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The Fatadder

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  1. The Fatadder

    37521 Weathering

    By The Fatadder,

    Last week work issued the guidance to work from home if possible, so my dining room has now been converted into an office and I no longer have the hour commute each morning.  However given that for the time being at least my wife’s office is still open (and the children are still leaving for school at 7) I am still getting up at the usual time.  The upside being that it gives me an hours modelling time before work!
     
     So today I have got on with finishing off a model that I started work on at the Swindon exhibition on Saturday, weathering 37521.   First of all I should point out there are 3 errors on this model (that I am aware of), the buffer beam detail is missing, the cab vent is in the wrong place and it has incorrect nose grills on one end, in addition while not an error per say = it also still has a Bachmann roof grill.
     
    The nose grills are a problem on two of my EWS 37s, however the replacement (correct) brass parts are all a bit rubbish in comparison to the mouldings on the model.  To the point that I think it looks better with an error (the dividing bar on the grill) than the replacements.  Should Brian Hanson or someone of similar ability produce an etch to the same standard as the roof grill I will be buying one at a shot and performing an update.  The cab roof vent was a silly mistake, starting weathering without fixing it even more so, the problem is that from experience with 37057 and 37607 (which have both had the vent corrected) a respray of the cab roof would have been needed.  Likewise would have been required fitting the Extreme Etchings roof grill.  As such I have taken the logic to hold fire on the modifications until such time as the grills can be done, or potential replacement with an Acurascale model.  As for the buffer beam detail, it will be fitted at some point soon, when I do the next batch of locos. 
     
    Back to the model…
     
    Working from a couple of photos on Flickr, I started off with the roof / bonnet tops.  I used Vallejo paints thorough out the process, starting with a mix of black, sea grey and oily steel and the paint on / wipe off method.  Several layers were applied to the roof with slight variations in tone, building up the density around the exhaust ports.
     
    On to this mornings work,  this time with a mix of various browns, sea grey and a hint of black.  The bogies, headstock and fuel tanks were all painted with the paint mix (always extending about a third of an inch up the bodyside.  At the same time the footsteps / sandbox fillers were also given a coating.  The lower body was then wiped back leaving a build up of dirt along the lower edge along with dirty footsteps.   Given that 521 was recently painted in 98, the grills were very clean compared to other locos I have worked on, so they were given a very dilute wash of brown to give a little more definition.)   The same mix was then used to add further dirt to the cantrail area & bonnet tops, before adding a little more brown to weather the noses (using the same paint on / wipe off approach).


    The final job for this evening) is to reattach a buffer and cab side window which fell off while working on the model.  Thought with the former it will be easier to drill holes for air pipes while its off…..
  2. The Fatadder

    37607 continued

    By The Fatadder,

    A day demonstrating at the Swindon model ex today has seen some more progress on 37607.  The air horns have now been removed and the recesses filled (with the horns mounted onto 37612). 
     
    the flint grey was repainted to the deeper depth (as was the black on the ends).
     
     An Extreme Etchings roof grill was glued into place Before touching up the roof paint and adding a start to the roof weathering.  Next job will be adding the cantrail stripe.  
     
    then I will need the horn grills and transfers to finish off.
     
     

     
    i also made a start on weathering 37521

  3. The Fatadder
    Now that work on 37057 has rather ground to a halt, it is time to move on to what should be my final class 37 project (along with some finishing work on another)….
     
    The first task was to decide upon a loco to model, as per my previous post I had narrowed it down to either 37671 or 37674 (favouring the latter due to the ends matching up).  However looking further I spotted that 674 has the orange cantrail stripe slightly lower down than 671 (and the source body) with an associated slightly deeper dark grey roof.  So that left me with 671, given the ends had the upper clips (which were nicer than the home made ones on 667) I decided to swap the ends over.  This left me with a set of damaged centre box ends that needed repairs.
     
    So this got me thinking, as I have mentioned previously my “core” class 37 fleet currently comprises 521, 670, 672 and the aforementioned 667.  To which you can also add 057, 235 and 403.  In short that is likely to be enough class 37s to run any future layout, adding to which is the Accurascale model which no doubt will eventually be released in suitable condition for some of the Cornish locos.  Finally there are the incorrect nose grills which would need converting (with parts that don’t look as good as the originals.)   All of which gets me back to a point where I am reconsidering the loco choice.  Modelling 671 and/or 674 from an Accurascale model will of course be very tempting in the future…
     
    All this led me back to the original thoughts, why not do another DRS loco to run with 612?  (There was also a short period of debate about modelling 510 in Intercity, before deciding the DRS loco was more useful!) 
     
    So the plan:
    -As with 674, 37607 had the deeper dark grey roof with low cantrail stripe, so this needed to be repainted. 
    -New cantrail stripes
    -Paint nose grills dark grey
    -Extreme Etchings roof grill
    -Shawplan Channel Tunnel “Polo mint” logos
    -Railtec DRS black logos
    -Convert noses to flush front
    -Repaint the middle grey to be 1mm deeper / extend the black on the fronts 1mm lower.
     
    So far the first stage of the painting has been completed, although still needs some tidying up.  Working from a partially weathered body means that everything is going to look a bit messy until it is re-weathered (as there are various dirty patches that I have deliberately left in place with the thought of using them as a basis for the new weathering.)  I now need to find a match to the mid grey paint, given the prototype grey band starts lower than the model.

     
    Work has also progressed on the new ends, a little old fashioned modelling!  The centre box moulding was filed off, before adding a 10thou rectangle to represent the welded up door.   Shawplan marker lights and a Replica high intensity headlight were glued in place, before cutting out the recess for the multiple working  socket.  Its going to have to wait a little longer to get a set of horn grills (as I don’t seem to have any)…  

     
    Moving back to my other DRS 37,
    The scratch built doors have now been fitted to 37612, and along with the new side window frame have been treated to several coats of DRS blue.  Before repainting the roof of what is now 37607  I masked up one side and painted the orange cantrail stripe, I am fed up of the transfer version lifting of after application and wanted to test a different approach).  I was happy with the end result so masked 612 and painted the line, my masking was a little off at one end (so it was wiped back off with thinners).  Annoyingly it also lifted the DRS logo (although its not that annoying given the logos are the later web address version and are incorrect for 1998.  I have emailed Railtec to see if I can get some logos without the web address, else will have to use the third transfer in the pack to apply an overlay over the address…
    Once that is finished it will get a coat of Dullcoat and I can finally set about refitting the glazing (and trying to find the missing bits).  No doubt while looking I will also find the original lost doors…

  4. The Fatadder
    Last night I dug put the  cutter and drew up a few components, adding a new ring (replacing a damaged brass part) for the roof grill on 057, along with some parts for 37612.

    With these fitted the only thing left is to fit the NRM roof pod, (which I still need to find) and the rivets that will go on post priming.  So it was out with the primer.  It will now go back on the bench for further rework before reprinting and hopefully spraying in EWS next weekend.

     
    while I had the cutter out I also included some parts to finish off 37612.  The missing cab doors were made from a 3 layer 10 thou core plus a window frame, they need a door handle fitting before painting blue and gluing in place.  They should take the Bachmann glazing...

     
    Second was a fix to a mistake, where I had removed a window from both sides of the loco (whereas it should have only been the one). The window blank was pressed out, filler removed and the edges tidied up before gluing the new frame in place.  It now needs a paint touch up, before adding the OHLE stripe, number transfers and glazing.
  5. The Fatadder

    37057 pt3

    By The Fatadder,

    The new ends for 37057 arrived in the post today (thanks again Mark), so I have cracked on with the ends.  Representation of the hinges was added from 10 thou evergreen strip (with a raised line of 20thou square.)  the same 20thou strip added the joint down the centre line of the door & the hinges either side of the high intensity headlight.  Once finished they were given a quick coat of warning panel yellow paint, there is a colour mismatch (but weathering will hide it eventually).  The final job was to add the small handrails on each side from the usual 0.45mm wire.

     
    Moving back to the main bodyshell, the cab roofs were given a quick coat of white paint to show up any imperfections on the filler (requiring another skim of filler) while thanks to James Makin pointing out a glaring issue a step that needed filling on one side was filled (avoiding a repeat of 37612’s window issues…)  I found another small length of rivet strip to complete the roof panel (though it does still leave the two ends of the panel needing attention.)   Finally the mesh for the Extreme Etchings roof grill has been glued into position (which will be followed by the brass ring tonight).  As such the body is now rapidly approaching the point of entering the paint shop…   My aim is to get the painting complete by the time of the Bristol show at Thornbury in May…



    The final area of work was on the chassis, adding the new buffers along with Intercity Models air pipes and a slot for the Dingham.  While cutting the slot for the Dingham I managed to slip with the scalpel and cut a deep slice into my finger, in the process snapping off the buffer beam resulting in a need to screw directly to the body (made a little trickier by the wiring to the lights).   
     
  6. The Fatadder

    37057 part 2

    By The Fatadder,

    Work is progressing on 37057
     
    First up a set of Hornby Class 60 style buffers have been found in the scrap box and installed on the damaged chassis, this has now been put aside ready for buffer beam detailing (along with the installation of a Dingham coupling).  The chassis will be staying in OO for the moment at least, pending the ongoing debate as to what will be used for the next layout….
     
    Attention then moved on to the body, first using IPA to strip off the printed Railfreight Coal Sector markings (which were a lot more difficult than the RFD logos were to remove from the other body.  The joint between the light and dark grey was sanded back with fine emery paper ready for priming.  It was then time to start work on the roof, cutting away the rim around the edge of the roof grill ready for the Extreme Etchings grill (which will not be fitted until it is ready for painting to protect the fine mesh.)  The air horns were carefully removed and put to one side to reuse on another 37 respray (which had lost its horns).  The final job was to start on the no2 end detail, the NRN radio pod was a Hurst models etch from the scrap box.  For the actual radio panel the plan is to use a Hornby part removed from a Hornby 50 (if I can work out where I put it).   Otherwise I have an etched baseplate on my Class 67 sheet & a plasticard ribbed panel above it).   The final job was adding the riveted strips across the roof, I found the perfect material in a riveted strip from a scrapped Mitchell 45xx kit cut into lengths.  Typically I could only find one of the two lengths, and need 10mm of the other to finish the job.  I then need to find a solution for the ends of the panel which should also have a riveted strip (though this will be trickier to add given the closeness to other raised detail).  The centre box roof has a welded L section around the forward / rear edge of the panel.  The split box roof still has an L shape (with a slightly wider foot), current thinking is to add a sliver of 20thou by 10thou plasticard either side of the foot of the L & add Archers rivets.

     
     
    The final area of work was to fill in the recesses from the cab roof air horns, before relocating the cab roof vent into the split box position.  
     
     
    There was also time for a little work on what will become either 37671 or more likely 37674, removing all name plates, numbers etc from the bodyshell and filling the hole left from the ETH sockets in the ends.  It needs a small paint touch up (do Vallejo make a good match for Railfreight light grey?) and then will be ready for some gloss varnish before I start on the transfers.   Unfortunately while removing the weathering I also lost part of the orange cantrail line, so this will need replacing (and unlike my last class 37 project hopefully will remain in place this time! 
     
     
  7. The Fatadder
    After selling off the body from another of my 1980s Class 37 fleet (37674) I was all set to buy a Bachmann 37114 body as a basis for a project to model 37057 in EW&S livery circa 1998.  Firstly its is @James Makins fault for reminding me about this particular engine on his recent postings.  37057 is a bit of a special loco to me, this being one of the first diesel models I bought as a child (if not the first) shortly after Hornby released it in 1997.   However I am a sucker for a gamble on an ebay basket case, and spotting a non runner Bachmann 37/4 with spare 37/0 body.  A request for some split box ends later has hopefully sorted out a swap for the required ends.  In addition there was the 37/4, both bodies were coated in some truly awful weathering, while the 37/4 had a damaged chassis from a bodged DCC sound install (along with no buffers).
     


    The state of the bodies as they arrived
     
    Looking at the "weathering" it appeared to be water based, after a couple of hours of scrubbing the bodies are now a lot more presentable. (Although I have somehow managed to loose one of the cab windows after it pinged somewhere across the living room upon removal from the body!)  
     

    Much more presentable
     
    The Plan:
    37057: 
    Roof modifications: Add the NRM roof pod, rivet detail to No2 end panel, remove air horns & fill in recesses, add Extreme Etchings roof grill End modifications: The ends which I am swapping for are for the partially rebuilt version with welded up nose doors.  This means the door seam, and hinges will need adding from Evergreen strip / Archers rivet details.  Respray into EW&S livery (I am hoping I have enough EWS Gold left in the tin, else it will get held up until May and the Bristol show.)  It will be sprayed at the same time as 67003 also into EWS. Nameplates from Shawplan, transfers will be from Railtec  
    The other 37:
    The first job is settling on an identity, particularly as this was an unplanned model.  There are 4 potential options that I am considering: The most likely option is another Transrail liveried 37/6, which would certainly complement the rest of my Cornish 37 fleet (which certainly has a bit of an EWS bias at the moment).  37671 Tre Pol and Pen and 37674 St Blazey Church would be the options (both of which I have previously owned as a mk1 37/6 in 671s case and as the just departed Railfreight model in the case of 674).  However the other option would be an Intercity liveried model, one of my favourites carried by the Class 37.  The choice would be between 37431 in petroleum branded Intercity Mainline, or 37685 in Intercity.  The down side with both is that I have never seen a photo of either in Cornwall.  At the moment I am tending towards the Transrail option, though whether this will last long enough to gain its nameplates is a different question. Assuming that am going to go with  671, the ends will be swapped with those currently on 667 (which corrects both models) The usual Extreme Etchings roof grill will be installed The nose grills at one end of each side will need replacing, (the same is needed on a few of my EWS locos).  The problem is that no one has done an etch with modern design techniques and both the Shawplan and Hurst parts looking rather dated in comparison with Bachmann tooling.  Its a shame a new part along the same lines of the work  Brian did on the Deltic doesnt exist...  I have ordered some Hurst parts and will see how it looks... Nameplates from Shawplan and the last of my Fox Transrail logos As previously mentioned it was sold as a non runner, this was because the previous owner had made a complete mess of a DCC sound install (but clearly had stripped out the chip!)  They had attempted to fit a much larger speaker into the fuel tank, but their soldering was pretty poor (so one wire had broken off) and the hole for the speaker was not large enough causing the sides to bow out.  The speaker will be tested (and may replace the stock Bachmann speaker in 37207 (my only sound loco).  The chassis will still need further work, buffers are missing and will be replaced with Hornby 50 parts wile detailing the buffer beams.  It then just needs a 21pin blanking plug (or more likely a new PCB) to get the loco running.  
     
     
  8. The Fatadder
    Another evenings work has got Phoenix ready for painting, with the roof modifications completed and new windows temporarily installed.  
     
    the roof has a rough coat of Vallejo white to highlight any areas needing more work (it needs another still), matching the Hornby White is proving tricky as it’s an off white colour.  With the whole rake being repainted for consistency that’s not a huge problem.
     
    the windows still need the vents and curtains painting on.
     
    I am going to order one of the Precision Labels livery packs to try in the spring.  At which point I want to paint the full rake. 
     
    here’s a comparison of the windows 

     
    for comparison
    Minerva

     
    Phoenix

  9. The Fatadder
    With my class 37 respray project now complete, its time to turn attention to the next item to hit the work bench.  There are a couple of painting projects that I have in mind, but they all need multiple airbrush sessions and before I can use it again I need to work out the cause of a major air leak in my compressor. 
     
    I am awaiting components to enable work to continue on my next two steam projects, so not a lot that I can do there.  So instead I have turned my attention back to my VSOE formation, and the improvement of the 1951 build coaches.
     
    Somewhere I have a copy of a drawing of the 1951 coaches, I just cannot find the dammed thing anywhere.  So far I have only found a scanned drawing from the VSOE safety case which is too low resolution to read the numbers on the dimensions.  So I am left trying to make something which “looks right” rather than is right using photos as a guide.  In particular one photo on Flickr showing Cygnus and Minerva in the same shot (all be it at a ¾ angle).   This is interesting in that it appears to show that both builds are the same height, and have the same height windows (with top and bottom of the windows being approximately level).  Yet the 1951 build has a cream band above and below the window, while the 1927 build has a deeper area of brown.  Again looking at photos on the 1951 it appears that the Pullman text is shorter than the 1927 (while I have already mentioned the 1951 build not having the additional second line above the lower brown panel.) 
     
    Net result my original plan of reducing the window size was incorrect, instead it is just the design of the window which needs changing (as well as removing the slight step in the sides on the lower half of the window.)   It will make the use of the Precision Labels for the livery elements a little more tricky, as I think it would need to be a custom order…
     
    That brings me on to the work that was done last night.  While looking for some Class 37 glazing for another project I came across 3 decoder boxes full of Bachmann mk1 coach glazing.   The opening section at the top of the mk1 windows looks very similar to that on the 1951 Pullmans and the windows are of similar size.  You can see where this is going…..
     
    Taking the mk1 window and cutting away the plastic edging, the window was a really good fit (other than a slight rounding to the corners that is hardly noticeable once fitted).  I then tried an alternative approach keeping the plastic backing in place, which in turn this recesses the window slightly.  I am undecided which is the better solution.

     
    I have also experimented with the finish, the window vents need repainting from blue to brown (I did this using a broken 0.45mm drill bit and Vallejo Cam Black Brown).  An approximation of the curtains was painted onto the inside of the windows
     
    The next step will be to prepare the remaining window holes (removing the 1927 frames ) before getting on with adding the new roof extensions over the doors.  Hopefully by that point I will have found the missing drawing and verified the window sizes.
  10. The Fatadder
    While 37403 is not yet finished, its time to move on to part 2 of my Class 37 refresh, respraying what was a BR Blue Bachmann 37/0 into Transrail Dutch (with a bit of 1990s updating into the mix)
     
    The first job was to strip down the model, removing the windows (which was a very tough job with a lot of glue to break) and separating the ends from the body.   With the ends separated from the body the first job was to add a Replica high intensity headlight, drilling a hole through the end before gluing into place.  On the inside a box of 60 thou plasticard around the edges of the hole for the headlight.  A spare set of 37/4 lighting boards was fitted (giving the LED for the high intensity, before adding the upper brackets and adding a coat of yellow paint.  While the ends were off the body, I took advantage to simplify the weathering using the wipe on / wipe off technique.
     
     

     
    On to the rest of the body, the model had already been fitted with Extreme Etchings roof and frost grills (the latter was removed, re painted and refitted after painting).  The model was sprayed with Vallejo Chrome Yellow and Plastikote light grey 
     

     
    The next job was to paint the black areas on the bonnet doors / cab windows / cab doors (brush painted with Vallejo black), before masking and painting the bodyside with Vallejo grey black.

     
    This was followed by a coat of gloss varnish before applying the OHLE cantrail line (Hurst) and Fox transfers for the Transrail logos / numbers.  The Transrail logos were a real pain, the lower stripes broke away from the circle and it was tricky aligning the 3 layers without moving the lower layer.  I also found it very hard to align the circles, I am pretty sure I have the lower stripes in the right place but the top of the T is slightly too high (it should be on the joint between grey and yellow.)

     
    This was then followed with a coat of Testors Dullcoat to get rid of the gloss and get ready for weathering.  There are a couple of areas where the grey black on the grills has overpainted the edge, but I am not too worried as they are in areas where the weathering will concentrate.
  11. The Fatadder

    Mitchell 7316 pt2

    By The Fatadder,

    Just a very small update as long days at work finishing year end reporting are not leaving a great deal of time in the evening for myself….
     
    However over the past few evenings the chassis for 7316 has started to come together.  I started off chopping the original P4 spacers in half, this was done to assist in getting enough heat onto the old spacers one at a time (whilst ensuring that solder did not fill the slots).  With that done the chassis was rebuilt in OO, although I didn’t find my Poppy’s Woodtech jig as helpful as I had hoped.  I was expecting that buy buying an 8 coupled version I would be future proofing the tool, however rather than a “one size fits all” approach the slots are too short and wouldn’t accept the rod positions for the 73xx.  The solution was to elongate the centre axle slot  (which will need further modification in order to accept the rods for my 2251 build.)   

    The chassis has been tested on a set of Gibson P4 wheels, but I can’t progress with the brake gear until the new (Gibson) OO wheels arrive.  Why Gibson rather than Markits? I am fed up with paying a premium for wheels which won’t fit on the axles without significant fettling!   I haven’t quite worked out how I am going to solder the brake gear into position yet as I don’t want flux getting near to the steel wheels.  One thought is to regauge the P4 wheels to OO, and use those as a guide for soldering the brakes into position.
     
    Once that’s done I still need to regauge the tender (for which I haven’t got spacers) and add the pony truck, for the tender I think I have a few Comet frame spacers available…
     
    Test fitting the body and chassis together has highlighted some additional work that will be required, there are 3 locations towards the front of the loco where components are soldered through the footplate.  With P4 spacers these fell between the frames, but with the narrower OO spacers they obstruct the frame.  I need to find a flat angled file and remove the obstructions.
     
    Speaking of the body, thanks to John for the kind donation of some outside steam pipe castings the body is now complete (bar the fitting of number plates which will wait until I have enough to make a Narrow Planet order worthwhile.

    The other outstanding task is going to be the repair of the varnish damage to the tender rear, based upon the repairs to 37403’s bonnet top I should be able to fix this with a combination of sanding, hand painting and a new coat of varnish.
     
  12. The Fatadder
    Picking up from this blog post a decade ago (recently refreshed), I have for a long time been working on a model of the VSOE circa 1998.   I have previously converted old Hornby pullmans into the 1928 built stock for Ione, Lucille and Zena, and have Minerva from Hornby's 1927 stock.  (all of which still need a fair bit of work on the chassis, along with finishing.)   I am hoping to get at least a set of 6 coaches completed this year, so time to crack on with the remaining two builds so it can all hit the paint shop in the spring.
     
    The next two coaches are Phoenix and Cygnus, both being built (or rebuilt in Phoenix case) in the 1951 Festival of Britain style.  Although VSOE subsiquently rebuilt them to a degree to conform with the rest of their fleet.  
     
    Ignooring the chassis, there are 3 areas of work, Door, Roof and Windows.
     
    The door will be the hardest, and may well be ignorred.  The window should be a lot smaller than the 1927 model I am using as a basis.  I could make a new door but then would loose the lovley door handles and lining.
     
    The roof needs the longitudinal rainstrip removing (and new strips above the doors), along with filling in the corner cut outs in the roof.  The former was an easy job with a sharpe blade

    But the latter has taken more work, a section of triangular plastic strip was cut to fit into the gap, and raised detail was removed.   Before the plastic was glued into place the outer side was champhered to start off the curve on the 1951 builds the roof curve starts at the end of the flat side.)   Once dry it is then reprofiled to get a gentle curve across the whole part, after which it will be blended in with filler and a new gutter will be added from 10thou strip.

     
     
    The windows have caused me more trouble, made worse by being unable to find my drawing...  I think I can now remember where it is so will look again tomororw.
    The Hornby glazing was removed (breaking at least one window naturally), this wont be reused but gives spares when Minerva is stripped down to respray the cream).  The cross piece is removed, along with the lower framing to the lef and right of the frame.  On the 1951 build coaches there is a clear band of cream above and below the windows.   Comparing Phoenix and Minerva it looks like the lower band is because of a smaller brown panel (lacking hte upper pair of lines)  So this will be corrected with paint.  The top of the windows however should be level with the top of the toilet window, whereas on the 1927 the top of the window is level with the top of the beading around the toilet window.  I have added a length of 30thou Evergreen strip which reduces the height by approximatly the right amount.  New windows will be cut on the shilouette cutter (hopefully) and fitted with stickers (also with the cutter) for the vents
     
    Now the proof of concept seems to have worked, I need to repeat the work on another 27 windows and 7 more ends.
     
     

  13. The Fatadder
    Having sourced a pack of Evergreen 5/16th" tube at the Warwick show yesterday, I've now got the air tanks fitted to 59004.
     
    This was a case of fitting the small tank end to the 2 lengths of tube, then filing to shape before gluing on the other end. 2 lengths of 40thou by 80thou strip were glued to the top to act as a base to glue to the main chassis.
     
    All that remains now chassis wise (other than painting) is to add the missing bits from the no2 end bogie.

     
    The body still needs a lot of work, those side grills have got to go! but thats going to have to wait... I fitted new etched plates on the DEMU stand at Warwick, bit of a cock up really as I have brought and fitted the original name (Yeoman Challenger) rather than Paul A Hammond (although I think the former is a much better name!) Will need to get yet another set of plates next time I see Brian (that will be the third set of plates purchased for this loco, given it was originally renamed to 005 from its original 002.
    I've now got thinking that I may actually stick with the Yeoman Challenger plates on one side of the loco, having found some photos showing it in the west country in my late 80s modelling period
     
    Tomorrow (Actually that would be today now!), out with the paints!
     
    One other area I am looking at is the exhaust silencer, which looks rather under scale. Unfortunately knowing that the roof profile is a bit iffy, its hard to tell if the errors with the silencer are as a result of the errors on the roof (and that a correct silencer might look more wrong than an incorrect one.)
  14. The Fatadder
    Edit 1/1/20:  I am debating reserecting this project later in the year, so have been spending some time updating the research. Updating this old blog as a good starting point...
    My intention is to revisit this post again later this evening to add in photos of the current state of each build.
     
    This is another one of those long term projects which rears it head now and again, given the length of the rake it is far longer than anything which can realisticly be fitted on my current layout.
     
    The intention is to put together a full VSOE formation in 1998 condition, it will initially be built in OO while I decide on my future layout direction (with the added benefit it will get a run on Brent when playing with modern stock).  The intention is to build an accurate formation (so no using the same Hornby coaches for everything).  Pullmans are well outside of my area of expertese, so I have tried to keep things simple and stuck with the year of build (at any rate VSOE significantly rebuilt everything anyway).
    This thread also had some details
     
    I am planning to expiriment with the Precision Lables product for the Pulmann livery elements, to see how I find the end finish.  The thought of lining these coaches has been one of the main stumbling blocks preventing their compleation.
     
    ____________________________
     
     
    Minerva - ECML 1927 Parlour 1st
    This is the only example of the new Hornby model which is suitable for my formation, and its also the one which needs the smallest amount of work to get to a usable condition. Other than a requirement for Gresley bogies, air break equipment and a repaint eventually to match the rest of the rake. Inside I plan on painting to match the prototype, but first need to check and see if there were any modifications made to the layout in VSOE service. the working table lamps will almost certainly have their power removed to get a consistent rake.
    Current Status: Out of the box

     
    Ione 1928 MCW Parlor kitchen 1st
    This will be a conversion of an original Hornby Pullman with Comet etched sides as a conversion intoa kitchen first. It has also requires the rebuilding of the roof (to get the vents in the right place for a kitchen) and file down the oversized roof ribs. The body was first prepared by cutting the windows open to a bigger size than the new holes (so as to make glazing easier.) It will need to be fitted with MJT gresley bogies, and new underframe trusses. The interior requires major work to scratch build the kitchen.  I will be needing Ibis as well which should follow similar construction.
    Current Status: New sides fitted, roof detail started but incomplete, chassis unstarted.

     
    Zena, Lucille - 1928 MCW Parlour 1st
    Again these are based upon the old Hornby model with the Comet sides. This corrects a slight error in the location of the toilet window, as well as giving a consistant finish with Ione. The interior needed a slightly less major modification to get it to match the drawings.  The Comet etches are not great, there is a lot of surface detail on these coaches (raised ribs etc) which is missing on the etch and will need gluing on from plastic strip.   I did draw up an etch for the sides for Ibis but never made it.  Im now thinking about running it through the Silouette cutter and making a set of plastic sides...
    Following the update I have made to my Centenary build (the last completed stock with etched replacement sides), I will needThe three 1928 coaches have a very distinctive riveted roof which Triang/Hornby did not model. While I have filed back the roof ribs to get a slightly improved finish, its not by a long way correct. I am now considering whether or not I add this detail with Archers transfers, or live with it.   I am hoping I can stomach the latter, as otherwise it may be easier to buy 3 of the "new" Hornby 1928 pullman and modernise those...
     
    Current Status: As per Ione



     
    Cygnus, Phoenix  ex Festival of Britain 1951 stock
    This is the hardest part of the formation to model through a combination of a lack of available kit components along with the fact that they were heaivily rebuilt by VSOE to look more like the traditional Pullmans (noteably the oval toilet windows).  However they are fairly similar to the 1927 built coaches, with 3 main areas of differnece:  The roof (Minerva has a continous rainstrip and cutaways over the doors, the ex1951 coaches have only got rainstrips over the doors while the roof has no cutaways.)  The doors are completely different designs, and the ex1951 windows are shorter (so there is a band of cream above and below the window frame).    Sorting the roof will make a big difference, I have seen it done before on the forum using filler, however my approach is to build it up in plasticard and finish off with filler.   I had originally planned to to etch new sides / doors in order to fix the window issue.  However now I am tending towards an easier approach, the doors are a simple job with the Shilouette cutter (chopping the whole door out of the model and refitting with a laminate of 20thou plasticard.  The side could be done the same way, however I think just adding a strip of 30 thou plasticard to the top and bottom of the window frame will do the job.  They will of course also be needing Gresley bogies / air brake equipment.
    Current Status: 2 Hornby 1927 builds as Cygnus and Minerva
     
    Audrey  ex 5 Bel kitchens.
    The final coache that is planned will be an ex 5 Bell kitchen.   Lots of work was done to these in overhaul, particularly around the chassis so there will be a lot of work needed to modifiy a Hornby Brighton Bell coach.  The ride height was changed to match the other stock in VSOE's fleet and they were fitted to B4 bogies.  I will need a cheap single Brighton Bell coach (or even a body only) for conversion, but its rather a long way down the procurement list.  I do keep my eyes open for damaged stock that might do the job...
     
    The last coaches to model are the mk1s on the ends, reading through some period documentation it seems that it only needed a mk1 on one end for saftey reasons, however photos do not appear to show this as common practice.  Instead there are a massive range of vehicles seen sandwiching the VSOE in 1998.  The first candidate (appearing in quite a few photos) is a mk1 RKB 1566 in Southern Green livery.  This has been modeled using Comet sides to reskin a Bachmann Mk1 buffet.  At the other end it is a little less clear (if only the proliferation of digital photography had come a few years sooner!)   Mk1 brake 99538 looks to be the ideal candidate for the other end, given it is in simple BR Chocolate and Cream livery and will be an easier paint job.  Although I have no idea when it was introduced EWS BG Generator van 6313 would be a bit more interesting (I think it was a slightly later early 2000s addtion though.)
     
    As for haulage haulage, lots of interesting options have cropped up so far.  With a quick scan of Flickr coming up with a Large Logo 50050, a Royal Train and a RES Class 47 and Clan Line.  The latter is alredy in the fleet (though half converted to P4), as is a RES 47.
     
    Finally the formation, an area which I am struggling with (not helped by having no true working to model).  I have found a good photo (linked on the formations page) from which my best guess is the below (having changed the mk1 arrangements to fit my plans).
    Mk1 RFB 1566, Lucille, Ibis, Phoenix, Audrey, Ione, Minerva, Zena, Cygnus, mk1 BCK 99538
     
  15. The Fatadder

    Weathering 5108

    By The Fatadder,

    Another project from the past few days was finishing off 5108.  
    The model was previously resprayed to correct Hornby’s tepid interpretation of GWR green, with transfers from HMRS and Narrow Planet number plates.
     
    Weathering has been added using Vallejo paints, using the paint on / wipe off method.   
     
    In the end I’ve decided that I dont really need a 51xx right now, and would rather replace it with a current generation model either building a kit or if one appears in the bargain bin next year a new Hornby example.  So the finished model is currently on eBay.





  16. The Fatadder
    As we approach the end of 2019, its time for the annual recap of the years modelling (and a look forward to 2020), annoyingly the tags don’t seem to work any more which limits the ability to link to the respective pages.
     
    First up was the completion (hopefully….) of a very long term project, building a decent model of a Manor.  It took a fair bit of research to find a record of a Manor through Brent in ’47 but eventually settled on 7804.  The Mitchell body and Comet chassis took some work to get together, but I am very pleased with the result (particularly given this was my second ever attempt at forming a Belpaire firebox and my first rolled boiler.  Eventually it will still need a motor / gearbox fitting, but for the mean time it can either fill in for a Bulldog as an assisting engine (or get assistance itself).  It still needs to be fitted with handrails, which were accidently omitted during the build.

     
    Next up a bit of coach building, adding a much needed J12 sleeper to the fleet.  A simple build of a BSL body with 247 developments bogies and ‘working’ gangways. As with a lot of stock it is still awaiting couplings.  While painting the sleeper the opportunity was taken to get my toplights painted into chocolate and cream.  Before completing the lining on the first batch of coaches (covering the whole of the Cornish Rivera Express Centenaries, and the sleeper
    There wasn’t a great deal of other rolling stock worked on, but my Syphon J has shown progress (getting a new roof and underframe), and now just needs final detailing / bogies.

     
    This was followed by another loco project, in a spares box I had a Bachmann 64xx (that had been sourced as a bodyshell) that was awaiting a High Level chassis kit.  Spotting a Bachmann 64xx chassis at a bargain price something needed to be done with it.  A conversion to a 74xx followed as 7427.

     
    Another “quick” conversion was to redo my already renumbered Hornby 38xx as an oil burner 4855, making use of a 3d printed oil tank along with various bits from the scrap box to convert the loco’s cab.   A nice easy conversion which results in something a bit different.  I think eventually either an oil burning Hall or Castle will also be added.

     
    A start has been made on building a SE Finecast kit for an LNER A4 as Mallard in loco exchange condition, however I need to buy some components in order to finish it off and just haven’t got round to it.  At present the body is built along with the chassis frames, the Tender needs a heavy rebuild to match its loco exchange condition and some missing motion parts must be sourced.  The chassis is currently binding under test, so that needs to be rectified as well.  Still a very long way to go

     
    The next complete loco (a GWR Bird) was sourced second hand in a sorry condition with the aim of reusing its boiler on a Bachmann Dukedog to make a Bulldog.  Upon stripping off the bizarre hybrid paintjob (G W R logos with hand painted red frames), it uncovered a very well put together (but rather basic) scratch built model of a Great Western Bird.  There were a fair few repairs needed where the frames had become damaged in transit, so they needed soldering back into place.  The body needed work to round off the front of the firebox (a lot more difficult when its soldered into position!) Along with soldering on the beading to the cabside cutouts / cab rear handrails and fitting of castings for the mud doors / boiler washout plugs and the application of a number of Archer’s river transfers,  before respraying into GWR green.  It was certainly very satisfying taking this old model and giving it a new lease of life, and hopefully many more years of running ahead of it.

     
    While getting ready to paint the Bird, my Mitchell 73xx was dug out of its box.  This was another eBay rescue (already built) and needed the crude paint stripping off, some minor soldering repairs, new handrails and a new coat of paint.  It has a badly built P4 chassis which is being rebuilt into OO this year.  The body has now been sprayed GWR green, transfers applied and just needs its new chassis to enter service.  I am determined to get it running before the Dapol RTR example hits the shelves.  The body does need one more bit of work (it is missing cab side number plates and outside steam pipes.

     
    Another “complete” loco without a chassis is a Finney 2251, again a second hand kit from eBay that was missing its chassis.  The body has been assembled (containing my first Belpaire firebox and my second attempt at rolling a boiler).  This has been finished as one of the early wartime built locos 2213, with no cab side windows.  It has been sprayed into GWR green with shirtbutton logo (working from a photo of 2211 in Russell) using a resprayed Bachmann 3500gl Collett tender.  Once 7316’s chassis is built, 2213 is next in the list using a modified High Level chassis clad in the Finney frame overlays.

     
    There was not a great deal of progress on Brent through the year, not nearly as much as I had hoped.  The real priority for 2020 is to get the layout much more complete (or at the very least get it running again!)  Highlights have been building a new double slip for the Exeter end which works (although currently the pointmotor is not correctly alligned at one end.)  The backscene was fitted, however it has not faired too well and has lifted from the wall in a few places.    The track has now all been painted brown ready for ballasting

    The first of the signals has been installed, in turn this highlighted an issue with the terrorforming at the Plymouth end of the layout (requiring a lot of rework to sort out clearances.

     
    Building wise, there has been some progress with the water tower and Up platform now built, along with the first side of the vicarage road bridge.

     


     
     
    So what about 2020?
    The work in progress pile currently contains:
    The Syphon J (details / bogies), should be a fairly quick job with the body just needing steps adding to one end + hinges, while the chassis is in need of trussing / battery boxes (along with the installation of the bogies.  It has been in the works far too long and needs to be finished ASAP.
    A4 (tender, chassis, minor repairs to body)
     
    4707/County of Somerset – both have issues with pickups which need ripping out and replacing. 
    Chassis building: There are 3 chassis pending a trip through the works, the rebuild of the P4 chassis under 7316 to OO, a Highlevel chassis for 2213 and a Perseverance for Saint Dunstan (which also will need handrails).  In addition the chassis for Mallard needs finishing.
     
     
    Un-started
    In the untouched kits pile, there is a Sunshine Stock First (for my other Rivera rake), a Siphon G and of course the TPO rake.   In addition to the usual handful of plastic wagon kits, (a handful of incomplete Coopercraft cattle vans being top of the list which are missing most of their chassis).
    I will also be continuing to look out for bargain part built / un-started kits, I fancy a Finney Aberdare and still need at least one more Bulldog.  
     
    Probably the biggest priority is to get the workshop (aka Bedroom 4) tidied.  I never finished the job last time, leaving redundant furniture throughout the room and a lack of organisation in the work in progress projects. The problem is finding the time…..
     
    The layout 
    On Brent the key aims are to complete ballasting, install the vicarage road bridge and the down platform along with getting the point motor working on the slip.  
    Secondary aims are to draw up and build the down waiting room, platform canopys and ideally the signal box.  Finally I have a sample pack of rollers from ModelU to test out before I start adding point rodding. 
  17. The Fatadder

    2019 in Review

    By The Fatadder,

    The plans for the year were: to finish off the TPO rake, add doors to 37612, convert the remaining CDA fleet, paint the GWT intercity sleeper rake and to build a couple of nuclear flasks to run with the DRS locos.  Not of alot of which was actually managed....
     
    First to hit the bench was the TPO, with enough components arriving from DC Kits to finish the other side of the NUA, along with components to build a large door and small door NSA.  Building new sides from the DC Kits parts and fitting them into heavily modified Bachmann mk1 coaches.  The whole rake then entered the paint shop where it experienced a few issues, the red paint has very poor coverage, and on the Bachmann conversion the filler still shows through as lighter red squares.  Likewise on the kit builds there are a few marks (labelling components etc) which show through the red.  It needs a touch up of primer and then respraying….  Then will come the fun task of lining / transfers (which still need to be procured.)


     
    Next up the GWT sleeper, after research to confirm the formation (47/8 mk2d BSO, mk2d TSO (ex FO), Mk2e FO(t) and 3 sleepers.  A set of Airfix mk2d coaches went through the works having the tumblehome corrected and are now ready for painting.

     
    Sticking with the GWT theme, after purchasing a pair of Hornby HST chassis + some extra coaches, I now have a second GWT HST going through the works.  The first job was to modify the Lima GWT powercars to fit the Hornby chassis (not overly difficult) along with minor detailing to the ends.  They are now awaiting the yellow respraying along with a coat of paint on the white areas (where the green is showing through).  The coaches all need various paint modifications (mostly adding the lower stripe) and transfers.  Not to mention needing new couplings / corridor connections.

     
    Attending the Bristol show with DEMU saw the Virgin XC loco hauled rake completed, with a full passenger load, While at Scaleforum the focus was on the detailing of a Lima class 67 as 67003 with my own etched parts.  Finally at Warley I finished off the DRS 20302 with glazing / window frames and  made a lot of progress rebuilding a Bratchell class 456.


     
     
    My class 37 refurbishment / repurposing project has been started, with 37412 in Large Logo livery now transposed into 37403 in BR Green.  The loco has been fitted with new end detail, Heljan snowploughs and an Extreme Etchings roof grill, and is now awaiting a confirmation from Railtec that they can do the transfers.  Preparation for the respray of 37230 into Transrail Dutch will be next, along with an upgrade of the roof grill and transfers on 37521…

     
    Wheal Imogen made its exhibition debut at the RMWeb SWAG members day in April, but performance of the fiddleyard and stock left something to be desired in terms of running performance.  There wasn’t time to do much testing in advance of the show, and it relied on the previous proving session 3 months earlier…
     
    Finally I made a start on the early stanges of the research for my next layout, compliing a working timetable of all services (freight and passenger) through the two potential locations in South Devon and Cornwall, and starting to scope out the potential fleet requirements.  It will be a long time coming, with a lot of imporntant decisions still to be made (the biggest being around track gauge).  In the mean time elements of the fleet will be reverting to OO in order that I can run Brent in 1998 mode...  With just the core fleet for Wheal Imogen staying in P4.
     
    For next year my aim is:
    Finally finish off 37612, scratch building the missing doors / replacing the window error on one side.  Add cantrail stripe to this and to 20302
    Paint the GWT Sleeper rake
    Paint 67003 into EWS
    Build an Intercity Models kit for a JYA Yeoman box.  Maybe build bogies for the Yeoman PTAs, at the moment the JYA is my planned work for the Bristol show in May.
    Finish the paint on the GWT HST, change couplings and add corridor connections
    Transfers for the TPO
    Finally I have a Fraggonset 33/2 which is missing a name on one side.  Again a decision needs making as to whether to search for the missing name so that it can be repaired and sold, or repaint it into Mainline triple grey circa 1998…
     
     
  18. The Fatadder
    Part two of the loco painting.....
     
    As with 37403, I had some issues with the paint not getting into corners.  The solution has been a lot more touch up work with a fine brush, I think the weather paid a part, as did the mix of paint, along with my experimentation with a different airbrush needle (using the medium rather than my usual fine). 
     
    Once that was complete it was time to add the other colours, starting with the footplate / steps using a dirty black / brown mix of Vallejo acrylics, the smokebox and roof in grey black and the buffer beams in red.   
    With that done there were a few minor repairs to complete, a rear handrail had snapped off the Bird and a casting was dislodged from the 73xx, both also needed buffers gluing in position.   The final task was to add the nameplates / numberplates to 3449, and the bufferbeam numbers / tender crests to all three.   I still need to get number plates for 7313 and 2213 which will go on my next Narrow Planet order (likely along with replacements for 1470 for which I cannot find the missing plate.)
     
     
    3449 "Nightingale" 

     
    7313 - should be 7316!

     
    2213

     
    Given I had some left over paint I have cracked on with a few other outstanding jobs, adding some additional weathering to my Grange, weathering 5108 (which if I can find the missing buffers will end up on eBay on Monday to partially fund a new Hornby example), and repainting the smokebox (and Gibson chimney) on my Bachmann 2251 ready for comparison with the Finney example.  It will eventually get a new brass cab using the leftover Finney parts...

     
    While varnishing 37403 I decided to see how the GWR green looked with a coat of varnish.  Again I used the Simons clear gloss varnish.  Given it had worked perfectly in the morning I was surprised when the finish crackled.  I think the reason was holding the can too close to the model.  Thankfully its just the rear of the tender that’s effected.

    The effected area 

    Varnished vs unvarnished 
     
    On Christmas day I will be getting the new chassis jig at which point I can crack on with building the new chassis for both 7313 and 2213 (although the latter will still need wheels sourcing), while for 7313 I am experimenting with Gibson wheels (and will do the build tests with an old set of P4 Gibsons to avoid having to take the wheels off and on too many times).  If they work ok then I halve the cost of wheels going forwards, if not it will get rewheeled with a set of Markits (eventually).  2213 will be tested with a set of Ultrascale P4 wheels to prove it works, before sitting on a set of Bachmann wheels until its new wheels are sourced.
     
     
  19. The Fatadder

    37403 pt1

    By The Fatadder,

    After talking about my class 37 plans for the past few days, its time to crack on with modelling them.  First up is 37403, a respray from what was a Large Logo Blue 37412 (its Extreme Etchings nameplates will be finding their way onto the classifieds at the weekend) 
     
    The project started with the preparation of the bodyshell, the Bachmann roof grill was removed (an Extreme Etchings replacement has been ordered).  The Large Logo, number transfer and scotty dog were removed (using a combination of wet & dry and a fiberglass pencil), and the joint between yellow and blue was also sanded down to blend it together.  
    My plan was to keep the grey roof (keeping the cantrail stripes) and use the existing yellow for the ends, so these were masked off before giving the whole thing a light dusting of primer. 
     
     
    The weather today was just about warm enough for painting, so after heating up the garage it was out with the airbrush.  (Although it took a while to get the bottle of Railmatch paint open, soaking in a bath of boiling water.)   A couple of coats of green paint later, and its starting to look like 37403.  It needs a couple of minor touch ups where the masking didn't quite work.



    I have emailed Railtec to see if its possible to get a set of faded BR crests (along with the other transfers).  Lamp irons are also going to have to be added (the Bachmann ones were removed to assist with the warning panel masking.)  I have a Brassmasters etch which should provide suitable replacements.  
     
    Next up will be preparing 37245 for its conversion into 37230 (cleaning the body, priming & spraying the yellow and grey.  The next weeks weather is looking too cold so I suspect it will not be until after Christmas now. 
  20. The Fatadder

    37403 pt2

    By The Fatadder,

    On to the second step of the conversion of 37403, as a result of a combination of the temperature, the lack or a paint handle to move the workpiece and very old paint, I did have a few issues with the painting.  Notably it was very difficult to get paint to stay in corners / edges of detail.  So minor repairs were completed with a brush, (while the wreathing will be focused around these areas so any remaining damaged paint will be obscured by the weathering.)  Using some thinners on a fine brush the overspray of green onto the yellow warning panel was removed.   With that done, the ETH sockets were glued back into position  (while the lamp irons will follow this evening.)   The emergency cut off switches on each end were picked out with red edges and a pale grey centre, before the model was given a coat of gloss varnish once it was fully dry.
    The large bodyside grills were given a coat of paint on the coloured areas (replacing anything that was blue with green), before refitting onto the model.  I have learned from the mistakes with my DRS 37612 and left the doors in situ, there is no chance of loosing any doors this time!  Speaking of which I really should draw up a class 37 door in CAD and run through the silhouette to replace the missing doors on 612.....

     
    Attention then turned to the chassis, the fuel tanks are probably the weakest part of the Bachmann Class 37 model, but for the time being will be left as the come.  Its one of those jobs which really need to be done across a fleet rather than just on a single model....  Instead they were treated to a weathering mix of Vallejo paints (Grey Black, Black, Leather and German Cam Brown).  The same mix was applied to the bogies and remaining plastic chassis parts, while the bufferbeams were given a coat of red paint. Air and vacuum pipes were added along with a slot for a Dingham and a Heljan Class 47 snowplough.  More pipes are still needed however...

     
    next up was the ends, adding Vi Trains parts for the 4 lamp irons per end (painting two of them green) before reassembling the lighting units.  
     
    I had a crack at scribing the panel lines around the windscreens, but it doesn’t look very noticeable.

    next up was the OHLE cantrail stripe, adding the bonnet  sections and fixing a couple of areas on the roof.  Once done I gave another coat of varnish, which is there the problems started.  As it was raining I sprayed on the utility room, I think I ended up spraying one end a bit too close as the varnish reacted ( it did the same on rear of a tender i varnished afterwards).   Thankfully it only impacted one bonnet top (and the are due fairly heavy weathering anyway).  After gently sanding down it was repainted by hand before rejoining the ends.

     

    The final job of the evening was to fit the Extreme Etchings roof grill, using an old etch that had got crumpled up in storage.  As a result I glued it in place with ‘gorilla’ superglue as I wanted a quicker bond to hold the shape.  The etched part will follow before painting.

     
    So all that remains is to add the etched ring to the roof grill, then paint it grey.  And see what Railtec come back with on the transfers.
     
     
    Lots of work so far, but its been an enjoyable project.  Certainly a lot more rewarding than the alternative approach of selling 37412 and using the proceeds (and some more no doubt) to buy a Bachmann collectors club Caerphilly Castle as a base.  Im sure its going to be just as rewarding on the next one.  However first I need to do some selling to provide the funds for a transfer order...
     
    There is still a need for one final 37 to be added to the fleet, but its all dependent on finding a Bachmann 37114 in EWS at the right price.  I want a model of 37054 Viking in EW&S (replacing one of my first diesel locos, a Hornby release).  But finding a suitable base model (at the right price) is proving tricky.  I suspect it will end up being a respray job on whatever cheap split box 37/0 I can find, maybe even a case of grafting a pair of Split Box ends onto my scrap 37/0 shell if I can get a pair.....
     
  21. The Fatadder

    Into the paintshop

    By The Fatadder,

    While I wasn't expecting to be starting any painting this year, inspired by the desire to crack on with a model of a Class 37 on my other blog coupled with a very mild day, tonight I was out in the garage getting started on some painting.  With the garage heated up in advance (and the paint warmed in a bath of hot water before heading outside), I got on with spraying some GWR green.  Between each coat the models were treated to a quick blast with a hairdryer to dry the paint in order to get the finish complete in one go.  I did find a little more issue than normal in getting paint into the corners (as usual with resprays there are a couple of touch ups needed).  I also couldn't find my paint handles so it was a little trickier to move the workpiece around. 
     
    So now I have the green painted on the Bird, 73xx and 2251 along with their respective tenders.  On the latter there are a few areas which I need to confirm the colour (were the insides of the tender fairings painted green or black, likewise the toolboxes).
    Black will all be hand painted with a weathered mix of Vallejo acrylics (given that I hate trying to mask steam locos for spraying the black).  Then I need to get on with building the chassis for 7313 and 2213, the Bird just needs a little work to make it run. 



  22. The Fatadder

    Finney 2251 pt5

    By The Fatadder,

    The body for 2213 is now complete!
     
    The fine detailing took a long time, in some cases the Finney kit takes it a little too far in my opinion, however most parts were used on the final loco (there were just a few tiny brackets which were just to much for my ability with a soldering iron).  I think the end result looks an improvement over the Bachmann model, but it will be interesting to see once it is complete.
     
    The buffer housings, steam heat and vacuum pipes, screw reverse leaver, whistles and steps were all soldered into position.  Before gluing the top feed/safety valve cover and a few other small details to the body, along with the brass strip, screw reverser, ATS bell and (working) cab seats were added to the inside of the cab.  A start was then made on tidying up the excess solder.  One final job which still needs to be completed is drilling out the solid lump inside the chimney (then it will be given the usual coat of etch primer)
     
    I have also had a go at the backhead, a real pain of a job given the drawing isn’t too clear and I don’t know what all the parts are.  (Along with a drawing showing the location of the body components, a photo of the white metal parts showing their part numbers would have been hugely helpful.)   
     


     
    After Christmas attention will turn to making a High Level chassis fit under it.  On my first look it appears to be easier said than done.  The rear of the chassis is too high by about 5mm, while the front spacer (which mounts part of the inside motion) is about 2mm too high (and once reduced in height will be a bit close to the end of the motion for my liking).  I also have to solder something to hold the hornblocks I place.  At the moment I am thinking I will solder the front / rear blocks in place and give the centre axle freedom to move.  But in order to get the frames back into the jig it will need soldering in place before unsoldering the P4 spacers.
    I am still in two minds about the wheels, though erring towards buying a new set of Markits rather than my original plan of reusing Bachmann wheels.  Mostly because I don’t want to use 3mm axles.  Instead I think I will use the P4 Ultrascales I originally bought for this loco as temporary wheels on OO frames until I get some new wheels.
     
  23. The Fatadder
    I am in the process of re-evaluating the make up of my 1980s loco fleet,  as part of this it has identified 3 class 37 models which are surplus to requirements.  37412 in Large Logo, 37673 in RFD and 37235 in BR Blue.  Along with 37667 in EWS.  On the other hand looking at future projects there are a couple of areas in which I am light on Class 37s, so it makes sense to see what can be repurposed.
     
    The 1998 class 37 fleet currently consists of 37521, 37670 Both EWS, 37612 DRS Blue and 37672 Transrail triple grey, while the 80s fleet (post reduction) will contain 675 in Redstripe, 207 in blue and 196 in grey.
     
    First of all there is some basic improvements needed to 37521, James Makin recently shared some work he has recently done on his EWS 37s fitting new nose grills / Extreme Etchings roof grills and using Railtec transfers.  The latter makes a huge difference and will need to be retrofitted to both 521 and 667 (and my EWS 31), while 521 has incorrect nose grills which would certainly benefit from an upgrade.  Longer term I want to retrofit the Extreme Etchings grills across the whole fleet, but right now the cost is just too much.  I am not keen on the available etched replacement nose grills, however I have an idea (that I am going to test on a scrap body)  I think the issue is that the grill is set back behind the frame (where as the etch has it too far forward).  My thinking is to cut out a hole in the side of the loco and fill it with a piece of ribbed plasticard cut to size…
     
    While not needed for my long term project, I keep thinking about doing another small project set around the nuclear loading point at Berkeley.  For this I would need to build another 20/3 and another DRS 37 to run with 37612. I was torn between DRS branded triple grey and DRS blue (pre WIPACs), but for something a little different I have decided to go for the former.  Research has shown there is a small period after 37612 was outshopped in DRS blue during which 607/608/611 were still in grey.  I like the idea of a flush front machine if I can get another set of flush ends, otherwise I may just convert it myself.   If not 37611 would be an easy rebrand.  As it wasn’t varnished it should be easy to remove the railfreight transfers from 37673 and replace with DRS logos (Railtech produce the triple grey version), while I already have a set of Channel Tunnel “polo mint” logos in my bits box.
    edit: more research points towards 37607 being the ideal choice (if I can source the ends).  I have found a photo dated 2nd May 98 in grey livery with the loco in service, and another dated May 8th in the works at Busch Loughborough being repainted into blue.
     
    If I was to convert 37673 to a flush front machine, that would in turn enable an easier job restoring 37667.  As it stands 667 was modelled in 2004 condition, so the ends have black headcode boxes and accident damage to one end.  It also has a sandite port fitted to one side (annoyingly I did it properly and cut the hole in the side rather than just sticking on an etch!)  This will need filling in and having the paint touched up, along with the changes to the transfers that are needed on 521.  This model would be the perfect candidate to try out the nose grill conversion before risking 521.
     
    Next up is what to do with 37412, for this I have an old favourite in mind.  Way back when the mk1 Bachmann 37 was released I bought the collectors club model of 37403, as it was a favourite (despite the shape issues) I kept hold of it long after the rest had gone (eventually selling it for a lot less than the silly prices they used to go for.)  Looking through some old data on the Taunton Trains website the loco was mentioned a couple of times during my period, one of which on a very modellable rail tour with 5 mk2s.  This got the idea of a new model of 403 back into my head.  37412 will provide the base model, once the BR logos / number transfers and current plates have been removed, it will get an Extreme Etchings grill and a coat of primer.  I am hopefull I can get away without needing to strip the model…  I have found a jar of Railmatch BR Green paint which will be perfect for the job (assuming I manage to open it!)  An email has been sent to Railtec to enquire about getting a set of BR logos printed in white to represent the very faded crests the loco was carrying in 1998.
     
    37235 is proving a little more tricky to determine, first of all the loco has already been fitted with the very fragile Extreme Etchings grill (which I do not want to damage), it has also been weathered with powders.  My logic is to carefully wash the model, before giving the side grills etc a scrub with an old toothbrush.  Remove the transfers / BR logos with thinners and then a coat of primer.  There are a handful of potential candidates my timetable research on Taunton Trains identified 37263 in Dutch and 37230 in Transrail Dutch, while a trawl of Flickr 1998 for Devon and Cornwall locations identified 37371 in Mainline and 37174 in EWS.  The latter was discounted purely because if I was to add an EWS 37/0 it would be a split box as Viking (to replace the Hornby model I had as a child).  263 was discounted because Transrail dutch is more interesting than unbranded dutch.  So it looks like it is between 230 and 371.   A lot will depend on the final project I suspect…
     
    The final potential project is the most questionable as to whether it will progress.  A long time back when the first improved (as built) Bachmann 37/0 was released I part converted a split box loco into an accident damaged machine with split box at one end and flush front at the other.  While looking for suitable locos for 37235’s respray, I came across pictures of 37065 in Mainline blue (which also has one split box end / one flush) to which I thought I had found the perfect loco to model.  Unfortunately the loco I was originally modelling (scrapped by 1998) has the flush front at the roof grill end, where as 065 has it on the other end.  As part of my conversion I used a modified Bachmann centre box part for the flush end which can easily be moved.  But the other end is a solid part of the body (a strange piece of tooling there by Bachmann).  I am thinking about cutting the split box end off, and swapping them around (with the logic that if it fails, im no worse off than I am already.)  A further issue is that I cant find the chassis for it, which there is a good chance has been sold.  Going to have a look over Christmas and see if I can find it, with the logic that if I do then I will try harder to get it running.
  24. The Fatadder

    Finney 2251 part 4

    By The Fatadder,

    Another evening’s work and 2213 takes another step closer to the paintshop.
     
    White metal castings have been added for the superheater oil cover and two plates at the bottom of the firebox, the top feed pipework was formed and soldered into place and the mud door covers have been soldered into position.  Finally the smokebox door dart was glued into place, and a start was made on boring out the chimney.   I also formed the etching for the whistle shield, although I have not quite worked out how it attaches to the top of the firebox.  
     
    Dealing with the castings is a little trickier than I would prefer, with a Malcolm Mitchell kit you get a handy diagram labelling where everything should go.  With this Finney kit the backhead has a labelled drawing, but not the body so you are left trying to work out most of it from photos. 

     
    Still to do:
    Solder on steps
    Solder up support bracket and add the reverser
    Solder cab seats / fit 
    Add missing overlay to buffer beam (steam heat pipe mount)
    Solder on steam pipe / vacuum pipe
    Glue castings on to backhead / paint 
    Glue overlay strips on to inside of cab (it should have been soldered but I missed it off, soldering now risks the handrails / roof).
    Fit whistles / whistle shied + the small casting that sits behind it.
    Add any remaining castings to cab interior (although this may wait until after painting)
    Tidy up any remaining solder mess.
     
  25. The Fatadder

    Finney 2251 part 3

    By The Fatadder,

    Likely to be the final session of work on 2212 for the weekend, taking advantage of my wife being out for the evening.

    First on the list was the handrails, as mentioned in my 73xx blog I hate forming handrails.  It is a job that I have forgotten to add on two previous builds (the Manor and Saint) and now have to do post paint!
     
    I started by threading one side’s handrails knobs onto a length of 0.45 nickel silver wire, locating onto the body and soldering into place.  The front handrail was formed (adding the final knob) and fest fitted. 
    At this point I realised that I had not rounded the edges of the smokebox front, so the handrail was removed in order to fix this.
     
    Unfortunately when replacing the handrail one of the short knobs fell off, and while refitting pinged across the room.  Of course I haven’t got any short knobs to replace it (they are thankfully included in the Gibson order that was placed on Friday).  I am going to have another look for it this afternoon...  (on the plus side while hunting for it so far I have found two more medium knobs that had previously been lost!)
     
    Other work included adding the reverser housing, top feed and smokebox door, along with soldering the edging around the edge of the cab roof.
     
    Starting to get to the point where there are not many etched bits to fit (but a lot of white metal!) 
     
     
    One other point on livery, I had always thought it would be wartime black.  However while looking in Russell to confirm the location  of the upper lamp iron, I found a photo of a wartime build 2251 (I think it was 2211 so presumably it was taken shortly before my chosen loco of 2212 was out shopped.  It is clearly finished in green with shirt button logo on the tender.  So this is the state that I will build 2212.
     I am guessing it was at Newton in September 47 for a heavy overhaul given the date of build, when it would have gained cabside windows and GWR on the tender.  My original plan was to use a 2251 on a running in turn ex works, now I think NA shed have grabbed it during a loco shortage before it entered the works.....
     

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