James Makin
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Posts posted by James Makin
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Good news about Salisbury James, If I'm off then I'll be there..
How easy will it be to fill that FY??
Cheers
Scott
Haha too easy Scott!!
We've all got bulging stock boxes of toys (which strangely seem to get bigger following every exhibition with Martells's stand present) so we'll soon be jostling for space again I'm sure! Best thing is we can now fit longer freight trains and mmmm...perhaps Eurostars... Haha!
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More new stock for Loftus Road - a real piece of 'local' traction in the form of 47004 'Old Oak Common T&RSD' taking to the rails
Further details can be found on my OMWB thread -
Cheers
James
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If you missed 'I'm a Celebrity' then here's another chance to see a washed-up former 90's celeb in action!
47004 by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on FlickrI always promised myself to model this loco as a kid but the skills and equipment of the day just weren't there, so this is making up for lost time!
47004 was repainted from Trainload Construction back into classic BR Green for a 1994 Old Oak Common open day and for several years, was a proper celebrity with bells, whistles and snowploughs. But by the late 90's, fortunes had changed, the livery was starting to fall apart and stripped of its 81A depot plaques, 47004 could be found hauling infrastructure trains in the old LWCW pool. It's time was up, and the loco left to rot at it's namesake depot. It's this jaded condition that left a mark on me, and 15 years later, here's my model!
47004 by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on FlickrAt this point I should state that this is more an exercise in nostalgia than modelling skill, and this project is nothing fancy beyond a repaint, detail and good bit of fun weathering!
47004 uses the Bachmann model as it's basis, and given the detail combinations, the Parcels 47474 was the best match, with its full underframe tanks, albeit requiring the boiler port to be opened up, along with the headcode panels rebuilt to reflect the restored 1960's style condition of the prototype. Some might find it easier to use a 1960's BR green model and install headlighting, but each to their own!
47004 by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on FlickrI set to work, quickly stripping the model of its printed livery details, and then chain-drilled around the headcode panels, to fit a classic glazed headcode box displaying the iconic '0F70' - just mention this code and it will bring nostalgia to a generation of 90s spotters.
47004 by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on FlickrNext stage was to carefully file out the headcode panel and secure a plasticard backing to the area where the headcode decals will be.
47004 by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on FlickrThe ridiculously sugary Swedish 'Zingo' and lashings of Pixie Lott were essential additions to this thankless task. Again, modeller preference may vary.
The donor loco then entered the paintshop for a coating of the legendary BR Green - probably one of the best liveries seen on the class - it just sits so perfectly on the body...as the designers would have intended.
47004 by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on FlickrDecals and nameplates were from Fox Transfers - modelling this in 1999 condition meant I needn't shell out on the cast builders plates and depot plaques - these were long gone and instead small rust areas sit on the bodyside to show their former position.
Details like the yellow No.2 end yellow headlight and distinctive shunting scrape damages were picked out, whilst the trademark snowplough is from a Heljan 47. Faded yellow axleboxes and white pipework fight to be seen through the grime, whilst the BR green paintwork is faded and littered with chips and flakes laboriously added from prototype pictures.
47004 by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on FlickrThe classic 0F70 headcode is on display and the snowploughs make for a well-balanced locomotive, and it is worthy of note that despite its decay and storage, the locomotive is adorned with the then brand-new overhead electrification flashes.
47004 by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on FlickrAnd so, into service! A ballast train is already waiting at Worthing MRC's Loftus Road, so it is only fitting to be worked by vulnerable 'local' 47004 eeking out it's last days of service before withdrawal.
It feels good to recreate a little bit more of my youth, and another box ticked on the classic loco front! The story didn't end there for '004 either - an almost Big Brother-esque revival for the faded celebrity at the 2000 EWS/Rail Magazine OOC Open Weekend lead to a Howes Railmatch BR Green repaint and happily another Brush that has survived into preservation, for the time being.
Cheers
James
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Any new updates??
The most important update is that we are due a Loftus Road Christmas Curry shortly and many of our best ideas have been formulated, discussed and abused over the infamous Chicken Tikka Pizza Naan, so this will help shape the layout going forwards
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Hi Chaps,
It's been a while since the last update, so thought I'd share a few of the latest progress...
Loftus Road by Worthing MRC by jamesmakin2002, on FlickrHeadline news being...we have a fab new fiddle-yard!
Track is going down on the boards and we now have a complete circuit, playtime will begin as soon as the wiring is sorted..!
Loftus Road by Worthing MRC by jamesmakin2002, on FlickrThese new extensions mean more room for scenic fun too - here we can see the Northern end of Loftus Road - all the bare baseboards will eventually be fully scenic'd, with some exciting ideas on the drawing board. Our end-bridge fiddle-yard scenic break is now becoming standard overbridge, so LR gangmember Mike D is tasked with building a Deep Fill version with added girth!
Loftus Road by Worthing MRC by jamesmakin2002, on FlickrMeanwhile all this massive rework is being done, please see below for the sum of my creations! I've just soldered a small handrail seen at the end of the platform, to stop passengers falling off the edge...must try harder!!
Loftus Road by Worthing MRC by jamesmakin2002, on FlickrWe're booked in for Salisbury show next year, so it's all hands on deck!
Cheers,
James
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Thanks everyone for the nice comments - all much appreciated.
James,
Absolutely cracking stuff.
I kept visiting the Wells Green workbench page almost daily waiting to see this finished and finally seeing on here one word - WOW!
The graffiti along with the weathering really brings the unit to life, time consuming but well worth the effort.
Given the layout is based on Kensington Olympia would you consider undertaking a 378 at all? Although the recessed doorways and different window arrangements would require even more butchery of the turbostar donors. Maybe a refurbished Southern 455, 456 or FCC 319 from Bachmann 150 or Bratchell models bits. Not that I'm trying to tell you what to do!
Dale
P.S. I've dug my experimental Wales and West 158 out of storage after over a year of no progress on it and hope to have it up complete and running soonish.
Cheers Dale, approached the 377 airbrush weathering with much trepidation, one false move and bang goes the livery haha!
Never say never, but doubt I'll approach the 378, but for the other suggestions, all I'll say is that I think we're on the same wavelength
Good luck with that 158 by the way!!
The high standards of your projects is something I still aspire to in following your footsteps in creating a Southeastern 3-car Electrostar.
Your finished First Capital Connect 377 is superb and very detailed and will provide the motivation to actually finish mine.
But just like your Electrostars I haven't rushed it and want it to be modelled effectively to look the part on my layout.
Hope all is well and may I share some pictures of my own project if that's okay once the livery is applied?
Cheers,
Matt
Matt - thanks and very best of luck with your Electrostar!
I'd really like to see more of these important people movers in model form so please do post pictures, would be really good to see Matt!
The Electrostar awaits it's first proper show debut with Loftus Road at Salisbury in 2014, and the free space left on the workbench has already been taken up with some exciting period noughties dirty diesel projects, will post some updates when I get further on.
As a point of interest - Wells Green TMD is coming out of hiding for a small local 'show' in Worthing, West Sussex next weekend.
On Sunday 20th October, the layout will be representing Worthing MRC at the SRP Fair held at Charmandean Centre, next to the A27, Worthing West Sussex, BN14 9HS. http://www.srptoyfairs1.co.uk/fairs/2013/05/worthing-toy-fair/
It's only a small toy fair with my layout and 1 other club layout present, but will be interesting to see if the layout (and operators!) still work after 2 years in storage!!
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A few new shots of my First Capital Connect 'Electrostar' running on Loftus Road.
Scratchbuilt Class 377 Electrostar by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on Flickr
Scratchbuilt Class 377 Electrostar by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on Flickr
Scratchbuilt Class 377 Electrostar by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on Flickr
Scratchbuilt Class 377 Electrostar by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on Flickr
Scratchbuilt Class 377 Electrostar by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on FlickrMore pictures and details about the unit can be found on my workbench page - http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/44066-wells-green-tmd-377-electrostars-even-more-dirty-fun/
Loftus Road is undergoing an exciting new expansion and there will soon be plenty of room for more electric projects like the above!
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Much like the real thing, it's been a long time coming, but the First Capital Connect '377' finally arrives..!
Scratchbuilt Electrostar 377504 by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on FlickrAs soon as First Capital Connect had their 377s delivered I knew I had to model one! Originally planned as another Southern unit to accompany my Class 377/2, green and ivory soon made way for sexy blue and pink!
Scratchbuilt Electrostar 377504 by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on FlickrIt's taken around 18 months from starting the project to seeing it running here on Worthing MRC's Loftus Road, but worth the effort and frustration along the way!
Like my previous Electrostar, this unit was built from Bachmann diesel Turbostar donor models, heavily cut down with brand new scratchbuilt cab ends and inner gangway units, and a decent bulky new underframe.
I scratchbuilt the cab from plastic sheet, back in 2009, and cast it in resin to save time.
Scratchbuilt Electrostars by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on FlickrThe livery is a combination of paint and transfers. Phoenix's First Group blue and pink take care of the main elements, but the transfers were all painstakingly custom made by myself using my photographs of the prototype, scanned in to Photoshop and played with for many hours until happy!
Scratchbuilt Class 377 Electrostar by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on FlickrThese units are in the frontline of what inner suburban London can chuck at them, and regularly suffer heavy graffiti attacks, but due to the intense schedules are frequently seen in service still bearing their attacker's scars.
I couldn't resist replicating this on the MSO vehicle, by handpainting some graffiti using prototype pictures of the real FCC units. I really enjoy handpainting unique graffiti as it is much more fun than using generic transfers.
Scratchbuilt Class 377 Electrostar by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on FlickrScratchbuilt Electrostars by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on FlickrNow complete, FCC unit 377504 will be pressed into service on Worthing MRC's Loftus Road, alongside regular Southern fleet member 377207, built several years ago now.
Scratchbuilt Class 377 Electrostar by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on Flickr
Scratchbuilt Electrostar 377504 by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on FlickrThe Dellner couplings on this new 377 were cast in resin from originals by Bachmann, as found in their Class 350 EMU. I'm much more happy with them compared to the Dellners used on the Southern version, which were robbed from a Voyager!
Scratchbuilt Electrostar 377504 by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on FlickrThe colour is a bit gorgeous!
Dot-matrix destination panels were created in Powerpoint and feature 'Brighton' as the final point of call for this service.
One essential 'mod' for any Turbostar or Electrostar should be the brake discs. On this one I used Colin Craig's 8.5mm stainless steel brake discs. They're really good value at just a few pence per wheel - and look superb when given a paint-on/wipe off weathering treatment.
Scratchbuilt Electrostar 377504 by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on FlickrAs this is a dual-voltage EMU, the unit can be found running as much under the overhead as on the third rail, and I've seen some very dirty pics online where dusty deposits from pantograph's contact with the overhead rain down on the roof below, great fun!
Scratchbuilt Electrostar 377504 by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on Flickr
Scratchbuilt Electrostar 377504 by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on FlickrA couple of close-ups of the graffiti - it took a fraction of the time taken to create the overall livery, but my favourite part by far!
I use '00000' paintbrushes to get a clean sharp finish, and build up the image with using the lightest background colours first, over a number of days as each layer is left to dry. It takes ages but can make for something a bit different when finished.
Scratchbuilt Electrostar 377504 by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on Flickr
Scratchbuilt Electrostar 377504 by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on FlickrSo, it is all finished now, finally!
I've spent much of 2012 and 2013 building this so it is relieving to see it entering service, and is set to become a Loftus Road regular going forwards. I've got many more fun ideas ready for the workbench but have to say that this has been one of the most exciting, if time consuming, projects yet!
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Glad that the latest batch of proper 47s have arrived...the fun is starting!
My usual task on the Bachmann 47 is unbending the buffers - anyone else noticed this?
Got 4x 47 and 6x 57 and they all came with buffers pointing skywards! Drop of poly cement to soften the surrounding plastic soon cures this but funnily enough you never see this picked up by reviewers! But careful how you play with it or you'll get a drooper!!
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'Sugarland' by Marnie - frontwoman of cult electropop band Ladytron. It's not bad if you like that sort of thing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzWJnP_RrrA
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Loving the detailing inside the 153! So many sad rail enthusiasts on board!!
On the party train last weekend saw one girl downing vodka with her mates and later chucked up all over the table, that would certainly be interesting to model!
Great binliners BTW!
Cheers,
James
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Very good! I know the black ones on the model are for 834, and that 826 Springburn had Black plates, but I was wondering about 47831 Bolton Wanderer or 47854 WRVS, but have not seen pictures of them with black plates before their repaint into Virgin Cross Country when the plates were seen as Black.
To add to complications, think some of the later plates were finished in Virgin Dark Grey rather than black as well!
I've modelled 47831 before and can confirm it definitely had the red plates while in Intercity and then went to the grey-backed plates when put into Virgin colours after that. Google Images also has a few pics that come up of both liveries to help with nameplate positioning too.
Somewhere I have a RES 47 tucked away as my birthday present (had to order it myself, you know the drill!) which I'm hoping to have a butchers at on Monday before getting my modelling teeth into creating some hardcore XLRA members!
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Incredible stuff, can't understand how you get the stamina to weather that many PCAs in one go! I'd go crazy!!
Love the inside-facing wheel brake discs by the way, one of those things that probably rarely get noticed but you know they're there and they look cracking!
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I have only just discovered this thread and the weathering section on RMWeb and wow, 8 pages of superb weathering and modelling, kicked Friday morning off to a very good start thanks!!
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Things have got a lot further with the First Capital Connect 'Electrostar' of late...here's a quick teaser pic of the pantograph going in...
Scratchbuilt Electrostar by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on FlickrIt's a representation of the Brecknell Willis pan from the Hornby Class 92, butchered in places with various-sized insulators liberated from Sommerfeldt sprues, Hornby 92 roof spares, and old Class 90s!
Photos will follow when complete. The unit's been fully painted and currently being fitted out, new seats have gone in, underframe equipment attached, running numbers chosen and transfers being worked on...just awaiting windows, varnishing, passengers and a thorough weathering job! To graffiti or not to graffiti? The FCC units are scum!
Can't wait to get this off the workbench and into service on Loftus Road!
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Perfect layout to watch the trains go by, would be nice to see some photos of the 4 cep.
Just a quck question to see what lenght the layout is?
Thanks Ben!
Loftus Road has a 12'x2' scenic section, but given that it's a roundy-roundy one, is about 20'x10' altogether currently. That's set to change again very shortly as the new scenic boards and larger fiddle yard take shape.
I've posted pics of the Connex South Central VEP mostly on my OMWB thread on here but for anyone who missed it - this is 3486 in all its filthyness!
A real bit of scum, much like the real things!!
Loftus Road by Worthing MRC by jamesmakin2002, on Flickr
Loftus Road by Worthing MRC by jamesmakin2002, on FlickrCheers,
James
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Lu Cozma - Lockdown
Interesting mix of acoustic and electronica, and Lu has a great voice. Another review copy; this time hand-delivered by the artist, so I'd better not give a bad review - They know where I live...
Gave that one a blast on Youtube and really like that, thanks for the heads up Tim!
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While the Royal 47798 Ltd Ed will grab all the attention, I can't help but think the RES release will be the unsung hero here!
I am really hoping that this model will finally be the 'ultimate' best of breed life-extended 47 that we will see after many years of 'near misses' and I don't know about you but I can think of literally dozens of much-loved prototypes from the late 90s/early 00s that I'd want to model using the RES 47/7 example, it'll be amazing!
Not to mention the 47/8 repainting opportunities, can feel myself cracking open the Virgin and Great Western paint tins when Bachmann's container ship docks!
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Anyone heard any news to suggest if the new batch of standard refurbished 47s (RES etc) will be delivered in July alongside the NRM Royal Ltd Ed one please?
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Hia James,
For Loftus Road maybe?
A new project for you...
http://www.wnxx.com/content/020613/kennyo.htm
Those pics of wells green look brilliant
Thanks for the link, might leave that one to my fellow club members though!! So many new projects and a new Grand Theft Auto game in the coming months vying for time..!
I'm really looking forward to when the refurbished Bachmann 47s are released - they are looking to be the ultimate base for recreating some of the tatty RES 47/7s and fabulous former Virgin fleet to recreate the XLRA glory days! 8)
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Hi James,
It'd be nice to see a few VT DVTs knocking about on Well Green. Could you stretch the depot to accommodating those perhaps?
Cheers
Tom
That's a very interesting idea Tom!
I must admit I've already got one Hornby Virgin DVT kicking around but never thought to detail it up for Wells Green! I've even got suitable nameplates somewhere so may as well add it to the project list!
Interestingly enough, back in the late 90's one of my early modelling projects was on one of these DVTs...I was about 14 and didn't have the money for a proper Hurst Models Mk3 resin kit so bashed my own using my old Hornby trainset Intercity 225 Mk4 DVT. I spent ages sanding down the body profile, changing all the raised detail, doors windows, everything...spraying it into Virgin colours with my £9.99 Badger...and it still looked terrible!!
Definitely would be a good one to do!
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I've found a couple of Wells Green archive pics which I don't think I've shared much before -
Wells Green TMD by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on Flickr60028 John Flamsteed on the diesel road with 66951 making a cheeky peek from the shed!
I really like 60028 as it's just so boring - it's always the dull grey locos I used to see when I actually went to spend time at Didcot or wherever so seemed fitting to model the monotony in 4mm!
Below can be seen 90022 Freightconnection in one of the reception roads. This Hornby loco was such a poor runner that it became the first loco I butchered to put in Heljan Hymek running gear!
Wells Green TMD by James Makin by jamesmakin2002, on FlickrThe layout's been off the exhibition scene for a while but I've recently accepted a new one, to Poole in November 2014 and maybe another big one in 2015! I'm fairly excited as it gives me an excuse to model some early-2000s period WCML stock again...perhaps a choice Virgin 86 and most definitely some refurbished 47s!
Meanwhile the First Capital Connect 377 is very very nearly there... looking gorgeous and girly of course!
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The extension sounds really good James, any chance of a photo of the rest of the Tesco store?
Great work.
Scott
Hi Scott!
I've been digging through the archives to find a few overall shots of the Tesco complex.
Loftus Road by Worthing MRC by jamesmakin2002, on FlickrAs you can see it's more of a non-descript multi-storey car park/supermarket building, inspired by the Tesco further down the line towards the London end. Pete Hollman (Sam Seagull on here) constructed it from foamboard and finished it in textured paint. The car park markings were created on an Excel spreadsheet!
Note the period Tesco logo - an '80s hangover from a couple of re-brands ago, assumed to have been current at the time of construction and not updated due to access/H&S reasons perhaps!
Loftus Road by Worthing MRC by jamesmakin2002, on FlickrPassenger's eye view of the building and Martin Browning's (Tom Hark on here) bridge - no Kenny O layout can be complete without this!!
Finally I found this old pic of the entire layout and us doing our best to look corporate!
Loftus Road by Worthing MRC by jamesmakin2002, on Flickr-
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LOFTUS ROAD by Worthing MRC
in Layout topics
Posted · Edited by James Makin
Further to our previous updates, we've just come back from a superb Loftus Road curry, I present Worthing's finest, the behemoth that is the legendary Chicken Tikka Pizza Naan!
This irresistible 8" monster is sometimes painful to fit in but always guarantees a pleasurable night
Meanwhile in layout news, the fiddle yard trackwork has been fully laid, here we can see Mark and Martin beavering away on the pointwork installation, the classic drill and hoover duo is caught in action below -
Pleased with their efforts, we can see the fiddleyard in all its glory -
Of note is the stalwart Lima Mk3 coach, the first rail vehicle to traverse the new fiddle yard. As Pete Hollman's special test vehicle, it is fitted with extra wood pieces for loading gauge purposes and has survived in frontline service for many years testing new trackwork and platform clearances on both versions of Loftus Road and I'm sure many more layouts in the future!
Following a thoroughly good curry, we are now working out strategy to complete the essential tasks in time for our Salisbury show in May, the wiring beckons!
Cheers
James