Buffer Zone.

I finally built up courage to rebuild the Buffers on G1. The old is gone, the new is attached and works as far as I can see... Aware of my lack of prowess with the hacksaw I did the 'Non-stripey' end first, worked out hoe I could make it work, and then made a worse mess of the other end. The coupling seems to work as far as I can tell, but if I posted a picture now I think it would only depress you, so I'll wait until the buzbees are back on both ends before posting...

In the meantime I'll try and get some time for the container, which is looking reproachfully at me whenever I look at the modelmaking box. The wheels I ordered turned out to be too big, so I'll have to order a fresh set.

Buzz Buzz...

I finally painted stripes on one end of G1 using the old method of putting masking tape on glass and cutting it. This was an experiment: the buffer beam will probably need rebuilding for the DG couplings I'm going to try and install over the next few weeks, but I figure that if I can make the stripes once I can do it again.

I got fed up of waiting for a sunny day and took a couple of pictures. click on the image above to see the rest...

Brighter Day

Yesterday was a bit brighter, so I spent some time experimenting and taking model pictures with the card background. For (many) more views click on the picture. I was trying out different ideas for lighting and camera settings. That's my excuse anyway.
By the way, I got a lot of ideas for this, including the basic set design, from Bob Boudreau's "Basic Modelrailroad Photography" website.

Intermodal

Another recent addition to my collection of bits is a container kit from the GJH Plant Company. I wanted to get a kit for the first example so I could be really sure I was making it the right size, and get a feel for the details. we will see how this goes, but first impressions are that it's well within the loading gauge and should look good on the back of a KÖB freight wagon.
By the way, I'm aware of the failings of the background and lighting in this picture so today at great expense I bought a photographic background. All right, so it's really an A1 Piece of white card but I'm guessing no-one will notice the difference, and I know you can keep a secret. As soon as the sun comes out, I'll have a go taking some pictures.