ADK92

The last few weeks I seem to have got an awful lot of modelling done. I've finished building the P4 Hopper. Although a very time consuming build, it was rather enjoyable. I did struggle towards the end of the build with some of the final detailing items. Getting the soldering iron into some rather tight spaces without desoldering other items was tricky, hence why in its current state it doesn't look as neat as I would like. I contemplated buying another P4 to maybe make a PW ballast train to go with the AA6 van. Instead I decided to go down the route of upgrading two Cambrian Kits P15 wagons instead. These have had a new chassis fitted, new brake gear and some new buffers. I've also managed to add the pin and chains to the dropsides. Another project I've been meaning to start is a detailing project on a Bachamann GWR 2251 Class. This was an ebay purchase a while back and came factory fitted with DCC. The plan was as follows: New lamp irons Add sandbox operating lever Add whistle shield New smokebox handle Remove the awful plastic join line running along the top of the boiler and firebox Create some dummy inside motion using brass rod and plastic Swap the Bachmann tender for a spare Hornby tender and move the DCC socket into the tender ready for DCC sound Add more weight to the loco The picture above shows all the mods completed. With the DCC socket removed from the loco, there is plenty of room in the boiler to add more weight, so it should be a good puller. This along with the rest of the wagons is just awaiting painting, it's going to BR Black, with early crests. Not decided on a number yet, but will definitely be a Didcot based loco. Last weekend my Mum and Dad came down to Wales and my Dad brought me a free kit he'd got with Railway Modeller Magazine of a Wills Grounded Van body. Looking through the books, it looks like a GW Mink V21/V33. I had no intention of using it as a grounded van so decided to have a look through the spares box and turn it into a runner. The solebars are from the Cambrain kit for the P15 ( it was supplied with short and long solebars and the long ones were left over). W irons and axel boxes are also left over from the P15. The brake gear is made up from parts that didn't get used in the P4 Hopper build. Whilst going through my spares box for the bits needed for the van above, I came across some Ratio 4 wheel coach sides, left over from when I used the chassis parts and roofs as donor models for the Siphon C and Parcels Van. I had a trawl through my books and online to see if I could do a cut and shut and try and utilise them in some way. I had a set of sides for the all 3rd and 3rd brake coaches. Best I could find that would fit the bill was D15 brake. I've never tried cut and shut before but felt if it went wrong they were left over parts anyway and wouldn't matter if I mucked it up. Anyway, these are the results so far: Fairly pleased with the results. This is no way intended to be a quality model, purely a skill and a technique I've wanted to try for a while. I also want to use as many spare/left over parts as possible and keep the build as cheap as I can. Stafford Models on Shapeways do the Dean Bogies, so I might place an order and get a set. I can't wait for the nicer weather now so I can get out in the garden to do some spraying. ADK

First update of 2019. Apologies for the lack of updates in recent months, things have been a bit hectic. The signals I have been working on got finished at the end of September. They both function with servos fitted to the base and both have Modelu Lamps with micro LEDs fitted. The picture below is before I fitted the lamps. Here's a link to my Instagram with a video of them working. Just before Christmas I took the plunge and decided to purchase one of the Hattons/DJ models 48xx locos. I had been following some of the discussions on RMweb, and had initially been put off purchasing due the inconsistency in running quality experienced by some members. But then Hattons had this huge sale and I thought I'd give one a go and if it didn't work, I could always send it back. A few other items fell in the shopping basket as well, a Hornby Collett Bow End coach and a Bachmann shunters truck. The 48xx arrived end of October and I was very please with the way it looked straight out the box. I think the loco looks stunning. I set up my rolling road and, after carefully following the instructions on running the loco in, I added some power. The good news is, I still have the loco. It's only been running on DC power, but works well in both directions and at various speeds. DCC will be the next step. It's since had etched plates fitted and some loco crew added. Very happy with this. For Christmas my girlfriend got me a Frogmore AA6 Permanent Way Van. I didn't take many pictures when building this but it all went together fairly quick and easy. The only struggle was the strapping. I also replaced the etched handrails for 0.3mm wire. I still need to go over this with a fibre brush and try to tidy up some of the soldering. This will then probably get painted when the spring/summer comes and I can get outside and spray it. Whilst up at my parents for Christmas, my Dad was showing me his recently built 7mm GWR P7 Ballast Hopper from Southwark Bridge Models. It was an impressive looking model. My Dad told me that they also do a 4mm version and so I decided a P7 would be my first build of 2019. This is the kit: Many small parts on the etch. There have been many swear words and a lot of burnt fingers over the last two weeks, although I'm really enjoying building this kit. The instructions are full of detail with plenty of drawings. I'm building it with DC3 Vacuum fitted brakes. The chassis is nearing completion, and just needs some tidying up. ADK

Bit of an update if anyone is still interested. I've been building some LMS/MR wagons just to add a bit of variety to my wagon fleet. These are just standard Parkside/Cambrian kits with HMRS Transfers. A few mods were made to the brake van, I carved off the moulded on lamp irons and replaced them with some brass ones. The moulded stove pipe was also replaced with brass. The plastic buffers on all the wagons were replaced with metal ones. My knowledge on LMS/MR wagons is limited but I've hopefully got the colours/lettering correct. Back at the start of September I managed to get a rather cheap Bachmann 57xx Pannier off a well known auction site. It has the modern chassis but not dcc ready, although that won't be a problem. My plan was to add the missing detailing parts and turn it into 5744 with a spark arrestor chimney. New parts that were fitted are: -New door dart -Sand box operating levers -Added missing lamp irons -Made dummy inside valve gear -New cab doors -Added the grab handles above the front steps -Etched plates -Spark arrestor chimney The chimney itself isn't glued on. So should I want to revert it to a normal chimney one day, I can. Everything got a new coat of paint and transfers. Figures are from the Modelu range and are rather good. I've also made a start on the signals and token apparatus for my future layout. The signals are wooden post ones from MSE. The taller one on the left is the number 23 on the diagram below and the one on the right is number 3 on the diagram. Both are working and I've purchased the signal servo kits from Express Models. There is a video on my instagram of it working. The white metal finials and signal lamps have been replaced with ones from Modelu. The lamps will be illuminated using some micro LEDs. And the token apparatus: I'd purchased the kits a few years when Mainly Trains was still going. So far I've built the set that goes next to the signal box on the up running line. The kits have been modified and the net replaced so that it represents the type used at Upton. There is a digram on page 106 of GWR Branch Line Modelling Part 1 of the system. There are a few more pictures of the above on my instagram. ADK

I'm not too hot on signaling diagrams but your layout looks very similar to one I intend on building of Upton and Blewbury Station on the Didcot Newbury & Southampton Line, almost a mirrored image. Here's a link to the signal diagram of Upton and Blewbury Signal Box: http://www.uptonvillage.co.uk/2014/02/upton-blewbury-signal-box-diagram/#prettyPhoto Hope it might be of some use. Regards, ADK

Apologies for the lack of updates recently. I’ve finally got the Autocoach finished, the lining took a while to get sorted. Just needs a light weathering now. I’ve also built a V5 PLV from a Ratio Coach kit and Shire Scenics Sides. The Shire Scenics parts fitted together really well and the build progressed very quickly. I completed this back at the start of July but have only just found time to post about it. For the underframes I used MJT rockers and cast white metal springs and J hangers. The vacuum cylinder was a nice little brass kit from Frogmore. These are the end panels made up: Unfortunately these are all the pictures I have of the build as it went so quick I forgot to take anymore. Here it is all finished: At present I’m currently building some LMS/MR wagon kits to add a bit of variety to my wagon fleet. Will post some pictures once completed. ADK

The K36 is finished! The waist lining was completed using transfers from Modelmaster. Door and grab handles were then applied. The whole thing was given a coat of Matt varnish and then I started weathering. The underframe and bogies are a mix of Pheonix paints Track Dirt and Frame Dirt lightly washed on. Once dried I then dry brushed a few light rust shades on. The body below the waist line was given a light wash of frame dirt that was then removed using a cotton bud to leave just enough pain in all the joints and panelling. On the cream I used thinned down Pheonix Paints roof dirt, applied with a fine brush to all the doors gaps and around the panelling. The excess was then removed with a cotton bud again. Have to say I’m very pleased with the way this one has turned out. The Autocoach is progressing slowly, because it has the double waist lining it’s taking a while to get it all straight. Plus there is a lot of detail on the ends that the transfers need to fit around. Should be finished soon. Let me know what you think. Thanks, ADK

This week has been spent trying to finish up the 2 coaches I still have on the go before starting anything new, although a V5 PLV has been purchased. The K36 and A28 had four coats of Pheonix paints GWR cream applied. They then had two coats of Pheonix paints GWR chocolate applied. Everything was brush painted. I decided to concentrate on getting the K36 finished first as there seemed to be a lot less to do on it. The drop lights were picked out in mahogany, a very time consuming task that requires a lot of concentration. I started to apply the lettering using HMRS pressfix transfers and I’m currently awaiting a set of transfers for the waist lining. The interior was painted (forgot to take pictures of it) and fitted along with the glazing and window bars. The roof was then stuck down using PVA. The roof was secured with rubber bands whilst it dried.Here it is whilst it was drying: With the roof drying I made a start on weathering the bogies and making sure they ran properly. Late last night the rubber bands came off and I bent up the four hand rails that go from the coach ends to the roof. These were then painted and the bogies reattached and here it is this morning: Once the waist lining transfers have arrived I can get on with adding the door and grab handles. On a side note the brake van that got finished in my last post took a bit of fall yesterday when my girlfriend accidentally knocked it off the shelf it was on. How this happened I have no idea. Two broken buffers and a bent foot board. All is forgiven though and the damage has been fixed and it’s back in traffic. ADK

I’ve managed to get the Toad all finished off. It has been weathered using some thinned down Pheonix paints Frame Dirt and some Humbrol weathering powders. I’m rather pleased with the results considering I’d consigned this kit to the “I’ve fudged it up and no longer want to finish it” pile. The K36 and A28 have also had a coat of cream applied. Currently drying in the sun awaiting a second coat. ADK

So with the nice weather last weekend I managed to get outside and get the K36, the A28 and the AA3 toad in some primer. All three were primed with Halfords etching primer. The K36 and the A28 then had their underframes sprayed with Halfords matt black. I have had some slight over spray on the K36 where the tape didn't quite sit flush around the hinges. Hopefully I'll get round to painting the chocolate and cream this weekend. The AA3 meanwhile has had its top coat applied using Pheonix paints GWR Freight Grey. The roof and handrails were then painted white and transfers applied from the HMRS range. The guard is from Dart Castings and is supposed to be a signalman, but I think he looks right at home in the Toad. I'm currently waiting for the PVA to set around the glazing and then the roof can be stuck down. ADK

Don't worry, I haven't forgotten this thread. Just not had an awful lot of modelling time due to the Air Training Corps taking up most of it recently. The Toad, K36 and A28 should all be getting painted this weekend (hopefully) and I can then get on and get them finished. The other week I was tidying up some of my loco boxes and came across a Bachmann 4MT I'd purchased a few years back. There were a few bits that had been knocked off over the years so I thought it a nice little weekend project to tidy the thing up and practice some weathering techniques. I've added a new smoke box door dart, new steps, made some cylinder cocks out of copper wire, added the small red wheel on the lubricators, added a steam lance valve to the smoke box, added a crew and painted the interior. Results are below. Let me know your thoughts. Cheers ADK

Evening all, I’m wondering if you guys can help me out with the underframe on this K36. I’ve not got any drawings or instructions on how the underframe parts are positioned. I’m currently studying the pictures on Page 155 - 156 of Great Western Coaches Appendix Vol 2. Judging by the description on pg 155 Figs 366 and 367 seem to be a K36 as the running numbers match that of the description on pg 156 Fig 370 which is also a K36. The numbers of doors and windows seems to differ somewhat slightly from what I have here in model form, although the positions seem to match. I’m assuming that because they are ex ambulance stock that have been converted not all of them will be the same. Looking at Figs 367 and 370 there looks to a gas cylinder under the guards door... am I correct in thinking this? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks ADK

I've managed to get a lot more done on the K36 this week. The sides and ends were all made up, they went together really well. The ends panels had these tabs that folded back and soldered to the sides, this made joining everything up really easy. The roof has been cut to size, although I still need to do some work to get it to sit correctly. I've made a start on the under frame. In the end I decided to use the truss rods I'd cut off the Comet under frame as I didn't have any brass bar that was the correct size. The Comet truss rods were straitened out and holes drilled for the queen posts. I had to make up the queen posts and I used the same method described by Stephan Williams in his book The 4mm Coach Part Two. Battery Boxes and V Hangers have been added and I hope they are in the right place, please let me know if they're not. Bogies have been started, these are just MJT rigid 9ft bogies with added NEM pockets, which actually work really well. ADK

So the rest of the parts arrived over the weekend so I could make a start on the K36. I'm using the Frogmore body etch, with a Comet floor (the truss rods will be changed), the bogies, roof, buffers are from MJT and the corridor connectors are from Roxey. So far I've made up the floor, I cut off the Comet truss rods as the are not correct for this coach, but I'm sure will come in handy on another build. The ends are sides were made up. I really like the all in one drop light/door stop/door hinge/window bar etch that Frogmore have done. It has made for rapid construction as it all just folds up and fits nicely in the fully etched slots on the body side. I did remove the window bars though as I will add that later once painting and glazing has taken place. Corridor connectors were made up (made these up about 2 weeks ago along with the battery boxes), bit fiddly but I manged to get both of them working and soldered to the coach ends. The sides, ends and floor have all been fitted together and every thing seems to fit. The roof has been cut to length and a bit filing on the coach ends has ensured it fits snug. Hoping to get some more done on it tonight. ADK

Sorry for the lack of updates. Last few weeks have been mad so modelling has stalled a bit. Anyway, the AA3 and Autocoach are still awaiting paint. I'll probably wait for some better weather before heading out into to garden to do some spraying. I've started another kit, the Frogmore GWR K36. I'm slowly getting all the parts together for it as the Frogmore etch just contains the body. Unfortunately I'm struggling to upload photos to RMweb at the moment (I spilt cider on my Macbook so I'm using an old windows laptop). I'll be uploading photos to my Instagram for the time being until I sort the computer issue, so please head there to to see the K36 taking shape. Thanks ADK

So, the other day I purchased one of Oxford Rails GWR 6 Wheel Toad brake vans. I had read through some of the comments on RMweb and knew about the long list of faults before deciding to purchase. None of what got mentioned put me off as I enjoy taking an r-t-r model apart and modifying/detailing it. This is what I intended to do with this van. First things first was to take it apart. Turning the van over, I removed the brake rigging at either end and popped out the tension lock couplings. This revealed two screws. I removed the two screws and thought the chassis would just come away from the body. It didn't. After a few minutes I realised you also have to remove the buffers. In fact once you have the chassis and body separate, it is only the buffers that hold the chassis in place. The screws are there to keep the interior in place. First thing I done was remove the central window at the back of the van. This got replaced with a spare louvre door that was left over from a Parkside banana van. It needed a bit of fettling to get it to fit, but the planks seemed to line up well. I also added the glazing bars in other windows using some 0.5mm x 0.5mm plastruct. On the interior I decided to swap the inner and outer sandboxes around. These were just sliced off with a scalpel and glued back in place. On the chassis I felt it wasn't worth replacing the middle swing link hangers for J hangers. I did add some sand pipes using 0.45mm brass and also added the tie bars and the brake rods. This will all now get painted using Phoenix GWR Freight Grey. Whilst doing all this it reminded me that a few years ago I had started on a similar brake van. Basically I'd purchased an AA3 kit (Connoisseur Models) off ebay and made a start on it, only for me to balls up the white metal W irons and axles boxes. This led to it being chucked in a box and forgotten about. Anyway today I decided to get it out to see what needs to be done to correct it (and get it finished). The van itself was quite tarnished, still had flux residue on it and I had lost a few parts from the kit. The body was given a good scrub in some soapy water and then using a steel brush in the mini drill was given a good polish. I think the body is more or less complete and it's just the underside that needs finishing. I seem to have some of the brake shoes but not all of them. I thankfully still have the footboards. An order has been placed with MJT for some etched W irons and white metal swing link hangers. Hopefully I'll be able to finish this van. More soon. ADK