Wayne 37901

Like many other modellers I tend to have several projects on the go at once, 0ne of the reasons is that some projects may be awaiting parts or paint drying and that allows others to progress to the next stage. The following photo shows the workbench (Dining Table) in action with what I'm working on at the moment. From the back we have SPA wagons starting to be retro fitted with sprung suspension, in the middle is a Bachmann VAA van modified and painted to become a VBA in RFD sector livery which is now ready for weathering and at the front is a Cambrian BNA steel slab carrier undergoing painting. More on these as they progress further. Cheers,

The Autoballasters do look a nice weathering project, I photted a few a week or so ago. However, give me a rake of Sealion/cow anyday!

Hi Stu, looks a nice little project I followed it over on DEMU As someone who recently joined the EMGS and is slowly making the transition I have to say the track especially is a big improvement and that was one my main reasosns for making the switch. Cheers,

Hi Brian, While I'm inclined to agree, I have seen other pictures and DVD footage that seems to show a full black interior as in these two pictures of the same wagon by Mr Bartlett http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/oca/h1e587595#h1e587595 and http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/oca/h12863c8f#h12863c8f also interesting is the brake block load. In any case my OCA is weathered and varnished so it isn't getting changed now! If I do another it'll be nice to have a variation so one for next time. Cheers,

Ah yes now you mention it I think I remember seeing that one on your site, was it really that long ago... How time flies. I've managed to phot an ex Loadhaul Limpet now running as an MTA if you fancy a bit of colour. You can make out the black and orange quite clearly, yes the original MHA will be an interesting one. I saw the original one Phil Eames did as an MAA so it would be interesting to see the cut down version, even if it is out of my timescale. In the meantime it's back to playing with VBA vans for me, the latest is on my workbench below if you're interested. Cheers

Following a recent search of the stock boxes I came across another Bachmann VAA van (which isn't a VAA) and was wondering what to do with it, as it was in Bauxite livery I didn't fancy a repaint into Railfreight red and grey but I fancied doing one of the RFD liveried ones so I set to work. I personally think the colour Bachmann have used on thier VDA is slightly too dark so I gave up on matching that. In any case I wasn't looking for an ex works finish as looking around at pictures (of which there are few) some of these looked slightly faded even in the early 90s. Here's the state of play as of this evening with gloss and transfers next to be done. Cheers

Yes I had an email from George some time ago following an enquiry I made regarding an order I placed. It is difficult to run a business when you also have a full time job so I totally understand, we'll just have to be patient with him. If you do have a go at casting I hope you'll share it with us. On another note, they're a bit 'new' for me but it would be interesting to see a Doorand conversion done from a POA. Maybe one to mix in with all those MHAs? Cheers

Hi James, I know Skits do Brunninghaus springs with or without w-iron but not sure if they will fit the FTG Models SPAs as I have neither. I stuck with Cambrian for my SPA and other LWB opens as I already had the kits in before the FTG one was announced (same goes for OBA and OCA). Even the Cambrian ones benefit from improvement and for mine I've fitted Bill Bedford sprung w-irons and modified Cambrian axlebox and leaf springs. Sorry I cant be more help, as I said I don't have any FTG ones. Cheers

Hi James, Another nicely weathered pair there. I don't want to be picky but I cant help but be drawn to those leaf springs which appear to have been brought out by the weathering. In my opinion these need to be replaced, but that's just me of course. again, another nice job. Cheers

Looking nice Rob, you have captured the look of a little used yard well. Now where's that weathered green EE type 3 and 350HP EE shunter?! Cheers

Hi Lee, Yes Telford does seem like such a long time ago. It was nice to see (and have a go of) Roundtrees in the flesh and thanks for the chat regarding wagon springing, I've now adopted this as standard for all LWB stock and it has also prompted me to join the EMGS having wanted for quite some time to take my modelling in a new direction. Hope the Liverpool show goes well. regards, Wayne

Good afternoon, A bit later than I promised but the underframe work has been done and I've now weathered the OCA, I haven't touched the insides yet as I'm looking for suitable pics. I wasn't going for a really scruffy appearance as in the early 90s many OCA and SPA still had quite good paintwork. The photo doesn't quite show the underframe weathering but it is there. I still need to add couplings, brake hoses, brake discs and paint the buffer shanks but she's more or less done. Anyway, I think you've all probably seen enough of this one. Cheers,

Hi Rob, Some nice work there, very atmospheric. I should have hired you in to do the scenery on Dragon Steels! Look forward to seeing more.

Hi Rob, Sheep Lane looks a nice little project. I like what you've done with the static grass, I tried that on Dragon Steels but it didn't go too well. Nothing like a layout with some nice rusty 16 toners., now to get a nicely weathered green class 37 (EE type three) hooked up to those.

Go on you know it makes sense. In terms of class 37s I would always go for 'the blue box team' over the ViTrains model, and while the Bachmann 08 is a nice model I think the Hornby has more going for it detail wise so good choices sir.

Thanks Rob and nice to see you at the small layout show as well, I hope my layout didn't disappoint. I know the diesel era isn't really your bag but I hope you enjoyed it. Cheers,

Work continues on the Cambrian OCA... Having hopefully got the springs sorted out the etched w-irons are now being painted and a start has been made on the underframe gear. I'll hopefully be able to post a pic or two later this evening. Cheers,

Hi Lewis, Some nice work on here. In particular I like the job you've done on the HEAs, some were quite even in my timescale of the early 90s. Cheers

The fitting of BBs continues and this time I've started looking at my kit built stock. First to be done is this OCA which has been awaiting running gear for some time along with a rake of SPAs. As can be seen in the second photo it will need some packing to match the VBA van which is set at the correct height. I've also finally got round to making some Steel Billet loads for my BDAs, These just need painting and Stanctions adding to the wagons. Cheers

Not posted on here for a while but I've been cracking on. Amongst other things I've been having a go at fitting wagons with sprung suspension and the first to treated was a brace of Bachmann long wheelbase vans, as well as building up yet another Grampus to finish my initial rake of six. There is a couple of reasons for fitting sprung W-irons but one thing I wanted to do was get rid of those awful axleboxes which look nothing like the real thing. Here's one of the pair complete apart from painting the W-irons, couplings and some underframe weathering. If you don't want to go down the springing route then just replacing the axleboxes would make a big difference to the appearance. Cheers

I've been a bit quiet on here lately, but I have been busy with a few things. One thing I didn't have time for before the show was to build some wagon loads and as a result I didn't have any wagons arriving with steel Billet for the works. This had to addressed, so recently I've made a start on this as a 'fill in job' between other projects. The billet is nothing more simple than plastruct strip which just needs painting up and some securing straps adding. Cheers

Thanks again Mark, I'll also be using the springs/axlebox on my SPAs as I have quite a lot to do and it would be a shame to waste them. What buffer height are you working to? We always seem to be told 14mm but I've done this and to me it seems a little high when compared to an unmodified model. At a guess I would say 13-13.5 might be better, what are your thoughts? Sorry for the questions, I'm new to this springing malarkey. Cheers

Thanks for the info Mark, I'm using 11 gauge spring steel guitar wire which was recommended to me. The axleboxes I'm using are from Cambrian. That's an interesting buffer height gauge you have there, who's is that? I'm using a Brassmasters one.

Hi Mark, Nice collection of stock there, quick question if I may as I'm currently fitting BBs to some Bachmann vans. Did you have to pack yours to get the correct buffer height of 14mm? I'm asking as I have and now seem to have a gap between the top of the axlebox and the bottom of the leaf spring. Will be checking back to see how you get on. Cheers Wayne

Gents, Whilst it's good to compare/express opinions on models, let's not forget that this is Marc's thread. Normal service please.