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QRModeller

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  1. QRModeller

    Wagons²

    By QRModeller,

    What did I tell you?! An update that hasn't taken more than half a year to appear!!
     
     
    This time I'll be tackling two kits at the same time, hence this posts title.
     
    So, what am I building? Two FJS wagon kits by PGC Scale Models. These are/were steel bodied four wheeled wagons used to transport just about anything that could be loaded into them!
     

     
    Inside we find five sprus of three different mouldings, and a bag containing wheels, decals and white metal buffers and brake cylinder.
     

     
    Firstly, because I'll be using Kadee's I had to modify the ends to accept the coupler box. Three done, one to go at this point.
     

     
    Next, I made four sub-assemblies of an end and a side. Once the glue set, for the first wagon, I glued the two sub-assemblies together and then added the floor. On doing this, I found I'd possibly taken too much off the sides of the floor when cleaning it up so there are some gaps between it and the sides! Lesson learned, for the second wagon, I glued the floor to one of the sub-assemblies first, before bringing both together. There's still a small gap in places on the side of the floor that was glued second but none of them will be noticeable on either wagon when in use.
     

     
    Next came the two central frames. These had to be shortened to accommodate the Kadee couplers before being attached. Once these were on, I added the W iron mouldings, and at the same time, the wheels (although they can still be removed).
     

     
    Time to add the outer frames. Before doing this though, the door stops were supposed to be bent into a slight 'S' shape. However, I felt the moulded on ones were too thick and could bend back to their original shape over time, so I cut them off and made my own from brass strip which were then superglued on. Top is the original moulding, one below has been modified.
     

     
    With all four outer frames modded, they could now be attached to the wagons. I did have to trim the backs of some of the door hinges to allow for the extra width added by the brass strip door stops before the frames would fit properly. I also had to re-glue all of the door stops as they worked loose while the frames were being fitted. They're all stuck solid now though! The handbrake levers were next, followed by the buffers.
     

     
     
    That's where I'm currently up to with these. I've yet to add the brakes, brake cylinder and couplers, but before completion I want to add some form of brake gear similar to the Caintode A wagon from my last blog entry. As these kits don't come with materials for this, I'm going to wait until I've built a few of the other kits I bought recently to use the left-overs from their brake gear components.
     
     
    Stay tuned, next time I should be building something a little bit bigger and with more wheels!
     
     
     
    Matt.
  2. QRModeller
    Well, I may have had my fingers crossed behind my back when in my last entry I said I'd try and update this more regularly! Basically, I was hit by a lack of motivation a couple of weeks after said last entry, and have only just got my enthusiasm back, largely thanks to attending this years Brisbane show.
     
     
    So, what have I been doing recently? Up till last week, nothing! However, after practically doubling my rollingstock fleet with all the kits I bought at the show, I decided I should probably start building some of them!
     
    My biggest purchase was the second last Wuiske/DJH A10 kit available, which I've decided to build as my entry for this years RMweb challenge, and so to get my practice back up, I'm going to build a couple of these new wagon kits first, starting with this:
     

     
    Another A Class wagon, this time by Caintode Flats.
     
    This model depicts the last build type of these wagons of which there were only 10 built.
     
    Open the bag and this is what was inside:
     

     
    Main body, floor/underframe, bag of bits, bag with decals, and they're a bit hard to see but three lengths of brass wire.
     
    Open the bag of bits and we find:
     

     
    Whitemetal W irons, brakes, buffers and brake cylinder, delrin wheel bearings, wheels, another length of brass wire, solder, and a brass etch containing bits for the brake gear.
     
    Building it didn't require any special tricks or techniques, I just followed the instructions, although didn't follow them in their printed order.
     
    One set of W irons, both V hangers, brake cylinder and actuating lever glued on.
     

     
    Second set of W irons added as well as wheels. Brake rod and linking piece also added.
     

     
    Brake lever and peg bar added.
     

     
    Close-up of peg bar.
     

     
    Body, brakes and buffers added.
     

     
    Brake gear all linked up.
     

     
    Footsteps and T piece added.
     

     
    Finished! (almost!)
     

     
    Just need to paint, decal and weather it now, but I'll wait until I have a few more kits built and paint them all together. Also needs couplers adding but that will happen after painting.
     
    Overall, an enjoyable build, if a little fiddly at times (although that could be me out of practice!), and was the first time I've soldered something that wasn't electrical wires! I'll need a few more of these eventually so now I know how easy they were to build, they'll be done in no time (once I've got them!).
     
     
    That's all for now, and I can guarantee that the next update won't take six months to appear!
     
     
     
    Matt.
  3. QRModeller

    Stumped

    By QRModeller,

    G’day everyone.
     
    Over the past few weks, I have finished cladding the goods shed and have made a start on the roof. Basically it’s just a bit of corrugated plastic sheet cut to size and laminated to a piece of thick card (also cut to size), then repeat for the other half of the roof.
     

     

     

     

     
    In the last two pics, the two halves of the roof are just sitting in place with friction, so I could see how dark it was inside. The parts of the foamcore where I’ve cut around the doors and windows were only just visible, so once the doors are glued on and rollingstock is in the way once it is positioned on the layout, from normal viewing distance, seeing the gaps shouldn’t be a problem.
     
    I have also begun adding the stumps to the shed. So far, only the stumps around the edges of the structure have been added, the remaining 29 will get added over time.
     

     

     

     

     
    The roof is again being held on with friction in the last two pics.
     
     
    In other news, my trip to the Brisbane show on May 4 has resulted in me finally getting couplers for the two wagon kits I've started, as well as the required paints. I also bagged a new book on QR history, a set of level crossing signs for my unfinished 2011 Challenge diorama and another kit for the workbench. I'll elaborate on the kit when I start construction, but that won't be until I've got everything else I need to complete it. I'll give you a hint though, when finished, it will be green.
     
    Well, for now at least, that's all folks! Comments and criticism welcome as usual.
     
     
    Cheers,
     
    Matt.
  4. QRModeller
    G'day.
     
    Well if you were wondering, the answer to the equation in the title is hopefully this:
     

     
    You may remember in my last status update, I mentioned a goods shed and this is it. This is a 20 x 30' QR goods shed drawn to HO scale in SketchUp from plans for a full sized one I found on the net. Using the CAD model, I've been scratchbuilding it, out of foamcore, cardboard and plastic sheet and strip, for the last few weeks.
     
    Bearing in mind that this is only the third building I've scratchbuilt (first serious attempt), and the first time I've used plastic that isn't already moulded to the right shape, I think I'm doing pretty well. Here's my progress so far:
     
    Foamcore walls cut out and waiting final glueing together.
     

     
    Cutting out cardboard strips for wooden siding.
     

     
    Starting to clad one side.
     

     
    This side nearly finished.
     

     
    Plastic base stuck to walls.
     

     
    Cutting out parts for stairs.
     

     
    One set complete.
     

     
    Both stairs complete, standing up with friction.
     

     
    Making up the doors.
     

     
    Doors complete.
     

     
    One of the windows, with ruler for scale.
     

     
    Since taking the last photo, I've completed the second window, and have started cutting out the cladding for the rest of the bulding, as I needed the walls stuck onto the base before I could clad the rest of the shed.
     
     
    The dinky van I started building in my last entry hasn't progressed since then, as I really need to paint certain parts before continuing, but the nozzle has sheared off the airbrush (well, it is ancient!). Because of this, I'm holding off continuing with the dinky van, as well as painting the A wagon (which reminds me, I still need couplers for that!), so I'm not sure when they'll next get worked on.
     
    Well, that's me updated for now, see you next time. Comments and criticsm most welcome.
     
     
    Matt.
  5. QRModeller

    And they're off!

    By QRModeller,

    G'day, welcome to my blog!
     
    Here you can find what's been happening on my workbench. Basically, this workbench blog will contain any modelling project that I'm currently undertaking so you can expect to see a general mash-up of kitbuilds and scratchbuilds, conversions and painting, weathering and detailing projects in OO, N, HO and HOn3 1/2. This will include locos, rollingstock and various scenic items (i.e. mostly buildings).
     
    So, sit down (or stand if you prefer) and hold on tight becuase who knows where this thing is going.
     
     
    Alrighty, formalities over, let's get to the workbench!
     
    For this first entry, I thought I'd share another first. Over the past few days, I've been building my first QR wagon kit.
     

     
    For my first foray into the world of QR modelling, I decided to start simple with a Wuiske Models A Class wagon.
     
    QR had some peculiar classification methods for their stock. A class wagons were any small four wheeled box wagons, regardless of their size or use. These were one of the most numerous wagons used in Queensland, and they lasted in revenue earning service until December 1987, when all timber bodied wagons were being withdrawn.
     
    So, the kit. Upon opening, this is what I was presented with
     

     
    Top left: two brass wheels
    Middle left: Four buffers
    Bottom left: two coupler pocket covers
     
    Top center: two sideframes
    Middle center: brass wire
    Bottom center: brake lever
     
    Top right: one piece body
    Bottom right: One piece underframe
     
    After cleaning up the mouldings, I washed them in cold water (according to the instructions, it helps remove the mould release agent)
     
    Next, I had to source a suitable lump of metal from the shed to add some weight. I also drilled out the holes for the buffers at this point.
     

     
    Once the superglue for the weight had gone off, I glued the underframe to the body, making double sure I had them round the right way! The four cut-outs were added by me. They are for the buffer sprues as they are just a bit too big.
     

     
    Next, I trimmed the brass wire to make the rod thingies on the sideframes. If anyone knows what they are actually called, please, feel free to tell me!
     

     
    Then, I glued the sideframes on, followed by the buffers. I actually got ahead of myself as the instructions say to put the buffers on before the sideframes, but I had no trouble doing it the other way.
     

     

     
    After test fitting the wheels, I added the brake lever.
     

     
    I still need to get couplers for it and paint it but the main building aspect is now complete.
     

     
    Now just a shot of it on my still unfinished 2011 Challenge diorama.
     

     
    I should hopefully be able to get some Kadee's for it this week, but painting might have to wait because the airbrush is playing up.
     
    That's all for now. Next update may or may not feature the finished wagon but should feature a different project.
     
    Comments and criticism welcome.
     
     
    Matt.
  6. QRModeller
    G'day, about time I added an update here methinks!
     
    Well, not a lot has happened between the last post and now. Wait, scratch that...
     
    [rant mode on/]
     
    Alright, firstly, during the holidays I had planned to finish the A wagon and get at least half way through another QR kit (more on this later) and begin/work on/complete a number of other things but instead, the universe had other ideas. It seemed that everytime I thought I would be able to go out and get a pack of couplers for the A wagon as well as paints for it and other kits, other engagements came up that I couldn't get out of. Next, my laptop died a few weeks before Christmas leaving me with the possibility of losing a heck of a lot of modelling files, pics etc. Luckily, they have all been saved. So, due to not having my own laptop to use, I had to use the family laptop to browse here but not post any pics. However, for some reason, the keyboard and touch pad stopped working on that one too! Not so bad, because I just used my own mouse, but using the on-screen keyboard was torture!!! I decided to just read RMweb and not post if not necessary. A few weeks after this, I got my own laptop back but we then lost power for about a week due to the recent QLD floods, so no RMweb at all untill a few days ago!!
     
    So, 2013 has not been the best for me so far (did I mention I got severely sunburnt on New Year's Day? My legs were a nice painfull shade of Midland Red from the knees down for two and a bit weeks after that!!). Not that I'm superstitious with this whole 'unlucky 13' thing, but the way things are going, I may well be wearing tin hats and talking about conspiricy theories by the end of the year!
     
    [rant mode off/]
     
     
    Ok, so by now you've probably guessed that I haven't finished the A wagon yet, but, while looking through one of my Aussie modelling mags, I came across a pic of someone else's model of an A. The panelling on the sides was different because it was modelled on a slightly different varient to mine, but it did give me a reference to where the footsteps and door handles were. So...
     

     

     
    To make these, I used the wire from inside twisty-ties. I can't remember where I got the idea from (probably on here but I seem to remember hearing it from an Aussie so possibly from another forum or at a show), but it is a very neat idea because the wire bends and cuts easily, and it can be sort of flattened using pliers (or anything similar) and then bent to shape, like what I did to make the footsteps.
     
     
    I mentioned earlier that I had started another wagon kit.
     

     
    This one is a PGC Scale Models QR 'Dinky Van'. 'Dinky Van' is what PGC call it but from what I can work out, it would actually be classed as a BLV (B=Second Class passenger compartment, L=Lavatory, V=Guards compartment), however, I can't find any info on it so might need to flick PGC an email and see what they know about it.
     
    I have only cleaned up all of the mouldings so far, but this is what comes in the kit:
     

     
    Left: Brass strips for running boards
    Middle (from top): Roof, Underframe, Sides, Ends
    Right (from top): Bogies, Buffers, Brass wire for handrails, Decals
     
    The pic of the second guards van here will give you an idea of what it will look like finished.
     
    In other news, I have been thinking about doing my own home etches for loco and rollingstock details and have started drawing a couple of parts for a QR DH class, but I'll jump off that bridge once I get there (like once I actually have a DH model ).
     
    That's all from me for now. Comments & criticsm welcome.
     
     
    Matt.
  7. QRModeller

    It's been a while!

    By QRModeller,

    Given it's Halloween today, in keeping with the spirit of things I thought I'd resurrect this blog from the dead!
     
    Not a great deal of modelling has happened since my last entry (just under a year and a half ago!), mainly because when I switched from uni to tafe at the start of last year my workload more than doubled, up from three subjects a semester to seven, causing a severe lack of interest in my own modelling. Luckily, I'd started volunteering at the the Workshops Railway Museum at the same time so my one day a week there has meant I haven't been doing nothing.
     
     
    Out of the two projects I've posted about on this blog so far, one hasn't progressed and the other has gone backwards!
     
    The goods shed is the stalled one - I'd held off painting it until I found out what colour scheme the one I was modelling had. However, I later found plans at the Queensland State Archives for it and found there are some quite significant detail differences to how I'd built it, so eventually I'll finish the current one and either sell it or use it on a diorama and build a new 'correct' one.
     
    The A wagon has gone backwards, literally! It rolled back off my outback diorama and turned itself back into a kit! Not too big a problem except for the fact that the metal weight I glued inside has come unstuck and getting the underframe off to re-glue it will be a pig of a job to do because it's superglued on! Will probably just have to live with that one!
     
     
    Now, to the modelling I have done since my last post.
     
    I built trees!
     

     
    My 'job' at the museum is to help with the model railway display, so that's fixing damage, making it look presentable and just generally keeping it going. In addition to that, I've been making some replacement trees for some of the scenes.
     
    For gum trees, I've used the twisted wire method, covered in watered down gap filler, then painted with acrylics and 'greened' with teased out foliage matting.
     
    The four stages

     
    Twisted wire (florist wire here but would prefer to use copper wire, much kinder to the fingers!)

     
    Watered down gap filler stage (this one was an attempt at a small jacaranda tree)

     
    Painted (this could have done with a bit more gap filler!)

     
    'Greened' with Heki foliage matting

     
     
    This was my first finished tree. Didn't like how dark I did the trunk so tried to turn it into a wattle by hitting it with spray adhesive and sprinkling yellow scatter material on it. Crap image courtesy of my phone.

     
     
    Here's the rest waiting for their leaves to grow!
     

     

     

     
    These have all since been finished and are waiting to go onto the layout.
     
     
    I've also made a few palm trees from kits (Prieser IIRC). These I took home with me after finishing the first one so I could get them done quicker.
     

     

     

     
    Again, all since finished, but waiting until I have a few more to build before putting them in the Kuranda scene.
     
     
    That's this blog revived then. I'll try and keep the posts a bit more regular from now on (I'll aim for at least bi-monthly!), which should be a little easier now I've decided to give tertiary study a break for a few years. Add the fact I've now also got my small QR layout under way and a certain NSW broad gauge wagon to build, I should have something to talk about for a little while at least!
     
    Cheers,
     
     
     
    Matt.
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