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James Makin's Workbench - 1990s dirty diesels & grotty wagons


James Makin
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6 hours ago, Phil Mc said:

You only have to ask !! :lol:

 

The one you've done ( and one for inspiration!!)

 

703053870_100_4400(1280x962).jpg.b1d26edb1f415ec255b34ed6515926a6.jpg100_4406.jpg.c644b3f55e803f0ff10236e76f4ec8b2.jpg1718940437_IMG_2487(1280x853).jpg.5db0e3e2481dca38c35ab67e72d19269.jpg1242885167_IMG_2488(1280x853).jpg.40bda54ecd99a569fc71dfdab30e1746.jpg923306167_IMG_2570(1280x853).jpg.dd130ff4c67441b61489c2c21fb2c91e.jpg922439792_IMG_2571(1280x853).jpg.ae5c8f27d44b6abb7871ed2879fe3d40.jpg1218013137_IMG_2577(1280x853).jpg.1ee2be4b1015e054b65b93b92220e93f.jpg284271938_IMG_2578(1280x853).jpg.e0e802bd83eb5149f0c60c9322e56f7f.jpg429048432_IMG_2579(1280x853).jpg.b9dbdee777bc96bea78bd37827aeaaec.jpg648180380_IMG_2580(1280x853).jpg.39f5a82ef24ac2ffadaa7ffefaf2cc84.jpg1901622785_IMG_2584(853x1280).jpg.5aba3c9d6cdb65f2a30a398dd495273e.jpg529483813_IMG_2586(1280x853).jpg.281e2f0943ffe9ea6e09b020070726b7.jpg

 

Cheers,

Phil.


Wow, thanks so much for those photos Phil, superb! They are from a higher angle than most I’ve seen online and ideal for getting those final details in! Seems like 210209 has picked up some extra graffiti of late..! I’ve got a glut of Bachmann VDAs in the collection (they seem cheaper/easier to find than the VAA/VBA!) so the reference pics for the other one have got to be put to some good use I feel!!

 

Cheers,

James

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17 hours ago, sb67 said:

More great weathering James, the roof's are great. I always think they are difficult to get right but quite important as that's how most of the models are viewed. 

Have you weathered any seam age stock at all? I'd love to see your take on some box vans or steel open wagons. 


Thanks very much, it would be interesting to do some steam-age stock but I’ve never yet needed - if I did I’d start with the wooden-bodied ex Private-Owner coal wagons put into BR usage with new numbers and some replanking if I did! 
 

The massive fleet of 16t steel mineral wagons look such immersive fun to model, I do like the long thread on them elsewhere in this forum! The closest I can get to that in my modelling era is the battered MKA ‘Limpet’ fleet...and the upcoming Barbels, which I guess are one of the last remaining relics from the steam era running in the late ‘90s!

 

6 hours ago, D6775 said:

Those Vans are fantastic James. I'm just working my way through a rake of Dapol 7mm Turbots. 

 

Thank you! The Turbots sound great fun if you’ve pics anywhere, they were in such horrendous condition before they went - at least those not fortunate enough to get an EWS refurb that is! Also not many late 90s reference pics out there online compared to other wagon types! 

 

11 hours ago, Wayne 37901 said:

Nice little collection of vans James. Even though they're too grotty for my time period I like the techniques you've used to produce those.

 

I'll look forward to seeing how you do the Barbels, I have about six to do soon.

 

Cheers


Thanks Wayne! Many of the Barbels were in shocking rusty condition by the late 90s so are proving fun to do, layer after layer of rusty browns.

 

Live scenes from the workbench...!

image.jpeg.7d1dd421e8b1de24fb09d478229db522.jpeg

 

Cheers,

James

 

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5 minutes ago, James Makin said:

it would be interesting to do some steam-age stock but I’ve never yet needed - if I did I’d start with the wooden-bodied ex Private-Owner coal wagons put into BR usage with new numbers and some replanking if I did! 

let me know when you decide you want the challenge and I will send a couple over for knackered 1947 condition... :p
 

 

6 minutes ago, James Makin said:

Also not many late 90s reference pics out there online compared to other wagon types! 

There are at least quite a few shots of them on the Westbury - Minehead workings.  But come to think of it that’s about all

ive seen.  I have modelled it with a set of Cambrian ones which have been awaiting bogies and painting for a very long time...

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On 13/12/2020 at 20:49, James Makin said:

During 'Lockdown 2' there was the ideal opportunity to tuck in to another few projects, the Parkside ZKV 'Barbel' kits have now all been built and painted up, and while waiting for the varnish to harden before weathering can begin, this gave time to snack on a few quickie Bachmann van projects!

 

50715718797_44c173a2ed_k.jpgVAA, VDA, VXA vans by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

The odd trio consists of VAA 200142, anonymous red VDA 200850 and jazzy ex S&T VXA 210209 in faded red and yellow livery.

 

50714912508_7eabe5edfc_k.jpgVAA, VDA, VXA vans by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

The starting point was the Bachmann model, part of the stock I've had sitting around for some time - I'm a sucker for buying cheap used wagons at any show I visit, and these have been collected over the years for bargain prices.

 

50714924203_12b6631a52_k.jpgVAA, VDA, VXA vans by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

Each wagon was stripped of lettering and the new colours applied, Humbrol enamels from the collection and matched to the prototype wherever possible, using pictures from Flickr to check accuracy. Decals were cobbled together from ancient Fox Transfers sheets, all hand lettered with individual letters and digits - I wish I had the forethought to do the modern trend of planning ahead and getting custom TOPS panels made via Railtec, these are painfully old school..!

 

50714921203_82315ffed5_k.jpgVAA, VDA, VXA vans by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

Once each wagon had the livery completed, it was on to the weathering stage...

 

50714918723_ef8b6f51d3_k.jpgVAA, VDA, VXA vans by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

Accompanied by some now-classic first album Gaga, weathering was built up with paint-on/wipe-off techniques of varying browns, working from light to dark, leaving dirt built up in the recesses. 

 

50715649501_0d1f4459c9_k.jpgVAA, VDA, VXA vans by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

Cotton buds soaked in enamel thinners then removed the majority of the grime, leaving a good base for further weathered detail, applied with 00000 brushes, picking out areas including rust spots, oil patches and general markings on the sides.

 

50714905643_3afccabb5a_k.jpgVAA, VDA, VXA vans by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

First up is VDA 200850, a fairly plain red van that has the correct chassis suspension setup for the Bachmann model, the wagon is nothing special but the mundane needs to be modelled!

 

The underframe of each wagon was painted using a mottled mix of Humbrols, dark grey No. 32, matt black No.33, grey No.1 and matt leather No.62. The colours were put on and mottled together on the wagon until an overall brown/grey appearance, using prototype pics as guidance.

 

50715722857_329a4467c1_k.jpgVAA, VDA, VXA vans by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

One of the interesting ones was VAA 200142, in use on MOD traffic, the wagon had faded yellow ends and a distressed green exterior with oil deposits and scars of explosives warning marks on the sides.

 

Each wheel has had Colin Craig brake discs added, nowadays sold by Stenson Models. These are attached with PVA glue to the wheel, once dry I run a coat of dark grey over and wipe off, which tones down the stainless steel face just a tiny touch ready for use - the rest of the shiny Bachmann wheels are also painted to avoid any original shiny metal showing where it shouldn't!

 

50714906483_aa2bab2211_k.jpgVAA, VDA, VXA vans by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

The most fun one was of course VXA 210209, in faded red and yellow livery, with patchwork repaints and partially hidden graffiti!

 

50715644586_60ccb2fa86_k.jpgVAA, VDA, VXA vans by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

The VXA is slightly different to the standard VDA van, having electrical plug equipment on the van ends and solebar, along with a notable footstep on the side. The steps were sourced from leftover Bachmann POA wagons that I've been previously converting into MKA 'Limpet' and freeing up a supply of ladders!

 

50714908238_4f4099d572_k.jpgVAA, VDA, VXA vans by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

Graffiti and markings were applied by hand using a new 00000 brush, following the prototype pics on Flickr at each stage.

 

50715643871_0eea98c304_k.jpgVAA, VDA, VXA vans by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

The roof weathering was fun, the VDA and VXA having fairly unremarkable weathered grey rooves, but the VAA being particularly battered, big patches of top surface missing and the roof framework visible through what presumably is roofing felt or similar, now long gone! Many shades of grey were mottled on with drybrushes to build up the effect.

 

50715720417_e671498115_k.jpgVAA, VDA, VXA vans by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

It's been good fun to model these, fairly quick to do aside from the individual transfer letting which was a bit of a nightmare!

 

50715727537_297d4ac5f1_k.jpgVAA, VDA, VXA vans by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

I was first hooked on the concept of modelling vans like these from a pic seen in RAIL Magazine just over 20 years ago now - a double-page spread of EWS' 47785 Fiona Castle on a driver training run, I believe over the Settle & Carlisle route with a hotchpotch of vans assembled in all different colours - what a great train it looked! 

 

Back then the only option was customising the Hornby VDA with the A1 Models etched sides, so we are rather spoilt now with a range of different vans just ready to go with minimal modifications needed!

 

50714910708_de38261d66_k.jpgVAA, VDA, VXA vans by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

Christmas time is just around the corner now, offering some good glimpses of modelling time inbetween Toblerones and there's plenty of projects vying for time!

 

Cheers,

James

That’s great work.

the roof is excellent 

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18 hours ago, James Makin said:

Thank you! The Turbots sound great fun if you’ve pics anywhere, they were in such horrendous condition before they went - at least those not fortunate enough to get an EWS refurb that is! Also not many late 90s reference pics out there online compared to other wagon types! 

 

Cheers,

James

 

Well, it wasn't a planned project, I was hoping my partner in crime would go for them for our layout as I am building all sorts of kits, but he's veered back towards 4mm at the mo, so when there was a decent offer the other week I took the plunge. Usual reference sources of Paul Bartlett's site, smugmug & flickr using 'YCV'. 'YCV Wagon', 'YCV Turbot' & 'Turbot Wagon' as search criteria. There are s few  Transrail ones on Flickr which have got to be late 90's.

 

Wagons are here in my 7mm thread if you're interested, not quite up to your standard but they should look the part! 

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Couple of reference shots of the VAA glimpsed in one of the earlier pics.

I don't seem to have any pics of VDA's, but was surprised just how many I've got of OBA/OCA (especially with mesh sides !!)

My stash of those type of wagons may need to raided soon......:lol:

 

IMG_2489.JPG.117a6b9e5269fd5ff6f656d35bb2fc04.JPG

 

DSCF1373_00.JPG.2a8626959dc3d263fc52a9c8df482754.JPG

 

Cheers,

Phil.

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10 hours ago, Rich Papper said:

Excellent attention to detail as ever James, and perfect timing - I've just finished my first one!

I don't have any intention of doing 40 though - good luck.

Rich

Hi James,

 

I'll echo Richards comment, I have a few ZKVs on the go but I won't be building, painting and weathering 40!!

 

Good job on those, I like the grubby ones in particular. Even in my period of the late 80s and early 90s they were that colour so it'll be interesting to me to try and replicate that look.

 

It's interesting that you did the 'Tfe' tagged one, I looked at doing it but ruled it out when I saw it dates from 1999 (my time period stops in early 1996, right before EWS!).

 

Cheers,

 

Wayne

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19 hours ago, James Makin said:

Apologies guys, a bit of a pic-heavy post coming!

 

50942333602_642c320cf7_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

I've just completed my first batch of ZKV 'Barbel' wagons, made up from the old Parkside (now Peco) kits representing the rustbox vacuum-braked survivors that lasted on spoil trains until the turn of the century. 

 

50941531093_2e245e1c43_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

These used to be a regular sight at Didcot in my early spotting days and I always used to think of them as like the 'troublesome trucks' from Thomas the Tank Engine! They were such a throwback to the days of steam, and a huge anachronism to see these being hauled around by the likes of shiny red EWS Class 37s!

 

50942335517_c0bf8818aa_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

The starting point was the Parkside kits, now coded Peco PC63, really easy to assemble wagons that can be just thrown together, but with oodles of care taken to ensure they are built straight. I use a piece of glass from a picture frame to ensure the wagon sits flat for the body and the four wheels sit flat without a wobble!

 

50942229706_32cbdc8954_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

Some little extras were added including Accurascale spare sprung buffers (not that they're sprung by the time I've glued them in and made a mess..!), some Smiths instanter couplings plus some brass wire bits to have a bodge at some of the brake pipework underneath, its not quite Pendon quality but I've got about 40 of these to do eventually :lol: 

 

My modelling eye has spotted that the axleboxes on many of the surviving Barbels are slightly revised since either version supplied in the kit, but having trawled parts suppliers and scratchbuiling options I'm conceding that I'll live with these, for now at least!

 

50941535673_b80ae8572b_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

The next stage was having assembled each wagon in the batch, to move onto the fun messy painting stage. There appears to be two types left running in the late '90s - battered BR Dutch grey & yellow, or even more battered Bauxite! One of my absolute favourite ones pictured online still had the 'Iron Ore Tippler' wording just visible on the centre bodyside, what a relic!

 

While the grey ones were simple to do, using fade shades of yellow and pale grey, the rusty brown ones I had some challenges getting them as dark as they needed, until cracking out the extreme dark browns, dirty black and Virgin Trains dark grey..! Lots of mottling and drybrushing took place until the wagons started to generally look like the prototype pictures in front of me. 

 

50942232956_1d1e9245ab_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

Next, each wagon was weighted down with a layer of liquid lead, each one weighs the same as a Bachmann MFA wagon for guidance! Wagons positioned at the head of the train will have slightly more weight added to compensate too. 

 

The individual weathering stage was the most fun part!

 

50941538873_70df32b232_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

Niche Canadian alternative synthpop is prescribed as the recommended music to accompany ZKV Barbel battering! 

 

The amazing thing about these wagons is of course every single one is unique and we are gifted with so many pictures about online these days to find prototypes to model, even of a wagon that disappeared from the network a good 20 years ago now. Photo collections to check out include Andy Jupe, Martyn Read, Paul Bartlett, John Dedman and Simon Bendall's plus many more, either via respective owner websites or across Flickr and Smugmug. 

 

50941540328_76579956e6_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

DB386317 shown here in the original brown shades, it look a bit of time trying to get the different colours showing through and the numerous patch painted areas buried under the grime and rust of all the years service.

 

50941540753_1769717afc_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

DB386397 in modelled in the classic Dutch livery that covers the larger majority of the fleet by the late '90s, though the rust on this example was bubbling through the paint, likely caused by the panels being pushed out from the load and the outer paint flaking away allowing water ingress underneath. 

 

50941540988_fe8f973378_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

DB388411 is looking pretty good for its age! Only a little bit of light scratching, presumably from unloading by grabber at various worksites across the Western Region. 

 

50942235451_595b9a089c_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

I couldn't resist modelling a graffitied version! DB385821 is based on an example photographed on Flickr at Didcot in 1999 so there was no way it wouldn't make it into the collection!

 

50942236851_82e64cd128_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

DB388875 is really losing the battle to rust! Covered in scars, these were modelled using a combination of scratching the bodywork with a craft knife before painting on & wiping off paint to highlight the damage, and some touching in using fine paint brushes, the shades being most used were Humbrol's 62, 186 and 113.

 

50942344372_f45eff7d79_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

DB386056 shown here in another patchy livery of brown and touched up shades, modelled on an example again in Didcot Yard before the turn of the century. 

 

50942344827_f37e4ae822_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

Here's the favourite one! DB388196 shows its old Iron Ore Tippler lettering just about through the layers of rust and grime, a superb survivor from 1999. The fresh blue axle boxes were also a nice touch too. 

 

50942237966_d97d965b66_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

DB385919 is an average example with some scratching on the side but clinging on to life before withdrawal and replacement with more modern air-braked spoil wagon conversions coming on stream such as the MHA 'Coalfish' and MTA wagon designs.

 

50941527558_52af5dddb3_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

Another favourite, DB388691 in a patchy brown livery, the underframes on these wagons are a combination of browns and dark greys mottled on to the underframe and the occasional dry brush with gunmetal to highlight raised detail where needed. 

 

50942330317_7d409ff2ae_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

DB388548 had a number of deep scratches in the bodyside, again presumably a result from some over enthusiastic grabber loading! 

 

50941528083_84d31f15d8_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

Bringing up the tail end of the first batch of 11 Barbels is DB386309, interesting as it had a different kind of buffers to the others which have more of a mini-Oleo style, these are big and chunky old school ones! Accurascale do buffers which look like good ringers of each style, these are available in the spares section on their website. 

 

50941529503_1d3f2dd88d_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

That's all of the first batch for now, I thought after many years of hoarding these wagon kits from different shows, picking up two or three wherever I saw them, the lockdown was the perfect excuse to just get on with them! 

 

50942330987_48327ed0a9_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

The only downside is that despite taking up a lot of time, they are really small! These used to be often appearing in big long trains and I've got about 40 to do, which will sit nicely behind an EWS 37 for the ultimate late 1990s juxtaposition!

 

50942331312_db16323ef6_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

50942224686_a5ed292236_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

These were great fun to do, and in the meantime if you have any more 1990s 'Barbel' pics that haven't appeared on the web so far then please do share and I will be sure to cover these off in the next batch! 

 

50942222051_759381dade_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

As a bit of a teaser for later this year (I have long lead times!) I have this weekend just cracked open a whole load of new diesel projects, quite a few Bachmann 37s and 47s being tarted up before my old 2010's pre-pricerise bargain stockpile is finally exhausted, so these are on the go, while work elsewhere is advancing on something more 'high speed'! 

 

Cheers,

James

 

Those ZKV look great.

I’ve a few but not to that standard.

where did you get the TOPS numbers?

mine are currently all the same and could do with new transfers to change their identities  

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Thanks ever so much for the likes and comments, they are such fun little wagons to do!

 

On 15/02/2021 at 07:51, ess1uk said:

Those ZKV look great.

I’ve a few but not to that standard.

where did you get the TOPS numbers?

mine are currently all the same and could do with new transfers to change their identities  

 

I ended up doing a mix in the end, the Dutch grey/yellow ones were a 'cheat' - I made up grey panels on photopaper, using CorelDraw with TOPS panels as part of the larger panel, and that was cut to fit inbetween the ribs of the wagon and the yellow line at the top, kind of a cheaty version of a decal as I've not currently got access to a good printer to do custom waterslide decals etcs! I did the same technique on the EWS MHA Coalfish a few years back, because of the ribs you don't notice the extra depth of the photopaper running inbetween!

 

For the rusty brown wagons without a proper TOPS panel, they were a bit more laboured, I was just individually lettering those using the packs from Fox one digit at a time! I did those first and the pain of those made me go for the lazier printed approach on the later 'Dutch' ones :lol:

 

On 14/02/2021 at 16:54, 37403 said:

Excellent as usual, look forward to seeing more of your work.

Did your class 56 project ever get going? 

 

Thanks, the Class 56 project is creeping forward albeit snails pace! I did receive a bundle of shiny parts from Shawplan last week so I can now progress these further and they will all form part of the 2021 batch of diesels, and incorporated in the bulk final airbrush weathering for the entire batch later in the year. This 'cleanup' batch currently totals (gulp) 28 locos of varying classes..!

 

Finishing this last batch would complete my long-overdue New Years resolution from about 2018 to clear out the fresh RTR locos from storage, but the sobering thought is that once all done, if I might ever fancy more it's back to paying modern day 2021 prices, eek!

 

Cheers,

James

 

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8 minutes ago, Rich Papper said:

Appleby Model Engineering do a pack of 4mm transfers that cover the ZKVs. Pack number 4T46. Some pre-made, some with the panel done but gap for your own numbers.

No connection etc. Even with them I won't be able to match these for finish though!

Rich

 

Hi Rich can you still get this pack has mine is about all used up and could do with some more for zanders as well as barbels

thanks Dave

 

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5 hours ago, dave parker said:

Hi Rich can you still get this pack has mine is about all used up and could do with some more for zanders as well as barbels

thanks Dave

 

 

Yep. Picked one up last week. Very quick service.

Sorry James - tell us more about the loco stockpile!

Rich

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On 14/02/2021 at 12:26, James Makin said:

Apologies guys, a bit of a pic-heavy post coming!

 

50942333602_642c320cf7_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

I've just completed my first batch of ZKV 'Barbel' wagons, made up from the old Parkside (now Peco) kits representing the rustbox vacuum-braked survivors that lasted on spoil trains until the turn of the century. 

 

50941531093_2e245e1c43_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

These used to be a regular sight at Didcot in my early spotting days and I always used to think of them as like the 'troublesome trucks' from Thomas the Tank Engine! They were such a throwback to the days of steam, and a huge anachronism to see these being hauled around by the likes of shiny red EWS Class 37s!

 

50942335517_c0bf8818aa_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

The starting point was the Parkside kits, now coded Peco PC63, really easy to assemble wagons that can be just thrown together, but with oodles of care taken to ensure they are built straight. I use a piece of glass from a picture frame to ensure the wagon sits flat for the body and the four wheels sit flat without a wobble!

 

50942229706_32cbdc8954_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

Some little extras were added including Accurascale spare sprung buffers (not that they're sprung by the time I've glued them in and made a mess..!), some Smiths instanter couplings plus some brass wire bits to have a bodge at some of the brake pipework underneath, its not quite Pendon quality but I've got about 40 of these to do eventually :lol: 

 

My modelling eye has spotted that the axleboxes on many of the surviving Barbels are slightly revised since either version supplied in the kit, but having trawled parts suppliers and scratchbuiling options I'm conceding that I'll live with these, for now at least!

 

50941535673_b80ae8572b_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

The next stage was having assembled each wagon in the batch, to move onto the fun messy painting stage. There appears to be two types left running in the late '90s - battered BR Dutch grey & yellow, or even more battered Bauxite! One of my absolute favourite ones pictured online still had the 'Iron Ore Tippler' wording just visible on the centre bodyside, what a relic!

 

While the grey ones were simple to do, using fade shades of yellow and pale grey, the rusty brown ones I had some challenges getting them as dark as they needed, until cracking out the extreme dark browns, dirty black and Virgin Trains dark grey..! Lots of mottling and drybrushing took place until the wagons started to generally look like the prototype pictures in front of me. 

 

50942232956_1d1e9245ab_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

Next, each wagon was weighted down with a layer of liquid lead, each one weighs the same as a Bachmann MFA wagon for guidance! Wagons positioned at the head of the train will have slightly more weight added to compensate too. 

 

The individual weathering stage was the most fun part!

 

50941538873_70df32b232_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

Niche Canadian alternative synthpop is prescribed as the recommended music to accompany ZKV Barbel battering! 

 

The amazing thing about these wagons is of course every single one is unique and we are gifted with so many pictures about online these days to find prototypes to model, even of a wagon that disappeared from the network a good 20 years ago now. Photo collections to check out include Andy Jupe, Martyn Read, Paul Bartlett, John Dedman and Simon Bendall's plus many more, either via respective owner websites or across Flickr and Smugmug. 

 

50941540328_76579956e6_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

DB386317 shown here in the original brown shades, it look a bit of time trying to get the different colours showing through and the numerous patch painted areas buried under the grime and rust of all the years service.

 

50941540753_1769717afc_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

DB386397 in modelled in the classic Dutch livery that covers the larger majority of the fleet by the late '90s, though the rust on this example was bubbling through the paint, likely caused by the panels being pushed out from the load and the outer paint flaking away allowing water ingress underneath. 

 

50941540988_fe8f973378_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

DB388411 is looking pretty good for its age! Only a little bit of light scratching, presumably from unloading by grabber at various worksites across the Western Region. 

 

50942235451_595b9a089c_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

I couldn't resist modelling a graffitied version! DB385821 is based on an example photographed on Flickr at Didcot in 1999 so there was no way it wouldn't make it into the collection!

 

50942236851_82e64cd128_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

DB388875 is really losing the battle to rust! Covered in scars, these were modelled using a combination of scratching the bodywork with a craft knife before painting on & wiping off paint to highlight the damage, and some touching in using fine paint brushes, the shades being most used were Humbrol's 62, 186 and 113.

 

50942344372_f45eff7d79_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

DB386056 shown here in another patchy livery of brown and touched up shades, modelled on an example again in Didcot Yard before the turn of the century. 

 

50942344827_f37e4ae822_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

Here's the favourite one! DB388196 shows its old Iron Ore Tippler lettering just about through the layers of rust and grime, a superb survivor from 1999. The fresh blue axle boxes were also a nice touch too. 

 

50942237966_d97d965b66_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

DB385919 is an average example with some scratching on the side but clinging on to life before withdrawal and replacement with more modern air-braked spoil wagon conversions coming on stream such as the MHA 'Coalfish' and MTA wagon designs.

 

50941527558_52af5dddb3_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

Another favourite, DB388691 in a patchy brown livery, the underframes on these wagons are a combination of browns and dark greys mottled on to the underframe and the occasional dry brush with gunmetal to highlight raised detail where needed. 

 

50942330317_7d409ff2ae_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

DB388548 had a number of deep scratches in the bodyside, again presumably a result from some over enthusiastic grabber loading! 

 

50941528083_84d31f15d8_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

Bringing up the tail end of the first batch of 11 Barbels is DB386309, interesting as it had a different kind of buffers to the others which have more of a mini-Oleo style, these are big and chunky old school ones! Accurascale do buffers which look like good ringers of each style, these are available in the spares section on their website. 

 

50941529503_1d3f2dd88d_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

That's all of the first batch for now, I thought after many years of hoarding these wagon kits from different shows, picking up two or three wherever I saw them, the lockdown was the perfect excuse to just get on with them! 

 

50942330987_48327ed0a9_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

The only downside is that despite taking up a lot of time, they are really small! These used to be often appearing in big long trains and I've got about 40 to do, which will sit nicely behind an EWS 37 for the ultimate late 1990s juxtaposition!

 

50942331312_db16323ef6_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

50942224686_a5ed292236_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

These were great fun to do, and in the meantime if you have any more 1990s 'Barbel' pics that haven't appeared on the web so far then please do share and I will be sure to cover these off in the next batch! 

 

50942222051_759381dade_k.jpgZKV Barbel wagons by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr

 

As a bit of a teaser for later this year (I have long lead times!) I have this weekend just cracked open a whole load of new diesel projects, quite a few Bachmann 37s and 47s being tarted up before my old 2010's pre-pricerise bargain stockpile is finally exhausted, so these are on the go, while work elsewhere is advancing on something more 'high speed'! 

 

Cheers,

James

 

Excellent work 

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  • 3 weeks later...
  • RMweb Gold

Looks fantastic James, the weathering really adds to it.   Great trick on the transfers that I will make a note of, I have a lot of Fox merlin transfers some of which have also yellowed.
 

I still massively regret not buying another pair of lowercase to respray back when the prices were more reasonable. 
 

for the moment I am making do with a detailed Lima body on a new Hornby chassis.

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