Big thanks to
@MikeODonnell5
for releasing your wonderful music on CD. Mine arrived! I thought I'd make a little video as thank you. This is my first time filming Thomas and is more of a test video (hence poor lighting). I plan to do more in the future.
Thomas meets Thomas and other stories. While in Japan I had the opportunity to see the
@CoolProps_PR
Thomas replica for myself. Here's my replica against theirs. More pictures to follow!
To celebrate 40 years since the airing of Thomas, we have the original viaduct from the opening sequence. Come along to the Spa Valley Railway today and tomorrow to see it. We'll be swapping engines in and out.
Repainted Thomas' face. Here's a comparison of the new vs old face. Much cleaner and a lighter grey. This isn't the final face but more of a test using a different grey and ultra thin paint brush. The new face also has the eye holes in place ready for the revised eye mech.
So I thought the time was right to finally release my first set of 3D files! Here's the files for Annie and Clarabel that were used to make my replicas. (with improvements). Feel free to ask any questions! Enjoy!
A day late but happy 35th anniversary to our little blue tank engine. Spent the most of today doing last minute preparation ready for the exhibition this Saturday with
@TomsProps
. Excuse the unfinished Thomas face. I didn't get a picture of the finished one!
Update on Thomas. Most of the cosmetic work is complete! Here I was testing fitment of the base plate for the eye mech. I've also modified the chassis and moved the wheels back slightly. Next stage is to get him motorised and rolling under his own steam!
Here's an outtake from my recent video 🤣. Don't worry, all was good. Thomas didn't actually fall I caught him in my arms as he slowly slid down off camera.
I've recently acquired a proper display cabinet for my replicas and it's so nice to have them on proper display. Plus there's plenty of space for future engines!
Here's some photos I took of the red coach and Lower Tidmouth in pre-restored condition. Thanks to the efforts of
@TomsProps
@ThomasTankMerch
and
@FlyingPringle
fans can now enjoy these props in all their glory. Things have come a long way!!
As 2020 draws to a close, I'd like to wish everyone a safe and happy new year. It's hard to believe theses photos were taken this year! Thank you to all those who have helped throughout this year.
As revealed last weekend at the Gauge 1 show in Bicester, here is Stanley’s original spare (and likely unused) chassis. It’s been tested and runs beautifully. Will be nice to make a brass body for it someday… I will try and take some proper ruler photos of it soon.
The Thomas files are here!! Apologies for the delay, I got caught up with work. I've included plenty of construction reference as well as the parts and paints needed for S3-5 style Thomas. Enjoy!! Any questions, please do ask! 2nd announcement coming!
Been getting back into modelling now that I have some more free time. I've added the hand rails to Annie, started casting the seats for both Annie and Clarabel and even started printing
@account_thomas
LMS Van. These are actually my first casts of a 3D print.
Annie's chassis has had a full rebuild and Clarabel has also now been constructed. I'm currently working on the roofs. Really pleased with how they're progressing!
Join Stepney, Oliver, Thomas and Percy this weekend at the Spa Valley Railway as we celebrate 40 years of the Thomas tv show. We've got something special to celebrate, we'll be bringing along the original bridge from the opening sequence! Come down to see us recreate history!
Thomas would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year! To celebrate I'd thought I'd kick 2020 off with a Photoshop challenge. Whether it's a scene from the show or something new, I want to see what you can come up with! Competition open until 12th Jan! Pics:
I've started to apply the paint to Thomas! Pleased with how the paint and masking has turned out so far. Red has been applied to the running plate sides and buffer beams, and the light grey has been applied to the running plate top. Can't wait to get the blue on him!
a test animation I've made using a hit era styled set 🥰🥰
credits to @/ZANTHERA for the rails used,
@/Jesiaaah for Thomas' face,
and @/Kool_Aid203 for the sky used!!
SFX by GW Shunter and music by Oliver11GWR
Thomas is progressing nicely and has almost a complete paint job. There are a couple of touch ups to do and the final few pieces to finish. Then it's just a case of sorting all of the electronics. Here's a sneak preview of Thomas with a working tail lamp. Full reveal soon!
Amazing. This is what I love to see. Proof that you don't need fancy or expensive materials, just your imagination and determination! Never never never give up!
Like… ok
This little fella is LITERALLY made of CARDBOARD
Don’t let ANYBODY put down your modelling.
We’re all just trying to make the things we love with the little money we have
After a suggestion was made to Tenmille at the Bicester show last year, I'm pleased to announce they have launched a Classic range. You can now officially buy the old kits made with the original tooling. If it's successful, more will be added over time!
It's back in the workshop with Thomas today. Most of the the sanding and filling is complete. Just doing the final preparations for painting. Hopefully I can have him painted tomorrow.
After several modifications to the BR80 chassis, Percy's body is now able to fit onto the chassis. As you can see, I am in the process of sanding and filling Percy's body.
It's now just week to go until my next event with
@TomsProps
. Come and see all three of these engines and maybe more?! We'd love to see you there. For more details visit:
As Percy is currently undergoing a repaint with a much more accurate green, I thought I'd take the opportunity to showcase the body construction. The body shell can separate from the running plate which makes painting much easier. There a total of 5 screws to secure it.
[CANCELLED] Unfortunately, our appearance at the Spa Valley Railway's model railway exhibition next month has been cancelled. This wasn't an easy choice for us to make, but given the circumstances was the only one we could make. Apologies to anyone was wanting to see us there!
It's now just under a week until our next display at Spa Valley Railway on the 24th and 25th. Here's a tease of the new engine I've been working on. Come down for a day of trains big and small and a chance to meet
@MikeODonnell5
and purchase copies of his Sodor CDs!
Tomorrow is the day! The first day of the Basingstoke Model Railway show happens tomorrow. Question is, who is the surprise engine hiding in one of these boxes? Find out tomorrow!
Wishing all of my followers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Thank you for getting me past 3K followers! There's going to be plenty to come in 2023!
Here's something I'm currently working on. It's a Gauge 1 Garden Railway. I do plan to run Thomas and Percy on it as well as non-Thomas engines. Hoping to have the base frame completed next weekend!
Percy and Toby's Marklin chassis's have been cut down. Percy's will still need some adjustment but at least now I can make sure the running plate will fit.
Been a while since the last update so thought I would treat you all. Here's a video of Toby's BR80 chassis that has recently been converted to run on standard DC.
Thomas' wheels have now had their final coats of blue applied and the masking removed. The chassis has also been filled and sanded smoothed and painted black. It still needs more smoothing and another coat but it at least gives a good idea of aesthetics. Very happy with the blue.
Wow 300 followers! What a great Christmas treat. Thanks to everyone for the support. There is lots of content to come! Stay tuned! Here's a look at Thomas' removable doors.
Back in the workshop today with Thomas. I've got the chimney and window rings cut and started to do a test paint of Thomas! Hoping to have the paint job finished by Christmas.
Thanks for waiting! Finally, in a few days, we will start pre-order for Thomas products for the US and UK.
Here's the preview of our International shopping website!
Please stay tuned! We'll announce once the Pre-order starts!
#CoolProps
#ThomasAndFriends
So let's kick things off with a look at the progression of Thomas from the very first parts to just last month. Thomas has progressed further since then so stay tuned for a special update on Thomas I'm sure you'll love!
I have James, and I have tar tankers, so I was obligated to sculpt his shocked face and stage the 'Dirty Objects' crash. I think he'll need more than bootlaces to get out of this predicament!!
I'm pleased to announce that I'll be doing a display of original and replica props from 'Thomas' at The Gauge 1 Model Railway Association's annual show, Saturday 12th October 2019, in Kenilworth (just south of Coventry). Save the date!