Quote from: EtchedPixels on January 25, 2026, 12:58:22 PM

Quote from: cmason on January 25, 2026, 12:10:51 PMtennis racket ). I think I can lay thin strips of that within the underframes, in between the trusses. For other printed vehicles I have used Deluxe Materials liquid gravity but correct fitting of that on these vehicles is harder as there are no real cavities...

Be very careful with the glue if using anything lead based. Apart from needing to remove it to resell the item there's a nasty set of reactions between some glues (notably PVA) and lead based items that causes the stuff to expand.

I've seen a few too many models where lead and glue expanded and literally tore the model apart from the inside - even white metal boilers, or warped it.

Thanks - and noted.

Although this particular lead basically comes as a roll of "sticky tape" with its own backing glue.

On top of that in regard of selling - I cannot really see anyone ever wanting to buy the models that I have built myself....

Quote from: cmason on January 25, 2026, 12:10:51 PMtennis racket ). I think I can lay thin strips of that within the underframes, in between the trusses. For other printed vehicles I have used Deluxe Materials liquid gravity but correct fitting of that on these vehicles is harder as there are no real cavities...

Be very careful with the glue if using anything lead based. Apart from needing to remove it to resell the item there's a nasty set of reactions between some glues (notably PVA) and lead based items that causes the stuff to expand.

I've seen a few too many models where lead and glue expanded and literally tore the model apart from the inside - even white metal boilers, or warped it.

Further evidence, then, of domestic black holes of which I have writ elsewhere. Lost items always re-emerge from the black hole in exactly the place where they should be and have looked ten times before. Good that it has restored your faith in your fellow man, though.

Cheers,

Chris

Quote from: joe cassidy on January 25, 2026, 11:51:34 AMFor pipes I use the fake straw used in the packaging of certain types of cheese here in France.

These are thin-walled, about 5mm diameter, but very light so won't add much weight to the wagon.

Yes - for normal weight wagons plastic in one form or another is good however for these 3-D print jobbies I need more ballast.

Anyhoo, I actually had another idea and have just bought some sticky back lead of the sort sold in rolls to golfers and tennis players (used to adjust the balance of golf sticks and tennis racket ). I think I can lay thin strips of that within the underframes, in between the trusses. For other printed vehicles I have used Deluxe Materials liquid gravity but correct fitting of that on these vehicles is harder as there are no real cavities...

For pipes I use the fake straw used in the packaging of certain types of cheese here in France.

These are thin-walled, about 5mm diameter, but very light so won't add much weight to the wagon.

This is the last set of baseboard photos.

The boards are in place (but not screwed together because the boards need to come up for tracklaying and wiring) with a bit of track, trains and buildings placed to show what I'm working towards. A Southern 1970s look. The plan is 11' x 7'10" and I can just about separate each board from the others to get underneath! The fiddle yard will take 2-car EMUs on the branch and 4-car EMUs with a loco or e.g. a Motor Luggage Van on the main line.

I've chosen this era because the stock is much more available in OO than in N, and it is what I remember from my trainspotting days. My N model is slightly earlier transition era southern and western, and there is more than enough stock (with some 3D printed models) to do that some justice.

I've kind of stalled in my N gauge modelling, so this is giving me new enthusiasm.

The next set of photos will cover wiring, as I'm sure you are not interested in OO gauge layouts or what happens above the baseboard 

Huge shoutout to Model Railway Solutions as I'm very happy with the boards - you can either pay for baseboards in time or money, and as I didn't want an open-frame design, after a seven week wait, including Christmas, these went together in three days. I didn't have the time or inclination to build these from scratch, and in any case they are better (and lighter) than I could have done.

While I was waiting for the baseboards, half of the storage units underneath them were rebuilt from full height storage cupboards for my paperwork when I was self-employed, so they were recycled into half-height cupboards and additional shelving, while waiting for the baseboards.

That's it for now.

Bob G

PS The pictures on the wall are geology themed, by a former London artist, who has exhibited in London. They are watercolours and oils on board.

   

Some old U2, from 'Under a blood red sky', through 'Joshua Tree', No line on the horizon' and 'All that you can't leave behind', with oddments like 'Miss Sarajevo' with the heart rending Pavarotti (aka The Passengers) and, of course, this epic from Live Aid

Phew!  

George

I should have informed folks that your visit to Deadwood well predated the time when I knew I had the two locos. You were never under suspicion  .

Webbo

Gawd, for a minute I thought it might have been me!