rs4

Could you put a very thin sheet behind the original plastic inserts instead ? Or airbrush a coat of a suitable shade on the inner surface ? Some....most of the glazing is a devil to get out. Just a thought ! Nick

Am I actually going to post on here that I've never run mine ? Sure, I've taken a look at it...... but not actually used it for its intended purpose. What a waste..... Still - something to look forward to eh ?

Nice one Jim I've seen it recently (as far apart as) Welwyn Garden City and then Berwick On Tweed ! Berwick: Managed to get some detail shots for my intended MPV rebuild....if I ever get around to doing it !

I should add Nik, 1 x 9080 you get one sheet of 2mm. Enough for 4 wagons 9040 you get 2 sheets. Enough for a good few sides & ends. 153 - guess on 1 pack (10 strips) enough for 3-4 wagons ? Superglue / similar.

Hi Nik 2mm base - evergreen 9080 1mm sides - 9040 Side ribs 1.5 x 1.5 - 153 Alternative underside thinner ribs 1 x 1.5 - 143 Jamie, true, I'd better not complain, I might be sleeping out tonight !

Just finishing off my final 4 MXA boxes. Great view courtesy of my Mums house - only improved by a train line or perhaps the sea ?

True, a proper weathering job is now required and I'll paint over the copper contact where visible.

Excuse the sagging catenary, must be somewhere on the ecml....

So following up on the Railtec transfers, I've had a go. Two versions, both have the outer edge of the wheel and the inner painted with frame dirt. V1 has the brake disk face "as is" V2 has the brake disc polished up (2500 grit): I'm thinking the polished up version is more realistic. The transfers themselves are (in my view) tricky to apply, I've ruined at least 4 now, BUT when you hit on the technique they are fine and they do make the model look waaay better, if that's possible.

Hi NH Designs MRAs - internals - I would have masked them up and sprayed with Railmatch dark or light rust. Then used emery or similar to create some very fine scratches on that painted surface. I've left that nice powdery finish as it is rather than brushing it off. You could also do the same thing by hand brushing on. A cotton bud dipped in white spirit will get the paint to run / streak which can create a good effect too. Railmatch concrete is also good for ballast wagons - spray or hand apply, streak using the cotton bud method or brush. Underframes / wagon sides would have been Railmatch frame dirt, possibly some roof dirt (that's a nice black / grey sooty colour) Remember to paint the wheels ! Photos are always good to refer to, patch painted after graffiti attack, graffiti, scratches, scrapes, corrosion coming through. Debranded, rebranded... Good luck... Nick

4 more MXA boxes sprayed. Aiming for 12 so 4 to go !

I'm sure Dapol have these in their plan, but I couldn't resist: The logo panel is luckily easily enough to remove (they've not used super glue type adhesive) I eventually emery papered off the (beautifully applied Freightliner printing) then primed in white. Crafty computer paper was used for the logo. Some further replacement transfers ... then some weathering required.

Update:

The voices... the voices told me to do it ! The (very nice) logo boards are soaking ready to be sprayed white then some crafty paper for the GBRF transfer.

I couldn't resist...

Right, 4 sprayed into day glo red: 4 more started in fabrication shop: And a pose on the cut down BDA: They'll be a very bright addition to the railway.....

Whaaaaaaaaaaa I'd appreciate it if you don't all report me to the BDA protection society of Barwell. Thanks

Well, I'm back to where I was this time last week, but this time with 4 "correct" height boxes....... Some trimming, filing and sanding then I'll be ready to wash them and prime.

Hi Rob I've been using some sprue cutters, occasionally a scalpel - that's for the strips. For the sheets, a scalpel so far and then snap the board. Very easy to work with, dare I say pleasant ??

Here's the definitive and very last version of the MXA I'm planning to do ! Well, until the next one.....

Ok, good news. The JNA test works well. Happy, happy happy !

I'll dig a JNA out, good idea. 15..... 1.5

Rake ? What do you mean Andy ??? ; )

Never stop do I ?? I've been considering the height of the MXAs during this build. I've now compared them against a BYA/BRA and a Class 66 in photos. Mine are way over height. So, the last batch of boxes are 13mm plus the 1.5mm strip underneath. I reckon they are now "right" Prototype / test build; Corrected build: Irritating, but there you go.... they just didn't look right to me.

Here's the hacked BDA: The compulsive part of me wants to totally remove the deck, fabricate the supporting frame underneath then put the new box on top. I really must not do that...