Jesse Sim

Something I’ve been working on lately are these Bachman wagons that I’ve converted into an LNER Dia. 2 open wagon. I noticed the similarities with a pair of these wagons, although a smart livery and it’s a shame to repaint them, they are unsuitable for my layout. The main differences with the real thing is the overall length, the Bachmann wagons are a few millimetres shorter and also the top plank isn’t wider but the same size as the others. The first thing I did was pulled the wagons apart, removed the brake levers and the thick outside V hangers. This is to make cleaning up and painting much easier. I forgot to take photos of the next part, but you get the idea… I stripped the lettering off with a scalpel and various fibreglass pencils. I then made up door bangers out of plastikard, glued them on and began painting the bogies. I also noticed that there were other Bachmann wagon that were exactly the same but in black with different companies, so I began stripping them down as well. So far there are five wagons on the bench, with a few more awaiting the same treatment. Three of the five will be tarped over, which is a good way to hide the smaller top plank, but the other two will be open/empty. However, the Bachmann wagons come with a steel floor, so out came the planked plastikard (my new favourite thing) and new floors were made up. I’ll hide the lazy grooves with some scrap timber. I then began painting the wagons, I’ve tried to paint them in all different colours to show how batches of paint often varied. I’ve already letters these, so another update shouldn’t be too far away. I have a running session in a couple of weeks so the workbench is on. It’s running, cleaning and testing at the moment. Something else that’s almost finished is the LNER Flat T, here she is pictured awaiting her load. There was a debate on its livery, being a steel underframe it should be black, but it just didn’t look right. So I’ve opted for some rule 1 perhaps? I’ve painted her black, with her headstock grey as it’s timber and painted the top of the solebar or the edge of the timber deck grey- the black really drowned out the entire model. The photo doesn’t really show it very clear, I’ll take another tomorrow.

Ahem…

Have I missed the "the hobbies dying off" conversation? I'd like to throw my two bobs worth in. I don't think the hobby will die off, it may dwindle down in numbers, but I think there will always be people wanting to build/run model trains. I think what we are seeing now is, unfortunately, the heyday of model railways dying off, with the people that remember steam or the good old days of diesels reaching the end of their lives. The railways do not have the variety anymore they once possessed, I think in 40 years time modern image modelling will be a lot different, not just British modern image but Australian, USA, etc and this will effect the market and peoples interest. I believe model railways hit their peak in regards to availability of kits, what the RTR boys have to offer and technology, in the last 10 years. We may have better RTR locos, stock or advanced technology in the future but the kit manufacture's of old will cease to exist, they are dwindling at the moment and it's only a few new comers that are willing to kit build. At the same time those new comers will be the ones that keep the hobby alive and thriving beyond the box openers. Don't get me wrong anyone can be in to trains or model railways but I think there is a difference between someone that's into model trains and someone that's a railway modeller. I'm positive that the likes of myself, Dylan Sanderson, Lewis Shields, Jack Pederson, young Jamie who's building Tuxford North (forgive me I don't know your last name) and even your friends grandson Jack, to name a few, will keep the hobby going in the future. Even if it is a smaller community, I think it will live on. Just some young Australian ramblings........

Some update’s will follow over the next few days on a couple of things I’ve been working on… First up is the DS GNR Compo-BK Third Dia. 198, it’s now been lettered and getting her first of a couple coats of clear. I’m really happy with how she’s turned out, I have another to build but I might make two six wheelers instead. On the workbench at the moment is a L&Y Family Saloon, this is a commission, my first kit building commission actually- this is almost finished. The owner will be painting and lettering it.

It’s all fun and games until you’re under the table trying to coax her out.

Howdy all, I’m after some help regarding a L&Y Family Saloon, I have the DS kit and I need to build it for someone but I can’t seem to find much information on the vehicle. I’m really after a photo or tow, can anyone point me in the right direction?

Be happy too. I won’t charge you either John 😘😘

It is what it is, I still haven’t produced my best loco kit yet, I think I have in a wagon. What I mean by the ‘best’ is not necessarily superior to everyone else’s, more it’s the best one I’ve made so far, or it’s the best modelling work I’ve produced. As most of you know I pump wagons out like I’m working in a Chinese sweat shop, but there’s been a few times that I’ve built a wagon and it’s not as good as the previous one or two. Has anyone come across this or am I mad? I’ve made a note of using the insulation tape, it’s at the very bottom of a very long list of jobs to do. As the Christmas holidays are looking rather wet and cold, (cold for December in Aus), I might get some lettering and weathering finished. How’s your week going Tony, do you have time for our end of year discussion on politics, religion and the meaning of life?

Did I miss show and tell for craftsman kits? This has been seen before, as you have taken the photo of her back in March when I was last over. This is the third loco kit I’ve started and the second I’ve finished, in all my shame I forgot to add the boiler bands, I noticed after I painted, lettered and weathered her. Live and learn. I haven’t started a fourth kit yet, I think I’m leaning towards a PDK P1 as I need one for Woolmer Green but I also really need a decent K2! Despite the C12’s faults, mainly the boiler bands, she runs impeccably and see’s a regular running as a light engine heading to works. The C9 is still sitting in her box I’m afraid, I’m having trouble with the fine booster and tender bogie wheels. She’s been benched pending further assessment as some wagon scratch-building has my attention.

Shouldn’t you be concentrating on painting wagons?

Well the only sensible thing we could do is duel. Does anyone have a glove or one of these I can borrow for the challenge?

A sensible thing to do, you have my address 🤣🤣🤣

Yep, it’s offical, I regret sending those bogies to you, your wagons nicer than mine 🤣

Did you get yelled at as well?

So I’ve been working away on a few more wagons, can’t have too many wagons! Ive recently discovered planked plastikard (a little late I’m sure) and I’ve been having fun with that- think of a 5 year old finding out about play-doh. Lately it’s been mostly plastic kits, scratchbuilding, refurbishing and finishing of some projects. So up first we have a Parkside ex-NER bogie bolster, these are a dime a dozen and very easy to put together. I’m unsure if I’ll put a load on this wagon as I think I’ve done a rather nice job of the timber decking. Although I’ve just noticed there’s a chip in the paint on the left, bit of weathering should fix that. Please excuse the terrible background and photos, still using my iPhone and a white background wasn’t working- I don’t think blues worked either!! Next we’ll go with these two brake vans. If you’re a regular follower of mine you’ll know I like the weird trains. Weird might not be the right word, perhaps; the trains that aren’t often modelled they’re the ones I like. One such train is the water train on @Tony Wright ‘s Little Bytham and I phoned and asked permission to copy it on Woolmer Green. I went a step further and created the barrier rail that sits inside to protect the milk churns from falling out. Now we have the correct colour bogie sulphate wagon. The transfers were from John Peck which Jonathan Wealleans kindly sent me so they could be placed on a grey painted wagon. I scratchbuilt this LNER Bolster to Dia. 27 about a year ago for my out of gauge train but I’ve decided to not model it anymore. Does the crane jib look okay or should make a new load for her? Now we have a pair of Wizard Models ex-NER bolsters. One of the two was built many years ago, could have been my second white metal kits to build and was terrible. The other lay in a drawer until I found it again recently. I decided on refurbishing the one I built a few years ago after I build the second one and repainted and lettered them up to what you see now. They’re in the queue for weathering. Now, last but not least my scratchbuilt LNER Flat DV, I’ve been waiting to show this off now for a couple of weeks. This started out life as a piece of plastikard and I’m really proud of how she’s come along. I’ll do a seperate post and Al you all through the stages of building her, as well as an update on the Flat T.

John Nuttall and The Baz have always mention this technique to me. Forgive me if it’s been mentioned before but how does one do it? What sort of graphite? Where does it go on the layout?

I have a spare set of bogies if you’d like them. I got two sets for exactly the reason you mentioned. Would you like them?

🤣 Now I feel bad. Only one sides lettered. But yours already looks better than mine….

Great to see my fans representing me at Warley. @jwealleans 🤣

I hope there are some ropes coming for those two wagons behind the B1!!!

I’m scared, whatever I’ve done I can explain.

Objection, Hearsay.

Objection, hearsay.

Would you like a proper coloured sulphate wagon to take along with you?

Are you sure it was a good idea pairing them two together and so far out of smacking distance RL?