TFW’s workshop

[Tim Watson]

Old hand drawn artwork is not really cost effective to re-scale these days. Has anyone made up the 4125 gal self trimming tender from the Steve Barnsfield etches?

Tim

 

[Daddyman]

Old hand drawn artwork is not really cost effective to re-scale these days. Has anyone made up the 4125 gal self trimming tender from the Steve Barnsfield etches?

Tim

This is the tender supplied in the B16 kit, which LRM have recently re-introduced and which MikeMeg has built on RM**b. LRM presumably have the artwork, but for reasons I don't understand, not knowing much about etching, they said it can't be changed (for example to correct the errors in the cab sides on the B16); that might mean it also can't be shot down to 2mm scale. The Barnfield range is generally pretty ropy, though I can't immediately see anything wrong with the 4125. The usual two problems with his tenders are over-wide/deep flares, and the flares made as part of the sides rather than lap-jointed.

 

[Rob Pulham]

I built the 7mm version from Gladiator which came with the B16 and I don't recall any big issues. The build is on the forum with the tender starting from Here

 

[Tim Watson]

That is really useful, Rob.
Many thanks
Tim

 

[Tim Watson]

Here’s a little scene that has livened up the end of Randell’s Road on CF: an interesting juxtaposition of sign and subject.


The hearse was made by Ross Balderson from his own etches; horses by New Zealand Finescale - with added plumes & blankets and the figures are modified from a variety of sources.

Tim

 

[Tim Watson]

I know this view has been shown before, but I’ve just placed a strong red advertising poster at the end of the street. It really brings the scene together, drawing the eye in, but also stopping it. Amazing what a bit of colour can do…



Tim

 

[Tim Watson]

I have been privileged to be working on the HH Groves locos. They are exquisite pieces of work.

They feature incredibly fine worms and worm wheels as well as springing of the front axle.

Motors are, of course, all hand made with ball races top and bottom - following the old HD style.

They run as well as they look.

The 2-6-2 is a very elegant engine with full working valve gear.

Needless to say, iPhones have special microphones for amplifying motor and gear noise.

They will be on display at the upcoming 2mm Scale Association Diamond Jubilee (+2) exhibition at Derby Conference Centre on 18-19th June (with Copenhagen Fields as a supporting act).

Tim

 

[Mike W]

Lovely to see Groves's engines after all these years. They look even better than I remember them as a boy. How old are they Tim? 50 years?

SORRY - just seen your caption - 60 years! I must be older than I thought.

Mike

 

[Tim Watson]

Probably made in the early 60s, Mike. Simon Humphries, his great grandson and David Balchin his grandson have been trying to work out a chronology of the locos, but it is quite difficult.

Tim

 

[Tim Watson]

Who'd have thought we'd be able to do this sort of thing 40 years ago?
Courtesy of Jim Watt's incredible etching, I've just fitted the correct Bostwick gates to the working lift car at York Road tube. They were chemically blacked; one set blew away in the wind...

Tim

 

[Tim Watson]

I have been working on the final HH Groves 60+ years old engine of this batch: a diminutive Avonside 0-4-0 - needless to say with full working valve gear.
It needed a new collar soldering onto the rear of the union link at the cross head end.


It's quite an attractive little engine.

Tim

 

[adrian]

Thanks for posting - that bodywork is so clean and tidy, very impressive.

 

[Matt.S.]

That really is quite special - interesting to note both the build standard, and the pragmatic approach to including reasonable detail.

 

[Tim Watson]

CF all ready to unload at Derby. Good packing.

Tim

 

[AndyB]

CF all ready to unload at Derby. Good packing.

Tim

You'll be ready for a pint in the bar when you've finished shifting that lot with this afternoon's temperature!
Hopefully be there on Sunday morning. Last saw CF at IMREX I think, in its early days, so looking forward to seeing it again.
The trains will seem very small - we have a Gauge 3 GTG the day before...

Andy

 

[Tim Watson]

Set up



Tim

 

[michael mott]

The first time I have seen the full display, that looks really impressive!

Michael

 

[simond]

I will get to see it. One day…

 

[Tim Watson]

We had a great day talking with visitors today. Not having a barrier was, I think, much appreciated. After the excessive heat from set up yesterday there was a problem with a baseboard joint at the south end that was finally sorted out by the judicious use of a large hammer - after five o’clock. Tomorrow will be a good day.

Tim

 

[Tim Watson]

Excellent day today in Derby. Two hours to take down and load the van, in London by 2000.
We had a famous engine running across the NLR: Simon didn’t stop smiling all weekend.



Mons Meg had a go at straightening out Kevin Knight’s track in his little Diamond Jubilee Challenge diorama.

And then we were back to Keen House and stowed: it’s next going up in November/ December.


The whole weekend had a further twist, as CF was filmed for a TV programme next year.

It really was a fantastic weekend for meeting old friends and chatting: totally informal. Thank you to John Aldrick and the Association for organising it.

Tim