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Enfys_Rainbow

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Posts posted by Enfys_Rainbow

  1. 16 minutes ago, Enterprisingwestern said:

     

    I have done de-ribbing to the grand total of 2 Bachmann mk1's, so far, the first one I did like you have and was losing the will to live by the end, the second one I marked out and drilled the ventilators and went at it bigstylee, removing the whole lot with a selection of chisels and sanding sheets and sticks, apart from the cost of more ventilators, the latter option seemed to be preferable IMHO!

     

    Mike.

    To be honest Mike, sanding everything off and then replacing the vents seems like a reasonable idea to be honest!

    • Agree 1
  2. 55 minutes ago, Chas Levin said:

     

    Just catching up on your filing? 😉

     

    I find the trick with this sort of job is a tray on your knees and something good on the telly...

     

    Nice feeling when you've finished though!

    If there was anything worth watching, that might be an option!

     

    The first roof is now completed, aiming for a coat of primer tonight to see what needs further attention...

    • Like 2
  3. Thank you for the replies, most informative.

     

    Given the (lack of) availability of the later, flush roofed Mk1's and the high cost when they do pop up, I've decided to tackle this the hard way on my own models by sanding them down. Progress can be followed on my workbench topic if anyone is interested.

     

    Matt

  4. Hello all,

     

    First up, I'm absolutely no expert when it comes to coaching stock. I've barely ever taken any interest in them, prototype or model.

     

    Over the years I've accumulated a couple of (4 in total!) Bachmann Mk1's and 2's, although not in any real order - just bought if I found a bargain with no more thought than that.

     

    Apart from being taken out of the boxes periodically to look at, they've never even been run. I bought the first in 2010 so you can imagine how little use they've had!

     

    Anyway, while doing some very early research for a potential future project, I started looking at them, and prototype coaches, more closely than ever before.

     

    In my inexpert opinion these are, and will be, good enough for my needs however I couldn't help noticing a few bits that could potentially be improved without too much effort or, more importantly, expense.

     

    The main thing that caught my attention were the prominent ribs moulded onto the roof. The real coaches don't have them, and neither do the later Mk1's released by Bachmann. And the more I looked, the more they bothered me.

     

    Having looked around online at pre owned later release blue/grey Mk1's, they're either not available, or worth a small fortune, so I decided to do it myself, the hard way.

     

    FK01

    Thankfully removing the ribs isn't too difficult, but you do have to be careful not to damage the ventilators. It's just really boring.

     

    Incidentally, this is an CK - I decided to give this a go with my least favourite coach (how very shallow of me!) however it's very much a case of once you start, you have to see it through!

     

    If this goes well, it will hopefully give me the confidence to repeat it.

     

    All being well, I'm planning on making a few basic improvements to my coaches - but nothing too involved!

     

    Matt

     

    • Like 5
    • Round of applause 1
  5. Hi all,

     

    First a disclaimer - I know nothing about coaches, prototype or model. I've never paid any attention other than them being somewhere to sit when travelling!

     

    I've started looking at the Bachmann models recently, especially the Mk1 and Mk2's.

     

    The various models have a letter, eg 39-025A (MK1 SK) as part of the product code with others being labelled B, C, D etc.

     

    Do the letters denote different releases or something else?

     

    In the case of the SK, the only difference I can spot is the "A" version has visible roof ribs and the "E" version doesn't. Is it just the case of the model being updated with each release?

     

    Matt

     

  6. Hi all,

     

    Happy new year. 

     

    To start 2024 off, I've built a 4mm scale wagon scrapyard diorama!

     

    01

     

     

    Joking aside, I've had a clear out of multiple built wagons from my stash - some have been sold on and some, like these, have been stripped of useful parts and have been consigned to the bin.

     

    Why? Simple - I no longer consider them up to standard and I lack the time or inclination to strip and rebuild/repaint them.

     

    My goal for 2024 is to build fewer wagons, but instead to build what I do to a higher level where possible.

     

    Having said that, I'll probably still do a fair few random projects!

     

    Matt

     

    • Like 5
  7. Two posts in a day...

     

    The roof is now complete. The kit contains decorative bargeboards as per the prototype. I just could not get these to fit well enough with my rebuilt roof so cut my losses and replaced them with scratchbuilt, non-decorative, ones. Given my box is not a faithful replica, I'm happy enough with the compromise.

     

    08

     

    09

     

    The roof has been built as a one-piece item and is still removable to enable me to fit the windows and glazing later.

     

    This pretty much wraps up the construction phase and I'll hopefully be able to start some painting at some point later on in the week.

     

    Matt

    • Like 5
  8. Hi all,

     

    I've been continuing my work on the Signal Cabin, but most of  what I've done hasn't been very interesting to look at.

     

    I'm now approaching the end of the construction phase and have built a new roof, using embossed plastic again - although I wish these Scottish Cabins had slate rooves!

     

    06

     

    You'll also notice a raised base - this serves two purposes: it'll enable me to bed the building into the scenery [obviously if it ever gets used on a layout!] and secondly it's something to hold while I paint it.

     

    I've also applied a thin grey wash to the walls, mainly to seal them before "proper" painting commences.

     

    Matt

     

    • Like 1
    • Craftsmanship/clever 1
  9. Thanks for all the interest and comments. Last day off today before going back to work tomorrow so I've made the most of whatever spare time I've had to continue making progress.

     

    Not a huge amount to show, but it has taken me the best part of a couple of hours to achieve - I've rebuilt the steps and handrails.

     

    Note the blue paint - this is just to check my work rather than a start on any painting.

     

    05

    Next up will be the handrails on the stairs.

     

    Matt

    • Like 3
  10. 1 hour ago, Ben Alder said:

    I have one stashed away to build out of curiosity, and reached the same conclusion as yourself about its complexities when I examined it - hence the lack of progress. Intentio did a HR cabin for a customer and sold me one, which again is lying waiting but it seems a better kit than the Helmsdale one. If you are interested in any more HR buildings Pop Up Designs have a good selection.

    Interesting - I didn't know Intentio did one. I've not seen that, and it's not listed on their website.

     

    Was it based on a prototype cabin?

     

    Matt

  11. Hello all,

     

    I've got three primary interests area-wise when it comes to railway modelling - North Wales, Cornish China Clay and the Scottish Highlands.

     

    I've tried, largely unsuccessfully it has to be said, many times over the years to build a signal cabin suitable for a Scottish theme. My failure's have mainly been due to a lack of time and effort on my part, so it was with interest I noted Peco had brought out a kit, based on the Helmsdale cabin.

     

    I picked one up some months ago, but it's been stored in a drawer since then. I decided to open it up the other night as I like to mix up my projects, and I've been working on wagons pretty solidly for a while now.

     

    I'd like to share my progress here, because I've not seen too many of these being built - or if they have, I haven't noticed!

     

    First up, I don't find laser-cut kits easy to build, I much prefer scratchbuilding structures from card or plastic sheet. The Peco kit has beautifully delicate window frames - probably the best and finest examples of laser-cut window frames I've seen personally - they're often pretty chunky. The surface texture of the planks is also wonderfully subtle and better than anything I could manage from scratch.

     

    I found the tolerances of the inner walls to be incredibly tight, so much so I could not assemble them using the tabs as intended. So I deferred from the instructions and trimmed the inner walls to fit - after assembling the outer walls. This is the complete opposite of how Peco intends the kit to be built!

     

    As good as the aforementioned surface texture is, I'm not a fan of laser-cut bricks so have substituted embossed plastic for these parts. I've also removed some of the windows to enable me to pose them open later on.

     

    Some pics:

     

    04 03 02

    I'll also be rebuilding the steps separately - simply because I won't be able to assemble the steps given the struggles I've had with the walls - but this is a personal decision and no reflection on the kit itself.  

     

    Thanks for looking

     

    Matt

    • Like 7
    • Craftsmanship/clever 1
  12. 1 hour ago, mullie said:

    You could recycle as much as possible. Buildings etc. could be put in boxes and used again in the future, the signal box on Upbech Drove was first built around 1996, this is the third layout it has been on. The pub on the quay was built around the same time, spent time in a box until 3-4 years ago when I rebuilt and extended it thanks to some good feedback on RM Web.

     

    Even track can be recycled if lifted and cleaned carefully.

     

    An alternative to selling the layout

     

    Best wishes

     

    Martyn

    Track would certainly be recyclable. Not so sure about the buildings because each has been built to a very specific shape to fit over the various parts of the baseboard - attempting to modify would be difficult. 

     

    The more I think about it, the more tempted I am to just strip it - certainly be a lot easier.

    • Friendly/supportive 4
  13. 1 hour ago, Chris116 said:

    Would you have a current photo of the layout in its present state?

     

    Ignore the stock, but you get the idea!

     

    IMG_20231229_172100718.jpg.f04276aa48ae9459f9d5e45b61eb0724.jpg

     

    IMG_20231229_172111162.jpg.07ea6475f771603e687a379ade3528c5.jpg

     

    IMG_20231229_172121505_HDR.jpg.078178b0f0b7ac4d7ba5b5604e94b16e.jpg

     

    1 hour ago, lapford34102 said:

    Pity as I'd to have liked to seen it at a show  but that's modelling for you. Hope you keep up the stock updates as they've been quietly inspirational for me.

    Cheers

    Stu

     

    Thanks Stu - I'm still doing stock updates on my workbench thread if you're interested?

     

     

    1 hour ago, bradfordbuffer said:

    Your just like my wife....offered something exciting....gets you all reved up...then gets a headache! ☺

    Like many on hear was looking forward to the finished article....but at end of the day your train set your hobby!

    Good look with future projects,....as Kenneth Williams us to say ....you area tease!🥴

     

    Sorry - I may ultimately change my mind and work on it, however I do feel I've hit a wall now and can't see myself progressing much further.

     

    I am quietly planning something "new" behind the scenes, but what I don't want is multiple unfinished layouts either - been there, done that!

     

    Matt

    • Like 2
    • Thanks 1
    • Friendly/supportive 1
  14. I've reluctantly decided to try selling the layout (or scrapping it as a last resort).

     

    Despite putting a lot of effort into each element, I've simply run out of the motivation to develop it further.

     

    Sadly nothing is completed, which I'm aware makes it an unattractive proposition.

     

    The stock will stay with me, as will the telegraph poles and bufferstops - they'll be reused in a future project.

     

    In the unlikely event someone is interested in taking on an unfinished project like this, drop me a PM!

     

    Matt

    • Like 1
    • Friendly/supportive 1
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