EWS60065's Modern-ish Wagon Projects (Weathering, Modifying, Scratchbuilds)

[EWS60065]

I haven't posted in a little while so apologies, however I do have some interesting projects to reveal in the coming days! In the meantime, I thought I'd share something experimental I did a while back with a shiny new Bachmann MTA. 

 

I start out with some measured up aluminium foil to fit between the ribs.

 

Once test fitted, they can be pressed over anything rough and with visible strands - in this case cotton fibres.

 

They're stuck to the wagon sides with contact adhesive and painted with several coats of acrylic, loosely matched.

 

 

With a spray coat of grime added, I can then rub this away to show the data panels.

 

 

The regular rust patches coloured with weathering powders.

 

 

I don't know exactly what I did here, I think the scratches might have been dry brushed to help add relief 

 

 

 

Well there's an insight into a previous effort at my favourite wagon type and hopefully some more inspiration/ideas/something to discuss. Next project may well be similar to this one here...

 

 

Edit: I have this thing in my head that MTA are colloquially known as 'Starfish'. Where on earth did this come from and is it true??

 

Edited July 8, 2022 by EWS60065
Re uploaded images

[heavymetalwagons]

Starfish where ordinary ex gwr 10 ton ballast opens but as they disappeared around late 70s early 80s br could have reused the name 

[EWS60065]

27 minutes ago, heavymetalwagons said:

Starfish where ordinary ex gwr 10 ton ballast opens but as they disappeared around late 70s early 80s br could have reused the name 

Cheers, that's what I thought. There is a picture of one at Dawlish with Starfish chalked on the side but haven't seen any others.

[heavymetalwagons]

There's an article in an old mrc magazine about starfish but i just use Paul's wagon photo site for my many needs 

[EWS60065]

10 hours ago, heavymetalwagons said:

 

https://ukrailwaypics.smugmug.com/UKRailRollingstock/M-Tops-codes/MTA-ballast-box-wagons/i-8wrzCdH

 

 

Here it is

[EWS60065]

Hi and as expected here are my latest few projects after a long while of not posting anything. Enjoy.

1. Mainline ZCA  Sea Urchin ex OAA 

With little supplies or old wagons for conversion, this scratch build came very spontaneously out of pure boredom! It is my first fully scratchbuilt wagon, using plastic sheet, strip and the odd spare Parkside or Cambrian component, ie. the leaf springs and handbrake levers.

 

Weathering and painting was not the easiest with the acrylics just not sticking but I eventually managed to get some hold and start applying the usual dirt and spent ballast.

 

 

2. Hornby/plastic built MTA 395011

Back to something a little more familiar, I built yet another MTA on a Hornby tank chassis.

 

Based pretty faithfully on the real 395011, it features a remodelled underframe with new detail and Kadees, and a 'Doorand' style high end body complete with EWS stickers and graffiti.

 

 

 

 

 

3. Upgraded Bachmann 395002.

Finally, just a little work on one of my earlier MTAs which was poorly and roughly weathered as a Bachmann doorand conversion with extended ends.

 

It received finer and better coloured weathering plus more accurate data panels to represent 395002 a bit better.

 

As always, thanks for viewing.

 

 

Edited July 8, 2022 by EWS60065
Re uploaded images

[TRAILRAGE]

Good to see someone else making use of the Old Triang / Hornby  TTV Chassis. Considering its origins go back to the late 60's its well worth the little effort it takes to improve.

 

Here's one under a Scratch built MKA (Ex ZKA) Limpet Wagon I did many years ago.

 

Regards Trailrage

Edited October 21, 2021 by TRAILRAGE

[EWS60065]

2 minutes ago, TRAILRAGE said:

Good to see someone else making use of the Old Triang / Hornby  TTV Chassis. Considering its origins go back to the late 60's its well worth the little effort it takes to improve.

 

Here's one under a Scratch built MKA (Ex ZKA) Limpet Wagon I did many years ago.

 

Regards SI

Cheers. That's brilliant! It really is a great, cheap starting point for many detailing and building projects. I've got another one spare to do into an MTA and also attempting (attempting being the key word) to scratchbuild a whole new tank chassis too, being able to get the springs correct from the start. It's looking a little wonky at the moment.

You got a thread cause I'd be interested in seeing more if you've done similar before?

[TRAILRAGE]

Hello EWS60065. Thank you.

 

I have a couple of the old Triang Bowater's China Clay wagons to update and about a dozen or so Hornby TTA Wagons to do as well. I did have a couple of Chassis put aside for doing a couple of ZKA/MKA Doorand's Ill be blowed if I can find them, The MKA was measured from an Appleby Engineering Resin Bodied Kit that I had used a Hornby Chassis under as I couldn't get on with the White metal underframe castings.  Both are unfortunately wider than the Bachmann models so I'm unsure which ones correct, but as John Talbot's kits I believe were generally pretty good I didn't question it. One day I will get round to doing the others! Both of these use Airtanks  which were spare Lima Class 59 Tanks! The Distributer is spare Cambrian. They were originally fitted with spare Parkside Brake Gear which has long since disappeared. I will Replace with some White Metal Castings at some point. I did think about replacing the Axle box Springs with some spare Cambrian ones (which come with the POA/SSA Scrap wagon kits but can be purchased separately) but decided that A - The Bachmann Models would also need modifying, and B - I decided that as it didn't offend me enough to worry about I couldn't be bothered!. Still maybe one day.

 

Cheers Trailrage.

 

 

Edited October 7, 2021 by TRAILRAGE

[TRAILRAGE]

Couple of shots of the little amount of detail fitted to the underside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And a Bachmann one for comparison.

 

Cheers Trailrage 

Edited October 1, 2021 by TRAILRAGE

[EWS60065]

10 hours ago, TRAILRAGE said:

Couple of shots of the little amount of detail fitted to the underside.... 

Nice work, making use of some cambrian bits too I see. There are so many different types too so I'll tend to model exactly what I see on a photo of an example. But they never show everything underneath, so thanks for those pictures. Unfortunately I'm not sure how much I could fit cause of the weights I use to aid running however 

Great stuff 

[sb67]

On 01/10/2021 at 13:44, EWS60065 said:

Hi and as expected here are my latest few projects after a long while of not posting anything. Enjoy.

1. Mainline ZCA  Sea Urchin ex OAA 

With little supplies or old wagons for conversion, this scratch build came very spontaneously out of pure boredom! It is my first fully scratchbuilt wagon, using plastic sheet, strip and the odd spare Parkside or Cambrian component, ie. the leaf springs and handbrake levers.

Weathering and painting was not the easiest with the acrylics just not sticking but I eventually managed to get some hold and start applying the usual dirt and spent ballast.

 

 

2. Hornby/plastic MTA 395011

Back to something a little more familiar, I built yet another MTA on a Hornby tank chassis.

Based pretty faithfully on the real 395011, it features a remodelled underframe with new detail and Kadees, and a 'Doorand' style high end body complete with EWS stickers and graffiti.

 

 

 

3. Upgraded Bachmann 395002.

Finally, just a little work on one of my earlier MTAs which was poorly and roughly weathered as a Bachmann doorand conversion with extended ends.

It received finer and better coloured weathering plus more accurate data panels to represent 395002 a bit better.

As always, thanks for viewing.

 

 

Love those wagons, what colours did you use for the interiors, they look superb? 

[EWS60065]

15 hours ago, sb67 said:

 

Love those wagons, what colours did you use for the interiors, they look superb? 

Thanks, it was a real mix of colours but I'd recommend Vallejo flat brown and orange brown dulled down with some grey tones. The key to the effect I got was to stipple on lighter colours with the most wiry, rough brush you can find.

[EWS60065]

Quick one here, next MTA is 395006 in EWS livery. Built from lots of different styrene sections and a couple of spare parts. Fitted with pinpoint bearings and kadees. 

Edited July 8, 2022 by EWS60065
Reuploaded photo

[TRAILRAGE]

Very impressive work there. Great job

 

[EWS60065]

Unique rhubarb and custard liveried MTA 395006 is now complete with weathering, lettering and ballast residue. This was a scratchbuilt project, allowing the correct Bruninghaus springs to be modelled.

 

 

It starts off with two girder sections glued at right angles on a measured thick styrene base. W irons are really just made from carefully cut plastic and lots of tube and strip sections fashioned into axle boxes. I place the headstocks with buffer holes over the ends and fit buffers, couplings and a wealth of underframe detail. 

The body followed the usual construction which is nice and simple, perhaps why I choose to make a lot of these wagons. Finally, it gets a good attacking from the old soldering iron and pliers method but don't over do this!

 

This particular wagon seemed to be kept in decent condition but did have some prominent scratching, recreated with a scalpel blade as per usual. 

 

 

The main red shade was toned down with a browny-grey wash with a little retarder to aid manipulation.

The underframe has been done in the usual track dirt shade. I start off with a black undercoat followed by heavy drybrushing of lighter grey and brown tones. The springs and linkages are picked out in an oily black, other parts dusted in red powder, and the axle boxes and hand levers in a bright red and white respectively.

The Brun springs are constructed from four strips of 10 thou styrene, gently curved. 

 

As always, thanks for viewing and happy modelling.

 

Edited July 8, 2022 by EWS60065
Re uploaded images

[EWS60065]

Hello again. As a nice small weathering project, I've got a Bachmann MFA here to complement the coalfish rake. The MFAs were introduced to Bachmann's range in the early 2000s, representing the cut down MEA mineral wagons. The model is solid and well built with decent looking detail, however it lacks steps and a few other bits. 

The conversions were patch painted when cut down, giving a unique look I wanted to capture.

 

I start out with a light spray of Railmatch track dirt over the underframe and lower body side. This is followed by masking off the lower body and drybrushing light grey and light yellow over the respective higher areas of the wagon. The interior sides are painted in dark brown.

 

With my trusty old wiry brush I basically smash shades of rust around the interior to create a very battered look. The body sides receive a light brushing of tan and rust colours to add some texture and variation as seen in the photos.

 

The next stage was to apply a Lifecolour brown wash over the lower ends and gradually brush it away in the centre of the panels.

Unfortunately I didn't manage to record anymore of the process but it was mostly a continuation of lightly swiping and stippling vibrant rust shades over the panels in the areas it appears to collect. The underframe was treated in the usual manner with powders.

 

And the finished thing, a battered but well used ex Railfreight MFA. It's based it on 391070 - 'https://www.flickr.com/photos/dan700/9059756183/in/photolist-eNzBSP-aNpuxr'

Further additions will include Kadees and steps.

 

Two tone effect on the ends with rementants of the faded RF yellow showing amongst the rust.

 

Horizontal rust streaks appear over the ribs underneath the floor, ballast also collects here.

 

The underframe showing oily black and rust red patches.

 

This, along with others, wouldn't have been possible without the fantastic websites I used such as Ukrailwaypics, Gingespotting, Wrightys, and Shed83a as well as Flickr. So I do recommend having a look.

 

Thanks for viewing. 

Edited July 8, 2022 by EWS60065
Re uploaded images

[heavymetalwagons]

The weathering is absolutely spot on. Lovely work but the one thing that sticks out to me is the thickness of the brake lever it must be 12 inches thick in real scale! Please note not trying to rain on your workmanship 

Edited November 1, 2021 by heavymetalwagons
Thick

[EWS60065]

34 minutes ago, heavymetalwagons said:

The weathering is absolutely spot on. Lovely work but the one thing that sticks out to me is the thickness of the brake lever it must be 12 inches thick in real scale! Please note not trying to rain on your workmanship 

Cheers for that. I noticed that too, although giving it some nice strength it is surprisingly thick. I wondered about chopping it back but the thought of taking sharp tools to a new wagon was scary, now I've weathered it I won't feel so bad. 

[steve1]

Some very fine work on these wagons. You've certainly given me some ideas about weathering.

 

Regarding your scratchbuilt springs, I was wondering if you were aware of the Stenson  Models range? https://www.stensonmodels.co.uk/?s=springs&post_type=product

 

No connection, usual disclaimer.

 

steve

[EWS60065]

7 minutes ago, steve1 said:

Some very fine work on these wagons. You've certainly given me some ideas about weathering.

 

Regarding your scratchbuilt springs, I was wondering if you were aware of the Stenson  Models range? https://www.stensonmodels.co.uk/?s=springs&post_type=product

 

No connection, usual disclaimer.

 

steve

Thanks Steve, yeah I'm aware of those and have considered getting them. Think it would definitely be worth it if I did a lot of them but the scratchbuilt MTA was a one off so couldn't really justify the waiting time and postage cost. Once I manage to successfully remove some of the factory Bachmann and Hornby leaf springs it may be worth getting an order of some Brun springs to replace them with.

[heavymetalwagons]

43 minutes ago, EWS60065 said:

Cheers for that. I noticed that too, although giving it some nice strength it is surprisingly thick. I wondered about chopping it back but the thought of taking sharp tools to a new wagon was scary, now I've weathered it I won't feel so bad. 

The newer chassis are alot better much finer detail. Found this out after getting a load of older hea,s which i keep putting off converting to hba,s with the older 16 leaf springs

[EWS60065]

5 minutes ago, heavymetalwagons said:

The newer chassis are alot better much finer detail. Found this out after getting a load of older hea,s which i keep putting off converting to hba,s with the older 16 leaf springs

Oh yes, just noticed the newer ones are a lot finer. Oh well, I'm sure I'll be able to make a few improvements and atleast it has the correct springs which is a nice change from MTAs!

[sb67]

More fantastic weathering there! I really like the insides, do you put the paint on with the wire brush? I want to try your method out on a couple of 16T Minerals. 

[EWS60065]

On 02/11/2021 at 05:59, sb67 said:

More fantastic weathering there! I really like the insides, do you put the paint on with the wire brush? I want to try your method out on a couple of 16T Minerals. 

Thanks! I usually do a plain dark brown undercoat with a flat brush. Once dry, I load up a wiry, damaged brush with a lighter rusty orange and dab it on kitchen towel to thin it out a little. Then I scrape the brush in downwards motions down the interior walls so the random bristles are applying paint in all sorts of scratchy looking patterns. For the bottom floor I just stab the brush vertically and quickly, adding lighter shades of tan and yellow afterwards. If I go too far I'll repeat the process with a little bit of black to dull it down. 

Here is the brush in question

Edited July 8, 2022 by EWS60065
Reuploaded photo