Hydraulic Heaven

Andy,

Really like the Esso tank wagon - the weathering looks superb.  As you say the ladder needs a bit more attention but a lovely model nonetheless.

 

Ian

Hi Andy.

 

The tank wagon does look really good and its a great advert for Stephens kit. I dont know if you have mentioned it before but where are the transfers from? I agree with the ladder though, it does look a little too shiny to me.

 

M

Really like the Esso tank wagon - the weathering looks superb.  As you say the ladder needs a bit more attention but a lovely model nonetheless.

Thanks Ian.

 

The tank wagon does look really good and its a great advert for Stephens kit. I dont know if you have mentioned it before but where are the transfers from? I agree with the ladder though, it does look a little too shiny to me.

The transfers are from Cambridge Custom Transfers. About 6 or 7 quid for 4 wagons I think. They are a bit limited with the numbers (just four numbers all in the 3xxx range). I'm working on some custom decal artwork for another project but plan to squeeze on a few 4xxx Esso numbers so that I can make use of the later suspension and bottom discharge on some of the other tanks and also cover my rash purchase of a 45T kit.

 

It's hard to believe now but the paintwork on the tank is gloss Humbrol No 40. It was rather a leap of faith to spray gloss at a wagon and it looked very odd indeed when freshly painted. I used Micro Set with the transfers this time (contrary to the CCT instructions) and then hit the whole thing with a spray can of Testors Dullcote once everything was dry. This stuff is very dull indeed. The weathering went on top of that.

 

Regards, Andy

Couplings are never boring stuff!

With 2 wagons there are 8 permetations of how the DG couplings can mate.

End B/vehicle 1 : end A/vehicle 2                           x  2   :   according to whichever loop drops first

End B/vehicle 1 : end B/vehicle 2 (reversed)         x  2               (" above)

End A/vehicle 1 : end A/vehicle 2                           x  2               (" above)

End A/vehicle 1 : end B/vehicle 2 (reversed)          x  2               (" above)

This could be doubled, if you like, taking in to account any  foibles of which direction you are propelling.

You will probably retort that this is all hyperthetical nonesense but, believe me (as my handle might suggest) I have made a long hard study of what goes on over the years in order to develope the refinements I have made for my own use.

AutocouplerClass C

Couplings are never boring stuff!

They are very necessary but making, setting and testing them are not really the things that I most look forward to when sitting at my workbench. I do at least force myself to fit viable couplings rather than having a large stock of vehicles that can only be parked in sidings.

 

The job I have in mind is not DGs but the completion of the close couplings on the various rakes of coaches that I run on St Ruth.

 

Most of my rakes started out with 'N' gauge couplings between coaches so I've been progressively (that means... slowly) changing over to close couplings using rare earth magnets. With one more done today the rake that includes the Hawksworths is now fully done and I think that there are just four couplings left to replace to completely eradicate the Rapidos from the vehicles owned by yours truly that get used regularly on St Ruth.

 

Regards, Andy

Lovely stuff Andy - I must be the only person to like class 47's

 

More importantly, I am hoping to visit the Epsom exhibition so will be very pleased to see St Ruth again...and DITD of course

Lovely stuff Andy - I must be the only person to like class 47's

 

More importantly, I am hoping to visit the Epsom exhibition so will be very pleased to see St Ruth again...and DITD of course

 

Thanks Pete. I think I still carry my late 70s/early 80s prejudices against class 47s - there were loads of them and they always seemed to be replacing something more interesting. Anyway if this one proves that it can behave itself then it will get turned into something a bit more Westernised and less EastEnders although I now gather that the shiny shutters can stay, perhaps with a little toning down.

 

We shall be very happy to see you at the show along with any guest vehicles that you care to bring along - maybe it's time that a class 37 ventured to St Ruth?

We shall be very happy to see you at the show along with any guest vehicles that you care to bring along - maybe it's time that a class 37 ventured to St Ruth?

 

Thanks - If I can dig out any of my stock buried in the garage then that would be nice...a blue/yellow HST would sit luverly in the station too

I think I still carry my late 70s/early 80s prejudices against class 47s - there were loads of them and they always seemed to be replacing something more interesting. 

 

 

I'm with you Andy, when I was a spotter in the early 70s the cry of 'not another Duff' was regularly heard - they seemed to be everywhere - usually replacing a Western:-(

That said, I'm currently doing 47091 Thor which was a bit of a celebrity locally as it was the only one we saw regularly that retained two tone green (albeit pretty grotty) with the tops number.

Still very much enjoying your blog updates - keep them coming.

 

Jerry

Great set of rolling stock Andy! I'm half tempted to have a go at the 35t myself, however I have an association break van to tackle first.

I really like the impressive weathering too!

That said, I'm currently doing 47091 Thor which was a bit of a celebrity locally as it was the only one we saw regularly that retained two tone green (albeit pretty grotty) with the tops number.

Still very much enjoying your blog updates - keep them coming.

Thanks Jerry. Looking forward to seeing your 70s creations.

 

Great set of rolling stock Andy! I'm half tempted to have a go at the 35t myself, however I have an association break van to tackle first.

I really like the impressive weathering too!

Thanks Jez. Go on... get started on that van, you know it makes sense.