light use of powders to finish, and a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

Hope you’re feeling better soon. I recommend medicinal alcohol.