Jump to content
 

Jules' workbench - 2-axle ballast wagon upgrades


Recommended Posts

Just had a read though your posts mate some excellent work here. Love the OAA ! And the Sea Hare and Sea Urchin are 2 very interesting 2000s era wagons that dont get modelled that often! 

 

Ive got a couple of OBAs on the bench and plan on using a 00000 brush for painting the individual planks. Should make the job a bit easier. 

 

Following with interest ,

Cheers

Lewis 

 

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Been a wee bit busy, and since D of E was (annoyingly) postponed, I've found the time to post

 

The TTA is far from finished, but all the holes/resecces have been filled with plastic strip or rod and tiny amounts of filler (this is a George Dent method, which works very well!;))IMG_20190927_163515.jpg.a51750436f7fa71b0e8bffc0e46fc825.jpg

 

IMG_20190927_163328.jpg.5ba29aa44edad0fd4800f1b513d53aff.jpg

 

IMG_20190927_163338.jpg.91cbcdd3b91f2b5081c36169c7006970.jpg

 

I plan to use the Stensons models walkways to represent a tanker numbered in the 53xxx series which worked on the Fort William fuel workings

 

IMG_20190927_163435.jpg.def6dd9e0824a8f7378bd42bf8702488.jpg

 

The underframe has been liberally butchered, the only thing left is the W irons and axleboxes! I plan to use some S-Kits springs (the correct parabolic type) and scratchbuilt brake/discharge pipes

 

It's a long way from completion, but I've started on the other side of the OAA, pics are to follow

 

Cheers

 

Jules

  • Like 1
  • Craftsmanship/clever 3
Link to post
Share on other sites

Moving on from the TTA, I was pondering what modelling project to do and dug out my Mk1 BSK. All I've done to it is to change the orientation of the battery boxes and change the bogie type to Commonwealth.

 

As I plan to portray 35469 with side grills, and plus, I'm using a Hornby "Design Clever" Mk1, I decided to carve a lot of the moulded detail and the too obvious roof ribs using a Swann Morton #10 Blade and also need to cut two pairs of doors:butcher: (this is my first serious kitbash, hope I don't screw up...)

 

Pics for progresss...

 

IMG_20190928_204022.jpg.4c3e9130763eeeca22e4141e0e8632f1.jpg

 

IMG_20190928_204037.jpg.5961e8ebd3480928c70223e70e03fa76.jpg

 

It was a pain in the neck to carve off the moulded end details, and ending up slicing into the detail I wanted to keep!!

 

IMG_20190928_204105.jpg.5c3338dfc13bbeae3d4373ceaab757c6.jpg

 

I have already drilled holes for replacement handrails, using a HSS 0.5mm drill

 

Well let's see how this project goes on...

 

Jules

  • Like 3
Link to post
Share on other sites

Great work Jules! In future it may be easier to use fine abrasive paper such as 1200 grit - available online or at some DIY stores. It would cause less gouges and create a more even finish.

 

Now you need something to pull the coach...any thoughts?

 

Jack.

  • Thanks 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Excellent start on the TTA mate! Sure it will look smashing massive improvement getting rid of the old moulded detail! 

 

For the suspension springs I've used the castings from Stenston models on my short rake of TTAs. Think they are £1.75 a set. 

 

Looking forward to seeing more progress! 

 

Cheers

Lewis 

 

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Ahh now I can breahe again - didn't screw up!:yahoo::yahoo:

 

Managed to strip the paint off and add the new grills (Evergreen styrene venner board in fact - courtesy from Roland Turner), and I conclude that went well!

 

IMG_20191004_202423.jpg.98d4e9fb0dd518a9d0fa8186ae447bb9.jpg

 

(I kept it on the ends, the paint stripper used a lot of IPA, cotton buds and paper towels and I didn't bother:secret:)

 

IMG_20191004_202315.jpg.6888ced452fa47529fbd1921492ef9af.jpgIMG_20191004_202327.jpg.f08b361eb4d8be98de476cc42616b6ae.jpg

 

Notice the difference of the shapes on the different sides, as per the real thing. Next jobs to do are to work on the roof detail (there's an exhaust for the generator - needs to be drilled, priming, painting, adding handles and decals!!!

 

About your comment Jack, I find that you were right, a knife leaves some gouge marks that I tried to remove using sandpaper, which was only partially sucsessful, but the roof is a little tatty on M35469, I might get away with it! For something to toy around with, a Class 67 perhaps? (I bought this coach thinking I would model a short steam rake but even the shortest steam rake can't fit in my 3-car platform, it'll probabaly end up being shunted around as a loose coach, I guess this is a testbed for my cutting and shutting, detailing and painting skills)

 

Well hopefully, I can use it well on the layout, or I can give it to someone who can run coaches better than I can!!:search:

 

Lewis, I plan to use S-Kits parabolic springs as they have the correct Single Link suspention, the already present Double Link suspention is rare on BP examples, according to my friend, who is an expert in tankers

 

Hope your projects are going phenomenally!

 

Cheers for reading, it's a wee bit long winded

 

Jules

  • Like 1
  • Agree 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

Looking good Jules! :good:

 

As Lewis mentions, Stenson Models have got the Bruninghaus springs for the TTA/MTA etcs, with an easy online ordering facility, that might get my vote over S-Kits, only as I don’t always get to see George at shows so much down here in the South!

 

I must say I’m a bit of a cheapskate though, on my wagons I’ve found it is possible to carefully cut and file some of the old leaf spring suspension away to re-shape and resemble the later style, a bit of tactical gouging with the scalpel to save a few pounds is always good! :lol:

 

The OAA is looking good, a final dark grey wash over those planks to highlight the gaps in between and it’ll look a million dollars! I use a technique I read about to represent bare wood with many shades of grey working from dark to light in a dry brush, the more shades the better!

 

For weathering books, I’ve never read the others but my own bible was Martyn Welch’s “The Art of Weathering” from Wild Swan Publications of Didcot - it’s an old book now but contains some essential techniques that have stood the test of time!

 

Enjoy!

James

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Great work Jules, I like the new grilles from plastic sheet. As you say it’s a great test for various techniques...I did similar with a Network Rail generator coach (which has since been stripped ready for re-doing)...have you thought of modelling a test train for your 3-coach limit? A loco, test coach and RTOV (Ex-DBSO) would fit, this is what I’ve done.

 

Keep up the superb modelling! :yes:

 

Jack.

  • Thanks 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Some progress on my OAA 100023, apoligies for the terrible phone pics

 

IMG_20191012_203613.jpg.0cfd3b35625c220c38e591dc8a3e073e.jpg

 

 

IMG_20191012_203632.jpg.c53cbdb0dcbdfa241c9f44f4f9a45391.jpg

 

IMG_20191012_203648.jpg.d90af46e678ebd8b032980ed05019f64.jpg

 

For my project of 394829 (DB red MHA), I am unsure about the decals which I was hoping to get them customely made for me. Do I have to send the company my own artwork that I have drawn or are they willing to do the making for me as Railtec were extremely busy when I put in an order which only contained images of the wagon. I appreciate that they are a really busy company so fair enough

 

I am grateful for any advice regarding custom decals as this is my first bespoke project

 

Cheers

 

Jules

 

  • Like 4
Link to post
Share on other sites

Steve at Railtec is extremely busy unfortunately Jules, but what I did for my red MFA was use Railtec's DB logos (available as a pack but I may have used some from a DB 60 pack) and OLE flashes, and I found Modelmaster do data panels for EWS wagons. Whilst the DB ones are white, the gold colour ones don’t look too bad. I made the specific number up with careful butchering of the transfers, and even more careful application as they’re easily swept away with cotton buds! Below is the link to the MFA set, they don’t appear to do an MHA set:

 

https://modelmaster.uk/4mm-ews-wagons/1733-mm4917-number-sets-blanking-panels-to-renumber-up-to-sixteen-Bachmann-mfa-open-box-mineral-wagons-ochre-maroon.html

 

Or Steve does this pack for the MEA, which could be doctored to represent the MHA panels:

 

http://www.railtec-models.com/showitem.php?id=1334

 

Hope this helps,

Jack.

  • Like 1
  • Friendly/supportive 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

On ‎12‎/‎10‎/‎2019 at 20:51, Departmental203 said:

Some progress on my OAA 100023, apoligies for the terrible phone pics

 

IMG_20191012_203613.jpg.0cfd3b35625c220c38e591dc8a3e073e.jpg

 

 

IMG_20191012_203632.jpg.c53cbdb0dcbdfa241c9f44f4f9a45391.jpg

 

IMG_20191012_203648.jpg.d90af46e678ebd8b032980ed05019f64.jpg

 

For my project of 394829 (DB red MHA), I am unsure about the decals which I was hoping to get them customely made for me. Do I have to send the company my own artwork that I have drawn or are they willing to do the making for me as Railtec were extremely busy when I put in an order which only contained images of the wagon. I appreciate that they are a really busy company so fair enough

 

I am grateful for any advice regarding custom decals as this is my first bespoke project

 

Cheers

 

Jules

 

Looking good as always Jules..

  • Thanks 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

We have a week and two days off school up north, so I took the oppurtunity to do some modelling!

 

Firstoff, some photos of the finished (worn plank effect still to be applied) side of 100023

 

IMG_20191017_095903.jpg.4dbe6ddff6859497771cc20f0170c1c0.jpg

 

IMG_20191017_095907.jpg.1b69646172c3b3aca82868f9f71af083.jpg

 

IMG_20191017_095923.jpg.ed578ac0acb9eb84204d2538744eb1a4.jpg

 

It's still got a long way to go, needs interior painted (plank by plank!!!:lazy:), numbering and weathering, it probabaly won't be finished until the new year!!:nono:

 

Got to renumbering the three wagons that started it all... picked them up for £30 total at Falkirk many years ago (I wish wagons are still this cheap...:cry:)

 

IMG_20191017_094659.jpg.a78fae97df4e1a97a92ce79370e1f45a.jpg

 

IMG_20191017_094759.jpg.e724c2d89792d1b8edb397d71e7a12f8.jpg

 

I numbered this MTA to 395161 after seeing a photo of it in Millerhill, I used the Fox EWS wagon data panel pack for all three and it was a real test for my eyesight trying to line up intracate digits!!

 

IMG_20191017_095011.jpg.580c4d1e16ab369ef9bd28166f4f3a0a.jpg

 

MFA 391257 (yes the EWS logo is too small, but I used what I had to hand, a pack of Fox EWS logos) with the repositioned logo

 

IMG_20191017_094843.jpg.61434168573a13d1f6aed6592124d4d2.jpg

 

MFA 391235

 

IMG_20191017_094952.jpg.58b5b01f60dd560b2d5f6561ac26728b.jpg

 

Eventually the wagons will be varnished and weathered to represent the poor condition of these wagons (well hopefully!!)

 

Cheers

 

Jules

Edited by Departmental203
  • Craftsmanship/clever 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Apologies for the recent lack of replies, life just gets too busy!!

 

I've (hopefully!) finished on the interior painting on OAA 100023, using a variety of Humbrol enamels, tring to mix them together to link the tones of the planks

 

IMG_20191117_082551.jpg.01059346bc724cd2bf52c6695019da02.jpg

 

IMG_20191117_082605.jpg.8bbbfec7c3133a1df97dcd582e5e7e67.jpg

 

IMG_20191117_082622.jpg.fc459a9299c5908ec67be7d9fcfec60b.jpg

 

IMG_20191117_082645.jpg.dc2d1e2b68a5f75fa6e9771bb419397c.jpg

 

Apologies for the poor phone pics!

 

My next project is another ZCA, this time, an ex SPA variant, which would have beeen converted around 1997-1998. Very limited progress but I've knocked the body and the solebars (which have been thinned down) together to get this:

 

IMG_20191117_082734.jpg.0508e3dbfd424ce7ce06d71d7285393a.jpg

 

I'll probabaly end up replacing the horizontal support with thinner Evergreen strip, I'm just too much of a skinflint to buy some now!!

 

I went to the Falkirk MRC show, and picked up some goodies, including another ZBA Rudd, which will probably end up as the Loadhaul liveried DC972644 (as I can't resist the brilliant Loadhaul livery!)

 

Hopefully, more updates will be coming your way soon, but school and personal life will probably hinder this however!

 

Cheers

 

Jules

 

 

  • Like 1
  • Craftsmanship/clever 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

17 minutes ago, dj_crisp said:

Cracking stuff! I really like your painting of the OAAs

 

I'll second that.  I've fancied doing something similar myself, but never got around to it.  Too many other things to do.  If I ever do get around to doing one, I hope it looks as good as yours.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

36 minutes ago, dj_crisp said:

Jules

Cracking stuff! I really like your painting of the OAAs

 

Cheers

Will

Nice work on those OAA; from looking at photos, the door pillars are often in the body colour the wagon was delivered in, even if the wagon's been repainted. Thus, the OAA would have Freight brown, OBAs would be Maroon or Flame Red, and OCA would be Flame Red.

  • Thanks 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

A wee bit of progress on the OAA, at this point, the only body finishing is decals and varnishing, so got round to that

 

IMG_20191129_203133.jpg.ea242d42b5f3ec0a0c4407669d2b1a7a.jpg

 

IMG_20191129_203158.jpg.eaebbcb5cab54a8aadefba81632261ce.jpg

 

Apologies for the grainy photos!

 

I know the decals used aren't exactly the correct font but I used what I had to hand. The "T" for tonnage and the "TARE" markings have been (crudley) been applied by paint, they look more like blobs than letters!

 

IMG_20191129_203011.jpg.1e5527a0d3961b457c11ff8f0449878a.jpg

 

A new challenge for me: a brass kit. These are the superb Bill Bedford Sprung W-Iron assemblies for the OAA. They're quite fiddly to solder but got there in the end. I've been told that it is essential to clean up any flux residues, I used malt vinegar and plenty of scubbing from a glass fibre pencil. It's quite amazing the difference when brass is scrubbed from oxidation

 

IMG_20191129_203059.jpg.5ec066235c83be8485c06e291cf5117c.jpg

 

I used the supplied springing wire, which was annoingly in a loop, so I had to straighten it as best as possible, in future, I might buy some straightened guitar wire to make it easier. And the axleboxes, by the way, is a representation of the type fitted to many OAA, VAA/VBA and VCA types. I used spare Hybox axleboxes from the Parkside Grampus kit, cut and filed them down to get the aproximate shape and stuck tiny peices of 10 thou plasticard to get the "wings" of the axlebox.

 

Cheers

 

Jules

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

Very nice work Jules! Those W irons look lovely. Not sure why you need to clean all the flux off though...I never have done on anything! It’s a good idea to for painting reasons but I’d say it’s unnecessary underneath a wagon. A better tool/method for cleaning up may be a glass fibre pen. Cheap as chips and available from most model tool stockists (Squires, Todmorden Models and Eileen's probably have them to name a couple), it cleans brass and other metals up very nicely for painting or just surface finish.

 

Thanks,

Jack.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Finally, after about 10 months :nono: my scratchbuilt MHA now looks more like the real thing!!

 

Courtesy to Rainbow Railways of Falkirk, whom I had a chat to at the Falkirk show, they agreed that they can produce a pack of transfers suitable for 394829. Cost £6 and came with spares too! (Thanks Rainbow Railways!:))

 

IMG_20191214_165250.jpg.07c62e5e0ea6a5296cc98ffe6b6ecbda.jpg

 

Warning flashes are from Railtec just to let you know

 

IMG_20191214_165327.jpg.d98931f394758c8a6eab8baa156b9116.jpg

 

IMG_20191214_165435.jpg.c14fe63855167285bea28ef2f0292ead.jpg

 

IMG_20191214_165734.jpg.a9449c5aebb82d0497bfb877dc6ed82a.jpg

 

Rainbow Railways even included the underframe markings (wheelbase and white stars, I'm not sure what the latter's purpose is, if someone knows please tell me) which was a pleasant surprise.

 

IMG_20191214_165652.jpg.502fe85bfc35e05c133406af3f912ce1.jpg

 

Next job is to seal the markings with varnish, glue the body on and do some light weathering to represent as if it had seen about a few months of use (as per the photo here)

 

More progress over the upcoming Christmas holidays (well hopefully!)

 

Cheers

 

Jules

 

 

  • Like 1
  • Craftsmanship/clever 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Departmental203 said:

Finally, after about 10 months :nono: my scratchbuilt MHA now looks more like the real thing!!

 

Courtesy to Rainbow Railways of Falkirk, whom I had a chat to at the Falkirk show, they agreed that they can produce a pack of transfers suitable for 394829. Cost £6 and came with spares too! (Thanks Rainbow Railways!:))

 

IMG_20191214_165250.jpg.07c62e5e0ea6a5296cc98ffe6b6ecbda.jpg

 

Warning flashes are from Railtec just to let you know

 

IMG_20191214_165327.jpg.d98931f394758c8a6eab8baa156b9116.jpg

 

IMG_20191214_165435.jpg.c14fe63855167285bea28ef2f0292ead.jpg

 

IMG_20191214_165734.jpg.a9449c5aebb82d0497bfb877dc6ed82a.jpg

 

Rainbow Railways even included the underframe markings (wheelbase and white stars, I'm not sure what the latter's purpose is, if someone knows please tell me) which was a pleasant surprise.

 

IMG_20191214_165652.jpg.502fe85bfc35e05c133406af3f912ce1.jpg

 

Next job is to seal the markings with varnish, glue the body on and do some light weathering to represent as if it had seen about a few months of use (as per the photo here)

 

More progress over the upcoming Christmas holidays (well hopefully!)

 

Cheers

 

Jules

 

 

I think the white star is to help staff find the brake isolation cock, which hangs down behind the sole-bar.

  • Informative/Useful 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Recently, I have been working on an unusual visitor to my workbench in the form of a Hornby Class 156

 

It's an old 156433 and I'd removed the numbers many years ago, however the serious works has only started now. I'm trying to model 156500, which is fitted with RETB and one of the last Scotrail 156's to have been refurbfrished, a photo can be found here

 

I started work on the interiors and as I'm modelling it prior to refurbrishment, I have kept the original seats (even though they're not totally acurrate!) but have cleaned it up, trimmed the partions and added new luggage racks which were present on most Scotrail units (its the white stack on the second photo)

 

IMG_20200112_184933.jpg.df7e5aa3585b4c880aab9d2278484a77.jpg

 

IMG_20200122_202707.jpg.a5c07d25e3e4dfff160ac4b3ea18c92e.jpg

 

Apologies for the quality!

 

I also sorted out some windows, as Hornby have incorrectly painted out the small window at the front behind the leading door on the left side on both cars, whereas, in real life, only the toilet window was painted out (there's only one toilet on Class 156's) which is situated on the right side of the unit. I found the old paint could be quite easily scratched off with a metal paint stirrer and toothpick.

 

IMG_20200112_184758.jpg.b535ce5d5a2055a2acc220088f016e4e.jpg

 

I used Revell number 75 (I think) which is a good match for the Hornby paint.

 

I also added more pronounced footsteps using 20 thou plasticard to replace the very undernourished Hornby footsteps, which were barely visible. The new steps project out by about 3mm. I have painted them Humbrol 27001, Polished Aluminium.

 

IMG_20200122_202744.jpg.249784cf0023390c6e74239f41ac7186.jpg

 

And finally something I should have noticed earlier, the front window surrounds on Scotrail Class 156's are yellow, not black as per the Hornby model. I found Humbrol 69 Yellow to be a near perfect match for its shade of warning yellow. I have masked the window and the adjacent gangway surfaces as illustated below

 

IMG_20200122_202535.jpg.35c3b72bd2db571537ed3f3e0c74a9ec.jpg

 

The eagle-eyed may have noticed the modified light clusters as I have blanked off the rectangular marker to better represent the arrangement found on most Scotrail Class 156's.

 

I think this project will keep me busy over the exam period!

 

More soon

 

Jules

  • Like 2
  • Craftsmanship/clever 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...