Oh, the irony!

The tanks are coming together slowly, and I was getting bored of stabbing myself removing the springs from the 45 tonners, so started yet another new project in the form of a Bachmann TEA.

I bought 3 of the tanks when Kernow MR Centre were selling them off cheap, thinking that I'd have to repaint them all, as the livery wasn't really suitable for the Total oil terminal, or the time period. However, a visit to Paul Bartlett's Fotopic site changed all that:

http://gallery6801.fotopic.net/p61948874.html

This is a fairly straightforward weathering project, more than a detailing exercise, there are subtle differences between the prototype picture and the model, but I'm not going to do anything about them. I don't feel it's worth really detailing something that is fundamentally wrong to start with (barrel diameter) and most people won't notice anyway!

So far, the moulded ladders have been removed and the gaps at the end filled (please Mr Bachmann, can we have tanks that fit together properly?), this was the best of the 3 in terms of the ends fitting the barrel, the next two are going to require a lot more work. I've also gone over the whole wagon with 1000 grit wet and dry paper, used wet, to matt down the finish, both to distress the paint and also to provide a key for the later weathering.

At this stage I've built up the area under the tank slightly to vaguely resemble the prototype, and fitted an etched ladder. It's not the best, I'll admit, but it is an improvement on the original moulding.

The first of the custom decals from the laser printer have been used, and I'm really happy with the results. In the pic above, the number, the 'no naked light' and 'not to be loose shunted' are ones I've designed and printed myself. I was worried that the yellow lettering on the shunting notice wouldn't work too well on the grey tank, but it's worked out fine.

Next job for this one is to decal up the other side, then start on the weathering. I'm going to enjoy that

Meanwhile, work also continues on the 45 tonners, with the next stage being the work on the barrels.

The first 4 have got the 'Esso' style of walkway, with the ladder on one end of the barrel, instead of having a ladder down to each side, from a central platform, on one end. The S Kits parts consist of an etch fret and fairly comprehensive instructions. It looks like it should be fairly straightforward to fit.

More as it happens!