T320 Arrives!!

My latest model arrived in the post yesterday. This is a model of T320 in VR Blue and Gold, made by Bendigo Rail Models. This model was purchased second-hand, and has some nice weathering applied by the previous owner to the valence, chassis, and pilots.

T320 and T333 will be the only diesels I have for Skipton for a while now, as I am planning on saving up for some steam locomotives. This decision is a result of my decision to change the era for Skipton , which was originally going to be from 1955 to 1965. The new era will be from 1955 to 1960. On the plus side, it means there are less variations and classes to buy (as by 1965 the first Y classes had been delivered, along with 3rd to 5th order T classes). I will probably get a 2nd order T, as they were all in service by the end of 1959, however as the only available model is by Precision Scale Models, costs $1500 (as much as a steam engine), I would rather put the money towards buying a steam loco. Along with this, it isn't DCC ready, and I run DCC. The change of era also means I will have more funds available to purchase steam locomotives. In terms of steam locomotives, in the long run I am hoping to have a mix of D3, D4, J, K, N and Y classes. In the short term, I would like to get a D3 and either a J or N.

Below are some images of T320, and a couple showing it next to T333 for comparison -

 T320 leading T333 light-engines. 

 T320 front on view. 

 T320 side-on view. This shows the weathering applied to the valance and underframe. A small amount of weathering is visible at the bottom part of the sides.

 T320 and T333, showing the difference in the bogies, and the stripe. T320s stripe and logo is actually far more of a gold colour, whereas 333 has more of a yellow coloured stripe and logo.

 T320 and T333 again.

 Cab-end view of T320 and T333, showing the difference between the handrails. Of note is the fact that the yellow (gold) on T320 ends closer to the VR logo than on T333.

 Partial side-on view of T320 and T333

 End view of T320 and T333, again showing the difference in the handrails. 

 Top side view of 320 and 333. There are no differences between the two on the top.

Side-on view of both T320 and T333. This image shows the contrast between the thin gold stripe applied to 320, and the thick yellow stripe applied to 333.


That's all for now. I have fitted the barrel bolts to the two main baseboards, and I hope to have the legs all cut down to size and fitted by the weekend. 

Peter

New Baseboards!

In the last week or so since my last post, I have completed the other two baseboards, with assistance from a mate of mine. One of the boards just needs the backscene to be fitted, and the other needs the legs and backscene to be fitted. At the moment, all 3 boards are sitting on the floor in the shed, waiting for the legs to be cut down to 1.1m height.

These images are of the fiddle yard baseboard, which was built on Friday (03/03/2017). This board is now complete minus backscene, as I drilled out the legs and built the leg assemblies this afternoon. The backscene on this one will go on the opposite side to the other two boards, to hide the fiddle yard from the viewing public when being exhibited.

These two images were taken today, and show all 3 boards in their current state (minus legs). The board with the backscene is completed, and it's leg assemblies can be seen sitting on top of it. The baseboard in the middle is the least complete, and requires legs and the backscene to be fitted. The leg materials for this one can be seen to the right hand side of the second image. The baseboard at the opposite end to the completed board (far left of first image, closest to camera in second image), is currently complete minus barrel bolt fittings and the backscene. The backscene parts for this board and the centre board can be seen behind the boards in the first image, along with a spare baseboard.

Another thing, is a new rolling stock addition. T320 was purchased off eBay last week, and is currently in the post. This is also a BRM model, as is T333, and is also in the 1955-1957 condition. T320 will be a valuable addition to the fleet, and will also be a point of interest due to the differences between it and most other Series 1 (First Order, or Flat Top) Ts, including the handrails (however these are the same as the handrails on T321-T325), and the 2" gold stripe (No other T had this. 321 had a 5" stripe, and all the others had a 9" stripe.) 

That's all for now. I am hoping to have all the baseboards completed by the end of this week, other than the third board (currently the most complete), as it is slightly wider than the other two, and needs to be thinned down a bit. This will be done weekend after next due to other commitments this weekend. Once that is complete, the track and cork underlay can be ordered, and track laying will commence shortly after!

Peter