'O' gauge ? first tentative steps. Corrugated goods shed part 3: Painting and weathering

[3 link]

 

 

...perhaps it's a subtle ploy to ensure that anyone who completes one is a better modeller as a result? :-)

 

D

 

Hi David,

 

I do tend to agree especially with the Slaters kits, although some manufacturers think your second talent is mind reading .

 

ATB, Martyn.

[David Siddall]

Over the years I've used all sorts of things to add weight to plastic wagons but mainly 'penny washers' and have wondered from time to time about something a little more sophisticated and likely to fit into confined spaces.

 

Spotted a recommendation in this morning's new content to a source of self-adhesive 10 and 5 gramme weights primarily aimed at aero modellers and supplied by Sussex Model Centre. I've ordered a couple of packs (£3.99 for 8 weights) to see how I get on with them...

 

D

[3 link]

Morning David,

 

Personally I just use some scrap lead as it's easy enough to just fold up to what ever size is needed, and either stick it in place with some silcone or Araldite, see piccy below for how to gain more traction with lead B)

 

 

 

ATB,

 

Martyn.

 

P.S. Umm, not sure as to why the images have come out so small, if you did want to see them normal size they are in my gallery under "work in progress".

[David Siddall]

Personally I just use some scrap lead as it's easy enough to just fold up to what ever size is needed, and either stick it in place with some silcone or Araldite, see piccy below for how to gain more traction with lead B)

 

Always baffles me how people seem to have ready supplies of scrap lead to hand (nothing implied there of course my dear chap). At no point in my life have I ever actually managed to accumulate any. I suspect casual enquiries re. 'scrap lead' at the local pub would probably result in a visit from HM constabulary ;-)

 

D

[Donw]

You can often get scrap lead from restoring old buildings. You can buy it from builders merchants but it comes in sizeable rolls. You get odd bits left over from a job. You could ask your local firendly roofer if he has a bit. I had too much an took some to the scrap dealer its about £850 aton for scrap mind you copper is about £4000 per ton.

Don

[RedgateModels]

I know a roofer, electrician, plumber, builder, gas man etc - nothing better than having trades sorted out before an emergency

[David Siddall]

Just in case anyone was remotely curious, my tentative steps haven't faltered...they've just been temporarily curtailed. And I shouldn't sound like I begrudge that either because just as the media have attempted to blanket the country in a wave of double-dip recessional gloom we've been overwhelmed by work - 15 days on the trot, averaging something like 10 hours a day! But hey... if nothing else that aspirational JLTRT D63xx seems like it might be a lot more attainable that it did a few weeks ago!

 

Unfortunately that means the chances of getting to the Members Day in Taunton look like they're going to get canned too (rats!). The two new PCs which arrived last week are still in their boxes and a weekend of setting up looks like its in order ...plug and play may have come a long way but installing and configuring specialist software, in my experience, hasn't.

 

Hey ho, I'll be back doing battle with 'that' brakevan and turnout number three soon I have no doubt ...and with my new JLTRT LMS van kit which, for reasons I cannot for the life of me explain, is lurking temptingly amidst some of the aforemention software on the corner of the spare desk in my office ;-)

 

TTFN...

 

David

[Warspite]

Just in case anyone was remotely curious, my tentative steps haven't faltered...they've just been temporarily curtailed. And I shouldn't sound like I begrudge that either because just as the media have attempted to blanket the country in a wave of double-dip recessional gloom we've been overwhelmed by work - 15 days on the trot, averaging something like 10 hours a day! But hey... if nothing else that aspirational JLTRT D63xx seems like it might be a lot more attainable that it did a few weeks ago!

 

Unfortunately that means the chances of getting to the Members Day in Taunton look like they're going to get canned too (rats!). The two new PCs which arrived last week are still in their boxes and a weekend of setting up looks like its in order ...plug and play may have come a long way but installing and configuring specialist software, in my experience, hasn't.

 

David

 

Wondered where you'd been. I'd assumed you were either very busy with work or had knocked something else onto the floor! Glad it wasn't the latter! Mind you, I've not been on here much recently either. :-(

 

...and with my new JLTRT LMS van kit which, for reasons I cannot for the life of me explain, is lurking temptingly amidst some of the aforemention software on the corner of the spare desk in my office ;-)

 

 

You know you have to ....... you won't be able to resist it!

 

And you need a break from work. :-)

 

Stephen

[RTJ]

This has been such a long, interesting and well-written thread that I wonder if David S (and Richard D) wouldn't mind summarising what they have learnt about C&L point building and posting it as a 'sticky'.

 

It certainly has inspired me to buy a 'point-in-a-bag' although I still haven't got beyond opening the bag to look lovingly (and with a sense of bewilderment) at the contents. I can't see myself doing much with it yet either as I am a complete newbie to 'O' gauge (two ' unfinished 'OO' layouts in the garage to complete), and find that building a Connoisseur 4F is taking all my spare time.

 

Thanks again everyone.

 

BW

 

Richard.

[David Siddall]

I wonder if David S (and Richard D) wouldn't mind summarising what they have learnt about C&L point building and posting it a a 'sticky...

 

Ooooh, er, well now...

 

...several people have been kind enough to suggest something along these lines Richard - albeit there are many who are far better qualified than I to write anything like that. My ramblings to date have really been about seeking enlightenment from others rather than displaying any sense of competance and I'm honoured to think that in the process I've manage to encourage other beginners to have a go. I too recall a certain sense of 'what the hell have I got myself into here...' when I surveyed my first bag-full of turnout ....but I got there ;-)

 

Let me have a think about it and thanks again...

 

David

[Mike Bellamy]

Perhaps an article for the Gazette ?

 

There was a topic on the Gauge O Guild forum a couple of months ago about the magazine content and I have copied an extract below - it seems like your track building guide - from a beginner's point of view is just the sort of thing that this poster is looking for

 

Well, as far as I’m concerned it’s the lack of variety. If all you want to do is model steam locomotives then I can see that it’s a great magazine but it’s not really a model railway magazine. My perception is that there’s page after page of model steam locomotives (very good models I freely admit) but little else. Even the layouts are set in the steam age. Not that there’s anything wrong with that but not for page after page. It wouldn’t be so bad if there was an occasional article on signalling – semaphore or colour light, I’m not fussy – or perhaps track, but there isn’t. Nor is there anything on any form of motive power other than steam. It’s as though the world stopped in 1968.

[Donw]

Trackmaking is not that difficult people get a bit hung up on getting the timbering correct. The key things to remember are to make sure the rails are correct to gauge. the rail tops should be level across the track, where rails join any mismatch will cause a jolt, the switch blades should fit snuggly against the switch rails and the alignment of the wingrails and the crossing nose is important.

With C+L chairs they can be distorted under pressure if you are forcing gauges onto the rails you could be distorting chairs which will return when the gauge is removed.

If the base is not flat or sleepers are not stuck down flat you may have trouble with the level across the rails.

 

Regarding the comment about the Gazette content. As editor for 4 years I can tell you the editor depends on what members submit. I used a fair bit of arm twisting of friends to get articles and wrote a fair bit myself. I did put in as much modern image as I could Chris Turnbull and Paul Heard both did some modern stuff.

Don

[Mike Bellamy]

Regarding the comment about the Gazette content. As editor for 4 years I can tell you the editor depends on what members submit. I used a fair bit of arm twisting of friends to get articles and wrote a fair bit myself. I did put in as much modern image as I could Chris Turnbull and Paul Heard both did some modern stuff.

i know what you mean Don - 7mm Narrow Gauge Assn is just the same - I did their newsletter for a few years and often felt like sending out a blank piece of paper as that was all I had from members. A friend of mine is the editor for the Slim Gauge Circle (all American Narrow Gauge) and I was proof reading his latest issue over the weekend - again 80% by the editor and only 2 small contributions.

 

Mike

[David Siddall]

Perhaps an article for the Gazette ?

 

There was a topic on the Gauge O Guild forum a couple of months ago about the magazine content and I have copied an extract below - it seems like your track building guide - from a beginner's point of view is just the sort of thing that this poster is looking for

 

I'd feel a bit presumtuous putting something forward for the Gazette Mike, though the suggestion is hugely appreciated. Maybe I'll have a go here and if folks like what they see we'll see what transpires?

 

Work is seriously getting in the way of modelling at the moment but I'm giving the idea some serious thought.

 

David

[Mike Bellamy]

OK - here's another idea - run it past Andy and put your ramblings and a few photos into an article for Modelling Inspiration and/or British Railway Modelling - see details of the new print version etc here

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/55899-modelling-inspirations-whats-happening-next/page__fromsearch__1

 

Mike

[David Siddall]

I'm sincerely absolutely gobsmacked by the interest guys (and particularly appreciative of the supportive and encouraging PMs)...

 

If I say yes and have a go it's on the understanding that whatever the outcome it'll be a record of my own experience as a complete beginner (...just like this thread). It certainly won't be an attempt to inluence anyone, to encourage them to do anything the way that I've done it, or any kind of endorsement for any commercial product. Hopefully though it'll help folks make up their own minds about a few aspects of building their own turnouts.

 

Camping trip cancelled this weekend due to waterlogged campsite so maybe I'll start getting stuff together, but it may be a while before it's ready to share...

 

TTFN

 

David

[richard_t]

^{It seems that Bob Alderman has beat you to it, he's TIO in the latest Gazette is "How to build a C&L point kit"}

[The Nth Degree]

David, as a beginner to this scale myself, I've been following your thread for a while, among other threads with a similar theme. Like most publications, content is driven by readership and, if what's happening on this site is a reliable indicator, O/7mm modelling is growing rapidly. A beginner's point of view is probably the most valuable content as readers can not only follow you but be at the same level as you too - and there's no condescension or presumption. As soon as I'm ready I will join GOG and I'd love to read a well written and illustrated (as you've shown in this thread) article or series about a beginner to this great scale of modelling.

Steve

[hmrspaul]

Perhaps an article for the Gazette ?

 

There was a topic on the Gauge O Guild forum a couple of months ago about the magazine content and I have copied an extract below - it seems like your track building guide - from a beginner's point of view is just the sort of thing that this poster is looking for

 

As already mentioned, the Gazette received today has building C&L points, and an article on modifying Peco points. And for the post 1968 modeller the two loco articles are about Deltics and Birmingham RCW type 3 - although both in the attractive two tone green and white livery period. There is a layout which is early 1960s steam and diesel, and a construction article about SR CCT/PMVs which lasted into the mid 1980s. An article about weathering is about BR minerals, although there is a horrendous mistake with the 16tonner! The coach construction article may be about a steam era coach - but it is a SR push pull introduced in 1959 (not a typo!).

 

Every edition is different, and I'm sure the pre 1950 and post 1970 modellers will all be disappointed with this edition!

 

For those of you who do not see the Gazette, it is worth a look just to see how well produced a model railway magazine can be - good paper, plenty of colour (not limited to selected pages), attractive layout, signposting of every editorial page, adverts ONLY bookending the editorial pages. Not one of the professional model magazines come close to matching the production quality of the Gazette.

 

Paul Bartlett

[3 link]

As already mentioned, the Gazette received today has building C&L points, and an article on modifying Peco points. And for the post 1968 modeller the two loco articles are about Deltics and Birmingham RCW type 3 - although both in the attractive two tone green and white livery period. There is a layout which is early 1960s steam and diesel, and a construction article about SR CCT/PMVs which lasted into the mid 1980s. An article about weathering is about BR minerals, although there is a horrendous mistake with the 16tonner! The coach construction article may be about a steam era coach - but it is a SR push pull introduced in 1959 (not a typo!).

 

Every edition is different, and I'm sure the pre 1950 and post 1970 modellers will all be disappointed with this edition!

 

For those of you who do not see the Gazette, it is worth a look just to see how well produced a model railway magazine can be - good paper, plenty of colour (not limited to selected pages), attractive layout, signposting of every editorial page, adverts ONLY bookending the editorial pages. Not one of the professional model magazines come close to matching the production quality of the Gazette.

 

Paul Bartlett

 

I'll second that .

 

ATB, Martyn.

[David Siddall]

I must admit I did chuckle when I got back and eagerly flicked through the latest Gazette (...postie arrives late in these ere parts!). All those wishing for something covering the topic we've been discussing in said journal have been rewarded and a fine job Bob Alderman has done too :-)

 

However I think I'm getting a feeling for what folks are interested in hearing 'here' and that includes the 'OMG moments' that rarely appear in more authoritative published articles. And yes, there were plenty of 'OMG moments' (even a couple of 'OS' moments) during my journey from total beginner to the proud owner of my first kit-built turnout! Although to his great credit Bob candidly illustrates what can happen if you over-bend a blade (yup... BTDT ;-).

 

A concise, well-written magazine article needs to retain it's focus and that's what Bob has done admirably. He hasn't wandered off into 'speculative' territor so it's totally reasonable for him not to cover issues I learned about en-route such as the benefits of using Exactoscale's bridge chairs and fishplates and how to persuade the latter to fit C&L's rail profile. Likewise, I've based my turnouts on 'Timbertracks' bases whereas he's illustrating the moulded sleeper option. There is one issue he tackled though that I never will and that's creating 'vees' ...my legendarily inept soldering precludes anything that adventurous.

 

It seems the interest is still there so I think I'll give it a go... if it doesn't work (or gets anyone with an aversion to the dread word 'compromise' gets too hot under the collar) we can always ask Andy Y to consign it to the trash bin ;-)

 

David

[Warspite]

I must admit I did chuckle when I got back and eagerly flicked through the latest Gazette (...postie arrives late in these ere parts!). All those wishing for something covering the topic we've been discussing in said journal have been rewarded and a fine job Bob Alderman has done too :-)

 

However I think I'm getting a feeling for what folks are interested in hearing 'here' and that includes the 'OMG moments' that rarely appear in more authoritative published articles. And yes, there were plenty of 'OMG moments' (even a couple of 'OS' moments) during my journey from total beginner to the proud owner of my first kit-built turnout! Although to his great credit Bob candidly illustrates what can happen if you over-bend a blade (yup... BTDT ;-).

 

A concise, well-written magazine article needs to retain it's focus and that's what Bob has done admirably. He hasn't wandered off into 'speculative' territor so it's totally reasonable for him not to cover issues I learned about en-route such as the benefits of using Exactoscale's bridge chairs and fishplates and how to persuade the latter to fit C&L's rail profile. Likewise, I've based my turnouts on 'Timbertracks' bases whereas he's illustrating the moulded sleeper option. There is one issue he tackled though that I never will and that's creating 'vees' ...my legendarily inept soldering precludes anything that adventurous.

 

It seems the interest is still there so I think I'll give it a go... if it doesn't work (or gets anyone with an aversion to the dread word 'compromise' gets too hot under the collar) we can always ask Andy Y to consign it to the trash bin ;-)

 

David

 

David

 

Before I read your post (and having looked at the latest Gazette), I was going to suggest just that.

 

I, for one, need a 'warts and all' (if you don't mind me describing your thread in such terms!) detailed description of how to, and how not to, build a C&L turnout. For my next layout (in 20??), I will have a go at handmade track so your thread will be invaluable.

 

So .......... go for it. Please.

 

Stephen

[Warspite]

An article about weathering is about BR minerals, although there is a horrendous mistake with the 16tonner!

 

Paul

 

Could you enlighten us? Is it the positioning of the number on the R/H side of the wagon?

 

Stephen

[hmrspaul]

Paul

 

Could you enlighten us? Is it the positioning of the number on the R/H side of the wagon?

 

Stephen

 

Stephen, in a word Yes!

 

I would have liked to know what he used for the grey as well. I cannot see it mentioned. It is a weird article in that there is a table with Humbrol numbers but he refers to Games Workshop paints in several places (he does name a few). Perhaps useful that he doesn't detail them very much and hasn't assumed they would be available, as GW have altered their entire range.

 

Paul Bartlett

[Mike]

Come on guys, the article is about weathering techniques not a definitive how to build a 16t mineral wagon.

Mike