Garden Railway Forum

Glad you're enjoying the project so far...

It's nearly finished - on Sunday I added the chains across the doorways:




They're a little bit too big, and a little bit too blingy, but I like them so they're staying - as Chrissie Hynde (nearly) sang, I'm backing the chain, gang!.

Figures are the last big hurdle. My plan for this evening involves digging out my "people box" of toy figures, selecting some likely candidates, and then starting to hack them about whilst listening to a Sherlock Holmes audio book. It takes all sorts, eh?!

Cheers,

Andrew.

I like them too. And I also listen to Sherlock Holmes while I model (Clive Merrison and Michael Williams). You’ve got me thinking now…Holmes and Watson figures? I don’t recall them solving any mysteries in North Wales, but Watson is always banging on about how there are cases that are too sensitive to be published….

SimonWood wrote: ↑Tue Sep 19, 2023 11:32 am I like them too. And I also listen to Sherlock Holmes while I model (Clive Merrison and Michael Williams). You’ve got me thinking now…Holmes and Watson figures? I don’t recall them solving any mysteries in North Wales, but Watson is always banging on about how there are cases that are too sensitive to be published….

Great minds, clearly!

We're listening on Audible - my wife's purchased The Complete SH, nearly 60 hours of it, narrated by Simon Vance, who's doing a great job. We only started last night, Holmes and Watson have just moved in together, but I'm loving it. I have read a collection before, but years ago, and I'd forgotten how good it is, beautifully written.

I'm tempted to add them as figures now you've suggested it - technically, they're too early for my 20s time period, but I've got the ghost of Gladstone riding in "his" carriage (He visited in 1890-something, I think), so I'm not a purist!

Andrew wrote: ↑Tue Sep 19, 2023 9:37 am Glad you're enjoying the project so far...

It's nearly finished - on Sunday I added the chains across the doorways:



Toastrack chains.jpg



They're a little bit too big, and a little bit too blingy, but I like them so they're staying - as Chrissie Hynde (nearly) sang, I'm backing the chain, gang!.

Figures are the last big hurdle. My plan for this evening involves digging out my "people box" of toy figures, selecting some likely candidates, and then starting to hack them about whilst listening to a Sherlock Holmes audio book. It takes all sorts, eh?!

Cheers,

Andrew.

The rusty black ironwork looks spot on!

Rik

Agree, that ironwork really does real.

Good morning all!

I finished the Hudson toastrack project over the weekend, well over a decade after I started it. Honestly, I don't really know why it took so long, but I'm very happy with the finished result! It's nice to have something more than a little different from the rest of the carriage fleet.

I thought you might like some pictures:


The figures include a representation of Miriam Jones, "Girl Station Master" at Beddgelert, in her Welsh National costume.

There's also a girl in a raspberry beret, waiting to be pulled by Prince*.

I'll post photos of the first run later, if I get the chance.

Cheers,

Andrew.


*Apologies, that was a terrible joke requiring an appreciation of both the Ffestiniog loco fleet and classic 80s pop...

I think you have made a wonderful job of that carriage, every detail looks just right. I love the weathering too!
Can you please let me know where I might buy chain like the one you have used?

Peter Butler wrote: ↑Mon Oct 02, 2023 10:31 am I think you have made a wonderful job of that carriage, every detail looks just right. I love the weathering too!
Can you please let me know where I might buy chain like the one you have used?

Thanks Peter, I really appreciate it!

I bought the chain on eBay a few years ago for my timber bolsters - unfortunately, that trader no longer seems to exist, but I think it's this sort of thing: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/361021849503 ... R-CYsfzdYg

The stuff I got was described as "black plated" - it still has a metallic shine, but not as pronounced as if it was silver.

The chains held in place with "eye pins" from Etsy, but I'm sure you could buy both pins and chain from the same company, they're both sold for making jewellery.

Cheers,

Andrew.

Andrew wrote: ↑Mon Oct 02, 2023 9:05 am There's also a girl in a raspberry beret, waiting to be pulled by Prince*.

Extraordinary work here, both on the carriage and especially on exceptional quality and effort in this transcendent dad-joke.

Andrew, many thanks for the chain link... get it? It's on order already.

Knowing nothing about narrow gauge or its history, I find it difficult to comment usefully beyond coming out with stuff like…

Looks great, really neat, nicely weathered. Cool ‘Raspberry Beret’ ref.

SimonWood wrote: ↑Mon Oct 02, 2023 11:07 am

Andrew wrote: ↑Mon Oct 02, 2023 9:05 am There's also a girl in a raspberry beret, waiting to be pulled by Prince*.

Extraordinary work here, both on the carriage and especially on exceptional quality and effort in this transcendent dad-joke.

People have said some very kind things on here over the years, mostly about model trains - this, however, may be my proudest moment.

BertieB wrote: ↑Mon Oct 02, 2023 5:03 pm Knowing nothing about narrow gauge or its history, I find it difficult to comment usefully beyond coming out with stuff like…

Looks great, really neat, nicely weathered. Cool ‘Raspberry Beret’ ref.

Thanks Bertie! I've a feeling that the Ffestiniog could be a good "gateway drug" to the world of the narrow gauge. It's alleged that Colonel Stephens couldn't really get his head round it - he wanted to apply his Light Railway logic to an enterprise that saw itself as a miniature mainline. And still does, as far as I can see...

The other guys have said it all Andrew, You should be proud of the build no matter how long it's taken. I love the way you have mastered the weathering on the iron work, it's so realistic. Shame though that you can't get those chains any darker or rusted a bit.

Still a mighty fine piece of work sir.


PS. are you taking any commissions on weathering work...

FWLR wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 7:28 am PS. are you taking any commissions on weathering work...

Yep - but if this one's anything to go by, the waiting list currently stands at 14 years...

Very nice indeed

StuartJ wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 11:22 am Very nice indeed

Yes indeed!

Rik

Andrew wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 8:35 am

FWLR wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 7:28 am PS. are you taking any commissions on weathering work...

Yep - but if this one's anything to go by, the waiting list currently stands at 14 years...

Well I am a bit like you Andrew, takes me years to complete anything here also...

Andrew wrote: ↑Mon Oct 02, 2023 10:58 am
Can you please let me know where I might buy chain like the one you have used?

I think it's this sort of thing: [url]https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/361021849503?

The chain from this seller arrived today and is perfect for my crane truck. The seller is keen to offer good service and communication was excellent.

There's also a girl in a raspberry beret, waiting to be pulled by Prince*.

Cheers,

Andrew.


*Apologies, that was a terrible joke requiring an appreciation of both the Ffestiniog loco fleet and classic 80s pop...

Stunning coach, brilliant Dad joke! My daughters' eyebrows would meet their hairline if I said that!