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46444

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  1. 46444
    After a few months my unlined 46468 is now ready for service.
     
    Using the photograph I was made aware of by Jamie of this parish in the previous entry it would appear the engine was in a fairly clean condition. Here's the photo:
     
    https://www.transporttreasury.com/p814816928/hbce61ac6
     
    As a prototype it is quiet a useful engine as it covers two areas of interest. 
     

     
    46468 was originally a Cambridge 31A example so would more than likely worked on the Kettering-Cambridge via St. Ives/Huntingdon.
     
    Later on it was moved to Oban 63D and was a regular on the Ballachulish line in later years. 
     
    Being a Darlington built example 46468 was built with the skinny chimney fitted by this works.
     
    Although Bachmann have never covered this arrangement thankfully Comet Models can supply you with a lovely crisply cast white metal skinny replacement chimney. 
     
    The existing chimney was lopped off with my trusty Xuron track cutters then gradually made good with the aid of a scalpel, files and sand paper. 
     
    The chimney casting required minimal tidying up and a liner placed in the lower part of the chimney using a piece of plastic tubing. This was to help with positioning and seating the chimney securely. 
     

     
    The LMS livery was removed with T-Cut and Tamiya Satin Black was sprayed to make good the tender & cab sides. 
     
    The smokebox, chimney and cab roof were sprayed in with Tamiya NATO black. 
     
    Cabside numbers and the large crests for the tender were from Fox as was the 63D shedcode plate. The smokebox numberplate came from the excellent Pacific Models range. 
     

     
    Everything was sealed with Johnson's Kleer sprayed on then Vallejo satin varnish. 
     
    Weathering wise the ubiquitous mix of Tamiya NATO black/brown was lightly sprayed on the lower sides. Tamiya satin black was lightly sprayed over the top of the boiler and firebox. 
     
    The buffer beams were treated using a wash of Vallejo acrylics consisting of German grey and Dark Rust. 
     
    Detail painting was completed a mixture of Vallejo and Games Workshop acrylics. 
     
    The crew come from Modelu (Driver) and Hornby (Fireman). I do like those Hornby figures. Nicely sculpted and good value. 
     

     
    Sadly I've run out of Lanarkshire Model Supplies LMS lamps so I've ordered some as the finishing touch to 46468.
     
    More Ivatt action soon but something different next time... 
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark 
     
  2. 46444
    Over the Festive period I have managed to almost finish a number of current projects. More in the next few entries on these. 
     
    Yesterday I fired up the airbrush and started the weathering on 51235. This is a model of the  Derby L&Y Pug borrowed by Wellingborough shed to help move some equipment from Finedon Ironstone Quarry in the 1950's.
     
    Trusty Tamiya acrylics were airbrushed on. Satin black on the top the saddle tank and a mix of NATO Black\Brown for underframe dirt. 
     

     
    Then using Vallejo acrylics I dry brushed a mix of Dark Rust, German Grey and Gun Metal to pick out detail and represent wear and tear. 
     

     
    The grease patches on the buffers are a mixture of Dark Rust/Gun Metal. Using a new cotton bud I dip this into the paint mix and then press onto to the centre of the buffer. This gives a pleasing effect of caked on grease in my eyes. 
     

     
    Jobs to finish off 51235 include crew, cab tarpaulin sheeting to hide the motor and a full set of four shunting lights. 
     
    More soon. 
     
    Cheers, 
     
    Mark 
  3. 46444
    Over the past few days I've been able to almost complete the four Dapol 16T mineral wagons I've been working on. 
     
    If you remember I had removed the top doors from two of them in my earlier blog entry. Since then they were finished with Tamiya NATO brown and black. 
     
    Then using prototype photos from Paul Bartlett's excellent site I have been able to weather the quartet. 
     

     
    I have used my usual Vallejo acrylics for weathering. Dry brushing has given the desired effect.
     

     
    Tamiya masking tape has been used for defined lines and the white door stripes. 
     

     
    Transfers are from the excellent Railtec range. The number sets are ready made for MCV's and have used ones that look right. In that sense all four wagons are not necessarily correct and are generic. 
     

     
    The transfers need sealing with varnish and a the weathering needs tweaking. Then they can be returned to their owner.
     

     
    Another lovely build from the Dapol stable and once more excellent value for money. Well recommended. 
     
    Cheers, 
     
    Mark
     
    Best put 70's disco hits album away now... 
  4. 46444
    A little bit of progress today on this build. I've replaced the top panel in the centre above the doors I removed on these two 16 Tonners. Suitable width plastic sheet was used for this. Trusty Micro-Strip then replaced the beading and door locking latches. 
     

     
    I've also tidied up the area around the bottom of the doors to try to look more prototypical. The kit doors are designed to open but in this case are glued shut. 
     

     
    Essentially other than the Lanarkshire Model Supplies buffers I need to order and fit the wagons will be ready for the paint shop. 
     
    I would like to add the tie bars. Does anyone know of suitable brass strip for the job?
     
    Also I know some of these wagons were vacuum braked with brake cylinders. Were others just through piped? 
     
    Cheers, 
     
    Mark
     
  5. 46444
    Now if you have a large piece of equipment to move you need to borrow a Pug no less. 
     
    According to Tonks in his Ironstone Quarries of the Midlands-Wellingborough Area book this was the case in the early 1950's when Wellingborough 15A borrowed a Derby 17A Pug to help move machinery from Finedon Ironstone Quarry to the Wellingborough exchange sidings for onward transfer to Blisworth Quarry near Northampton. 
     
    Due to the RTB Finedon Quarry system no longer having motive power 51235 was hired in from BR coming from Derby. 
     
    Now over time most of us modellers have owned either a Dapol or Hornby Lanchashire & Yorkshire Pug at some point in our modelling lives. I know I have. 
     
    Wishing to model 51235 I acquired a second hand Hornby weathered example of 51232 for a princely sum. Thankfully it was a very smooth runner. 
     

     
    Detailing wise I have filled in the cut out of the front and rear buffer beams with plastic strip and repainted them with Vallejo and Citadel acrylics. 
     
    The coupling hooks were replaced with Mr Franks finest from Lanarkshire Modelling Supplies (LMS) versions. 
     

     
    I also replaced the moulded smokebox door dart with a Eileen's Emporium turned brass example suitably trimmed for length.
     

     
    Front and rear lamp irons were made up from staples. The sheeted over cabside has been opened out also. 
    The cab windows were reamed out gently as well.
     
     

     
    I refinished the cab moulding with a few coats of Halfords  spray grey primer and satin black
     
    Fortunately I discovered that the etched brass 18" inch scale cab spectacles from Mainly Trains (MT 226. Available from Wizard Models) were a perfect fit.
     

     
    These were suitably fixed in place. Using Microsol Kristal Klear new cab glazing was made up.
     
    The boiler tank had received the TCut treatment and the factory finished weathering had been removed including the BR early crest. 
     
    A few coats of Johnson's Klear brought a nice sheen to the saddle tank.
     
    Transfers are from the Fox range and the smokebox numberplate is from the excellent Pacific Models. 
     
    Eagle eyed viewers will notice that Hornby have made a mistake with the builders nameplate. It's says 'LMS BUILT ???? SWINDON'. Not sure what the L&YR would say about that. 
     

     
    The weathered valve gear was painted in using a Sharpie silver marker. 
     

     
    Jobs to do now include weathering, fitting a crew, fitting lamps and adding some cab side screens to disguise the motor. 
     
    More soon in the next instalment. 
     
    Cheers, 
     
    Mark 
  6. 46444
    Richard of a Far North Line fame on here recently detailed a number of GBL static Black 5 models.
     
    I must say I was inspired to have a go myself at a quick project. It's not all beer and Ivatt 2MTs on the 46444 workbench. 
     

     
    The GBL Black 5 is ultimately a copy of the Hornby Black 5. This was confirmed when a spare Hornby Black 5 fall plate literally fell into place when I fitted it. 
     

     
    With the GBL model I removed the cabside number with T-Cut and a cotton bud.
     
    Then I sprayed in the smokebox, tender chassis and cab roof top of tender with Tamiya Nato black. The boiler, cab sides and tender sides where brush painted with Johnson Kleer.
     
    I could have removed the boiler handrails and replaced them with brass wire and knobs but thought this would go against the ethos of the project. 
     
    Using a few spare Comet detailing pieces I had to hand and a Bachmann Ivatt 2MT detailing pack these were fitted to the loco. 
     
    Fox Transfers supplied the 67A shed code plate, cabside numbers and power classifications. The smokebox numberplate is from Pacific Models. 
     
    I flush glazed thd cab windows using clear plastic from an Oxford Diecast model cut to shape. Real coal was added to the tender. 
     
    Suitable crew figures were fixed in the cab and a Lanarkshire Lamp was positioned on the smokebox door. 
     
    This loco may have had a tablet catcher fitted as well. 
     

     
    Overall a brilliant little project. The Hornby Black 5 and 8F certainly deserve a revisit at some point by a manufacturer. 
     
    The parcels van in picture is an old project that has been subject of a rebuild. It appeared in a blog entry from many years ago but never ran well after new bogies were fitted. 
     
    Essentially it is the Lima 42ft GUV with Lanarkshire Model Supplies buffers and roof vents. 
     

     
    The body had Microstrip ribbing adding as per prototype. It was finished with Vallejo acrylics and HMRS Methfix decals. 
     
    The chassis was modified and cut out to receive part of a spare Mainline 50ft LMS GUV chassis with bogie mountings. 
     

     
    The ride hight was modified and bogies refitted. It now runs superbly. Another model that deserves revisiting. 
     
    More on those Ivatt's soon.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark 
     
     
  7. 46444
    My workbench has a number of ongoing projects involving  Bachmann Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0's which will appear in various future blog entries. Watch this space....
     
    Reading and perusing the photographs of the excellent Volume 4B: Gloucester Midland Lines Part 3: South * by Neil Parkhouse the Dursley Branch has always held a fascination since I read Ben Ashworth's Last Days of Steam in Gloucestershire.
     
     

     
     
    Now to me an Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0 looks best in lined BR black. However Swindon built 46526/46527 the last two members of the class migrated to Gloucester 85B Barnwood shed in March 1962 working the Dursley branch until September 1962 before heading to Oswestry. 
     
    Being Swindon built they were finished in fully lined out BR lined green. 
     
    Now my ruse here is did they ever make it down to the Forest of Dean? Perhaps they may have but were never caputered by the illustrious Mr. Ashworth. Then again.. 
     
    I managed to aquire a Bachmann lined green 46521 for less than £50 missing the accessory pack from a well know auction site. 
     
    The Bachmann Spares Department came up trumps once more and the missing accessory pack was obtained for less than £10 included including P&P. 
     
    Here's a few reference shots I've taken of 46526 my chosen example over 46527 owing to the fact it had an 85B shed code plate fitted. 
     

     

     
    Following on from investigations into poor steaming at Swindon in the early 1950's the Ivatt 2MT's were fitted with a number of different styles of chimney. Some appeared to represent those fitted to the BR Std Class 2 78xxx which was inspired by the Ivatt design.
     
    Thankfully PDK still produce a lovely turned brass design suitable for fitting to an Ivatt 2MT. 
     

     
     
    I removed the original Bachmann example with the aid of Zuron track cutters, a scalpel and fine grade wet and dry. 
     

     
    Here it is fitted. I used a shimm of plastic tube inserted in the turning to help with secure fitting. The brass turning was finished with Halfords grey primer and satin black before receiving a coat of Vallejo black. 
     
    Notice the Bachmann numbers and water softening triangle logo have been removed from the cab sides using T-Cut applied gently with cotton buds and cocktail sticks. Also the builders plates have removed from the front frames using the above technique ready for electrification flashes. 
     
    Tamiya masking tape has been cut to size to apply the Fox Transfer numbers in a straight line. Note the centre marking point. 
     
    Being a WR loco the front and tender rear lamp irons have been turned 90 Degrees to represent the prototypes designed for WR style lamps. 
     

    These have been touched in with Precision BR green enamel. 
     
    Another Ivatt 2MT design feature subject to varience was the tender steps. Bachmann's 46521 comes with an elongated cab end step seen below. 
     

     
    Looking at photos 46526 had rung ladders to the front and rear of the tender chassis. Therefore a quick chassis swap and addition of spare rear tender steps resulted in the following. 
     

     
    Smoke box numplate wise I'm going to use the Pacific Models printed examples which look fantastic and are excellent value for money. As you can see I will also  be using the brilliant Fox shed code plates. More photos tomorrow. 
     

     
    Cheers, 
     
    Mark 
     
    * The whole range of the Gloucester Series books by Lightmoor Press is a well worth purchase. They are very informative accompanied by some inspirational photography. 
     
    Well recommended and a suitable Festive Gift... 
     
     
     

     
  8. 46444
    This morning our Postie delivered a small package from the Bachmann Spares Department. Excellent service as ever.
     

     
    Inside was the new tender chassis and coupling mounting block highlighted as damaged in the previous post. 
     
    Armed with a mug of Yorkshire Gold in a suitable receptacle with an Ivatt 2MT on it I set to work... 
     

     

     
    The smokebox door handle was replaced with a new brass Eileen's Emporium example. This was sprayed with Hycote grey primer and satin black before fitting.
     
    The top lamp bracket has been renewed also. Finally the vacuum pipe was added and loose buffer fixed in position. 
     

     
    On to the tender which had received the most damage the chassis was renewed.
     
    The electrical gubbins and weights were fixed in position. Damage to the front of the tender was made good using a piece of kit sprue from a Parkside kit. 
     

     
    The rear of the tender had the broken coupling mounting block renewed. 
     

     
    Also the rear vacuum pipe and ladder were replaced. 
     

     
    Here is 6404 essentially ready for service having been reserected to full glory. Just needs brake rodding to loco and tender adding along with front foot steps.
     

     
    Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to remove the numbers and insignia before spraying the sides to make good. 
     
    I'll also lop the chimney off and replace with the brass DMR version.
     
    Still undecided on a lined 46467 or an unlined 46468. Could be a toss of a coin... 
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark 
     
  9. 46444
    We all need a another project to keep the modelling workbench busy don't we? Well in my case probably not.. 
     
    However a perusal of eBay found a sorry looking LMS Ivatt 2MT described in 'As new condition'. My collection of Ivatt's never resembled the photos but I thought it was worth a punt for a cheap project.
     
    On top of this I had a spare Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0 detailing pack to help things along the way. 
     
    My 'As New' Ivatt arrived safely and here are some photos. Thankfully the loco ran nice and smoothly straight from the box.
     
    Inside the Bachmann information sheet was a previous sale slip. Funnily enough the model had started off in Harrogate in the North Riding heading to South Wales. It has now returned to the West Riding. 
     

     
    Generally in clean condition. 
     

     
    Loose buffer and damaged smokebox door handle. 
     

     
    The tender drawbar connection has been damaged and repaired. The electrical connections are all insitu. 
     

     
    The rear coupling mounting block as also been damaged at some point. 
     

     
    The rear ladder is missing  and vacuum pipe is also damaged. 
     

     
    The loco came with a few parts from the detailing pack. 
     

     
    The small plastic fitting in between the cab door and drain cock is from the front of one of the cylinders. 
     

     
    Thankfully I had the above parts in my spares box along with a new brass smokebox door dart. 
     
    Assessing the damage I decided I needed a new tender chassis and coupling mounting block.
     
    The excellent Bachmann spares department had the parts in stock so duly ordered and on their way. 
     
    The brass chimney is a taller type from DMR and is a lovely casting. These were used on some Ivatt's. Ideally I would like a Darlington build  tall skinny chimney that Comet used to produce.
     
    Sadly these are no longer available. If anyone has one they would like to part with please PM me. 
     
    I will be going to finish the loco as either Cambridge 31A's 46467 in lined black with early crest or Oban's 46468 in lined black with late crest. 
     
    I'll start repairing the loco shortly when the parts arrive and removing the numbers and LMS insignia. 
     
    A nice little project awaits in this Ivatt restoration. 
     
    More soon. 
     
    Cheers, 
     
    Mark 
     
  10. 46444
    My new Hornby LMS brake van in BR guise appeared in a previous blog entry.
     

     
    As I mentioned then I felt the curved moulded rain strips were reminiscent of the old Airfix BR brake van kit. Prototype photos showed angled batons. Microstrip was used to make these. 
     

     
    The lower handrails were bowed so replaced with brass wire painted with Halfords white primer. 
     
    I painted the buffer beams bauxite to match the body. The veranda foot boards were also painted
     
    Weathering was carried out with washes and dry brushing of Vallejo acrylics. Then Tamiya acrylics were sprayed on the roof and underframe. 
     

     
    A nice little project which certainly enhances an excellent model. 
     
    Cheers, 
     
    Mark 
  11. 46444
    I'm a bit of a Sentinel fan and possess a couple of the excellent Model Rail/Dapol examples.
     
    However I was given a Sentinel in a rough state by a good friend who asked if I could breath some life back into it. He had previously acquired it in a box of old model railway stuff given to him. 
     
    With a bit of research I discovered it was an early Nu-cast example with a plastic body kit moulded by Ian Kirk. The chassis and buffer beams were cast white metal. It was attached to a Tenshodo motor bogie. 
     
    I understand Black Beetle also did a motorising chassis which is hard to obtain. 
     
    The model I had been given was badly assembled and painted. The chassis had been glued together with epoxy and the plastic body with old school plastic tube cement. Not ideal but a starting point. 
     

     
    With some information to hand I was able to add basic detailing using Microstrip. 
     

     
    The buffers were replaced with excellent RT Models castings. 
     

     
     
    I discovered DCC Supplies being Dapol repair agents carried spares for the Sentinel including the cab roof shutter, chimney, injectors, cab foot steps as well as the guard irons. 
     

     
    I still need to fit the guard irons but the other parts certainly lift the model nicely. I have also added brass handrails from Alan Gibson components.
     
    I have given the bodyshell a coat of Halfords primer. I will airbrush it in Tamiya gloss black shortly.
     

     
    This kit is still available from Nu-cast Partners but in all white metal format.
     
    More soon.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark 
     
     
  12. 46444
    Another Dapol build from a 12T BR van body mated to a Parkside BR chassis. Buffers from LMS once more. It is awaiting its transfers from CCT once more.
     
    It is shown with a previously built Dapol brake van modified to represent an LNER version. 
     

     
    The new Hornby LMS brake van is a lovely model. However my example had bowed lower handrails which I replaced with brass wire primed and painted white with Vallejo white. 
     

     
    Also I felt the chimney looked a bit undernourished so a piece of aluminium tubing was substituted for the moulding.
     
    I'm also in the process of replacing the rain gutters which were moulded on in the infamous Airfix BR brake van style. I'll replace them with diagonal plastic strips as per the prototype. 
     

     
    The Hornby Conflat body which came with the Ruston 48DS now has a new chassis. In this instance a Ratio 10ft RCH version. Again transfers from CCT to be applied. 
     

     
    It is seen with a lovely Bachmann 1F which had BRITISH RAILWAYS lettering on.
     
    I removed the lettering with T-Cut and have sprayed the tank sides in with Tamiya gloss black.  I will shortly be putting early crests on it and weathering it. 
     

     
    Finally a visit from Captain Birdseye... 
     

     
    More soon including a resurrected  Sentinel and some Fruit D's... 
     
    Cheers, 
     
    Mark 
     
  13. 46444
    Bit more progression on my Dapol van body builds over the past few days. 
     

     

    Transfers have been sourced from the excellent range by John Isherwood at Cambridge Custom Transfers. They were sealed with Johnson's Kleer floor polish. 
     

     
    The tie bars are 1mm 'L' shaped brass strip from Eileen's Emporium. 
     

     
    Weathering so far as consisted of a wash of Valejo acrylics left to dry then wiped off with a damp cotton bud. Some detail painting and distressing with a glass fibre brush to follow. 
     
    Then BOCM wagon posters from Hollar Models were added to the sides. 
     

     
    I need to finish the weathering with a dusting of track colour from the trusty airbrush for the underframes and a blast of roof dirt.
     
    Vacuum pipes and couplings to finish. 
     
    Cheers, 
     
    Mark 
     
     
  14. 46444
    A while back a built up four Cambrian Kits with a Southern Railway theme.
     
    They were given a coat of primer and have been awaiting spraying as well as the internal planking painting on the open wagons. 
     
    One of the newer Cambrian Kits is the LSWR 10T van kit. I understand the S&DJR had some of these wagons as well. The SR classified them as D1410. 
     
    The kit itself goes together nicely. I've used Gibson wheels and brass bearings. 
     
    I've sprayed the underframe in Tamiya Nato black and preshaded the bodywork. The main body colour is Tamiya Hull Red. I think the sole bars should be brown also. Can anyone confirm this?
     

     
    Buffers are from the excellent Lanarkshire Models range. I just need to fit a rain strip on the roof and paint it.
     
    I'll finish this wagon in mid-30's-40's livery with smaller lettering from HMRS.
     
    Here the van is seen in the company of a SR/LNER 12T Mineral Wagon built between 1945-1946 at Ashford to D1390/D192. 
     

     
    Same process again with painting but I've feeling I need to repaint this wagon in unfinished wood effect with painted in iron work. 
     
    I'll put an order in with Eileen's soon so will order some metal strip to make door bangers. 
     
    Below are the last of the SR builds for the time being. From left to right are an 8 plank 12T D1379 wagon as well as a 5 plank D1380 wagon. 
     

     
    These are built and finished the same as the first two kits. 
     
    More soon and apologises to Sal Solo for the title of this entry. 
     
    Cheers, 
     
    Mark
  15. 46444
    Apologies to Steve Austin/The Six Million Dollar Man and reference to the cult 1970's TV programme. 
     
    Likewise BR started a rebuild programme of its venerable 16T mineral wagons later in their lives. This entailed new build body work and removal of the top flap door amongst other things.
     
    For more indepth knowledge it's probably best to consult a suitable reference resource. 
     
    From my teenage years long before the likes of Parkside/Bachmann the Airfix 16T Mineral Wagon was the only way to go for the correct 9ft wheelbase chassis. The ready to run boys were using a stretched body fitted to a standard 10ft wheelbase. 
     
    An article from the Railway Modeller at the time discussed modelling suitable prototypes from this kit including 13T Sand Wagons and Iron Ore Tippers. Sadly I lost the article many years ago but it remains influential
     
    Recently I picked two of these kits up for less than £7 in their Dapol incarnation and they remain one of the nicest builds still. The kits almost falling together. 
     
    I decided I wanted to follow in the footsteps of the Six Million Dollar Man and modify the body to represent a rebuild minus top door. 
     
    Here's a reference photo from Paul Bartlett's excellent site:
     
    https://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/mineralmortonmxv/h10e54237
     
    In true lack of reference photos I went ahead and removed the top doors on the wagons thinking this correct. I then filled the area with suitable thickness plastic sheet. 
     

     
    Eventually by checking my references I realised the rib above the side doors should be removed.
     
    Drastic action was taken and the middle panel was removed. 
     

     
    Then using the door as a guide the wagon sides were re-united from the component parts. 

     
    Finally the chassis builds up easily.  Supplied Dapol wheels were coulered with a permanent black Sharpie pen. 

     
    Tomorrow I'll replace the body work above the doors with plastic sheet and add the ribbing from Micro-Strip.
     
    Need to order buffers from LMS and source suitable 1970's era markings. Hopefully Railtec will come up trumps. 
     
    Cheers, 
     
    Mark
     
     
     
     
     
  16. 46444
    With 009 goings on with Wadenhoe Road my OO builds have been put on the back burner. Hopefully this year will see a new OO gauge layout once more set in Northamptonshire with an iron stone theme. 
     
    Some of this stock I've had waiting around for getting the air brush fired up will no doubt make an appearance on the new layout. 
     
    Like many before the Dapol unfinished wagon body shells can be bought for less than £3. Mated with a suitable Parkside or Ratio chassis is a means of building up an eclectic mix of wagons.  Add in Alan Gibson wheel sets and buffers/vents from LMS and you have a very individual wagon. 
     
    Firstly the ubiquitous SR box van mated to a Ratio RCH chassis. 
     

     
    Then two LMS vent vans on Parkside chassis:
     

     
    To complete the van build a lovely Parkside LNER plywood ventilated van built up nicely from one of their kits. 
     

     
    The wagons have been air brush painted with Tamiya Nato black, Tamiya Nato Brown and Tamiya German Grey. A coat of Johnson's Klear floor polish applied by brush gives the bodywork a nice lustre. 
     

     

     
    Suitable transfers will be obtained probably from Railtec and Cambridge Custom Transfers. 
     
    Next up is a couple of Dapol Prestwin wagons which build up nicely. Finished as above and I already have the appropriate Cambridge Custom Transfers to finish. 
     

     
    Then another Dapol kit. This time the Interfigo ferry van I'm building for a good friend. Once more LMS buffers added. Shame this wagon is HO Scale but builds up nicely. 
     

     
    Recently I purchased one of the excellent Hornby R&H DS48's with match truck. Now I'm not planning on running the Ruston with the Conflat so have repainted the body as above. I will mate this to either a Ratio or Parkside chassis. 
     

     
    At the Manchester show before Christmas I acquired a Cambrian Kits Type A container kit which is a nice kit. I'll run this on the Conflat painted crimson with Cambridge Custom Transfers for the lettering. 
     

     
    Finally I acquired a lovely Bachmann Stanier Mogul in the Rail's sale fot £89. I've fitted the detail kit and being a Nuneaton or Rugby based prototype 42969 does not need renumbering. Think it would have made it to Kettering easily enough. 
     

     
    Coat of Johnson's Klear brush applied to the body work to lift the flatness of the factory finish. 
     
    I will put a 2B shed code plate on it from Fox then ready for light weathering. Coal, crew and Lanarkshire Model Supplies LMS lamp. 
     
    Some nice projects on the got. More soon. 
     
    Cheers, 
     
    Mark
     
    Wadenhoe Road being used as a photo plank. Don't look too closely at the track...
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
  17. 46444
    Hello. Welcome and Good Evening...
     
    A few years ago I purchased the Kernow LSWR Gate Stock in SR Malachite livery finished as Set 373 and suitable for a Plymouth based set.
     
    Overall I was pleased with my purchase but was aware of a few detailing weaknesses including over scale bogie stepboards along with the problem of the continuous rear seat in the mouldings where a gangway should be present.  An excellent review by Graham Muspratt  on his blog highlights in more detail the short comings and positives of these models and is listed below:
     
    https://grahammuz.com/2017/10/26/the-first-ex-lswr-gate-stock-sets-arrival-from-kernow-model-rail-centre/
     
    For me the Malachite paintwork was also a bit flat and I thought I would respray the coaches giving them a more satin finish.  Having stripped the coaches down and having received a coat of Halfords grey primer they sat for many months on my to do shelf.  Thankfully with the completion of Wadenhoe Road my 009 layout  I have managed to start work on this pair once more along with a few other projects., So far I have undertaken the following:
     
    1: Replaced the original pizza cutter 'blingtastic' wheels with Alan Gibson 14mm coach wheelsets on Lima length axles (Due to the bogies being too narrow standard length wheelsets will not fit).
     

     
    2. Opened up the rear gangways on both seat mouldlings with the aid of a razor saw.
     

     
    3: Resprayed the bodyshells with Precision SR Malachite and carriage roofs with Tamiya German Grey.
     

     
    4: Replaced the buffers with Roxey turned brass versions as the moulded ones are fragile.
     

     
    5: I am in the process of replacing the stepboards.
     
    I'll post some photos of my work to date tomorrow but I have a few questions I'm hoping some kind soul may know the answers to.
     
    1: In Grahman's review he mentions the transposing of the battery boxes and the brake 'V' hangers. Can anyone advise on the correct  positioning and which ones need removing?
     

     
    2: What colour would the carriage interiors have been? Kernow have gone for a two tone effect with brown on the lower compartment side and cream on the upper compartment side. Is this correct or would they have been varnished stained wood?
     
    3: What colour would the seating fabric be?
     
    Thanks in advance and photos tomorrow in good light. 
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  18. 46444
    Recently I've been building a few wagon kits up including these two Parkside GWR 10T gunpowder vans which represent the diagram Z2 wagons built between 1913-1926. From 1934 they were fitted with Morton brake gear and became diagram Z3 wagons which I would imagine would be a simple conversion. I've already built one of these kits and finished it as a BR version which runs on Juniper Hill. They are lovely kits to put together.
     
    These two have been finished with Tamiya acrylics (German Grey) and received a coat of Klear prior to applying the decals sourced from Fox/HMRS. The GPV logos silvered in places and will require further attention before they are finished and weathering completed.
     
    One question I have is would these wagons carry a 'Not Common User-Return to GWR' notice on them? If so I would imagine it would be placed above the 'tare' script on the left hand side?
     
    Here we see John Fawkes having is tea break and having a crafty smoke before the load is placed in the quarry's explosive magazine. Obviously in the days before health and safety.
     

     
    Next up is a Cambrian P18 GWR ballast wagon. Again finished with Tamiya acrylics. I've added the corner step from some soldered up scrap etch. I need to build a few more of these.
     

     

     
    Finally, the Southern Railway built a number their standard uneven plank vans for the GWR/LMS during the war. Here we have a Ratio SR 12T box van finished as a GWR version recently repainted. I'm not sure how these wagons were initially finished. Would they have been painted or left unpainted?
     

     

     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  19. 46444
    A good friend of mine asked me to remove the factory weathering of his Hornby Railroad Crosti 9F. Having been a fireman at Wellingborough he actually worked on the prototypes and was none to complementary about them. Poor steaming and terrible visibility were mentioned. He also told the story of the Crosti 9F's being stored at the back of the shed and cannibalised for spares.
     
    The Hornby model is a Railroad model from a few years ago. Yes it has it's faults but I actually like it and think there are some good points in it's favour including price and robustness. The factory weathering is that awful blast of brown paint on the chassis and lower sides which looks a kin to Elvin Evan's Fiesta WRC after a muddy stage in a Welsh forest. Carefully using T-Cut and cotton buds I was able to remove the weathering without damage the numbers and crests, I quiet like the effect on the tender sides especially.
    .
    9F by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    Here's a broadside shot with Modelu crew figures being painted up.
     
    9F by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    9F by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    Handrails were bent up and fitted above the front foot steps. Lamp brackets were made staples. The lamp is one of Dave Frank's excellent LMS range of loco lights.
     
    Weathering is purely added using dry brushing and washes of Valejo/Games Workshop paints.
     
    9F by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    The Modelu crew are painted up using the same acrylic paints and posed accordingly.
     
    9F by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    9F by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    Tender doors are Bachmann ones from the spares box.Crushed real coal added to the tender to finish.
     
    Now things have warmed up a fraction weather wise I may do a few tweaks with the airbrush to finish it off.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  20. 46444
    I'm not normally an Eastern Region modeller although a few classes do stand out. The big Pacifics don't interest me as such and it's the more humble classes like a J15 that appeal to me more. One class that I've always thought had really graceful lines was Gresley's LNER B17 with a short GE tender.
     
    Earlier on in the year I brought a BR version and I really must say this is a beautiful model that Hornby have produced and captures the protype welll. It doesn't have the robustness of a Bachmann loco and the detail is very fine/fragile.
     
    I had a look at suitable names of B17's allocated to March shed in the mid-late 50's and one stood out. Living about 15 minutes away from Kimbolton 61633 'Kimbolton Castle' it had to be. However, in this period the prototype had been fitted with a 100A boiler-which I believe was based on the B1 boiler. Modifications included an additional washout plug each side and a B1 type 'dished' smoke box door. Hornby's model represents an earlier variation.
     
    Tim of this parish had been doing some fancy modifications to get a B17/6 variant and I was fortunate to meet him a few times in passing and glean information on the conversion (Thanks Tim). Here's a link to his take on the subject:
     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/32453-tims-painting-and-weathering-workbench/page-9
     
    The main problem was sourcing the smoke box door. Then I remembered PDK Models do a B17 kit and the castings are available as spares. Unfortunately spares where no longer available as mail order and the only way to source them was through exhibition sales. Thankfully, PDK where at the Peterborough show a few weeks ago and I was able to source one there.
     
    Therefore it was game on and the conversion could take place and here's the finished model
     

     
    Before I startled chopping the model up I removed the boiler handrail and gave the loco and tender a polish with 'T' Cut removing the loco numbers at the same time. This gave the loco a lovely surface to work with and was almost reminiscent of those Hornby glossy finishes from the 1980's.
     
    The valve gear and buffer heads had Birchwood Casey Gun Blue painted on them to try to tone them down.
     
    The additional washout plugs were made as Tim suggested from the the 'nipples' from a Parkside old fashioned Hornby tension lock coupling block, drilled out and a piece if wire inserted. These were glued according to photographs and touched in with Precision GWR green.
     
    Next came the the part of the conversion I was least looking forwards too-removing the smoke box door. It's a shame Hornby never considered doing this as a separate moulding so they could do the later versions of the class. However, the Hornby plastic is thin and easy to work with and all went well. I chain drilled around the smoke box door then cut out the opening to take the PDK casting. Prior to fitting it I'd made a lamp iron out of a bent staple, added a Comet smoke box door dart and used a piece of wire to make the small knob to the left side of the door. This was then primed with Halfords grey primer then glued into place. I masked off the smoke box area and sprayed it with Tamiya NATO black. A dry brushing of Games Workshop gunmetal brought up the area nicely.
     

     
    I then sprayed a coat of Humbrol Clear over the loco and tender ready to apply the numbers. These are Fox decals and went on easily as did the 31B March shed code plate from the same source. The nameplates/numberplate are from the 247 Developments range and were glued over the existing nameplates.
     

     
    I then sprayed the loco with Valejo matt varnish to seal the transfers. I wanted the loco to look not long out of works and have a shine to it so it was lightly weathered. I sprayed Tamiya NATO black across the top of the boiler to represent soot deposits and cab roof going gently over the green sides on the roof as well. I then dry brushed some Games Workshop gunmetal and Valejo dark rust around handrails, the top of the boiler, steps and areas affected by wear.
     
    Homebrew track colour was sprayed around the loco/tender underframe and details picked out with a combination of the above colours using dry brushing.
     
    The tender itself received additional weight and a plasticard filler was cut for the bunker space, Real coal was then added and fixed with a diluted PVA/washing up liquid mixture. Once dry the top of the tender had been sprayed with NATO black as well and further dry brushing took place,
     

     
    The cab, boiler and tender sides received another couple of coats of Clear to represent a clean and polished loco.
     
    To finish some fire irons were bent up from handrail wire and painted with Valejo acrylics, a Springside LNER lamp was given a wash of the same paints and I've given the loco a local stopping lamp code. The crew are Dapol figures suitably modified and painted once more with Valejo colours.
     
    Overall I'm pleased with how this conversion has turned out. 61633 will be a bit special and I think the modifications and weathering have added to the original model's qualities giving the look of a late, fairly clean working B17/6.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  21. 46444
    The purchase of a copy of Last Days of Steam in Gloucestershire in the early 1990's bought about two things. One an enduring interest in the railways of the Royal Forest of Dean and secondly an introduction to the photographs of Ben Ashworth who captured the essence of the railways of the Forest on film.
     
    PB151727 by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    PB151731 by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    Those who know the Forest will be familiar with the distinctive tank wagons from the Berry Wiggins company who had a bitumen depot at Whimsey. The black and white tank wagons were synonymous with the Forest of Dean Branch with a trusty 57xx/8750 Pannier in charge of the proceedings.
     
    PB151716 by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    PB151719 by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    For those who model in 7mm scale Dapol have just produced a very tempting rendition of a Berry Wiggins tank wagon. For those of use who model in 4mm scale Bachmann have produced a single wagon and also a set of three tanks (One being a silver petroleum tank) in the past. Thankfully help is at hand in producing your own with transfers available from Modelmaster (More in a later blog entry) and POWSides. The Modelmaster transfers have Berry Wiggins 'Kingsnorth' address whilst the POWSides ones have the correct 'Field House, Fetter Lane' address seen on the Forest tanks.
     
    Trying to keep the cost of this project down I noticed that the old Mainline 14T Air Ministry tank wagons are fairly reasonable to buy secondhand. Shops like Rails do bundles of 6 for about £30 which is good going. I had plenty of new Bachmann metal wheel sets in my spares box so was able to re-wheel them and put a smaller Bachmann NEM sized style couplers on the wagons.
     
    The tank wagons break down fairly easily and the quality of the livery tampo printing on them was excellent for the late 1970's/80's. I've removed most of this with enamel thinners but some of the artwork is quite stubborn to remove. A good even coat of Halfords grey plastic primer gives a nice base for the Halfords satin black to adhere to.
     
    The POWSides transfers are rub down and working from pictures I was able to chop up the sheet to get some of the variations in lettering seen on the wagons. The wagon numbers do not represent any particular prototype and where chosen with the limited number range on the sheet. I use Tamiya masking tape to gently hold the transfer film in place before using a blunt pencil, paint brush end or cocktail stick to make sure the lettering sticks. Sometimes a white drawing pen is required to touch in the letters and edges tidied up with a fine black permanent drawing pen.
     
    PB151722 by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    The 'Liquaphalt' white discs on the tank sides were made from standard masking tape. This was placed placed on a smooth plastic lid and sprayed with Halfords white primer. When dry the tape was stuck to the reverse side of my 'clean' cutting mat. Working out the diameter from the transfers I used a compass cutter to cut the discs out and then rub the transfers on. The discs were then stuck to the sides of the tanks using reference pictures for positioning.
     
    PB151723 by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    I need to add a few more transfers to each wagon. Mainly instruction details and the private owner yellow 'C' which come with the Modelmaster pack of transfers. Other lettering variations will be available combining lettering from POWSides and Modelmaster. The strengthening wires from sole bars to the tank ends will be made up from florists wire. Then an airbushed coat of protective varnish and weathering to finish. I'll post some pictures when they are at this stage. However I will do an update on the next 5-6 wagons using the Modelmaster transfers.
     
    PB151726 by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    Also of note on the photographs are the resprayed Bachmann Toad brake vans re-lettered using Cambridge Custom Transfers for Toads allocated to Lydney/Bullo Pill. Again representations and not necessarily the correct diagram number. The 57xx will either become 8745 but needs external rivets on the tank sides using Archers rivet transfers or 8701 depending on which one I decide to do first.
     
    PB151730 (2) by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    PB151732 by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    More soon...
  22. 46444
    Eventually I've got round to posting an update on some of my completed projects. Earlier in the year I set about converting my Bachmann 64xx to Newton Abbot's 74xx for use on the Teign Valley project. Here is the completed model from the fireman's side. Numberplate from Modelmaster. Crew from the Airfix/Dapol set. Fireman's shovel from a DJ Models fire iron set.
     

     
    Below is a rear view with a Bachmann fire bucket adapted to hang of the year with fire irons from the above named source.

     
    The front view shows off the running plate handrail above the centre step .
     

     
    Weathering was with my usual collection of Valejo/Tamiya paints applied through washes, dry brushing and the air brush. I may get the Birchwood Casey Gun Blue out on the coupling rods and tweak the weathering accordingly.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
     
    Bit of a tease for the next entry 5993 completed.....
     

     

  23. 46444

    1950's Darlington Delights

    By 46444,

    The railways around Cleveland and Darlington hold a certain fascination and here are two 1950's Darlington 51A allocated locos.
     
    Firstly 46472 which started life as a cheap unused LMS version from eBay. The factory printed lettering was removed from the tender/cab sides with the aid of enamel thinners and gently rubbing with a cotton bud.
     
    46472 being a Darlington built example which was fitted with a tall chimney. Comet used to do one of these but are currently out of stock. Brian at 247 Developments does a fair representation of the taller fitted example. The exisiting chimney was removed carefully with a pair of Zuron trackcutters and the base made good. The 247 whitemetal casting was then glued into place with CA.
     

     
    The smokebox and cab roof where picked out in Tamiya NATO Black. Tamiya matt black acrylic made the sides good ready for new numbers and lining from Fox. The lining is really good to work with and went on easily. Smokebox numberplate from Fox as well.
     

     
    Weathering was kept light using Valejo/Tamiya acrylics sealed with a coat of Valejo satin varnish.
     
    Following along a similar process 76050 was another eBay purchase for around £40. The previous owner had damaged parts of the loco and removed the cab numbers. I made good the paintwork using the aforementioned paints. A telephone call to the excellent Bachmann spares department came up trumps and an accessory pack was obtained. Repair, reassembly and fitting the accessory pack finished the main body of work and a very light weathering as per the above process completed the repair. Numbers by Fox once more. Real coal as per 46472 was added.
     

     
    Both are nice locos and it's been a good project to complete the work on them both and enjoy seeing them running. Here they are on my photo plank.
     

     
    Thanks for looking.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
     
     
     
    Addendum...
     
    46444 in the flesh.....
     

  24. 46444

    Crimson...No Cream..

    By 46444,

    Hornby excelled themselves when they introduced the Gresley/Thompson surburban coaches. I've a number of these and have just recently finished weathering a Gresley brake and composite as well as a Thompson brake.
     

     

     

     
    I used the T-Cut method of applying the cutting paste then wiping off with cotton buds gently buffing to a sheen. Then a watery wash of Valejo German/Grey/Dark Earth was allowed to partially dry before once more being wiped off with cotton buds.
     

     
    The sides were then masked and the roof airbrushed with Tamiya Nato Black. The underframes were treated with a mixture of the later and NATO Brown to give a dusty work worn appearance. Buffer heads, axle box covers and bogies were picked out with Valejo Dark Rust and Games Workshop Gun Metal.
     

     
    Here's the rake of 3 coaches accompanied with Kettering 15B's Ivatt 2MT 46401 and the ubiquitous horsebox (Parkside/LNER) on route to Cambridge/Newmarket respectively.
     
    Also on a crimson theme I weathered an Hornby ex-LNER CCT and one of their ex-LMS horseboxes.Both nice models but the CCT suffers from the so called 'Design Clever' period in places.
     

     
    And once more with 46401 in charge..
     
    The T-Cut method of weathering the surburban coaches certainly helps give the paintwork a nice lustre.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  25. 46444
    Been a while since I posted on the Teign Valley Project Blog. Whilst sorting out my stock boxes this evening I came across 9717 which is a detailed Bachmann 8750 with RT sanding rods. It's shown here in the company of a modified Bachmann 64xx to represent Newton's 7427.
     

     
    The Teign Valley Granite wagons are courtesy of PoWSides and the AA13 Toad is a Bachmann/Airfix alliance
     

     
    Nice finds.....
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