JustinDean

Hi Martyn, I think you’re right. I’ll revisit these when I’ve regained some objectivity! Jay

The two J94’s now have crew, wooden cab shutters, couplings and have been weathered. The Dapol model: The DJModel: and the pair from the front:

Thanks Shaun, the Dapol models run well however the Hornby one I have is a shocker. Jay

68012 and 68013 just need couplings, crew and weathering now.

Exactly the kind of answer I thought you’d give Rob. Thanks for that! Jay

This probably stems from a childhood of spraying motorbike and car body parts with my dad. He always used red primer for darker colors and that has stuck with me. Maybe more coats would be needed with grey primer due to the slightly translucent nature of paint but I’m guessing here. I reckon @MrWolf would be clued up on this! Jay

Thank you that’s very kind! Jay

A lone Gannet stood outside Middleton Top shed this morning.

A quiet morning at Middleton Top shed.

Rattle can red oxide followed by black. Just noticed I should have removed the short handrail off the tank. I think this is one time I’m going to live with it rather than undo work.

Smart.

Hi Steve, J94’s were fitted with varying types of buffers. Best to pick a particular loco then use that as a basis of the model. In this case I’m modeling 68013 which was fitted with BR Oval buffers (made by Alan Gibson in 4mm scale). Other variations between engines included rear windows, in this case rectangular, some had center steps omitted, ladder on the bunker added plus handrails and steps on the tank varied. In short, find a suitable prototype and modify the model to suit! Jay

Some more details have been added to the J94 and the chassis reassembled. I took the opportunity to clean and adjust the pick ups and lube the gears. Just need some dry weather now so I can spray some undercoat on. Jay

This is going to be a much better model now Nick. Worth the effort for sure! Jay

The observant may notice the constant switching between stock and layout on here at the moment. I’m managing to get a day on the layout in the week and a day on stock at the weekend. Feeling very productive at the moment! This morning I’ve started hacking up and figuring out the planking at the top of the incline. Nothing fixed yet and need to make sure wheel flanges have enough clearance. Jay

Dapol J94 surgery part one…. The victim: First of all strip it down to its component parts: The section of tank remaining on the bottom half of the body is sawn off just behind the handrail: The weight that has been separated from the motor is glued into the top of the tank: The freshly chopped off strips of tank are glued onto the upper section of tank: Filler is smeared over this join and left to harden. Handrails trimmed and straightened Moulded door dart removed and brass one fixed in. Plastic buffer beams replaced with etched brass overlays. Cast brass lubricators replace the plastic blocks that were hideous. Moulded cab rails removed ready for brass wire. Part 2 coming soon….

Could be fun to attempt this in model form.

Meanwhile….. I’ve been working at the top of the incline. DAS clay and a bit of grout/ballast texture: Undergrowth on the embankment along with signal in place: and the gradient sign. Lever for the signal still to go in.

Hi Steve, This is the stuff I’ve used for the limestone loads: I’m curious about your tender; mine were 3D prints, not resin casts. Here’s another photo of them on Llanyblod before they were painted and weathered. There was a lot of fettling involved to get them to a reasonable state. The print didn’t allow for correct size wheels so I had to cut slots into the underside to accommodate. Handrails needed to be fitted along with buffers and couplings. I made brakes from brass strip and plasticard. All of this was made more tricky because the print was really brittle and parts would break off if you just looked at it.

Time turn my attention to J94’s…. 2x DJH, 2x Dapol, 1x Hornby and 1x Mercian models kit. The Hornby model of 68006 has an incorrect bunker and is a shockingly bad runner so went straight back in the box. Middleton Top saw five J94’s in service over the years: 69006 17C 1959 68012 17C 1963 9L 1967 68013 17C 1956-62 68030 17D 1956 17C 1959-61 68079 9L 1965 DJH’s 68012 is pretty much there and just requires some details along with center steps. The other DJH and Mercian locos will receive new numbers while the two Dapol locos are going to get some surgery to sort out the terrible mould line/joint along the underside of the tank along with improving the sillouhette of the chassis. All will get 3 link couplings, smokebox door number/shed code (where appropriate), cab covers made by the local crew, lamps, coal, crew and fire irons. 68006 and 68030 also need additional ladders on the rear of their bunkers. A lot to go at! Jay

John, I can only hang my head in shame. Guilty as charged! I will be purchasing some high gloss varnish and will endeavour to do better mate. Jay

The Gannets are done. Gibson sprung buffers and Smiths Instanter couplings are fitted. Weathering was achieved using a slight misting of Tamiya earth from underneath followed by Humbrol Smoke, Earth and Black powders applied with a make up brush then sealed with Matt acrylic spray varnish using the techniques @NHY 581 has described on his thread. Transfers came from @cctransuk as prescribed on a previous page on this thread. Disc wheels from 51L to complete. For the load I used limestone from Scale Model Scenery. Having investigated a few types and brands this was visually the closest I could find to what I’ve seen in photos. A piece of card was cut to sit snugly into the hopper. Glued to this a a pair of think paper cones to form the heaps followed by a decent coat of PVA and the limestone. Once set a self adhesive wheel weight was attached to the underside as the wagons were initially very light. Quite pleased with how these have turned out! Jay

I’ve just remembered @MarcD requested I repost the photos of the Furness brake van. Only about 6 weeks late - sorry mate! A pair of HC Casserley photos taken at Hopton: First one enlarged: Finally my 4mm scale version using Marx’s excellent 3D print: Jay

This is a lovely model and peaked my interest (pardon the pun) as I live about 100 yards away from where Charles Wright was located. I’m sure you’ve seen this entry on the Wirksworth page but just in case you haven’t this may be of interest : http://www.wirksworth.org.uk/b53-cwri.htm Jay

Success!!! Followed the advice posted here and filed those bushes to an appropriate length. I now have a functioning chassis. I’m very relieved; I was started to lose the will to live on this one. Valve gear, brakes and pick ups next. Here’s a photo with the body plonked on. Jay