Popular Post Enfys_Rainbow Posted December 4, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted December 4, 2023 (edited) Hello all, I've decided to relocate the wagon building part of my modelling away from my layout thread. If I'm honest, I prefer building wagons to anything else, so I think the time has come to set up a dedicated thread. Anyone who has followed my layout thread will have seen several of my completed builds over the course of the last few weeks and months - there's certainly been more wagon building progress than layout building progress! If you've not already seen them, maybe you'd consider taking a look: Anyway, I'll aim to share my wagon building progress here from now on. I have a few projects underway, plus many others I'm planning! Here are some of the current works in progress... Detailed Bachmann Limpet: Scratchbuilt Gannet ballast wagon: Triang Cowan's Sheldon crane with scratchbuilt jib: Scratchbuilt Izal Palvan: All my modelling is, at best, sporadic so progress on any project ebbs and flows. Matt Edited March 30 by Enfys_Rainbow 27 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Sweet pea Posted December 4, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 4, 2023 Great to see you on this part of the forum Matt. Will be following your wagon builds with great interest. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold NHY 581 Posted December 4, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 4, 2023 Tidy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enfys_Rainbow Posted December 6, 2023 Author Share Posted December 6, 2023 This will be my next work in progress project - a Lowmac made from the venerable Airfix kit: I have a real soft spot for the Lowmac and in fact it was my attempt (ultimately unsuccessful) to build one of these 10 or so years ago that got me started on my wagon building path. I'll be using the (yellow!) kit as a basis and going from there. Matt 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullie Posted December 6, 2023 Share Posted December 6, 2023 I do like the old Airfix kits. I've built four mineral wagons to EM gauge on Masokits W irons. Here they are at Upbech St Mary running in its 1960s post steam era. The layout can also be run in late 40s early 50s guise. I pick them up cheap on Ebay and have another one to do, this time I have Bill Bedford W irons, not used those before. Will watch with interest as a lowmac is very tempting. I would describe my modelling as rather sketchbook, I do admire your level of detail. 7 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwealleans Posted December 7, 2023 Share Posted December 7, 2023 I would recommend anyone to use the older Airfix kits rather than the newer Dapol versions; apart from mould wear, the plastic is much better quality. The Dapol ones I've bought have been soft, soapy and often distorted. The Airfix plastic seems to stay hard without being overly brittle, even in kits 40 and more years old. I used the Airfix brake van as the main feature of my wagon building demo at Warley last year. Still very much worth the effort. I have one of these attractive yellow Lowmacs in the pile, so I shall be watching with interest. 5 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enfys_Rainbow Posted December 7, 2023 Author Share Posted December 7, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, jwealleans said: I would recommend anyone to use the older Airfix kits rather than the newer Dapol versions; apart from mould wear, the plastic is much better quality. The Dapol ones I've bought have been soft, soapy and often distorted. The Airfix plastic seems to stay hard without being overly brittle, even in kits 40 and more years old. I used the Airfix brake van as the main feature of my wagon building demo at Warley last year. Still very much worth the effort. I have one of these attractive yellow Lowmacs in the pile, so I shall be watching with interest. I quite agree with everything you say - the original Airfix kits are superior in every way. I built both of these from ancient Airfix kits: You've made some nice modifications to the w-irons and brakegear there though! Matt Edited December 7, 2023 by Enfys_Rainbow 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwealleans Posted December 7, 2023 Share Posted December 7, 2023 12 minutes ago, Enfys_Rainbow said: You've made some nice modifications to the w-irons and brakegear there though! Mine was built as the LNER Toad D, the ancestor of the BR diagram. I did 3 in total; the red one I've kept for my demonstration display as the modifications show up very well. The other two now run on Grantham. 14 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enfys_Rainbow Posted December 7, 2023 Author Share Posted December 7, 2023 14 minutes ago, jwealleans said: Mine was built as the LNER Toad D, the ancestor of the BR diagram. I did 3 in total; the red one I've kept for my demonstration display as the modifications show up very well. The other two now run on Grantham. 4.5p - bargain! 1 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Sweet pea Posted December 7, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 7, 2023 Matt the airfix wagon kits look great to build. Might have to order some off ebay. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium BluenGreyAnorak Posted December 7, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 7, 2023 On 04/12/2023 at 13:23, Enfys_Rainbow said: Triang Cowan's Sheldon crane with scratchbuilt jib: Matt I love your work to the crane. I've recently all but completed a similar upgrade but wasn't brave enough to re-work the jib. Having seen yours though, I'm tempted to have a go an another one! 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enfys_Rainbow Posted December 8, 2023 Author Share Posted December 8, 2023 8 hours ago, BluenGreyAnorak said: I love your work to the crane. I've recently all but completed a similar upgrade but wasn't brave enough to re-work the jib. Having seen yours though, I'm tempted to have a go an another one! Thanks, it was a fiddly job but worth it in my opinion - even though it's quite delicate. Matt 5 5 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold NHY 581 Posted December 9, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 9, 2023 On 08/12/2023 at 07:47, Enfys_Rainbow said: Thanks, it was a fiddly job but worth it in my opinion - even though it's quite delicate. Matt Lovely job Matt. Arguably unrecognisable from the toy you started with. Rob 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enfys_Rainbow Posted December 9, 2023 Author Share Posted December 9, 2023 29 minutes ago, NHY 581 said: Lovely job Matt. Arguably unrecognisable from the toy you started with. Rob Thanks Rob, much appreciated! Lot of work and effort, but worth it in my opinion. Rebuilding the jib was the single biggest improvement visually at least. Matt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold NHY 581 Posted December 9, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 9, 2023 Deffo.Totally alters the look of the crane. Now a proper model. Rob 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enfys_Rainbow Posted December 9, 2023 Author Share Posted December 9, 2023 Ok, the yellow Lowmac. As touched upon in a previous post, this being an Airfix (as opposed to a more recent Dapol) kit, the parts are in better condition, and less prone to being twisted, even though they're 30 - 40 years old. The Lowmac I attempted 10+ years ago had a noticeable twist that I was never fully able to rectify. All the parts are in good condition right from the box, but I decided to fabricate my own solebars and bufferbeams from plastic sheet. There's no desperate need to do this, but as I was going to be removing the axle boxes anyway, I thought I'd just save myself some time and cut out the middle man. The deck will be the only part of the kit I'll actually use - everything else will be scratchbuilt or added from other bits and pieces. This is now drying, but the whole lot is nice and sturdy and square. Matt 7 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enfys_Rainbow Posted December 11, 2023 Author Share Posted December 11, 2023 Lowmac update! Springs, brake levers, couplings and a few other bits still to do. Matt 7 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwealleans Posted December 12, 2023 Share Posted December 12, 2023 What buffers and axleboxes have you used? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enfys_Rainbow Posted December 12, 2023 Author Share Posted December 12, 2023 2 hours ago, jwealleans said: What buffers and axleboxes have you used? Buffers are from LMS models and axleboxes are 51L BR Split Axleboxes. 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Sweet pea Posted December 12, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 12, 2023 The axle boxes and buffers look great Matt. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enfys_Rainbow Posted December 16, 2023 Author Share Posted December 16, 2023 Hi all, The Lowmac has ground to a halt while I ponder the distinctive springs. Meanwhile, I've started a new project. Soldering has always been something I've really struggled with but, over the last 12 months, I've been practicing whenever I've had a chance. So, at long last, I've started my very first etched kit. This is the 1/024 Palbrick kit from @macgeordie. It's designed to be built by less experienced etched kit builders so was ideal as a first project. The kit itself is lovely with well written instructions that a novice etched kit builder like me has had no problem following. So far so good! Matt 11 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Enfys_Rainbow Posted December 17, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted December 17, 2023 It's amazing what can be done when you get left alone to do it - I'm my case my wife and daughter have been away yesterday and today which has afforded me some relatively undisturbed time at the bench. The morning started with a head scratching moment as I tried to work out a way to assemble the triangular end parts - the instructions recommend clamps but I didn't have anything suitable to hand. So, a simple jig was knocked together and construction could continue. Fast forward a few hours and a Palbrick is starting to emerge from all the parts... Matt 12 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Sweet pea Posted December 18, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 18, 2023 Matt you must he well chuffed with this etched wagon build. It's looking great.👍 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Chas Levin Posted December 22, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 22, 2023 Agreed - nice job; I also thought the crane is superb - I have one to detail too, and you've set the bar very high! 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enfys_Rainbow Posted December 24, 2023 Author Share Posted December 24, 2023 (edited) On 22/12/2023 at 14:10, Chas Levin said: Agreed - nice job; I also thought the crane is superb - I have one to detail too, and you've set the bar very high! Thanks Chas! The crane has been a long term project but it's finally getting there - I just need to paint it now. The Palbrick is on the finishing straight construction wise at least. The underframe details are a work of art. Is it just me, or do etched kits look better unpainted? Matt Edited December 24, 2023 by Enfys_Rainbow 10 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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