Swindelton – inspiration from a challenge 7 years later!

[ChrisS]

Focus seems to be on painting several different projects at the moment.

 

Getting there slowly with the class 20 re-paint. A couple of coats of blue now applied but still needs some more. Still looking forward to finishing this. I did originally get a quote for a professional to do it but getting satisfaction from doing it myself. 

 

 

The Spartan has also received a first coat of green and the tracks painted too. Really pleased how this is turning out.

 

 

 

In the background above, the road runner is also progressing in its own separate thread.

 

Looking forward to the Southern O gauge show this weekend to get some supplies. Will have to try and resist spending too much money!

 

[ChrisS]

Annual leave is great - just need more of it. 

 

Over the last couple of days I've been busy with my 20 re-paint. In the end I applied afew coats of blue before I was happy - in total I've almost used a jar of Railmatch blue on this!

 

Next was masking it up for some black. This was a pain and I was dreading any over spray, particularly on the yellow!

 

 

 

Anyhow, the masking seemed to work. I've spent quite a few hours doing all the little details etc. Since taking the photos I've addressed the missing steps at the nose end. I discovered that the lighting in my garage is a bit harsh, so addressing this meant the following photos look better than above.

 

 

 

Annoyingly one of the side handrail knobs broke off at some point and is lost. Also I appear to have lost the two lamp brackets from the cab end - I have two bags of pipes and buffers for each end but god knows where the brackets went. Will have to source some replacements or alternatives.

 

I've still got to attach the radiator grilles and spray some varnish in anticipation of adding transfers before I put it all back together - if I can remember how.

 

Railfreight twins no longer.

 

 

Till next time.

 

 

[ChrisS]

Another one of my projects is nearing completion. The Spartan has been detailed and lightly weathered. There are some front track guards to fit, but I'm tempted not to fit the kit guards and either leave off or fabricate a later style of flap.

 

It's seen waiting outside Swindelton awaiting onward travel back to its base. I'm really pleased how this looks.

 

 

 

 

Till next time.

 

[ChrisS]

Rightly or wrongly i gloss varnished the whole 20 before applying the Railtech transfers. I was sort of doubting myself as the gloss finish looked awful and shows up every blemish. 

 

It reminded me of when I made the mistake of using yacht varnish on some birch ply home office desks I made. I had to strip them Back and use a clear satin oil which gave a far superior finish.

 

 

Anyhow, after letting the transfers dry, I then applied a satin varnish coat and was most relieved with the finish. When you look closer there are some minor blemishes on one side (for some reason) but these will hopefully be hidden by some weathering.

 

 

After a couple of years i'm nearly there with this one.

 

Till next time.

 

[ChrisS]

It has taken a while but my BR road runner is finally finished - though I'm tempted to weather it a bit.

 

For those that may have missed it or are interested, the full build thread can be found here

 

 

Till next time.

[Baggies1961]

On 01/06/2023 at 21:21, ChrisS said:

Another one of my projects is nearing completion. The Spartan has been detailed and lightly weathered. There are some front track guards to fit, but I'm tempted not to fit the kit guards and either leave off or fabricate a later style of flap.

 

It's seen waiting outside Swindelton awaiting onward travel back to its base. I'm really pleased how this looks.

 

 

 

 

Till next time.

 

Hi Chris,

Might have missed this but what colour green did you use?

In my army days we would very often paint our tanks, by hand or spray gun if it was working or available.

Chieftains & Challengers took some time to do, if I recall correctly Command Troop did have a Spartan.

Regards

Julian.

[ChrisS]

26 minutes ago, Baggies1961 said:

Hi Chris,

Might have missed this but what colour green did you use?

In my army days we would very often paint our tanks, by hand or spray gun if it was working or available.

Chieftains & Challengers took some time to do, if I recall correctly Command Troop did have a Spartan.

Regards

Julian.

 

Hello Julian - I ended up using what I had in my paint collection which was some humbrol matt dark green #30. Everyone sees colours a bit differently, sometimes depending on surfaces applied and lighting conditions but this looked ok to me. I might go and get some matt army green for the next one, just to add some variation. 

 

Some military modellers would probably correct the errors of my ways. 

[ChrisS]

Today has been a mixed day of emotions.

 

In addition to painting various bits, I was experimenting with oil dots and streaking. Previously I'd re-purposed my Dapol milk tanker into a water/ coolant tanker, as seen at many depots.

 

It was looking far too clean. So using inspiration from Paul bartletts site and military model weathering videos I had a go at dot filtering/ streaking. There are some different ways to do this but I brushed on some Sansodor first and then the oil dots of various colours - mainly brown on top and black under the barrel. Then it was the fun part trying to blend and streak. Just had to keep brushing up and down till happy.

 

 

 

I also added some white spots to break up the black band. Quite pleased with the effect.

 

 

My cat likes to come in the garage to see what I'm doing. Whilst I went for a cup of tea, she materialised in the kitchen and looked guilty.

 

I didn't see it at first, but she must have been jumping round the racking and knocked my 2003 vintage but unfinished MMP 47 off from where it was being stored.

 

A little bit annoyed, but at least it was not any of my recent purchases - not sure this will buff out without a lot of work though.

 

 

Oh well. Till next time.

 

 

[ChrisS]

I'm no longer feeling guilty!

 

I've practically finished my class 20 full strip down (removal of glazing, parts and IPA bath) and repaint from Railfreight grey to BR blue. I just need a handrail knob and small grab rail to fashion - the former is not available as a spare from gaugemaster. I did originally get a quote for a professional to do this but decided i could actually do it myself. It was frustrating at times, with bits falling off (some lost) and trying to ensure the best paint finish possible. 

 

It's taken 3 months, but I'm really happy with it - It's the first re-paint of an O gauge loco I've done. Railmatch paint and transfers from Railtec. 

 

 

 

 

A couple of before and after shots. Back in February 2021 my initial plan was to change the orange cant rail line to white and at the same time remove the moulding lines. Unfortunately I lost interest and it was not till April 2023 when I had a guilt trip but also regained my mojo, that I decided to repaint it into BR blue. The nose looks so much better with out the moulding lines.

 

 

 

2021 

 

 

2023

 

 

Just going to have to build up the courage to weather it!

 

Till next time.

 

[pwr]

You made a fine job of that

 

Paul R

[ChrisS]

And then there were two. To make it slightly different, the second one has a storage box on top, and there are subtle paint differences. I may have to revisit the rusty exhaust as it seems a bit bright. I had a go with some chipping effects on the second one and i'm quite happy with it.

 

'

I've also painted some wheel chocks for the warwells and will look to fabricate some restraining straps or chains.

 

 

Both seen waiting for onward travel from Swindelton.

 

 

Till next time.

[Baggies1961]

Hi Chris,

Your Spartans are great, love the colour you achieved on them.

Did you make the chocks they are really impressive?

Kind regards

Julian.

[ChrisS]

11 hours ago, Baggies1961 said:

Hi Chris,

Your Spartans are great, love the colour you achieved on them.

Did you make the chocks they are really impressive?

Kind regards

Julian.

 

Thanks Julian - both painted using Humbrol #30 dark green. I then do a pin wash using burnt umber oil paint to bring out detail in grilles, panel lines and around bolts - it certainly makes a difference. Then a light dusting with Railmatch frame dirt on wheels, tracks and mud flaps.

 

The wheel chocks are from trains4u just like the Spartans. They up-scaled the OO version on request. I gave them a quick sand and sprayed with Halfords red primer, and darkened a bit with a black oil paint wash.

 

HTH

 

[sb67]

Hello Chris, I've been having a look through your thread, and I noticed the oil dot fading you did on the tank wagon. I'd like to have a go at that myself, did you do it over the factory finish or did you put a coat of Matt varnish on first?  On some experiments I've done I found the oil paint just wiped away over a factory finish and wondered if matt varnish would give the paints something to hold on to. 

[ChrisS]

1 hour ago, sb67 said:

Hello Chris, I've been having a look through your thread, and I noticed the oil dot fading you did on the tank wagon. I'd like to have a go at that myself, did you do it over the factory finish or did you put a coat of Matt varnish on first?  On some experiments I've done I found the oil paint just wiped away over a factory finish and wondered if matt varnish would give the paints something to hold on to. 

 

Hello Steve, i had re-painted my tank wagon and used satin varnish.

 

From watching various videos, there seems to be differing opinions on what finish works best when doing oil dot weathering/ fading or filtering.

 

What I have learnt is to try and remove excess linseed oil from the oil paint before use, by putting a blob on some scrap cardboard - It soaks it up. This seems to help with adhesion and drying times.

 

If the brush you use for blending or streaking is too wet with Sansodor or white spirit, it will just remove what you've done.  

With the tank wagon I applied the sansodor to the tank and added oil dots and streaked with a dry brush, and tried to keep the brush as dry as possible. Others seem to add the oil dots to a dry finish surface and wet the brush to blend and streak.

 

Like you I've practised a few times and had a bit of trial and error. At least if it goes wrong it's possible to remove with white spirit etc and start again. My VEA looked like it had measles when I tried this technique on it!

 

 

I also used the technique to age my conflat container to create an engineers store.

 

 

Once applied you need to ensure adequate drying time to stop you inadvertently rubbing it off too.

 

HTH

[sb67]

Thanks Chris, glad I've seen someone use the technique on UK railway rolling stock as it looks easier on 1/35 scale tanks or US box cars and I was beginning to wonder if it's just not doable for UK stock, especially the planks on a 12ton van, so the container photo is really helpful. I'll keep practicing. 

I've been watching a couple of videos by Neil Podbury, who works in oils and gets stunning results. I really like the way you can manipulate oil paints for a while, but like you say they do need adequate drying time, I found that on a factory finish even after a few days some paint wipes off. 

[Baggies1961]

On 01/08/2023 at 17:53, ChrisS said:

 

Thanks Julian - both painted using Humbrol #30 dark green. I then do a pin wash using burnt umber oil paint to bring out detail in grilles, panel lines and around bolts - it certainly makes a difference. Then a light dusting with Railmatch frame dirt on wheels, tracks and mud flaps.

 

The wheel chocks are from trains4u just like the Spartans. They up-scaled the OO version on request. I gave them a quick sand and sprayed with Halfords red primer, and darkened a bit with a black oil paint wash.

 

HTH

 

Thanks Chris,

Wish I would have asked when I ordered my two.

Im now looking to see if I have got transfers so I can put the military number plates on and call signs on the sides. Not sure if railtec do these.

KR

Julian.

[ChrisS]

Life, work and mountain biking have got in the way recently. A re-boot visiting a couple of local model railway shows and Warley, has got me working on Swindelton. 

 

I made a difficult decision to rip up part of the track work and re-work it. The scenic section was only 6 feet and had some compromises. I've extended it by just under two feet by utilising some of the hidden storage incorporated on the left side. It's still a work in progress. It has meant moving a couple of points and having to rewire bits aswell.

 

 

Whilst at Warley I made an impulse buy on a Cargo Wagon- it was practically brand new and for a good price. I ddn't realise how big these are.

 

 

Other additions include some nice shiny new PCAs. These are really nice.

 

 

Till next time.

 

[37114]

Nice to see a new update on this Chris, that Cargowagon is massive!

[ChrisS]

Im not good at buying stuff for others - instead I got distracted and got a couple of early Christmas presents for myself. For some variety i fancied a bit of colour so these arrived. I certainly have a few projects for the future. I fancy modelling a really grotty TTA - something for next year maybe.

 

 

I'm beginning to think the Dapol TTA is a modern equivalent of the 6 wheeled milk tankers. For the purists there are several detail errors if comparing with the actual specific prototype. They seem to have created a generic TTA in different liveries. There would probably be a market for some alternative detailing parts. On another note the detail feels more fragile on the TTA compared to the Heljan PCA. The suspension/ compensated chassis is better on the PCA too.

 

For fun I put the image in a negative filter and the liveries are reversed.

 

 

Till next time.

[ChrisS]

So my wonderful wife got me a few bits for Christmas. With the small modification to Swindelton I now have space to accommodate a fueling point, which allows a couple of locos to be out on display.

 

She kindly got me the skytrex kit and it's a work in progress-  it's just been primed ready for painting, but fits quite nicely in the overall scheme of things.

 

 

I also got some other detailing bits from West hill wagon works which i've primed. The compressor is quite a nice print.

 

 

Till next time.

[ChrisS]

One of my other Christmas presents from my lovely wife was a lining pen. I'm off on annual leave and the weather is poor, so thought I'd give it a go today, though not necessarily for its intended purpose.

 

 

This was my first go on my repurposed Dapol milk tanker. I used the smallest nib and some Humbrol enamel paint and it was not too bad. The font is a little large so I've wiped it off for another go. Might have to practice writing smaller though.

 

 

Mentioned elsewhere in RM Web, I've also been improving my TTAs by removing duplicate detail and vacuum pipes, painting buffer shanks, steps, axle boxes on the BP wagon, fitting spare Heljan air pipes, and swapping brake levers so both these examples have one of each type and not two of the same lever per wagon. will have to try and do some weathering.

 

 

Happy new year.

 

[ChrisS]

Since I lengthened Swindelton, as indicated by the gap in the backscene below, I decided to re-do the maintenance shed. I've learnt some lessons from the previous build so this one will be slightly larger but better. I've salvaged bits from the first go, mainly the corrugated roof and wall panels.

 

 

In theory I should now be able to have several locos on shed/ display. The previous shorter version of Swindelton only really allowed one loco.

 

As before the shed is scratch built using evergreen plastic strip. Improvements to the new shed include more sturdier columns. Also i'm using plasticard for the floor this time, as previously i'd used modelling clay which was a messy faff.

 

 

I've painted the fueling point though still need to work on the hardstanding.

 

 

Another Christmas present from my lovely wife were drainage catch pit kits. They look pretty good after painting.

 

 

Seem to be on a bit of a roll at the moment - my 2024 New years resolution was to try and get Swindelton finished/ up to a good standard. let's see how this progresses. I will definately have to re-visit the backscene.

 

Till next time.

[ChrisS]

It was a bit cold in the garage today - a tropical 6 degrees! Got it to 10 with the fan heater.

 

Made some further progress on the replacement MK2 Swindelton shed. All the framework was finished ready for primer. I really enjoyed constructing this and it's definately better than my first attempt.

 

 

This view will look good when it's complete.

 

 

I had to warm up the primer before giving the framework a coat of paint. 

 

 

 

 

Next job to reinstate the cladding and brick walls.

 

Till next time.

[ChrisS]

Well 2024 has already started with a surprise. My wife kept saying i was going deaf and i've had some annoying tinnitus in my left ear.

 

Turns out i have unilateral sensorineural hearing loss in my left ear. Interestingly at the frequency that includes female voices - lol.

 

Next step is an MRI to try and find out if there is an underlying cause. Annoyingly they said try not to worry or do any Google searches, but then could not give a timescale for the MRI appointment. They did say if I had private health insurance it would be beneficial to get it done sooner. Needless to say I don't and I've not heard anything yet - excuse the pun!

 

So, to keep my mind occupied, I've been working on the replacement Swindelton shed.

 

Following on from the last post I fitted the internal and external embossed brickwork, and weathered it a little too.

 

 

I was hoping to reuse the corrugated sheets from the original shed, but in the end it was easier to start again. I cut out all that I needed, painted and lightly weathered the sheets.

 

 

it took a while to align and attach the panels but its looking quite good. I'm also experimenting with a different approach to the backscene. I used a grey and white to create a stormy sky. I need to resolve this, not least to get rid of the creases in the backscene at the bridge end of Swindelton. 

 

 

The inside view looks good too.

 

 

The next job is to do the glazing.

 

Till next time.