leavesontheline Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 I've finally got around to adding (some of) the extensive detailing packs to three of my five ViTrains Class 37's. Not very adventurous I know but I'm pleased with the results! Maybe one day (after practising on something old and tatty) I'll weather one or more of these but for now I'm enjoying them in 'ex-works' condition! I know these models have their faults but for what I've paid for each of the five I own they represent outstanding value really! The Bachmann version (which I have even more of!) is by no means perfect either anyway! I've probably got the wrong colour hoses in the wrong positions etc etc but there does seem to be variation across the prototypes based on an assortment of photos that a web search threw up for these actual locos. On the 'rear' ends I obviously have a coupling fitted, and as much of the detail as can be fitted without fouling the coupling, which isn't much! Right, must get on with some wagons ....... ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leavesontheline Posted July 11, 2012 Author Share Posted July 11, 2012 I should also add, I haven't had the courage to tackle the windscreen wiper arms yet! I fear I'll end up with a lovely metal wiper blade terminated in a (scale) football sized blob of glue! Also, I haven't ruled out re-glazing these at some point either so I'll maybe tackle the wipers then ..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
owentherail Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 Well done, when i tried to do it the little yellow bits pinged out of my tweesers all over room..... never found some of them so they got left. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Tomlinson Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 I should also add, I haven't had the courage to tackle the windscreen wiper arms yet! I fear I'll end up with a lovely metal wiper blade terminated in a (scale) football sized blob of glue! Also, I haven't ruled out re-glazing these at some point either so I'll maybe tackle the wipers then ..... I had exactly the same sentiment when faced with these wipers! My solution was to drill small holes in the bodyshell just in front of the glazing, into which the wipers can be carefully pushed to fit, hopefully without the need for glue at all. You should use something like the point on school compasses to make a guidance mark to begin with, then using the drill in a pin vice slowly and carefully make the hole by hand - a bit of low tack masking tape over the glazing isn't a bad idea either for protection. John, with snaps on http://www.flickr.com/photos/51265696@N03 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leavesontheline Posted July 13, 2012 Author Share Posted July 13, 2012 Hmmm, I'll consider the 'hole' option thanks John. The slight risk there is that I end up with a (scale) football size blob of glue and a (scale) basketball size hole behind it! I also wondered about using some of that 'tacky wax' type stuff as it is not permanent so would allow me more than one attempt at placing the root of the wiper arms! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leavesontheline Posted August 5, 2012 Author Share Posted August 5, 2012 Okay, I didn't get on with the wagons, but decided to add the detailing packs to my remaining two ViTrains '37's. Still no wiper arms or weathering but those two tasks can wait for another rainy(er!) day. Might also drill out the horns if I'm feeling particularly bored! (colours are a bit OTT on the first two photos - but it resulted in a more detailed shot) I might have said this before but I do like these models. They have plus and minus points when compared to the Bachmann version but overall its a hard call to make. Although I doubt it will ever happen it would be interesting to see what a 'new-tool' Hornby Class 37 would turn out like! Still looks good in a very cruel close-up - I had never noticed the red paint running down onto the edge of the grille frame before, or the fact that the axle boxes actually have 'Timken' moulded into them! Actually did 37201 and 37800 (both Hattons bargains!) not long after the first four but I've only just got around to getting them all out and taking the photos! Right, now I can put them all away and make a start with building some wagons! Or shall I just add all the fiddly bits to my ViTrains Class 47 too? ................ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clydebridge Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 That's a great fleet you've got there and well done fitting on all the detailing parts. The only downside is you need is the patience of a saint and the skills of a Swiss watchmaker to fit them as I found out! Having niether brute determination won the day. Thankfully all I lost was a drawhook and a lamp iron I count myself very fortunate not to have lost a whole lot more. Apart from that I'm well chuffed with the two locos I purchased and once I've added some weathering I'd like to DCC them with sound. But that's a good bit further down the line. In a nutshell ViTrains 37's rock .... well, almost if wasn't for the pain in the ass awkward parts. Heres a few snaps of my progress. The detail on the index plate is pretty good for a budget loco IMHO Cheers Drew :-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leavesontheline Posted August 8, 2012 Author Share Posted August 8, 2012 Looking good! Thanks for sharing. I've been very tempted by the 'Dutch' liveried one for a while, particularly as it is currently on offer at a certain Merseyside retailer. It's just very similar to a Bachmann variant I already have. However, seeing your photos makes me think maybe I do 'need' one after all! I agree with you on the quality of the printing but also the quality of the moulded detail such as grilles etc, it is very crisp and fine. The paint finish also seems very robust - which is just aswell given how much handling is necessary during fitment of all the bits and pieces! - and quite thinly applied so that none of the moulded details are lost under a thick coating of paint, which I have seen on numerous models in the past. I may also blacken/darken the wheels one day but most of the time you don't really notice them. I see that you also haven't bothered with the wiper arms yet! Let me know how you get on if you do............... !! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Campaman Posted August 14, 2012 Share Posted August 14, 2012 Looking good, but do get those Horns drilled out, its sometimes the small things like the horns that can mean the difference when looking at a photo of thinking is it real or a model... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clydebridge Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Many thanks leavesontheline, I hope the pics did the loco's justice in their incomplete stage and as you say you can pick them up at a very realistic price :-) I just hope ViTrains continue to produce more modern image varieties for the UK market as I firmly believe in healthy competition in the 00 gauge loco market. A few things I've picked up on since I last posted was inadvertently adding some (obvious) errors whilst detailing the buffer beam, most notably the addition of ETH sockets on both loco's and the distinct lack of the multi jumpers. Oop's... a minor faux pas but easily rectified as I still have the parts. On closer inspection the 'Dutch' 37 140 has an ETH Index rating of 30 suggesting it was ETH fitted, however the BR blue 37 141 shows the ETH index as blank suggesting it was either still fitted with a steam boiler or perhaps the loco was in transition?. Alas, further investigation will be required although easily remedied. Any 37 specialist's out there that can shed any light would be most welcome. As for the wheels, I'm going to mask them off and paint them separately by hand then airbrush the sole bar and bogies, fuel tanks etc. Last but not least, the window wipers have been intentionally left off until I make some uniform masks prior to spraying. I'm planning on using an old skool compass & pencil to measure out the supplied blade then sketch out a realistic wiper arc. Just like the Pro's ;-) Campaman, that's great advice on drilling out the horns as I hadn't given them any thought to be honest. The Dremel will be put to productive use for once. Cheers Drew Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tractor_37260 Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 Looking good, but do get those Horns drilled out, its sometimes the small things like the horns that can mean the difference when looking at a photo of thinking is it real or a model... Yep definately agree, drilling out the horns does make a big difference to the face. One other point, on Blue 37 141 why did Vi use two different fonts for the "1"s ? in the running number, the end one is correct Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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