Jump to content
 
  • entries
    33
  • comments
    86
  • views
    31,773

A sneak peak

wiggoforgold

Entry posted by wiggoforgold

531 views

 Share

I thought I'd model something a bit different( for me) this Christmas. Years ago I brought a Bachmann class 46 when it was first upgraded. The intention was to use the bogies and motor in a class 40 but that never happened. The Bachmann class 46 languished on a shelf until earlier this year when I decided to resurrect it. I bought a Craftsman conversion kit to convert it to a class 44, and some Fox etched nameplates.

I followed the Craftsman instructions for the conversion. When it came to the ends I found that the etched nose doors as supplied didn't look right if they were fitted flat as per the instructions. I therefore slightly curved the very top of them before fitting,which greatly improves the appearance. I also substituted some spare headcode discs from a Bachmann class 24 for the etched ones in the kit as the Bachmann ones were easier to fit.

blogentry-6772-0-77346300-1294337761_thumb.jpg

The model was finished apart from glazing and small details such as nose handrails and windscreen wipers.

The body was airbrushed Railmatch BR green. The grey roof and yellow ends are Tamiya Acrylics. When dry the green areas were polished with T-cut, and Fox transfers applied.

The model was then weathered, first with a very dilute mixture of Tamiya flat earth NATO black and IJN deck brown. ( I Think flat earth and NATO black are my favouriteTamiya colours- I certainly go through a lot of them) Rather than use Tamiya thinners, I make my own from Isopropyl Alcohol (ask a friendly chemist) diluted 50/50 with distilled water. The grey/earth mixture was applied to areas about the size of a postage stamp at a time, and immediately wiped off with a cotton bud. One of the reasons for a heavily thinned mix is it retards the drying time so that the wiping off will be properly effective. Some may feel safer using a similar mix of enamels, which will have a longer drying time than acrylics.

Once the thinned mix was dry the body had a toned down matt finish. I applied more T-cut to the green areas to remove more of the mix.

Once satisfied I dry brshed flat earth along the bottom of the body sides. Pictures show some staining below the small grille on the body side, and this was represented by dry brushed Tamiya dark grey XF 24. Silver was lightly drybrushed on the roof access steps and below the cab doors.

I have noticed that the tops of the noses on green diesels escaped the attentions of the cleaners even when an attempt was made to clean the rest of the loco so weathering was applied to these areas using Carrs and Tamiya powders.

The roof had awash of a heavily thinned mix of Tamiya dark grey and flat earth. This was wiped off as on the body sides. Once this was dry the roof area was sprayed lightly with Tamiya flat black XF1, with a heavier coating round the exhausts.

Once all this was done the nameplates were fitted.

The model still needs glazing,and some small details such as windscreen wipers and nose handrails, but I am currently recovering from a detatched retina, and at the moment my distance perception is insufficient for the accurate cutting and drilling involved.

blogentry-6772-0-99209700-1294342474_thumb.jpg

blogentry-6772-0-54544400-1294342602_thumb.jpg

blogentry-6772-0-46405000-1294342632_thumb.jpg

  • Like 1
 Share

5 Comments

Recommended Comments

  • RMweb Gold
46444
  • RMweb Gold

Hi Alex,

 

Have now had time to have a proper look at your new 'Peak'.

 

I'll have to dig out my old 'Power of the Peaks' book as well now. Having been brought up with Class 45's on the Midland Mainline I'm a bit of a fan of these locos. Only ever saw one Class 44 in service though, and that was 44008 'Penyghent' at Peterborough in the early 80's.

 

Nice design and I actually prefer the 44 over the 45/46.

 

As for your model I think it captures the look just right, especially around the nose area and the front bufferbeam.

 

I like the finish too. Green suited these locos better than blue and the weathering really enhances the finished loco.

 

Now the big question is: Did they make it to St.Ives? :D

 

Looking forwards to the next update.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

Link to comment
wiggoforgold

Hi Alex,

 

Have now had time to have a proper look at your new 'Peak'.

 

I'll have to dig out my old 'Power of the Peaks' book as well now. Having been brought up with Class 45's on the Midland Mainline I'm a bit of a fan of these locos. Only ever saw one Class 44 in service though, and that was 44008 'Penyghent' at Peterborough in the early 80's.

 

Nice design and I actually prefer the 44 over the 45/46.

 

As for your model I think it captures the look just right, especially around the nose area and the front bufferbeam.

 

I like the finish too. Green suited these locos better than blue and the weathering really enhances the finished loco.

 

Now the big question is: Did they make it to St.Ives? :D

 

Looking forwards to the next update.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

Link to comment
wiggoforgold

Mark

Thanks for the kind comments. Apologies for the heavy fingered republishing of your post!

In my imaginary world the March-Cambridge Loopvia St Ives formed part of a line promoted by the colliery owners of S.Yorks/ Nottinghamshire to carry coal to London avoiding the ECML. BR tried Peaks out on this line. (I expect they would have tried 9fs as well(He He)

Alex

Link to comment
the penguin of doom

Peaktastic Alex.

 

That weathering is spot on in my book and I see you've taken the bold step of doing it in the "economy" livery minus body stripe etc.

 

I always think they looked better with all the "trim" so It took a bit of self control to do some of mine in this livery. Hats off to you too for doing the same.

 

Cheers.

 

Sean.

Link to comment
wiggoforgold

Sean

Thanks

Actually in the pic I was working from (taken in about 1970 the livery had gone a stage further in that the "Ds" had been removed from the numbers - hope that wasn't the time the bodyside stripe was removed as well.

I rather like the economy livery worn by Britannias in the last years of their lives - unlined green with painted on nameplates. Theres a lovely video of Owen Glendower on You Tube where the painted on name has been spelt in Welsh.

Alex

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...