TME MODELS

TME MODELS

TME Models is a small business specialising in kit & scratch built narrow gauge models. We have over 20 years of modelling experience, enabling us to produce high quality one off models that capture the essence of narrow gauge railways.

We offer a bespoke kit and scratch built service of any chosen prototype, as well as a professional painting, lining and weathering service. Models are assembled and detailed to the customer’s preference, with every stage of the model consulted and agreed on before commissioning.

Locomotives and Rolling Stock are constructed using a combination of materials such as brass, whitemetal, plastic and aluminum, using solder and epoxy glues. We use a combination of hand painting, pressure spraying and airbrushing techniques together with hand applied transfer application as appropriate for each model. Specialist weathered finishing can be commissioned and ranges from well worn to lightly used depending on your preference.

Contact us today for an informal discussion as to how we can meet your needs.

We look forward to hearing from and being of assistance to you.

http://www.tmemodels.co.uk

09 Locomotive works

The Locomotive Works

 








The works itself uses a Britains farm shed that will be modified with opening doors and a porta cabin on stilts at the back. This is not attached yet and will require much work to disguise it. I have collected a variety of 7mm work shop machinery, tools, crane lifts etc that will fill the building. My plan is to build most of the interior pieces and then at Christmas finish the whole board off. Most of the interest will lie in the stock so this is another area I need to think about. Electric wise all the tracks except the traverse have been wired in. I need to add switches and wire up the traverse and then everything will be operational. While I tackle the interior details I plan to add details to the main layout engine shed and station and perhaps even add a second slither of board to bring the two together.

I've been un packing things in my modelling draw over the last few days. Some things were bought for the long sold 0-16.5 layout and other bits over the last 8 months for the locomotive works. Having a clear out is always an interesting one often finding small things that have been forgotten about. This brings me right up to date with the loco shed. I'd made the rear and side walls a while ago and begun work on the workshop machinery. Due to the move down to London this had been packed away in the garage. With the arrival of Christmas I've been able to get some of these out and start fixing things together.

We have a busy family Christmas this year, unfortunately I have very little in common with them. Not wanting to be bored by talk of football, golf or X factor, I intend to escape and get some of these things finished. Below is the current situation of the locomotive works. Colin before you mention it... those Britains side walls will be hidden in the future  .  





I am particularly happy with the parts shelf that incorporates bits and bobs from failed 09 stock builds.


The end walls and details (more in another box) have been primed ready for paint. The idea is to paint everything first and glue in place after. The back scene has been cut and work will progress on an overall roof with large sky lights over the next day or so. In my rush to get out of London I forgot a bag of electrical switches and wire so it will remain un powered till sometime next year

Thank you everyone for the kind words. While I've been applying transfers details for the locomotive shed have been painted and lightly weathered. After a play about with things I've settled on the composition below. I got a little carried away with the pictures but I wanted to know what people thought of leaving the roof as it is now? Or should I add extra beams?








There are quite a few gaps in the walls which will be rectified over the next week or so and I may add a floor over the end of the traverse near the shelves. I have a variety of other details to add such as notice boards and I need to sort out the back scene and yard area.

I took a few photographs yesterday of where I am up to with things. Everything has been glued in place and lightly weathered so the composition is now complete, minus locomotives and perhaps a boiler or two outside. The back scene is a homemade effort and although low (needs to be for safe storage) I feel it complements the scene. I shall have to do something similar at the window end of the shed but this is very handy for letting light in so I may add frosted windows. The landscape image was taken off the internet, printed twice on glossy paper then attached to a thin sheet of ply. The telegraph pole and shed are there to cover up two mistakes but I feel it adds depth. The large bushy tree also hides the join in the back scene but will need some more work as it is a little sprawling. 







The siding closest to the front was always intended to be a locomotive dump with the remains of a 'Cagney' built from a Bachmann 0-4-0 body and shredded wheat wheels. Someone has left the cover off which will hamper its restoration when the sea air gets to it   





The last shot shows the machine shop and a tantalizing glimpse of perhaps a new locomotive build on the pin board  



I took many more photographs with the locomotives in a variety of positions but these need heavy editing as the light began to fade. I might try using daylight bulbs in the lamps I have about the house and then I'd have something consistent for future photographs

The shutters unfortunately don't go up and down but track 2 is wired up. I intended this to be used to stable a locomotive when I add a future board or when the loco works slots into a future larger system.

I was able to edit and touch up some of the photographs featuring the locomotives. They are not all finished yet, some need satin varnishing and touching up in places. The strange orange thing is a visiting locomotive with a very unsightly 'Butlins Express' logo painted on it's tender, how can anyone do this to a locomotive  


















The Groudle Glen locomotives have been sent over for an overhaul, odd how the tracks have widened to accommodate them  




I'd like to add a few old boilers around the yard and begin work on the roof. I am also considering another small board with a running shed but that will definitely be a later project