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AlfaZagato

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  1. AlfaZagato

    'New' Coaches

    By AlfaZagato,


    Ready to Run
    I purchased a coach lot off that auction site.   Lot was listed as 'LMS Coaches,' and at a reasonable price.
     

     
     
    Here's the row.   I needed to have looked closer before committing.  I'm not certain on how much use any of these will be.  Reasoning there, I'm looking for coaches for a preordered Improved Precedent in LMS black.   I don't fancy buying more kits right now, either.
     

     
     
    Two Lima vans.   I'm pretty certain the CCT on the right does me no good.   I've read somewhere that something can be made of the bogie van on the left, though.   I think it was Railway Modeller earlier this year.
     

     
     
    Two Hornby items.   The TPO is a little goofy.   The BK, I don't know.   Looks an awful lot like a Mk. 1 to me.   Not much use either way here.
     

     
     
    Dapol here.   The composite looks reasonable.   Not a mainline coach, I don't think?   The brake, again, looks like a Mk. 1 to me.   Also, the brake would need new bogies.   Wheelsets won't stay in the existing bogies.
     

     
     
    I believe this was a Triang.   That roof is painful.   Just, really painful to my eyes.
     

     
     
    Mainline, here.   Coach on the right I'm pretty certain is what I was after - Mainline's Period 1.   Looks decent to me, too.   That other coach.   Such heavy lines on the roof...
     

     
     
    Finally, my mystery coach.   No make on undercarriage.   Looks like another Mk. 1. 
     
    So, is there anything else here that I could really use?
  2. AlfaZagato

    5600 and Vans

    By AlfaZagato,

    Updates will be thin for a while. Well, thinner than normal. I have other, more pressing or older projects that do not involve model railways in the slightest. Still, a shortlist of relevancy.
     
    Firstly, I am officially abandoning the 56XX kitbuild. The Grafar chassis under it made a circuit and a half on my loop, and quite. I am already $150 into the build, and I do not fancy trying for another donor chassis. Also, I had just found the announcement from RevolutioN about their plans on producing a RTR 56XX, so I will hold off until that is available.
     
    Secondly, I just this morning received some second-hand N Gauge Society kits of the SR 12-ton vans. I always try to bid on any N Gauge Society kits or RTR that crosses eBay, having not joined yet and only recently being in any sort of position to join. I like their kits that I've had before. I hadn't realized when I was bidding that these kits will build two wagons each. Made the purchase a much better deal than I had originally thought. For the era I aim for, though, even the 2+2 plank option is questionable, much less the plywood option. I may try scribing the plywood sides with 6" planking, to try to eke a little more value out of the kit. I have need of Peco chassis kits for other projects anyways, and I try to settle on lots to maximise the value of shipping when I order new from the UK.
     
    I may build these vans sooner than I intend to, as these are simple, fun little kits. I just need transfers for them.
  3. AlfaZagato

    56xx Progress 1

    By AlfaZagato,

    As promised, I've taken some pics of what I've done so far.
     
    Tonight was solely the 56xx. I've long had the body built, honestly to a mediocre standard.
     

     
    This will be my first locomotive kit, so on this build I'll stand the molded handrails, and the castings that came with the kit. Most of my work tonight was finishing the hole for the trailing axle.
     

     
    I think I managed to get the hole too high, though; the trailing wheels look to be a floating axle.
     

     
    The instructions were not entirely clear on the procedure, admittedly. The wheels do turn freely, though, and have a good amount of side-play. I have yet to test the chassis as modified, or with the Langley body mounted. Next stage will to be finess the fit between the chassis and the body; what I had thought was a good fit hadn't accounted for additional wheels.
     

  4. AlfaZagato

    8th Army 1

    By AlfaZagato,

    Again, slow week.   Did dig the airbrush out.

     
    Some models for a table-top wargame I play, Bolt Action.   Cromwell, Firefly, and some North African theater 8th Army.   I made further progress on the 8th Army, as well;

    Blocked in some colors, such as webbing and weapons.   I'll probably keep these simple.   I can never bring myself to add full attention to wargaming models.   Just going to tip over in a crowd.
     
    Next week will probably be more with the the Bolt Action minis.   We'll see.
  5. AlfaZagato

    8th Army 2

    By AlfaZagato,

    More progress on the 8th Army fellows.  Mostly blocking in major colors.   Skin left, then washes.

     

    If what he has is to be an Enfield revolver, I feel bad for him.   Horrible things to shoot.
     

     
    I'd love to shoot the Boys sometime, though.

     
    Like I said, skin & wash.  Then, bases.   I'll get there.   We'll see.
  6. AlfaZagato

    8th Army 3

    By AlfaZagato,

    Didn't do much this past week.   Bunch of projects all need paint, and Chicago weather is being Chicago weather.
     
    Last week, though, I nearly finished the 8th Army;

     
    Well, table-ready at least.   I find smaller scale figures don't benefit much from detail work on the faces.   Can't see them half the time, anyways.
     
    I didn't have the bases ready.   I ended up cutting a new one for the anti-tank rifle.

     
    These need paint.    Obviously.   Then I glue the soldiers down, then brush the bases with PVA and dip them in sand.   No need to get fancy.
     
    Finally, I dug out an old project to work on;

     
    The Gundam kit I was working on for a friend?  My friend wants the thing's frame in gunmetal.   This also needs to be in gunmetal, and has only been sitting on my bench, primed, for about eight years.   Figured it would be time to paint it.   Hopefully next week.
     
  7. AlfaZagato

    8th Army 4

    By AlfaZagato,


    Kitbuilding
    Finally got around to painting the bases for my half-squad of Bolt Action 8th Army;

     
    Just the one coat.  Don't want bare plastic, but I also didn't want to spend two weeks layering color.   I mounted the figures and based them, too.   All done;

    I have no idea why the photos are so yellow.   Whatever.    Maybe a little glib with the sand.   If it bothers me, I can pick them clean.   Gets them off of my bench, though.     Airbrushing is on hold at this point, though.    I managed to damage the tip I was using.   My one spare tip did not match either needle I have.    I haven't encountered Paasche parts in-store in years, either.    I guess I'll need to order parts.   We'll see.
  9. AlfaZagato
    Like it says on the tin.  Couple of pics from this year's show.
     
    First, British Train Society's T-Trak layout.  I believe with two of my locos, Earl of Dunraven & my 5600

     
    Next, my current pride & joy on.the European Train Enthusiasts layout, DSB E 991

     
    Finally, starting a Parkside Dundas L&B four-wheel open. Debating whether seeking brass bearings will be worth it.

     
    The open will get Dapol NEM pockets from the outset.  Have a pack of them.  Eventual goal is to fit all 9mm gauge stock with Easishunts.  Distant goal as of now, though.
  10. AlfaZagato

    All-American Railroad Show, Part 1

    By AlfaZagato,


    Ready to Run
    I'm back.   Lack of blogging is resultant of new phones that my boxes won't detect as drives, & use of a fancy new Canon DSLR that I've been too lazy to pick files from.  I have a series of shots from the last show I'll publish in the next few posts, dependent on my file size.   
    Here I have a couple of shots of our new club T Trak layout.   All Metcalfe I think for the buildings.   Given my somewhat vast 1930's stock collection, I haven't done jack for this layout.  Happy we have it, though.   When Baltic birch becomes available again, I'll pick up a couple of kits to add to the set.

     
    And an obligatory shot of a member's private tram layout.  An actual Englishman built it.  More of a sceneryman than a stockman.  I think all his trams are powered by another gentleman on his behalf.
     
  11. AlfaZagato
    Another member's multigauge demonstration layout.  Mostly a way to gather interest without bringing the main layout.
     

     
    Same member's 009 demonstrator.  The L&B stock is mine.   I've followed this parish's thread to fettle the Taw.   She ran the whole eight-hour show with now fuss.   Very happy, though I still get leery of Heljan's quality control.
     

     
    Another member's shunting puzzle.  Didn't garner too much interest, sadly.   He may have been positioned badly, but American shows tend towards a lot more 'hands off' feelings.   
  14. AlfaZagato
    Here's a little more
     

     
    A couple of my ETE chapter's new layout.   Only shot what was already sceniced.  My fault it isn't finished.   I'm in charge of scenery.   Spent most of my time trying to make a styrofoam mountain.   Not going well.
     

    N-scale drive-in.  Tiny screen usually works.   This club normally has Looney Toons running.
     

     
    More a shot for me.   I like T-Trak.   Cutaways and other 'low' features are of strong interest for me.
  16. AlfaZagato
    A few more shots from the show.

     
    Scratchbuilt model of the AT&SF's Topeka station.  I do forget what the builder was telling me, sadly, but I believe there is either no or minimal compression on the size.   Even more impressive, the builder wasn't 20 yet.   I'm very happy that there are younger builders at all, much less in the US.   
     

     
    Brass South Shore collection, in HO scale.   Spoke with the collector.   He's having them painted by a professional.   It was cool to see so many South Shore models in one place.   Interurban modelling is sadly thin.   This collector was also younger.   I think he's my age, about 30 or so.
  18. AlfaZagato
    I need to do more work.
     
    Work was slow at work, so I had the bright idea to bring a Gundam to build at work.   Took me a day-and-a-half.   I do enjoy the Gundam kits, especially the Master Grade kits.   They are snap-fit but entirely rewarding.   Here is the F91;
    If any of you are Gunpla fans, this is the Ver. 1.0 of the MG F91, and an early run kit, too.    I have built the 'Harrison' version before, so missed out on the Rafflesia stand seen here.    Both stand and kit could use detail painting, but I'll burn that bridge when I get there.
     
    Speaking of paint, I finally had a dry day this evening.    Cue continuance of priming;

     
    The whole of the contest model is primed, now.   I may need to go back and fill in gaps and roughness, but I can't let myself get too stuck in.    The judging is in July, and Chicago is being flighty as all hell this year with weather.    I hate Chicago, by the way.
  19. AlfaZagato

    Astray Turn Red

    By AlfaZagato,


    Kitbuilding
    Been a minutes since I updated this.
     
    Workbench has been almost exclusively Gundams for almost two years.  I picked up too many too fast.   That, and the fact that I don't paint them means I can rattle them off fairly quick.
     
    Current one is called the Gundam Astray Turn Red;

     
    From here, it's arms and two frankly ridiculous swords.   Should finish in the next couple of days.   No work last night, as I had to check my new Booster.
  20. AlfaZagato

    BiMINI 1

    By AlfaZagato,

    Started working on a model of BMW's MINI Cooper;

     
    Pretty simple kit, actually.   No engine, sadly.   I can't do much more until I pick up airbrushing supplies.   At this rate, I'll have everything built, with nothing finished.   Save the Firefly.   That kit can rot for all I care.   Stupid individual-link tracks...
     
    Also, Revell...

     
    WHO THE ABSOLUTE F*** THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD G****** F****** IDEA TO CHROME THE WHOLE F****** DASHBOARD?   Persistent s***, too.   I've had it in bleach for a week now, and the chrome is only starting to lift.    And it's not lifting from the switchgear, where I really need it to.   D*****.   I'll get there, but f***.  Maybe next week.
  21. AlfaZagato
    Until I sort a spray booth, the Infinity JSA will remain as they are.

    These are temporarily fixed to the bases using (ancient) PVA, thinned with water.   Water should cause the glue to let go when I go to paint the bases.  Hopefully.
     
    I also updated my 'con chain.'

    Every time I go to a convention, I will buy another charm.  I then add the charm to this chain.   The chain hangs from a very clever shirt I picked up at one convention.    Leather shoulders & brass fittings.   I thought it was neat.  Added this time was the stone in the middle.   The stone came in a set of polyhedral dice I picked up.  They are made of a stone I forget the name of, but is composed of fossilized algae.    Real pretty.    I also took the time to solder the jump rings.   I have had issue with them coming apart.   A little extra insurance can't hurt.
     
    Finally, I started another kit.   Like an idiot.

    Two kits, in fact.   The red Vespa is an older Tamiya kit.   I've built one before, and it is, in fact, Tamiya.   Just about 'shake-the-box.'   The blue Vespa is from a company called Yodel?  I've not heard of them before.   Very basic so far.   Fit isn't great either.   More short-run than classic Airfix, though.
  22. AlfaZagato

    Bulk Tau 1

    By AlfaZagato,


    Kitbuilding
    Sorry for another gap.   Christmas was busy.
     
    Just before Christmas, I assembled what Kadees I had to hand.   Kind of just felt like building them.   I need to fit them, now.   I have plenty of stock waiting;

     
    All these clamps, I certainly had a hold on the situation.
     
    Wanting to build something well-designed & straightforward, I started the Toyota AA kit.

     
    Very clean molding, very well designed assembly.   Only bit that took any time was holding the lever-shocks in place while the glue set.   Tamiya Extra Thin made sure that wasn't long.   The kit is from Tamiya, by-the-by.   I highly recommend their kits if you're moving from snap-fit or RTR to glue assembly.   Very forgiving.
     
    I picked myself up a somewhat humorous model on my birthday;

     
    Yes, it's a fat Asian man on a chopper with a fake beard & presents.   Box included a pair of socks, as well.    I probably won't build it anytime soon.    Maybe to clear another box off of my shelf.
     
    Finally, I purchased some second-hand Warhammer 40,000 Tau from a friend;

    This was me cataloguing what I received.   Much needed repairs.
     
    Some of the bigger stuff was unfinished.  Some still is.   I had sadly found I was out of magnets when I went to add them;

     
    I used a very oversized lighter to soften that clear stand, then bend it.    Worked fine, especially as I used my iced drink glass to set the angle!   The model on lower left was assembled from parts in the pile of sprues.

     
    These were also cut from the sprues.  Excepting the pile of Kadee's, of course.   Given how I've magnetized certain models in my collection, most of these piles will need magnets as well.    We'll see.
  23. AlfaZagato

    Can-&-a-Half

    By AlfaZagato,

    Just a whole host o' painting this week.   Got below done;

     
    Some of the Tau has been done again in black.   I need more before I can spray further.  Until next week...
  24. AlfaZagato

    Christmas Temps

    By AlfaZagato,

    The holiday season means I get asked to set up a loop at the office.   New office this year means I'm no longer beholden to doubled-desks next to a leaky window.    I have two 4'x8' sheets of chipboard laid in our attic, with about a 3'x8' oval.   Not as much running as before.   I don't like to have it run where I can't hear or see it.

     
    I also found out the Japanese caboose I have (code WaMu, I believe?) has automatic directional lights.    Absolutely cool.   I'm so used to UK outline that lights at all are very novelty, much less on rolling stock.

     
    Lastly, I popped for a new set from Kato.   N scale Chicago & North-Western '400' set.    The '400' was named for covering 400 miles in 400 minutes.  Not this same-said train, but I have ridden these cars before, too.

     
    I'm waiting to be accused of being a Packers fan due to the colors.    I'll have to, eh, correct the opinion.
  25. AlfaZagato

    Closing In

    By AlfaZagato,

    I'm finally getting close, I think.    The drones are all green now.   I have started on the warriors.  I have yet to figure out how to mount the magnetized weapons, though.   I was thinking a sectioned coat-hanger, but they just spin around.   Maybe some small bar stock?

     
    Yes, there is at least three shades of green present here.   Overall, I think I've used five colors now,   I'm taking advantage of this chance to clear out older paints.    I can live with some mismatched greens.   The lot is getting detail painted, then dipped in a wash.    Not a contest army.
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