Popular Post johndon Posted August 17, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted August 17, 2020 With the easing of lockdown, the layout has returned to the club where I have enough space to set it up in full: John 22 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted August 18, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 18, 2020 It's not wearing a mask! Mike. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBAGE Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 1 hour ago, Enterprisingwestern said: It's not wearing a mask! Mike. I'm sorry, I know it's off topic and mildly political, but as soon as I read this I immediately thought of Donald Trump when he said that wearing a mask for COVID-19 made him look like the Lone Ranger. Not realising that the Lone Ranger wore his mask over his eyes. So, where are you not wearing a mask? "Hi Ho Silver, away". On the Pelaw front, impressive wingspan. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted September 21, 2020 Author Share Posted September 21, 2020 One last track test last Thursday before the new North East lockdown. CoCo diesels are a much better test of track than BoBos (which pretty much stick to the track no matter how bad it is is) so, last night, I was testing the single slip on the up main which also forms a crossover to the down main. Used a Class 60 which, if it can make it across, anything else will. Also a good test of the newly fitted frog juicers. And that's it for work on the layout till lockdown eases so it'll just be stuff on the workbench for a while... 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
signalnorth Posted September 21, 2020 Share Posted September 21, 2020 Great weathering work! You might care to check out the methods of a YouTube called night shift who does military modelling especially the video of him rusting up the exhausts on a.m Tiger Tank ( as you do) 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBAGE Posted September 21, 2020 Share Posted September 21, 2020 10 hours ago, johndon said: One last track test last Thursday before the new North East lockdown. CoCo diesels are a much better test of track than BoBos (which pretty much stick to the track no matter how bad it is is) so, last night, I was testing the single slip on the up main which also forms a crossover to the down main. Used a Class 60 which, if it can make it across, anything else will. Also a good test of the newly fitted frog juicers. And that's it for work on the layout till lockdown eases so it'll just be stuff on the workbench for a while... Did you say you had never done track work before this layout? Superb. Bob 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted September 21, 2020 Author Share Posted September 21, 2020 19 minutes ago, RBAGE said: Did you say you had never done track work before this layout? Superb. Bob Prior to this, I'd only used flexi track and a couple of C&L turnout kits, this is my first go at building my own from scratch with individual chairs and no pre-made components. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted September 21, 2020 Author Share Posted September 21, 2020 4 hours ago, signalnorth said: Great weathering work! You might care to check out the methods of a YouTube called night shift who does military modelling especially the video of him rusting up the exhausts on a.m Tiger Tank ( as you do) Thanks, lots more to be done on the track weathering. I'm a military modeller as well so quite well practiced in the rusting 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
signalnorth Posted September 22, 2020 Share Posted September 22, 2020 So it would seem. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted October 3, 2020 Author Share Posted October 3, 2020 (edited) With the layout inaccessible due to the new lockdown in the North East I've started on some rolling stock. All the trains on the layout will be based on photos taken at the junction and this is one of the trains I'm modelling: I'm using Bachmann 16T wagons for this and have just completed (apart from the loads) the latest 6 bringing the total finished to 10 with another 4 to go. I am aware that the MINFIT on the right in the last photo is wrong as it should be the 8 brake shoe variant but never mind, I can always weather over the TOPS panel John Edited October 3, 2020 by johndon 14 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBAGE Posted October 3, 2020 Share Posted October 3, 2020 28 minutes ago, johndon said: With the layout inaccessible due to the new lockdown in the North East I've started on some rolling stock. All the trains on the layout will be based on photos taken at the junction and this is one of the trains I'm modelling: I'm using Bachmann 16T wagons for this and have just completed (apart from the loads) the latest 6 bringing the total finished to 10 with another 4 to go. John Lovely job John, Are they kit built wagons? What method did you use for the scabby rust? I looks really convincing. If these latest restrictions go on for the expected six months, you should have all your stock finished. So, to keep you and the rest of entertained, how about a few tutorials of work like this. I've just finished a rake of 21 ton hoppers. 16 tonners will be next so any guidance would be just at the right time. Thanks, Bob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianblenk Posted October 3, 2020 Share Posted October 3, 2020 Excellent wagons, sorry but, I have to ask, is that HMS Hood in the background? Ian B Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted October 3, 2020 Author Share Posted October 3, 2020 11 minutes ago, RBAGE said: Lovely job John, Are they kit built wagons? What method did you use for the scabby rust? I looks really convincing. If these latest restrictions go on for the expected six months, you should have all your stock finished. So, to keep you and the rest of entertained, how about a few tutorials of work like this. I've just finished a rake of 21 ton hoppers. 16 tonners will be next so any guidance would be just at the right time. Thanks, Bob Thanks Bob. They are standard Bachmann wagons with new wheels and couplings. Rusting is done as follows: Start with oil paints, Windsor & Newton Burnt Umber and Burnt Sienna. The burnt umber is used the most and this is applied randomly, dabbed on with a brush. I then go over this by dabbing with a small piece of sponge and you end up with this effect. As the oil is used pretty much neat, it has 'bulk' which even after the sponge has been used leaves the scabby texture. Once that has dried a wash of black oil paint is added using just vertical streaks. Once the black has dried, the wagons are then given a coat of matt varnish. The rest of the weathering on both the wagon body and underframe is done with pastel chalk and pigments. I generally then just leave the wagons as they are and don't add another coat of varnish as this dulls the effects of the pigments, it just means that the wagons have to handled carefully... The only real problem with this method is the time it takes, not to do the actual weathering but waiting for the oil paint to dry which can take 4-5 days for it to properly dry out. John 3 1 5 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted October 3, 2020 Author Share Posted October 3, 2020 21 minutes ago, ianblenk said: Excellent wagons, sorry but, I have to ask, is that HMS Hood in the background? Ian B Yes, it is, one of my other modelling interests is warships and the Hood is one of three 1/200 scale ships I have to build, the other two being the USS Iowa and the USS Hornet. They are all around 4' long with, allowing for additional PE detailing sets, over 5,000 parts each. The Iowa is under construction but really needs a case made for it as I don't want to start the details for it to get covered in dust... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianblenk Posted October 3, 2020 Share Posted October 3, 2020 45 minutes ago, johndon said: Yes, it is, one of my other modelling interests is warships and the Hood is one of three 1/200 scale ships I have to build, the other two being the USS Iowa and the USS Hornet. They are all around 4' long with, allowing for additional PE detailing sets, over 5,000 parts each. The Iowa is under construction but really needs a case made for it as I don't want to start the details for it to get covered in dust... Excellent! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted October 3, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 3, 2020 6 hours ago, johndon said: I am aware that the MINFIT on the right in the last photo is wrong as it should be the 8 brake shoe variant but never mind, I can always weather over the TOPS panel Wagons, especially mineral wagons, weren't re-branded overnight, so it's not beyond the realms of possibility that one so lettered could have lasted. Mike. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted December 10, 2020 Author Share Posted December 10, 2020 Easing of lockdown has allowed access to the layout again (we are in Tier 3 in the North East but, as far as the council are concerned, we are a 'leisure' venue so are allowed access under the same rules as gyms) so I was able to go up last night. The new Accurascale PTAs look good on the layout, Class 60 just used for testing, two Accurascale 37s will be taking it's place once they are released. Also, whilst the colours are correct for the Consett wagons, the rest of the livery details are not so some changes are required. Didn't have too long there but I did manage to start putting some servos and MERG servo mounts together and got the first one working with a MERG servo 4 board and DCC Concepts Cobalt lever. So, not much, but at least it is progress in the right direction... John 9 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBAGE Posted December 10, 2020 Share Posted December 10, 2020 5 hours ago, johndon said: Easing of lockdown has allowed access to the layout again (we are in Tier 3 in the North East but, as far as the council are concerned, we are a 'leisure' venue so are allowed access under the same rules as gyms) so I was able to go up last night. The new Accurascale PTAs look good on the layout, Class 60 just used for testing, two Accurascale 37s will be taking it's place once they are released. Also, whilst the colours are correct for the Consett wagons, the rest of the livery details are not so some changes are required. Didn't have too long there but I did manage to start putting some servos and MERG servo mounts together and got the first one working with a MERG servo 4 board and DCC Concepts Cobalt lever. So, not much, but at least it is progress in the right direction... John And after your pseudo gym session, are you feeling any fitter? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted December 10, 2020 Author Share Posted December 10, 2020 6 hours ago, RBAGE said: And after your pseudo gym session, are you feeling any fitter? No fitter but better for at least having made some progress. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted January 27, 2021 Author Share Posted January 27, 2021 Access to the layout is impossible in lock down so I've finally pulled my finger out and made a start on the signals starting with signal 9, a short (it had to be visible under a bridge) tubular post upper quadrant made with MSE components. Started last night and, this evening, the initial painting (still some touch up to do) has been done and it is almost done... 15 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted January 28, 2021 Author Share Posted January 28, 2021 And it is done, apart from the back blinder which I'll only add once the servo has been attached and I'm happy that I won't need to remove the arm... 10 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted January 29, 2021 Author Share Posted January 29, 2021 (edited) It's ALIVE... Got the servo mounted and connected up. Apologies for the wobbly camera but I was holding it in one hand and operating the servo control with the other. Feeling really pleased with this... Edited January 29, 2021 by johndon 7 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted February 18, 2021 Author Share Posted February 18, 2021 (edited) I've been working on the next signal, which has a base of angle and strip supporting a tubular pole. The pole supports a home semaphore signal with a colour light distant head half way up which replaced an earlier semaphore distant. The base is scratch built from brass angle and strip and the upper half, ladders and platforms from MSE etches. A fair bit to do and a lot of clean up needed but I'm getting there... Edited February 18, 2021 by johndon 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Portchullin Tatty Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 Jon, can I make a suggestion. On your signal ladders, run a piece of 0.3/0.4mm rod front and back of each of the two side rails and then file the outside face flat so that the two piece of rod and the etch sandwiched between appear as one piece. In addition to looking a lot more prototypical, it stops the tendency for a flat etch to pick up waves and curves that look terrible! It doesn't take long. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted February 19, 2021 Author Share Posted February 19, 2021 Thanks Mark, I'll give that a try on the next one... Cheers John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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