Mr Simon's N and 2mm Workbench - pg29> N V1 2-6-2, 2mm L&Y class 23, assorted wagons and stuff

[MrSimon]

Hello Everybody!

 

I've somehow lost an afternoon to the A5.  I did some other bits, like tweak the 6 wheel coaches I didn't quite fix before Coventry, and finish off the livery on the bolster, but its mainly been the A5.

 

First up I added weight to the bunker:

 

 

It needs painting and coaling and then I can put the coal rails on, but it seems heavy enough.  Then i got started on the short.  I knew the area i was looking in was behind the back driving wheel where the trailing truck attaches to the chassis.  I filed the two locating lugs off the back of the chassis, then wrapped the back in insulation tape.  A test run showed that this didn't work.  Next i painted the inside of the hole of the bar that holds the truck on.

 

 

It ran without the body on, then I put it back on and it ran but sparkily.  So I covered the top of the truck in tape and tried it again and the sparks kept on coming from behind the driving wheel.  But the good news is I found the short:

 

The truck needs to be attached to the bolt that the current goes up from the pickups to the wire that goes over the top.  I either need to find a new truck or cut the pick up so it doesn't go up the screw and solder a new wire directly from the pickup.  I can't do the new wire without flux, cos I've run out - so that might be a job for Christmas in Newark.

 

Once this is fixed it'll just be cosmetic work on the A5.

 

In other news the last of my christmas presents to myself arrived yesterday!  Five ATM bogies :)

 

If only I had time off to finish off the tankers...

 

Lots to do!

 

Simon

Edited September 14, 2017 by MrSimon

[MrSimon]

Happy New Year Everybody!

 

So I managed to do precisely nothing on the A5 while I was back up north - but I got some flux so i can have a crack at it at the weekend maybe.  Finally off the workbench (for now) are the brass coaches, and they even run!

 

The front one seems to be kneeling slightly towards the engine, but some people would act like that round a jinty, so I'm keeping quiet about it.

 

Actually moving without falling off - thats progress right?!?  I've still got a stack of these unbuilt.  I think they might stay that way...

 

I managed to do a bit of New Years Day modelling yesterday and batch-built three BG underframes, including one that runs on Hawthorne Dene/Rise Park.  I temporarily fitted two pairs of tanker bogies, but only so I could rob the new profile wheels from the tankers.

 

Its all go here... Lots to do!

 

Simon

Edited February 2, 2020 by MrSimon
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[MrSimon]

Hello Everybody!

 

Whisper it, I think I might have got the A5 working... I've soldered half a wire from the pick-up and bypassed the screw and it seems to be ok:

 

I couldn't get to the bottom of the pick-up to cut it away from the screw hole so I tried to isolate it with paint, but that didn't work so I've had to lash up a temporary join with the top wire while I find the better solder in my box.

 

(Everything drying)

 

But anyway; it works:

 

So it moves, without sparks, but not with the body on - I'm not sure why but I think thats a job for another day.

 

In other news I've painted the BG chassis, and then the weathering coat on the ends and under-frames of two of them and the bolster; but I've not much else this weekend.

 

Lots to do!

 

Simon

Edited February 2, 2020 by MrSimon
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[MrSimon]

Hello Everybody!

No time to do anything much this weekend - masses of interview prep but I did get some things finished and off the workbench!

First up: The bolster is done and out of the painting tray - leaving up space for something exciting to take its place in there (it'll be something really mundane I'm sure)

I still had the rod I'd been using for the stanchions (I keep jabbing myself on the pins, and they're too straight) but I'm sure I made some loads for the other wagons I'd not built yet, but I can't find them. It's finished all the painting anyway, I'll totally finish it when I do the whole train when that's done.


Also finished are two more coaches from the cross-country train (there was no work done to the tram)


The BG showing some light weathering and new underframe.


The SK looking a bit more beat up. I know its not exactly the most up-to-date model, but its one of the coaches I got for my 7th birthday (along with my first N gauge layout) so I'm pretty attached to the few remaining original parts of it.


The second BG finished has gone back in the post train box. Gresby gets all its post by rail you know? I've got 3 GUVs left to re-underframe (and re-wheel) and it'll be done!

And that's it. Not bad for 2 hours. I've got a few choices for the paint box - one of them being the centre car of the MML/CT 170 I started pages ago - but I still need to work whats in the other slots too. I might ban myself from starting anything new until I've got all the bits and bobs finished. And the tram...

Lots to do!

Simon

Edited September 14, 2017 by MrSimon

[BernardTPM]

The SK looking a bit more beat up. I know its not exactly the most up-to-date model, but its one of the coaches I got for my 7th birthday (along with my first N gauge layout) so I'm pretty attached to the few remaining original parts of it.

Oh, that IS an early one! (moulded frames round the windows, for those not in the know). My first Mk.1s were (still are) like that too, Simon.

[MrSimon]

I've had it since 1989, and it could have been second hand even then!  It came with 2 BCKs and a buffet, and I've still got them all (the SK is the only one I've put in a train at the moment).  I got them for my 7th birthday with a small layout, 10 15'wb wagons, a minitrix queen mother and a grey class 08 with the really flat couplings - I think I've only got the coaches left, and they're looking a bit battered!  It was a great little layout too

[MrSimon]

Hello everybody!

 

I somehow managed quite a few hours this weekend for a change.  Last weekend while looking for that wagon load I found this in one of my bits boxes:

 

Happy day!  I'd completely forgotten that I'd bought it, and had a pair of wagons ready to convert for ages - so guess what I did yesterday?

 

I did another set ages ago, and when I tested it on Gresby I found that the longer coupling drooped a bit, so I stuck a little bit of evergreen on it and marshalled the train so the ends with the plastic couple to the ends with the older metal couplers (which bizarrely stay up despite being heavier)

 

 

 

Another brilliant find in my box was a set of PS systems tail lamps, I just need an etched coupling for the end and this wagon will be complete.  Next job is to weather these wagons and their pair of inners.

 

This afternoon I was stuck inside waiting for a painter to turn up (he didn't) so I got the weathering powders out to clear some more bits off the desk.  Firstly,  pair of tankers:

 

One with the ESC bogies, the other with a Y25s.  The taker with the Y25s is the end wagon, so I can run a complete dirty train now

 

I had to stick the ladders back on both ends of this tanker - for some reason I didn't stick them down at the bottom when I first fitted them, and they came loose and then snapped at the top - but now they're all sorted.

 

This has quickly nipped into the painting tray while I paint and fit the end ladders - shouldn't be in there too long!

 

The main reason I got the powders out earlier was to finish off the BG for Rise Park:

 

I gave it a coat of dirt and roof dirt and varnished it, but it didn't look right...

 

... so I gave it a second coat of dirt.  I'm happier with it but I don't like the finish on the cream, its too spotty.  I pre-varnished the whole coach before I started weathering to give the powders something to key on to, but I think it was too cold to spray and went spotty so the weathering did too.   I think its finished but I'm not totally sure, if that makes sense?

 

Lots to do!

 

Simon

Edited September 14, 2017 by MrSimon

[branchie]

Cracking stuff Simon.

 

Are those tail lamps still available of have they been in your bits box for a while?

 

Branchie.

[MrSimon]

Hey thanks Branchie!

 

They've been in my box for quite a while, at least 3 years maybe longer - I'm pretty sure I got my last lot from either BHE or N Gauge Lines - I need some more so keen to find a new supplier!

 

Cheers

 

Simon

 

Edit: sorry I forgot to say, they were made by PS Systems

Edited January 19, 2015 by MrSimon

[Les1952]

There's another blood and custard BG in the Hawthorn Dene overstock box- I think that one also has your blue mark underneath.....

 

Les

[MrSimon]

I'll swap them over next time I'm up - the one I rebuilt was definitely one of mine!

[MrSimon]

Hello everybody!

 

Just a quick question after doing no modelling this week:

 

This came off eBay this week, on the NGS site it shows the floor as on the top, but its been built with the girders on the top.  Is this correct or do I need to do a bit or surgery?

 

Thanks

 

Simon

Edited September 14, 2017 by MrSimon

[PaulCheffus]

Hello everybody!

 

Just a quick question after doing no modelling this week:

 

This came off eBay this week, on the NGS site it shows the floor as on the top, but its been built with the girders on the top.  Is this correct or do I need to do a bit or surgery?

 

Thanks

 

Simon

Hi

 

That looks correct to me.

 

Cheers

 

Paul

[MrSimon]

Thanks Paul! I've got new wheels on the way and glad I don't have to do any major hacking around with it

 

Cheers

 

Simon

[MrSimon]

Hello Everybody!

 

First time in ages I've actually got to my desk.  I on;y did a few things to ease myself back in.  The main one being with the pair of Trestrols I bought the other week (as in post 263)  I decided that I didn't like the coupling pocket sticking so far out.  I can see why its like that, but I want closer coupling than that.

 

The before shot, a Trestrol coupled to a standard Peco plate wagon.  Note protruding coupling pocket.  I decided that I didn't mind if the couplings didn't pivot/spring, so I could pretty much cut the entire coupling pocket away.  I'm pretty sure I've seen an article or two on doing this, but I didn't look for them I just steamrollered ahead and got cutting.  I took off all but the last 3mm of the coupling pocket and then cut through the back and superglued the coupling in place (after trimming off the little ridge, the pip and the sticking down bit.  (All the pictures I took came out a little blurry) 

 

This picture would probably be more useful if I'd taken it upside down.  This particular bogie was a bit brittle and the side of the coupling snapped off when I was cutting through the back of the box.

 

The gap is much better though, so I'm happy with it, even though it still protrudes a little bit.

 

Once I'd done both wagons I made little moulds out of masking tape and then filled all the gaps with epoxy.  I'm pretty sure that this shouldn't affect running, but it it does I can always put a wagon in between them with wire couplings.  

 

After checking they looked ok coupled together on straight track, and that they'd go round tight-isn curves (I think these are 10.5" - theres all sorts of tight corners round the back of exhibition layouts) I tidied up the mound lines on the bodywork and put them aside be painted etc

 

I'm going to track down some sort of trestles for these, but I've not yet decided if they're going to run loaded.  I'm assuming these should be grey?

 

I did a bit more painting of the next regional railways coach (I didn't take a picture, but I might next time when I move on to a different colour) and then I finished off another tanker:

 

I'd had the ladders painted ready to fit since the olympics, but now they're done - another thing off the 'to finish' list.  Maybe it's a list I'll get to the end of?

 

Only four tankers left to finish, I'd like to finish these off before the summer!

 

In other news I've banned myself from eBay.  I didn't need this, but it runs well and I missed out getting one when they first came out.  What Gresby really needs is a shed...

 

Lots to do!

 

Simon

Edited September 14, 2017 by MrSimon

[MrSimon]

Hello Everybody!

 

I can't believe its Sunday again already!  This week I'm going to try and actually use my desk during the week to try and speed up progress a bit.

 

Today I did a bit more painting on the coach I've been repainting:

 

Can you tell what it is yet?  It needs touching up around the door handles - these new Bachman coaches are really fiddly - but I can see the end in sight for this one

 

This Christmas I seem to have got my sister pretty well trained - 2 seacows!  I've moved the first one into the painting tray to be roughed up a bit, but first I attached the extra bits:

 

Unlike the last Bachman one I got, this time I remembered to trim the back off the handbrake detail so the bogie would turn with the coupling in. Its a shame to be cutting detail off after not having any details for years, but its in a good cause.  I also filed the back of the footsteps on the other end, just on the edge where they catch the bogie.  This wagons gone to be weathered now.

 

Last week I had a package from the NGS shop - the last PFA chassis in stock!  I'd been having some problems with the last batch I built (earlier on this thread I think), they weren't running well - lots of resistance compared to all the others I'd built - so I bought this to see if I could make it freewheeling. 

 

The chassis went together well (as usual) and I had a bit of track on hand to keep check on how free-running it was.  It passed!  I think I've got a few more I need to re-chassis, serves me right for making the last lot too hastily.

 

This has also gone into the painting tray, but not for too long I'm sure.  It was always the containers that took me ages to finish, but I've got the ones from the bad running batch.  

 

I've not got much to show for a Sunday afternoon, but I've been doing some work on the tram too - but I'll save that for another day...

 

Lots to do!

 

Simon

Edited September 14, 2017 by MrSimon

[MrSimon]

Hello everybody

 

I'm determined to get this coach finished this weekend, its been in my painting tray for far too long:

 

 

And I'm nearly there!  I need to touch up the joins here and there, and maybe a third coat on the dark blue, but the livery is pretty much on... 

 

Lots to do!

 

Simon

Edited September 14, 2017 by MrSimon

[MrSimon]

Hello Everybody!

 

As always there's a bit of paintwork to touch up, but I got the windows back in, and the coach back in one piece.  I also need to paint the ends and varnish the sides where the transfers go... and a bit of weathering

 

At this rate it'll be finished by Christmas...

 

Lots to do!

 

Simon

Edited September 14, 2017 by MrSimon

[MrSimon]

Hello Everybody!

 

I thought I'd get that coach finished this weekend, then I realised I didn't have any coach number transfers, so I'm hopeful for next week...

 

I got the Regional Railways on the other end though.  I painted the ends black during the week too.  I still need to do some tiny touches to the paintwork, and then varnish and weather them.  While the plate of water was on my desk I decided there was only one thing for it.  I had a transfers session (which as you all know if my least favourite modelling activity ever)

 

First up, I finished the PFA I built the other day.

 

Then I treated the seacow to a visit from the vandals (I've not finished with it yet!!).  Once they were done I reached for some transfers I've been meaning to fit for well over a year:

 

47145.  I'm pretty sure I originally repainted this in 2012.

 

Yesterday I got the centre cant-rail strip, the warning flashes, and the main logos on; then this morning I ran some thinned satin varnish over them so they wouldn't come off when I did the cabs and numbers this afternoon.

 

I'm not entirely sure the numbers are right.  I've been working from a picture where 47145 had red arrows on the cabs, the red and yellow blocks symbol and larger than normal numbers - so I used numbers from the NSE sheet.  I'm not sure if they're too large.  I need to nudge the 47 down slightly.  

 

I've got a set of arrows to paint, and I'll see about picking up some plates and shed plaques when I next see Shawplan.  Good to actually make some progress on this after so many years - and I've found some bits to finish off another project!

 

Finally this week I got round to buying the other pretendolino coaches!

 

I'm not sure why this would be running through Gresby, but at least now it will run with sandwiches.

 

Am I imagining things, or do the two new coaches (5th and 6th from the top) have matt roofs?  I was going to matt varnish all the roofs anyway, but I kinda thought the train would all match straight from the factory... there's another job for the list

 

Lots to do!

 

Simon

Edited September 14, 2017 by MrSimon

[MrSimon]

Hello Everybody!

 

Lots of little jobs this afternoon, sadly I've still not managed to finish anything

 

Firstly I touched up the last of the paintwork on the coach, then I varnished the cabs and numbers on the 47.  And I gave the BR arrows the first coat of red - maybe I'll be able to fit them tomorrow.

 

Now that the fist coat of varnish is on I can paint all the detail bits (handrails etc) without fear of the transfers coming off.  I'm going to try and get nameplates at Ally Pally.  I even made a start on the third thing in the painting box - its been in the tray for ages its just taken me ages to pluck up the nerve to start:

 

I've always wanted a 155!  I started on a dummy 153; expensive mistakes and all that This is the end that needs changing into the inner end, it was pretty tough getting the glazing etc out of that end.  I left it in the other end and masked it all off.  

 

I gave it a light dusting of white primer so I could see where I needed to cut and fill windows etc.

 

All the back on page 6 I threatened to stick the roof headlamps on.  And now I actually did it!  I must get better at finishing things off when they're on my desk the first time.  I even found where I'd written the number down.  I think I've even got the number transfers in my box.  I might actually get this finished.  Haha no really.

 

While I'm in this crazy phase of finishing off little jobs I found the remains of a TPM freight liner detailing kit in my bits box, so I glued hand wheels to the wagons.  I'm not sure why this took me so long, but I've got all 12 wagons from the train to paint up and weather now.  And the containers need some work, or at least some more matt varnish!

 

Finally today I finished off the Graffiti on the seacow.  

 

The next job is the rust and then painting on the bogie dirt, and I need to add a load.  

 

I'm quite enjoying this whole finishing things phase...

 

Lots to do!

 

Simon

Edited September 14, 2017 by MrSimon

[MrSimon]

Hello Everbody!

 

Following a virtually unheard of second transfer-sunday in a row I think I can declare this Class 37 finished!

 

It just needs a tiny bit of varnish over the numbers and a dust of powder around the bottom, exhaust and grills.

 

I've moved house so many times since I started the fist class 37!  I just need the railhead wagons to go in the middle.

 

Now I've finished the second one, the first one looks a bit basic in comparison - it might make it onto the workbench in a few months (when I've finished feeling smug about finishing this last one)

 

Lots to do!

 

Simon

Edited September 14, 2017 by MrSimon

[MrSimon]

Hello Everybody!

 

It's only taken 3 years, but today I finally took the plunge and started doing the body work on the 155...

 

First the roof - I removed the radio pod thing from the inner end, and then filled the exhaust hole.  I did a load of research and it needs to be painted grey.

 

Next I drilled holes and then opened out the plated over windows

 

I also cut off the rivets from the 'new' window frames.

 

Then I filled the small cab windows with plasticard, removed the headlamps and and handrails, and then blobbed filler all over it.  It still needs to set before I sand it smooth.  I keep eyeballing the tin of West Yorkshire cream on my desk.

 

As well as some bits of painting I started finishing some container kits I've had on my desk for a while.  

 

I'm pleased with how the 155 is coming on, but I'm not sure about how to tackle the powered car - I might have to mask over the mechanism when take the seats out... but I'm not sure

 

Lots to do!

 

Simon

Edited September 14, 2017 by MrSimon

[MrSimon]

Hello Everybody!

 

A very 'fume-y' weekend of painting - between the thinners and the traffic outside its not been the best weekend for breathing!

 

I got started painting the red on the class 155, after giving it a quick coat of the cream during the week.

 

I thought I was going to be painting on the cream stripes, but then I when I checked the transfer sheet I realised it came with the cream bands on the sheet - its been so long since I bought the sheet (originally bought years ago for use on a pair of butchered Ian Stoate 153 kits I had) I'd completely forgotten.  The rivets make masking really difficult, so I'm glad I don't have to try and get it too neat... 

 

The 155 has been on the cards so long I'd also forgotten about the spare cl158 exhausts I bought for it.  I trimmed off the locating plugs and shortened the exhaust slightly and then super-glued it on to the rear.  They're not as flashy as the 156 exhausts.  I also primed out the bits of FNW livery on the roof, and where I hacked and sanded away the roof pod thing.

 

A massive chunk of yesterday and today's modelling time has been given over to painting underframes the dirty underframe colour:

 

Here are the four 'inners' I did today, yesterday it was five outers, the seacow, an HEA and the MK1 (That I've still not ordered the number transfers for).  I need to do some reading up around RM web before I weather the containers - 12 wagons worth 

 

Lastly today I gave the 155 a second coat of red.  I still need to work out which doors need painting red (like a fool I decided to do one side with the yellow stripe and one with the thinner cream stripe) and fill in the cream band at the cab ends.  

 

Ally Pally next weekend, I'm quite looking forward to stocking up at the phoenix stand and seeing what's new - inspire me to start something new...

 

Lots to do!

 

Simon

Edited September 14, 2017 by MrSimon

[MrSimon]

Hello Everybody!

 

I had an enjoyable morning at Ally Pally yesterday, great to see the Pacer start to take shape!  I managed to come out to the show relatively unscathed; just some paints, a wagon kit, and some depot plates.

 

 

The name plates had sold out, but I fitted the depot plaques and red arrows anyway - just so I don't loose them

 

Being a master of restraint, I have already built the wagon kit:

 

It went together really well, surprisingly quickly, I think I might have a look at bringing the couplings a bit closer in.  

 

 

I've nearly finished the seacow, and I sat down with a saucer and warm water to finish off the tanktainer - but then I couldn't find the transfers!  Must tidy the desk...

 

I'm also getting there with the 155, I think the sides are ready for me to varnish them during the week and then apply the transfers.  I'll do the yellow ends of both cars at once.  I also painted the roof.

 

I've had busier weekends, but I'm pleased with the bits of progress I've managed to make...

 

Lots to do!

 

Simon

Edited September 14, 2017 by MrSimon

[shanks522]

Hi Simon,

 

 Looks a very productive workbench of late, I love the seacow, really should do that to a few of mine.

 

Graham.