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ruggedpeak

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  1. ruggedpeak
    Having bought 2 of the Hornby "Limited Edition" (cough) Royal 67's in EWS livery, the plan for a long time has been to renumber one as 67005 Queens Messenger. At first glance it would be easy by just sticking new plates onto the loco and changing the cab end numbers. This is actually the first time I've tried this on locos. Despite modifying and renumbering rolling stock etc, I'ev been reluctant to do it on more expensive locos.
     
    On doing research the main problem was found - the EWS Beasties plate on 67005 is higher up than on 67006, so some removal of the tampo Beasties would be required. This meant we had a bit more 'risk' than simply sticking plates on. But I wanted it to be accurate. Hornby supply beautiful full colour Royal plates for the centre of the loco body. The remaining plates came from Fox Transfers as a full set, plus a separate set of EWS Beasties.
     
    As there is quite a lot of tampo to remove I started with the back of an old scalpel blade. This was reasonably effective, aided by some olive oil. I also tried T Cut but this didn't seem to do much. It doesn't look great, this is the not-so-good side. However the new plate is aligned with the bottom of the window framing (not the window itself) so the worst is covered.
     

     
    Fox Transfer set with supplied Hornby plates.
     

     
    Plates were positioned using masking tape. The plates were stuck on using Humbrol Mattcote as it was at hand. However I used Araldite for the Royal Crests as their contact with the body is very limited due to the ribbing and needed something stronger (I'd hate to lose them as they are full colour). The key to not having glue smudge beyond the plate is firstly use a tiny, tiny amount in the centre of the body - if there is excess use a sharpened match stick to lift it carefully. Aradlite strings to treat like spaghetti and spin the match stick to take up any string. The second element is let the varnish/glue harden and tack on the body slightly so when the plate is applied GENTLY it is less able to squish and run.
     

     
    The end result looks fine in the flesh (and not under the scrutiny of a digital camera!)



     
    I just need to find two small digit "5"''s for the cab end number. Not paying £10 for a sheet for 2 small digits! Have requested spares if anyone has them in Wanted section:
     
    The next job is to plate up 67006. Was about to order plates when my research showed up something I'd missed - on the early EWS livery (pre-DB) the number and nameplates are different colours on both locos. The loco numberplate has a black background, whilst the nameplate directly underneath is claret to match the bodywork!
     
     
     
    https://daverowland.smugmug.com/RAILWAYS/Railways-2010-1/Bristol-Exeter-14-May/i-RVshrhc
     
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/stuart166axe/4602440367
     
    Not my photos, all copyrights acknowledged.
     
    My set of Fox 67005 plates were black, but the current versions are claret for both locos. So I have the Royal crest plates, have EWS beasties in black, but need 67006 numberplate in black and "Royal Sovereign" nameplate in claret. And actually "Queens Messenger" in claret too, to replace what I've just put on! So will need to see if Fox can do black 67006, or order their plate set and get black numbers from Modelmaster.
     
     
     
  2. ruggedpeak
    I was hoping to be discussing some actual modelling but studying and trips have got in the way.
     
    Some weeks ago I saw the T gauge etched signal box kit reviewed in Railway Modeller. An N gauge modelling colleague and I thought it would be fun to order one each and try to build it. £8 inc P&P is no dramas. Having painted the moulded glazing window frames, I moved onto the etch. The first thing is to make the T gauge signal levers. Several hours in to folding truly minute bits of brass I am about 1/4 of the way through one set of levers. With the entire signal box being about the height of a 5 pence it is quite fiddly. And this was my first attempt at etched brass kits! I will continue once my studies are complete and post the result. A great but tiny project that is smaller than the OO gauge laser cut garden shed from 4Ground I completed recently.
     
    Another project pending finding a suitable wagon is replicating the Romford MHA. South of the infamous 'Shenfield Shark', still sat off Platform 1 is the less well known 'Romford MHA' - an abandoned and loaded EWS MHA. Despite beign right outside the brand new Train Operating Centre and upgrade to the PW depot for Crossrail etc, this old MHA is still sat at the headshunt by the Down Fast line, just south of Romford. Indeed you can see it from space! Well, Google Earth anyway.
     
    https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Romford,+Greater+London/@51.5727686,0.1752456,154m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x47d8a23174b37231:0x932de78a76329f31!8m2!3d51.577076!4d0.178319?hl=en
     
    It is full of old ballast and spoil and has things growing in it like a big rusty flowerbed! Great little modelling project. Its location makes its hard to photograph, but I've included a moving shot. As its right next to the Fast lines getting a good shot is almost impossible. When I track down a decent Hornby MHA I will apply some landscaping techniques to replicate it. If anyone has one spare at realistic price let me know.
     
    More excitingly, I caught a 68 on the GE mainline the other day, working what I assume is a Abellio GA Mk3 to Wabtec for a refurb. It had been checked at a signal and I had to run over the bridge and along the platform to get some photos on my phone. It sounds very different from the 66's and 70's we normally get. It was 68017 'Hornet'. Result on seeing my 1st 68. Nice short train to model once Dapol release their model hopefully later in the year.
  3. ruggedpeak
    I'm completely new to blogging. The intention is to blog about observations of anything vaguely interesting (to me) in the hope it may be of use or others. It will focus on modern image/contemporary and what I see on my travels. I have no specific skills or knowledge around railways, so will just say what I see.
     
    Whilst I spend a fair amount of time on the GE mainline, I travelled to Exeter and back by train. A vinyled HST at Paddington next to the statue of the great man. All credit to GWR for trains that were clean and punctual. Good to see HST's still going strong after 40+ years. The first one is the same age as me. Sadly I've not been refurbished or re-engined.
     
    For anyone interested in the new Robel Mobile Maintenance machines ( http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/infrastructure/single-view/view/mobile-maintenance-train-enters-service.html ), one was sat on Friday at the Passer UK factory in West London by the GWML, and another is sat at the new Romford track maintenance depot. 2 out of 8 in a day is good going.
     
    For AC fans 86401 seems to be based at and can be seen regularly at Ilford EMD. Sadly it always seems to be sat at the London end of the most southerly shed between it and the new Bombardier sheds being built, making a photo from a passing train nigh on impossible. Does look lovely in Caledonian colours.
     
    The revised Chelmsford sidings (ex-Rowntrees chocolate/mail sidings) are regularly host to the Windhof based OHL replacement train. Mornings regularly see a 59 and a line of MRL JHA's being emptied by the 2 large excavators on site, which sit up on a large pile of aggregates to reach down into the wagons This is a busy aggregate flow based on the number of trains sat there. Also there is a new NR depot full of vehicles and stuff. A busy rail site. Good potential for a diorama. I will endeavour to get photos.
  4. ruggedpeak
    Back in July I mentioned I'd got a T Gauge signal box kit. Well now it is finished Not perfect but i'm pleased. Close up photos show the excessive glue everywhere (I need a syringe or other controllable delivery system next time) but in the flesh it looks good. The kit has a row of signal levers inside plus a stove. More details and photos here http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/115421-etched-brass-signal-box-kit/?p=2449816
     
    I'm pleased overall as it was my first attempt at an etched kit and it was a bit masochistic to try this as a first attempt. Next time I'll go for something in my own scale of 4mm! Unsurprisingly it took a lot of time for what is a tiny kit.
     
    Back in the real world I have been travelling on London Overground and gazing out of the window there are excellent modelling opportunities for stations and scenarios. I will go back at one weekend get photos. Bit tricky during the week as trains are rammed. Very interesting station layouts, the transition from OHL to 3rd rail, plus at at Gunnersbury the Overground and Underground merge so you have 3 and 4 rails meeting. Some of the stations are quite curious, I think it is Gospel Oak that has the two lines meeting. At the eastern end the tracks split and are surrounded by trees, with a brick lift tower descending towards the street, but at rail level it is like being a forest. Could be an interesting one to model the junction with the rural/urban mix. Sadly the line to Barking is being electrified so I guess that is the end of the DMU's from Gospel Oak
     
    Back at Romford the Robel machine does appear to have moved for months - either that or they park it back in precisely the same spot each time and wash it! Seems to be a lot of money sitting there. Shenfield, Chadwell Heath etc are also still having new track laid, and they have been replacing or removing track at Ilford EMD this week next to the main line. A line of MHA's and similar were top and tailed by two Freightliner 66's as they dug out the old ballast. Meanwhile another FL 66, 66585 "The Drax Flyer" has been sat in the siding in front of the Shenfield Shark for most of the week. [updated for correct loco number - 66585 is still there as of 4/10/16 if anyone is looking for it!]
     
    And finally the Bachmann 66's arrived from the London Transport Museum this week, thanks to Holly there for dealing with my chopping and changing to the order. They are very nice indeed. This follows buying a ATW 150 from Paul, a fellow RMWebber, who responded when I mentioned their non-availability the other week in another thread. Couple of good results. And the Christmas list is now complete with several items yet to be released - a Dapol 68 and the Bachmann Highland Observation Car. Sorely tempted by the Kernow 4-TC and a matching Heljan 33/1 but not cheap and not my modelling area at all, but it is an attractive set that might have passed through on a railtour. Despite having no interest as such in modelling Welsh railways I've added the new Hornby ATW 153 to my Realtrack ATW 143 and my complete ATW 67 & DVT set, and I think a Hattons 121 in ATW colours will complete the set! Just like the livery....
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