Invasion of the Peppercorn A1s

Picton Whiske's A1 Fleet has increased to three with the new arrival 60134 'FOXHUNTER'

She joins her sisters, working 'the Talisman', 'the Flying Scotsman' and not forgetting fast freight on the East Coast Main Line!

Another Darlingon A1 is coming to North Eastern Steam

Thats right, another Darlington built A1 will be joining the current fleet made up of 60130 'KESTREL' and 60144 'KING'S COURIER'

The A1 will be this one, 60134 'FOXHUNTER'



A Leeds engine all her life so not out of place at Picton Whiske Sheds from time to time.

You may notice I don't have any Doncaster variant A1s, with the snap head rivets on the tenders. This will change this Autumn, with one arriving late October! More on that in the near future :)

My A3 Fleet, together at last!

I now have my fleet of A3s together running on the layout.

We have
1.LADAS, a single chimney
2. SANDWICH (to be renamed GAINSBOROUGH) with double chimney
3. THE WHITE KNIGHT with double chimney and german deflectors.
4 HUMORIST with double chimney and Peppercorn deflectors.
Enjoy these photos of them together





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All engines need coal in their tenders don't they!

My two Peppercorn A1s have currently had coal added to their tenders. This was my first attempt at such a thing, but I must say, it certainly improves the appearance.

Firstly, we have open coal fires, so I used a hammer on some coal. I then added some diluted PVA into the empty tender, and brushed it around the inside. Then added the coal.

Finally I coated the coal in the tender with diluted PVA. Do be careful though as I noticed my tender was leaking alot of PVA!

I have also be improving the weathering on my locos.




LADAS has been fully weathered too, my new single chimney A3.

and.... keep an eye out, a new Peppercorn A1 may be seen very soon........ Aynone fancy some FOXHUNTING.......

More A3s!?!?!?!?!

Yes thats right, more A3s!!

To date I have 3, in the shape of 60039 'Sandwich' 60077 'The White Knight' and 60097 'Humorist'.

What I am trying to achieve with my A3s is showing them in all their types during BR, hence why I have ordered another. 60067 'LADAS' in BR Green, early emblem and single chimney. All my other A3s are Kylchap Double Blast Pipe.

As well as LADAS coming along too, 60039 is going to be renumbered. I don't like the name Sandwich, it doesn't suite a locomotive like an A3. Therefore it will become 60086 'Gainsborough' one of the few A3s to never have Smoke Deflectors.


I think Gresley would be proud with all the A3s arriving at Eastcote Central, don't you?

NORTH EASTERN STEAM Episode 2 Teaser Trailer

Teaser Trailer for Episode 2 'Old Ned'

Enjoy

North Eastern Steam Special 60097 Humrosit

A special episode I made, seen as work had gone so well on her.

A3 60097 'Humorist', joins the Picton Whiske Fleet!

After the last few weeks of blood sweat and tears, Humorist has finally been completed, apart from odd little area to touch up.

She is now on the layout running quite happily with a mixture of Crimson and Cream and Maroon Mk1s and Gresley stock.

I hope you like these pictures, and im sure you will all get to see her in North Eastern Steam at some point.

60097 begins to take shape!

Work continues on 60097.

A mini disaster took place yesterday when removing the number off 60049, as the solution took off the paint as well!!!!

But after some touching up with Brunswick Green Paint, she doesn't look too bad at all, plus addition of varnish before the new numbers (60097) is added.

But today has been about adding the smoke deflectors to 60097, the very thing that made her look unique.

Enjoy these pictures above :-)