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Jules' workbench - 2-axle ballast wagon upgrades


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Yes there is Lewis, just couldn't get the time to post!

 

All my MHA's are done, buffer wise and they look so much better for it:sungum:

 

IMG_20190317_192730.jpg.2d8e69dc50e859515f4e0bcb25d2367e.jpg

 

The MHA on the left had the existing bufferplates reshaped with a scalpel and a tooth saw but it was torturous for the wagon!:nono:

 

For the other two, I used 20 thou plastic card cut to the right size, as per the wagon on the right

 

IMG_20190317_192903.jpg.d49597abef9ec4b0e2ca7c420a85cb1b.jpg

 

IMG_20190317_193048.jpg.d8371843de31588a60c8211fd9ce87d1.jpg

 

Next jobs : add new buffer hooks, get rid of the glue marks, renumber the wagons (numbers are WRONG for this type of MHA:nono:), paint the interior and weathering! Maybe that explains why I can't finish a project and exams get in the way too, so please bear with me:scenic:

 

Cheers Jules

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  • 2 weeks later...

Something a little different here, a Bachmann 170!

 

IMG_20190409_195353.jpg.8dfadf536997f4a5995867b98ddaa62d.jpg

 

I did mention earlier that the pickup wires came off because the pickups turned oily black and I used too much vigour removing the dirt!:nono:

 

Rather than just resoldering the existing pickup wires, I used thicker wire because I felt the Bachmann ones looked a little flimsy IMHO

 

IMG_20190409_195439.jpg.bf1ce0afc9f3a2e5e85787676c04baee.jpg

 

What I actually did was instead of replacing the whole pickup wire (for the long pickup wire going down the body), I soldered the new one onto the existing one (which was shortened) around halfway down the chassis (I hope the explanation was clear enough!!)

 

IMG_20190409_195528.jpg.f4febcd3a16826338be8add4abe358a3.jpg

 

For the pair of pickup wires nearest the camera (below), I unsoldered the old ones and soldered the new ones in. However, the wires weren't flexible enough to mount the circuit board to its original mounting lugs so tape did the trick and the body fitted - probably just!

 

IMG_20190409_195419.jpg.a999abf1e302f2a3208ff3e94d32cf43.jpg

 

Testing on the fiddle yard...it worked! Relief! (A little stalling though, probably as I very rarely take it out for a spin)

 

Cheers, Jules

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  • 2 weeks later...

More work on my red MHA, adding the little details missing on the donor chassis

 

For the brake accentuators, the Hornby moulding is the black one on the right and my attempt is on the left made from styreneIMG_20190420_142125.jpg.70cf6b9b355f00f45969bbeb203e8c7c.jpg

In real life they have two per wagon to activate the two disc brakes (one on each axle) so should I bother making another four for the MHA's (maybe later, perhaps...?) as the Hornby model only have one fitted, not two

 

Again, the Hornby moulding for the auxiliary suspension (I think) is the black one on the left, and my attempt (made from styrene rod and brass wire)

IMG_20190420_192124.jpg.a1bd41bd19cfbdf4c9e00873a3d1c063.jpg

Still need to add brake lever (suggestions on how to make one are welcome). Need to paint them to hide the white styrene though (the brake accentuators are already painted, my terrible camera can't pick it up well in the photo!!:pardon:)

IMG_20190422_190321.jpg.371a133f0ae48b81d9c6dad5b111b813.jpg

 

Cheers, Jules

 

Edited by Departmental203
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  • 2 weeks later...

MHA underframe - finished! (still needs paint though!)

 

IMG_20190503_142417.jpg.a6b8eb256b3df247d5bd90ea24d93c3a.jpg

IMG_20190503_142433.jpg.ac1d28c0ce81b10cfbf15a55e4da330e.jpgIMG_20190503_142519.jpg.d2ff285641725ecc5dc38900ad902ad1.jpg

 

The brake levers were made by filing some brass sheet, the brake lever guide and (I have no idea what it's called, maybe something to do with the brakes:pardon:), the little white piece below the brake levers in the second photo were styrene.

 

IMG_20190501_095932.jpg.12b8c002bf7e4de11e00f36b68df40b8.jpg

 

The brake levers are pretty thick as this photo shows!

 

Next stage would be to paint the underframe as if 394829 was only recently out of Marcroft (however, the W irons remained coated in track dirt on its first runs) so weathering will be minimal and still need to get some transfers!

 

Happy modelling, Jules

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  • Departmental203 changed the title to Jules' workbench- Mainly wagons
15 hours ago, Departmental203 said:

MHA underframe - finished! (still needs paint though!)

 

Next stage would be to paint the underframe as if 394829 was only recently out of Marcroft (however, the W irons remained coated in track dirt on its first runs) so weathering will be minimal and still need to get some transfers!

 

 

Does anyone produce transfers for the MHA?  I have a couple of the S-Kits resin bodies to paint up and put on the Hornby chassis, which will require transfers - I was hoping that Railtec may do them at some point.

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On 04/05/2019 at 11:59, Dungrange said:

 

Does anyone produce transfers for the MHA?  I have a couple of the S-Kits resin bodies to paint up and put on the Hornby chassis, which will require transfers - I was hoping that Railtec may do them at some point.

 

There are no specific packs for the MHA, however, Fox does produce a general numbering sheet in EWS Gold (you'll have to place each number on the panel yourself) which is of the right font for the late build MHA's, click here for the link.

 

There are a few variations in font, backing background or font colour. For example, 394601 has its panel handwritten in white, in unboxed style (on one side only), a picture of it can be found here, the other side is a standard panel.

 

For earlier build MHA's, from about 394209, the EWS lettering and the number panel are in Gill Sans, and Fox, again produce a pack for this, and the link can be found for the pack here and a prototype photo here. For the very early MHA's with handwriting in EWS gold, there are no options for this in the market today and the font is unusual, so is more difficult to produce accurately

 

Due to 394829 being a one-off, I think I'll ask Railtec to produce it as a custom order

 

Good luck, Jules

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On 05/05/2019 at 22:55, Dungrange said:

Thanks Jules,

 

If Railtec are willing to do a custom order for you, Steve can sell me the same transfer pack if you are doing 394829 in this condition - 

394829 at Ely

 

 

I am doing 394829 in DB Shenker red as per this photo, it's now almolst faded to white! I am depicting it when it was only a month or so out of the workshop. The underframe is getting painted now

 

Cheers, Jules

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  • 2 weeks later...

Exams are nearly over, phew!

 

I've been busy working on an OAA body from Hornby and here is the current progress

 

IMG_20190519_194908.jpg.6cfd91330fc69f15abc3eaf4cae6b419.jpg

 

Usual story as the solebars are Cambrian with only a few modifications, so it's not quite correct for an OAA!:nono:

 

IMG_20190519_204918.jpg.5882143e2acc4037e3d3424abfd870ed.jpg

 

Door strapping is thin slivers of 10 thou plasticard sheet sliced very thinly with the scapel, the door posts are slightly thicker at 20 thou. Looking at recent photographs, the stapping is not qite full height, the moulded extras were sliced back with a scapel. A few strange little "spots" were also removed with the scalpel

 

IMG_20190519_195041.jpg.b7b80a825a5f9cca4929524ead04e05d.jpg

 

The floor is 40 thou plascticard, which brought the solebars to the right height but maybe more would be needed for any W irons (I'm thinking Bill Bedford sprung ones, hope they take OO wheels!!)

 

Cheers, Jules

 

 

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Exams are now over:good::imsohappy:, so I started with a Cambrian ZCA (ex OBA type) and gave it a few coats of primerIMG_20190522_173124.jpg.9bae0f8f0d0bdbf306292c132fd64485.jpg

 

IMG_20190522_173143.jpg.5c986c1717ce5bbddfd5941ae0f13209.jpg

 

IMG_20190522_173152.jpg.885c2415b9dc13862016ddab0bef115c.jpg

 

I think it's strange that I have bothered to recrate the different solebar layout of the ZCA but not crate the rib to underframe fixings, strange!!:dontknow: And completely forgot about sticking on workplates and label clips, need to do that!!:banghead:

 

I'm certain its going to go Mainline but I'm not certain of a running number!!:scratchhead:

 

Forgot to say my OAA will (try to) represent a very faded and careworn 100023, prototype pic here (as it wasn't converted with mesh sides according to Rail Express Modeller, and my originally intended 100033 has)

 

Cheers, for reading, Jules

 

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  • 1 month later...

A (quite) overdue update about the ZCA one month later....

 

IMG_20190624_165609.jpg.5c468c6625ba719c3e33fd82b4e08569.jpg

 

Quite a fuzzy photo apologies but I didn't want a dark photo (blame my teribble phone camera!!)

 

IMG_20190624_165636.jpg.6c70dfa6eb4a6d98bc58c0887f27eb1d.jpg

 

IMG_20190624_170614.jpg.ca25f01425f4f8838c45a21f173558e2.jpg

Jobs to do : add weight, couplings , paint some underframe parts white, decals and the all important weathering!

 

And an unmentioned project, a ZCA SEA HARE in Loadhaul and the identity is confirmed as DC460254 which I started a little later than the SEA URCHIN

 

IMG_20190624_170732.jpg.4bfb287198c23c673f2cd0f67ffdeeae.jpg

 

IMG_20190624_170746.jpg.c8846889a3459c45fbef5b5b10712d93.jpg

 

IMG_20190624_170758.jpg.1e0fdce63b10943378b2affaa628e067.jpg

 

Of course, this one's a little behind, although the W irons have been folded up.

 

More soon!:good:

 

Jules

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  • 2 weeks later...

The OAA has progressed, it being in primer (well, the ends have been painted red after these photos have been taken)

 

IMG_20190702_200635.jpg.559e831150bd8a2d6f4bedd948894187.jpg

 

IMG_20190702_200650.jpg.6d9a34bcdba74e1cac739f1e611d63af.jpg

 

IMG_20190702_200715.jpg.cbaa158ee0bc2e39d7710f14f235dff4.jpg

 

The buffers are the superb Lanarkshire Models and Supplies castings picked up for a mere £1.95 at the Perth show! (catalouge number BP05)

 

IMG_20190702_200727.jpg.27f3c9847701edc4d116e23d1f4a0808.jpg

 

More soon

 

Jules

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  • 3 weeks later...

More progress on the OAA with paint being applied on the ends and one side

 

IMG_20190722_203042.jpg.b9a69603d4754b289ae4c1c6b628a0da.jpg

 

The joys of painting plank by plank! (100023 had a very striped apperance, a photo here) It's not such a bad job, if you have a decent, flat brush, tins upon tins of paint and be prepared to use cotton buds and thinner for remendy work (a small paintbrush soaked in thinner is also useful for remedial work) and you'll need a lot of concentration!

 

IMG_20190722_203057.jpg.6a0ff95989a819808d6e4f78eedaf52b.jpg

 

Not James Makin standards, but you get the idea

 

IMG_20190722_203120.jpg.0a80d20ba616df59a2e5a7f85bf60f11.jpg

 

And a view of the ends (there are 3 layers of pink, all slightly different shades!)

 

Jules

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Layout work has been halted due to a lack of solder:mad_mini:, so I've been progressing on something rarely featured on modern image latouts...for obvious reasons

 

IMG_20190801_195310.jpg.a762e7b6bcbe9cee5d1cfc2eae3af705.jpg

 

Semaphore signals! These are nice plastic kits from Ratio representing LMS tubular post signals (the catalogue number is 476)

 

IMG_20190801_195328.jpg.0978347cd4daf9eacaf4d9f550ca0ffd.jpg

 

Ladders are fairly fragile - I've broke a few and if it hasn't snapped, EMA plastic weld does the job!

 

IMG_20190801_195402.jpg.4195a41108de164611cb17a2760a685b.jpg

 

With (most) kits, there are a few instances of head scratching, the ladder couldn't fit on the top ring, so the solution was to cut away 3 or 4 rungs and trim the right hand vertical post so it can clear the bulb housing and counterweight!

 

IMG_20190801_195416.jpg.e9636cc8c241fd42cb518d2e8628bec0.jpg

 

I used Humbrol acrylics, which dry so fast compared to enamels!!

 

More soon

 

Jules

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  • 4 weeks later...

Update in a little while, about the ex ZBO ZBA DB986446

 

Armed with some white and grey paint and a cut down Daler Rowley 10/0 (got for £3.50) to recrate lettering/numbers, as I'm too impatient to commision decals as I can't get round to do it

 

IMG_20190823_203303.jpg.9ae35077b65f5fb013daf57b1cb927e9.jpg

 

The "ZBA" completely shames the "EWS" legends, which I did a year ago (I'm that slow!!) which a chunky 0.7mm Posca pen!

 

IMG_20190823_203210.jpg.dbb468ed7ea180cc7870a836a7b1c20c.jpg

 

I'll wash over the numbers with some Rust wash to kill the clean white look

 

IMG_20190823_203320.jpg.cb6f4c1701207c8eb3c2809970a042af.jpg

 

This was quite a test for my hand-eye co-ordination, if you can read DB986446, I've succeded!

 

Hope I can get more posts soon, but due to the demands of Higher (equivallent to A-levels down south of the border) and Duke of Edinburgh, it's going to be harder, so please bear with me!

 

Cheers

Jules

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21 minutes ago, Departmental203 said:

Hope I can get more posts soon, but due to the demands of Higher (equivallent to A-levels down south of the border) and Duke of Edinburgh, it's going to be harder, so please bear with me!

 

I empathise Jules, been there and done that (and still need to finish DofE)...persevere and it will get easier! :yes:

 

You've done great work and have some cracking little wagon projects to chip away way at in the spare time you do have, just keep beavering away.

 

Jack.

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Just a quick post on doing weathered/battered planks in model form to represent paint peel

 

IMG_20190831_200300.jpg.3367f845df35716a33e0e41ef20d7633.jpg

 

I used a fairly dark grey pained on individual planks and left it to dry for a few minutes before using a wooden toothpick and a dry brush to manipulate the paint. Another Tim Shackleton method in his Aspects of Modelling: Weathering Wagons and Rolling Stock

 

This also shows progress on the OAA, slowly but surely!

 

Jules

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On ‎06‎/‎07‎/‎2019 at 21:31, Departmental203 said:

The OAA has progressed, it being in primer (well, the ends have been painted red after these photos have been taken)

 

IMG_20190702_200635.jpg.559e831150bd8a2d6f4bedd948894187.jpg

 

IMG_20190702_200650.jpg.6d9a34bcdba74e1cac739f1e611d63af.jpg

 

IMG_20190702_200715.jpg.cbaa158ee0bc2e39d7710f14f235dff4.jpg

 

The buffers are the superb Lanarkshire Models and Supplies castings picked up for a mere £1.95 at the Perth show! (catalouge number BP05)

 

IMG_20190702_200727.jpg.27f3c9847701edc4d116e23d1f4a0808.jpg

 

More soon

 

Jules

More very nice work here..

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