Andy's Modelling Bench

[SWT442]

Evening all.

 

Having browsed through the many work bench threads on here and enjoyed looking at the projects people do, I thought I'd jump in and start one too. Hopefully starting up a thread will give me a bit more pep in getting stuff done!

 

One thing to mention is that the lighting in the modelling cupboard is pretty crummy plus all the pictures have been taken on a mobile phone, so they're not the best. Some new lighting will be installed soon!

 

I mainly detail and weathering modern image stock, along with a little bit of renumbering. There's two periods that I model, first one is from about 1998 through until around 2002. That four year period saw quite a bit in variety in terms of stock, locos and liveries that where still around.

 

The next era is more up to date, with stock modelled from around 2010 until now. Although, there is a little bit of leeway with it. It's my railway and I'll run what I like does sometimes come into play!

 

Anyway, the last few evenings I've been working on a Heljan Class 58 in Mainline Grey which started as 58004. The first round of work was to paint the grilles and cab doors matt Black as Heljan overlooked doing this! In total, there's 94 grilles to do!

 

So onto tonight.

 

 

 

The first task in turning the loco into 58017 "Eastleigh Depot" is to add an additional 18 overhead warning flashes. This includes one onto each handrail guard.

 

 

Once they'd all been put on, the numbers were then applied. All the transfers came from Fox.

 

 

 

The first side I removed the numbers from, I used the backside of a scalpel, which inturn removed the paint underneath! The other lot of numbers were removed using T-Cut and toothpicks, with a better success rate! The iffy side is seen in the picture below. The handrail guards have also been fitted.

 

 

A set of small numbers to do the cab fronts is to be ordered, as I didn't have any 1's or 7's left in the set I already had. Once the cab front numbers are done, the loco will receive some weathering and then the nameplates will be fitted.

 

The next item to get some attention soon will be another Heljan 58, this time 58047 in EWS livery. Once again, the bodyside grilles will need painting!

 

 

Until next time.

 

Andy.

 

 

 

[SWT442]

With a couple of hours to kill this afternoon, the time was spent in the modelling cupboard. After spending 5 minutes staring at the EWS 58, mustering up the patience to do another round of grille painting, it was put to one side for another time.

 

While digging through the detailing parts box, I came across a set of Replica headlights that I picked up at the Brockenhurst Open Day last month. This prompted me to dig out a pair of Bachmann Railfreight 20's, namely 20118 & 20132. The plan is to do these models as their present day versions running with GBRf.

 

 

First to recieve attention was 20118 "Saltburn-by-the-Sea", one of Bachmanns recent releases. Handily, the model pretty much only needs minor work to represent the loco as it is now, with the biggest job being the addition of a headlight to the cab front. This needs the removal of the middle indicator disc moulding. Other work done is to replace the overhead warning flashes, with these just being put over the existing ones. A representation of the tripcock was also fabricated out of plasticard.

 

 

 

 

The headlight needs a spot of silver paint in it before the outer clear plastic cover is fitted, while the transfers are to be varnished. These jobs will be done once 20132 has had similar work done to it.

 

Andy.

 

[deltic9014]

How come Heljan omitted so much painting? My brother's Hornby 58 has all that kind of stuff painted on it already (and the Hornby model isn't supposed to be as good!?!). Come on, Heljan... !!!

Brilliant work Andy. Keep it up

[SWT442]

To be honest, I've no idea why it was all omitted. The re-release of the Class 58's by Olivias Trains had them all and the cab doors painted.

 

Andy.

[dj_crisp]

I think painting the grills makes a big difference and it's a pity Heljan missed this in their first batches. Overall I like Heljans and I like what you've done to yours

 

Cheers

Will

[NickL2008]

I think painting the grills makes a big difference and it's a pity Heljan missed this in their first batches. Overall I like Heljans and I like what you've done to yours

 

Cheers

Will

 

 

I painted the grills on my 58004 as well, ironically will seems yourself and me have the same model  . I enjoyed your article in BRM on your model, although mI think the model benefits from Shawplans' grills as the Heljan ones are a bit plasticy looking. One other thing ive noticed as well are that for some reason, the cabside numbers look a bit odd, like theyre just a bit too thick? I restored mine with fox transfers' ones and think the sides look much better for it, its subtle but makes a slight difference, ill upload a picture of mine in a bit

 

NL

[dj_crisp]

Cheers Nick

 

I agree with you on the numbering and I almost took the plunge... but got distracted by 50s and I've been messing with them ever since! I've left the cab sides untouched just in case I change my mind though. Brian @ Shawplan keeps promising he'll have a go at the 58 which I'm sure will make this a fab model.

 

Andy - I'm looking forward to seeing your weathering I really enjoyed messing around with mine and I hope u do too.

 

Will

[NickL2008]

As promised, picture of my 58004, looking at this picture looks like a slight tidy up is needed here and there!

 

 

NL

[SWT442]

Thanks for the comments guys! I've certainly enjoyed going through your thread Will, your attention to detail is superb!

 

Nick, your 58 certainly looks the part! Those etched grilles make it stand out nicely.

 

Just to add to the 58004 fest, here's a few pictures of mine!

 

 

 

It was one of my earlier weathering efforts mainly using Tamiya powders. It's currently on the project shelf as I'm going to touch it up, the powders on the underframe have started to rub off after repeated handling. Considering the powder was never varnished, it's done well to last a few years! The underframe will be redone with Precision weathering paints, while I may just add to the bodysides. A new set of wire loops for couplings will be done as well. The grilles were painted as well, but the weathering wash used took the paint off!

 

Attached below are a couple of examples of the weathering I've done, taken on a proper camera in decent light!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Only the Seacow belongs to me. The 58 and pair of 60's were done for a friend and were weathered based on pictures I found on Flickr.

 

All the weathering is hand brushed using thinned enamel paints and various powders. I did experiment with an airbrush about 6 or 7 years ago but could never really get the hang of it.

 

Andy.

Edited December 23, 2016 by SWT442

[dj_crisp]

Some great modelling

 

I'm very impressed with your seacow and would be really interested in knowing how you did it (especially the rusting effect).

 

I'd find it very hard to not keep the fantastic mainline blue 58 and your Loadhaul 60 looks great.

 

I've treated myself to a "looking back at type 5 locomotives" book... and just noticed there is a nice photo of 58017 in there. I'm sure you'll make a nice model of it!

 

I'm sure I also recognise your layout.. what's it called?

Cheers

Will

[SWT442]

Cheers Will! I have to admit, I was pretty pleased with how they came out, especially the Mainline 58.

 

The Seacow was done a year or so ago, so I'm trying to remember what I did!

 

It more than likely would have used a thinned down wash of Precision P960 Frame Dirt as an overall base to the weathering. This would have been painted on before being wiped off with paper kitcehn towel. (It's basically my go to base for anything I weather, as I build on top of it.)

 

I have a set of weathering powders by Freestone Model Accessories, so one of their powders (possibly Burnt Umber or Dark Rust) would have been mixed with (I think!) P950 Light Rust and some thinners to form a light paste which would have been painted down the side of the wagon before being wiped off with some paper kitchen towel to give an overall grotty look. It being more sticky than just paint and thinners would've helped with the streaking on the bodyside. A thicker 'paste' mix of the same paint and powder (no thinners) would then have been used to do the rust patches. This would have been daubed on with a fairly thin brush.

 

I have to admit, I wasn't working from any pictures when I did it, I just went with what I thought looked 'right'. It was also the first time I'd mixed paint and powders together, so was a bit of an experiment to see what the outcome would be. Overall, I'm more than pleased with it and I did do a couple more Seacows using the same methods, although not as heavily weathered.

 

I also use the same method when weathering up the exhaust silencers on Bachmann 66's and Hornby 60's, as it gives a nice, rusty, textured base for putting sooty deposits onto.

 

The layout the locos were photographed on is Hollybank Depot, while the Seacow is pictured on Mossbank Yard. Both are owned by the New Forest MRS. They've both been around for a quite some time. (They're older than me!)

 

Andy.

Edited December 24, 2016 by SWT442

[Shoey]

Superb modelling Andy! Fantastic finish without an airbrush.

 

Keep up the great work and pictures coming.

[SWT442]

Thanks for the comment Shoey, appreciate it!

 

A couple of hours were spent today in the modelling cupboard. I had planned to do some weathering, a Hornby Rudd has been sat on the shelf in need of some dirt! A search through Flickr provided a candidate to draw some inspiration from, but the overhead warning flashes needed changing to the newer style. In hindsight, I should've just carried on and ignored this minor detail but decided to go ahead an change them. While doing this, the moulded handrail on the body ends was removed. A new pair will be made of wire before weathering commences.

 

 

 

While I had the overhead transfers out, I put them onto 20132 along with a headlight. As luck would have it, I had a new tin of metalic silver paint so a blob was put into the headlight reccess before the outer clear plastic cover was put on. While I had the paint out I did the same to 20118. Both them and the Rudd had their transfers varnished.

 

 

 

 

And while I had the headlights, paint and transfers out, another model sat on the shelf waiting to be started was a Hornby Class 31 in the form of 31110 in Dutch. I had planned to renumber this one, but it managed to soldier on until mid-1999 before gaining a repaint into Green, so it fits my earlier modelling period nicely. The next task on this loco will be to remove the printed on BR Arrows and depot plaques, and then paint the cabsides light Grey. A new technique I've been looking to try will be to fade the livery before it recieves a fairly grimy weathering as per photos of it in 1998/1999. The method was recommended by a friend and will involve using Hornby's White weathering powder rubbed down the side of the loco with a cotton bud.

 

 

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rpmarks/8021414641/in/faves-98929239@N03/ - This is the picture I will be using as a guide to weather 31110.

Andy.

Edited December 31, 2016 by SWT442

[dj_crisp]

A proper scruffy prototype... that'll make a great model!

Will

[SWT442]

A few hours were spent in the modelling cupboard this afternoon. Nothing has been been done to the existing projects bar the Dutch Class 31 which has had its cabside painted with Grey.

 

 

My focus this afternoon was weathering some wagons. I have a rake of 8 Dapol IOA's which are the Hattons weathered ones. They're a nice model but the weathering just consisted of a wash of Black paint. I wanted to make the weathering a bit more realistic and after a quick Flickr search I found a wagon to use as a guide.

 

 

The first job was to scratch the side of the wagon using an Awl that came in a Draper screwdriver set. This was to represent the scoring and scrapping that the wagons get when they're loaded and unloaded via a mechanical grab. Once all the scratching had been done, a mix of Phoenix Paints P961 "Sleeper Grime" and Freestone Models WP12 "Dark Rust" powder was mixed with some thinners. This was then painted onto the side of the wagon.

 

 

After about 30 seconds, the mix was then wiped off with a cotton bud. This allowed the paint to get into the scratch lines but not fully dry onto the side of the wagon.

 

 

Both sides of the wagon were treated to this method. The same paint and powder mix was used again but with a touch of Grey added to the mix, which was then painted onto the inside of the wagon. This same mix was also applied to the bogies to help lighten them up a bit but still appear dirty.

 

 

 

I'm pretty pleased with how it came out and looks much better than the factory weathering. The rest of the rake will recieve the same treatment in due course, with slight variations so they don't all look the same.

 

Another wagon that was attacked was a Bachmann MFA in Mainline Blue but with EWS branding. Again, Flickr was used to find a suitable candidate as a guide. The wagon was weathered all over with Sleeper Grime, a touch of grey paint and a dash of thinners, before being wiped off with a cotton bud. This was also used to weather the inside of the wagon, but with a bit less Grey paint in the mix. A Sleeper Grime base was used for the underframe. Some maroon paint was used to paint out the EWS branding and add some patches onto the side. My Maroon paint was a bit "thin", so the patches will be touched up once it's all dry.

 

 

 

I have about 7 more of these to do in EWS, Loadhaul Black and Mainline Blue.

 

Both the IOA and MFA will recieve some internal powder weathering to represent stone dust. The IOA will possibly get a load, while the MFA will be done as a wagon which has been unloaded but still has a small amount of ballast in the corners.

 

Flickr pic of the IOA (not mine): https://www.flickr.com/photos/newspectrum/14273681957/in/photolist-nKjmmM-qwr9K6-cvZ1Tf-piqL53-eSiCtx-bX6vYJ-qd8afS-pXQDi5-qfpvsk-pXZGP4-qd8PtL-qd92h5-qfe9Yv-piqA1q-qfeNov-ip4wkL-pbHpi4-qfpgeF-dyjKA4-bxaHu1-9Q5tbW-s6ZPUS-qBSELP-a5P6N4-eiqyuW-dg3oqt-d7SXMN-9ZzfQp-d7T2Bm-k63KvB-riDvH9-pFdf36-ktrJe8-eMnxoS-bkBrbR-e6M3Hg-7L3zV1-7KjrPg-a3FYaz-bAmQZR-bnrYaY-eFjxs2-d7SVvu-d7SU7S-dxpNVT-JmSFRh-rjmX63-ei5hcp-dg368Z-brddQa

 

Flickr pic of the MFA (not mine): https://www.flickr.com/photos/trevor-plackett/21785909779/in/faves-98929239@N03/

 

Andy.

 

 

 

[Jack374]

Nice work Andy...some great weathering there, which I'd have said was near impossible without an airbrush! I agree that I don't get on very well with an airbrush, it seems such a faff for a finish akin to one from a rattle can.

 

I look forward to more

Thanks,

Jack.

[SWT442]

Apologies for a lack of progress, and apologies to Jack for not replying. The kind comment was very much appreciated!

 

A little bit of work has been done over the last couple of weeks. Work and illness have been getting in the way somewhat.

 

First up, my air braked engineers fleet has gained disc brake inserts where appropriate. The first lot treated were several already weathered OCA, OBA & MFA wagons. The discs are Colin Craig examples, which are now available to order online via Stenson Models. While not totally noticable, it's been something I've been wanting to do for a while, just because I can really!

 

 

 

Also on the bench has been 20118, which has been fully weathered using a mix of Phoenix paints and weathering powders. The roof was also faded slighty, which was acheived by using Humbrol White weathering powder and rubbing into the paintwork with a cotton bud. One unfortunate consequence of using thinners in my weathering mix, was the fact that it took the number completley off one cabside! Not the first time this has happened when I've weathered up a Bachmann model. Just need to do finish up 20132 and the pair is complete!

 

 

 

 

 

Also started was 31110. I tried to fade the paintwork by using the above method with Humbrol powder, but it seemed to buff the paint instead making it rather shiny! A basic coat of Phoenix track dirt has been applied to the underframe, with a thinner mix used for the bodyside. This will then be added to in due course using powders.

 

 

My Dapol 68002 has also been weathered up. I think I was a bit too eager to weather it up and should have taken my time, as I'm not completley satisfied with it. Definatley one that will be tidied up a bit soon! I am pleased with certain bits though, such as the rusted up exhaust port. One thing which I think does make a bit of a visual improvement is to paint the outside and inside of the wheel face, leaving the raised section unpainted to better represent the prominent brake discs on the class.

 

 

 

 

A project that was started is a Bratchell models Class 456 kit. This was purchased from Ally Pally last year and is the NSE version with the pre-liveried bodywork. So far the trailer car has been built, with some additional detailing added to the cab fronts in the form of air brake pipes and multiple working equipment. This will all be painted, and representations of the covers will be made. The powered coach will be done when I can source a Black Beetle of the correct wheelbase and wheel size. They seem to be thin on the ground!

 

 

 

So that's it for now. Will be tackling the pair of 58's that were at the start of the thread in the coming weeks and hopefully finishing of 20132.

 

Andy.

 

 

 

 

[dj_crisp]

Some cracking weathering and modelling Andy!

 

I'be been tempted by the Bratchell models Class 456 kit but really can't justify it! Are you going to bother with fitting working lights?

 

Your wagons look great. If you get chance I wouldn't mind a close up shot of the oba

 

Cheers

Will

[James Makin]

Very nice Andy! Love those wagons too, looking suitably decrepit!!

 

For the 456, if the Black Beetles are hard to come by, if you see one going cheap, how about a Bachmann '150' chassis, complete slot-in underframe there?

[bensanchez43310]

The 68 looks great, how did you achieve such a finish?

 

Ben

[rs4]

I'll second that on the 68.

 

The wheels are particularly good.

[SWT442]

Some cracking weathering and modelling Andy!

 

I'be been tempted by the Bratchell models Class 456 kit but really can't justify it! Are you going to bother with fitting working lights?

 

Your wagons look great. If you get chance I wouldn't mind a close up shot of the oba

 

Cheers

Will

 

Cheers Will! Not bothering with lights I'm afraid, electrics isn't a strong point of mine! I did toy with putting an interior in as I had a set of interiors from a Hornby Networker going spare but it wouldn't properly fit. Wish I'd made a bit more of an effort with it as it does look somewhat bare inside!

 

I'll get some close up shots done of the OBA's in the next few days.

 

Very nice Andy! Love those wagons too, looking suitably decrepit!!

 

For the 456, if the Black Beetles are hard to come by, if you see one going cheap, how about a Bachmann '150' chassis, complete slot-in underframe there?

 

Thanks James! I have to admit, some of the inspiration for doing them comes from seeing your work. Still got some more to be done in due course.

 

Good shout with the 150 chassis, could possibly use some of the underframe components as well!

 

The 68 looks great, how did you achieve such a finish?

 

Ben

 

Cheers Ben! The underframe was done with Phoenix Paints P960 'Frame Dirt' diluted with a little bit of thinners and applied by brush. The axle "boxes" and step fronts were cleaned off with a cotton bud, as these seem to stay fairly clean compared with the rest of the underframe. Some Matt Black was applied where fuel stains would be and once this had dried, some Humbrol 'Gloss Oil Stain' was put over the top.

 

The bodyside had a very thinned down mix of P960 applied to it which was quickly removed using kitchen paper and cotton buds. Some Tamya weathering powders were then applied to give a dusty look. I think I used 'Set B' in their range and used the darker shade in the set. One of the lighter Tamya shades from the same set was used to the grilles.

 

The roof used a lighty thinned mix of Phoenix P962 'Roof Dirt'. Again, this was applied by brush and then left for 30 seconds before being removed with kitchen towel. The exhaust silencer used a mix of P950 'Light Rust' and some Burnt Umber weathering powder. This gives a nice texture to the silencer for the Humbrol Black powder to adhere to. The same powder was also brushed down onto the bodyside in the vicinity of the exhaust port and along the roof itself to give a sooty look.

 

I used this picture as my main guide for the weathering: https://www.flickr.com/photos/joe_bloggs_railway_photos/32398211880/in/faves-98929239@N03/

 

I wasn't planning to weather the 68 as heavily as I did, but when I saw the above shot I fancied doing it heavier. The Chiltern one I have will be kept fairly clean, gaining some underframe dirt and a light roof weathering. The bodyside will be left virtually untouched.

 

I'll second that on the 68.

 

The wheels are particularly good.

 

Thanks mate, I reckon the same can be acheived with the Hornby 67. It has a raised area on the wheel face which seems to be a representation of the disc brake.

 

Andy.

[SWT442]

Evening all!

 

A bit more progress has been made on some already started projects. The pair of 58's have moved on from where they started at the beginning of the thread. The EWS example has had the grilles on one side painted black, though I quickly lost the will to live so that was as far as I got.

 

The Mainline Grey example has had a bit more attention. Some transfers arrived from Fox earlier in the week, so the cab fronts have recieved the missing numbers. Once the varnish had dried, a start on the weathering was made. The underframe and sides have been done, using my standard mix of thinned Phoenix "Frame Dirt". The roof will be tackled next, before varying powders will be used to finish the sides off.

 

 

 

 

Also arriving was a set of 3D nameplate transfers from Railtec for 68010. They do look the part and set the model off nicely and are a nifty and cheaper alternative to etched plates. As nice as they are, I do wonder if they're a touch oversize compared to the real thing.

 

 

 

A quick project was the weathering up of another Dutch OCA, which took about and hour all in over two evening. I picked up 6 of these quite a while ago for a good price off eBay, when a single wagon was going for silly money. One has already been done, complete with a load of new sleepers. This one has recieved a slighty lighter weathering compared to the previous one. A small load of scrap rail lenghts and sleepers was also put in. A set of Colin Craig discs was also fitted.

 

 

 

 

I'm aiming to get the Mainline 58 finished by the end of next week but I'm on call from tomorrow evening so it probably will be a stretch!

 

Andy.

[James Makin]

Awesome stuff Andy, that looks cracking!

 

The rusty OCA looks tops and loving the 58...I've got plates for that very one laying around awaiting a rainy day!

 

I agree on the printed vs etched plates, that last pic of your '58' says it all, the finish on that plate and the weathered appearance is second to none, got to love Brian's latest creations!

[SWT442]

Cheers James, glad you approve! A lot of the inspiration for tackling the wagons has come from reading and seeing your work.

 

The nameplates for the 58 weren't purchased new from Shawplan, I think they must have been from an earlier batch as I got them from eBay. I had contacted Shawplan in the past for plates, even after speaking to Brian at shows in regards to certain plates, but never got a reply. A shame really as they're good quality. Unless I can get what I want from Shawplan at a show, I normally go to Fox now as I know that I'll actually get them.

 

Anyway, onto to some modelling. The 58 has had its roof weathered as well as some oil staining down the sides and onto the solebar. Some additional bodyside and underframe weathering and it'll be done.

 

 

 

 

 

A rather quick project was the weathering of some Bachmann Railtrack PNA wagons. These were kept fairly clean as to represent them running around at the turn of the century. One wagon carries Grey instead of Green, not sure if this is accurate or not but it was an eBay bargain so rude not to! Plus it breaks up the rake nicely.

There is one more wagon to add to the rake, but I'd like to model it as one of the ones running on Gloucester pedestal type suspension.

 

The last wagon in the pictures is one of Bachmanns factory weathered ones, which was touched up with some powders. I don't think this worked particularly well, so will re-do it with some paint instead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm hoping to finish off the EWS 58 before the weeks out, but a week of call out does tend to interfere with getting stuck into something! It was why the PNA's trumped it in the queue as they took no time at all to do.

 

Most of the stock seen in the thead will be running on Mossbank Yard which is being exhibited at the Wimbourne Show this coming weekend, so feel free to say hello!

 

Andy.

Edited March 13, 2017 by SWT442