JackB95's Modern Image Workbench

[WCML100]

I look forward to seeing the progress on the pendo drag set! Which 57's do you have to pull it? 😄

Edited April 19, 2023 by WCML100

[JackB95]

6 hours ago, WCML100 said:

I look forward to seeing the progress on the pendo drag set! Which 57's do you have to pull it? 😄

 

Cheers! Just 57315 in ATW so far. I am tempted by a Virgin one if the right price comes up. Thankfully the ATW ones were regulars! 

 

[JackB95]

Made a bit of progress with the Pendolino. 

 

Two out of the five required carriages have been sourced. A dummy chassis was purchased from eBay to replace the motor chassis on the original model. Replacement couplings were ordered too turning the socket coupling into a plug given it was going at the other end of the train.

 

Couplings arrived from Peter's Spares, but after some fiddling about, I realised what I ordered wasn't what I received. I enquired, but was told Hornby must've packaged them wrong. A quick eBay search later found me the right ones, albeit the same product code as the previous order, and I finally got there. 

 

 

A quick view of the Pendolino now getting bigger in the fiddle yard 

 

 

Cheers 

[saxokid]

On 04/05/2023 at 08:56, JackB95 said:

Made a bit of progress with the Pendolino. 

 

Two out of the five required carriages have been sourced. A dummy chassis was purchased from eBay to replace the motor chassis on the original model. Replacement couplings were ordered too turning the socket coupling into a plug given it was going at the other end of the train.

 

Couplings arrived from Peter's Spares, but after some fiddling about, I realised what I ordered wasn't what I received. I enquired, but was told Hornby must've packaged them wrong. A quick eBay search later found me the right ones, albeit the same product code as the previous order, and I finally got there. 

 

 

A quick view of the Pendolino now getting bigger in the fiddle yard 

 

 

Cheers 

Great work here again Jack,had good catch up on your thread🤩

[ess1uk]

Nice work 

[JackB95]

Continuing with the Virgin 390, I've made progress experimenting with fitting couplings and getting it to actually go around the layout. 

 

Using the Symoba range of kinematic couplings, and a chopped down West Hill 800 coupling, I've managed to get it to work just right. A lengthened West Hill HST power car style coupling is needed for the 57 to give it enough clearance. 

 

 

The hatch was cut open using a dremel then filed down to the right lines. As a result, the LEDs for the model have been removed and coupling fitted in its place. 

 

 

I dragged one of the dummy cars around yesterday on test to see if the couplings were set right. 

 

[WCML100]

11 hours ago, JackB95 said:

Continuing with the Virgin 390, I've made progress experimenting with fitting couplings and getting it to actually go around the layout. 

 

Using the Symoba range of kinematic couplings, and a chopped down West Hill 800 coupling, I've managed to get it to work just right. A lengthened West Hill HST power car style coupling is needed for the 57 to give it enough clearance. 

 

 

The hatch was cut open using a dremel then filed down to the right lines. As a result, the LEDs for the model have been removed and coupling fitted in its place. 

 

 

I dragged one of the dummy cars around yesterday on test to see if the couplings were set right. 

 

looking good mate. Cant wait to see this one finished 👌🏻

[JackB95]

Whilst I wait for West Hill to come up with some couplings for my Pendolino drag, I've been working on turning a few of my Hornby 153s into dummy vehicles to give me more flexibility running them given every model runs slightly differently to eachother. 

 

I toyed about with the idea of putting dummy wheels in from another 153 model. They clip in perfectly fine, and are a simple fix! Lovely. Obviously, I'd pinched wheels off another model, so needed extras. The usual Hornby spare sites came up with nothing, but I'd read that the 156 wheels were identical... they were not. Flanges were too big, and it didn't work for me. I contacted Hornby directly and they had some X9888 wheels in stock. 5 packs ordered! 

 

 

They arrived swiftly and went straight into the empty bogies. The next task is to work out a roster and pair the models up. Bachmann's BSI couplings have been fitted to all 14x and 15x models. I've discovered the body-mounted ploughs I fitted to the 153s restricted the couplings somewhat, so I need to find another way of fitting them. However, a 153 150 combo is now possible with success! 153 153 combos are possible, but I had to add two 10g weights above the motor bogie on the powering 153 to give it enough traction. 

 

So far so good! 

[WCML100]

Nice, got any pics or videos of the various multiple working options now? 😃

[JackB95]

1 hour ago, WCML100 said:

Nice, got any pics or videos of the various multiple working options now? 😃

 

Errrr, yeah go on then

 

 

 

 

[JDW]

On 05/08/2023 at 11:44, JackB95 said:

Whilst I wait for West Hill to come up with some couplings for my Pendolino drag, I've been working on turning a few of my Hornby 153s into dummy vehicles to give me more flexibility running them given every model runs slightly differently to eachother. 

 

I toyed about with the idea of putting dummy wheels in from another 153 model. They clip in perfectly fine, and are a simple fix! Lovely. Obviously, I'd pinched wheels off another model, so needed extras. The usual Hornby spare sites came up with nothing, but I'd read that the 156 wheels were identical... they were not. Flanges were too big, and it didn't work for me. I contacted Hornby directly and they had some X9888 wheels in stock. 5 packs ordered! 

 

 

They arrived swiftly and went straight into the empty bogies. The next task is to work out a roster and pair the models up. Bachmann's BSI couplings have been fitted to all 14x and 15x models. I've discovered the body-mounted ploughs I fitted to the 153s restricted the couplings somewhat, so I need to find another way of fitting them. However, a 153 150 combo is now possible with success! 153 153 combos are possible, but I had to add two 10g weights above the motor bogie on the powering 153 to give it enough traction. 

 

So far so good! 

 

You might have done it already, but I found it helped to remove the pick ups from the trailing bogie as well when I converted one car to non-powered when I did a 155, as the pick ups cause a lot of drag. I seem to remember there being a weight under the seating unit as well which I removed. 

[JackB95]

8 hours ago, JDW said:

 

You might have done it already, but I found it helped to remove the pick ups from the trailing bogie as well when I converted one car to non-powered when I did a 155, as the pick ups cause a lot of drag. I seem to remember there being a weight under the seating unit as well which I removed. 

 

Thanks for that! I'll have a look next time I'm in the loft. Didn't think about them. 

[JackB95]

A couple of small projects worked on today. 

 

One of them is a project that I've been meaning to sort out - replacing the buffers on my Hornby Colas 56.

 

In true Hornby fashion, 3 out of the 4 original sprung buffers decided to ping off and are lost to the void of humanity. As a result, the loco looked naff going around the layout! 

 

However, not any more. Some Rusty Rails' 3D printed oval buffers arrived this morning, gained some paint, varnish, and were glued in place of the originals. This is the result... 

 

 

 

Simple yet effective. My second project was to fit the new 3D printed vents for my TfW 158. The donor model, an EMT variant, had very different vents on the roof. These were removed, and I commissioned Track3D to make me some new ones. Low and behold, here they are against the Bachmann ATW model! 

 

 

Two small projects ✅ 

[JackB95]

Another little project was completed this morning - fitting the Virgin '1' roundels. These were fitted at some point in their careere, prior to Virgin adopting the newer white livery that very quickly died due to the franchise finishing. 

 

These have been replicated on some of Hornby's models, but not the original that I've got. I messaged Steve Bell at Railtec, and he didn't disappoint. 

 

These have gone on, and look splendid. Proper job as always Steve! 

 

 

 

 

I'm still waiting for WHWW to sort out my coupling request. I think I'm at the bottom of their priority list...

Yesterday, I also dusted off my Hornby EMT power cars (the original release) and brought them in for a lighting upgrade. Track3D has yet again come up with the goods, and done a grand job doing what Hornby couldn't be arsed to do. A new lighting unit to replace the original light cluster has been fitted (a very simple job, with 3 wires per unit being soldered to the PCB), and looks miles better than the original. For those unaware, Hornby didn't tool the flush 'oOo oOo' style lights, and just used the original BR glazed ones on the model which looked naff. Track3D has done a brilliant job, and even updated the horn grill as well. He does versions that allow you to have an independently controlled day/night light, but I opted for the easier one with just a day light.

 

 

 

Cheers!

Edited September 19, 2023 by JackB95
Adding pictures, and more information!

[WCML100]

looking good mate! the track 3d stuff is really good. got a few bits off them myself!

 

The 1st roundels for the virgin fleet are great - I hope Steve releases these an a standard item as I will be needing some too for both a pendo and couple of voyagers. Can't beat Railtech quality or Steves help when making custom items!

 

Might be worth noting the 'first class' swooshes were also updated during their lives from the white background to blue (almost reverse to what the original way round was) - I think this was done either at the same time as the roundels or even before that.

[JackB95]

5 hours ago, WCML100 said:

looking good mate! the track 3d stuff is really good. got a few bits off them myself!

 

The 1st roundels for the virgin fleet are great - I hope Steve releases these an a standard item as I will be needing some too for both a pendo and couple of voyagers. Can't beat Railtech quality or Steves help when making custom items!

 

Might be worth noting the 'first class' swooshes were also updated during their lives from the white background to blue (almost reverse to what the original way round was) - I think this was done either at the same time as the roundels or even before that.

 

Absolutely. They're both brilliant chaps. 

 

Oh really? Ffs! Didn't spot that, and now I can't unsee it!!! This isn't helpful 🤣🤣🤣

[WCML100]

On 20/09/2023 at 15:18, JackB95 said:

 

Absolutely. They're both brilliant chaps. 

 

Oh really? Ffs! Didn't spot that, and now I can't unsee it!!! This isn't helpful 🤣🤣🤣

 

Sorry! 😆

[JackB95]

My current employment revolves around everyone's favourite unit - the Bombardier Voyager. I've been thinking of ways to improve my 221 model that I've got. The model is rather ancient, but it still works really well. One thing I've noticed the real thing has that the model doesn't, is some form of reflective mirror-like window effect on the passenger windows, as demonstrated here

 

 

It's unique to these trains, and I was wondering how to go about it. I ordered some sample A5 sheets of mirror window film from eBay for a couple of quid, and set about experimenting. 

 

Firstly, I cut them into strips slightly taller than needed

 

Then I peeled the film, producing the self-adhesive side. I lay this carefully over the windows, and pushed down firmly to avoid any wrinkles or bubbles. 

 

Using a brand new blade on my craft knife, I set about cutting the windows out. Thankfully, owing to the model not having flush perfect glazing, there's just enough space to push a blade into the gap, thus allowing the windows to be cut out. 

 

The fun bit was next - peeling the excess away! You can see the original tinted glazing behind, vs the new mirrored ones up front. My frosted glass desk was well reflected here... 

 

... so let's go into the loft and see what it looks like on the layout... 

 

 

Much better! Admittedly, the film could be more translucent, and maybe the train could be fitted with interior lights for extra realism. And maybe, a film that was slightly bluer in colour wojld help? Who knows? What I do know is that what I've done is quite possibly a first in the hobby, and looks considerably better. 

 

I just need to upgrade the front skirting to the newer style, and we're onto a winner! Not bad for a model that's 15+ years old. 

[Robert Shrives]

The little people will not like the loss of phone reception now.  A good effort  I had wondered in N about using a metalcote varnish for same thing but roundtuit box was empty!  However have to see when next rerun of N Dapol 221 lands.

robert 

 

 

 

[WCML100]

Saw your post on facebook and agree it’s definitely an improvement! It is nice to see someone tackle these kind of things on “lesser loved” units in the modern era. 100% looks better on track with it mirroring the surroundings. May experiment with my voyagers, although have plenty of them! 
 

again mate, nice work and exterminating. Well worth it 👍🏻

[JackB95]

Thanks both! Yes, couldn't agree more about phone signal 😂 although always made me laugh back in Virgin days when they said there were signal boosters for most networks, but not their own! 

 

Little things like this just catch the eye and make you look twice. Certainly nice to do something different like this. Cheers 

[Covkid]

Great work with the silver windows Jack but your 221 is not too prototypical.  Why you ask. Well whe nwa the last time your saw Virgin red on the roof of a voyager. They are always matt black !!!

[pteandy1402]

7 hours ago, Covkid said:

Great work with the silver windows Jack but your 221 is not too prototypical.  Why you ask. Well whe nwa the last time your saw Virgin red on the roof of a voyager. They are always matt black !!!

 

They are red out of the paint shop they are not painted black but they do look black now with the amount of grime and exhaust oil

 

[pteandy1402]

I must say I do like your work attention to detail in areas like the lights and little details like the windows. 

[JackB95]

Been nearly 4 months since my last update! Nothing much has happened, but the Bachmann Virgin 57 has now gained the Illuminated Models lighting kit to give it the correct marker lights. 

 

Unlike the Arriva one I did a year or two ago, I've decided to only wire up one end of the loco given it'll always be coupled, and it'll allow me to have reds on the 'front' when coupled and nothing on the inside. 

 

 

 

It's a fiddly kit to fit, but worth it. Even if Illuminated took forever to send them out with zero comms 🙄