Locomotive Lifting Jacks for Nystrup Gravel (1/35)

Realizing that the number of locomotives seems to be ever expanding on the 1:35 version of Nystrup Gravel's railway, I decided to acquire some proper locomotive lifting jacks. They are a close match to those owned by the real Nystrup Gravel company.

Jacks during construction. The kit includes parts to build four jacks.

The French company of Blitz have recently released a resin kit of four jacks. Blitz Kits are also known for their kits of World War 1 French artillery railway kits in 1:35 scale. I used some of the company's steel sleepers in my trackwork on Nystrup Gravel.



The instructions are simple, but the assembly proces is pretty self-evident.

The casting quality in my kit was quite good. Very little flash needed to be removed and only few bubbles in the resin were present.. Minor sanding was needed on some of the large parts. Fit was good and the jacks assembles well. It is an unusual model and the first 1:35 scale model of this type of jack I know of.

One jack ready for fitting of the lifting gear. The unfinished jack in the background has a certain gloomy resemblance to a guillotine!

Land Rover Progress (1/35)

Finally I have some progress to show! My model of the Nystrup fire brigade's Land Rover is now ready for primer. The kit is a mix of resin, white metal and etched brass and needs a good priming to  provide a solid foundation for my preferred acrylic paint.

Table top snapshot of the Roadcraft Models' Series 1 Land Rover fire tender.

I fitted new suction pipe brackets on the bonnet home made from left over etched metal. The fire extinguisher is a spare part present from a fellow modeller. I mounted it on a bracket made from bent up brass. It's held in place with a leather strap from masking tape. I decided against fitting any roof. I didn't want to spoil the look of a rough and simple vehicle with neither sheet metal roof nor tarpaulin cover.

The kit isn't completly assembled as some of the parts (doors, water pump, suction pipes and water tank) will have to be painted separately. The glass in the windscreen will also be fitted once all the paint is on. Decals are designed and I hope to start painting soon.

A Piece of Genuine Nystrup Gravel History!

Apart from some images, newspaper clippings and documents very little remain of the original Nystrup Gravel. Last week I was surprised when I found that a large wooden box had been placed up against the gate to my house. When I looked closer it turned out to be a box with firm connection to Nystrup Gravel! Some follower of this blog obviously had this box in his or her possesion ever since the gravel company closed down and had now handed it over to me anonomously. The box was empty but I will no doubt find use for it and take good care of it! Thanks a lot!

A real piece of Nystrup Gravel! A wooden box with 'Nystrup Grus A/S' (the Danish name of the company) painted on the lid. Now I just have to find a nice old pad lock for the box.

My modelling is going through a quiet fase. Only little work is progressing on the Land Rover and another car model.