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ullypug

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Blog Entries posted by ullypug

  1. ullypug
    Evening all
     
    Nothing like a deadline or in my case a looming exhibition appearance to cause a general panic and frantic session of modelling activity.
    Wheal Elizabeth's off to Uckfield next weekend and I really thought I should have the O2 ready for running.
    So, a little bit of tweaking here and there, the fitting of the roof and application of smokebox number plate and crew and it's just about ready. Of course I'm not actually planning to have this hauling clay hoods, so I also finished off a Hornby BY van which was re-wheeled at Bristol last May. The eventual aim is to have this as part of the passenger stock once I sort out the other end of the layout. Still it should make a nice little cameo. The bubblecar's been in the spray shop for its final pre-transfer application of Kleer but it won't be ready for Uckfield. Neither will the Tullis Hoppers. Good job really as I don't have room in the stock boxes. Of course now I've uploaded the photos I've noticed the screw link couplings are no longer attached to the O2. A session crawling around on the floor beckons methinks.
     
    Also attached is a shot of the last board for Clevedon, well the underside and the wiring. Exciting isn't it? I hate wiring, not the working out wiring diagrams but the sheer monotony of soldering hook up wires to tags. Oh and in case you're wondering, each road in the shed will have isolating sections every 4-6 inches, which is why there's so darn much of the stuff. Yes I know about DCC etc but as nobody does sound chips for Drewery Railcars (yet) I don't see the point!

  2. ullypug
    Wheal Elizabeth is up at ally Pally this weekend.
    Unusually we ran air brake stuff first thing, then gradually worked towards steam by the end of the day. Might do the opposite tomorrow. Do pop by and say hello if you're passing.
     
    Finally got round to fitting a route disk to the 02 too.

  3. ullypug
    Taking a break from the tedium that is painting rail sides for Clevedon (yawn), I've been playing with 'Highland Region', Vi trains cl 37 acquired from Kernow Models following 43179's guest appearance at Epsom. It should look very nice hauling a rake of bullets. Also have sprayed up my R&H (aren't photos great for find you've over-sprayed). I'll try and have the latter ready for Scaleforum - just need to find the roof now. It's on the workbench somewhere.

  4. ullypug

    T9.7 final assembly

    By ullypug,

    Wow. Just worked out this is post no 100.
    It's been a while since the last one but that's just because it's taken so long to finish off the painting and lining. I've used Fox transfers again which I have to say are absolutely excellent just time consuming. Looking at the photos I've realised that the bottom of the splashers have a single red line to be added.
    I really struggled to get the numbers straight for some reason. They're still not right and I'm probably going to have to take them off again. Grrrr... The tender looks a little low at the front which is easily solved. I've cut down the crank pins and thankfully the wheels still go round. There's not much clearance in there.
    Still. I'm quite pleased with the way it's turned out, especially the pipe work.Weathering has obviously yet to be applied but you get the idea.


    Edit - you mean like this Adam?!
     
     

  5. ullypug

    Peckett E Class

    By ullypug,

    Evening all
    With the T9 virtually complete, at least for now until I can buy some number plates, I've turned my attention to the next project. This is a Peckett 0-4-0ST E class, a couple of which were acquired by the GWR via the Swansea Harbour Trust. MIne's going to be an industrial version for use as the works shunter on Wheal Elizabeth (at least for now anyhow). Haven't decided on a name yet. Might be Munchkin, might be Minion.

    The kit itself is from CSP Marketing and is going together quite nicely. My 1368 chassis is from the same stable and they're well thought out, with clear instructions and exploded diagrams which makes things simple. Chassis will be compensated and I'm using High Level hornguides and horn blocks. A High Level gearbox and 1015 Mashy motor will complete. Gear box is built but the motor will be purchased at Expo EM in a couple of weeks' time.
     
    As you can see I'm putting the body together in sections. These have yet to be joined together but the trial fit looks ok. Some tweaks will no doubt be required later.
     
    Pics attached. Updates to follow as and when.


  6. ullypug
    As my son has had a friend over for a sleepover (curious expression that, very little sleep seemed to occur) I've spent the best part of the day in the modelling room listening to the mayhem downstairs and intervening as and when critical mass approached.
    The outcome is some significant progress on the Peckett. I had done quite a bit since the last post, but things are moving along very nicely.
     
    The wheels have been fitted and quartered. All works so happy days.
     
    The tank underside had been modified to allow the motor and gear box to fit nicely in the firebox. I used a High Level Loadhauler compact + with a D3 drivestretcher with a 108:1 reduction.

    I've also reinforced the lower tank sides and the cab top with 1mm square brass.

    The body now had a bracket at the front which will bolt through from the footplate, whilst the rear of the tank is attached to the cab front by a couple of screws. I will have to sacrifice the rear cab windows if I ever want to unscrew the tank, but it'll only be glued in plasticard.

    The front axle has a simple compensation beam from 0.7mm wire which folds up and through a couple of strategically drilled holes.

    I've made good progress with the loco fittings and I'm particularly pleased that I've managed to spring the lost wax buffers by drilling out part way, fitting a home made spring from phosphor bronze and drilling through the buffer shank to fit a restraining wire once fitted.

    I've made a start on the cylinders and slide bars. CSP use the same method as that's for the 1366 chassis I built, namely a fold up piece that bolts to the side of the mainframes. It's simple and it works.

    So we're nearly there, just the cross heads and con rods to do.

    Couldn't resist taking a photo of the Peckett next to the T9!

  7. ullypug

    No modelling at all

    By ullypug,

    Having a break from modelling this week and walking the Two Moors Way long distance footpath instead!
    I've a non railway blog here:
    http://twomoorswayadventure.wordpress.com
  8. ullypug

    Rumblings in the paint shop

    By ullypug,

    As Wheal Elizabeth is about to make an previously unplanned exhibition appearance at Scaleforum, I thought I'd better try and get the T9 ready for service. Have given it a light touch of weathering with the airbrush, applied smoke box number and route disks and given it a couple of coats of Dullcote. Just needs the crew, the front coupling (I had it here somewhere) and the shed code plate. I am rather pleased with how this has turned out. Oh and it runs too, though it hasn't pulled a train in anger yet.
     
    Also in the paint shop is the Peckett, seen here after initial coats of its final colour. Why yellow? Why not... It's a well known fact that certain clay works purchased ex Swansea Harbour Trust locos from BR at the end of service...ahem.
    Real reason is because my son wanted it to be yellow and given the choice of name it seems rather appropriate don't you think?
     
    Edited now S4um confirmed.
  9. ullypug
    Just a quick update. Crew fitted to the T9 and smoke box plate fitted from Fox. I also found the screw coupling and am quite happy with the end results as per the photos. It hauls 2 coaches just... I'll need to make sure layout is absolutely level though!
     
    Have put Wheal Elizabeth up and tested it ready for Scaleforum next weekend. There were a couple of running repairs but these have been fixed. Do come and say hello if you're at the show.
     
    Now, I can start to think about the next loco for construction. Definitely ex GWR and suitable for a Somerset branch line!

  10. ullypug

    Peckett E Class - lining

    By ullypug,

    After a very brief update the other day, I thought I'd post some progress photos of 'Munchkin'. I haven't quite decided how to work blue into the colour scheme. I like the idea of a blue background to the nameplate though.
    I decided that I should at least try to stay vaguely in the land of semi-plausible, so decided to line out some of the panels using the rather excellent Fox lining transfers. I gave the initial coat of yellow a few coats of Klear first which has darkened the yellow down quite nicely. One day I'll have the courage to use a lining pen as it would make jobs like this a bit easier methinks.
    I don't think this will be ready in time for Scaleforum this coming weekend as I still have pickups to fit and wire up, and a host of other bits to fit and not a lot of free time inbetween. Still, it may get taken along for some photo opportunities.

  11. ullypug
    Two new engines were released to traffic at last week's Scaleforum show so I took a few pics.
    We had a bit of a blast. I must spend less time preparing it for shows in the future as it ran better than normal. Hey ho...
    30719 and Geof's Sentinel which was sporting some temporary nameplates.
    We're still debating what colour might suit it best. Yellow?
     
    Speaking of which, must go and see how Munchkin is doing.

  12. ullypug
    In the end, we decided Minion was a better name than Munchkin and the loco has emerged from the finishing shop for running in. I daresay it will get grubbier after such exertions.
    Happy that it seemes to work ok. The pickups are going to give a bit of grief but I wanted to avoid using top bearing wipers as recommended in the kit. Time will tell if I have to revert to this system.
    Saddle tank is full of lead which helps. Nameplates are from Narrow Planet and the works plates something I've had for ages from Golden Arrow. Both fixed with Klear.
    I'll give the engine a light waft of weathering when I have time but that will have to wait for now.
     
    Am operating Cirencester at the Farnham show this weekend so may take Minion down for a bit of running in when Dave isn't looking.

  13. ullypug

    14xx

    By ullypug,

    Don't know if I was inspired by Dave at Scaleforum, but next on the workbench is a long planned conversion of an Airfix 14xx/48xx I've had for about 30 years.
    I'm not going to describe every last detail or provide lots of updates because there are other more worthy examples on this forum elsewhere.
    Needless to say all the usual components are there: High Level chassis kit, Mainly Trains body detailing kit and a few other bits and pieces.
    So far I've built the chassis as per the instructions for the fully compensated option. As you'd expect from Chris' kits, it all just falls together. The only think I've done differently is to make the springs detachable by tapping them 14BA and using countersunk screws to fix to the chassis sides. See photo.

    Body had been hacked, filed and sanded and bits are starting to go back on.
    I'm going to add sanding gear and one or two other parts I've acquired over the years to embellish the Mainly Trains kit.

    As for the final model? Possibly 1463 as there are plenty of examples of it at Yatton, though I'm still pondering that one. As long as it has top feed! Whichever loco it is, it'll eventually be used for the SO Yatton-Wells and return trip on Cheddar.

    Must go and check that chimney before the epoxy goes off. I think it's the camera.
  14. ullypug

    14xx part 2

    By ullypug,

    Things have progressed a bit to the point where I'm getting ready for painting the loco and chassis.
    I've spent a while detailing the body with an assortment of bits and pieces, wire and rod. I think we have a presentable representation. All I need now is a bit of good weather over the Christmas holiday period and we should be in business.
    Obviously the auto tank has to pull something so I've made a start on my old Mainline auto trailer. It must be at least 32 years old... I've got a Dart Castings kit and a copy of MRJ No 9 to hand. No rush and it'll keep me busy one the festivities have died down. I'm going to do the A30 version and will replace the truss rods and flush glaze with Shawplan laserglaze.
    In the meantime, can I wish you all the complements of the season. I hope you have a good Christmas and a peaceful new year.

  15. ullypug

    14xx part 3

    By ullypug,

    Just a brief update, though it doesn't quite convey the journey since the last update.
    Over the festive period I made progress with the engine. I had decided for ease to finish the loco in unlined black so duly primed it no bother using sprayed enamel. However when I applied my usual satin black from a Halfords aerosol disaster struck. The paint blistered and peeled almost immediately. I worried that I'd somehow damaged the body underneath so there was an anxious 24 hours until I was able to have a look at it. Thankfully it was just the paint and even more thankfully treating with Modelstrip successfully removed all traces of paint back to the body. Nervously I tried again, though this time decided to spray in green using Phoenix paints with the airbrush. This time successfully thank goodness as the photos show. Smoke box is brush applied acrylic and we now have a rolling chassis.
     
    I've settled on 1454 as there are a few photos of it in unlined green with the early BR logo circa 1957 at Yatton and that's good enough for me.
     
    Whilst ordering the cab side and smoke box plates, I thought I may as well acquire a few others to suit the various kits I've got for the planned loco fleet...

  16. ullypug
    Have had a bit of a modelling spurt and finished off 1454. Should be released to the operating department for Wheal Elizabeth's forthcoming appearance at the Sodbury Vale show on 31 January (though what the engine is doing in that part of Cornwall is anyone's guess...). Minion will be making it debut too. Hmm note to self, must build a new stock box.
     
    Anyhoo, the numberplates and smokebox plates were attached with Johnsons Klear and the final details (buffers, couplings, balance weights etc have been added). Cab glazing is acrylic filed to fit and fixed with Klear.
    Engine was given a few coats of the same before the transfer was added and sealed with (you've guessed it...). Incidentally, what I'm going to do when I get through my bottle I've no idea. Answers on a postcard please.
     
    I've discovered Testor's spray laquer which I think finishes things off rather nicely. The T9 got the same treatment and I must profess to being impressed with the stuff.
    I'm really rather pleased with how this engine has turned out given I've had it for over 30 years. Another ling term project realised from the depths of the modelling cupboard.
    I'll turn my attention to the Airfix A30 autotrailer now and post progress once there is any. Underframe's kind of finished, but it needs a bit of adjustment before I can get one of the bogies back on (ahem).

  17. ullypug

    Wheal Elizabeth at Yate

    By ullypug,

    Just a quickie. Happy to report Minion has been successfully delivered to Wheal Elizabeth and will be on shed this coming Saturday at the Sodbury Vale show In Yate. It will get toned down a bit when I can bear to get the airbrush out but at the moment it's too cold to stay in the garage for long. Excuse the lack of backscene. I've only put the layout up to track test everything.

    Am also playing with a couple of Hawksworth coaches. I've done nothing other than re wheel at the moment but the Masokits bits and pieces have arrived and will form their place in the queue. The idea is to give us another passenger option to play with.

    Do come and say hello if you're at the show. Looks like a good line up.
  18. ullypug
    Evening all
    One of the nice things about our hobby is we can decide to do something completely different if the mood takes us, so in a break from layout building I decided I needed to build some whitemetal wagons.
    A fruit C/D and Southern Open from David Geen and a diag AA16 (I think) brake van) from D&S I've had lurking in the cupboard for a while.
    As they're all P4 I decided they needed some form of compensation or springing. In the end the brake van is compensated using the original parts and the other two sprung with Bill Bedford W irons.
    Not completed, but they're getting there. The brake van needed new solebars forming from channel to allow room for the rocking W irons.

    The bridge is showing the effects of filling and scribing the stones to join the PECO stone sheets I've been using. I think the technique is going to be ok for the station building but more of that anon.
     
    I try and spend some time at the tinking table every day if I can get away with it, even if it's only 10 minutes or so and the next couple of wagons have benefited from this. They're both RTR and as they're hoppers, in both cases I've decided not to spring but compensate with a sloppy axle and add quite a bit of weight. The Hornby ex LNER coal hopper has had a bit of work done to get the wheels in. They said the Heljan dogfish couldn't be re-wheeled to P4, well it can and without major dramas. The trick is to file quite a bit of the pin points off the axles before putting the wheels back in. Cheddar's going to need quite a few of these and I wanted to see if I could find a way of not having to build them all out of Cambrian kits with the individual spring axle boxes I added for the one on Wheal Elizabeth. Don't worry, it's going to get repainted!

    Lastly, I've made a start on some of the trees that will be gracing Clevedon using armatures from a mixture of paper coated wire and ordinary stranded stuff. Long way to go yet but I thought I'd better start since I'll be demonstrating some of this scenic work at Expo Em in a couple of weeks!! Method copied straight out of Gordon Gravett's book. He's a clever chap isn't he?!

  19. ullypug

    Scenic update

    By ullypug,

    Just a quickie. Have been experimenting with Artex, PVA glue, paint, fixative and coloured foam.
    The results are shown below. Not quite to the standards of Gordon Gravett ( in fact nowhere near them), but happy with my first attempts. I shall have these, along with one of Clevedon's boards at Expo EM this weekend. Come and say hello. I'll be the one covered in flock.

  20. ullypug

    AC Railbus

    By ullypug,

    Fuelled with post Scaleforum modelling mojo boosters, I've been having a play with the Heljan AC Railbus. Conversion is straight as per the EMGS manual sheet using Branchlines 12mm wheels. No real problems though I should have taken a photo of all the gubbins underneath before I took it all apart.
    Once I'd worked out why I needed to put insulated wheels on both sides (ahem), it ran really well...
    Also fitted with a driver and a couple of passengers. It'll look very nice on Wheal Elizabeth when it gets to Warley in November. Just needs a tail lamp and the wheels blackening.
    Edit: typos

  21. ullypug

    A miscellany

    By ullypug,

    Having had some time off, I've been trying to get finished a number of projects that have stalled at various states of completion.
    With Wheal Elizabeth's forthcoming appearance at Warley, I've made a bit of an effort to detail the pair of Hawksworth coaches that form the WR set.
    These use the Masokits etches for the sprung bogies, corridor connections and miscellaneous brake gear. I got to the point of wondering whether all the faff was worth the effort, but then I remembered it was P4 and I should try to be bothered about it. Still not convinced that the 3ft rule would have saved me a lot of hassle (i.e. can it be seen from 3ft) but at least I know it's all there, even if I'm not.
     
    Next I got around to lettering the wagons that have been lurking in dark corners of the work bench and making frequent appearances on the various Cheddar track laying updates. Still a bit to go but with some 3 links we should just about be ready for the NEC, not that I've got anywhere to actually put the things. Might need to consider a new stock box at some point (or just take less stuff...).
     
    I also took the autocoach to the spray shop and it no longer sits in the display cabinet in white primer, now it's BR carmine all over but I've now got to glaze the thing. This might get done for Warley but I rather suspect it won't as I'm now back on track laying with Cheddar, doing battle with the single slip. It appears to be going well, but I'll post pictures of that on the other blog.

  22. ullypug
    With 1454 finished (don't panic, we have 2 independent witnesses confirming it was indeed in unlined green with the early emblem), I'm now working on the Autotrailer.
    I reckon I bought this when I was about 13, which is a long, long time ago. I know there's a new RTR model in the pipeline but that's not the point. I really enjoy updating all the old models in my collection. In some cases it's quite poignant to see what I managed to achieve as a teenager (or not as was frequently the case) and it does make it a bit more personal.
    So, to the Autotrailer. As is well known, the old Airfix (now Hornby model) is a bit of a mishmash of diagrams A28 and A30. The seminal article is in MRJ No 9 (and that's going back a while too) which details the differences and describes the work required to make either variant.
    I'm going for the A30 and have one of the Extreme Etchings packs to use to replicate the flush glazing. I've used the Dart Castings chassis kit and as others have described this in detail on here before, I won't bore you with another step by step blog, rather just a bit of a pictorial update.
    Someone told me this conversion would be a bit of a faff and I think I have to agree. Don't know if it was me but I found some of the instructions a little confusing and quite offer ended up referring to the pictures in the MRJ article. Following on Highlandman's advice, I decided to use a 10 thou brass sub floor (good call that) and solder everything to it. I replaced the trussing using 1.2mm angle from Eileens Emporium and think it was worth the extra effort. I had to trim the brass baseplate back as originally it touched the wheel rims and that would have led to a short.

    I've put the original bogies back on for now. I'll replace with either a Bill Bedford sprung bogie or MJT CCU, depending on which I see first. I've some white metal bogie sides to fix to whichever I use.
    All the rodding and linkages will wait until this bit's finished.
    The body was treated with Modelstrip. I was amazed how well it worked on the 33 year old body. Handrails etc are from the Dart kit. Still a couple to do before it's ready for the paint shop. I think the livery will be all over carmine, though I'm tempted by carmine and cream.
    Still more to do but we're getting there. I might even give it a trial run at Yate next weekend.

  23. ullypug
    Evening all
    I've taken advantage of the rotten weather to have a very relaxing weekend indoors making progress with the auto trailer.
    When I last posted back in January, it had been stripped of all paint and had the detailing added from the Dart kit.
    Roll forward some 10 months (yikes) and things have moved on a bit. The body finally got sprayed all over carmine and I've fitted the Lazerglaze windows from Shawplan. Funny thing was one side needed virtually every piece of glass filing down. The other side virtually nothing!
    It is a faff but it is worth it. I was really dreading the top lights but in reality these were the easiest to fit.
    The cab's been detailed and I've got some passengers to fit. They've been primed and I'll paint them this week.
    I was going to fit Bill Bedford bogies but as the auto trailer has repeatedly made it from one side of Wheal Elizabeth to the other without falling off I came to the conclusion that it was going to be a lot of effort for no improvement.
    The roof still needs another cost of paint and I need to apply transfers. Anyone got any ideas what font & size the running numbers were?
    There are a few little details to fit but nothing major and I'm quite pleased with how this has turned out, given I think it was 33 years ago that I bought it!
    All being well it'll be in service at Warley at the end of the month, along with the Railbus.

  24. ullypug
    Pretty much finished for now. Needs some grills adding behind the guards compartment. I've got some somewhere but do you think I can find them?
    May have to add handrail to the guards door yet and it needs a driver hence the tail lamp for now but otherwise done.
    Toned down the paintwork with lifecolor acrylic washes removed immediately with moistened cotton bud.
    Coupled with 1454 (though I see I've chipped a bit of paint off some of the pipe work) I have to say I'm pleased with how this has turned out and the train will be in service at Warley in a couple of weeks.

  25. ullypug

    57xx part 1

    By ullypug,

    Afternoon one and all and complements of the season to you. Hope Santa brought you lots of lovely modelling stuff.
    Now the mince pies have been eaten and the turkey mostly digested, I've turned my attention to the next modelling project. Let's face it, there's not much on the telly to be distracted by. Not that I watch much of it anyway...
    So, having acquired a second hand pannier body off eBay for a fiver, I've had the perfect opportunity to build one of the rather splendid High Level Chassis kits. This is the third one I've built and I'm hoping it will be as good as the 03 and the 14xx, both of which were an absolute pleasure to do. The body itself needed a few bits and pieces so a chimney was purchased from 247 and buffers from Alan Gibson. I see I will need some water filler vents too.
    This kit has been covered before on RMWeb so I'm not going to do a blow by blow build, but the progress below shows how much can be achieved in a good couple of sessions (as well as track laying on Cheddar, but more of that later). Listening to Test Match Special makes the time fly by!
    The chassis is being built for compensation as per the instructions and the engine will eventually be finished as 5757 in BR black.

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