westernviscount

A few posts ago I suggested Carr's weathering powders are no more but this is not correct. They are still available!

Cheers Chris. Yes I can take a look inside and you are right, it may shed some light. Again, I think I agree that it is worth waiting for a bit. The patch is now a lot bigger and although initially I thought it didnt look bad it is now very distracting... It is following the area of the weathering. I shall report back!!

Thank you @Gilbert and @Enterprisingwestern. What to do next I wonder. Some white spirit perhaps to remove the weathered layer? I am surprised it didnt show on the blue paintwork but it may have seeped through the handle area over time. I had been nervous to weather it, being my first brass kit but I don't think all hope is lost.

In the above images of the Hawkworth Bg there is a small amount of staining around the ends of each side (it looks damp). Since these photos, the "damp patch" has spread to a much bigger area. I am slightly confused as to why this is happening. I used Mig airbrushed acrylics. It is a brass kit, primed with halfords red primer, then railmatch colour rattle can , then humbrol acrylic matt varnish. It remained in this state for a year until I finally got round to weathering. The area is near soldered joints so I wonder if some flux or other contaminant has crept through? I thought I had cleaned it however. Any thoughts welcome.

Hi Andrew, I use Carrs weathering powders. However, humbrol powders are also excellent. I experimented with pastels but they dont take very well. I assume even though they are scraped, the binding agent is still present. A quick rattle over with humbrol matt acrylic (literally shaking the can briefly over the whole model). Another nice method for fixing powders is to mix them with humbrol decalfix and either wash over areas or dab them for heavier areas. This can retain the powdery texture for rust. Worth a try on a non precious model first.

I have been continuing to fiddle about with the airbrush. I have had my comet kits hawksworth hanging about for over a year, awaiting some grubbing up. I have to admit having spent a good amount of time on building it, I was loath to weather it! I think it is all the better for it though.

Fair dues, this kind of honest self awareness and understanding of the realities of life is as rare as hens teeth these days.

Yes, I rinse with water and a bit of washing up liquid, then water.

@sb67 i leave overnight and start to work with a toothbrush to see how its doing.

Hi Steve. Quick note to say your article is great in BRM. The wagons look superb!! Is there going to be one on the hoppers as well? As the 31, Id go dot 4 for lima . Also, are you doing the panel handles on the roof as well? I did, and it does add to the look...before I ruined it with a shocking paint job!

The operator of Cato Pass dresses as a steampunk character who I believe is a form of alter ego.

You did well here because this would have very much annoyed me. It does seem to me that there is a greater desire to please viewers with nice cameras, particularly those videoing. I am thinking of making a sign for the layout "monetised youtubers may wish to make a donation to the exhibition organisers if they feature this layout in a video". I suspect this may make room at the front for those who just want to look!! :-)

So what you are saying is, you expect me to drill out all my lamps and install a scale oil burning unit and somehow animate a scale figure, possibly by some scientifically questionable cloning method and....no wait, I just read your opening post properly ;-)

The reference picture is very much worse! I felt if I went too far, it might not be believable. Im enjoying having the airbrush but it might now be getting a bit cold for it.

Here is a recent "back to modelling" project. A Parkside insulated van kit with etched brake gear items. The paint work and weathering involved the priming of the whole wagon in halfords red. Then, a light spray of an acrylic white (very cheap). Then some white spirit brush over the metal parts (bracing, van ends etc) and a cocktail stick used to gently scratch away the white paint, revaling the red primer which now hopefully reads as rusted metal showing through the paint. Next, a black wash into the grooves etc, wiped back with a cotton bud and turps. I am experimenting with my airbrush and used mig washable black over to add dust etc. Quite happy but hope to get a bit more refined with the airbrush.

Here is a little project I have been working on. A parkside insulated van with some etched brake gear. Not something I have done much of, but i certainly enjoyed it. I am lucky enough to now own an airbrush which I have started to play about with. Still getting the hang of it.

I was pointed in the direction of 'nato brown' for bauxite. Not quite right but i am a weatherer!

Halfords grey or red primer first every time for me. Havent painted directly to plastic for years.

I thought a moment of humour might be ok. Smiley face etc...nevermind. No hard feelings I hope.

I wouldn't like to be around as the exhibitors learned how their layout had been ranked in the built standard category :-) or perhaps I would!

The building looks excellent. What I normally do with buildings is prime them. I haven't done a slate building but id probably prime grey then dry brush a palette of greys (slate), blue (engineers), purples and browns. Check your refernces pics for the palette though.

The thread you posted demonstrates how these models benefit from flush glaze! Looks excellent. @sb67 the reinstated bufferbeam cowling looks great. I am afraid I think I have reuined mine with an awful coat of blue paint. I was disappointed to find my prescision blue had dried up and rushed into using humbrol acrylic. Was not happy with the finish but to be fair, I havent had an airbrush long.

Hi Steve, Some progress this end... Here is the motor set up I did a year or so ago using the lima bogie frames and Hornby railroad class 59 motor. And a couple of the body upgrades. .3mm handrails at the front including above the gangway doors. Extreme etchings headcode discs. .3mm handles on the roof and extreme etchings grille, reworked so it sits flush with the roof.

You've inspired me to crack on with mine Steve. Mine doesnt run too bad now I've tinkered with the motor bogie. I rrplaced the lima one with a class 59 one which I will post a picture of later if it helps.

Lovely work. I don't want to spoil the illusion but can I ask where the crane was sourced?