Out of storage - some of my old UTA and NIR stock

[33lima]

Thanks for the very generous comments Kirley, they're much appreciated!

 

Re the NIR coat of arms, if you mean the one on the front of the 70 Class power car, this was home-made. I cut the white shield from a white area on a spare decal sheet (probably from a plane kit). I then used a bit of thin wire dipped in red paint, excess then removed, to 'draw' the arms of the cross, leaving a gap in the centre, where I deposited an irregular blob of red. Underneath, is a long thin rectangle, cut from the same white spare decal, with another, much shorter strip either side and higher, to provide the scroll. The original had no lettering on this so it was ok to leave it blank! Quite easy to do. As I used car spray for the model, the semi-gloss finish means the decals adhered ok, they're still there about 15 years later!

 

The UTA coat of arms on the green MPD cars (and on the brake compartment side of the MED, and on the side of the 'Jeep') are also home-made decals, single piece this time. For these, I used a spare area of clear decal carrier film from decal sheets, of the sort you might trim off before applying to a kit. A roughly shield-shaped grassy green blob was painted on this, then a white diagonal stripe daubed on with paint-dipped wire. Then another, smaller green oblong was painted or daubed below, with the white scrolls also daubed on (the one on which is written IIRC 'Transportatio cultum significat' - tho needless to say, I didn't try to replicate that in 1/76 scale!!!). Red and brown upright areas either side represented Irish Elk and Lion, just a slightly tapering vertical downstroke with a 'leg' between that and the green shield, just below 'head' level. Then a gold sort of 'fleur de lys' shape on top, all applied using a wire (or very fine brush) dipped in the paint. Perfect they ain't but they are cheap, quick and look ok, with a surprisingly low wastage rate in manufacture.

[Hunslet 102]

Ivor

 

Once again some more great shots of excellent railcar modelling,your models are a credit to you.I like the detail on your UTA MPD railcar,I think I will be picking your brains for some tips when I eventually start my own MPD project!Surprisingly enough,the drab UTA green is actually growing on me,but only on your models!

 

Great job with the decals also,you make it sound easy to do,but I am sure it is not.

 

Thanks for sharing again.

 

Turnout-thanks for the info on the book and keep clicking!

 

Andy

[David Jackson]

Superb models. I have to admire 33lima’s efforts to produce decals, but as I am all thumbs when it comes to fine work like that, I had to find a simpler way. The answer is the humble PC.

 

To produce a decal on a PC can be a little time consuming, but once created, can be reproduced over and over again at the touch of a button.

 

Firstly, if you have a decent picture of the desired logo, scan it and save in the PC. Use a high resolution and quality scan. You will find what the most suitable size is when you come to do the editing.

 

Using the ‘Paint’ programme on the PC, you can edit your picture, or create a logo from scratch. Best to have a picture for editing at least the size of the screen. It will be reduced to the correct size later. The bigger the picture, the better the resolution for printing

 

Once your decal has been edited/created, open a ‘Word’ document and add the picture to it. This can be resized to the exact size required, and copied as many times as desired. Do a test print on plain paper for size, and approximate colour.

 

Various types of transfer paper can be obtained from the ‘Crafty Computer Paper’ company www.craftycomputerpaper.co.uk

 

If producing decals to go on a light background colour, clear decal paper can be used, but since many models have a dark background colour, and printers need a light background for print to show correctly, then white decal paper must be used. This means that where the background colour shows through the logo, it must be included on the decal. A little experimentation will soon produce a printer colour matching the colour of the model.

 

When printing decals, if you are lucky enough to have access to a Laser Colour printer, then use Laser transfer paper. For the rest of us with Inkjet printers, use Inkjet transfer paper. Once printed, Inkjet transfers need to be sealed with either spray varnish, or a sealer spray available from art shops. This is because Inkjet ink is water soluble, and will run when immersed in water if not sealed. Laser printed decals do not need to be sealed.

 

Once the decals have been printed, cut out and applied, very often a white edge can be seen on a part of the decal. This is simple to rectify by touching up using the paint used for the model, and a fine brush. The final touch is to spray the vehicle with satin varnish which will give an even finish to paint and decals.

 

 

UTA roundal and coach number decals on white paper waiting to be finished off with varnish.

 

 

Coach number decal. Note top edge requiring touching in with green paint.

 

 

BR gas tank wagon. All decals printed on clear paper.

 

 

Experimental route & destination decal on white paper. Note background colour not a match for the bus colour. Decal based on Belfast Corporation Daimler Fleetline, but a fictional location.

[33lima]

Great tip, David, many thanks! When I started on these models back in the early 1990s, my first (home) PC was about ten years away so, having just come out of modelling hibernation, it's great to be brought up to date with what I can get up to, with the kit currently available.

[33lima]

Ivor

 

Once again some more great shots of excellent railcar modelling,your models are a credit to you.I like the detail on your UTA MPD railcar,I think I will be picking your brains for some tips when I eventually start my own MPD project!Surprisingly enough,the drab UTA green is actually growing on me,but only on your models!

 

Great job with the decals also,you make it sound easy to do,but I am sure it is not.

 

Thanks for sharing again.

 

Turnout-thanks for the info on the book and keep clicking!

 

Andy

 

thanks again for the kind words, Andy. I've started posting some of the pics I've managed to get hold of over the years on a Gallery here, starting with mostly MPDs, and including some detail useful for modelling, to supplement the UTA works drawings available from UTFM (which as you probably know, are a great source but omit stuff like most roof fittings and all but major underframe components):

 

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/gallery/member/15566-33lima/

 

Many of the pics I have, I can't really post as I got them from the personal work or collections of Richard Whitford and Charles Friel but I am posting what I can, as I can. The side view already posted of the new MPD set at Whitehead, which was published in 'Diesel Dawn', is in particular one of the best I've seen for underframe detail, and the close-ups of the front bogie area of a suburban MPD, a present from the late WAG MacAfee, are a great source of buffer beam and bogie detail.

[Hunslet 102]

 

 

Many of the pics I have, I can't really post as I got them from the personal work or collections of Richard Whitford and Charles Friel but I am posting what I can, as I can. The side view already posted of the new MPD set at Whitehead, which was published in 'Diesel Dawn', is in particular one of the best I've seen for underframe detail, and the close-ups of the front bogie area of a suburban MPD, a present from the late WAG MacAfee, are a great source of buffer beam and bogie detail.

 

Sounds like you have access to a lot of great photos Ivor.I have had a look at your photos in the gallery section and as you say there are some good ones for modelling purposes.Look forward to seeing some more photos in the near future.

 

Andy

[33lima]

Some more model pics, recent ones this time of my two NIR 80 Class DEMU 3-car sets, both made about 1992-3 and thus in the liveries seen at that time, which I think were the smartest they ever carried. Both sets are converted from Lima Mk2b coaches and are powered by Tri-ang Hymek power bogies. Lining is from rolls of different thicknesses of adhesive tape lining tape made for aeromodellers; 'suburban' lettering is from Letraset-type rub-down transfer lettering sets. Paintwork is mostly car spray with Humbrol enamel for the roofs, underframes, cab end panels and the Intercity blue.

[33lima]

And a few of another early model, an NIR MED with ribbed bodies, the power cars 'lightweight' models built on old underframes (hence the trussing, visible as the side skirts had been removed by late UTA days) while the trailer is an 'integral' type on a new, un-trussed underframe. Power is a Hymek bogie stripped and fitted into a plastic frame sesigned to give a slightly shorter wheelbase. Construction is entirely from plasticard for the bodies, mounted on modified Hornby Class 110 DMU underframes; the ribbing is actually scribed rather than proud. It needs the original, since mostly discarded cardboard & balsa seating units replaced and a missing wiper replaced. I didn't get the flat roof profile quite right, it's more like a low elipse than the distinctive profile actually featured, but the roof ventilator layout is correct.

[33lima]

..and a couple more...

[Hunslet 102]

Some more stunning work Ivor,the MED looks brilliant and always did suit that colour scheme.

 

Your models look in great shape and have held their colour well considering most of them are at least 20 years old.

 

Like the suburban 80 class,not often you see that livery done.

 

great work and thanks for sharing again.

 

Andy

[Robert Shrives]

Hi Gents, Thread looks a good one, I too have a gloat box of part converted Lima coaches but now several sets of Worsley works etchs for class 70 and 450 railcars ! Worth looking at Allen`s site

Robert Shrives

[colmflanagan]

Hi everyone, great to see this profusion of UTA/NIR etc stock appearing from the shadows!

 

Allen Doherty has recently produced some of his GNR etched coach sides, the K15 2nd, L12 brake 2nd and F16 composite in a slightly scaled down version to suit a 57' chassis - this gets rid of the need to carve bits off and keeps the proportions more correct.

 

I prefer to use the Mainline/Bachmann LMS coach chassis rather than the Hornby as this runs at a more protoypical height, doesn't wobble, and the bogies look better, being 9' which would be correct; also the old Hornby underframe stretchers look rather weedy to me - I had to to beef mine up when doing the MPDs etc until they looked right. If you can pick up a Bachmann version of this LMS coach then you get better quality vents on the roof , metal wheels and neater couplings thrown in!

 

Colm

[33lima]

Some pics of my NIR Metrovick, an early model with chassis and body scratchbuilt in plasticard, which has warped a little but not too badly considering its age. This was my first scratchbuilt loco. Power bogie is a Tri-ang Hymek and trailing bogie a Hymek motor bogie frame, both with the couplings cut away and wire loops substituted (I may also dremmel off the sandboxes at some point too). Everything is hand-made including the screw couplings, buffers and newly-added wipers, save for the Hornby steam pipes. Markings are hand-painted; finish is autospray, a Ford blue shade IIRC.

 

I had no drawings when I made this, just some pics taken at Central Station and the body is about 6 scale inches too long, just over a foot too long overall if you include the buffers which sit out a bit far. The MTK resin C Class in the background (a Steve Johnston model) by comparison is a shorter by a somewhat larger margin.

[33lima]

This is my NIR Hunslett, also scratchbuilt from plasticard in the mid-1990s. The body and chassis were built rather more solidly, based on my experience with the Metrovick. Power is again Tri-ang-Hornby Hymek. This time I used Model Irish Railways logo transgers and lettering, and MIR 'Falcon' brass nameplates. Like the MV, front grab handles are from florist's wire but the door ones are just plasticard strips. Glazing is thin acetate cut to shape and stuck over window gaps (with silver-painted edges), using Humbrol Clearfix. Wipers are MTK etched brass 'pantograph' type.

[33lima]

Now another later model, my UTA ex-LMS-NCC WT Class 2-6-4T 'jJep' No.4. This is a hacked Hornby Stanier 4MT tank; the earlier version with the correct parallel, non-tapered boiler, tho this meant the cab and bunker had to be fairly extensively rebuilt, as well as the front footplate. IIRC the main other modifications included reprofiling the lower tank sides, modifying some tank top detail, adding the topfeed to the top of the boiler ahead of the dome, adding steam pipes either side of the smokebox, and adding steps from florist's wire faced with plasticcard strip to the cab and front footplate. I opted for the original low bunker, not the higher one as on the perserved No.4, as I prefer the former appearance. Lifeguard irons were added either side of the front pony truck. Rivet detail on tender and bunker sides was marked out in rows with a fine-pointed scribe. Cab rear window guard irons were from fine fusewire, IIRC.

 

Lining is white-black-white (LNER?) transfer with the white inked over in yellow and red. UTA Coat of arms is hand-painted on spare waterslide decal film. Bunker number plates are cur from squares of red-painted brass with the number scratched thru with a needle. Buffer beam numbers are hand-painted with shadow added with a fine black marker. Valve and motion gear is painted black or red and lightly weathered with gunmetal, as the RTR 'silver', while more attractive, just doesn't look right on a UTA 'Jeep'. Smokebox door wheel is just a disc cut from plastic sprue and reamed out a tad, with strip handle added below. Bunker and footplate handrails are strip rather than wire for simplicity. Bunker coal load has disappeared so I'm off the the Model Shop next week for some dummy coal!

[33lima]

...and a couple more pics of the 'Jeep':

[Hunslet 102]

Some more great modelling again Ivor,like the Hunslet (of course) and the MV and C classes.The Jeep looks good also,which is high praise from me as I have no particular like of steam engines!

 

Thanks for sharing.

[33lima]

Couple of pics of the GNR AEC set previously pictured on Hunslet's thread. IIRC this one I built for Leslie McAllister, about 1995. Plasticard bodyshells on an MTK aluminium roof, with cast & turned buffers/shanks, wire handrails, lamp irons folded from strip cut from thin brass sheet and other details added. Can't recall what the power unit was; might have been a Black Beetle.

[33lima]

..and a another couple of pics showing the same GNR AEC set and a UTA AEC set built earlier for Steve Rafferty, with a 'suburban GN sector' blue and cream car in the lead, the rest in UTA Dark Brunswick Green with wasp stripes. IIRC this was constructed in broadly the same manner as the GN set but had a Tri-ang DMU power bogie. Intermediate in the UTA set is one of the trailers (K15 type?) with a driving cab at one end, enabling the two green cars to operate as a set.

[Hunslet 102]

Some more good railcar shots Ivor,the work that has gone into your models is first rate,well done again.

 

Andy

[Colin_McLeod]

Lining is from rolls of different thicknesses of adhesive tape lining tape made for aeromodellers;

 

Nice work.

 

The initial painting of 80 Class in the Inter-City livery involved a lot of masking and painting to get the multicoloured lining done. However, in 1990/1 when the 80 Class were being refurbished, the lining was applIied as a single stick-on piece of vinyl manufactured for NIR by a Danish company that also specialised in colouring schemes for aircraft. A classic example of the prototype following modelling practice.

[33lima]

Lol! I wish I could claim that I knew that, Colin, and had followed prototype practice!

 

Here are a couple of pics of my current project, a suburban MPD set, inspired by the pic of the 'power twin' led by 46 in Colin Boocock's 1968 'Irish Railway Album' (seen in the background; there is also a really superb colour study of these sets in Derek Huntriss's recent 'Irish Traction in Colour'). I decided to re-start this in preference to picking up on the ribbed MED set pictured above.

 

Back in the day, I coveted the old Hornby Dublo suburban EMU which looked very like these units, but never got one; these days, examples are very expensive, and certainly too much so to alter! Anyway, as usual, economy is the watchword with my own project.

 

The basis for this is a pair of 1950s vintage Tri-ang suburban coaches, loosely based on a short BR Mk1 type. The project started back about 1994 as a set swapped from Steve Rafferty, which I'd intended to retain 'as was' - basically windows cut in one end, some side windows filled in the brake compartment area, and a Tri-ang DMU power bogie. However, Steve had stripped the paintwork off the model by the time of the swap, so I had to do something with it. So rather than just re-paint, I decided to rebuild it to a more realistic layout (the Tri-ang coach only has 7 widely-spaced compartments and is a bit short even for a 57-footer).

 

One of Steve's coaches hasn't turned up after a house move so I acquired another on eBay (tho this has modern BR bogies fitted at the moment!). This is pictured in the background for comparison. It has an integral floor pan, sides and end.

 

References are the pics in the above two books and the UTA works drawing, obtianed courtesy of Mark Kennedy at the UFTM and seen under the models.

 

I cut both sides free from the body moulding and then with mitre box and razor saw, chopped each side into sections, removing vertical strips so the compartment portions would fit back together more closely, except for the middle compartments on the composite unit I'm modelling (46, 47 & 48).

 

The re-assembled sides were sanded and had new door lines scribed in place of the original raised lines. I removed the front and rear body panels from the body moulding and glued these onto either end of the roof. The sides were then glued onto this, to form a roof/side/end unit.

 

The roof had already been cut into two, near the cab end, and a spacer in plasticard added underneath, to which the two roof pieces were re-assembled, giving the correct length.

 

Brake compartment sides, solebars, outer roof 'filler' panel and laminated cab end were added to this assemply from plasticard. Sides were scribed for the sliding door each side and windows were cut; the front ones need enlarging a bit still, I slowly work up to the right size.

 

The brake compartment is a little short as the 'cut & shut' sides ended up a little bit long but it's not especially noticeable. Pictures show that as built the sliding doors were flush when closed, but ended up recessed by NIR days (these doors are wide open in both cars in the Boocock picture). My model will be finished in UTA Dark Brunswick Green with wasp stripes, as per Colin Boocock's pic, which dates from 1963; tho it's a bit 'muddy' (typical for Ian Allan books of that era?) it shows a fair bit of detail like the position of the air horns under the buffer.

 

Door hinges, handles, roof ribbing and other details will be from plastic card or strip, except that torpedo-style roof ventilators will be cottage industry parts.The second car will not be another compo as 2 of those is a 2-car set might be a bit much. Underframe detail will have to be scratchbuilt as the original, plug-in Mk1-type components are not suitable. I haven't decided yet which car will be powered but it's likely to get a Tri-ang DMU bogie.

 

I'll post some more pics as work proceeds.

[John M]

Nice workwith all their variations the MPDs were fascinating railcars, I remember Colin Boococks "irish Railway Album" one of my first library books I borrowed it one Christmas when I was 16 or 17 and studied it every day.

 

The old Farish OO suburban coaches would seem to have made a good starting point for these railcars, I wonder do they sshow up on e-bay or at swap meets?

[Colin_McLeod]

Are these the coaches you mean?

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GRAHAM-FARISH-OO-PAIR-OF-SOUTHERN-REGION-SUBURBAN-COACHES-/130722905204?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item1e6fb13c74

[John M]

Are these the coaches you mean?

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item1e6fb13c74

 

They are the ones, they were quite popular in the late 1970s a one piece body shell including interior with removable roof available in suburban and side corridor versions including brake ends.