virginhst539

Finally back north, quick test of the new window blanks for the Hornby mk2s. The previous ones I had done where for the older tooling and did not fit. They don't quite sit flush with the body but that is intentional, designed them to be able to take a light pass of filler to get them spot on. Test positioning for the ones to be closed off seem promising so might have a crack at that over the weekend. Also going to go against the usual strip the coach method and just de brand it before priming. plastic is yellow so probably wont need it. as long as get rid of all the logos and give it a light sand. Distributor side non distributor side Also hammered enough out to do the Loram coach so might strip that off and get those in while I'm at it, might as well make the most of it before the weather starts improving. As much as I like modeling test coaches I absolutely detest airbrushing yellow paints, anything that's wrong with the base coach shows through no matter how many coats you hit it with and it takes ages to build up a good level of coverage. should have modelled railtrack/serco era!

What better way to spend a night on lodge than looking at coaches. Been having a pick through the list of coaches and buying decals. The plan is to get PLPR2 done which consists of RSC 977868, EMV 977983, PLPR2 5981and Mk1 Gen 6264 The pile of donor models seems to suggest I have everything I need for these. RCS will be a conversion of Hornby's SGT 72630 which I swapped the chassis with the WCRC one which going off pictures of the real one should work. Thankfully I have been sent a ton of pictures of the roof so that should not be too hard. EMV needs two of the Gatwick express BP and main res pipe cut outs added to the Pan well end again nothing too taxing. PLPR2 will be converted from the Loram TSO which from what I have gathered requires a total of three full size windows and a toilet window filled in. The STG coach which has had bits robbed off it will be replaced with Hornby's paint it yellow and call it a test coach 72616. Just need to work out where I put the laser bin which is residing somewhere so safe I have forgot where I put it! just need to figure out how to run lights for the interior, PLPR underframe bits and EMV blue light of doom from the mk1 genny with a function decoder as its a fixed rake a decoder in each is probably a bit overkill!

Its actually flory models wash which is a clay based? I think. I have used dark dirt but other tones are avaliable. Theres a superb tutorial over on flory models youtube which shows what it can do

Few minor paint updates. NVA has had the bogies and springs painted along with a panel wash. Wanted it clean for the most part being ex overhaul but could not help splashing a bit of wash round the doors. Thats it done for now until i get the res tank and distributor ordered for it. OHL mk2 has had both coats of primer put on. Red oxide to unify everything and white on top. Think the bottle of white primer is on its way out as its becoming a bit of a pig to sprey compaired to the new bottle of red brown. And the underframe bits have been added and removed where required before a blast of paint. Thats it till next weekend. Off down south for a week of training on paxman engined type 5s!

NVAs have been an absolute joy to finish off. Next ones due in for overhaul so not long till we see more with the dimond logos out and about. Main plan just now is to get PLPR2 completed as i have all the donor models for that set. After that would like to maybe have a crack at PLPR 1

Nice relaxing modelling session tonight after the rostered long week. NVA is done pending varnish and making the bottom plates for the keen system to take NEM couplings. Still some slight ajustment to the bogies and end caps to paint on them but looks the part. 977983 is ready for primer. Two passes with the filler before flat is rather good going. Unsure if its going to be the red oxide to unify everything them white or chance it with the yellow DAK primer The underframe has also been hacked to bits and had all of the parts added from its previous life on the gat ex Starting to plan one of the next things to do. It involves cutting this now redundant DBSO conversion up and sticking onto another mk2 to create the "portaloo" ex sleeper BUO. Never done a cut and shut so it might be a disaster but who knows can only try! Not got much choice as its the last coast needed for the consist!

Almost bought that blue circle PCA myself. Ended up with a blue one for repainting and a MEA. If your needing any help with the Oxwellmains JPA drop me a message. I have all the obscure refrence pictures and knowledge anyone could never need on that fleet!

Nice relaxing night of playing trains, moaning about everything and some good laughs which is what this hobby is all about. Took VIU2 for a shake down spin before it heads off back to its owner. Owner is very pleased with the end result and im sure it will look right at home next to the 43277 i done for him. NVA was also handed over which might have resulted in a second UTU coach to be done at a later date. Also picked up a loram mk2 today at a good price. No idea what they are used for but it is for yellow conversions at a later date.

Funnily enough I had gotten into the habit of taking the formations down, granted not really been out much since the 43s took over. UTU Short set Colas 37,Mk1 Gen 6262,UTU 999602,RTOV 9702 UTU/SGT 06/22 Colas 37, Motorail 96608, SGT Mk2 977986, SGT2 Mk2 977985, Cally Mk2 9803, UTU 999602, RTOV 9702 UTU 2Colas 37, Motorail 96608, Mk1 Gen 6262, Cally Mk2 9803, UTU 999602, RTOV 9702 PLPR 1 Colas 37, Mentor 975091, PLPR1 72631, RSC 72612, Mk1 Gen 6262 PLPR 2 Colas 37, RSC 977868, EMV 977983, PLPR2 5981, Mk1 Gen 6264, Colas 37 PLPR4 Colas 37, Support 9481, TIC2 977974, PLPR4 72639, MK1 Gen 6262, Colas 37 Thankfully looks like they have stayed together for the most part, PLPR is due north tomorrow for its month jaunt round the north so might try get out for a look. Roof pics would be a great help if you have any

Its a learning curve. Im quite happy with it so far and thats the main thing, picture of the top is a massive help. I do have a list of coaches and bits i want to try get done this year, try clear some of the bits i have stashed away over the years. Did have a look at the PLPR formations, just need to work through them when i get a chance. I also did find the brass sides and replica railways mk1 i had stashed for the mentor conversion. Might do that at some point but the printed kit does looks superb!

I cant cut plasticard or holes in models if my life depended on it but im damn good with filler! 977983 is progressing nicely after a initial hit with milliput. Some perfect plastic putty will take care of the last little bits. Biggest down side to my... poor would be the more professional term, cutting of the roof well is the edge of the print is level with the roof of the coach. In reality it should really be attached to the underside of the roof but for the sake of 1mm think i can live with it. More of the point was not going to condem a MK2F in favour of a second attempt, these aint so cheap now! Two generations of NVA Two NVAs are done, top ones had a coat of satin varnish and nothing else. The bottom one which is mine has had a little touch up of yellow in places and full decal work. Decided to do 96606 which is the only one to carry the dimonds post overhaul work and i had not seen it modelled yet. Keen couplings and bogies on the way for this.

Progress has been a bit slow the last couple of weeks. First up was a mates Hornby class 50 for service and some bodywork repairs. Front of the cab had a few cracks which have been glued and buffed back. Bodys on these seem really really thin. Resin grills are replacing the factory fitted ones which exploded into a thousand bits. Ready for primer and new warning panel My next project has been looking through the pile of various mk2s i have stashed away. First one being worked on required two windows to be blanked and a big hole cutting into the top Typically i measured twice, measured again then cut... still too big! Thankfully nowt some milliput wont sort. Its a bit rough the now but trust the process, or atleasts thats what i keep telling myself! Been a bit lazy and used the glazing as a base for blanking off. And last off a pair of NVAs. Bottom ones been given a top coat of satin and will be getting dropped off to a mate next week. Top one is mine which will be getting colas dimonds as per the recently overhauled one. I do have a picture of it from last year but never bothered to take one of just the coach. This will be getting added to the UTU set, next project will be the ex cally BUO. My first attempt at a cut and shut! Know there was a reason i never chucked the part converted DBSO coaches

for some reason SMTH rings a bell in my head for what ever reason. Been a long week so could be wrong. BUO is looking superb. Been thinking about getting a Bachmann mk2 to have a look at for converting, I bought up a load of airfix/Hornby mk2s a while back when they where cheap i.e under a tenner but have since learned they are the wrong variants! coaches are a mystery to me as I am "wagon basher" by trade but Roland has filled me in on the various differences between an E and a F. Saying that they are not that more expensive than the Hornby offering on rails just now. some as low as £44!

that is a really good shout, the full length ones where a bit of a hand full to say the least. use a lot of long length lining with the aircraft modelling but that is much easier with various panel lines to follow compared to a smooth coach body. have hit a bit of a modelers block just now, got the 57s lights to sort out on both of them and the 380 is still slowly getting worked on with various CAD bits but not too sure what to start working on next. could bite the bullet and do some of the weathering on the JPAs and IWAs I have been putting off for a while or maybe finally sort some yellow coaches out for the various locos. nothing really jumping out at me just now asi think i have over done it a bit with the weeks off I have just had

Ah good old millerhill wagon works. Know that yard like the back of my hand. Still used for wagon work but not as much as the one at mossend these days. Will be following this with intrest, i know wakefeild clubwjere doing oxwellmains but thats gone a bit quiet. Thats an intensive wagon works with 50 odd wagons serviced and repairs on that siding