Jack's Present Day Workbench - Coaches of Many Colours

[Jack374]

Cheers Jules...my last exam is on Monday...nearly there!

 

This week I’ve started a couple of new projects...the first is a DB MFA wagon, a two axle ballast wagon. I’ve not just painted it red...the bufferbeams were sanded smooth to accept some new 51L models buffers and Brassmasters coupling hooks:

And the body has had the moulded lamp brackets removed and then the body was stripped, before being sprayed white then VW Mars Red from a rattle can...

 

The second new project is my rake of FNA nuclear flask wagons. I started on the wagon I’d already put a flashing tail lamp on, however the flash rate was wrong and the switch was pretty much inaccessible unless you used stiff wire or a cocktail stick. To begin, I ripped the old arrangement out and added some weights to replace the ones I’d removed when adding the previous unit:

These were hot glued in place, and a switch (in a much better position) was bolted in place...

The weights could be added back in because I realised the tops came off, and so there was ample space for a new battery holder, as well as the switch wiring...no circuitry was needed because I’m using some flashing SMDs as these have a better flash rate. Some magnets have been added to keep the top on yet also to allow the top to be removed in case the battery needs to be changed:

Quite a neat fit!

And here’s the lamp. Two wires were soldered to either side of the SMD, then plasticard was built up around it, and a handle was robbed off a cosmetic lamp...

And by the virtue of continuous shots on an iPad, here it is lit up:

 

For the rest of the rake, two wagons needed yellow axlebox covers added, so these were masked and sprayed yellow...

And the tops on these two wagons are now devoid of their numbers and have the modern type of OLE flash in real life, so both of my boxes were stripped, sprayed white and have now had the new flashes added...

These will now be reassembled then all will be weathered. The missing buffer on the first wagon is because I caught it and it snapped, which brought to my attention the weedy shanks and overly-large heads - I may scratch build some new ones.

 

More soon!

Jack.

[cal.n]

Great work. Especially like the FNAs. Nice to know that the lid comes off without too much work, that could come in handy.

 

Have you just put the SMD LED in an existing tail lamp or did the tail lamp come with a LED?

 

Good luck for your last exam and enjoy the break that follows.

[Jack374]

Cheers Cal...you have to apply a lot of force to pull the lid off and normally a couple of lugs snap off...it helps to push inwards around the bottom edges to loosen the glue bond beforehand.

The LED was soldered up and then glued between 2 small pieces of plasticard, then a handle of an existing one was added. I’m sure with some fettling it could fit into a moulded one, but I didn’t like the shape of one I had spare anyway, so I just robbed the handle off it.

 

Thanks,

Jack.

[cal.n]

Cheers Cal...you have to apply a lot of force to pull the lid off and normally a couple of lugs snap off...it helps to push inwards around the bottom edges to loosen the glue bond beforehand.

The LED was soldered up and then glued between 2 small pieces of plasticard, then a handle of an existing one was added. I’m sure with some fettling it could fit into a moulded one, but I didn’t like the shape of one I had spare anyway, so I just robbed the handle off it.

Thanks,

Jack.

Tail lamp looks really nice considering it’s scratchbuilt. Impressive you managed to solder into SMD LEDs. All of my attempts are either bridged or somewhere in the carpet.

[Jack374]

The SMDs are larger than standard ones...I’ve used 0805 instead of 0603, which are the really tiny ones and the pads on those aren’t strong enough to withstand a stiff wire soldered on. Trust me... a few of mine have gone in the bin too in the past!

 

Jack.

[Jack374]

Just a quick post at this late hour (am exam tomorrow too...last one!!) to show I’ve thinned down the handbrake lever on the MFA, using a mini drill and a cutting disc, and it’s now a lot less chunky and improves the appearance a lot for a surprisingly small mod:

And one of the whole wagon now...the chassis has been sprayed black, top edge yellow and interior hand painted 'dark rust'...

 

Now to bed.

Jack.

[dj_crisp]

Good luck with your last exam! At least summers here

[Departmental203]

Yes, Jack, I just finished my maths test today (results after summer) and got a good score in a Physics test.

BTW, is there any photo of a DB red MFA because I've never seen one before, or is this fictional?

 

Jules

[newbryford]

Yes, Jack, I just finished my maths test today (results after summer) and got a good score in a Physics test.

BTW, is there any photo of a DB red MFA because I've never seen one before, or is this fictional?

 

Jules

 

391034

It's partner MHA 394829

Edited June 26, 2018 by newbryford

[Jack374]

Cheers Jules and Mick...I'M FINISHED!!! No more exams for me this year!

 

Today I’ve finished the MFA, which entailed using transfers from Modelmaster and Railtec Transfers for the OLE flashes/data panels and DB logos respectively, which were then sealed in with Humbrol rattle can matt varnish. New lamp brackets were added from thin brass strip (brass etch offcut) and footsteps were soldered up from the same strip and a small square of brass. A Cambrian Models plastic moulding was added to represent the one visible in the photo Mick posted, then 18" 51L/Wizard steel buffer heads were added and then the faces and lower part of the lamp brackets were painted black. All the details that needed it were painted white, and weathering was by hand brushing 'frame dirt' and white, then wiping with a cotton bud soaked in thinners. Another coat of matt varnish and we’re there!

 

I wonder why the photos were taken on a proper camera and with a white background....

 

Thanks,

Jack.

[Jack374]

Many thanks all for the likes!

 

Today I sat down to add transfers to my HKA wagon, which has had one side done for a while, but I haven’t done any transfers today...I ended up taking it apart and repainting it!

 

After wondering which number set I should use for my wagons with buffers at one end, I started searching. I’ve settled on No.300668, as this has buffers at one end only and I can easily make up this number from the Railtec pack I had. However...I also stumbled across a couple of other people from the current and past RMweb sites, who’d made either HKAs or JMAs in National Power livery, and I realised I’d missed off something. There is a small opening on one side only, shaped like either a square or a D, and I struggled to find photos of it until I found a scale drawing in this thread: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=40988&start=25.

 

So I set about drilling and filing out the hole after dismantling the wagon, and also drilling a 2mm hole next to it, as clearly visible in this pic: http://www.ltsv.com/w_photos_view.php?photoid=2535

 

The beading was achieved using some 0.35mm steel wire, bent to shape and glued using minimal superglue but enough for a solid bond. The side was then sprayed with my new colour for DB red, Volkswagen Mars Red, and after it’s dried I’ll try again tomorrow for transfers!

 

Also today I’ve filled in the gaps on the MXAs again, hopefully for the last time....

 

And here's a shot of the MFA in full sun.

 

This wagon may become available soon, so if you’re interested please PM me.

 

Keep modelling!

Jack.

[Departmental203]

391034

It's partner MHA 394829

Cheers, Mick, I thought DB woudn't care about them, they're (only) small ballast boxes!!!   (that's what they think!!)

 

This may have inspired me to do one of them, since I'm building a rake of these small engineers wagons and I like them!!

 

BTW, 391034 was previously in shabby two tone grey from its BR days, carrying coal as an MEA.

 

Jules

Edited June 29, 2018 by Departmental203

[Jack374]

Jules, it’s a great little project and doesn’t take long at all, I’d give it a go if you’re debating whether to.

 

Today I sat down for 2 hours straight and finished the HKA, adding transfers to the other side. I also corrected the numbers on the side I’d already done, making the wagon represent 300668, one with buffers. Some handwheels from Bachmann FNAs were added to one bogie.

 

Thanks,

Jack.

[Jack374]

Some more shots of the HKA on a white background (again...):

 

 

I’m off to the states for two weeks now!

 

Jack.

[Steadfast]

The red MHA turned up at work the other week. It's very pink now, with some nice little maroon spots breaking through. Only released to traffic last year, but I'm not sure how long they were sat at Stoke in red before being set free. As far as I know there's only two, one MHA and one MFA. We had both coupled together, ex works condition for a few weeks last year on various trains to worksites.

 

The extra D shape cutout on the HKA is access to the distributor and it's isolating lever. Nice work adding it in. Random aside, on Train Sim World, the developers have modelled it in the isolated position, so the only functioning brakes would be on the loco. Not allowed in the rule book!

 

Have fun in the states, hope you get some railfanning in

 

Jo

[Departmental203]

Jack, should have said earlier, but enjoy your visit to the US, I was born in Boston, USA BTW

 

Happy trainspotting the big American diesels!

 

Jules

[Jack374]

Many thanks Jules, I had a great time, with little train action though unfortunately. Very tiring it was too...I’m only just recovering!

 

Today, after sorting out a place to live in Derby when I move later this year, I did a little more on a special project...loco no.1 'Thomas'! This is for Leyland MRC's summer exhibition this weekend...shameless link here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/calendar/event/2038-leyland-mrc-exhibition/

It had a cracked and broken bufferbeam, with one corner and buffer missing, so some plasticard, spare buffers and paint later:

I decided to repaint the face too, and this is the end result:

Ready for service at the weekend.

 

Work on 37607 is progressing slowly, although I think this is a longer term project! I’ve filled in the bonnet doors with some plasticard strips, and I’ve now got some brass etched grilles for the bonnet, so I’ve got to put the work in!

I’ve also done more work on the noses, by flattening and filling in the ets socket mount, which isn’t needed on this prototype...

 

And finally, a work in progress...57308 has had the lights at the no.1 end added, using some copperclad, 0603 SMDs and some 1.5k ohm SMD resistors. The headlights have separate leads to each, as do the markers and rears. Once the no.2 end set is added, I’ll wire it all in and win any luck it’ll be like a Christmas tree!

Also at the no.2 end, I’ve removed the coupling as I’m having a rethink.....

 

And finally, all the boxes for the MXAs are now red. I’ve just got the final transfers from Railtec, so I’ll get these done within the week or next I hope.

 

More soon! Quite busy with the expo this weekend and a coast to coast cycle with the scouts the weekend after...let’s see how much modelling I can fit in!

 

Jack.

[Jack374]

Well, I’ve finally succumbed. I’ve bought a Dapol 68.

I’d held off for a while whilst they sorted out the livery and wiring teething troubles, and this week I purchased 68003 in DRS livery as the 'early service' spec. It’s a very nice model and some bits are very well thought out, but as ever, I found areas to improve upon.

 

To begin, I had a look at the buffers. One had become loose in the box and upon initial opening fell out, but luckily I found the spring. It dawned on me though that square buffers never stay the right way round, and until someone comes up with a proper solution, I’m afraid all my non-round buffers will be rigid. I fashioned some replacements from plastic tube and carefully superglued paper around one end to create the look of the 'European-style' inverted buffers, i.e. thicker diameter section attached to the head. The original heads were cut off and used on the new shanks. I then set about making the missing lamp brackets, by folding up some brass etch offcut to the right shape and then these were glued them on to the (thankfully removable) buffer top steps after some minor surgery. Following this some cosmetic Bachmann screw link dummy couplings were added to replace the moulded Dapol offerings and everything was painted up, during which I also painted the small pipes (which go to the air pipes from the bufferbeam) silver. I think a photo will explain better:

Visible in the above photo is a piece of strip added below the buffer on the opposite side to the ETS socket and painted orange, which is clearly visible in this photo but omitted by Dapol:

I’ve also discovered why I don’t think the face of the loco looks 'right', and that is because of the yellow panel. The shape is too square around the edges and the black joint line in the middle is far too thick IMHO:

I may fill the line in and repaint the front as it’ll only annoy me every time I look at it, but I think the yellow panel shape is the problem causing me to think it doesn’t look 'right'. Also causing me concern is the effectiveness of the 'Halo' lights, which may be down to light bleed, and also the size of the main headlights (they seem too small). I’ll muse it over.

 

Another project, 57003, is cosmetically finished now apart from windscreen wipers and multiple working cable receptacles. I added all the details back on, as well as a pair of engine shut off handle boxes (also now added to 57007) made from plastic square tube. This will finish the loco (for now) as I want it as a dead loco to double-head with, so lighting mods can wait....

 

Also nearing completion are the MXAs. A nice day yesterday saw the transfers (Railtec) go on and a coat of varnish seal them in. Today all the interiors have been painted Railmatch 'dark rust' and soon they will be weathered and finished...finally!!

 

Many thanks for sticking with me during this pause in productivity...in two weeks I start my apprenticeship with Rolls-Royce and I’m moving to Derby for it, so hopefully I can take a concise modelling set up with me and continue...watch this space!

 

Thanks,

Jack.

[Powerhaul 70 Pey]

Nice work Jack.  I like the last photo of 68003 with the rake of wagons you have done.

[Southwich]

Very nice work Jack! I must say the 68 is far too modern for myself -  however that really is a stunning model!

Keep up the good work and good luck at RR!

 

Kind regards,

 

Will

[Jack374]

Nice work Jack.  I like the last photo of 68003 with the rake of wagons you have done.

Cheers Pete, I'll do a proper photo with the rake when they're weathered.

 

Very nice work Jack! I must say the 68 is far too modern for myself -  however that really is a stunning model!

Keep up the good work and good luck at RR!

Thanks very much Will! It is a great model but I've yet to find an RTR model which doesn't benefit from a few tweaks. Who says there's no proper modelling to be done today!

 

Thanks,

Jack.

 

(PS after looking back over photos, I forgot to add that I also want to swap the handrails for steel ones...more work!)

[vulcan product fan]

nice work jack , good luck with job at RR and move to derby it aint bad round here for the railway stuff 

[Jack374]

nice work jack , good luck with job at RR and move to derby it aint bad round here for the railway stuff 

Thanks! I’ve had a quick look and there’s loads of interest on the 'big railway', as well as a few model clubs I’ll look into once I’m settled in.

 

Jack.

[steve shorrock]

Excellent modelling as usual Jack, Hope all goes well at Rolls Royce and Derby

Best Wishes,

Steve

[Jack374]

Excellent modelling as usual Jack, Hope all goes well at Rolls Royce and Derby

Thanks very much Steve , I appreciate it.

 

Today I’ve had an impromptu airbrush session, mainly to weather the track work on my layout 'Tighte End Yard', but also to do the MXAs, my 68 and the chassis of 57003. 'Frame dirt' and black were used, and I must say it was the least-problematic session I’ve ever had! After this, some black and rust was painted on and bits wiped off with a thinners-soaked cotton bud. Unfortunately, the matt Humbrol rattle can varnish I applied whited some areas, but I’ve salvaged these and IMHO it’s a bit light but ok...as if it's been on a quarry circuit!

 

Last night I also painted all the light lens pieces inside the body black as well as the LEDs themselves, leaving only the top part of the surface mounted diodes clear of paint. This has both gained and lost me ground! The halo lamps are now extremely effective and I’m very impressed with them, but I’ve almost totally lost the headlights and tail lights. This is no issue however, as the way Dapol have made the lights work means I can put a bi-colour red/white 2mm LED in to replace the single SMDs, one SMD doing both sides via some clear light guides in the current set up. I still reckon the lights are too small, so I’ll get some 3mm fibre optic (I’ve already got 1.5mm and 2mm to play with) and see what I can bodge!

 

Some photos:

Halos...

Headlights:

Tail lights....

I definitely need to rethink the lights! (Any light bleed is because the cab inserts were removed when I took the photos)

 

And some weathering details. The roof and underframe have been weathered and matt varnished, whilst the bodysides will remain satin as supplied. I masked around the fibreglass cab section to make it matt, like the real thing, and also cut some wiper weathering pieces from Tamiya masking tape...

 

The 57, lightly weathered on the underframe parts now:

 

And on the MXA front... THEY'RE FINISHED!!!

 

Finally, one for Pete

 

A very productive day!

 

Keep modelling!

Jack.