Finishing things... nearly

I finally got a couple of evenings with nothing important to do and on which I did not go to bed at 8.30. I decided that I should finish off some part done projects, the recently built holiday loco Staithes was top of my list and the 0-8-0 Hunsletish thing and also the Percy bash.

Staithes was ready for the spoiling by paint time but I wanted to give it a colour different to the rest of my locos. I popped down to Porthmadog Models, which is a cracking shop, and purchased a new shade of blue. Once painted I decided that I'd have a go at lining... it looks OKish from a distance but I know and you will agree that it is not square or straight or good enough, however I like the overall effect so it will stay for now.

The 0-8-0 and the Percy bash only needed some more paint and details adding so were finished off quickly in the standard livery of Hull Red. I can't persuade Percy to run very well which is a shame as I like the look of it.

I'm awaiting name and works plates from Narrow Planet to add the final touch.

Three little maids from skool

I also finished off a bogie coach but forgot to take a picture of that so it will have to wait.

Back from me hols

I've been away on family holidays to Yorkshire this last week and we had a very nice time, staying self catering in Staithes on the coast just north of Whitby. It is a small fishing village which is built round the tiny harbour and up a steeply sided valley away towards the moors, very picturesque. What stuck me about it was that it needed a narrow gauge railway terminating on a quayside just to complete the picture.

So this has become the plan for the terminus at Port Lucy. The idea was pretty much along these lines anyway but Staithes has provided a wealth of lovely buildings and a believable geological setting.

Red Scribble gives an idea of where the station would be with a station building where the blue windowed warehouse is with steps down to the platform.

Mostly we had lovely weather but one day was foul so out came my touring modelling box and I made the most of the time I had to start a Varikit bash... it ended up only using the footplate/bufferbeam casting with bits and bobs from that magnificent box of bits donating the rest. I've ended up with a sort of Hunslet/Manning Wardel 0-4-0 which I rather like. It sits on a Fleischmann 0-4-0 chassis which although second hand runs rather sweetly; even after my butchery with razor saw and files etc.

Still a few bits and bobs to finish it off, thank god for filler, but mostly there. Will be named 'Staithes' in honour of its birthplace.