Stoke Courtenay

[Harlequin]

3 minutes ago, railtec-models said:

 

The web says to allow up to 14 days for custom items (which gives me some wiggle room in case something crops up), but the reality is they're often designed, made and shipped within a few days. Sometimes even same day as others on here might be able to vouch.

 

If it helps, some of the 3d bits are available separately if needed:

 

4mm 3d smokebox

https://www.railtec-models.com/showitem.php?id=4363

 

4mm 3d shed codes

https://www.railtec-models.com/showitem.php?id=2804

 

4mm 3d smokebox, 3d shed code, 3d GWR cabside plates

https://www.railtec-models.com/showitem.php?id=4362

 

The complete steam loco packs (like the link you kindly posted) offer all the transfers just to save folks having to buy a bunch of separate items. Hopefully offers a nice choice so people can cherry pick or go for everything.

 

 

 

Lovely stuff but rather BR-oriented. Do you do a True GWR era steam loco pack? (I can't see one.)

 

We need a rather different set of markings: Buffer beam numbers, shed codes for the running plate valance, makers plates for locos not built at Swindon, and various insignia: "Great Western", Crests, Roundels, GWR, etc...

 

[railtec-models]

2 minutes ago, Harlequin said:

Lovely stuff but rather BR-oriented. Do you do a True GWR era steam loco pack? (I can't see one.)

 

We need a rather different set of markings: Buffer beam numbers, shed codes for the running plate valance, makers plates for locos not built at Swindon, and various insignia: "Great Western", Crests, Roundels, GWR, etc...

 

 

I had to start somewhere! At some point I'll be getting stuck into the Big Four more. Thing is, all of those elements you've mentioned need a ton of research, graphic design, testing, tweaking, and then considering one or more offering(s) that would please everybody all the time. Off the top of my head each of those items would need at least the following research:

 

- Were all the buffer beam numbers the same colour, the same size etc across all loco classes

- Did all the buffer beam numbers have a drop shadow, any gradients, were the drop shadows all the same colour and to the left/right

- What different makers' plates were there, what photos exist that allow a very precise graphic design of each to be made

- Was the Great Western insignia consistent across all loco classes in terms of design and size, what were the different size(s) etc

- Did the crests vary, what size were they

- Ditto roundels

...and you begin to get an idea of why some would-be offerings can take such a long time to materialise. That's before you get to the graphic design, testing and tweaking. If you happen to have all of that to hand then feel free to PM me and something will appear a lot quicker :>)

 

[Harlequin]

49 minutes ago, railtec-models said:

 

I had to start somewhere! At some point I'll be getting stuck into the Big Four more. Thing is, all of those elements you've mentioned need a ton of research, graphic design, testing, tweaking, and then considering one or more offering(s) that would please everybody all the time. Off the top of my head each of those items would need at least the following research:

 

- Were all the buffer beam numbers the same colour, the same size etc across all loco classes

- Did all the buffer beam numbers have a drop shadow, any gradients, were the drop shadows all the same colour and to the left/right

- What different makers' plates were there, what photos exist that allow a very precise graphic design of each to be made

- Was the Great Western insignia consistent across all loco classes in terms of design and size, what were the different size(s) etc

- Did the crests vary, what size were they

- Ditto roundels

...and you begin to get an idea of why some would-be offerings can take such a long time to materialise. That's before you get to the graphic design, testing and tweaking. If you happen to have all of that to hand then feel free to PM me and something will appear a lot quicker :>)

 

 

Hi Steve, Now you're talking! 😃 Loads of us here will be happy to help you, I'm sure!

 

All of your questions can be answered to a pretty high degree of certainty. The best place to start is "Great Western Way" published by the HMRS.

 

And some of us can help with graphic design, if required.

 

Edited August 21, 2022 by Harlequin

[railtec-models]

16 minutes ago, Harlequin said:

 

Now you're talking! 😃 Loads of us here will be happy to help you, I'm sure!

 

All of your questions can be answered to a pretty high degree of certainty. The best place to start is "Great Western Way" published by the HMRS.

 

And some of us can help with graphic design, if required.

 

 

Brilliant stuff thank-you; that'll be really helpful. It's really the finer variations and measurements that are the biggest hurdle. I try to have both breadth and depth of knowledge of railway insignia spanning 120 years (and it's grown exponentially since I created Railtec) but there will always be subject matter specialists with very specific knowledge that I can only dream of.

 

The graphic design is usually the easier part, and I need to make it in such a way that it takes advantage of all the software and hardware hacks that I've made to the machinery to get truly optimal, crisp and perfectly aligned print for an end product that I myself would be happy to receive. But thank-you - that's very kind of you.

 

At risk of hi-jacking the thread (so perhaps done via PM unless you think the folks on the thread would benefit, or on a different thread) and a good place to start would be to learn what would be a useful looking customisable GWR pack similar to the BR packs, and as quirks come to light then the pack can be enhanced as time goes on.

[Harlequin]

10 minutes ago, railtec-models said:

 

Brilliant stuff thank-you; that'll be really helpful. It's really the finer variations and measurements that are the biggest hurdle. I try to have both breadth and depth of knowledge of railway insignia spanning 120 years (and it's grown exponentially since I created Railtec) but there will always be subject matter specialists with very specific knowledge that I can only dream of.

 

The graphic design is usually the easier part, and I need to make it in such a way that it takes advantage of all the software and hardware hacks that I've made to the machinery to get truly optimal, crisp and perfectly aligned print for an end product that I myself would be happy to receive. But thank-you - that's very kind of you.

 

At risk of hi-jacking the thread (so perhaps done via PM unless you think the folks on the thread would benefit, or on a different thread) and a good place to start would be to learn what would be a useful looking customisable GWR pack similar to the BR packs, and as quirks come to light then the pack can be enhanced as time goes on.

PM sent. 😃

 

[checkrail]

Delighted to see this discussion on this thread and look forward to whatever develops therefrom.  Have great regard for Railtec and Steve's customer service.  But in the case of 4117 by the time I remembered the new no. plate transfers I'd already applied the darkened matt finish to the loco and wasn't about to introduce any more gloss that I'd need to obliterate later.

 

@Harlequin's suggestions for us pre-nationalisation modellers are spot-on.  I had a bit of an online conversation with Steve about maker's plates after I'd revamped a Bachmann Beyer-Peacock-built 57xx some months ago.  It ran into the sand due to non-railway distractions (life!) on my part.

 

John C.

 

 

 

Edited August 21, 2022 by checkrail

[BWsTrains]

John,

 

to a completely different matter, can you tell how you achieved the surfaces (non-ballasted) in your goods yard. It's a topic I need to address soon and your end result looks very effective.

 

Colin

[checkrail]

14 hours ago, BWsTrains said:

can you tell how you achieved the surfaces (non-ballasted) in your goods yard.

Hi Colin

I can't quite remember to be honest.  I think it was probably the same Carr's 'ash ballast' that I used to ballast the goods yard sidings but painted a paler colour.  Whatever it was it was a fine powder on the sheet cork yard base, brushed (once dried hard) with various washes of grey and brown acrylics.  The key word is 'fine' - road and yard surfaces on models can sometimes look too coarse and your 4mm scale people would have a rough time walking or driving on it.  Chinchilla dust or Treemendous earth powder are other possibilities. 

John.

[checkrail]

On the subject of transfers it was only while I was working on 4117 that I realised that the HMRS GWR loco sheets I'd had for years (both Pressfix and Methfix) included separate transfers for the power classification letter. These power ratings are so small I'd never noticed them and I must confess that a number of my locos run around with only a blank RA disc.  Here they are on the HMRS sheet below.

 

I did have a go at putting one on (transfer on top of transfer) but I found myself unable to do it accurately, with the letter vertical and centred on the disc.  So I won't be bothering.  It would be nice to see transfers for RA discs with the power rating already printed on.

 

And as I've said before wouldn't it be nice if transfer producers could use contrasting backing paper? To the right of the brown vehicle lettering on the HMRS sheet below is a range of white GWR wagon lettering - on white backing paper!  As much use to me as a chocolate fireguard - can't see what I'm supposed to be cutting out.  Sheer swivel-eyed lunacy.

 

John C.

[Graham T]

Railtec do a sheet of RA discs with the power rating on them. 

[MrWolf]

Have we gone backwards from the days of the likes of Airfix using pale blue backing paper where white transfers are involved?

[Nile]

No it's just HMRS that use white paper. 

[railtec-models]

18 hours ago, checkrail said:

It would be nice to see transfers for RA discs with the power rating already printed on.

 

And as I've said before wouldn't it be nice if transfer producers could use contrasting backing paper? To the right of the brown vehicle lettering on the HMRS sheet below is a range of white GWR wagon lettering - on white backing paper!  As much use to me as a chocolate fireguard - can't see what I'm supposed to be cutting out.  Sheer swivel-eyed lunacy.

 

 

Hiya John, here's the Railtec sheet with the route availability and power classifications that Graham mentioned:

 

 

Link to both 4mm & 7mm sheets:

https://www.railtec-models.com/catalog.php?search_str=GWR+loco+power

 

As you can see they're ready-made, and have perfect print registration too. My personal belief is that having to overlay transfers is a bit of a faff - particularly with such small detail, and as it's no longer 1978 I make the product as I myself would prefer to use it and I'm sure others too.

 

In terms of backing paper, all the Railtec stuff is manufactured on that pale blue stuff so that the white print can be seen. Can't think of anything worse than white on white! Maybe it's a cost thing? The 2mm guys might have to use a magnifying glass to pick out some of the ultra small white bits like wagon solebar detail, but at least they still have a fighting chance 👀

 

 

Edited August 23, 2022 by railtec-models

[Siberian Snooper]

A quick dab of gloss paint over the RA, allow it to dry and then add the power classification, plenty of time to chase the letter around with the tip of a paint brush and a quick dab with a bit of tissue  once happy. Followed by  a bit more varnish.

 

[checkrail]

3 hours ago, Nile said:

No it's just HMRS that use white paper. 

Yep, but some others use a very pale blue which gives my deteriorating eyesight some problems.  But I realise that's probably just me and a few others.

[checkrail]

Thank Steve and others for tips and info.  Now I know what to do.  The Railtec disks look great. 

[BWsTrains]

9 hours ago, checkrail said:

Hi Colin

I can't quite remember to be honest.  I think it was probably the same Carr's 'ash ballast' that I used to ballast the goods yard sidings but painted a paler colour.  Whatever it was it was a fine powder on the sheet cork yard base, brushed (once dried hard) with various washes of grey and brown acrylics.  The key word is 'fine' - road and yard surfaces on models can sometimes look too coarse and your 4mm scale people would have a rough time walking or driving on it.  Chinchilla dust or Treemendous earth powder are other possibilities. 

John.

 

Thanks.

 

I already knew about chinchilla dust but you can't get that here! Not a popular breed it seems.

 

Local option required, I need to do some research. We mine enough stuff out of the ground it can't be that hard to find something suitable!

 

Colin

[MrWolf]

Silver sand or potter's grog are a couple of alternatives.

[BWsTrains]

2 hours ago, MrWolf said:

Silver sand or potter's grog are a couple of alternatives.

 

Thx,

 

I think we have a winner here in silver sand. Various options from aquarium suppliers.

Potter's grog around these parts would probably be a nice Clare Shiraz (the real thing being a specialty supply here)

 

 

 

[checkrail]

Silver sand sounds ideal.  Haven't a clue what potter's grog might be (until I google it, that is.)

[checkrail]

Inspired as ever by ANTB @gwrrob his Saturday pics of his North to West express prompted me to get mine out of its storage boxes and give it a run.  So here's 5041 'Tiverton Castle' of Newton Abbot shed passing through Stoke Courtenay bound for Bristol and the Severn Tunnel.  This is of course some 8 or 9 years  before Robin's period, as reflected in the older LMS stock behind the loco.

 

 

 

 

John C.

[checkrail]

Here are another couple of the North to West - or in this case West to North - express.

 

 

John C.

[checkrail]

Another day, another castle, 5000 'Launceston Castle' this time, as the train of mixed LMS and GWR stock heads back to the south west ...

 

 

 

... and meets 6801 'Aylburton Grange' coming the other way with an up parcels train.  

 

John C.

[Ponthir28]

I do like a Grange. A proper all rounder.

[KNP]

Lovely pictures.

So I hope you don't mind but I messed about with one using tone mapping....

 

 

Hope you like