Bluemonkey presents....

They arrived today. Here's a 'first look' at them as I am still waiting for the final set of transfers I do not have anything to use them on as of yet. They seem to be made well and have much longer handles than I am used to although a direct comparison shows me they are at most 1cm longer. In essence a standard modelling paint brush without the bristles, replaced with a solid shaped piece of silicon. I am very hopefully these are going to do a great job with the powders. Some of the thinner more pointy shaped ones may even be useful for more precise detailing i.e. painting eyes and mouths, dials and rivets. Will update as soon as.

Well with no recommendations or advice to hand on the different glue I decided to go for what you know rather than another duff (ish) purchase. It has led me to a discovery though...rubber brushes. I'm a little slow so this is probably old news for you all but it is new to me and a most interesting discovery. These are apparently aimed at weathering with pigments (I presume powders rather than paint). Ordered a set to check out as these could be very useful with Tamiya powders. The supple sponge 'brush' does not seem very well attached to the handle and will likely need replacing after a little further use. Fingers crossed.

I have finally been able to test the liquid solvent bulk purchase I discussed a while ago. There are plenty of plastic weld/cement type adhesives for bulk buy on eBay and I got brave and tried one; SHL PURE METHYL ETHYL KETONE MEK BUTANONE. The smell is exactly what I remember as a child when using 'liquid cement' and it appears to work in the same way. Not as aggressive as EMA plastic weld and takes a little longer to grab so very good for delicate plastic use and for thin plastic sheet. Ideal as all my building will have to be scratch built. I am still looking for a more aggressive weld for plastic as I prefer using EMA Plastic Weld for thicker plastic kits and other random stuff. Has anyone a any experience or comments for this please; Plastic Cement Weld Glue Perspex Acrylic Hobby Crafts DIY 250 ml Styrene ABS Ebay number; 161991674479 Seller ID; apl-chemicals Sorry I can not create a link but I think just searching using the number will bring it up. Although those that have experienced it will know anyway. Review/views/experience greatly appreciated please. It looks like a decent purchase and equivalent to EMA Plastic Weld but I do not want another load of similar solvent. I appreciate easy answer is to go and get some EMA but I do not live anywhere near a supplier so reliant on mail order. Best I can find is 2x 57ml EMA £10.00 all in. Thank you in advance for any assistance.

Not sure how much of the animal would be visible once the roof is on however open wagons and docks would give a very different pose and more realistic as I am sure the animals were very scared.

Been a while, as we all seem to start with especially during the summer months. Hope everyone is well and coping with nature's beast. The Mex wagons have finished well and I am very pleased with the end result of the five lime washed versions I have to now replicate this for another three once the final wave of transfers are produced and arrive. This should also bring about the finalisation of the siphon Cs. I am thinking of adding a few more Cs to the fleet but this time without head boards - you can never have enough milk transport. Now for something that this thread has firmly at it's roots; As there were no suggestions for appropriate figures of cows to continue loading wagons I have been searching the interweb for appropriate stock, especially not bank breaking stock as they are to be inside. I have discovered what I think are very nice, accurate and affordable models of cows. Personally I am not keen on the one kneeling but each to their own and certainly what be fine within the right location. These are produced by the seller and are resin. I did find some white metal ones but at 3x the price all in could not justify them for loads. These are 1:76 scale, unfortunately I do not have any of my other ones to have a direct side by side comparison as they are in the wagons now but I am sure they stand a tiny bit shorter than the Model Scene and Langley ones I had as I believe most are HO scale (ish) rather than true 1:76 scale. Anyway I bought a test set 6x at £3.49. 5 different poses with the standing one twice. Here they are; These are pretty much as received. very little in the way of flash or injection/build lines and with some very nice muscle detail. I can only apologies for the poor pictures. I could not get the focus right. I asked the seller if they produced the items themselves and if so are they able to produce specific poses as I am particular interested in two of the standing type rather than having to squeeze or adapt each set. resulting in; I have an instant herd of 50 35 standing and 15 mooing. These are (in my opinion) perfect for wagon loads. Some will need a couple of hooves gluing as they are delicate and currently the postal system does not allow for this. I asked if the seller (AJ) would mind me posting his details on here to help others especially as model animals for loads or just fields are very samey and hugely expensive if you need more than 5. Of course he agreed but seriously nice solid models with decent definition. He does various scales and 1:86 (HO) is required. He is on eBay under the seller name 'serious-play' but my suggestion would be to have a look at his website as there is a better deal and discounts there especially if you join the serious-play club. *Usual disclaimer; I have no connection with the company or seller just a very happy customer* Will just need to remove a couple bits of flash although the two standing types I have do not need it and see how well they take paint. Stay tuned.

Nothing else but FANTABULOUS!

I wish you well. I think I have documented my transfer hell and woes.

No weeding or work required ask Monty - It's a writing garden

May add the sheep to the brass kits instead, we'll see.

@MrWolf Thank you. Yes I also have plans for some sheep @Mikkel has provided some very interesting ideas. I also have one for a trapped version but that will have to wait until the other wagons have been finished.

Coming together very nicely.

Thank you, total repaints with Vallejo Hull Red and washed with Citadel; Nuln Oil and Agrax Earthshade then a very brief dry brush with the Hull Red again. Sorry forgot to mention. They are a mix. 4 from a white metal Dairy set I think Langley two rubbery Hornby and the rest are Model Scene/Peco. I am using one white metal per wagon as extra wagon weight, with one exception as I only have 4 so liquid gravity on the straw. Not much room for numbers. Here's the finished rake after Dullcote. Will need some couplings but that is it. Mixed Mex W1/5 Now for the later, cleaning wagons and hopefully can get the final transfers to complete as well as the siphons.

Works for me. I have a few lumps found alone the disused branch that I will also be modelling. Gave them a quick swipe with a hammer and Bobs your Uncle. Used it for my O gauge pannier, OO gauge prairie, as well as wagon loads, just the job Sir.

57xxx many thanks appreciate your help. I think your picture does very much suggest the lost lighter dirt and rust colouring could happen with those pictures we see of med wagons in books. Having repeated the lime wash with a heavily diluted white I am much happier. It seems to have brought together and soften the tones and shades for a more natural appearance rather than any one particular colour standing out. Thank you again.

Here we are with protected with herd mentality. Devon Reds circ 20/30s. Soon to be loaded using the rule of 4 bubble. I appreciate the straw can not really be seen once the cattle are in and the roof on but I know its there. I have also tipped my cap to that fact with the odd piece sticking out of the vents. This was inspired by Maurice Pearce's work showcased at gwr.org.uk and again my thanks to Mikkel for pointing me in that direction, thank you Sir. Will be more obvious on the open wagon

I am now educated thanks to @Mikkel and he infinite knowledge and library. Sheep travel in cattle wagons - Mex not cattle wagon, hence.

Try it during a quiet time just for fun. It will probably feel more sane than you think.

An interesting question was posed to me by my good lady (as she is the livestock bible I use); "What about transportation of sheep?" Ahh dunno is my uneducated answer.

Was not 100% happy with the weathering on the cattle wagons, so left them standing for a few days to 'get used' to the appearance but nothing in my mind changed. Whilst removing the tie bars on the W1 wagons I decided to wash over the white and weathered areas with a 40:60 ish white/water solution. This has had a much better affect on the weathered areas, dumbing down the rust and dirt whilst slightly brightening the lime wash effect. I do not think a picture will show much change but to the eye there is enough to convince me it is better than what I had. I'm happy with the end result, so loading up the wagons with stock. Who knew finding a nice bulk amount of standing cattle figures would be so difficult or potentially expensive!

Thought the original picture of the weigh bridge was the latest ling up for the whacky races.

Very true as many in later pictures shows seemingly no trace of wash after the discontinuance of the practice.

I think you are right. I have put a 'slate' filter to the picture in an attempt for black and white (not very good with photoshop stuff) and all the rust and dirt disappear to leave quite white white.

Thanks Mikkel. That is what I was after, cows in transit. Just need to get hold of some animals now for the interiors.

Thank you appreciate it. I do not have the instructions for any of the wagons I built, only a single header card. I guess that is the real problem when you get very familiar with one or two particular kits. Thanks again I have a kit plucking to do

Still none the wiser on the point @MrWolf has mentioned regarding the tie bars. I do recall somewhere that those wagons without vac brakes did not have tie bars but do not know if this relates to these/all wagon types or just open planked. Progress on the older lime wash livery wagons. I have tried to get the during use look with some light weathering on top of the lime wash and rust on the irons. The next wagons will all be the later dated ones once the lime washing practice had ceased. Not sure if this is too far on the weather and more of the white needs to be brought back through? Thoughts/suggestions appreciated, as always.