Narrow Gauge Beginnings - getting started in HOn30 and H0e

[JZ]

1 hour ago, Keith Addenbrooke said:

I’ve had some more time to spend on my station builds:

 

First, for those following this broadcast in HOn30 - Pagosa Junction:

 

This is proving to be a delightful little kit to build.  I’ve put the passenger station / agent’s office together first, with the canopied platform and freight loads to follow next (passenger Sam is not included, he just turns up here and there):

 

 

Two different names are suggested.  I like the ease of using the waterslide decals supplied, so I’m going with Pagosa Jct - the CAL as modelled is a self-contained freelance mini-layout, so needs an imaginary junction to connect to the world beyond.

 

With cast parts responding well to superglue, assembly seems to be the easier part of this build: the challenge is painting.  I’m no artist, so like to paint parts individually first to avoid paint overruns.  This isn’t possible here, and with an impressive amount of cast detail to pick out my magnifying glass and a 00 brush have come into play:

 

 

The livery is based on the Santa Fe colour scheme for rural depots.  That has meant painting the window frames in white, with the rest of the framework in green.  The promotional photo Woodland Scenics use to advertise the kit shows both in blue - which would have made the job quite a bit easier.

 

As always the close-up highlight areas needing more attention - such as the underside of the Depot roof.

 

 

The kit comes with a standard plastic glazing sheet, but I’m thinking I’ll try Glue ‘n’ Glaze instead, perhaps being more suited to the quirky nature of this model (and with the cast window frames not being entirely flat).

 

As with other station kits I’ve built, I’ve lightly weathered the roof by applying a simple wash of darker grey and white spirits once the red coat had been left to dry overnight - the photo shows the right hand side done, the left still to do:

 

 

 

I’m very happy with this so far - whitemetal isn’t a material I’ve used before, but seems to be an ideal choice for this kit.

 

 Have a good week, Keith.   

I like the look of this and might have a go at building something similar in wood. I have a good stock of Tichy windows and doors, just missing the round ones.

[Keith Addenbrooke]

A bit of light relief - undoubtedly the smallest scale model I’ve ever built (at 1:12300 the kit is 1 mile long):

 

 

Have a good weekend, Keith.

[Keith Addenbrooke]

A general update, scale by scale, starting in 1977:

 

 

(Sorry, couldn’t resist)

 

HOn30 Depot build - Pagosa Junction:

 

Currently looks like this:

 

 

The thin stripwood platform was the trickiest bit of the assembly.  The instructions suggest making up the supporting framework beneath the platform using vertically arranged pieces (also cut from the stripwood supplied), but these proved to be too flimsy, so the pieces were taken off and glued back all flat.  For paint I used Humbrol #173 which is a matt track colour, but seemed to give the kind of weathered effect I was after.

 

Windows were glazed using Deluxe Materials ‘Glue ‘n’ Glaze’ as planned.  For anyone who hasn’t seen this in use, it is applied as a white film that then dries clear overnight:

 

 

I did it stage by stage over a couple of days to give it maximum time to cure.  While it was drying out, I worked on the canopy cover, using colours to match the building and superglue to hold it in place.  I’m happy with how it’s turning out:

 

 

 

I am a concerned however that the platform could come detached from the building if the glue doesn’t hold, so the first detail parts I’m preparing is a bench to be glued to both the end wall of the Depot and the platform:

 

 

It’s parts like this (note the books up on the bench) that remind me how fiddly I now find details in N-scale!

 

H0e - Building Ostermundigen

 

I batch built the wall sections before assembling them:

 

 

Each section has basically four parts.  It’s a sign of the quality of the kit that the job is made easy by the very good moulding, which includes locator pins to help line everything up:  

 

 

This confirmed I could be happy not having painted the window frames, but also that it was worth picking out the window sills in white.  Once prepared, assembly of the main structure was straightforward.

 

The largest single part is the one-piece roof.  As with the Auhagen TT Moorbach station I’ve been building, I didn’t paint the roof, just weathered it:

 

 

 There isn’t a modelled interior, but inserts are provided with the kit that fold up into boxes to fit in each section:

 

 

 

I’ve not seen these paper boxes in the UK outline kits I’ve done previously, but they seem common in European models, and were also a feature of the TT Moorbach kit too.  Fitting the flat roof sections to each end bring the build up to date:

 

 

 

(The roof is not yet glued on to either station building - I tend to do this last, just in case.  I also have a box insert to do for the central section of Ostermundigen anyway).

 

And in 1:12300 to finish:

 

 

 

Well, it is half-term.  Have a good week, Keith.

 

[Keith Addenbrooke]

Not a modelling update, but a significant post nonetheless - I’ve started moving my modelling stuff into the proposed ‘permanent’ modelling space, ie: most of a spare bedroom that’s only needed occasionally.  This has been on the cards for a while (and has been referred to in other posts).  Contractors have repointed the exposed brickwork outside, and now Half-Term has given the opportunity for most of the stuff inside to be sorted out (the rest can be swapped with my bits).

 

I plan to set up the workbench (an IKEA table) to continue kitbuilding first, then work on a layout.  I’ve restarted American modelling, and already have some ideas for a layout in US HO.  That could incorporate my HOn30, or I could go down the European route and develop the H0e / Continental HO idea that Ostermundigen can be used for (see posts on this page).

 

Either way, I’ve bought some more Peco H0e track and points today - discounted at a local group meeting of the 009 Society, so I’m well set for the months ahead.  Have a good week, Keith.

[Keith Addenbrooke]

With all my stuff now in the spare bedroom I’ll be using, it’s time to restart modelling.  
 

 

 

(Photo taken sitting on the bed)

 

Unfortunately, the glue holding together the main parts of the small HOn30 depot didn’t survive handling during the room move.  Before reattaching I filed down the ‘closed’ end of the canopy to give a better surface contact with the side of the building.  While the station was in bits again I also applied the decals: these are the traditional rub-on sort (not waterslide) and mostly transferred OK.  The Pepsi ad looks a bit worn, which is entirely in keeping for this railroad.

 

With everything now in one place I could take some photos with the Depot in situ.  Still a lot to do to complete the detailing (including the chimney for the roof and and the train order signal above the bay window).  When I sceniced the ground I didn’t envisage putting a station there, so it’s not flat - a task for another day.  Have a good weekend, Keith.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 3, 2023 by Keith Addenbrooke
Add diagram of room

[Hobby]

16 hours ago, Keith Addenbrooke said:

With all my stuff now in the spare bedroom I’ll be using, it’s time to restart modelling.  

 

Now all you have to do is decide on a scale and then gauge! 😉🤣

[Woody C]

18 hours ago, Keith Addenbrooke said:

With all my stuff now in the spare bedroom I’ll be using, it’s time to restart modelling.  
 

WOW! That does look like a proper creative space Keith! Resist the temptation to fill it too much but then again that bed is taking up valuable layout space!

[Keith Addenbrooke]

10 hours ago, Hobby said:

 

Now all you have to do is decide on a scale and then gauge! 😉🤣

Fair point - several to choose from in my stash (as anyone who knows my approach to modelling ideas will be too well aware already 😀) , Keith.

[Keith Addenbrooke]

10 hours ago, Woody C said:

WOW! That does look like a proper creative space Keith! Resist the temptation to fill it too much but then again that bed is taking up valuable layout space!

Thanks Woody.  The bed has to stay as when the whole family is at home this room will be needed as well, although I can cantilever benchwork over it if I get the balance right and design something I can take out when I have to.  Absolutely right not to fill the space, I need room for a workbench as well as a moveable layout.  Good advice, thanks, Keith.

[Woody C]

 

17 hours ago, Keith Addenbrooke said:

Fair point - several to choose from in my stash (as anyone who knows my approach to modelling ideas will be too well aware already 😀) , Keith.

As with many things in life, sometimes just go with the flow to see where you end up? I have lost count of the number of times I have, through some impulse purchase, ended up being drawn into something I never intended but I have always learnt from them and more importantly had a great time! Just what a hobby is about. Strangely I have never seen an epitaph saying ' wished they had not built so many layouts!'

[Keith Addenbrooke]

3 hours ago, Woody C said:

 

As with many things in life, sometimes just go with the flow to see where you end up? I have lost count of the number of times I have, through some impulse purchase, ended up being drawn into something I never intended but I have always learnt from them and more importantly had a great time! Just what a hobby is about. Strangely I have never seen an epitaph saying ' wished they had not built so many layouts!'

Funny you should say that…this came yesterday 😀:

 

 

(I’ll just leave that here for now.  Much to be done).  Have a good week, Keith.

[Woody C]

1 hour ago, Keith Addenbrooke said:

1 hour ago, Keith Addenbrooke said:

Funny you should say that…this came yesterday 😀:

 

 

(I’ll just leave that here for now.  Much to be done).  Have a good week, Keith.

 

Now that's the way to build up an eager audience! However in the meantime intrigued by the box just under the workbench. Is it a submarine kit or am I completely wrong?

[JZ]

39 minutes ago, Woody C said:

Now that's the way to build up an eager audience! However in the meantime intrigued by the box just under the workbench. Is it a submarine kit or am I completely wrong?

Looks like a Walther's cornerstone box.

 

[Keith Addenbrooke]

20 minutes ago, JZ said:

Looks like a Walther's cornerstone box.

 

Full marks to @JZ, who was also the previous owner of the CN boxcar in the Really Useful Box below the Cornerstone Box in the original photo too.  Keith.

[Woody C]

40 minutes ago, JZ said:

Looks like a Walther's cornerstone box.

 

20 minutes ago, Keith Addenbrooke said:

Full marks to @JZ

I should have gone to that well know optician!

[Woody C]

On 05/03/2023 at 13:14, Woody C said:

I have lost count of the number of times I have, through some impulse purchase, ended up being drawn into something I never intended

Apologies for adding this Keith but as I was just saying yesterday about being drawn into something not intended and then this today! Let me just say you don't expect to find something like this at a garden center as I told a rolling eyes Mrs. W at the checkout whilst paying for it.

 

 

How could I resist and there was more - a lot more.

 

 

 

 

[Keith Addenbrooke]

On 06/03/2023 at 17:27, Woody C said:

Apologies for adding this Keith but as I was just saying yesterday about being drawn into something not intended and then this today! Let me just say you don't expect to find something like this at a garden center as I told a rolling eyes Mrs. W at the checkout whilst paying for it.

 

 

How could I resist and there was more - a lot more.

 

 

 

 

Mine (most recently) was this, Roco HO:

 

I was using up store credit on American HO at Hattons (following sale of N-Scale stuff) when I saw this - it refused any rationale or logic against purchase, thereby convincing me I wanted it!  To be fair, I’d already tried to get one in TT last year but missed out then.

 

On the other hand, I managed to visit the excellent Narrow Gauge North exhibition in Leeds on Saturday and left with my wallet largely untouched (although it did get close).  A great day out, but no modelling time at home this weekend as a result.  Have a good week, Keith.

Edited March 13, 2023 by Keith Addenbrooke

[Keith Addenbrooke]

Back to the HOn30 Depot: finishing will take a little while as I think the best way to paint the details (luggage etc) is one colour at a time, one day at a time:

 

 

It’s a test of patience really.  Have a good weekend (when it gets here), Keith.

[Keith Addenbrooke]

 

The iterative process of painting these details could continue indefinitely, as one splodge is overpainted with another splodge, and so on.  Bearing in mind the squares are 1cm this is probably as good as I can do without starting to make it worse again.  The chimney stack will be weathered to match the roof once the paint has dried thoroughly, then it just remains to fix these bits in place.  I’ll try and wedge some against the canopy uprights to help strengthen the whole assembly, then I think this one will be done.  Have a good week, Keith.

[Keith Addenbrooke]

PS: after posting the photo above I realised I’d not painted the lenses on the train order signal (it was face down in the picture).  This has now been done - not sure why it’s single sided but I’ve decided not to worry about that: if it looks the part I’ll get away with it.

 

Reviewing the photo above also highlighted the lack of variety in my choice of colours for the luggage, so I also added a bit of brown by repainting some pieces again after all, particularly some of the sacks.  I used Humbrol 110.  Updated picture:

 

 

Now I’ll pack away (again), Keith.

[Chris Williamson]

16 hours ago, Keith Addenbrooke said:

PS: after posting the photo above I realised I’d not painted the lenses on the train order signal (it was face down in the picture).  This has now been done - not sure why it’s single sided but I’ve decided not to worry about that: if it looks the part I’ll get away with it.

 

Reviewing the photo above also highlighted the lack of variety in my choice of colours for the luggage, so I also added a bit of brown by repainting some pieces again after all, particularly some of the sacks.  I used Humbrol 110.  Updated picture:

 

 

Now I’ll pack away (again), Keith.

Keith,  For variation in colour for the likes of the luggage: have you tried mixing shades of paint?  I've had some success, where I've previously used a primer coat, of darkening or lightening the shade of a colour using grey, black or rust for darker or white or very pale grey or brown for lighter.  Very little paint pigment and proportionally plenty of thinners seemingly adds to the subtlety of the tones.  I use the tip of a cocktail stick to keep quantities to an absolute minimum at any one time.  Others may have better suggestions?

[Keith Addenbrooke]

4 hours ago, Chris Williamson said:

Keith,  For variation in colour for the likes of the luggage: have you tried mixing shades of paint?  I've had some success, where I've previously used a primer coat, of darkening or lightening the shade of a colour using grey, black or rust for darker or white or very pale grey or brown for lighter.  Very little paint pigment and proportionally plenty of thinners seemingly adds to the subtlety of the tones.  I use the tip of a cocktail stick to keep quantities to an absolute minimum at any one time.  Others may have better suggestions?

Thanks Chris - an excellent zero-cost idea (why do I never think of these things?).  Unfortunately I didn’t see your post till I’d stuck everything down, so I’ll call this finished now anyway:

 

 

and on the layout:

 

 

There’s always some more touching up to do - in this case the planking under the platform area is shown up by the photo.

 

Not to worry, have a good week, Keith.

[Keith Addenbrooke]

With some unexpected free time today, I’ve bee able to get started again on the larger Continental Station build too.  With many more parts though, my ‘modelling hour’ today was just enough to paint the shutters I’ll be fitting to the windows:

 

 

It may be a while before my next substantive update 😀, Keith.

 

[Keith Addenbrooke]

Hope everyone is having a good weekend.  Having painted the shutters and given them time to dry (a few days 😀), the next task is to fit them - I’m guessing regular modellers of Swiss (etc.) prototypes are used to lining them up carefully before the glue sets:

 

 

When I was satisfied I got a second opinion (an advantage of modelling when others are at home too).  I’d managed to work my way round the whole building while only gluing one in place upside down (it’s on the other side), and we also agreed it’s too hard to tell which one at normal viewing distance, so it will stay.

 

Once the glue has dried I’ll dab a tiny bit more paint to cover up where it was cut from the sprues - although delicate I found with the other side I did first that it was easier when they were fixed in place.

 

The next six pages in the instructions (out of 28) are devoted to features and details on the roof.  I’ll be back in a while, Keith.

[Keith Addenbrooke]

I realised I’ve not run trains on the CAL for quite some time, what with room changes and all that, so while the glue and paint dry on my large build I’ve had time to put that right 😀: