Hornby Eurostar (very basic questions)

[derailment]

Hello everyone, first time posting on here, hope somebody can help me as I'm not exactly an expert on modelling. My son is a Eurostar fanatic, and for the past couple of months has been asking us for the Hornby Eurostar in the new blue livery for Christmas. As we couldn't find this second hand, and can't afford to buy it brand new, we have bought a used Eurostar in the old grey livery. I am going to paint it blue, but would like to end up without a blotchy mess. What would be the best technique to achieve a smoothish blue finish? Airbrush? Thick paintbrush? Thin paintbrush? Do I need to do anything to prepare the surface first? Please bear in mind that my son is 3 and a half years old, so it doesn't have to be professional standard, but I do want it to look nice for him.

 

Also, the front window is missing. I've contacted Hornby as they do not have this part listed on their spare parts website, but in case they don't come up with the goods, does anyone know of a model shop that can get hold of bits like this? I've spent the last couple of hours browsing the Internet, but without success. I'm going to go to a craft shop and get a clear piece of plastic to stick in as a temporary measure, but would like to get a proper window as soon as possible.

 

 

Hope all of the above makes sense, and I'll really appreciate any answers I get.

 

[njee20]

Welcome!

 

Airbrush will give the best finish, but is probably the easiest to get wrong. The fact you’ve suggested it makes me presume you a) have one and b) know how to use it?

 

Re: replacement windscreens (assume that’s what you mean), I have a feeling I’ve got an old Eurostar body shell kicking about - happy to remove the windscreen and drop it in the post.

[SGJ]

Hello everyone, first time posting on here, hope somebody can help me as I'm not exactly an expert on modelling. My son is a Eurostar fanatic, and for the past couple of months has been asking us for the Hornby Eurostar in the new blue livery for Christmas. As we couldn't find this second hand, and can't afford to buy it brand new, we have bought a used Eurostar in the old grey livery. I am going to paint it blue, but would like to end up without a blotchy mess. What would be the best technique to achieve a smoothish blue finish? Airbrush? Thick paintbrush? Thin paintbrush? Do I need to do anything to prepare the surface first? Please bear in mind that my son is 3 and a half years old, so it doesn't have to be professional standard, but I do want it to look nice for him.

 

Also, the front window is missing. I've contacted Hornby as they do not have this part listed on their spare parts website, but in case they don't come up with the goods, does anyone know of a model shop that can get hold of bits like this? I've spent the last couple of hours browsing the Internet, but without success. I'm going to go to a craft shop and get a clear piece of plastic to stick in as a temporary measure, but would like to get a proper window as soon as possible.

 

 

Hope all of the above makes sense, and I'll really appreciate any answers I get.

 

Peters spares https://www.petersspares.com/ might have spares and also paints ( https://www.petersspares.com/paintsdyespowders.irc ) if spraying try two light coats allowing to dry before adding the second coat if using enamel paint try a consistency similar to milk ( I have not used acrylic so don't know how thick that should be ) you may also be able to get a colour in a spray can from a car shop like Halfords or motorsave or railmatch paint from howes of oxford 

[derailment]

Thanks for your replies I wasn't expecting such quick answers. 

 

njee20 - I was thinking about buying an airbrush and then getting in some practice on some spare pieces of plastic before starting on the real thing. I've done a bit of spray painting on my bike before (Orbea Starship in 2004 Euskatel-Euskadi colours, seeing as you're a fellow cyclist), but never on anything so small. If you have got a spare windscreen (I really should have got that one right...), I would really appreciate that.

 

SGJ - I've tried Peter's spares, but couldn't find what I was looking for. Thanks for the advice on painting I'll have a look and see what kind of paint is available at my local hobby shop.

[JDW]

If you're looking to buy an airbrush, be careful - I bought an inexpensive one for a friend to try and he struggled, to the point of giving up. Only when he went and bought a better one did he start getting the results and reliability he wanted. Might be better to look for a similar shade aerosol from Halfords, I've used them on a few projects with no issues, just remember as the person above says, lots of light coats, with time to dry in between. Also, use good quality masking tape - Tamaya is regularly recommended - and do it in a warm dry area with good ventilation.

 

Also beware - Hornby produced 2 versions of the Eurostar. The first was a tie-up with French manufacturer Jouef, and in [very slightly smaller] HO scale. The second was its own OO scale model. They will both run on the same track, but the windscreen from one won't fit the other.

[dasatcopthorne]

There is a eurostar body on eBay for £7.99.

 

Use the windows and practice your painting on it!

 

Dave

[derailment]

Thanks for your replies everyone, following your comments I decided to forget the airbrush and stick with a traditional paintbrush instead. The result is far from perfect (I've had a quick look around the forum and am in awe at some of your creations), but I'll probably try improving it in the months to come. I gave it to my boy today (my wife is Hungarian, so we celebrate Christmas on the 24th and 25th) and he was ecstatic. He must have had it going for about 3-4 hours today, just whizzing round a simple loop while he waved at it. The last time I saw him so excited by a model train was when there were multiple pile-ups in the model railway exhibition at the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway.

 

Wishing you all a happy Christmas,

 

John

[njee20]

So sorry I missed your reply John - but if it’s any consolation I did just check the body I’ve got and it’s a Jouef HO one, so no use anyway!

 

FWIW If you can paint a frame then airbrushing a OO gauge body will be easy - it’s all in the masking, but you’re basically doing block colours over predominantly flat surfaces. No threads to fill with paint, or tube faces to keep flush!

 

Sounds like you’ve done a great job though, hope your son enjoys it!

[SRman]

If all else fails for the windscreen, buy a large soft drink (Coke, etc.), drink the contents, then use the bottle to get the necessary curved pane. The beauty of this is if you make a mistake with your cutting, there is plenty more material to try again, and again.