RMweb Premium Neal Ball Posted October 18, 2021 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 18, 2021 3 hours ago, checkrail said: Very nice train of vans there Neal. Thanks John, although I think I have the makings of two trains :-) Can you have too many Brown vans? I have them all in the garden at the moment, ready to start spraying the roofs. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWolf Posted October 18, 2021 Share Posted October 18, 2021 I'll second that, it is a very nice train of vans and I'll be interested in seeing what you do with the roofs. Although they are probably a little oversized for my layout, I have a couple of bogie vans, a Siphon F amongst others. I like the outside framed vehicles, so rule 1 applies. 5 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neal Ball Posted October 18, 2021 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 18, 2021 3 hours ago, MrWolf said: I'll second that, it is a very nice train of vans and I'll be interested in seeing what you do with the roofs. Although they are probably a little oversized for my layout, I have a couple of bogie vans, a Siphon F amongst others. I like the outside framed vehicles, so rule 1 applies. Thanks very much for that. The vans roofs are now dark grey, with a few a lighter shade of dark grey! They are now scattered across several seed tray cloche type containers to keep the dust off them! 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neal Ball Posted October 18, 2021 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 18, 2021 (edited) Its not high-tech! This is my "spray booth" in the back garden under a gazebo. In total I have done something like 15 carriage and van roofs; at least 6 cattle wagons and finally the platform canopy has been painted. As well as the roofs, a few carriages have had sleeper grime liberally sprayed onto the underframe. For the carriage roofs, I have used Vallejo Black/Grey and a lighter shade of black grey. Overall a very productive day. Edited April 2, 2022 by Neal Ball photo changed 14 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold checkrail Posted October 18, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 18, 2021 7 hours ago, Neal Ball said: Can you have too many Brown vans? Think you know the answer to that1 4 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Popular Post Neal Ball Posted October 19, 2021 Author RMweb Premium Popular Post Share Posted October 19, 2021 (edited) Another productive day at Henley on Thames: It took an age to take everything out of the cloches and putting on the layout to photograph. I then started faffing about with the E152 carriage, which was good to be doing that particular carriage again. It was a lot later by the time I opened the Kadee couplings and tipped them into the container, ready to use.... I then starting adding filler to the Centenary Restaurant carriage. It was still too early to leave the railway room, so I sorted out the platform canopy, touching up the bits I missed. Overall a very good day. (Plus I ran 12.25km this morning - I am in training for the Benidorm half marathon at the end of November.) The results of the spray testing - I'm very pleased with the way it has gone, there are a few bits that need touching up, but overall I am pleased with the results. The cattle wagons are a mix of Cooper Craft and Bachmann wagons. I had also sprayed the roofs of the two Toplight carriages.... hopefully I can get them fettled and working as carriages soon! I am very pleased with the Monster van - Yesterday I thought I might have done the weathering too much, but I am pleased with the general look. The roof needs touching up a bit. Tucked at the back of photos 1 and 2 is the Comet models of the E152 composite brake. Since the photo was taken, I have added 1 x Kadee no 5; painted the corridor partitions and removed the passengers as their clothing needs toning down! Seen here next to a Bachmann brake E159. After languishing in a box for many years, the E152 is actually very close to being finished... even more so, now that it has a Black/Grey roof. Talking of Black/Grey vs white roofs, I think yesterdays spraying session has seen the last of my white roofs. Re: Centenary carriage. My order of Kadee couplings also contained a tube of Vallejo filler. I used that on the Centenary and have left to to dry overnight. Re: Platform canopy. So far I have sprayed the insides and columns GWR Dark stone and the valancing GWR Light stone. It just needed a bit of touching up today. Tomorrow I will add the light stone details around the columns and then cover the roof in asbestos sheet. I will then add lighting under the canopy. Overall a very productive day. Edited April 2, 2022 by Neal Ball photos changed 14 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neal Ball Posted October 19, 2021 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 19, 2021 (edited) Re: Kadee order. However, the slight sour note from today was that I opened the 6 packets of Kadee NEM 18 - Medium couplings.... Only to find that there are only 6 couplings that I could use, the remaining ones either had rust on the hook, or the knuckle was covered in mould. I have left them out of the packets in the railway room to see if the mould will dissipate, but clearly that won't deal with the rust. I've emailed the model shop in Spain and await their response. Re: Parcels: In more positive news both my parcels were delivered to the UK today. Bif has already messaged to say he is looking at the decoder and hopes to come back to me soon. However, although UPS have given me proof of delivery, Mike at Greenwood hasn't even replied to yesterdays email to advise it was going to be delivered today at some point. Hopefully he can fix the control gear soon and I can at last get a working turntable at Henley on Thames.... It's almost a year since I first messaged Mike....at that time he said I could have it by Christmas.... So it's now a Year to get a working turntable for Henley. (My first chase email to him was on 23rd November 2020). Onwards and Upwards.... April 2022 edit: It would be a few months yet before the turntable would be fully working.... I'll leave this sunflower here to cheer everyone up! Edited April 2, 2022 by Neal Ball photos changed 1 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold checkrail Posted October 19, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 19, 2021 2 hours ago, Neal Ball said: Another productive day at Henley on Thames: You’re not kidding! Great stuff. Love seeing variegated assortments of GW stock in brown and cream. I think you made the right decision in getting rid of the white roofs too. Yes, you see the odd one in pre-war photos, newly outshopped, but on a model it might just stand out like a sore thumb. 3 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neal Ball Posted October 19, 2021 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 19, 2021 9 minutes ago, checkrail said: You’re not kidding! Great stuff. Love seeing variegated assortments of GW stock in brown and cream. I think you made the right decision in getting rid of the white roofs too. Yes, you see the odd one in pre-war photos, newly outshopped, but on a model it might just stand out like a sore thumb. Plus of course there would have been a variation as the lead paint is turning colour, mixed with the soot and smoke of the engine…. But what colour is that? How to replicate it and of course someone would say it’s not quite right! I just hope the turntable comes together in a productive fashion as well! Have a good evening. Regards, Neal. 4 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neal Ball Posted October 20, 2021 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 20, 2021 Re: Wheels. I am in the middle of placing an order with wizard models and need some advice please. The ex-Lima Siphon G; I am going to replace the BR Mk 1 bogies with GWR 9ft pressed steel ones.... but what size wheels do i need? Thanks. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neal Ball Posted October 20, 2021 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 20, 2021 34 minutes ago, Neal Ball said: Re: Wheels. I am in the middle of placing an order with wizard models and need some advice please. The ex-Lima Siphon G; I am going to replace the BR Mk 1 bogies with GWR 9ft pressed steel ones.... but what size wheels do i need? Thanks. Ive just been reading the Siphons page in the GWR section: It looks like i need 12.5mm to clear the underframe 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium St Enodoc Posted October 20, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 20, 2021 1 hour ago, Neal Ball said: Re: Wheels. I am in the middle of placing an order with wizard models and need some advice please. The ex-Lima Siphon G; I am going to replace the BR Mk 1 bogies with GWR 9ft pressed steel ones.... but what size wheels do i need? Thanks. 46 minutes ago, Neal Ball said: Ive just been reading the Siphons page in the GWR section: It looks like i need 12.5mm to clear the underframe Go for the 14mm ones, modify the bogie pivot (easy) and cut away bit of the floor to clear the flanges (almost as easy). You won't regret it. 1 1 2 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium TrevorP1 Posted October 20, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 20, 2021 2 minutes ago, St Enodoc said: Go for the 14mm ones, modify the bogie pivot (easy) and cut away bit of the floor to clear the flanges (almost as easy). You won't regret it. I was about to type that myself! As John says, go for the 14mm. 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold checkrail Posted October 20, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 20, 2021 Yup! As Trevor and St E have said, go for the 14mm and cut out bits of floor to accommodate. As they say, easily done and looks much better. Having just had a look at the underside of mine I see that that’s exactly what I did. (One forgets!)l 2 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neal Ball Posted October 20, 2021 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 20, 2021 10 hours ago, St Enodoc said: Go for the 14mm ones, modify the bogie pivot (easy) and cut away bit of the floor to clear the flanges (almost as easy). You won't regret it. 10 hours ago, TrevorP1 said: I was about to type that myself! As John says, go for the 14mm. 1 minute ago, checkrail said: Yup! As Trevor and St E have said, go for the 14mm and cut out bits of floor to accommodate. As they say, easily done and looks much better. Having just had a look at the underside of mine I see that that’s exactly what I did. (One forgets!)l Oh! Thanks very much guys…. I will have to source some 14mm then…. My Wizard order has just been shipped, I will have to get some when we fly into the UK in a couple of weeks. I’m sure I can use the 12mm for something else…. Thanks again. 3 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neal Ball Posted October 26, 2021 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 26, 2021 (edited) The Western Times. Apparently issue 2 is being printed as I type and is due in stock at Transport Treasury next week: The bookazines can be found here: https://ttpublishing.co.uk/transport-books/western-region-railways/ edit April 2022: Issue 3 is due out later this month... I have taken out a subscription, so hopefully it arrives through customs ok. The front cover shows GWR mogul 2-6-0 no 7304 which when new in 1934 was allocated to Severn Tunnel Junction. Edited April 2, 2022 by Neal Ball photos changed 2 7 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neal Ball Posted October 27, 2021 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 27, 2021 (edited) Workbench update: I’ve got replacement bogies on order from Comet for two of my Siphon G vans. I am therefore taking the opportunity to paint out the (ex-Lima) Palethorpes branding, but keeping the printed GWR shirt button etc graphics. Once the new bogies are fitted, I will be weathering the whole van. At the same time I have been painting the Python van into the correct GWR brown. Then my Comet E152/153 has had some touching up of the cream and initial transfers added. The transfers drove me mad! Admittedly they are quite old…. So I have ordered new ones from Fox transfers and will pause this until they arrive. The only one that went on without incident was the “Guard”; both the First and Third are a little squify! They will be replaced and I will add the number…. 6490 as I have a photo of it at Henley… in which case it will be a E153. For some reason, which is lost in the midst of time, there is only 1 1/4” difference across the door handles between the two diagrams. Edited April 2, 2022 by Neal Ball photos changed 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neal Ball Posted October 27, 2021 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 27, 2021 (edited) Bachmann sunshine carriages being fitted with Kadee couplers: I am still in the process of fitting couplings to my carriages (all the locos are done) and last night, I pulled a carriage onto the workbench ready to fit a new coupling. At the same time carriages are being prepared into rakes for the timetable - hence the post it notes! Obviously the carriages have been bought at different times and the centre carriage was already converted. This is Brake compo no 6421 and was bought as a post war liveried carriage and will be changed to shirtbutton livery. A few years ago this carriage’s interior was painted up, populated and lights added. This uses a standard Kadee gear box and a medium coupling ref 28 it’s called centreset as the coupling is in the centre of the shaft…. I don’t have any number 28 in stock, so I thought a temporary fix might be needed until new parts arrive from the states….. But when I lined no 6609 up against the height gauge and tried to use a different centerset coupling, that was too high! I have therefore used a no 29 Long Overset (coupling hangs below the shaft) how bizarre! Two carriages, same manufacture, yet different heights…. I am about to do another 6609 so wonder what I will need! Importantly they both work…. I might need to move the right hand one further into the bogie… The two different “Sunshine” Compo Brakes make an interesting comparison with the E153 affording an extra compartment: These are the parts I use to change the couplings…. I have three boxes of various parts, including normal NEM couplings, then various parts to make up a “Gear box” with the brass item being the spring. Plus of course the all important height gauge. I can easily get NEM parts from model shops in Spain, but if I want the range of boxes and couplings I’m using here, then they have to come from the States. I posted a couple of weeks ago that I had an issue with some NEM no 18 medium couplings that had arrived and were mouldy and/or rusty. I’m pleased to say they’ve all been replaced and new stock received. Hopefully that is of use @Andy Keane who is going to use Kadees on his Helton layout. Edited April 2, 2022 by Neal Ball photos changed 5 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium TrevorP1 Posted October 27, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 27, 2021 Sympathies with couplings Neal. I know from experience that it can be a frustrating and expensive business. 2 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neal Ball Posted October 27, 2021 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 27, 2021 (edited) H44 Restaurant carriage. Today has had two coats of Vallejo primer…. Its had loads of filler previously applied, so I can now see the remains areas that need some work. I’ll see how it dries overnight and take it from there. Inside the usual cloche! Edited April 2, 2022 by Neal Ball photo updated 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neal Ball Posted October 27, 2021 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 27, 2021 1 hour ago, TrevorP1 said: Sympathies with couplings Neal. I know from experience that it can be a frustrating and expensive business. I keep saying that this is the last batch ordered from the States, but it doesn’t quite work out like that. I can get NEM here in Spain and in the past have got some from Germany…. However, everyone seems to be out of stock of no 19 at the moment! I don’t understand why shops here don’t stock the normal gearbox versions in Medium and Long…. Ho hum! 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingEdwardII Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 3 hours ago, Neal Ball said: I might need to move the right hand one further into the bogie I was surprised to see how far apart you have the two carriages in the photo. I have Kadee'd my Hornby Colletts and they are closer together than the two in the photo. Do you have some particularly sharp radii to negotiate? Yours, Mike. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neal Ball Posted October 28, 2021 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 28, 2021 17 hours ago, KingEdwardII said: I was surprised to see how far apart you have the two carriages in the photo. I have Kadee'd my Hornby Colletts and they are closer together than the two in the photo. Do you have some particularly sharp radii to negotiate? Yours, Mike. Off scene yes possibly, but that gap is still too large! 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neal Ball Posted October 28, 2021 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 28, 2021 (edited) Re: H44 Centenary 1st class Restaurant carriage. After two coats of Vallejo white primer and a night spent in the cloche, I am very pleased how it has turned out. I have found a couple of places that need a bit more filler, which has duly been done….. Then I need to add the extra footboards under the Kitchen doors, water tank vents and when the parts arrive, the missing roof vent and the Dynamo. The underframe and ends will be sprayed black ( I can then remove the post-it notes that are covering the wheels!), followed by the roof etc. I’ve been using Vallejo Black / Grey for my roof, but it was out of stock when I placed my recent order. I received London Grey, so might try that instead…. Although I think it might be a bit too light. Either way, I’m very pleased with the model. It’s taken years to get to this stage… there are a few issues that I will live with, but this is going to be a great addition to the railway. Roll on the next carriage…. Which will be the Restaurant 3rd, using sides from Comet affixed onto an Airfix Centenary carriage. Edited April 2, 2022 by Neal Ball photo changed 2 11 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Fatadder Posted October 28, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 28, 2021 Looking really good on the H44 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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