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Hello 'details' my old friend...


James Hilton

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I've said it before and I'll say it again, I quite often find myself re-visiting models!

 

This time it's my resprayed Bachmann 37/0 - now masquerading as 37013. I've fitted a DCC decoder this evening as Paxton Road progresses and my Dynamis is semi-permanently installed now, and looking at the details things felt a little chunky and crude compared to my latest 37, Caerphilly Castle.

 

So I dug out the Hornby Class 31 buffers (a huge improvement over the Bachmann effort) and the 40 links per inch chain (thanks Jon) and knicker elastic (thanks other Jon) for a bit of fettling. The buffers were replaced - the MU socket replaced with a part from the Hornby 31 detailing pack and then the knicker elastic was used to replace the MU hose, after drilling out the plug and bufferbeam connection 0.5mm to accept the elastic. I've then used some brass etch fret to form the brake actuation rod and threaded the chain onto that at one end and 0.35mm wire at the other. I've also added sanding pipes front and rear on the one bogie (so far) which is a big visual improvement as these are elastic they can actually be fitted to the chassis and bogie without limiting motion. Last but not least I used some stainless steel etch fret to make the bufferbeam foot step.

 

Worth it?

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Work will continue on the other four bogies, other buffer beam and then the fuel tanks will be modified like I did on Caerphilly Castle. I'll finish off by touching in the details, dusting some grime along the bottom tumblehome with my new airbrush, adding some more exhaust powder to the roof before sealing with a fine mist of varnish.

 

Questions and comments welcome as usual :)

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That's lookin' nice James - the B+W picture is particularly compelling too...

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Looks very good. The foot step really stands out in the picture - it's so fine. I think with a few of this kind of detail on a model it's very easy for the eye to read it as the real thing since it's got enough resolution, if you see what I mean?

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Thanks chaps - I must do something about the skinny brake cylinders too!

 

Will - I definitely know what you mean. The footstep is scrap etch fret from the S-kits brake discs I used on my Bachmann airbraked two axle stock so I've got quite a lot of it.

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Worthwhile additions, James :) Once you sort the skinny brake cylinders, you'll be there with that one (unless you decided to do the windscreens!)

 

I've got some dimensions, and close-up photos, of the brake cylinders at home - I'll pm you later.

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Thanks Martin! :)

I have got a set of the Shawplan etches and laser cut windscreen stuff but not sure which, if any, of my three 37s will receive it as all are sort of weathered and I'd be worried about matching in after I'd fitted them :)

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James, looking good! The chains are an improvement arren't they... and Will's right, that foot step is very crisp. What I find surprising is that even with all the pipework, the cadee doesn't detract in any way from the detailing. Looking forward to seeing the final result....

Jon

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Jon - thanks! and thanks for the chain :) It might be another few weeks before she's finished as I'm working on the latest issue of my mountainbike e-zine at present.

 

I guess the eye registers the Kadee, but then 'edits' it out - as it does with any non-scale/prototypical coupler... however the advantage of the Kadee over a small tension lock is you can still include full pipework (well almost) on the buffer beam without restricting movement :)

 

The best thing is the buffers can virtually touch each other and the gap stays constant when pulling or pushing a rake of wagons/coaches. They can be a bit temperamental and fussy with magnet placement, refusing to seperate if even slightly on a curve (annoying for me as the VGAs are just a touch to long in this regard) but they're cheap (ish), easy to fit, not fiddly and 90%ish reliable which is good enough for me playing at home :)

 

 

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