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SE&CR E1 and a few other loco projects

Barry Ten

Entry posted by Barry Ten

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Just a few brief mentions of some loco projects that have been on and off the workbench this week.

 

First up, the SE&CR E1 class has had some reworking of its pipework and associated details following

the photos in the David Maidment book on Maunsell 4-4-0s. There's not much left to be done now,

and I've already started filling and sanding in preparation for the painting.

 

e1class.jpg.95dbe1f00889842ba4767ba392b53be9.jpg

 

Next up is this Dean Goods which has been featured on these pages before. All I've done to it this week is change the chimney, using a 247 Developments casting, add a smokebox door handle, and put the correct numbers of the buffer beam. I think the loco-tender gap can be reduced a bit. This is one of my favorite models, not least because there was such a fight to get it running the

way I wanted.

 

dean.jpg.403e6c5311b2bcfcd7dd26ea9bbe8647.jpg

 

Into pure RTR land now, with this Bachmann 4500 class Prairie. This" is one of two GWR-lettered locos (a 4500 and 4575) that I picked up from Totally Trains in Ross-on-Wye about 15 years ago, not long after the initial release of these models. Although both models have had a fair bit of running, they were both still totally out of the box except for the removal of the tension locks. I had

some plates in hand for 4550 so this week I backdated the model by removing the original lettering with T-cut, then replacing with HMRS decals. Light weathering was applied, as well as crew, screw couplings, coal and lamps, and that's your lot. It was only when weathering this model that I got a real appreciation for how intricate the body detailing is. All my Praries still run superbly, and with the body being as good as it is, they easily hold their own with contemporary releases.

 

prairie1.jpg.0389652dbaa42edf577b0c2307002707.jpg

 

Finally, a bit of a throwback. I had an old Tri-ang Pannier chassis lying around, as well as a spare Bachmann Pannier chassis, and I wondered how well the two might be married. A couple of careful hours with a rotary tool had enough of the plastic shaved away to enable a very nice accommodation of the newer chassis. In my case the chassis was one of the older Blue Riband units with a fairly fat can motor, so it should be even easier with a newer unit. I do have some Comet chassis parts squirrelled away, but the Bachmann units are so reliable and rugged that it seems daft not to use them.

 

Aside from the sentimental value of the old Pannier body, the advantage in going this way is that a non-top fitted Pannier is very easily obtained and - as I hope is evident in comparison with the Bachmann model - the proportions of the Tri-ang moulding are spot on. My plan is remove the crudely done handrails, fill and tidy up various damage, then replace new handrails, details, etc, and finally end up with a nice inter-war Pannier which won't look out of place on the layout.

 

pannier.jpg.9eed7b8d437f183698b5e3dd0a9d15e7.jpg

 

Cheers!

 

 

 

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down the sdjr

Lovely looking models,

I also am impressed with Bachmanns details, great locos as a starting point. I have a almost 20 year old Bachmann 4MT tank that ive started running again recently. Its really nice and deserves some attention, maybe weathered etc, but i dont know where to start.

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  • RMweb Gold
Barry Ten
  • RMweb Gold

The 4MT tank is an excellent model as you say. I did some light weathering on mine when it came (mainly dry brushing I think) out so I'll dig out a photo later.

 

The weathering on these locos was all done with brushes by the way. I brush on this stuff straight from the pot:

 

37963-large.jpg.9526d358b937ff17c90f7fedc6408113.jpg

 

and then almost immediately take most of it off using cotton buds, leaving just a residue in corners, around

boiler bands etc. The stuff dries quickly so layers of weathering can be built up very easily. If you put too much

on, or decide you don't like the finish (even if it's months later) it comes off quite easily with acrylic thinners

or alcohol. With some of my locos, I cut back the weathering a bit after living them with a while. 

 

 

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down the sdjr

Thank you for sharing this. i will have a go at weathering the 4mt but may ask for some advice if thats ok? i like paint brushes as well, look forward to a photo.

Thank you

 

Paul.

Edited by down the sdjr
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  • RMweb Gold
Barry Ten
  • RMweb Gold

Hope this is of some help.

 

I've just taken it out of its box for the first time in about five years and II can see some areas that need attention, such as the finger marks

on the side tanks, not to mention the steps and other detail parts still needing to be fitted.

 

I think the weathering was all done with dry brushed enamels - I would be more likely to use the Lifecolor acrylics now as they dry quicker,

are very matt, and nice to work with.

 

4mt.jpg.939a1ee767a57adf37ec4aafb8117120.jpg

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RoyalClaud

I don’t know whether you look at the Rail-Online website but there has recently been uploaded at Home»All Photographs»Recently added: steam and pre-TOPS

a useful 1961 colour shot of the right hand side of 31789 taken at Eastleigh.

It’s the 61st picture down.

 

RN

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down the sdjr

I have ordered a set of the Lifecolor paints and will give it a go. If it looks half as good as yours i will post up a picture.

Really like the E1 Class kit build, looking forward to seeing that painted.

 

Thanks again for the tips.

 

Paul.

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