Pugsley

From the moment I saw this picture: http://gallery6801.f.../p61948874.html I knew I wanted to model it. Admittedly, I've not gone down the 100% fidelity route, so the details are still that of the Bachmann tank, representing a Met-Camm built example, but it's close enough, I feel. It certainly captures the essence of the prototype, in my opinion. The first stage was to mix up a wash of white spirit and grimy black powder, and give the barrel a good coat of that. Once dry, any excess powder was brushed off with a large flat brush. The whole tank was then covered with gouache, mixed up from raw umber, burnt umber and black. Liberally applied with a flat brush, it was left to dry before work with the powders started. Powders mixed from grimy black (which could be approximated with Mig Black Smoke and Europe Dust) and Mig Europe Dust were applied to give the matt, grubby look. After grubbing, the clean patches were created by removing the gouache and powders with a stiff flat brush and cotton buds, moistened with diluted screenwash. As the decals are laser printed, it didn't affect these, even without varnish sealing. The ends and other side now need finishing, before the whole wagon is given a coat of Vallejo matt varnish to seal everything in place.

Thanks Phil I like the idea of the 'exhibition proofing' mod, I'll give that a go on the next ones.

The first of the 45 tonners is now almost complete, with just tidying up and painting left to do. i also need to fit the catwalk that fits above the buffer beam, on the solebar, but will fit that once the barrel has been painted. The kit instructions are quite straightforward, but I did struggle with one bit, folding the legs on the catwalk. I got my head around it eventually, and took the following photo to illustrate the correct way of folding: The legs need to be folded over to the outside, despite the half etch fold line being on the inside. In the picture above, the first two legs have been folded over, the rest haven't. The first of the 102T tanks is also now complete and ready for weathering. Let the fun commence!

That is truly superb!

That's coming along nicely B) B)

Thanks all - it's nice to be doing something a little more artistic, rather that precision engineering Al - Yes, those seams are a real pain in the butt! I chose the best of the 3 for this, bearing in mind I wanted to keep the original livery. The next two need even more filler...

Thanks CK. I should clarify the barrel statement - the barrel is undersized for the majority of class A tanks, by a millimetre or two, so it fails to capture the bulk of the prototype, in my eyes. However, the barrel diameter is correct for a small number of class B tanks that were de-lagged and converted to class A tanks, which I understand is what Bachmann measured when researching the model. I think a couple of these would look quite good on Callow Lane B)

Oh, the irony! The tanks are coming together slowly, and I was getting bored of stabbing myself removing the springs from the 45 tonners, so started yet another new project in the form of a Bachmann TEA. I bought 3 of the tanks when Kernow MR Centre were selling them off cheap, thinking that I'd have to repaint them all, as the livery wasn't really suitable for the Total oil terminal, or the time period. However, a visit to Paul Bartlett's Fotopic site changed all that: http://gallery6801.fotopic.net/p61948874.html This is a fairly straightforward weathering project, more than a detailing exercise, there are subtle differences between the prototype picture and the model, but I'm not going to do anything about them. I don't feel it's worth really detailing something that is fundamentally wrong to start with (barrel diameter) and most people won't notice anyway! So far, the moulded ladders have been removed and the gaps at the end filled (please Mr Bachmann, can we have tanks that fit together properly?), this was the best of the 3 in terms of the ends fitting the barrel, the next two are going to require a lot more work. I've also gone over the whole wagon with 1000 grit wet and dry paper, used wet, to matt down the finish, both to distress the paint and also to provide a key for the later weathering. At this stage I've built up the area under the tank slightly to vaguely resemble the prototype, and fitted an etched ladder. It's not the best, I'll admit, but it is an improvement on the original moulding. The first of the custom decals from the laser printer have been used, and I'm really happy with the results. In the pic above, the number, the 'no naked light' and 'not to be loose shunted' are ones I've designed and printed myself. I was worried that the yellow lettering on the shunting notice wouldn't work too well on the grey tank, but it's worked out fine. Next job for this one is to decal up the other side, then start on the weathering. I'm going to enjoy that Meanwhile, work also continues on the 45 tonners, with the next stage being the work on the barrels. The first 4 have got the 'Esso' style of walkway, with the ladder on one end of the barrel, instead of having a ladder down to each side, from a central platform, on one end. The S Kits parts consist of an etch fret and fairly comprehensive instructions. It looks like it should be fairly straightforward to fit. More as it happens!

You're not supposed to look at it that closely! The traction motor is currently missing its torque reaction arms, so it has dropped down to rest on the gear. The gear is a bit of a problem, but not in the way it looks in the photo above, in as much as I've miscalculated the clearance between the reduction gear and the bogies crossmember - there isn't any! So, I'll have to modify the crossmember by cutting a slot in it for the gear to pass through it. James & Simon, thanks for the encouragement! It's proving a challenge, but I am still enjoying it.

These ones will Once I've used up all of the Cambrian springs I've got, I'll probably make my own, like Will (Vale) did on his MKAs. They'll be loaded, it's much easier that way than working out curved lengths of material!

I've made a start on the chassis of the first TTA, replacing the springs and making it look a little more like the prototype it's based on. Whilst looking mostly similar, 45t Monobloc oil tanks are a minefield once you get into the details. Suspension brackets are different shapes, there are different rib quantities and spacings, different handbrake arrangements, etc, etc. There are also different lengths, but more about that later. So far, the detail that isn't required has been removed, with new detail added in place, the SAB load sensing valve has gone and the brake arrangement has been changed. The new handbrake came from another wagon, which will be modified to have a completely different arrangement when its time on the workbench arrives. The Bachmann model is based upon a Pickering design, the one currently on the bench is being modified to represent a Powell Duffryn built example. Eventually the fleet will consist of examples from Pressed Steel, Pickering, Powell Duffryn, Standard Wagon and Rootes Pressings, hence the variety in the fleet. The first batch of 4 comprises of 2 Powell Duffryn and 2 Pickering examples, the latter requiring very little modification in terms of the chassis.

Not much to say, other than slow progress is being made on the bogies. I've now assembled the first of the frames, and popped in the first motor unit to see how it all fits together. The good news is, it all fits together! The sideframe is just held on with blu-tack for the moment, but it all looks promising.

ISTR that there's one on the approach to Reading station (or at least there was, I don't know if it's been swept away in the remodelling). If memory serves correctly, it's by the washing plant, so is probably used for stores in connection with that.

It's a shame that you posted who was assisting you in your post, I was going to ask if I got any points for identifying your assistant purely from the top of his head!

Yep, that sketch definitely looks like Bender, but the finished items look great! I'm not a big fan of Deltics (Brian H will confirm that ) but yours is a stonking model and really captures the look of them. Once painted and weathered and photographed on a scenic layout/diorama, that's going to look the dogs bo**ocks!

Thanks James, I'll bear that in mind if things don't go to plan. I'm fortunate in as much as most of these can be printed on white paper, and the ones that can't are black. The only one I might have to watch is the large red Total logo, that might not work too well without a white backing. If I do have to get those professionally printed, then I've still saved a fair bit of cash!

Jon - No worries, hope it was of use Jo - I only used the vector software as I was familiar with it for drawing etches. I wouldn't know where to start trying to do it in Photoshop! James - I've had a bit of a rethink about this. Originally I was going to get the lot printed on clear, including the white. The supplier that I'd been put in touch with isn't confident that he can print some of the colours I need, particularly orange and blue. This, and the fact that I've just acquired a rather good colour laser printer for a very good price means that I'll end up printing them myself on either white or clear paper as required.

For those of you who asked about drawing up your own decals, yes you , here's a little info about how I've gone about it. I won't claim that this is the only or best way to do things, it's just how I've ended up doing it I use CorelDraw for this, although any vector graphics program would do the job. Inkscape is free, but I can't vouch for how good it is, as I've never used it. CorelDraw X4 home and student edition can be picked up for under £100 on ebay, older versions for even less (the current version is now X5). Of the 3 examples above, the blue wagon owner panel and the Hazchem panel have been done in the same way. They are just simple shapes with text added in the appropriate font. There are several useful font resources on the net, a few of which are listed below: Free font sites: http://www.fontyukle.net/en/ http://www.dafont.com/theme.php?cat=114&page=1&fpp=20&text=58134 There are many others. What the font: http://new.myfonts.com/WhatTheFont/ Is extremely useful if you have a good image of the text you want to create, as it'll tell you the closest match. It is a commercial site, so if you want one of the ones it highlights, you'll have to pay for it. Of course, there's nothing stopping you googling the name of the font in question... It has its limitations though, for example it'll only read dark text on a light background and it struggles if the letters are quite close together. If you can't get a good image, or you're looking at something that is light on dark, you'll have to trawl the font sites looking for something similar to what you require. It's time consuming, but ultimately rewarding when you find exactly what you're looking for, or something that's near as dammit In terms of company logos, it's a bit more restricted, but there are a couple of sites about that have vector images of corporate logos: http://www.brandsoftheworld.com/search/logo/shell http://www.seeklogo.com/search.html?q=norsk+hydro They're mostly North American logos, but not all. For example, the Total logo I've been using has come from the seeklogo site. These are downloaded as vector graphics, so can be opened up in your program and resized as necessary. If you can't get the logo you need, as long as you can get a decent photo to work from, you can trace the outline and then fill in as necessary. The Railfreight Petroleum symbol was done this way, and as they're standard size, in theory I could draw the Coal or Distribution symbols from it, now I've got the proportions right. It's time consuming, and a total ballache, but it is ultimately satisfying when it looks like it's supposed to I've done the Caib logos in the same way. The other source of images for use, such as the hazard diamond on the Hazchem panel, is Google images. They won't be the best quality, but if you're scaling them down to fit on a 4mm scale wagon, then no-one will notice! I try to scale from photographs if dimensions aren't known. Something like the Hazchem panel is straightforward, I know that they're 700x400mm (even if you didn't know, you can look it up quite easily). Other items can then be referenced to known dimensions from photographs. Failing that, if you're not sure, print them out on paper, stick them to the model with blu-tack and see how it compares with the photos. One thing to watch, if you're going to end up transferring the images between different programs is their interpretation of colour. For instance, in the image above, the Marcroft Engineering panel is too turquoise, but looks fine in CorelDraw and when printed from it. Of course, you'll spend all this time doing these little panels for your wagons, with all of the correct text and, once printed, you'll hardly be able to read any of it For those of you who've got this far without falling asleep, well done! I hope it's been of some use/interest.

Thanks all. James - I agree, there is something very satisfying about sending off a file and getting stuff back made to your own design. I'm sure I'll be just as excited about the decals as I get about the etches! No springing on these tanks, I'm afraid, one of the beauties of EM is I don't have to! Jon - I'll put a post up about creating the decals at a later stage. It's quite straightforward using a vector graphics program, such as CorelDraw or Illustrator.

Who needs expensive decals when you've got paper and blu-tack? I've started another project to give me a break from the 37, I thought it was about time I indulged in a spot of wagonry. Besides, now slow progress is being made on Bisley Jct, I really could do with some stock for the oil terminal! The plan is for 8 wagons initially. All will be fitted with S-Kits walkways, and various detail differences in chassis in terms of strengthening ribs, handbrake locations etc will be represented. To the untrained eye, it'll look like there is two types of tank, look a little closer and it'll become apparent that there are 4 different types across the 8 wagons. I'm also going to change the springs this time, for the later parabolic version. At least some of the wagons will feature springs by Cambrian, the rest will probably be built from strip. I've designed my own decals for the project, the testing of which is under way in the picture above. The Total logo is now the correct size, the Caib logo needs to be a bit bigger. The beauty of doing it this way is that I can tailor the decals to match each wagon as required, and I only have to get what I need, instead of buying large packs of transfers for only one or two items. Of course, this may turn out to be a more expensive way of doing things, I haven't had the price for the sheet back yet, but it will be sufficient to finish 16 wagons (13xTTA, 3xTEA) so even if it is relatively expensive, it shouldn't be too much per wagon. Not having to make TOPS panels from individual letters and numbers is probably the best advantage! More progress as and when, hopefully this week, when I can outline the mods required to each wagon. I need to do a little more to the 37 at some point though, I'm hoping to have the frame of one of the bogies fully assembled by the Bristol show, in a little under two weeks.

Now for a slight variation on a 'me too' post, I agree with everything that's been said so far! I can't really add much, but to say that I really like what you've done .

Nicely weathered and a very believable finish. I really like the wasp stripes on it B) B) B)

Good stuff Jo, the toning down of the original weathered finish works nicely.

I see what you mean now - there's a faint, thin, line along the characters in the photos. It seems that not all blinds are the same though, the pic below is of D1661, North Star, which doesn't seem to have the same lines. 47's must have been different, as 47105 doesn't appear to have those lines either.