Trev218

Been somewhat quiet on the modelling front...was very pleased when these arrived from TMC though 🙂

And the other Electra Graphics set I had a go with was the NMT...first attempt at butchering a coach and building a representation of the OHLE test coach

DBS management train - Electra Graphics went on nicely.

A couple more - the TPM HEA kits 🙂

And these...

These were the main reason for doing it 🙂

And now some wagons! 🙂

Next was various scatter material and a bit of static grass - very satisfying seeing everything starts coming together! I had some ancient wire trees that I added some clumps to and added a few bushes etc stuck down with pva Lastly I put the catenary gantries in place - at this point I've decided against trying to add the wires...maybe later on. I wired up the signal to a 3 way switch - just for effect - and I reckon for the moment it's finished...time for some wagon pics!

Once all that was dry and smoothed down a bit, I added some cork underlay...and when dry started on the track and ballasting. The track was then coloured by a light spray of sleeper grime and assorted weathering powders brushed on - initially I was concerned I'd overdone it a bit but in the end it doesn't look too bad hopefully. I wanted to experiment with a colour light signal and other bits and pieces so I ordered some of the peco accessories - lineside cabinets, concrete trunking etc...a signal and some OHLE kits from N Brass Locos...and a roll of backscene

In my wagon kit building topic there's a few pics of the finished articles...in the most uninteresting of compositions, like on a tray or a tiny length of track nailed to a bit of wood! I haven't got a layout ready for them yet so I set about making up a small scenic section of track that might do the wagons more justice in the photos. Its nothing sophisticated, a section of double track...and as for length, its 2 pieces of Peco code 55 flexible track set on whatever bits of plywood I had in the garage 🙂 As you can see in the pics it's the ply track base, cardboard strip formers over scrunched up paper all then covered with some of the woodland scenics cement stuff...

I was actually wondering if I'd fall foul of something like that tbh - the Dapol buckeyes sound a good alternative if I get stuck - thanks for that 🙂

Thanks for that, a useful tip! 🙂 Couldn't agree more - it's a great kit and the build is nothing like as traumatic as it first appears when you open the box - will definitely be getting another set of 5. For couplings I'm going to try the Hunt magnetic couplings, I've not got anything to run them on yet though, layouts are very much work in progress. Certainly I can see the bogies aren't going to be very forgiving when it comes to curve radius! The colour inside is roughly halfy halfy mix of RailMatch railfreight grey and sleeper grime acrylic paint - seems not toooo far adrift from colours in photos. I've made up wagon loads for all my previous builds in this thread so haven't had to worry about the interior colour too much - I may yet do the same for these

By the time you're back from USA, there will be one 🙂

Nearly there...just a coat of varnish and pop the couplings on 🙂

That's the last of fiddly bits...highly pleased! 🙂

Thanks very much for that, it's appreciated. Indeed it must be tricky...at first glance, the fret of all the etches was terrifying to behold! As it turned out, taking time with them and also referring to a few images of prototype wagons downloaded from Flickr (thanks guys for putting them up those that do!) made it really quite satisfying how they went together. The thing I had the most grief with was the chute extension flaps on the middle 3 wagons in the rake...I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they don't end up spoiling the finished rake. At least I know the pitfalls for next time, I'll just have to buy another kit! 🙂

Ha, you're too kind...you're right though, I need a bigger man cave!

Couldn't resist getting the generator wagon finished - just needs it coat of varnish when the other 4 in the rake are done...went to bed bleary eyed at 1 in the morning! Have to admit, pretty pleased with it 🙂

Having been a bit concerned about handling the etches, they are actually turning out to not be too painful. The brake ends are all done other than the covers, once I started on the generator end of the outer wagon though it was going together so well I pressed on to get that finished and ready for the rest of the decals

These are proving fun! I assembled all the hopper chutes and painted and 'stickered' them before adding the extenders and fixing them to the bodies - it was quite apparent they'd be pretty much impossible to paint etc otherwise. The support etches for each end had quite substantial gaps around the edges which certainly aren't there in prototype pics, so a lot of fiddly filling was needed. Once rubbed down as best I could and then hidden after a couple of coats of the railtrack buff paint they don't look too bad I'll fit the hoppers to the bodies next and then it's time to tackle the remaining (challenging looking) etches!

On with the next project... The N Gauge Society Autoballasters - looks quite a challenge, those etches are pretty daunting to say the least! Starting off by tidying up the flash etc on the sides etc...looking forward to getting to put them together

Finally had the enthusiasm to re-do the ARC logos on the wagons and then made up the loads for them - there might be quicker ways but this seems to work for me...and I used the Attwood Aggregates extra fine Mendip stone for a bit of authenticity 🙂 Can't wait to see them lined up behind the Revolution 59/1 I've ordered @Revolution Ben!

Just as I've nearly finished this...! Based on that outcome, what to start painting next...I've got some old class 90 bodyshells 😉

Interesting point actually - it was probably only 24 hours between enamel and the varnish - I'll exercise more patience in future for that one!

Yeah I use that too on acrylics - much prefer them really - I was limited by that colour only being available in enamel and when I've gone to use the acrylic varnish on enamel it sort of beads up on the surface when spraying. Oh well its all part of progressing along the learning curve I guess 🙂