Squirrel Rail

 Not much exciting going on here as very little workbench time this week so tackling easier jobs such  bc as getting stuff prepped and into primer including a gronk to go in Arriva blues and a 50 H&H Thunderer 

and a 56 which will become Colas 090

Another 90019 Penny Black is getting there, this was the ex Virgin loco on the previous page

New umber and cream on a Pullman,

and lastly still tinkering with the Logics!

20 hours ago, Mr Grumpy said:

Just got the 33/1 and 47 back today 

The photos really don’t do them justice. It takes a while to take in all the subtitles Jerry incorporates that make these models to be proud of.

Thanks for a cracking job Jerry, next loco landing with you soon 

 

Richard

Glad they get the Mr Grumpy seal of approval and that you’re happy with them- bring on the BR blue

Few completions from the workbench so starting with a before and after. Factory weathered 47625…

has now become 567 Red Star and completely re-weathered 

Another banger blue is 33111, a renumber and removal of the cant rail to give an earlier period than the Heljan original 

1st generation DMUs are always nice to work on - funny how I used to hate them back in the days they were running! The 117 re numbered & weathered

Followed by a pair of bubble cars- NSE

And Silverlink,

Last up decaling  the first of the South African Logic locos. The artwork was done by my son and a cracking print by Steve @railtec-models really sets the livery off. 

4 minutes ago, Owens Model Railways said:

Fantastic work! Where did you get the underframes for the 175? 

They’re from a Bachmann 158 supplied by the owner. They could really do with some mods but that wasn’t in the brief! This made your London Midland 150 look like a 5 minute job but worth it in the end

1 hour ago, Norski said:

That 175 has been worth the wait. Someones going to get a unique model finished to Squirrel standard.

 

It’s been a challenge but I’ve learnt a lot from doing it - be glad to get it finished but sad to see it go!!

Been stop start progress so finally got a few bits and pieces for an update. The long term 175 project has had the bodies added to the chassis and the lights fitted. 

with this all sorted I’ve been making the windscreens and sorting out the panel lines and door seals which are now on-

A nice job has been some light N gauge weathering with the Cemex Hoppers finished 

and the car carriers too

before the start of another light weathering job for the Dysons,

Keeping with Electric traction the grey has gone on the RES 90

and started on the cant rails on the GC one

6 minutes ago, sb67 said:

The close up of that bogie looks superb! What colours did you use for that? 

It’s a mix of frame dirt, bit of brake dust & track colour with some weathering powder sealed with a Matt varnish, cheers Jerry

3 hours ago, rob D2 said:

All looks smashing - really like the 73 !

what the fudge is that ? Looks like a bludgeon to best smaller engines !

 

They’re those magnetic couplings look good when joined together!

51 minutes ago, rob D2 said:

Hi James , thanks for that , eeeeeekkkk.

I’ve got a weathered 66209 - don’t like the weathering and number is too high for my earlier period .

Hi Rob, the weathering comes off easily with thinners - just watch out for printing as that goes with it!

Few pics from the last couple of days. The 73 had its BR blue at the end of last week 

and whilst that was hardening off I did the pick up mods 

before it all went back together and now looks like this…

and lightly weathered 

last up one of the many DMU projects had the white added- 

couple of corrections to do around the doors but pretty happy how it’s looking.

4 hours ago, rob D2 said:

Be good to see a real blue….blue…..on a 73 I agree !

Jerry have you ever taken the numbers off a Bachmann EWS 66 ? I hear it’s a pain and that my usual T cut will rub through to the ribs …I was thinking of using humbrol thinners instead .

Hi Rob, pics to follow of the 33. The Bachmann 66 is a bit of a mare but no where near as bad as a Hornby 67. I wouldn’t touch TCut as you will definitely be into paintwork! I normally use a cocktail stick - keep trying them - as some work and some don’t- then a little white spirit to clean up. 99 times out of a hundred I end up spraying the gold band back in as most decals don’t match the EWS writing on the other end! I use Phoenix paint EWS with a bit of yellow to get it to match the Bachmann shade- I think there’s one I’ve done in this thread or if not on my much neglected Squirrel Rail website. Good luck, cheers Jerry

On 12/12/2021 at 16:51, Swifty11 said:

More superb work! Looking forward to seeing the Centro 150, I haven't seen one done before. 

There’s loads of unit schemes crying out to be done but it’s the the decals that are a problem- I’m getting my lad to draw these all up and then get them printed so it will be in the holding pattern for a bit!!

9 hours ago, Swifty11 said:

Looks absolutely superb as always! I must get round to getting some stock booked in with you

Still working through the backlog which I hoped to have cleared by Christmas but struggling. Will be taking on stuff in the new year but unfortunately will be limited for a while whilst we sort the oldies!

11 hours ago, JackB95 said:

I'm not biased towards a fleet of Welsh trains, but that 175 looks fantastic! As do the other stuff, but the 175 especially 

It’s been a bit of a job and I’ve still got to sort the windows - that will be fun- but it will definitely be worth it when finished!

On 27/11/2021 at 10:22, JackB95 said:

 

Might be worth giving Bachmann Sales a ring/email. They've been superb with me, and indeed others, about various spares over the years. And their new website is currently being updated by the day, so you may find 350/450 stuff there soon.

Hi Jack, I had a quick look on the website but nothing listed. I have a few other bits to order for other projects so will give them a ring- as you say they’re always really helpful, cheers Jerry

1 hour ago, Owens Model Railways said:

Hi Jerry,

Where did you get the coupling and deflector on the 450 from? I've just bought 2 350s and neither have any!

Thanks.

Hi Owen, they’re ones I cast myself as this one had them missing too! Cheers Jerry