Projects, Projects & more Projects. It never ends!

[TRAILRAGE]

SKITS MHA slowly coming along. Damaged detail rebuilt with new Buffers (S Kits) fitted. Body has had 3rd coat of EWS. Also done a bit on the incorrect spare MHA body from Hornby's 1st release being converted into one of the prototype versions and started for my little boy a Lima 60 repaint into DB. This uses one of the fr releases (60003) which had the incorrect  size grille. 

 

 

[TRAILRAGE]

MHA no painted waiting Deals (could be a while). Chassis sorted and the supplied Buffers fitted & painted. It was only then I realised one off them is a 16" head, the other three are 18" heads!!! DOH!. Oh well I will have to get some LMS Bufers. 

 

First coat of Railmatch DB Red on the 60. Have to say  this paint is brilliant to Brush on. Used a 12mm Wide sable brush. Wish all paint was this easy to use. 

 

Cheers Trailage

[TRAILRAGE]

MHA now up and Running. Seems strange that Hornby never invested in this style of body as well to maximise sales.  Would have been an easier route. But still it looks OK.  The Railmatch paint is quite thin but looks OK using a wide Sable Brush.

 

 

Edited December 6, 2021 by TRAILRAGE

[TRAILRAGE]

Lost the Mojo for a while there. Work, life and Covid getting in the way.  Doing my damdest to get it back but suffering with Covid has really effected my Breathing. Still managed a couple of repair Jobs. 

[TRAILRAGE]

Talking to my little boy about AC Locos he asked to see what I had stashed away in the loft. I have a fair amount of AC Loco's as I've always had a fascination with them. They have really suffered while in storage. Several broken pantographs, and details but I will get them sorted with a bit of time. First up my old Lilliput Class 81. Hasn't been used for a fair few years.  Picked this up for I think £45 must be 25 years ago. Quite pleased as I thought it was to far gone as the motor sounded horrendous and there's a ton of play in the Sprockets between the Wheels. Cleaned the Pickups, Lubed it up and Luckily she's a runner but most of the Roof details and one bogie side frame had broken off.  It was badly painted and coated in gloss Varnish.  I had given it a coat of Matt Varnish years ago and the South-eastern flush glazed kit has gone yellow, and the Nickle Silver Etched Double Arrows had come off. Re- fitted the modified Somerfeldt 968 Pantograph. Soldered some Square Brass tube to the legs to form a reasonable looking base and soldered it to the Brass Insulators on the roof. I also did my normal mod of filling down the ends of the pantograph head before bending into loops. Tidied up the Roof using some spare insulators and Air Blast Circulator ((think they came off a Lima 87 that had a Vice drop on it!!) and made up a new HT Cable run. What ever Marker lights I fitted in the Head code Panel all those years ago have long gone! I have some Shaw plan English  Etched Brass Light surrounds (I think for Refurbsihed 37's) that I will fit . Years ago when Dapol had the remaining stock I purchased two of the EX Trix / Lilliput class 81 Bodies and also picked two packs of Class 81 Roof details from DC Kits. There were only a few usable bits from these. One day I will get round to fitting better Roof Air Tanks. Varnish has gone real patchy in places but makes the model look heavily weather beaten. May give it a fresh coat of Matt Varnish  when I can get some more. 

 

Edited February 11, 2022 by TRAILRAGE

[TRAILRAGE]

Next up is my old Triang Class 81. Another 25 yr old Project!  This one really is a long term job as it requires the most amount of work as the Body is detailed as a Class 81 although the length is almost spot on for the Class 82. Bogies are also detailed as Class 82 although there fitted with Class 81 Bogie Brackets! My Father removed the original Serated Wheels and using a brass sleeve fitted the original Axle Sprockets onto some Hornby 4 hole 14.6mm Wheels. Ok the correct size is I think 16mm but it falls well within Tyre wear margins.  Also fitted them into the Trailing Bogie and used Romford 2mm Tophat Bearings as well as adding extra pickups. Considering its age it runs remarkably well. Top speed isn't that high but its ideal for freight,Parcels & Releif Passenger Trains. Stripped the body down which is when I discovered that the yellow end were Stickers! One end had been glued on causing some damage to the plastic front but shouldn't be to much hassle to rectify. The fronts going to be smoothed off to give the slightly more rounded look to the cabs anyway. Cab Roof Rainstrip will be removed as will the Lowered section 

Between Cabs as it sits a tad to high. Not sure if I'm just going to straight out replace it and make details or removed the moulded details on it an stick it back in.

 

 

Edited February 12, 2022 by TRAILRAGE

[TRAILRAGE]

Having real trouble finding decent Roof shots of Class 81 and 82.if anybody has any thereor know where it can find some that would be great.

 

Cheers Trailrage

[TRAILRAGE]

 

Made a start on my 86/0 conversion. The being from Hornby's original Class 86 release 86219 Phoenix. This is another one of those "Round to it" Jobs that seem to get stashed away and forgotten. Used an old Craftsman conversion kit for this. Even comes with Door Handles as Hornby forgot to fit these on the early Models!. Have to admit I haven't done those yet. Body Modes were easy enough. There's a small lip where the Flex coil Springs sit. smoothed and filled with a strip of Plasticard. While I was at it I replaced the lifting eyes with some Plastic Strip but I've already managed to break one! Flex coils removed from the chassis but keep the Dampers from the Moulding as you need those later. Cut the spring planks of the Bogie sides and level out the Frames.  At this point I made a u shape piece of plastic but cut the lower outer corner so instead of 90 degree it's 45 degree glue this on the Inside of the Bogies frame. Now this is where the spare Dampers come in. These need to glued inboard off the inner Axle box springs (see photo).  At this point I gave up trying to find a way of fixing the Triangular Bogie Brackets (these I think are a tad on the big side) to the Body or Sole bar so I glued them to the Bogie side frames but you have to cut  small amount of the the side support of the Bogie to get it to sit in roughly the correct position. Pretty happy how it looks so far. While the bogies were off I made a start on the underframe. First cut off the outboard Compressor Moulding  (but don't dispose of it keep as a spare), then cut inwards up to half way to open up the box. There's a flat white metal casting that has the ends of 2 Airtanks on it. In reality there should be 3. Wasn't really happy with the way it looked so chose not to use it. Instead I found some plastic Tanks which look like they have come from an old Ian Kirk or Mail coach kit. These are 6.5mm in Diameter once smoothed off. Measuring the Heljan Tanks they a 7.5mm but only 10.3mm in length. So I cut these slightly longer at 13mm (gain see pic). I Used Mek to glue the Tanks and Cross Beams (2 × 1.5mm Plastic rod) in. Gonna give it about 24hrs worth if Curing time then the base coat of thinned down Matt black will go on.  I've given the ends a thin coat of Warning Railmatch Warning Panel yellow pre 84 and liquid glazed the Head code Panel, although I .May still cut a Piece of thin Clear Plastic. No Pantograph yet as I'm waiting on stupidly expensive order for parts. But as SWMBO said to me at least I can save Money on the new stuff which to be Honest is now way out of my Price Range and get some older stock up and Running. Plus I get to Loose my Sanity while doing it. Bonus!

 

More to come yet.

 

Cheers Trailrage

  

 

 

  

 

Edited February 14, 2022 by TRAILRAGE

[TRAILRAGE]

I had to cut the weight down to fit in the Chassis on the other side so for now will leave we alone. 

 

 

  

     

 

Edited February 14, 2022 by TRAILRAGE

[TRAILRAGE]

Some shots of the Modified Bogies and the  underframe from a first generation Heljan 86205 picked up from Howes Models Second Hand for £50 a few years ago. Wish I bought the other 2 they had at the time now. This is what I've been using for reference. I've since fitted some Buffers to the Chassis.

Cheers Trailrage

 

 

 

Edited February 14, 2022 by TRAILRAGE

[TRAILRAGE]

Care package turned up today courtesy of Rainbow Railways. Chose Royal Mail. Sent by overnight courier! Thank you loads for excellent service. 

[TRAILRAGE]

Wifey told me today to "live for the Moment" and just get on with cutting open the rest if the Hornby 86 Chassis!. Now I'm not one to argue with her so I did. Must be mad!

 

Built up the Box on one end and opened up the tray for the 3 Airtanks adding a top and end to it. Used some 5mm round plastic rod (very soapy plastic that didnt want to be cut with a Razor Saw but a Knife went through like it was Butter) to build up the back of the two tanks with a box attached (really have no idea what they are), as we'll as the main Compressor. Then came the fiddly bit. Making up the tray for the Compressor Housing. Using. 5mm x 1mm plastic Rod. Might be a tad on the big side but it's all I have left. Phone about to die, so I'll get some pics soon. 

 

Cheers Trailrage

[TRAILRAGE]

Well got to say Im pretty pleased with the result. Taken the best part of a day too do as I was waiting for me care package. As its the original 3  Pole Motor I needed to sort some weight out. I'll reuse the original Cast Metal Cab mouldings , put a false floor in and glue a couple of small Hornby Weights in place. To do this  you need to cutvout the yo vertical Ribs inside the Body. Also wanted to try something  out so I took a spare Sommerfeldt Bike Pan / stabiliser bars  (off a 968 Pantograph) and ptvitvon a Bachmann 85 Patograph. I rekon its only about 1- 1.5mm to short but I think it looks pretty good. Was gonna use the one from my first generation Heljan 86 but it snaped when removing it. Might have to see if I can find someone selling these as a spare part. Not needed for my 86005 as it carried the Open Frame AMBR.  Enough for tonight as I want to let the glue set completely before Painting. 

 

Cheers Trailrage

[TRAILRAGE]

Few more shots. Whilst looking for some round Rod to use to beef up the back of the compressors I came across a pack of Intercity Models CDA Airbrake Compressors that look almost identical. I may try one of these on the next  86! Also fitted a Sommerfeldt Bikeframe/Stabiliser to the Faiveley AMBR Pantograph on a Bachmann 85 to see what it looked like. 

 

Cheers Trailrage

Edited February 26, 2022 by TRAILRAGE

[TRAILRAGE]

Not much done today other than chase Fence Panels around the Garden!. Managed to fit a new floor above the new Chassis details for the weights to be glued to. This was made from a spare floor from a Parkside wagon kit which I had to narrow down and shorten but come out alright. Bonus is its already Black  so painting will be easier. It also gives me a nice flat surface to attach the weights to

 

 

Edited February 25, 2022 by TRAILRAGE
Better pic

[TRAILRAGE]

 

 

 

86005 slowly getting there. Need to do some Touching up around the Yellow/Blue Border and Transfers and Double Arrows (I have some nice Etched Stainless Steel ones I will Paint Aluminium for this) to be fitted, I have painted the inside of the cabs and most of the Cab Interior Rail Grey. The Black Patch on the Cast Cabs are just to give feel of it a little bit of depth. Just need to get some Navy Blue for the Control Desks now. Painted the Roof Insulators Precision Paints Matt Freight Maroon (1964). Gloss would have better bit with weathering you wouldn't really notice it. Bus bars painter Rail Red.  Ideally I really need to fill in the Bodyside mounting lugs.  Think I'll try trimming the chassis lugs back and filling with some Plasticard  I will then fill in with correction Fluid and sanding back. Think I will leave the hole in the Roof for the old sliding switch and fit a Micro sliding switch. This way I can just isolate wherever I want and adds more play value for my little boy. Speaking of which he painted his first Loco this week (Used Railmatch Acrylic Paint just to be safe). This was an old Non Working Jouef 40 that I got for £12 back when that's all that was available. I removed the Motor and Cast Weight  (meant to be Cab Interiors) I will try and get some spare Bachmann Class 37 Cab interiors to glue in as replacements.  I had to do a little Touching up around the nose but Were both really please how well its come out. considering he's only 7! I fitted the Transfers for him as 40088 which I got to see at Crewe Works open day in 87 so it may get a little fading as well.   Also fitted 1st Generation Heljan 86205 with a Bachmann,/Sommerfeldt hybrid Pantograph. These Come in 3 separate pieces. The Main Pantograph and the sides with the Insulators attached to them. First I Glued the base in place making sure they were level. The Pantograph itself has two small lugs which are glued in holes in the Roof. To do get it in the correct position I put some paint on the mounting lugs which marked the point on the roof where the holes will need drilling.   Still didn't get it right first time!. A little fettling if the holes and  that's when you realise the base mounting points are slightly wider! No problem just filled the gaps in with some thin Plasticard strip glued to the base.  Overall I'm very happy as it looks so much better for it. Only issue now is trying to locate some more of the Sommerfeldt Bike frames/Stabilising frames from their 968 Pantographs.  Found some on EBay but it works out about £20 per pair! Looks Like there only available in the US.

 

Cheers Trailrage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 27, 2022 by TRAILRAGE

[John Tomlinson]

On 12/02/2022 at 16:41, TRAILRAGE said:

Next up is my old Triang Class 81. Another 25 yr old Project!  This one really is a long term job as it requires the most amount of work as the Body is detailed as a Class 81 although the length is almost spot on for the Class 82. Bogies are also detailed as Class 82 although there fitted with Class 81 Bogie Brackets! My Father removed the original Serated Wheels and using a brass sleeve fitted the original Axle Sprockets onto some Hornby 4 hole 14.6mm Wheels. Ok the correct size is I think 16mm but it falls well within Tyre wear margins.  Also fitted them into the Trailing Bogie and used Romford 2mm Tophat Bearings as well as adding extra pickups. Considering its age it runs remarkably well. Top speed isn't that high but its ideal for freight,Parcels & Releif Passenger Trains. Stripped the body down which is when I discovered that the yellow end were Stickers! One end had been glued on causing some damage to the plastic front but shouldn't be to much hassle to rectify. The fronts going to be smoothed off to give the slightly more rounded look to the cabs anyway. Cab Roof Rainstrip will be removed as will the Lowered section 

Between Cabs as it sits a tad to high. Not sure if I'm just going to straight out replace it and make details or removed the moulded details on it an stick it back in.

 

 

 

I was interested to see this as I have one in the loft from childhood days, I suspect like many readers. I do recall that the paper yellow warning panels fell off on mine, and were replaced by daubed Humbrol!

 

Your Dad's method of changing the wheels looks a good one, and even if lesser mortals mucked it up I'm sure alternative bogies could be sourced.

 

Do you intend finishing this as an 81 or an 82, in view of your comments on length and bogie frames?

 

John.

Edited February 26, 2022 by John Tomlinson
typos

[TRAILRAGE]

7 hours ago, John Tomlinson said:

 

I was interested to see this as I have one in the loft from childhood days, I suspect like many readers. I do recall that the paper yello'9w warning panels fell off on mine, and were replaced by daubed Humbrol!

 

Your Dad's method of changing the wheels looks a good one, and even if lesser mortals mucked it up I'm sure alternative bogies could be sourced.

 

Do you intend finishing this as an 81 or an 82, in view of your comments on length and bogie frames?

 

John.

Hello John.

 

I have every intention of finishing it as 82008 with Domino Headcode Panel, but I've been saying that since I bought it as that was the reason I got it (another onecof those roundtoit jobs!). I don't have a Layout with any OHL on it but never say never! My Main Issue will be finding the best way to do the side window Frames and Bodyside Grilles. Underframe Details and I can most likely make but I haven't decided on how I will Mount the Motor Bogie yet. Whether I will keep the original setup which would leave me with only half relief detail on the underframe or go the whole hog and make a false floor to mount the Trailing bogie on using nut and Bolt to hold in place and making a separate mount for the Motor Bogie . Maybe using the Old School Method of Press Studs ( Poppers for Trouser Flies!) . This isn't going t be a "Scale Model for the Rivet Counter" so to speak but more of a representation, but as long as I can make as good a go as possible with the Confinements of what I have to work with then so be it. After all the Relief on the Bogie sides are very shallow. I did look originally at getting some Apple Green Castings which although the correct scale 10' Wheelbase were not very good castings. another option was to tray and obtain a second Trailing bogie but  A they go for almost as much as I paid for the Loco and, B are to short in the Wheelbase around 9'6".  I did wonder if a Hymek Bogie frame could be modified but making it taller would be difficult but the Heljan Model is a Scale 10'6" whereas the Triang ones are also to short at 9'6".  I could move the weight up on the Chassis but then it wouldn't be removable if a fully detailed Underframe is done. I would like to remove the Half Relief Class 81 Underframe Details as it would give me something to use as a Guide for my two Lilliput/Dapol Bodies.  Decisions Decisions! Something to ponder over.

 

Cheers Trailrage

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 26, 2022 by TRAILRAGE

[TRAILRAGE]

Not done much modelling for a while now due to Work and life getting in the way. Pretty much all my projects are on hold due to needing to getting me House Roof repaired.  Came across a little inspiration the otherdat when out for a ride with me littleboy. Popped into Theale Station for a snack and watch the Trains when I spotted a pile of new Wooden sleepers.

Had some spare Peco ones so with some match sticks thought I'd give it a go. Still need painting though.

 

 

 

 

Also came across an old JB Models Landrover Ambulance that was misding a part.  Built this up for Littleman.

Cheers Trailrage

Edited June 6, 2022 by TRAILRAGE

[TRAILRAGE]

Spent my last day off in the Garage trying to play catch-up with a few projects and actually managed to do a few things. Land Rover FC Ambulance is now built and gloss varnished waiting for transfers. Deliberately

didn't do a brilliant paint job on this as I wanted it to look used. Lima based Colas 37 I've just touched up the Paint in a couple of places, Lima based GBRF 50049 has now been primed ready for painting and fitted some Railtec Class 68 Brake disc Transfers to an early Dapol Model. Painted the wheels Silver first, then Glass coated. Man these were a pain in the proverbial. Not Railtecs fault more me being Ham-fisted. Really good when fitted though. 

 

More Pics to come.

 

Cheers Trailrage

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 8, 2022 by TRAILRAGE

[TRAILRAGE]

Class 68 Brake Disc Transfers these thing had a tendancy to twist when fitting but well worth the Hassle.

 

Cheers Trailrage

[TRAILRAGE]

Land Rover FC Ambulance now Transferred up. It didn't come with any tow hooks so compromised. Used a couple of old Lima plastic Cosmetic Screw Couplings cut down so just the hook is left.  Pretty pleased how its come out. Also dug out the Atlas / Hornby 66 conversion I'm doing for my little boy after seeing DRS 66434 at Tilehurst on a diverted Tesco Express. Gave me a bit of inspiration. I had to adapt the Body to fit the Chassis by cutting the lower section of the Cab front off and filling back the thickness on the original light Clusters and a little of the Chassis for a snug fit. I also have some Precision Labels 3d printed light Clusters to fit and Paint up. Bodysides have been painted Precision Paints DRS Blue But I found it to dark so gave it a coat of Malcom Group Container Blue  which looks better in my eyes. I have cut of the original Hornby Fuel tank and was going to fit the Atlas version but it looks to plain due to having no detail on it at all. With Bachmann now selling spares on their website I have  ordered a couple to fit.

 

Playing the waiting game now.

 

Cheers Trailrage

Edited August 23, 2022 by TRAILRAGE

[TRAILRAGE]

Made a start on a couple of Wagon Projects for my littleboy. DBS Red JGA (ex RMC) which looks like a one off and a VTG JGA. Although as I had a Rake of Tilcon Hoppers that hadn't been run for years I used two of those. I didn't notice the two plates on the Solebar until after!. DB Red is Railmatch Enamel Hand brushed. I will have to add the three small Boxes on the Solebar o this and Add Levers from some fine Wire as they are not on the Models. VTG is Primer for main body colour and I have some Bachmann LTF Bogies that I was going to modify to fit and the replacement 3 spoke Brake Handwheels are originally from a Dapol VTG Telescopic Hood Steel Wagon just pushed in for now. I Kept looking at the VTG wagon as something just didn't look right to be a JGA and then it dawned on me the two plates on the Solebar gave it away its not! Its a cut down ex Freightliner HHA Coal Hopper!! Whoops. Ah well I will another prototype to Model!

 

Pic of the VTG Wagon is my own.

Pic of the DB one by Andrew Vass Linked from Flickr

 

 

 

 

Edited June 16, 2022 by TRAILRAGE

[TRAILRAGE]

So gonna go with one of these versions instead. God knows what shade of Whiteish paint it is.

 

 

 

[TRAILRAGE]

 

Stripped down a spare Lima 33 Body for a Rebuild and Repaint into DRS. This will be an unpowered Loco and as such I wanna try and do this as cheaply as I can but with as much detail as I can using some spare parts that I already have and some that I will need to get. Bogies (already Have), Side frames (if available), Bufferbeams (already have) & Fuel Tanks will be Heljan. I have some spare Heljan 33 Rao Roof pods that I Have thinned down to fit to the Roof.  I May also purchase (again if available) Roof Grille, Handrails and Lamp Irons so it will at least have a slight consistency with my Heljan 33207.  This will give me something to run with my Bachmann 37038 (waiting Replacement refurbished noses) and Bachman 20's (one of the cabs is in the Background). for this I want to do 33025 as the ends differ in that it still has the old Marker/Tail Lights at one end. 

Biggest Job will be making a Chassis for it (it currently sits on a modified Lima Chassis fitted with some spare Heljan Fuel Tanks) Haven't decided on what route to take regarding the Exhaust on this weather to fil and smooth or remove the original early Exhaust and fit a blanking piece. Decisions decisions!

 

     

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Edited June 27, 2022 by TRAILRAGE
More useless info!