Ian Rathbone

You need to be more specific about what it is you want to paint - loco(steam, diesel, electric)/coach/wagon , plastic/brass/nickel silver/resin, company/livery, weathered or not. Your question cannot be answered without this knowledge. Ian R

I was given a set of transfers for a LNWR Motor Car van with ‘London North Weston’ as the company name. A non-railway error in the next village is Athelstan Road, except the signs say Althestan Road. Apparently, once registered with the post office and given a postcode it can’t be corrected. Ian R

Well, it’s nearly finished, just needs its Cambrian identity added (waiting for the transfers) then I can varnish it and screw it together. I commissioned roof and door transfers from Precision Labels. Ian R

I’m building a Cambrian Railways Mutton Van in 7mm, based on a Worsley works body sitting on a modified LNW 6 wheel chassis. There are ten doors each side and the middle hinges were in the wrong position so I had to cut 20 new slots. The holes for the LH door handles were in the wrong place and there were no holes for the RH handles. The floor had fold-up edges to fix to the sides but they fouled the lower hinge positions so had to be cut off. Otherwise it was ok. I don’t know how I got dragged in to this - it’s the first bit of rolling stock I’ve built for at least 20 years. Ian R

I use a cellulose paint matched to Precision Paints LMS Crimson Lake, which is probably the best colour on the market and it’s available in gloss. You say ‘I’ll spray it’ , do you mean a rattle can or air brush? Rover Damask Red is probably discontinued now and it’s also a little pink. LMS, MR & BR Crimson Lake/ Maroon are all the same colour. Ian R

How do you intend to apply the paint? Ian R

I inadvertently posted a topic twice. How do I delete the duplicate? ian R

The ‘Right Track 3’ Painting & Lining video is now officially available. The link to it is: https://www.youtube.com/@chriswalsh9962/playlists Chris Walsh is the original producer of the series. The parts available cover spray painting and lining with a ruling pen (bow pen). Ian R

ROD 2-8-0s were shipped to France like this - Black all over, including buffer beams. 7mm model built by Mike Edge. Ian R

Here’s a better photo of Frank’s King -

At a recent Bonham’s auction this streamlined Duchess, built from a DJH 7mm kit, and painted by me with the full three colour lining sold for a mere £384, including buyer’s premium. These are not easy to paint and I charged more than that for the painting! The kit, wheels and motor would come to about £900 (2021). Had it been placed with Ellis Clark or Steamlines I’m sure it would have achieved a better price. I think that where you sell has a bearing on the price realised. Ian R

I have the story of the BR renumbering of steam and early diesel & electrics on my website. The GW did renumber some South Wales locos around the time of nationalisation. Meanwhile, the Black 5 I showed earlier in this thread is now nearly complete and did some running in on Buck’s Hill. (BH has a website). Ian R

Patriot 45513 prepares to move off shed, 22nd June 1955. Ian R

Any commercial lime scale remover should do it. Ian R

35 years ago I bought a Badger 150 dual action, which has a detachable bottom feed cup or jar for the paint. I am still using it after painting well over 1600 locos and coaches in 4 & 7 mm scales. In that time it has had two new heads and needles but the internal seals have never been replaced. It is easy to clean and strips down to all its component parts without fuss. You get what you pay for. I would suggest you get a mid-range dual action air brush from a named manufacturer, avoid unbranded Chinese airbrushes or any bundled up with a compressor. Ian R