Spitfire2865 Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 For something that was so often used, its far too infrequently modeled or covered(no pun intended). And of all the possible ways to get them, there seems to be just Smiths to offer a finished product. Finding any info, pictures, or reviews of them is hard. I know they used to be made of a material which crumpled and faded very nicely but that implies theres a newer material. Does anyone have any experience with the newer material? No matter what I try, paper just doesnt cut it in 4mm scale. Any help would be appreciated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brossard Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 I was just looking at some in my wagon bits box. The ones I have are printed paper, but I've had them a long time. When I have used them, I have crumpled them up to give them that used look and to make more "malleable". I think the barrier to using these properly is knowing how to tie them down. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davknigh Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Crumpling is a good idea and the more crumpled the better as the sheets then look worn. I've found that flattening them out after then folding to fit whichever wagon you plan to use them on then tacking the corners with some glue helps. Tying down is probably a bit OTT for all but the most dedicated but those who do it are to be praised for their dedication, I'm just not one of them. Cheers, David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire2865 Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 Crumpling is a good idea and the more crumpled the better as the sheets then look worn. I've found that flattening them out after then folding to fit whichever wagon you plan to use them on then tacking the corners with some glue helps. Tying down is probably a bit OTT for all but the most dedicated but those who do it are to be praised for their dedication, I'm just not one of them. Cheers, David I actually tie them down. Im glad I do as the first ones I made looked horrible. It may be because Im a bit OCD when it comes to a few things, but I like the challenge. Corners are a pain though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire2865 Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 I was just looking at some in my wagon bits box. The ones I have are printed paper, but I've had them a long time. When I have used them, I have crumpled them up to give them that used look and to make more "malleable". I think the barrier to using these properly is knowing how to tie them down. John I have found this page very helpful in this area. http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/gansg/9-loads/9-tarps.htm Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Used them in 7mm - and after screwing them up to gain the 'crinkly' appearance, stuck them to tin foil (flattened Chinese take-away container type)then formed them to the shape I wanted, it keeps the corner folds in place. . Brian R Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Phil Bullock Posted June 11, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 11, 2014 In 4mm 50mm masking tape works well - get the cheap stuff from B&Q it has just the right finish to it - and paint it grey with weathering. A dab of superglue on the corners holds the folds in place. Heres the up clayliner with loaded sheeted wagons https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYg23Rj-Pl4 The down train is empty with folded sheets in the wagons Cheers Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinWales Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 In the past I've used thin foil material similar to the type used by chocolate makers to cover such delicious tasty morsels as KitKats with some success Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike morley Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 I'd always assumed GWR sheets were only used on GWR wagons, Midland sheets on Midland wagons and so on, but in most of the pictures used as background on the various pages of the link Mickey posted above hardly any of the sheets appear to belong to the same company as the wagon they are on. The clearest example is a Midland sheet on a Great Northern wagon in the background of the Prices page. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffalo Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 I'd always assumed GWR sheets were only used on GWR wagons, Midland sheets on Midland wagons and so on, but in most of the pictures used as background on the various pages of the link Mickey posted above hardly any of the sheets appear to belong to the same company as the wagon they are on. The clearest example is a Midland sheet on a Great Northern wagon in the background of the Prices page. Sheets were covered by the common user agreements from 1917 (IIRC) onwards. Nick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire2865 Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 Although they wouldve been common user, they did have to be returned at a certain date for inspection and reissue. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DKGL Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 I've used the Smiths tarpaulins. Mine must be the older type ( 28 + years since I purchased them). Anyway, I went the crumpling route, then fold before applying to the wagons. I'll post some photos shortly. One thing about the older type, is they seem to "age", and take on different shades. Not sure about current ones. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire2865 Posted June 12, 2014 Author Share Posted June 12, 2014 I've used the Smiths tarpaulins. Mine must be the older type ( 28 + years since I purchased them). Anyway, I went the crumpling route, then fold before applying to the wagons. I'll post some photos shortly. One thing about the older type, is they seem to "age", and take on different shades. Not sure about current ones. Thats my big question. I hear the new ones dont age like the old ones when crumpled. But that doesnt tell me much about the new ones besides how theyre different in one way. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwealleans Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 (edited) Three fairly new Roger Smith, two using a single ply of bog paper sprayed black. All stuck to a piece of foam using PVA. Edited October 17, 2018 by jwealleans 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmrspaul Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 (edited) May I suggest you are careful with this. You don't mention what period you want. The replies have all been about the pre mid 1960s period. After that BR started using a bit more variety and these were plasticised finish (we had a chair covered with the off cuts from one early experiment!). http://PaulBartlett.zenfolio.com/bropenmerchandiseowvcorrugated/e15d3e114 http://PaulBartlett.zenfolio.com/lmsopen/e14b90c33 http://PaulBartlett.zenfolio.com/lneropenwood/e21af9f82 - can anyone explain the two dates on this? http://PaulBartlett.zenfolio.com/ohb/e11205aaa http://PaulBartlett.zenfolio.com/ohb/e1a86a826 - not much crumpling here! http://PaulBartlett.zenfolio.com/bropenmerchandiseowvcorrugated/e15d3e114 http://PaulBartlett.zenfolio.com/ohb/e1a86a826 The Clayfits appear to have been unusually small http://PaulBartlett.zenfolio.com/bropenmerchandiseowvcorrugated/e2d0110ca (there are others in the collection) Others were full size http://PaulBartlett.zenfolio.com/lneropenwood/e19243418 Regards Paul Edited June 13, 2014 by hmrspaul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire2865 Posted June 13, 2014 Author Share Posted June 13, 2014 May I suggest you are careful with this. You don't mention what period you want. The replies have all been about the pre mid 1960s period. After that BR started using a bit more variety and these were plasticised finish (we had a chair covered with the off cuts from one early experiment!). http://PaulBartlett.zenfolio.com/bropenmerchandiseowvcorrugated/e15d3e114 http://PaulBartlett.zenfolio.com/lmsopen/e14b90c33 http://PaulBartlett.zenfolio.com/lneropenwood/e21af9f82 - can anyone explain the two dates on this? http://PaulBartlett.zenfolio.com/ohb/e11205aaa http://PaulBartlett.zenfolio.com/ohb/e1a86a826 - not much crumpling here! http://PaulBartlett.zenfolio.com/bropenmerchandiseowvcorrugated/e15d3e114 http://PaulBartlett.zenfolio.com/ohb/e1a86a826 The Clayhoods appear to have been unusually small http://PaulBartlett.zenfolio.com/bropenmerchandiseowvcorrugated/e2d0110ca (there are others in the collection) Others were full size http://PaulBartlett.zenfolio.com/lneropenwood/e19243418 Regards Paul Im sorry to put you through all this trouble but the others were spot on. Big four era. And more specifically LMS. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmrspaul Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Im sorry to put you through all this trouble but the others were spot on. Big four era. And more specifically LMS. Thats OK, You reminded me that I have a few photos of LMS tarpulins, see http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/lmstarpulin Paul 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
musky Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Were there different colours such as red ,blue green? Musky Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire2865 Posted June 13, 2014 Author Share Posted June 13, 2014 Were there different colours such as red ,blue green? Musky On the tarps? Only in early pre grouping times. Some tarps were nice with a distinctive colored stripe in a pattern. Unless you go to BR era, then blue plastic I believe. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wagonman Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 The basic sheet was always black – the clue is in the name tar-paulin – though they could be painted with red stripes as well as the white lettering. There was a colour coding of sorts for the ropes – different coloured strands – though how long before they all ended up a uniform dark grey I don't know. Paper is not the idea material but seems to be all that is readily available these days. Richard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DKGL Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 I've used the Smiths tarpaulins. Mine must be the older type ( 28 + years since I purchased them). Anyway, I went the crumpling route, then fold before applying to the wagons. I'll post some photos shortly. One thing about the older type, is they seem to "age", and take on different shades. Not sure about current ones. Regarding the above, I've just found these photos. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
agt613 Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 Thanks for all the helpful discussion. I have just used a Smith's sheet crumpled, then soaked in water and folded round a balsa load on the wagon. I then wrap the whole in cling film 'vertically' over the top and bottom and then 'horizontally' with a narrow strip to push the folded ends into place. Left overnight, they can be unwrapped, eased off and glued back to the load and to the wagon sides and ends. Simples! Regards to all, Graham Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stentor Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 May I suggest you are careful with this. You don't mention what period you want. The replies have all been about the pre mid 1960s period. After that BR started using a bit more variety and these were plasticised finish (we had a chair covered with the off cuts from one early experiment!). http://PaulBartlett.zenfolio.com/lneropenwood/e21af9f82 - can anyone explain the two dates on this? Regards Paul I know it’s been sometime since this was posted so the answer may have surfaced elsewhere but the question on the two dates that appear on the tarpaulins is: one date is when it went into service, the other is when it is due for inspection. Best, Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now