No hiding place
One of the many consequences of YouTube and the internet is that once published, never forgotten. As Peter showed us with a nostalgic visit to Model Town. I remember watching and was amazed and impressed that a model show had made it to TV.
Peter tell us that
"a video has just re-appeared on youtube which I recognised from about 25 years ago (possibly longer?). I attach a link to one episode of seven which tells a story of espionage, intrigue and murder, illustrated by model railways.
If you open this link for Episode 4 and fast-forward to 6min. 02seconds, you might see something familiar?"
LASER-CUT CARRIAGE CONVERSION
I was fortunate enough to win some unmade, but incomplete, SM32, laser-cut carriage kits on eBay. I recognised them as being produced by 'The Lineside Hut', who make quality kits, which I have experience of building beforehand.
One in particular had great potential for conversion as it gave me the chance to make two carriages from one kit. The original kit is of coach 20, which runs on the Ffestiniog Railway. It is a superb kit with a huge amount of detail.....
There is much more to this kit than shown here; seating, interior compartment panelling, door and interior wall upholstery, cushions, open balconies etc. Missing from the kit were the external side overlays and a few other parts, however, following contact with the manufacturers I managed to get all additional parts at very reasonable prices. I even managed to get instructions which were about six pages of A4.... a complicated kit. (Usual price £120.00, excluding wheels and bogies)
As can be seen in the picture, the previous owner had begun to modify the kit already by cutting off sections, this is no surprise as the finished carriage, which is accurately built to scale, works out at 620mm long, far too long for my garden line curves, so I re-attached the ends then cut the sides in half to make two identical shorter carriages.
This shows the 'before and after' surgery.....
The interiors look good with the seating and upholstery detail included....
First- and third-class compartments have different detailing....
The balcony ends have been retained and brass handrails fitted as per the prototype.....
And finally, the pair in service on my 'Brockhampton and Umbridge Railway Preservation Society' (BURPS) line....