JackB95 Posted December 2, 2018 Share Posted December 2, 2018 (edited) Evening all, Thought I'd set up my workbench thread as I'm going to be doing some modelling over Christmas period hopefully. I've recently built up a GWR Night Riviera rake using Hornby's offerings and been looking into how the rakes are actually formed. As always, it's not going to be as easy as I expected thanks to coach 'A' being a BSO. Luckily however, the prototype these days won't be hard to do. The current plan is to get a Hornby TGS (currently £12 for a Midland Mainline one on that famous Widnes model railway shop), open it up, sand down and fill in the small window at the TGS end. I'm not going to push the boat out all the way and respace a window as the real things do have an annoying wider window pillar at one end. In a recent purchase, it came with a FGW TGS vehicle, but unfortunately I didn't realise I'd need it for coach 'A' so decided to sell it on. It does however mean I don't 'ruin' a valuable coach and instead do something a bit different and spray one up. I have currently got myself five FGW blue sleepers, two of which will get renumbered and relabeled so there's not two coach H and G carriages. I also snapped up a professionally resprayed Hornby RFM with the 4 large windows as per prototype on the sleepers. However, I noticed that they predominantly use converted FO carriages which have full height windows on the corridor side, whereas the model I have is of the more traditional HST-style shallow windows. Luckily, there were a few loco-hauled Mk3 RFMs with the shallow windows that operated on the sleeper (carriage 10232) which gets around that problem. The other coach that I've not mentioned yet is coach 'B' - the TSO. I had hoped to purchase a GWR green standard for this job, but I was reliably informed that the GWR livery is 'flipped' on the sleepers with the green matte banner on the left. I've got both FGW blue and GWR green spraypaints knocking about from previous projects, I'll see how I'm feeling with regards to how the BFO and TSO go. Cheers for now! Jack Edited May 8, 2022 by JackB95 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CazRail Posted December 2, 2018 Share Posted December 2, 2018 Looking good mate that re-sprayed RFM really blends in well with the rest of the coaches 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackB95 Posted December 5, 2018 Author Share Posted December 5, 2018 Recently ordered two Hornby Midland Mainline Mk3s for my BSO/TSO coaches. The latter was stripped down no issue with all glazing popping out without much force. The same can't be said for the horrendous TGS tooling which is built in a different manner. Another post on here from several years ago suggested making a split down one end of a gangway (once the clip-moulding was taken off the end) to ease getting the roof and glazing off. Managed that without a problem. It was removing the old glazing where the issues arose. I scored heavily (several light scores) between the roof and glazing to then bend and split it off. All went well, until one end! Despite the scoring, the roof decided to come with it, and so a long slice of roof has split into 3 small sections. It's not too bad as it'll be a case of carefully glueing these back on and then putting some filler in and carefully sanding it down with fine grade paper. It's just a shame that Hornby decided not to retool the TGS (and the SLEP for that matter) and stuck with the original Lima shambles. Still, the two models are physically stripped ready for getting a bath in Phoenix paint stripper. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CazRail Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 Ive taken two ex lima RFMs apart before now and will honestly say never been so nervous to dismantle a coach. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackB95 Posted December 26, 2018 Author Share Posted December 26, 2018 Merry Christmas everyone! Now the parents have returned to the mothership, I decided to get a small project over and done with in between flicking through the forum. I managed to source another Hornby London Midland 153 off a mate, and decided to strip it of its branding and turn it into one of the dogboxes that made their way to the West Country. The usual T-cut and cotton bud trick left me with a blank canvas... and it wasn't long before the new branding appeared. The running numbers still need to be altered, but at least it's in a runnable condition now. Have a good New Year everyone! 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
1722 Posted December 27, 2018 Share Posted December 27, 2018 Looks really good, Jack. Great work. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackB95 Posted May 15, 2020 Author Share Posted May 15, 2020 Not really updated this thread for a while, mainly because my modelling progress has been as successful as a wet fart in a funeral. It's fair to say that Hunt Couplings have taken the nation by storm with their ingenious magnetic NEM pocket couplings. I thought I'd get in on the action and convert all my rolling stock to suit. I don't have that much stock compared to some, but it still meant I had to spend over £120 to get enough couplings for nearly everything ;-) Hornby ScotRail Mk2s with the 'Close Couplings' Hornby's brand new Mk3SD coaches with the specially designed magnetic couplings Dapol 68 using a Mk3SD coupling (suits it rather well I find!) and a Hornby Mk2 with a close coupling I've received my second order recently, but won't be converting the remaining stock until the baseboards are built as that's taken up the loft space for now. If you're still unsure whether to invest in the new couplings or not, just order a pack and give it a go. You'll be hooked! Or should I say attracted? Cheers all 4 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CazRail Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 They're brilliant little couplers, very handy. Personally Ive kept Kadees on locos and on the ends or rakes, as it will allow for magnetic uncoupling if I choose to do it in future 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Posted May 16, 2020 Share Posted May 16, 2020 In some ways it’s a shame that auto coupling isn’t possible with them as I suspect they’d get a much bigger uptake if they could. Maybe that’s for the next gen ones? That said, they do look a lot neater and easier than tension locks! 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westhillwagonworks Posted May 20, 2020 Share Posted May 20, 2020 On 16/05/2020 at 21:14, Charlie said: In some ways it’s a shame that auto coupling isn’t possible with them as I suspect they’d get a much bigger uptake if they could. Maybe that’s for the next gen ones? That said, they do look a lot neater and easier than tension locks! Auto uncoupling? Something is on the way sshhh :-) 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackB95 Posted May 31, 2020 Author Share Posted May 31, 2020 On 20/05/2020 at 01:01, Westhillwagonworks said: Auto uncoupling? Something is on the way sshhh :-) Ooooh! Like the sound of this! I'm already kinda annoyed you're releasing a tightlock magnetic coupling now I've gone and spent all this money on standard ones Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackB95 Posted June 6, 2020 Author Share Posted June 6, 2020 (edited) Received another delivery from WestHillWagonWorks the other day with some magnetic couplings for my Bachmann Mk2A coaches, and decided to purchase two Alz Soundz speakers, designed to replace the awful Hornby TTS speakers. My XC HST has the MTU chips installed and my ears died when I heard the chips for the first time. But like a good boy, I looked into this and realised it was a poor choice of speaker on Hornby's behalf. Alz's speakers aren't expensive, so worth a gamble. Very easy to remove the old ones and install the new. Very impressed! It's by no means full ESU based enhanced etc, but it's a great improvement. Not got my workbench properly set up yet so still using my computer desk for now. Cheers! Edited May 8, 2022 by JackB95 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Robert Shrives Posted June 16, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 16, 2020 Good to see XC PCs - only way to travel ? Robert. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackB95 Posted June 17, 2020 Author Share Posted June 17, 2020 (edited) On 16/06/2020 at 17:33, Robert Shrives said: Good to see XC PCs - only way to travel ? Robert. Absolutely Wizz! Decided to crack on with some little projects I've been meaning to do for a while (subject to time and resources). One of my EMT 153s has been stripped of its logos and numbers in readiness to become a TfW branded unit. I've also managed to get hold of an Anglia 153 from Hattons. This has also been debranded ready for TfW stickers. I sourced a Reggie Rail unit last year from some online shop at a great price, and decided to strip the body down and start modding it to replicate the real life mods they've had during refurbishments. This includes blanking off two windows for the new DDA toilet at the large cab end, and removing the NRN roof pods now the system is long gone. Shall let the filler dry overnight before attempting to sand it down to a nice smooth surface. Whether that'll actually happen is another thing Edited May 8, 2022 by JackB95 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Robert Shrives Posted June 17, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 17, 2020 Good luck with the little saviours of Reg rail central . Filler will be a pain to get dead flat but take time and you will be amazed at what can be achieved. - do you see the one about a 108 in 12" to the foot that had a chair leg in the filler on a front cab corner repair. Group standards only allow for 0.5 KG of filler to be used in any spot repairs, I think you are just under that ! Whizz 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackB95 Posted June 28, 2020 Author Share Posted June 28, 2020 (edited) Was sent these pictures from @CazRail yesterday. Absolutely splendid work as always. Can't wait to see the end result! 67025 153320 Blemishes to be tidied up, and final patching up to be done before the transfers are applied. Fair to say that he's doing an amazing job despite not being a 'professional'. A lot better than me that's for sure! I've ordered 3x packs of transfers to complete my non-TfW liveried beasts. I'll be getting them applied at some point in the coming weeks once they've arrived. Plenty of time on my hands now as I'm only in work for 11 shifts (3 of which are training days) between now and the end of July. Edited May 8, 2022 by JackB95 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackB95 Posted July 1, 2020 Author Share Posted July 1, 2020 (edited) Whilst I wait for Royal Mail to deliver some TfW gifts from North Wales, I thought I'd make a start with branding up the 'odd balls' in the new Welsh fleet. The EMR and GA 153s were debranded a week or so ago, and today my transfers arrived from Precision Decals. Decided to crack on with them during some free time this afternoon. Forgot how fiddly transfers are, and how much patience I don't have. Still, only wasted a few little ones. Luckily most had spares supplied. Waiting on some replacement white web addresses to arrive due to a printing error on the original transfer sets, but otherwise we're all good! Took a while to find out where the carriage numbers are on 153309. Realised after 10 mins staring at a picture that they're almost attached to the main 'Wales and Borders' text. Unfortunately I've only got one of them on because the other two decided to scrunch up after my impatience. Will get these varnished up at some point. Need to clean the loft too. Ooohhh joys. Hopefully I'll be able put my TfW 153 and 67 together soon... Edited May 8, 2022 by JackB95 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackB95 Posted July 3, 2020 Author Share Posted July 3, 2020 (edited) Decided to bite the bullet and make a start on the FGW seating coaches that I made a start on ages ago. The CT 153 (for TfW) and MML mk3s were stripped down using SuperStrip2. The TGS, which is being converted to a BFO, was put to the side whilst the other two models were given their first coat of Halfords FGW blue. The TGS has been attacked by superglue, followed by attack of the dremel that I bought from Aldi to open up the window. Definitely a brilliant tool to use, and works wonders on Mk3s. I'll let the filler and paint dry overnight before sanding down and giving all 3 models a coat of blue. Railtec FGW transfers are due either tomorrow or Monday. I'll source some Lazerglaze windows for the Mk3s to replace the Hornby efforts. Edited May 8, 2022 by JackB95 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackB95 Posted July 5, 2020 Author Share Posted July 5, 2020 (edited) Spent the past few days working on the transfers for the stock. Fair to say I'd forgotten how fiddly the beggers are, especially the cantrails. Still, this is where I'm up to Need to finish the front of the 153 off with its black detailing parts, but plenty of time this week to sort that. Going to Lazerglaze both mk3 vehicles when I get a chance to buy some. Edited May 8, 2022 by JackB95 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackB95 Posted July 8, 2020 Author Share Posted July 8, 2020 Finally got there! The three blue beasts The dogbox that got away Night Riviera coach A (BFO converted from a TGS - not entirely accurate but who cares) Night Riviera coach B (TSO) Rather pleased with how they've turned out. Certainly a big learning curve with regards to how to paint, apply transfers etc etc. Looking forward to my next project already! At least it's not a commission (oh wait)... Laserglaze to be sourced for the Mk3s before they're declared finished, and the 153 has been put back together and is deemed complete! TfW line up for those who like NSFW content Cheers all! I'll post pictures again once the mk3s are back together properly. Next project is an ECML icon for a friend... 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack374 Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 They look mint Jack, great work! Jack. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackB95 Posted July 8, 2020 Author Share Posted July 8, 2020 3 hours ago, Jack374 said: They look mint Jack, great work! Jack. Thanks very much Jack! Your workbench is a wonderful read. Much appreciated! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steadfast Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 Hi Jack, Nice work on your repaints! I see you mentioned a Halfords FGW blue shade. Which colour did you use? It looks absolutely spot on. Cheers! Jo 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackB95 Posted July 8, 2020 Author Share Posted July 8, 2020 12 minutes ago, Steadfast said: Hi Jack, Nice work on your repaints! I see you mentioned a Halfords FGW blue shade. Which colour did you use? It looks absolutely spot on. Cheers! Jo Cheers! Yeah it's Vauxhall Atlantis Blue. It's a tad darker than Hornby's match, but does look good. Unfortunately it appears to be discontinued! I went to my local branch the other day and it was the last can in the clearance isle. Hope that helps! 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steadfast Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 Thanks Jack, Found a seller on Amazon selling the same paint, made by Hycote (the company that makes Halfords paint) for 7 quid. Last one in stock for now sadly, but could be an alternative route for you. It looks better than Hornby for being that bit darker, I'll have to see how it compares to my Phoenix Precision painted FGW stuff when it arrives. Thanks again Jo 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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