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Look, I Shrunk the Wife!

Chris Nevard

Entry posted by Chris Nevard

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Ok, now I've got your attention with my wife superimposed in unseasonal clothing onto the little bridge that crosses the remains of the Glastonbury Canal next to Catcott Crossing, the reason for this post is to highlight a little basic weathering on the rather splendid new Hornby ex-GWR Hawksworth Brake Compo. These rather stylish coaches were regularly used during the final couple of years of the former SDJR Highbridge Branch. And yes that is me in the cab looking stupid.

 

Weathering has involved a few washes of black acrylic mixed with Carr's rusty coloured weathering powders, the filthy mix was then splashed all over the pristine coach, wiped off and then buffed with a stiff brush to produce a nice sheen whilst working the pigment into the recesses. Prior to this filthy task, the roof was repainted a darker Humbrol matt grey. The peeling paint which appears to be a feature of these coaches in their final years was achieved by applying some PVA glue before-hand and then peeling it off after the darker grey paint was applied to reveal the original lighter colour underneath. Of course there are special bespoke products to do this - but you know me by now I'm sure. Tight and no mug. I also added a 'first class' stripe just below the roof line courtesy of some HHRS Pressfix, the model doesn't come with this, but photos of these coaches show such in 1964-65.

 

Below, a slightly more close up view which hopefully better highlights what I have done. Further improvements might be to remove the glazing and paint the edges of the clear plastic to reduce or possibly eliminate the slight prism effect. Of course some passengers could be added too (the token passenger on the right in the top photo is a well known model railway scenic expert courtesy of Photoshop) - but we all know that this little piece of railway never carried anyone in its final years apart from spotters so who cares? Before someone takes great delight in letting me know that the guard's handrail is missing - yup I know, it got damaged when buffing the coachwork - so it will need to be replaced with some brass wire.

 

I quite enjoy these quickie weathering jobs, they really transform these already excellent ready to run models. So, next I quite fancy doing a Hornby 'Blood & Custard' Maunsell 3 coach set next using similar techniques for running on Combwich, such will look super behind an ex Midland 4F.

 

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Donw
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Superb work and some very useful techniques thanks very much. Seing it blown up the paintwork on that bridge is brilliant the bridge looks like it could have been part of the photo of your wife. I think the car needs a little of your magic though.

Don

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bcnPete
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Some great tips again Chris, many thanks.

 

I am really interested how you shrunk your wife though...that could be even more useful here sometimes in our household :lol: ;)

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buffalo

Excellent, Chris. You've really captured the state of the Hawksworths used in the final years of the branch, and given me some ideas of what needs to be done to mine. You could perhaps add a much grubbier van B to complete the typical Highbridge-Evercreech train?

 

Nick

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Trainshed Terry
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I say old chap isn't see a tad over dressed for a summers day, and (do not take this the wrong way) she looks like a member of the Mafia.

 

Great job though on the Hawksworth coach.

 

Terry

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Chris Nevard

The moggy does look a little too tidy despite a wash over of matt varnish. It's quite tricky getting cars to blend in without making them look like bangers. I think I'll give it a light wash of my gunk mix and wipe most of it off. I've a nice little green Moggy saloon to do. The camera is do unforgiving! ohmy.gif

 

Terry, September the 24th 1964 was a very windy chilly day you must recall? dry.gif It was taken whilst be were in Bath trying to blend in with the boho locals laugh.gif

 

I'm just working some shots with the an Ivatt 2-6-2 and a SR bogie van...... to follow shortly...

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