Arpleymodellers EWS/DBS Workbench - Grids, Sheds and DB HTA

[Arpleymodeller]

Welcome to my workbench thread featuring EWS/DB Schenker locos and rolling stock, all detailed/reworked RTR. All my models are built to 18.2mm EM gauge and all have appeared at Warrington Arpley Yard at some time during their career. 

 

I have finally got round to renumbering and detailing my Bachmann EWS 66209 I got at Christmas last year.

What I plan on doing

- Renumber using ModelMaster transfers from 66209 to 66207 (66209 is in the ECR fleet while 66207 is part of DB Schenkers UK fleet)
- Paint and fit the bufferbeam detailing at both ends.
- Fit a steel hook coupler made from a paperclip to the No2 end.
- Weather the silencer using a mix of Phoenix Precision dirty black and Revell matt black.
- Paint high viz jacket on driver.

Not a lot of work but will make it more realistic and individual.


First task was to remove the old numbers. I did think this was going to be difficult as I had heard others have had difficulty renumbering Bachmann EWS 66s. However instead of using white spirit or T Cut I decided to just see what happened if I scraped the numbers off with a small flat head screwdriver. To my surprise the numbers came off easily without damaging the maroon band.


66209 out of the box, decoder fitted and run in, ready for the detailing to begin.





Removing the numbers using a flat head screwdriver. Any remenants can be removed using a bit of enamel thinners.





Thats as far as Ive got so far, the transfers and paint should arrive by Friday so I plan on getting it finished over the weekend. More images on Sunday.


Regards
Lewis

Edited February 17, 2019 by Arpleymodeller

[bluex5]

It's an excellent "first" detailing project.

 

You've pretty much covered all the bases with your plans, I'd also probably do the roof fan as well. I've done three Lima 40's but never did the window surrounds or fan, although I plan to do a Lima / Bachmann hybrid at some point in the future which will get "the works".

[Arpleymodeller]

Hello

Thanks for the reply, of course the roof fan!

It may sound ambitious for a first detailing project, but it isnt that hard really,if I can assemble PH Designs class 66 mirrors I can cut and fit a windscreen sorround!

Do you have any pictures of your locos?

Regards

Lewis

[bluex5]

No pics, I sold them on Ebay a couple of years back (in lieu of the Bachmann effort coming out, more's the pity). I did one of each nose type. It's a great project to do, have a hunt around on this site to see what the Penguin of doom (Shaun) gets up to with the Lima Class 40 bodyshell and I think you'll be quite impressed.

[96701]

The Penguin of Doom's thread is here http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/28223-the-penguins-occasional-diesel-detailing-thread/page__hl__detailing__fromsearch__1

[Arpleymodeller]

Thanks for the link. Shauns work is superb,very good. This thread has changed to my general workbench with the 40 project put to the back of the list. My new project is now the detailing of new arrival 66209 and turning a Bachmann 20136 into main line operating 20142. Pictures to follow around Christmas time.

 

Regards

Lewis

[Arpleymodeller]

Here is the next loco I intend to detail once Hattons have it in stock.

 

DB Schenker 60099 using the superb Hornby model as a base for further detailing and weathering.

 

Here is the prototype at Latchford Sidings with a MGR to Fiddlers Ferry PS.

 

Edited April 10, 2012 by Arpleymodeller

[Arpleymodeller]

Hello again,

 

Cant believe its been over three years since the last workbench update!

 

My workbench has now been relocated along with Dallam TMD to the converted loft and although basic is adequate for the type of work I undertake - modifying RTR items.

 

 

I am finally making progress on a long planned project, a rake of realistic looking HTAs as used on the Fiddlers Ferry Power - Liverpool Bulk Terminal workings. The Bachmann models have been enhanced by fitting air brake hoses and renumbering using Railtec transfers. In addition, the buffer beam holes present on the prototype have been replicated using an awl. Finally, each model is weathered using Rail match sleeper grime, Lifecolor matt black and Humbrol matt black weathering powders. Final touches include painting the lamp irons and hopper door indicating arrows white.

 

No.310059 & 310103 completed illustrating additional detailing. 

 

 

No.310059 Railtec transfers. 

 

 

Interior weathering including silver to represent bare steel as a result of coal falling from  from rapid loading equipment. 

 

 

My 08 shunter, previously 08865, has been transformed to represent 08879, a former Arpley Yard pilot. New details include Markits sprung Oleo buffers, Smiths screw couplings and Shawplan laserglaze. In addition, a representation of the remote control equipment has been made using brass bearings and 0.6mm wire. The model has also been fitted with working LED marker and cab lights. Final work involves additional fading and weathering as well as a crew.

 

New Precision Decals transfers.

 

 

Markits turned brass sprung Oleo buffers. These were the standard 22'' head buffers with the buffer head cut off with a hacksaw and the smaller diameter Hornby buffer heads attached with some super glue. 

 

 

The remote control equipment.

 

 

As the loco was unreliable even with the wheels and contacts clean additional pick ups were made from 0.3mm brass wire bent to shape and soldered to the original brass contact strips. This has greatly improved running qualities and can now handle point work without stalling, at least most of the time! 

 

 

One other loco that has been worked on recently is 37670. Representing the loco in October 2009 condition, shortly before withdrawal by DB Schenker, new details include Hornby Cass 60 oval buffers and air pipes, bonnet mounted air horns, chassis mounted snowploughs and Smiths screw couplings.

 

The original air horns removed using a new blade, opened out with a small drill bit and awl before being glued in position either side of the aerial . While the prototype had a triangular shaped mounting bracket I decided it would be too difficult to made to scale and think this is an acceptable compromise. 

 

 

Buffer beam detailing consisting of Hornby 60 oval buffers, original Bachmann vacuum pipe, Hornby 60 air brake hoses and Smiths screw link couplings. After trialing Kadees as standard couplings I switched to Smiths as they are far better in terms of realism although coupling/ uncoupling is tricky! 

 

 

One final image showing the snowploughs attached using 0.6mm brass wire and glued at an angle as per the prototype. As with the air horns reusing the factory supplied snowploughs will keep the cost of this mini detailing project down to a minimum. 

 

 

 

 

 

Regards

Lewis

Edited September 5, 2015 by Arpleymodeller

[Arpleymodeller]

Hello again, 

 

More photos, this time of my recently completed model of 60071 in 2011 condition. 

 

No.1 end. 

 

 

No.2 end. 

 

 

Faded transfers made by Precision Decals. 

 

 

 

Bogie pipework picked out in white, a time consuming task! 

 

 

One final photo of the No.1 end cab complete with driver (Bachmann TMD figure) and blinds (light grey paper). The massive visual improvement of fitting working screw couplings to Hornby 60s with their large snowploughs was one of the main reasons that swayed me into standardising on Smiths rather than Kadee couplings. Other modifications include yellow light clusters and silvered/greased buffer heads and repainted air brake hoses. 

 

 

That's all for now, next update will focus on my latest HTA and HAA wagon models. 

 

Regards

Lewis 

Edited September 5, 2015 by Arpleymodeller

[D6775]

HTA's look good. Don't forget you'll need to do two outer's with buffers for the LBT circuit.

[Arpleymodeller]

Hello D6675,

Thanks, yes the outer HTA-D wagons fitted with buffers and screw couplings are currently a work in progress with 330472 & 330503 being modelled. If your interested check back tomorrow as I'm posting my current progress of the HTA rake project.

 

Regards

Lewis

[Arpleymodeller]

Hello again,

 

A few more HTA photos;

 

No.310893

 

 

 

No.310779

 

 

The first of two outer HTA-D wagons fitted with buffers and conventional screw coupling to facilitate Class 60 haulage. After studying prototype photos, it was noted that an additional steel sheet was welded to the wagon with the buffer back plates then being bolted to the new steel.  10thou plastic was used for the steel sheet, Hornby Class 60 buffers along with Shawplan etched brass buffer backplates, these include fine bolt detail. 

 

 

The buffers temporarily in place, the buffer beam needs spraying yellow before the buffers are glued in place and painted EWS maroon. This model will become No.330472. 

 

 

 

Thats all for now, next update will feature the HAA/HMA models I have been working on using the Hornby Railroad R6606 release. 

 

Regards

Lewis 

Edited September 6, 2015 by Arpleymodeller

[Pegleg90]

Hi Lewis,

 

Nice work there! like the idea of modifying the HTA wagons. how did the coupling loop go on the 66?

 

cheers

 

Ali

[rob D2]

Nice work , esp the 60,

What colour did you use to weather the bogies ? And what do you use for buffer grease ?

 

Thanks

[Arpleymodeller]

Hello again, 

 

Thanks Ali, the coupling loop was a experimental coupling. I did fit it to 66207 and it did couple to tension locks however it didn't look right and as I now demand far higher standards from myself I had to devise an alternative coupling! 

 

I later fitted a Kadee #19 and cut out a part of the air dam, while a vast improvement over the steel loop it still didnt look right. Therefore I decided that as my current layout (Dallam TMD) and any future layouts wouldn't be large enough to benefit from hands free automatic coupling/uncoupling I decided to fit prototypical couplings to all locomotives and rolling stock.

 

Standardising on Smiths etched brass screw link and instanter couplings vastly improved the appearance of my locos and wagons as it is replicating prototypical practice. While it does require manual coupling/uncoupling the use of a torch and brass 'shunting pole' makes the task a lot easier! 

 

However following prototypical practice means real world problems become problems in 4mm scale!

 

What I mean by this is that while under American ownership, EWS fitted Amercian AAR buckeye couplings to its Class 66s (with the exception of 66001-002) as well as its fleet of new Thrall built wagons. However to enable their other loco classes and wagons to be compatible a combination coupling consisting of the AAR buckeye and a standard British hook was fitted to the 66s and wagons such as the BYA telescopic steel carrier. 

 

Therefore I needed to replicate this on my models if I was going to be able to operate them realistically. I had read that other modellers had fitted Kadee couplings to their Bachmann 66s by mounting them under the cab through the buffer beam - therefore enabling them to haul EWS wagons such as HTA, BYA, MBA etc which have Kadee style buckeye couplings. As Bachmann kadee style couplings are very similar to AAR buckeyes (although over scale) I decided to retain these on my EWS HTAs but to remove the magnetic pin which greatly enhanced their appearance (any uncoupling can be done manually). 

 

Therefore on 66207 I mounted a Kadee #146 coupling and glued a Smiths coupling hook to the righthand side of the Kadee so that the 66 could couple to rolling stock fitted with either screw or instanter couplings. The Kadee is mounted using a small 5mm long screw and is positioned at the same height as the Bachmann Kadee style couplings using 1mm thick washers. The screw was not over tightened to enable horizontal movement so when coupling using my brass wire 'shunters pole' the Kadee buckeye can be centred if coupling to HTAs or pushed to the left to enable the hook to be used. 

 

Quite a lot of effort to get a realistic representation of the couplings but it does work and works well. I wont waffle on any more about couplings! ,  but here are some photos of the coupling on my model of 66207. 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello Rob, 

 

Thanks, Im glad 60071 is finally complete as it was in a 'work in progress' condition for 3 years! 

 

The buffer grease is made by mixing Lifecolor acrylic matt black ( the mattest matt black I've come across so far) and Humbrol black weathering powder. The finished result is both realistic aswell as having some texture and depth. There are many ways of portraying buffer grease on RMWeb however I use this method as I already had the products and was satisfied with the finish. 

 

As for the underframe weathering the entire chassis was sprayed with Lifecolor matt black before the pipework picked out in Humbrol matt white. Finally Railmatch sleeper grime was sprayed all over including behind the air dams. 

 

Finally, a photo of 60054 Charles Babbage, modelled in 2010 condition undergoing fitting of Shawplan laserglase and Smiths screw link couplings. 

 

 

The loco just needs some additional weathering and a driver to complete. The renumbering and weathering was undertaken by Peak Dale Works, I have had the loco for five years now although it has been stored for the past three years and is being improved and brought up to standard of my other stock. 

 

That's all for now, 

 

Regards

Lewis 

Edited September 10, 2015 by Arpleymodeller

[Pegleg90]

Hi Lewis, 

 

Thanks for the info. Think its pretty safe to say you have raised the bar of prototypical workings in 4mm with the class 66 to new dizzying heights! Any plans to add PH Designs' photo etched wing mirrors?

 

The 60 looks like its coming along nicely as well! Got one myself hiding some where! really must pull it out and get repaired! 

 

Regards

 

Ali

[Arpleymodeller]

Hello Ali,

 

Thanks! I am pleased with the Kadee/Smiths coupling combination I have made, as far as I know no one has added this design to a 4mm EWS 66. Yes I plan on adding PH Designs mirrors although I will be using the 3D printed versions available from Shapeways. Back in 2011 I did assemble some of the etched brass versions however they took a long time to make and were far from perfect so I am glad Pete has commissioned some one piece plastic versions. Simply prime, paint and glue in place! Other improvements I plan for my 66s is sand pipes made from 0.3mm brass wire. I will post some progress shots as soon as the mirrors are fitted.

 

What 60 do you have? They are too good to be sat in their boxes and with a bit of additional work they do become fine models.

 

Further to my coupling description in my last post, here is a photo of a AAR/hook combination coupling fitted to a former EWS MBA 'Monster box' bogie scrap wagon at Arpley Wagon repair depot. As can be seen the model coupling is true to the prototype, albeit slightly larger!

Edited September 10, 2015 by Arpleymodeller

[Steadfast]

I really like the combination auto coupler fitted to your 66 Lewis, cracking stuff! It looks a but easier to slide across than a real one too! Unlike that MBA, which being brand new will probably be rather stiff!

 

jo

[Arpleymodeller]

Hello Jo, 

 

Thanks, your right it is easy to switch from AAR to hook and vice versa. Plan on adding this to the new Hornby 67 when I get round to ordering a model of 67024. 

 

Regards

Lewis 

[Arpleymodeller]

The latest wagons to join the workbench queue are a pair of Bachmann EWS HEAs hoppers. Both are currently No.360392 however I plan on renumbering them as No.360485 and 360067, both of which were reinstated along with a few others to transport gravel for B&Q and regularly appear attached to the DB Didcot-Mossend service.

 

Four of the reinstated HEAs seen at Arpley, note that three have had their EWS lettering painted out, now common practice as DBS seeks to remove all remaining EWS branding.

 

 

The two models with NEM tension locks removed. New additions will consist of custom made Railtec data panels, Smiths instanters, Shawplan lamp irons and Colin Craig brake discs as well as additional weathering.

 

 

Thats all for now, 

 

Regards

Lewis 

 

 

[rob D2]

Nice,

Interesting working as well - a few wagons for B&Q like the old enterprise days.

[Arpleymodeller]

Hello Rob,

 

Yes wagonload traffic continues even in 2015!

 

While nothing like the scale of wagonload services EWS operated under the 'Enterprise' brand in the late 90s early 2000s, DBS does continue to run some long distance wagonload diagrams. The Didcot- Mossend and return appears to be rather regular, however as far as I know the services now run under the 'Network' brand.

 

Regards

Lewis

[rob D2]

It's good to see, as block trains are hard to model in the space most of us have available - that's why I'm into MOD trains, interesting payloads as well !

[class"66"]

Some very impressive work Lewis,another follower here

 

 

thanks neil.

[Arpleymodeller]

Hello again, 

 

Thanks Neil. 

 

After a productive weekend I have succeeded in resurrecting a pair of long term workbench 'demics' and made much progress in completing them. 

 

66019, previously 66068 in a heavily weathered condition. Weathering removed, numbers removed, gold band primed and repainted using a mixture of Railmatch yellow and EWS gold. Transfers from Modelmaster and Precision Decals. Rather pleased with the end result, as anyone who has attempted will know EWS 66s are the hardest 4mm modern image diesels to renumber to a good standard. 

 

 

The front end, the 4 lugs have been removed and in its place a representation of 66019s pipework has been made using 0.6mm brass wire bent to shape. Note the hand painted '9F' that was replicated after seeing a photo on Flickr of the loco at Manchester Victoria. 9F was the shed code of the old Heaton Mersey steam shed which closed in 1968, presumably the '9F' was daubed on while the loco was in Manchester, either that or a comparison with the power of a Standard 9f 2-10-0 and the power available with the Type 5. 

 

 

60039 in faded EWS livery and non-standard red buffer shanks and yellow snowplough. I first modelled this loco in 2011 however the excessive weathering has been removed, the loco renumbered using Precision Decals custom made transfers and the snowplough replaced as the original had holes from my previous metal bar coupling experiment. Now that Smiths are the standard coupling the loco will be fitted with a screw coupling. Must also sort out the damaged handrail! 

 

 

 

 

The air horns at the No.2 end have also been replaced thanks to a fellow RMWeb member who had some he didnt need. I was seeking a pair of replacement horns for a long while which is why the loco has been put to the back of the workbench queue until now. 

 

 

HEA No.360485 with Railtec transfers in place. 

 

 

Finally another HTA has been completed, this one is finished as No.311152 in a lightly weathered condition, note the solebar lettering detail that has been wiped over as per prototype photos. 

 

 

 

 

Thats all for now, by this time next week Nos.60039, 360485 and 330472 should be completed. 

 

Thanks for looking, 

Regards

Lewis 

Edited April 18, 2016 by Arpleymodeller