Nile's Mostly Freelance Bodging Bench - Pre-Grouping Locos

[Nile]

While working on this conversion I've been using a number of photos of real locos. I've now decided to make this a model of no.1793, based on a photo of it taken in 1927, in Locomotives Illustrated 165. One distinctive feature of this loco are the extra lamp irons fitted for carrying cross London headcodes. I've made these up from bits of micro-strip.

 

The model looks a bit better after the application of some satin black paint.

It's ready for some transfers now.

[Spitfire2865]

Looking good. Your conversion came out wonderfully.

[Nile]

Not many transfers on this one, just the numbers plus MR on the buffer beam. Then some matt varnish to level the finish.

Nearly there, just a few more bits to add, and the chassis of course.

[Spitfire2865]

Even though I know exactly where the seam is, I cant see it. I do like the simple livery. Are the coal rails broken or is there just that gap in then?

[Nile]

There is a gap for the handbrake handle.

[Nile]

The model, as it comes from Bachmann, is supplied with screw link couplings. These are very nice, but not appropriate for this loco. They'll get used on another loco. For this one I've made up some 3-link couplings from Ambis bits.

They've been chemically blackened with Super Blue.

 

The rolled up tarpaulin that comes with the model is a moulded  piece of bright green plastic that looks weird. I've painted mine brown, with a wash of black. Here it is stuck to the cab roof.

 

With all the metal bits now stuck on the model is now finished.

I'll do some scenic photos next to close off this rebuild.

[Nile]

The scenic shots.

I'm very pleased with how this has turned out, but I'm in no hurry to do another one. I've got lots of other projects to do, I just need to decide what's next.

[WD0-6-0]

Absolutely stunning but a cab that open exaggerates the lack of crew.

[NHY 581]

Neil, a triumph. Lovely job and a true testament to your skill.

 

Well done!

 

Rob

[Nile]

Thanks, and yes I need more figures. they are on my shopping list.

[Nile]

As a bit of pre-christmas fun I made a tank wagon for all the froth being produced about the Hornby announcements.

The starting point was a milk tank wagon from Hornby's Thomas range that was on special offer.

 

I removed the lettering with a fibreglass pencil, glued the body together properly and smoothed the joint. I sprayed it with white paint and gave it a glossy finish with Klear.

The new lettering was done with Microscale decals.

 

The finished wagon.

 

I'm not sure what the F.Roth company transports but they seem to be very busy around December.

[scots region]

ooo you are in dangerous waters here ladie, do not name the tanker that must not be named.

[Nile]

Continuing on the wagonny theme here is a rebuild of a rebuild. This is one of those that disappeared nearly a year ago but turned up recently.

This started out as a Hornby 'Birds Eye' van in the 1970s. I later repainted it into BR livery and tried to improve the chassis by cutting away the brake shoes and rods and replacing them with Parkside parts (since removed and recycled).

 

While the body is good, the chassis is not, resulting in too high a ride height. While looking at various options for a replacement I found something that fitted perfectly.

It's from a Bachmann china clay wagon, something I have no need for now.

It's quite an old model now, with chunky brake gear.

 

But the main issue is those roller bearings that are not appropriate for a van of its age. So I set about making them look like older oil axleboxes. I glued a U shaped piece of plastic card on the front, and filled in the gaps behind with filler.

It should look better when it's all painted black.

[Nile]

After it had all set I painted it black. While not perfect I think it looks ok.

 

I then painted the rest of the chassis black to get rid of that china clay look.

As a BR period model this will end up on a layout that uses Kadee couplers, so I've fitted some no.26 couplers. They are like no.5 but longer, keeping the box behind the buffer beam.

 

Since the body is already painted all I had to do was put it on the chassis and it's finished!

Well it could do with some weathering, which I will do next.

[knobhead]

Looks good (as always)Neil!

 

Thanks for keeping up the good, inspiring work through 2014!

 

Regards,

 

Stefan

[Nile]

Thanks Stefan, Happy 2015 to you.

[scots region]

Happy 2015 Nile, to you and the staff of the LMWR.

Edited January 1, 2015 by scots region

[Nile]

Nice and dirty now.

 

For the next project I've got another of these vans, here are the three together.

(photo taken before I weathered the middle one)

The newer one sits slightly higher, but it's within acceptable limits so I'll leave it as it is. 

[Nile]

This is the starting point, the same old Hornby (ex Hull & Barnsley) van body on a much newer chassis with usable brake gear.

 

Apart from the grey paint I've removed 6 of the 10 ventilators from the roof to make it look a little bit different.

 

The addition of a few transfers mark this as a West Midland van.

 

Weathering next.

[Nile]

After a bit of weathering.

 

And now for some photos of the three amigos together.

 

That'll do for now. I fancy a coach next.

[Londontram]

Quote "I fancy a coach next"

 

  Oh Neil if only I had your energy!

 

    Seriously though a fine rake of wagons you've done an excellent job once again and the 1F ......Words fail me I'm afraid simply sublime

                            Regards Steve

[Nile]

Now I'm back at work I have somewhat less energy, I need a recharge.

[Nile]

This will be the next victim on the bodging bench, an old Mainline LMS 57ft coach.

 

I want to make it look like a late pre-grouping era coach. After much thinking and measuring I have come up with a cunning plan. With a couple of cuts I will remove one whole compartment and reduce the length to around 50 feet. The cuts are marked in pencil.

On this side the edge of the door should disguise the join.

 

This side will be a bit trickier, but I think I can get away with it.

These coaches are quite cheap second hand, so it's worth a try.

 

[Nile]

Today I got cutting with the razor saw.

This is what's left of the body.

 

The interior needs to be shortened by the same amount. The easiest way to do  that was to cut it off the end. The extra compartment will be hidden in the luggage area.

 

The glazing units also need cutting. This shows the result, the smallest bits being the leftovers.

 

Putting the body pieces back on the chassis shows what's been removed.

It also allows me to measure exactly how much of the chassis needs to be removed. That means more cutting.

[Nile]

After cutting the battery box from the chassis I cut a piece from the middle of the chassis to match that removed from the body. I stuck the remaining halves together with plastic weld. The original weight was now too big to fit, so I glued two smaller ones in its place.

 

The interior was then glued onto the chassis, making a much stronger structure.

 

The body halves were fitted to the chassis to align them correctly while gluing them together.

 

While the glue was setting I fitted the bogies to get an idea of how the new coach looked.