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Newbryford's mostly Yellow workbench - "it's a drag, man......."


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For those that know me, you will agree that I have more than a passing interest in modelling Network Rail test trains in 00. I think it's about time that I detailed my work to show that it isn't particularly difficult in many cases to convert a r-t-r item into something more accurately representing the prototype than just simply painting it yellow.

I have put this thread in modifying r-t-r although a couple of items are not in that ctaegory, but it keeps everything in one place (unlike my shed and workbench.......)

I'll start the ball rolling with my second project (the first was a Hurst NMT conversion, but as I have a replacement planned, I'll leave that for now).

It was whilst exhibiting Blackmill at Derby, I took a couple of photographs of some coaches outside what I still know as RTC - Research & Technical Centre. At first glance it simply looked like a Mk2b BFK, a BG and a Mk1 of unknown parentage, top and tailed by a pair of 31's

Further research once I got home, revealed this to be:

977969 - dormitory coach - ex-Royal train staff coach 2906, previously BFK 14112,
6263 - formerly Mk1 full brake 81231/92961, now a generator van.
62482 - Ultrasonic test coach 2 - ex 4-REP driving motor
31105 and 31190

 

1868836958_UTU2010RM.jpg.602279d6c83bb4c7329c5b1068487e2c.jpg


More details to follow.

Cheers,
Mick

Edited by newbryford
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................ I think it's about time that I detailed my work to show that it isn't particularly difficult in many cases to convert a r-t-r item into something more accurately representing the prototype than just simply painting it yellow.

 

More details to follow.

 

Cheers,

Mick

 

Looking forward to this. Nice one Mick.

 

Guy

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First stop for information was the much missed fotopic. I was also fortunate in acquiring pictures from two other sources. One was a fellow "yellow junkie" who I had made contact with whilst building my NMT. The other was a long standing friend, whom I discovered was currently working for Serco and driving the the test trains.

 

 

I'll start with the easiest conversion for UTU2

 

6263 – Generator Van.

 

Like any good modeller, I had a stash of spare models awaiting potential future projects and a Regional Railways liveried BG was earmarked for UTU2. (Incidentally, a Merseyside based retailer is currently selling a suitable donor model for £10........). After doing this set, further projects usually have all the paint stripped with Superstrip before carrying out any work.

 

The major surgery simply is that four windows replaced by grilles and a a couple of the other windows are blanked out. Note that the two sides are different.

I had previously represented grilles on a BSK generator coach a few years ago by using Evergreen profiled sheeting (clapboard 4031) and this method was used again. The grille fitted window corners were made "square" by using a small needle file.

The blanked out windows were filled in using styrene sheet, finished off with filler and sanded down. If necessary, this process was repeated. The roof vents were changed to the correct scalloped type for 6263. These were from the MJT range.

End details, such as the connector boxes for electrical and through MU cabling were made from scraps of styrene strip and rod.

6263 rides on the slightly heavier B5 bogies – these were represented by gluing a small strip of plastic along the lower bolster to beef up its appearance. The radius arm on a B5 is square, but I left this alone.

Footsteps were added using thin strips of plasticard fixed to the bogies with Evostik impact.

 

The underframe mounted fuel tanks were made from styrene along with the footsteps.

The solebar mounted fluorescent lights were made from plasticard strips, filed to shape.

 

Even within the four NR generators 6261-6264, there are subtle differences. As always, the phrase "work from photographs" is a preferred requirement.

 

The important thing is to take your time.

Don't try doing two jobs on the same part at once. Make sure the glue/solvent/filler has cured properly before carrying out the next phase. I use Squadron White putty, which is capable of being filed/drilled within about 1 hour, but it can still shrink slightly for about 24 hours after application.

 

One big advantage of the Bachmann Mk1 range is that it is easily split into sides/roof/chassis plus ends/interior enabling work to be carried out on one section, whilst another is drying.

 

NOTE - the NR generator vans have undergone a refurbishment program that has seen two sets of doors on each side welded/plated. This will be covered in a later build.

 

UTU02s.jpg.e4b5a294f0f51aab94d5fc73926e11a9.jpg

 

UTU03s.jpg.719f1bb703ce8fb08e6a466e7bf13db1.jpg

 

 

Cheers,

Mick

UTU02RM.jpg

UTU03RM.jpg

Edited by newbryford
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Apart from just describing the changes, I'll try and explain a few methods and techniques that I use. Some of these ideas are original, some are copied/borrowed from others, for which I take no credit. I'm also sure that there are other methods that work for other people, but these work for me!

 

 

 

If you want to replace moulded detail - such as handrails - here's a quick hint to drilling the new holes in the right place. provided of course that the moulded handrails are in the right place on the existing body.

 

Using a sharp blade, cut off most off the handrail, trying to get fairly flush with the body, but taking care not to cut into the main body. You should now have a nice outline of the removed handrail showing against the body.

Do not file or sand back to flush yet.

 

Now drill the holes for the end of the handrail, using the outline as a guide. Once the holes are drilled, then smooth the surface flush with the body - you may have to run the drill through again just to reopen the hole.

 

If you cut off the handrail and file it flush, then you easily lose the exact location for the new handrail.

 

Pics to follow.

 

Cheers,

Mick

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Pic to explain the above.

DSCF3259.JPG.bc9c41c49e7b916c66cdf14746fda1a6.JPG

 

 

In this case, the door handles were being replaced. You can still see the remains of the moulding and the hole for the new handle is drilled in the exact place of the original. The remaining part of the moulding is then fully removed with scraper/file/fibreglass brush as appropriate.

 

The image also clearly shows the new grille, manufactured from Evergreen 4031 fitted in place of one of the windows - the rounded corners have been squared off as per prototype.

 

Cheers,

Mick

Edited by newbryford
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Here's a closer pic of the end detail:

 

1036949722_Picture014s.jpg.919d8276e33a82637b848fda9c5ab102.jpg

 

 

All parts made from small pieces of styrene. The "rain cover" is from strip, the connector boxes from thicker pieces and round section.

 

6263_02s.jpg.38429f9f2c3717e153f180992a49e913.jpg

 

 

The cables are actually small gauge solder, fitted into holes drilled diagonally upwards into the connectors and boxes.

 

Number transfers from the PC/HMRS Pressfix range and Network rail logos could be from any one of three suppiers - SJR Models, Hurst Models or a limited run from Charlie Petty at DC kits. (It's been awhile since I built this)

 

The external brown cable is through wiring for a speaker fitted loco at the other end (more of this later)

 

The gap between roof and end is due to the structure not being fully reassembled with screws at this point!

 

 

To carry out this sort of work on the generator van so far, not much more than a basic toolkit is used. the only "specialist" items I used were a fibre glass brush and pinchuck for small drills. Although many modellers would include those items in a normal modeller's toolbox. Both items are unlikely to set you back more than a tenner!

 

Cheers,

Mick

Edited by newbryford
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Hello Mick,

Nice work! You're tempting me to crack out some Farish mk1s, lots of plastic and the yellow paint! I've a few yellow things planned, please keep tempting me!

Looking forward to the next update

 

jo

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The next vehicle in UTU2 is a little more complex, but don't worry, I wil eventually return to the simpler things in life such as blanking out Mk2 windows......

 

977969 - Network Rail staff coach, formerly a Royal train staff coach 2906 and before that BFK 14112. It's previous use led me to Hurst Models overlays for 2905/2906. Although I could only obtain them as a pair at the time, 2905 wouldn't go amiss as this may form the basis of a railtour set as 2905 has reverted back to 17105 in the Riviera trains fleet.

A Lima Mk2 was purchased for a few pounds on a second hand stall and the conversion carried out as per the instructions. Remove all the detail and cut out the body where the windows would be, using the new side as a template.

The difficult part was rolling the lower side by using a piece of broom handle and roll the body on a few layers of tissue paper.

My favourite adhesive Evostik was then used with lots of wooden clothes pegs used along the bottom edge. I haven't got any pictures of this stage, but will do when I do another overlay.

UTU04s.jpg.4f14754a49923794a0c617befc240ef1.jpg

 

UTU06s.jpg.2dd6299ff4ae2733ea75792167f5ea8e.jpg

 

UTU05s.jpg.85bb4ad7d666a3893ac7cae34e03f8df.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ventilators are from the MJT range again. Some of the undeframe details needed moving, so the razor saw and mini drill were used to carefully cut them off and then refixed in the correct positions. A couple of other small parts were constructed from the obligatory styrene offcuts. The ends were also modified with small cutouts - presumably from it's days as a RT coach.

 

Cheers,

Mick

Edited by newbryford
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  • 2 weeks later...
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A visit to the paintshops and this is the result.

post-408-0-15308000-1332890848_thumb.jpg

 

post-408-0-45219100-1332890901_thumb.jpg

 

The basic painting of yellow, grey and orange stripe was carried out by Steve Moore and I added the transfers and silver window surrounds.

 

 

Moving away from coaches for a moment, I set to on one of the locos - 31105.

 

If anyone is remotely familiar with the NR 31's, you'll find that there seems to be no two alike!

 

The donor was a "dutch" liveried 31110, which had the paint removed using Phoenix Precision Superstrip after removing all the handrails.

The biggest difference is that the NR 31105 is fitted with original style horizontal radiator grilles and standard fan cowling, whereas the supplied 31110 had the later vertical radiator and prominent upturned fan cowling.

 

These two items are seperate fitments to the body and I had previously acquired a green D5531 at a good price previously. The fan and radiator mouldings were removed from this and fitted to 105 - the vertical radiators were later reused on 31233 - which wil be described later. The horizontal bar across the grille was added with a strip of plastic.

 

post-408-0-56121000-1332892259_thumb.jpg

 

 

The cab roof horn cowling/ventilator (?) has also been modified on 105 and this was replaced with suitably sized pieces of plasticard and the headlight moulding is from the Relica/Shawplan range. NRN radio bases are from Hurst Models

 

post-408-0-61666000-1332892278_thumb.jpg

 

Cheers,

Mick

Edited by newbryford
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The new headlight on the 31 needs a LED and there's not a lot of room for it. I resorted to grinding a small amount from the floor casting and filing a similar amount from under the cab moulding.

 

post-408-0-71463100-1333567588.jpg

 

post-408-0-31779000-1333567615.jpg

 

Due to the 31 having Hornby's peculiar negative common, I decided to wire the headlight (and the one at the other end) directly to the 8 pin plug white and yellow leads.

 

And a couple of layers of paint later

 

post-408-0-98761700-1333567872_thumb.jpg

 

Next up will be UTU2 itself - 62482, ex 4-REP driving car. A bit more complicated than filling in a couple of windows (and not yellow), but don't worry, I'll get back to simpler things later!

 

Cheers,

Mick

Edited by newbryford
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Next up will be UTU2 itself - 62482, ex 4-REP driving car. A bit more complicated than filling in a couple of windows (and not yellow), but don't worry, I'll get back to simpler things later!

That's the one I'm really looking forward to - I plan to build a model of that with the former class 101 tractors.

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That's the one I'm really looking forward to - I plan to build a model of that with the former class 101 tractors.

 

This is where it gets complicated.

I don't know if UTU2 62482 ever ran with the 101 tractors, whereas UTU3 - 999602 (ex-62483 and quite different in modification to 62482) certainly did. And will be featured later in this thread. If anyone has pics of 62482 with the 101, then I'd be interested.

 

62482 was later renumbered to 999605 and painted yellow...............

 

999606 is UTU4 and also different!

 

:scratchhead:

 

Cheers,

Mick

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This is where it gets complicated.

I don't know if UTU2 62482 ever ran with the 101 tractors, whereas UTU3 - 999602 (ex-62483 and quite different in modification to 62482) certainly did. And will be featured later in this thread. If anyone has pics of 62482 with the 101, then I'd be interested.

Sorry, yes, 999602 is the one I'm interested in, not 62482 - it was the 4-REP reference that got me, I didn't know that more had been converted. I'll be looking forward to that part of the thread now :D

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This was the difficult part of UTU2 - as previously noted, I will come back to a couple of simpler conversions.

 

Originally part of a 4-REP EMU and being Mk1 based, I originally looked at butchering a Bachmann Mk1 as the starting point. I also investigated the possibilities of existing and past kits of 4-REP units, leading me to No Nonsense Kits and Southern Pride. NNK had taken over the old MTK range of EMU’s but couldn’t help as they hadn’t yet got round to updating the 4-REP kit. I don't currently know the situation with NNK as Alistair has since sadly passed away.

 

David Lewis at Southern Pride offered to do a bespoke set of vinyl cut sides, based upon his 4-REP kits, if I could provide details of the modified sides from their original 4-REP condition. A couple of emailed photographs later and a sample drawing was on its way to me, complete with a couple of pieces of vinyl to approve the colour. Although it would only be in the basic Railtrack blue, I could easily add the upper lime green band and orange cantrail stripe.

 

For those not familiar with Southern Pride EMU kits, they comprise laser cut vinyl overlays on clear sides, thus giving a near flush glazed finish. Window frames are a separate overlay.

 

To complete the coach, from Southern Pride, I also ordered the floor, ends and roof along with SR Mk5 power bogies, gangways, shoebeams and underframe mounted electrical boxes.

 

Within a week or so, the whole thing arrived through my letter box. I was extremely pleased with the sides – some of the window frames are alloy finish and some are blue – these were included as separate laser cut sheets. The grilles were very effectively represented by slots within the vinyl sides and black plastic behind them.

 

The roof was supplied as one long piece and I had to modify this to include the lowered roof section. As I hadn’t got any measurements for this, a little bit of guesswork and scaling from photographs resulted in a big hole in the roof! The hole starts at 7mm from the end and is 60mm long. The floor of the lowered section was filled in using 40 thou plasticard and the box made from large rectangular section Evergreen strip. All the pictures of the roof of 62482 intimated that the box wasn’t central, but I couldn’t work out how far to offset it. By chance, a photograph of UTU2 stabled at Poole turned up in Rail Express magazine, which was taken from a sufficiently high vantage point to make a good guess at the offset!

 

The kit was now assembled according to the instructions, but no matter how I tried, I couldn’t get the ends and roof to mate correctly – the ends were tending to bow outwards – probably because of the hacking I’d done to the kit! The problem was fixed by gluing two tabs inside the ends, into which the roof moulding could slot, plug and socket style, thus positively locating the roof and end together.

One of the ends required a little more work – this was the former cab end, which carried a SR “shrouded†gangway. I made this by gluing thin strips of styrene around the gangway. Once again, the trusty offcuts of plastic provided the electrical boxes and connectors. The larger underframe boxes were made from Southern Pride items, with a few scraps of styrene for extra detail.

 

post-408-0-65508000-1333832872_thumb.jpg

 

post-408-0-89969700-1333832897_thumb.jpg

Once fixed together, the coach is straight!

 

post-408-0-43146500-1333833788_thumb.jpg

The LED inspection lights are fed directly from the DCC supply (with suitable series resistor) on the the track with pickups fitted to one bogie.

 

post-408-0-34435000-1333833803_thumb.jpg

 

As also mentioned above, 62482 has since been refurbished and repainted yellow and acquired the number 999605 which brings it into line with other test/measurement vehicles.

 

 

Cheers,

Mick

Edited by newbryford
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I don't currently know the situation with NNK as Alistair has since sadly passed away.

 

Hi,

 

The No-nonsence kits range was brought by Precision Paints I think last year, but it seems from their website they haven't actually released any kits yet, just some packs of wire.

 

Simon

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This arrived in the post this morning. My first etched project.

 

post-408-0-24344200-1334263557_thumb.jpg

 

It's a set of blanks to fit a Bachmann BG with panelled windows to model HST barrier vehicles 6392 and 6397. The windows are panelled over, rather than flush as on the NR generator vans.

 

Pic of the prototype at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/banburybob/4252086990/

 

Any of the other similar coaches - 6395/6398/6399 etc - can also be modelled.

 

post-408-0-03117900-1334263845_thumb.jpg

 

is the first test fit. The etch also includes the strips that are fitted to the edges of the body - presumably a corrosion issue on the prototype.

 

If anyone is interested in a set (or two) of etches, please contact me via PM (I have OK'ed this with Andy Y)

 

More details on the full conversion will follow shortly.

 

Thanks to Les Green of this parish for preparing the drawing after a couple of conversations and sketches.

 

Cheers,

Mick

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A quick pic of the full sides.

post-408-0-13411400-1334391934_thumb.jpg

 

And the rear view

post-408-0-04659800-1334391946_thumb.jpg

 

Off to work now - more details later.

 

Cheers,

Mick

Edited by newbryford
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A few more pics of the project.

 

The first showing the slight curvature required to fit the window blanks. Done by gently pressing the etch around something about 2" in diameter - in my case, the nearest available small bottle. The half-etched line is to the inside - this locates the panel in the window opening. The half-etch also reduces the visible thickness to represent the panel - see last pic for the result.

 

post-408-0-20925400-1334497235_thumb.jpg

 

And the small alteration to the large windows to fit the etch (I slightly underestimated the corner radius of the "inner" section). The top right corner has been "nicked" to allow the etch to fit snugly - the cut takes less than 5 seconds to do! All corners of all the large windows require to be done - that's about 2 minutes work

 

post-408-0-67231400-1334497340_thumb.jpg

 

As the contact between etch and body is so small, I've reinforced the rear of the joint with epoxy resin - probably overdone it a bit here though!

 

post-408-0-41174600-1334497435_thumb.jpg

 

Finally, a coat of primer shows exactly what I was trying to do and create panelled windows - not a flush fitted blank, such as those on the NR generator vans. Wire handrails have also been fitted

 

post-408-0-76669000-1334497496_thumb.jpg

 

Cheers,

Mick

Edited by newbryford
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The next coach is almost complete - just awaiting handrails.

 

This pic shows my method of attaching the lower body edging strips - using a scrap of masking tape to hold it in place and applying superglue with a cockstail stick at the other end. Once set, removing the tape and dripping in a bit more glue and working along the strip. (Other methods are available!)

 

post-408-0-94173600-1334867551_thumb.jpg

 

It's about this point that you decide how much work you want to do...........

 

The ends and roof have also been worked on - in this case I've cut off the existing ventilators and replaced them with MJT 2943 scalloped type. Some of the other barrier vans have different ventilators. Excess end detail has also been removed with sharp blade and fibreglass brush to do 6392/6397. A thin coat of primer highlights a little bit more work needed to completely remove the mouldings. New holes will be drilled for new handrails.

 

post-408-0-91000700-1334867581_thumb.jpg

 

 

 

As always - these methods work for me. I'd be happy to hear of other techniques

 

Cheers,

Mick

Edited by newbryford
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Whilst looking for good images showing the porterbrook logo on 6397, I realised that 6397 doesn't have the lower edge strips - so those that have acquired the etches - don't fit them to 6397 if that's one that you do!

 

The other missing link is I'm not certain if the inner end gangway - that couples to the HST coaches - is modified or partially removed. http://www.departmentals.com/photo/6397-1 looks like it has been shortened and plated - can anyone provide any better images?Thanks,Mick

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