RMweb Gold GWR57xx Posted October 9, 2022 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted October 9, 2022 I've ordered some tube and I-beams to try to represent the water pipes and roof beams seen at Didcot: I might also try to conjure up some of those coal tubs, as I'm not aware of anyone making 7mm kits for them? Does anyone know the dimensions of the tubs? I'd pay a visit to Didcot to measure up, but I believe the coal stage is off-limits at the moment due to the major works being undertaken to restore it. Unless anyone knows different? 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
B15nac Posted October 9, 2022 Share Posted October 9, 2022 Looking really good. What engine shed are you going to have? Regards Neil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold GWR57xx Posted October 9, 2022 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted October 9, 2022 1 hour ago, B15nac said: Looking really good. What engine shed are you going to have? Regards Neil It will be based on the two-road shed that was at Stratford on Avon. I’m not sure there are any suitable 7mm kits available, so I was planning to scratchbuild something. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
B15nac Posted October 9, 2022 Share Posted October 9, 2022 1 hour ago, GWR57xx said: I've ordered some tube and I-beams to try to represent the water pipes and roof beams seen at Didcot: I might also try to conjure up some of those coal tubs, as I'm not aware of anyone making 7mm kits for them? Does anyone know the dimensions of the tubs? I'd pay a visit to Didcot to measure up, but I believe the coal stage is off-limits at the moment due to the major works being undertaken to restore it. Unless anyone knows different? I've asked modelu to scan them an they said they will next time there at Didcot. The stage is open again now after the tank restoration etc Regards Neil 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
B15nac Posted October 9, 2022 Share Posted October 9, 2022 There is a chap on here who has 3d printed some superb ones in 4mm that I've got a few of. He maybe able to do you 7mm ones perhaps Regards Neil 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold GWR57xx Posted October 11, 2022 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted October 11, 2022 Small diversion from the interior walls. Thinking of the coal tubs, I thought I'd make up the coal drop part of the Intentio kit as this would give me a good idea of the tub size. Quite chuffed to discover that the coal drop is functional, wasn't expecting that. What a great kit! And the real thing at Didcot: 7 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
B15nac Posted October 16, 2022 Share Posted October 16, 2022 (edited) What a awesome kit hopefully not long now till the 4mm version Regards Neil Edited October 16, 2022 by B15nac 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold GWR57xx Posted October 20, 2022 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted October 20, 2022 Pointing of the brickwork has begun. This is another task that I've been putting off for fear of ruining the acrylic paintwork. On a previous build I did this step too soon after painting and clear-coating, not giving them enough time for them to dry properly, and the pointing smudged the paint. This time I've given the paint and clear coat plenty of time to thoroughly dry before pointing it. A comparison of pointed vs unpointed (sorry about the reflections): Here's the lower piece from the photo above after pointing: Tones down the colours nicely IMO. For the "mortar" I used a method that I first saw in one of @47606odin's videos, slightly modified. I used "No Nonsense Lightweight Filler", very slightly moistened and rubbed over the bricks into the mortar courses with a finger. Works a treat. (I tried the cream paint technique previously but failed miserably). Still lots more wall pieces to do... 11 1 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold GWR57xx Posted October 25, 2022 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted October 25, 2022 Had a go at guesstimating the dimensions of a coal tub then made an origami mock up: Doesn't look too far off size-wise to me, but will need some work to make it look half decent. There are some super looking 3D printed versions appearing on a couple of other RMWeb threads - I'm quite envious. Perhaps that's another technology I need to embrace at some point in the future... 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve fay Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234751377446?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=f0ANt07iS3K&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=f0ANt07iS3K&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold GWR57xx Posted October 26, 2022 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted October 26, 2022 Hi @steve fay, thanks very much for that link. Unfortunately I've been out this evening to the local Thai restaurant for a very nice meal and it appears that the O gauge version is already sold out. I've messaged the seller to express my interest, so hopefully I'll be able to buy a few. As it happens the dimensions of the tub given in the eBay listing are an exact match to the ones I guesstimated so that's quite pleasing as they'll be a great fit with the Intentio coal stage. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold GWR57xx Posted November 8, 2022 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted November 8, 2022 I wasn't happy with the front wall windows so decided to re-do them with much thinner outer framing, to better match this one seen at Didcot: I've also now made up the other three internal walls, which are ready for painting. The kit has a cleverly designed outside staircase that can easily be reversed, allowing it to go on either the left or right hand side of the building. The left and right hand walls are also easily interchangeable, so I had to decide which way would best suit my layout before I could build the stairs. These are now half built. Getting there slowly... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold GWR57xx Posted November 8, 2022 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted November 8, 2022 Just realised that I hadn't posted these photos showing the windows that I have now replaced: Must have been a senior moment! I was sure I'd posted these earlier. 6 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold GWR57xx Posted January 15, 2023 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted January 15, 2023 Progress continues at my usual glacial pace. Now that the building is coming together I decided to see what it looked like beside an engine for the first time. I think it looks a little undernourished? Or maybe: I wanted to add lights inside and outside the building, but haven't been able to find anything suitable ready-made so decided to have a go at knocking something up, shown above poked into a convenient hole just for evaluation. I'm not sure? I've since found a couple of potential candidates at Kytes Lights: Has anyone tried these? 6 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold GWR57xx Posted January 16, 2023 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted January 16, 2023 I've had another attempt at the lamp. This one is not glued up yet, but looks a bit more promising I think? A couple more shots with 4871 for size. Lengthwise and widthwise the coal stage is perfect for a small Churchward model, but I thought it maybe looked a bit vertically challenged. The coal platform would interfere with the loco cab when lowered, but comparing with Stratford on Avon's coal stage I'd say it was about the same? https://warwickshirerailways.com/gwr/gwrsa496.htm Didcot's large coal stage has the platform 14' above track level (well above the GWR loading gauge), which results in quite a bit longer drop for the delicate welsh coal but means there's no danger of a mishap with a moving engine destroying the platform. NB. The brick finger edges of the Intentio kit are a very good interference fit and I don't want to keep undoing them as they'll likely break off eventually, so I'm waiting for the final build before locking them together again. All the walls are just loosely fitted at present until everything is ready for final assembly. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold GWR57xx Posted January 16, 2023 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted January 16, 2023 PS. I tried to create a swan neck lamp but my attempts to bend brass tube didn't go well! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold GWR57xx Posted January 22, 2023 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted January 22, 2023 I was initially fairly pleased with my attempt at creating a working lamp, until I saw it in the photos above. I thought I could (and should) do better. This is my latest attempt, which I think looks a bit more passable as an early 20th century gas lamp that could still have been in place in my 1920's/30's timeframe: 8 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluestag Posted January 24, 2023 Share Posted January 24, 2023 On 20/10/2022 at 09:10, GWR57xx said: Pointing of the brickwork has begun. This is another task that I've been putting off for fear of ruining the acrylic paintwork. On a previous build I did this step too soon after painting and clear-coating, not giving them enough time for them to dry properly, and the pointing smudged the paint. This time I've given the paint and clear coat plenty of time to thoroughly dry before pointing it. A comparison of pointed vs unpointed (sorry about the reflections): Here's the lower piece from the photo above after pointing: Tones down the colours nicely IMO. For the "mortar" I used a method that I first saw in one of @47606odin's videos, slightly modified. I used "No Nonsense Lightweight Filler", very slightly moistened and rubbed over the bricks into the mortar courses with a finger. Works a treat. (I tried the cream paint technique previously but failed miserably). Still lots more wall pieces to do... I've been failing drastically to point some bricks on an engine shed. I am near despair. I hope to follow your lead here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold GWR57xx Posted January 24, 2023 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted January 24, 2023 6 hours ago, bluestag said: I've been failing drastically to point some bricks on an engine shed. I am near despair. I hope to follow your lead here. I use acrylic paints these days. I found it was critical to allow the paint to dry thoroughly before sealing with spray coat varnish, then allowing this to properly harden before trying to do the mortar courses. I just made a mess trying to use paint for the mortar, but found the filler method quite easy. Don’t make the filler mix too wet/watery. I found a consistency like toothpaste works well. This is on mfd and ply though, I haven’t tried it on card. Have you found the painting guide on the LCut website? They recommend sealing the card with spray yacht varnish before and after painting, before doing the mortar. This should harden the card and provide some waterproofing too which should prevent the card breaking up later. Good luck 🙂. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluestag Posted January 24, 2023 Share Posted January 24, 2023 12 hours ago, GWR57xx said: Have you found the painting guide on the LCut website? They recommend sealing the card with spray yacht varnish before and after painting, before doing the mortar. This should harden the card and provide some waterproofing too which should prevent the card breaking up later. Good luck 🙂. It's an LCUT engine shed that I'm working on now. I don't know where to buy "yacht" spray varnish. I did have trouble with the surface getting wet and breaking up. I'll heed your advice to wait for the paint and varnish to set. And then try the filler. You are getting good results there. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold GWR57xx Posted January 25, 2023 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted January 25, 2023 3 hours ago, bluestag said: I don't know where to buy "yacht" spray varnish. Doesn't need to be "yacht" varnish - that's just what LCut recommend. I'd say whatever you use now as a lacquer/varnish, as long as it has some waterproofing property when it's hardened off. This is what I'm currently using: PlastiKote Quick Dry Clear Lacquer Matt. It's acrylic though. I think you said you use enamels, so don't know if it would be compatible. Toolstation is a UK nationwide hardware store - hopefully you have something similar local to you? 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluestag Posted January 25, 2023 Share Posted January 25, 2023 22 hours ago, GWR57xx said: PlastiKote Quick Dry Clear Lacquer Matt. It's acrylic though. I think you said you use enamels, so don't know if it would be compatible. Toolstation is a UK nationwide hardware store - hopefully you have something similar local to you? I'm not sure that a paint can be both lacquer and acrylic. And I have a massive home builder's supply three miles away. I need to get back to the engine shed, but I'm painting and ballasting my track just now, and finding it a very time consuming and tedious business. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Mikkel Posted January 29, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 29, 2023 On 20/10/2022 at 18:10, GWR57xx said: Pointing of the brickwork has begun. This is another task that I've been putting off for fear of ruining the acrylic paintwork. On a previous build I did this step too soon after painting and clear-coating, not giving them enough time for them to dry properly, and the pointing smudged the paint. This time I've given the paint and clear coat plenty of time to thoroughly dry before pointing it. A comparison of pointed vs unpointed (sorry about the reflections): Here's the lower piece from the photo above after pointing: Tones down the colours nicely IMO. For the "mortar" I used a method that I first saw in one of @47606odin's videos, slightly modified. I used "No Nonsense Lightweight Filler", very slightly moistened and rubbed over the bricks into the mortar courses with a finger. Works a treat. (I tried the cream paint technique previously but failed miserably). Still lots more wall pieces to do... Hi Peter, that looks very good. Thanks for pointing out this method, I hadn't heard of it before. Something to try out. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold GWR57xx Posted February 1, 2023 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 1, 2023 A little bit more progress... Interior & exterior lamps ready for painting & finishing: Water pipes, roof beams and support column ready for finishing: 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted February 10, 2023 Share Posted February 10, 2023 Very interesting thread, the coal stage is very impressive! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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