Sandwich&AshfordMR Posted October 9, 2013 Share Posted October 9, 2013 The high standards of your projects is something I still aspire to in following your footsteps in creating a Southeastern 3-car Electrostar. Your finished First Capital Connect 377 is superb and very detailed and will provide the motivation to actually finish mine. But just like your Electrostars I haven't rushed it and want it to be modelled effectively to look the part on my layout. Hope all is well and may I share some pictures of my own project if that's okay once the livery is applied? Cheers, Matt 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium James Makin Posted October 13, 2013 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 13, 2013 Thanks everyone for the nice comments - all much appreciated. James, Absolutely cracking stuff. I kept visiting the Wells Green workbench page almost daily waiting to see this finished and finally seeing on here one word - WOW! The graffiti along with the weathering really brings the unit to life, time consuming but well worth the effort. Given the layout is based on Kensington Olympia would you consider undertaking a 378 at all? Although the recessed doorways and different window arrangements would require even more butchery of the turbostar donors. Maybe a refurbished Southern 455, 456 or FCC 319 from Bachmann 150 or Bratchell models bits. Not that I'm trying to tell you what to do! Dale P.S. I've dug my experimental Wales and West 158 out of storage after over a year of no progress on it and hope to have it up complete and running soonish. Cheers Dale, approached the 377 airbrush weathering with much trepidation, one false move and bang goes the livery haha! Never say never, but doubt I'll approach the 378, but for the other suggestions, all I'll say is that I think we're on the same wavelength Good luck with that 158 by the way!! The high standards of your projects is something I still aspire to in following your footsteps in creating a Southeastern 3-car Electrostar. Your finished First Capital Connect 377 is superb and very detailed and will provide the motivation to actually finish mine. But just like your Electrostars I haven't rushed it and want it to be modelled effectively to look the part on my layout. Hope all is well and may I share some pictures of my own project if that's okay once the livery is applied? Cheers, Matt Matt - thanks and very best of luck with your Electrostar! I'd really like to see more of these important people movers in model form so please do post pictures, would be really good to see Matt! The Electrostar awaits it's first proper show debut with Loftus Road at Salisbury in 2014, and the free space left on the workbench has already been taken up with some exciting period noughties dirty diesel projects, will post some updates when I get further on. As a point of interest - Wells Green TMD is coming out of hiding for a small local 'show' in Worthing, West Sussex next weekend. On Sunday 20th October, the layout will be representing Worthing MRC at the SRP Fair held at Charmandean Centre, next to the A27, Worthing West Sussex, BN14 9HS. http://www.srptoyfairs1.co.uk/fairs/2013/05/worthing-toy-fair/ It's only a small toy fair with my layout and 1 other club layout present, but will be interesting to see if the layout (and operators!) still work after 2 years in storage!! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Popular Post James Makin Posted December 7, 2013 Author RMweb Premium Popular Post Share Posted December 7, 2013 (edited) If you missed 'I'm a Celebrity' then here's another chance to see a washed-up former 90's celeb in action! 47004 by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on Flickr I always promised myself to model this loco as a kid but the skills and equipment of the day just weren't there, so this is making up for lost time! 47004 was repainted from Trainload Construction back into classic BR Green for a 1994 Old Oak Common open day and for several years, was a proper celebrity with bells, whistles and snowploughs. But by the late 90's, fortunes had changed, the livery was starting to fall apart and stripped of its 81A depot plaques, 47004 could be found hauling infrastructure trains in the old LWCW pool. It's time was up, and the loco left to rot at it's namesake depot. It's this jaded condition that left a mark on me, and 15 years later, here's my model! 47004 by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on Flickr At this point I should state that this is more an exercise in nostalgia than modelling skill, and this project is nothing fancy beyond a repaint, detail and good bit of fun weathering! 47004 uses the Bachmann model as it's basis, and given the detail combinations, the Parcels 47474 was the best match, with its full underframe tanks, albeit requiring the boiler port to be opened up, along with the headcode panels rebuilt to reflect the restored 1960's style condition of the prototype. Some might find it easier to use a 1960's BR green model and install headlighting, but each to their own! 47004 by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on Flickr I set to work, quickly stripping the model of its printed livery details, and then chain-drilled around the headcode panels, to fit a classic glazed headcode box displaying the iconic '0F70' - just mention this code and it will bring nostalgia to a generation of 90s spotters. 47004 by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on Flickr Next stage was to carefully file out the headcode panel and secure a plasticard backing to the area where the headcode decals will be. 47004 by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on Flickr The ridiculously sugary Swedish 'Zingo' and lashings of Pixie Lott were essential additions to this thankless task. Again, modeller preference may vary. The donor loco then entered the paintshop for a coating of the legendary BR Green - probably one of the best liveries seen on the class - it just sits so perfectly on the body...as the designers would have intended. 47004 by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on Flickr Decals and nameplates were from Fox Transfers - modelling this in 1999 condition meant I needn't shell out on the cast builders plates and depot plaques - these were long gone and instead small rust areas sit on the bodyside to show their former position. Details like the yellow No.2 end yellow headlight and distinctive shunting scrape damages were picked out, whilst the trademark snowplough is from a Heljan 47. Faded yellow axleboxes and white pipework fight to be seen through the grime, whilst the BR green paintwork is faded and littered with chips and flakes laboriously added from prototype pictures. 47004 by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on Flickr The classic 0F70 headcode is on display and the snowploughs make for a well-balanced locomotive, and it is worthy of note that despite its decay and storage, the locomotive is adorned with the then brand-new overhead electrification flashes. 47004 by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on Flickr And so, into service! A ballast train is already waiting at Worthing MRC's Loftus Road, so it is only fitting to be worked by vulnerable 'local' 47004 eeking out it's last days of service before withdrawal. It feels good to recreate a little bit more of my youth, and another box ticked on the classic loco front! The story didn't end there for '004 either - an almost Big Brother-esque revival for the faded celebrity at the 2000 EWS/Rail Magazine OOC Open Weekend lead to a Howes Railmatch BR Green repaint and happily another Brush that has survived into preservation, for the time being. Cheers James Edited August 6, 2016 by James Makin 20 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swifty11 Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 Wow!! Absolutely brilliant James! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne 37901 Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 Looking good James, nice work. Makes a change from the many gleaming celebrity models I've seen of this one. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 47 looks great, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 40-something Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 Superb piece of painting and weathering there James, pat yourself on the back! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon020 Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 Nice bit of work, nicely summed up... always a Duff fan... and this one looks the part. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob D2 Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 Great modelling taste ! Dire musical taste ! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandwich&AshfordMR Posted December 16, 2013 Share Posted December 16, 2013 Hi James and all, After two months since the previous posts, some very slow and steady process has meant a resemblance of a Southeastern electrostar starting to appear. Because the middle coach as you know contains the motor I have decided to 'black up' the windows on all three coaches. Still lots to do with tidying up the white of the livery also with a final coat to remove the marks/dust etc but will eventually get there. Picture shows a before and now of the windows application . And I read your post earlier today James about no electrostar by Hornby for 2014 (great news!), lets hope Bachmann don't release one quite yet until I finish mine!! All the best and Cheers Matt 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swifty11 Posted December 16, 2013 Share Posted December 16, 2013 Excellent Matt! Your doing a really good job of that electrostar! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium James Makin Posted December 17, 2013 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted December 17, 2013 Hi James and all, After two months since the previous posts, some very slow and steady process has meant a resemblance of a Southeastern electrostar starting to appear. Looking really good Matt, thanks for sharing that! I love seeing Electrostars in model form and SE livery suits it well - good to see the carriage shortening, not everybody braves it but well worth the risky operation!! When the windows go in, it really tightens up the body, smartens it up and you feel like you're on the home straight - good jawb! 8) Cheers James Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium James Makin Posted January 3, 2014 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted January 3, 2014 (edited) Happy new year everybody! The latest item on my workbench is just pure indulgence..! HST on Loftus Road by jamesmakin2002, on Flickr Since forever and a decade, I've always wanted to model a First Great Western HST set. Pure nostalgia from my Didcot spotting days, could the infamous 'fag packet' even be the greatest ever combination of traction and livery ever known to roam the Great Western mainline? Starting with a Lima set, I'm building a scale length HST, to modern standards. The late 90s Italian Mk3s will retain their headache-inducing stripey livery, but will see new interiors, Lazerglaze flushglazing, close coupling system, bogie mods, coach gangways and perhaps even brake piping. The old Lima power cars will retire gracefully to be replaced by modern day Hornby items, repainted back into matching FGW livery using some of my custom transfers, and will see DCC sound at both ends of the train, naturally featuring the screaming of original Paxmen Valentas! Here's how the project's going at the moment... Mk3 coach close coupling by jamesmakin2002, on Flickr The old Lima couplings have been binned in favour of a close-coupling system, nothing fancy but just a simple hoop and bar to keep the train in check over the pointwork of Loftus Road. Mk3 coach close couplings by jamesmakin2002, on Flickr It's taken some fettling to get it to run well on the club layout but it's all sorted now and works well in conjunction with these fab new gangways I've bought from Stuart Clarke on eBay. Labelled as 'Great Little Gangways', they are just that. Made from folded cardboard and plasticard, they are topped off with a weathershield, and work really well at closing the visible gap between the coaches, and act as a really good 'buffer' (especially as the actual buffers have now been removed from the Lima HST Mk3s). More details about these gangways can be found here - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251404730420?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 - great value at £6.99 for 4 coaches' worth! FGW Close couplings by jamesmakin2002, on Flickr The gangways are all now fitted and work well with the couplings. The next stage is to break open those Mk3s and get the interiors sorted! I'm fitting Shawplan Lazerglaze to each coach to remove the truly awful window effect left by Lima - I would go one stage further and remove the raised window surrounds to fit stainless window frames but I'd like to keep the beautiful base livery intact, so some compromises must be made here! Details like the numbering and lettering will be carefully fixed in due course though. Meanwhile I've dug out a spare Lima Mk3 buffet as a practice and already found out how to tackle the window installation... Lima Mk3 Test Model by jamesmakin2002, on Flickr ...and as you can see I've also found out that the roof and window moulding is very brittle...eek!! Edited August 6, 2016 by James Makin 14 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swifty11 Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 Wow! This looks amazing, really good! Always had a soft spot for this livery, they sent 4 mk.2s on hire to North western and they used to turn up at Crewe! I've sent you a PM buddy 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steadfast Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 It's great to see a fag packet HST James, brings back the memories of when I had mine a few years ago, I'll be keeping an eye on this one! I've just bought a cheap Dapol Virgin HST to do in Barbie livery, but I'll have to do a few green and golds to break the set up a bit! jo 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WCML100 Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 great to see a FGW Fag packet livery eveyrones been caught up on the latest 'dynamic lines' version... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swifty11 Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 (edited) On 07/01/2014 at 21:02, WCML100 said: great to see a FGW Fag packet livery eveyrones been caught up on the latest 'dynamic lines' version... The dynamic colours go for mega bucks now Edited January 22, 2020 by Swifty11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WCML100 Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Not bad for James, He sold his dynamis lines coach on eBay for £170! Lol for a coach? who ever was bidding for it obviously wanted it a lot! Great Livery Though! Just read fully back through this thread, and have been watching Wells Green TMD & Loftus Road for some time now and i must say what a pair of great layouts I must add - love the work going on and think your 377's are great unfortunately my area I am modelling is Manchester on the WCML although i live in London and love the electrostars! LOL! First CC version looks stunning - love the livery and I'm pretty sure nearly all the ones i see have been victims to graffiti artists! very realistic addition! Regarding all the pantographs that are used in these 377 projects where are they purchased from? Really need a decent pantograph for my class 90 as the Hornby one is not only beyond pathetic but is too high when raised for my over head wires/masts. Thanks, Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium James Makin Posted January 10, 2014 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted January 10, 2014 Lol for a coach? who ever was bidding for it obviously wanted it a lot! Great Livery Though! Just read fully back through this thread, and have been watching Wells Green TMD & Loftus Road for some time now and i must say what a pair of great layouts I must add - love the work going on and think your 377's are great unfortunately my area I am modelling is Manchester on the WCML although i live in London and love the electrostars! LOL! First CC version looks stunning - love the livery and I'm pretty sure nearly all the ones i see have been victims to graffiti artists! very realistic addition! Regarding all the pantographs that are used in these 377 projects where are they purchased from? Really need a decent pantograph for my class 90 as the Hornby one is not only beyond pathetic but is too high when raised for my over head wires/masts. Thanks, Peter Hi Peter Thanks for the kind words! I have to admit with my 377s they've just got dummy plastic pantographs nabbed from the Hornby '92' - as the units probably won't ever see service under an OHLE layout, figured this would much be easier than tackling the Hurst kit! Cheers James Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WCML100 Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 Hi Peter Thanks for the kind words! I have to admit with my 377s they've just got dummy plastic pantographs nabbed from the Hornby '92' - as the units probably won't ever see service under an OHLE layout, figured this would much be easier than tackling the Hurst kit! Cheers James Thanks for the info finding it very hard to source some decent pantographs, even spare ones but thanks for your help! Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsforever Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 Will you be doing the new First Capital Connect livery as it looks quite good? Excellent modelling the 47 looks great like the matt look so much better than gloss. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium James Makin Posted January 11, 2014 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted January 11, 2014 (edited) Will you be doing the new First Capital Connect livery as it looks quite good? Excellent modelling the 47 looks great like the matt look so much better than gloss. Thanks! Have you got any pics of the new FCC livery? Sounds interesting! After doing the colourful duo I'm not sure I can stomach making a third Electrostar!!! Scratchbuilt Electrostars by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on Flickr Edited August 6, 2016 by James Makin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium James Makin Posted January 11, 2014 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted January 11, 2014 (edited) I've been spending some more time on the FGW HST project and breaking open those pesky Lima coaches for some interior design! This includes the painting of 468 seats..! Mk3 Coach Interior by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on Flickr Using Colin J Marsden's HST book (and some blurred childhood memories!) I'm slowly recreating an interior of a FGW set. The Standard interior comprises turquoise seating, blue & great moquette carpeting and some interesting marble effect panelling. First Class features dark blue seating with maroon patterned carpets, white headrests and will have brown table tops, perhaps tableclothed even! Mk3 Coach Interior by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on Flickr I've still got a long way to go but the base colours are in place - inadvertently featuring Arriva colours, using cream for the seat-backs and their turquoise for the fabric! Blue Pullman 'Nanking Blue' is stepping up to the mark for the carpet colour, soon to be dotted with grey specs! Then there is the task of filling this mighty HST. It could be run as an empty stock working, but that'd be boring, wouldn't it? So I've gone and bought multiple knocked-off packets of figures from China (via Amazon) for £2.99 per 100 - they're actually an interesting 1:75 scale, but seeing as the occupants may see some amputation, that won't matter too much! Mk3 Coach Interior by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on Flickr It's back to work painting the remainder of the interior, then the passengers, and finally I can get onto the glazing! Cheers James Edited August 6, 2016 by James Makin 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium dale159 Posted January 11, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 11, 2014 Top work as always James, Just one question, those 2+2 seats from the TSO's, are they what came with the coaches? I only ask as I have 3 full 8 car rakes of Lima Mk3s, 2 Intercity Swallow and one Great Western Merlin livery in which all 12 of the TSO coaches have 2+1 seats, of the 24 coaches only the 3 TGS coaches have 2+2 seats. So unless Lima changed this for the Fag packet livery, I know Hornby have corrected this since taking over production of Mk3s. Dale Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swifty11 Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 Well that looks fun James!! Keep up the good work! I think the new FCC livery depends on which vandals where in the yard the night before? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
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 accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now