Ali's New Work bench

[Pegleg90]

Hi, 

 

My first Topic! 

 

I thought I'd upload a few shots of my work so far showing the good steps and a few newby errors! 

 

I've been making Cambrian's YSA/Salmon Wagons, got 1 nearly finished (bit more painting to do), 2 under construction (smaller detailing parts) and one still to start! Aiming to make at least 2 (probably 3) into YKA Osprey wagons in the future.

 

I've been working more on DC Kits' PFA with the aim of using them behind my DRS fleet. Quite looking forward to getting these running with their half height containers. Purchased 10 of C-Rails 20ft Containers (undecorated) to go with them! Had a slight issue in building as I forgot to recess the bearings into the holes so found the 2 chassis sides were out slightly which affected the top etching, bulkheads and break handle etching - sorted for the next 7 when i get to them though! 

 

 

For couplings I'm going to use standard tension locks in a NEM Pocket. I've been contemplating using Kadee couplers but will wait until I have a proper layout and decided how to get over the class 66's and their front skirts. I've used Symoba NEM pockets (Standard size - sourced from DCC Supplies) on this one which has meant cutting the front bulkheads out to suit. Think I'll use the short ones in the future. Had to pack them out using 2mm plasticard to get them to sit at the correct height, checking the height with Symoba's height gauge

 

 

I used 2x1.5mm sections to form the 2 cross strips and 1.5x1.5mm for the length and corner bracing. the 2 length strips could do with being 1-2mm longer in hind sight but as its my first kit bashing (?) I'm quite happy with it. 

 

next jut got to get my head around priming and painting - any advise/guidance greatly received! 

 

For Cambrian's Salmons, they are a nice kit (i found) to start with. Only slight trouble I had was getting a smooth(isn) join with the sole bars and the top of the deck. Third time the charm, ended up using blue tack to hold in place while using plastic weld in small sections fine tuning the positioning.

 

Thanks

 

Alistair (Ali)

 

[Pete Harvey]

The wagon looks good I'm glad the info was helpful.

 

Pete

[Jack374]

Excellent work, especially liking the PFAs, I really will have to scratch build as I don't think I'll receive my flats any time soon! :/

 

Keep up the great work,

Jack.

[Pegleg90]

Thanks for the comments and encouragement! 

 

Quick update as haven't done too much of late. I've started the second PFA this time using Alan Gibsons wheels (4007). I decided to paint them prior to assembly. 

 

 

Happened to be in my local model shop (you can easily get a crick in the neck looking up in there!) and asked about etching primer, they had the Rail Match tin in there so bought one of them as well as a suitable thinners. Had a go earlier today and was surprised to find the primer tin had its own brush in it. Decided to put a small amount into a container and thin slightly as had been recommended to me (put a little too much thinner in i think), but it did apply to the test bit! Will try to get round to painting it tomorrow at the earliest. Should i use the primer straight from the tin then use the thinners to clean the brush?

 

 

For the cambrian flats I'm thinking of changing the couplings to NEM pickets rather than the glued on tension lock as the height is not correct.

 

Any advise on the etching primer will be much appreciated. 

 

Thanks

 

Ali

[Pete Harvey]

Ali

 

Halford plastic bumper etching primer works on Brass or plastic.

[Pegleg90]

Ali

 

Halford plastic bumper etching primer works on Brass or plastic.

 

Hi Pete, 

 

Please forgive my thickness, think I've read too many articles on this, is this basically halfords plastic primer? 

 

thanks

 

Ali

[Pegleg90]

Hello,

 

After seeing Mick's post on his PFA's and the white metal buffers he's used I scrapped the plan of priming the first wagon today so i can source the buffers. Instead thought I'd have a go at weathering a wagon or 2 using DCC Concepts weathering powders that I bought what seems ages ago. I have the pack containing, white, Light & dark grey and Black. For a first time don't think they are too bad, just pretty white now! whoops! 

 

Think the OBA has come out looking like its worked a clay train! Will try and tone it down with some black.

 

The MFA is a bit more realistic but still, first attempt! 

 

On the PFA Front I ordered from coupling hooks from Lanarkshire models and supplies, will upload a photo when i've fitted them.

 

Thanks

 

Ali

[Arpleymodeller]

Hello Ali, 

 

Good work on the PFAs and Salmons, I was planning on making a couple of Salmons so will be following your progress with them. 

 

Regards

Lewis 

[newbryford]

Nice work. I've noticed that you're thinking of doing YKA Ospreys. There may be some help here.

 

Cheers,

Mick

[Pegleg90]

Nice work. I've noticed that you're thinking of doing YKA Ospreys. There may be some help here.

 

Cheers,

Mick

 

Thanks Mick,

 

Any tips on how to do the curved tops of the end? had a go really didn't like the end result! 

 

Thanks

 

Ali

[newbryford]

Thanks Mick,

 

Any tips on how to do the curved tops of the end? had a go really didn't like the end result! 

 

Thanks

 

Ali

 

I used upturned channel section and filed the corners off.....

 

Cheers,

Mick

[ess1uk]

Nice work

[Pegleg90]

I used upturned channel section and filed the corners off.....

 

Cheers,

Mick

Thanks Mick, will have a go when i next sit down to have a go at these.

 

Small update, the Wizard Models buffers arrived during the week and found some time this afternoon between RWC matches to have a go, found them a bit fiddly tbh as had bought the sprung ones! probably didn't help that my 0.5mm drill bit is probably on the blunt side! once got a new drill bit will have ago but as they are a bit of a pain might just stick to some non-srung ones for simplicity!

 

thanks

 

Ali

[Pegleg90]

Hi, 

 

Another quick update but photos included this time! 

 

Had ordered a pack of non-sprung long shank buffers from Wizard Models as based on the ones Mick's post shows and have to say they really make the model pop! just need to polish up the buffer beams with wet and dry and think I'm there ready to prime one! 

 

 

Thanks

 

Ali

[Pegleg90]

Evening All,

 

Firstly Sorry Jack! 

 

At the stage of priming/painting the first one now after a productive afternoon off work! Just need to re-glue one of the break levers and I'm away!!! The container frame has now been fixed down, buffers fitted, coupling hooks also fitted - pre-primed these prior to fitting to test adhesion. Very happy with the result so far! 

 

 

 

For the container does anyone know what colour to paint the containers? I was thinking BR Bauxite but after looking at a test piece I painted its a bit too dark! think the first one will be a full height box for now.

 

Thanks

 

Ali

[newbryford]

 

 

For the container does anyone know what colour to paint the containers? I was thinking BR Bauxite but after looking at a test piece I painted its a bit too dark! think the first one will be a full height box for now.

 

Thanks

 

Ali

 

How about Halfords Red Oxide primer?

 

Cheers,

Mick

[Pegleg90]

Evening All, 

 

Finally at the painting stage with the first PFA now, started with the yellow axle box covers, why is it yellow is so hard to get even when brush painting! Or am i just naff at painting!   Ive been storing it in my parents airing cupboard to try and help the paint harden.

 

 

Plan is to get the axle box covers painted, masked once happy then paint the wagon black. Then paint any white parts - probably the wrong way round but based on a test spur I pained black then white should be ok.

 

to say I'm chomping at the bit to paint the wagon black is and understatement! 

 

Next: Had a go at weathering a MFA after seeing Nick's (RS4) post weathering his stock. Painted the inside in Railmatch dark rust, gave it a rub once dry with a scouring pad to try to de-stress the paint. I used some medium grey weathering powder to add the ballast dust look.

 

 

On the outside of the wagon I had a go dry brushing Railmatch's frame dirt, its certainly toned down bright black paint a bit. A few more coats possibly???

 

 

On the salmon/Osprey front: added some of the details to one of the wagons to put both the 2 on the go ones to the same level. 

Started modifying/re-working the end frame as suggested by Mick but nothing worth showing at present. 

 

Hopefully won't leave it so long next time before an update! 

 

Thanks

 

Ali

[Pegleg90]

Right, apologies left it too long again! 

 

Progress has been slow, although have managed to paint the PFA black, anyone know how to remove paint so I can repaint it when I buy an airbrush? My brush work is shocking to say the least (don't think the photos will show how bad)! Thinking of the AS186 kit which seems to have good reviews for the price! Planning on going to the Warley show so will see if there are any offers on. 

 

 

On a side note, I'd ordered a load of 10.5mm disc wheels from Alan Gibson so have started painting them in Rail Match sleeper grime. 

 

 

KWA, dug out my KWA as seeing Phil Mc's post and cleaned up all the misc parts for priming. Another prime candidate for an airbrush painting! 

For the body I'm thinking of fitting an M3 tread for the bogies to pivot on as really don't like the screw method, can see it failing over time. just need to nab the pillar drill at work one evening! 

 

Thanks

 

Ali

 

 

[Phil Mc]

Hi Ali,

 

I was a little reluctant to use the screw method of securing the bogies on the KWA, but my original one has done a fair few miles so far, with no issues.

 

Cheers,

Phil.

[newbryford]

I grafted in 2mm screws to my KWA and fixed the bogies with nuts.

 

Cheers,

Mick

[Pegleg90]

Hi All, 

 

Its been a little while again! DOH!

 

Thoroughly enjoyed my time at Warley and seeing Mick's work. Indulged in a few purchases (who doesn't go there and spend money?) treated myself to Bachmann's 37405 (parents christmas present for me), the new ZDA wagon, some humbrol thinners and this nice little light! 

 

 

Firstly I've treated myself to an airbrush & compressor, went for the Fox hunter AS186 kit. Very impressed with how quiet it is. Had a go at airbrushing already, nothing fancy just trying out some basic techniques. Hope to upgrade to an Neo for Iwata CN airbrush in the future once I've perfected thinning and technique. 

 

 

Thanks to Phil, I've progressed a little with my KWA with fitting the buffers, checker plate etching and fitted the M3 studding to the under side to mount the bogies.

 

 

Its riding a little high at the moment so might par away the 2 little ridges either side of the studs.

 

 

Cheers

 

Ali

 

[Phil Mc]

Hi Ali,

 

KWA is looking good, I filed the ridges off mine. I used the supplied washers, 1 between the body and bogie, but found the wagon wobbled slightly as it ran.(this may be due to the weight of the bulldozer load)

I managed to find some different washers that are the same thickness as the originals, but approximately the same diameter as the ridges i'd filed off. No more wobble

 

Cheers,

Phil.

[Pegleg90]

Evening All, 

 

Merry Christmas! Hope you have have a good one! 

 

Firstly the KWA, its worked a treat paring those ridges off! Think the next stage is priming/painting once a bit more confident with the airbrush! 

 

 

PFA, sprayed up one of the C=Rail container kits in halfords red oxide as suggested by Mick, seems to have come out quite well and close the to required colour, think some weathering is required to get it spot on! 

 

Not done anymore to the first painted PFA, need to add the white, sections on the ladder/brake lever and tops of the container loops. 

 

The shipping boxes from Hattons make great spray booths! 

 

I've been painted up all the wheels ready for the remaining 6 wagons once i get cracking on them and ordered the Oleo buffers from Wizard Models! 

 

Many thanks

 

Ali

[Pegleg90]

Hello, 

 

Long time no post. Modelling time has been a bit limited/disrupted since the new year began with work getting a shake up (felt more like a grenade being dropped into the water) and everything else.

 

Anyways, PFA:

 

Been making good albeit slow progress on these, not done anything more to the first one yet but second and third are primed and started spraying the warning yellow parts. 

 

 

Couldn't resist when I was fitting decoders to 57309 & 37405 putting them behind each one.

 

Oh, cheated slightly with the superstructure frame work and created a 1:1 scale plan drawings of the frame work then cut, laid and glued together on top of the template. 

 

I spotted a box section mid way along the wagon on the prototypes so will add these later, looking to use 4x4mm square brass box section - still to source this. 

 

KWA:

Not made too much progress of this lately. I've primed the bogies, ramp parts & the tool box. started painting the yellow parts. 

 

Painting yellow seems to be far better and consistent using the airbrush, just building the coats up, think in the future I'll use a white primer than grey. 

 

Before I prime the body/chassis I'll source coupling hooks.

 

Wagon weathering: 

I've had a go at dry brushing the inside of an MFA wagon once it has been painted dark rust - its the maroon MFA I dusted up previously. I used sleeper grime first with a light brushing of frame dirt - its not easily visible. It looks better than the weathering powders. I might still add a dusting of light grey to illustrate new ballet but only a very light coat. 

 

The texture inside the wagon is left over PVA glue from the previous ballast load, think its helped with the affect.

 

Other:

I got the DCC concepts rolling road which is great, saves loads of time getting the temporary track out to run a loco in or test on DCC (the layout is buried under a load of stuff). 

 

Upgraded the airbrush to the Neo for Iwata, far nicer to use over the ones that came with the compressor. Also ordered a cleaning station pot. 

 

Anyway, until next time.

 

Cheers

Ali

[Pegleg90]

Hello, 

 

Anyone want to have a guess at what this is?

 

 

Correct, MXA being made from plasti-card and Bachmann's BDA wagon

 

Did some more 1:1 scale drawings again, did a classic mis-measure as well so ended up trimming the sides down, messy doesn't best describe the aftermath! 

 

On the PFA front, haven't don't much due to time constraints again, but have managed to paint the white parts on the first wagon, just got to trim up some bits then ready for gloss varnish.

 

Cheers 

Ali

Edited September 3, 2016 by Pegleg90