Signaller69's projects

[Signaller69]

Almost finished now. The buffers I was thinking of using are too small so I need to source some, then its just a case of a little more weathering of the wheels and adding cosmetic coupling hooks and Kaydees, plus a crew of course.

 

Edit: buffers now sourced from Lanarkshire Models.

Edited September 14, 2016 by Signaller69

[Signaller69]

Finally completed "EBBW" (apart from cosmetic coupling hooks), LMS buffers fitted, crew added (chopped about from the ever useful Dapol Track Workers set) and weathering retouched. Kaydee NEM no.20 couplers attached by the usual ruse of drilling a 2mm hole in the shank and fitting to the tension lock mount using the original screw which gives the correct height. Took some photos in this mornings sun.

[Signaller69]

And an arty "warts and all" shot of the crew! Shows the rather nice RT Models ejector too which makes a big difference to Dapol and DJM locos.

[Signaller69]

I had given much thought on whether to repaint the Hornby Mk.1 BG shown earlier, as the shade of blue seems darker than my Bachmann Mk.1s, and also being pedantic the "Express Parcels" lettering doesn't seem to have been common until around 1975 onwards, whereas Crinan is set c.1970.

 

However this vehicle will be used with an assortment of parcels vans where the colour isn't an issue, so in the end I compromised and left the paint scheme alone, apart from the ends which had the footsteps and superfluous "plate" above the corridor connection removed, and new handrails, paint touched up (Railmatch) and C1 markings etc (HMRS) added. Finally some subtle weathering was added using acrylics.

One oddity I noticed with this model is that the label holder clips fitted on the prototypes and most, if not all parcel vans (lower right corner) is only present on one side as per photos below. Very strange, product of a "morning after the night before" design session possibly?!

[Signaller69]

More bits picked up at Wigan show to add to the "to do" list. . .

[Dr Gerbil-Fritters]

I was very impressed by your big Barlcay, 'Islywn' over on the Big Arch topic.

 

Do you have a step by step of how you built it?  I'd certainly like to have a go at something similar.

[Signaller69]

I was very impressed by your big Barlcay, 'Islywn' over on the Big Arch topic.

 

Do you have a step by step of how you built it? I'd certainly like to have a go at something similar.

Thanks, I don't have step by step photos but I did take a few snaps during construction (see below, not best quality I'm afraid).

 

I had no plans to use so I can't claim Islwyn is an exact scale model, rather my own interpretation based on photos and constraints imposed by the chassis. As you say Islwyn was one of the bigger AB 0-6-0's, there were of course many variations of saddle tank size and height of same above the running plate (different boilers possibly?), let alone coupled wheelbase variations, cab size and design etc etc so any plan other than for Islwyn may not be correct for this loco anyway. It looks in proportion when placed next to the Austerity "Ebbw" and I'm pleased enough with it.

First job was to cut the footplate out using the Electrotren chassis as a guide. This was trial and error, length had to be proportional to the chassis, width taken from other loco footplate widths. After this the saddle tank, smokebox saddle and firebox were built up from layers of plasticard with constant reference to the chassis, motor etc to ensure a good fit. The curved top of the tank was made from a double layer of plasticard laminated around a former and once fitted this had a thin layer of Milliput skimmed over the top and along the edges which was sanded smoothe when dry. The cab was then assembled ready for fitting.

Above shows the cab attached and the body being test fitted over the chassis. A cast chimney and dome from my scrapbox have also been modified to fit the tank. (from a LMS 4F I suspect.)

The smokebox door took some head scratching as I had nothing suitable to hand. In the end a blob of Milliput was flattened into a disc, when dry a hole was drilled in the centre and it was attached to the mandrell of my mini-drill and turned against wet and dry paper to give a profile I was happy with. A disc of plasticard was turned by the same method before having the Milliput part attached. Strapping is from plasticard strip, with a dart from RT Models filling the mandrell hole when complete. RT also supplied the cast axle box springs on the footplate (after completion).

Body in primer. Most of the detail bits came from the aforementioned scrapbox.

Lastly a couple more shots above after a little further weathering to blend the homemade transfers in better, still not perfect but better than it was.

HTH,

Martyn.

 

Edit: if you need any measurements from my loco for a similar project I am happy to oblige.

Edited October 14, 2016 by Signaller69

[Signaller69]

Not had much in the way of projects underway lately with working on both Talywain and Crinan. One of the latter's Heljan 27s has had a spot of toning down as it was a tad shiny for my liking, a coat of Daler Rowney matt varnish has cured this. The full yellow ends were done a while back along with the weathering, quite like this hybrid livery which was copied from a colour photo taken at Fort William c.1970.

 

A quick job has seen a grounded stores van body knocked up from an Airfix RTR Meat van body from my bits box:

 

Also a start has been made on a Parkside Dundas SR type, plywood sided, CCT. Having built one previously, I have deviated from the instructions with this one in making the body and roof as one assembly, with the chassis as another. This is due to noticing the floor moulding has a slight twist in it; thus this would get built in to the model if the body is glued direct to the floor, and short of compensating the chassis it would be a nightmare to rectify for smooth, derailment-free running.

The method I am using is to brace inside each end of the body with plasticard (marked A and B for chassis orientation), to which the chassis will be screwed; 2 screws either side at one end and one at the other (which will also hold the Kadee no.5 coupling in place). Thus any slight axle alignment issue can be cured by tightening or slackening the 2 screws at the other end. Simples. The other advantage of this method of construction of course is that the body can be removed to allow access for glazing, adding weight etc. I have also used piano wire to make the underframe trusses instead of the flimsy plastic rod included in the kit. Almost ready for painting now.

[Signaller69]

With the Parkside CCT awaiting glazing, thoughts turned to weathering another "Crinan" loco, this time Heljan class 17 "Clayton" D8608, after finding a good "Brush Veteran" photo here: http://picssr.com/photos/59835095@N02/interesting?nsid=59835095@N02

 

I wanted to portray the loco just prior to withdrawal as per the photo. Weathering is brush applied, mainly using acrylics with some thinned enamels.

 

I would like to add snow ploughs as per the prototype but this poses clearance difficulties due to the bogie mounted NEM coupling pockets (if the ploughs are fixed to the chassis) and the fixed footsteps at each end (if they were attached to the bogies) so we shall see.

[Signaller69]

Several weeks ago I picked up a third unloved Hornby class 29 for £20, and having been inspired by Kylestrome's superb thread on modifying his http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/107181-Hornby-class-29-in-the-works/?fromsearch=1 as well as several people asking what mods I'd done to them whilst exhibiting "Crinan", I thought I would make a start on the latest addition. The previous pair as D6129 and 6131 (see earlier posts) have both had the same fairly extensive mods done but this one will be a test bed for a couple of further alterations, namely deepening the cab nose and re-centring the roof fan over the side grilles. If succesful these will be retrospectively applied to the other 2, a daunting prospect! This particular loco will again be in BR blue, number yet to be decided. It will also be unpowered, at least initially in order to double head with one of the others, hence the original chassis will be kept, although with wiring and gears stripped out. It may receive a Bachmann 25 chassis in time but we will see. Anyway, some photos:

For its age (dates from late 70s iirc) the Hornby 29 has very nice rivet detail and even wire cab handrails, however in several other areas the model's designers had a very bad day. . . The sides should have a large grille in line with the roof grille; the model has upper and lower louvres instead, and the roof fan grille doesn't line up. . . .

The cab fronts are too shallow as the bufferbeam is too high, in order to give lots of clearance for the tension lock couplings presumably. The cab front windows should extend further outwards too. The biggest faux-pas though is the inclusion of the centre headcode box AS WELL AS the connecting doors and backing lights for headcode discs (in the wrong places to boot)!

So, to work. The buffer cowlings were carefully cut away using a razor saw for reuse later. A plasticard fillet approx 2mm deep was then cut to rough shape and fixed to the cab and any gaps filled. At the same time the raised door beading was cut away, and the light fittings filled with model filler.

The original buffer cowlings were then cleaned up and the shanks removed (I will be using Lanarkshire Model Supplies buffers), before being fixed under the new nose extension. Small fillets were added to the side fairings where they meet the buffer cowling to get a better height match. Work has also started on opening out the cab front windows. Looks a bit of a dogs dinner so far, even if a little sanding has improved things a little!

Next on the hit list were the roof grille and side louvres which are being replaced with mesh. These were removed by a combination of drilling, cutting and filing. It was only after doing this I decided to bite the bullet and move the roof grille to be centred over the side grilles. I had thought of cutting the offending roof section out, turning 180 degrees and re-affixing it but I don't think I could have done a neat enough job. In the end I filled one roof panel line as can be seen, as well as the outer part of the roof fan hole as the grille will now go slightly inboard of here.

2 further small cutouts were made at the roof fan (No.1?) end for filler hatches, by drilling holes and using a small square file to open them out, before using plasticard cut to shape to form the interiors. Needs a good clean now!

 

Roof fan and grille (I chose a class 26/27/33 version as used previously) and NB worksplates on order from Shawplan, need to find my stash of mesh for the side grilles too. . .

Revised front end showing the deepened fairings where they meet the buffer cowling, more cleaning up to do yet! The side fairings should really slope inwards slightly more but there is no easy way to do this if using the Hornby underframe moulding. However, along the bodyside between cab doors the real things hinged up to allow access to piping etc so this may be replicated, I have yet to decide.

 

More to follow.

Martyn.

[Signaller69]

Bit more done on the 29, after studying photos of the prototype I came to the conclusion that the incorrectly placed roof fan grille panel is also too small so one of the 2 small centreline grilles inboard of the fan grille was removed (again photos seem to hint at there only being one anyway), and with the panel line towards the centre of the loco filled and sanded a new panel line was formed with a hacksaw. To aid alignment a rectangle of 20 thou plasticard was gaffer taped to the roof profile about 3.5mm inboard of the original line; I had put this off on my original 2 conversions but this turned out to be fairly straightforward in the end so will probably be done on the others in time. Photos will explain better methinks! Lower one is the original Hornby position on my D6129 (albeit with etched class 33 grille), top pic shows the mod described:

Also the 2 new small roof cutouts have had their filler hatch details added from bits in the scrapbox along with a small handrail.

And the opened-out windscreens have had new frames added at the outside edges. Nothing more than brass handrail wire superglued in place and then filed slightly to a flatter profile. A little Milliput will be added to blend them in properly.

The loco reunited with its chassis; it still looks like something from the Eastfield scrap line but that will change (hopefully. . . )!

 

More soon. . .

[Signaller69]

Dropped in to Chester Toy & Train fair today and came away with more bargains!

A Hornby HST dummy bogie (curiously missing 1 wheel!) - The block will replace the motor bogie in the unpowered Class 29 project, my main reason for going today! Also picked up another Lima Grain hopper, but the real bargains were the 2 Bachmann Mk1's for a mere £6 each due to some of the windows being loose inside. The Restaurant car will probably be repainted blue & grey at some point. Also found some useful Cooper Craft steel weights for wagon projects. Quite pleased with my £20 total spend!

[Signaller69]

Few more jobs under way on the latest 29, namely new exhausts and roof vents, extra bodyside grilles fitted (don't show up well in photo) fettling the windscreens and fitting buffers.

 

Next job is to fill in the lower edge of the side grille cut-outs with plasticard as they are too deep after cutting out the originals.

[Signaller69]

The bottom of the bodyside grilles which had been cut out have now been filled and a new lower grille edge (thin plasticard strip) fitted, followed by fine mesh fixed in place with a little epoxy resin. The Shawplan etched fan grille has also been fitted; the fan needs forming and fitting to a bracket before fitting inside the roof (after painting). Slowly coming together now!

Edited February 15, 2017 by Signaller69

[Dr Gerbil-Fritters]

Goes to show, you actually can make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.  Outstanding work, sir.

[Dr Gerbil-Fritters]

I really enjoyed your colliery engines too - I really like the dazzle stripes, something a bit different for a steam locomotive.  The B&O in the USA had dazzle stripes on the condenser shields of their big engines.  But I digress...

 

Liking big saddle tanks, but finding the Austerities undergubbins a little.... austere... I photobashed a better modern colliery engine  

 

Edited February 15, 2017 by Dr Gerbil-Fritters

[Corbs]

Hunslet's answer to the big bagnalls perhaps?

[Signaller69]

I really enjoyed your colliery engines too - I really like the dazzle stripes, something a bit different for a steam locomotive. The B&O in the USA had dazzle stripes on the condenser shields of their big engines. But I digress...

 

Liking big saddle tanks, but finding the Austerities undergubbins a little.... austere... I photobashed a better modern colliery engine

 

hunslet biggy.jpg

Thanks for your kind words.

 

That is quite an impressive loco you have come up with! What is the chassis taken from?

[Dr Gerbil-Fritters]

It's from the Bachmann USRA switcher - an American Austerity, if you like.  I would love to see if the conversion would work in the flesh.

 

[Signaller69]

Almost ready for a preliminary undercoat now. Lamp irons affixed and loose skirting added above bogies. D6107 is the likely identity as it retained "eyebrows", and numbering / double arrows positions are different to my D6129 which is also in blue. Bufferbeam detail, windscreen wipers etc will be added later.

[Signaller69]

First undercoat applied, as usual this has highlighted a couple of spots requiring remedial work. Posed next to D6129 it shows the increased nose depth and lower bufferbeams, which the latter will receive in due course. Also shown is the unpowered chassis which has been shortened a few mm at each end to fit. Bogies now sit slightly lower too and the sandboxes filled in; the coupler mounts have been trimmed back ready to have Kadees attached. The ancient Hornby road roller wheels will probably be replaced, iirc these locos had spoked wheels.

 

Given how long the Hornby 29 has been around I'm surprised that afaik, no comprehensive detailing kit has ever been made, there again Dapol announced their model back in 2011. . . . However, it does make for a cheap and satisfying project; sure there are fiddly bits but how far you take it is up to the individual; its not perfect but I find this sort of project very satisfying and thats the goal for me.

[37114]

Nice job on the class 29, amazed how much work is required on these. Good luck with the Bachmann repaints, painting the window bars is a fiddly job but rewards the patience, it was a task I had to do when building my BSO and if I ever did another conversion I would look for Blue and grey donor coaches.

[Signaller69]

Thanks, I've done blue & grey a few times but on etched sides where window bars didn't need doing; the white lining I found hard to keep straight during application. Thankfully don't plan on doing lots of repaints!

[Signaller69]

Paintwork progressing on the Class 29, attention turned to couplings. A couple of "NEM-esque" pockets were knocked up from offcuts of Plastruct and super-glued to the remains of the original bogie coupling mount, before being coated with epoxy resin. Kadee no.20 Extra Long NEM couplers are just the right length.

 

As these pockets were a tad long a sliver was cut from each, by coincidence these slivers will make great boot irons for outside a cottage door (I don't like waste!).

 

Also almost finished is the Mk.1 RU repaint, just awaiting the roof painting, weathering and handrails now (thread on the prototype here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/120003-mk1-ru-restaurant-unclassified-c1970-help-needed/?fromsearch=1 ).

[Signaller69]

Silver window frames done, numbers and arrows applied from the HMRS sheet. Not aware of any other blue 29 with this arrangement. Numbering at this end is very tight, no room for a "D" prefix, I suspect due to a dimensional discrepancy in the Hornby model, but the real loco ran without a "D" towards the end anyway.