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46444

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Blog Entries posted by 46444

  1. 46444
    Hornby's J15 is a superb model and in my eyes captures the feel of the prototype nicely. Yes there are a few errors but it has filled an important void in my fleet.
    Sadly Hornby over produced these new models resulting in bargains to be had for less than £70 in some instances from the usual sources.
     

     
    These three represent J15's found working on the Cambridge-Kettering line in the 1950's. 65390/65461 were renumbered with Fox decals whilst 65475 is pure Hornby. They are finished in my usual style utilising Tamiya/Valejo acrylics either airbrushed, dry brushed or applied as a wash to build up the weathering, The sheet rail on the tenders were made up from scrap metal /plastic fixings. 65461 has a sheet made up from decorators masking tape and painted with Valejo acrylics.
     

     

     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  2. 46444
    Those readers from Northamptonshire may be familiar with the traditional dish of Hock & Dough. I remember having it cooked by my Nan as a child.
     
    Here's the recipe:
     
    http://www.foodsofengland.co.uk/hockanddough.htm
     
    Quite a tasty and filling meal for not a lot really....Now Hock & Dough is associated with Wellingborough. Even Wellingborough Town FC are called the Dough Boys!
     
    I've just been working on two locos that were based at Wellingborough 15A shed for a very good friend who was a passed fireman there in the 50's/60's.
     
    First up is Jinty/Jocko 47543 which is a renumbered and weathered Bachmann example. It was one of those eBay bargains you find from time advertised as non-working. Realising the Bachmann spares department were very good at supplying spare parts I took a punt and picked it up for £30. Turned out the model had hardly been used if at all and the grease on the cogs had solidified. A strip down of the chassis and a perfect runner.
     
    Numbers by Fox and usual weathering effects via airbrush/washes and dry brushing using Tamiya/Valejo acrylics. Crew are Dapol/Airfix.
     

     
    Secondly this Hornby 4F 44575 was picked up new from Hattons for £58 and has the new(ish) loco drive chassis. Yes it has it's short comings but it is something of a bargain at this price. It was given the same treatment as 47543 and I'm pleased with it. Also front lamp irons were added using cut downstaples.Ideally I'd have like to have found a Bachmann riveted Fowler tender but they weren't cheap secondhand so perhaps a job for a later day.
     
    Either way a beautifully running model:
     

     
    A nice pair of locos and simple projects to work on. (Click on the images for larger photos).
     
    As an aside the DCC Sound Hornby 4F is very good value and good to shunt with. Worth treating yourself to a bargain....
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  3. 46444
    Over the weekend I had the opportunity to catch up with a number of unfinished projects (More this week) including this Devonian Southern Trio.
     
    The Bachmann N Class had it's smoke deflectors refitted,crew adding (Dapol/Airfix) and some weathering with Tamiya acrylics via my trusty Expo airbrush. Detail weathering used either Vallejo or Citadel acrylics applied as washes or dry brushing.
     

     

     
    First up of the brace of Kernow/DJM O2's is renumbered (HMRS/Methfix) push-pull fitted 182 finished as above.
     
    [
     

     
    Finally ex-BR lined O2 refinished as 197 was also finished in the same way.
     

     
    These O2's are a superb and Kernow/DJM have produced a cracking model which runs nice and smoothly and is beautifully detailed. Rollon the arrival of the forthcoming Gate Stock....
     

     
    I'd also like to thank those who replied to my question re: headcode disc positioning. I was duly pointed in the direction of this very useful guide:
     
    http://www.semgonline.com/headcodes/sheadcodes/04.html
     
    Headcode discs are Roxey finished with Halfords white prime picked out with Valejo Panzer Aces Dark Rust.
     
    More soon.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  4. 46444
    Recently I've been experimenting with static grass and scenic effects on the photo plank. Having been successful I'll use the same techniques on the W&LLR/Blue Bell Knoll. On top of the hanging basket liner I've used a selection of static grass fibres from Auhagen and Jarvis along with Noch leaves and Bachmann Woodland Scenics materials.

    All fixed with cheap Co-op extra hold hairspray....Because I'm worth it!

    Kes 1 by Mark Branson, on Flickr

    Here's Kestrel with my recently renovated Jouef/Egger-bahn brake coach.

    Kes 2 by Mark Branson, on Flickr

    I've recently acquired another Egger-bahn brake coach which I'll finish in grey to resemble a goods brake van. I've a spare NP etch for the balcony end railings.

    Cheers,

    Mark
  5. 46444
    In 1967 Featherstone Rovers won the Rugby League Challenge Cup Final beating Barrow 17-12.....
     
    Recently I've been working a few projects. One is building a OO/OO9 photo plank which can be seen in the pictures. It was made from an Ikea Lack shelf and some foam insulation board painted with brown emulsion paint. Ancient PECO Code 100 track was resurrected and a piece of OO9 crazy track made up the NG spur. Hanging basket liner has been used for the grass base layer and static grass will be added shortly. A backscene is also planned. More soon.
     
    On the NG front I've been working on detailing a couple of old Jouef Egger-bahn coaches using the excellent Narrow Planet etch for the end balconies.
     
    Egger 1 by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    The carriages were broken down into their component parts and the the axle guards glued to stop them swivelling. Tie rods were made up from florists wire. After a coat of Tamiya NATO black I used Graham Farish metal coach wheels to replace the original pizza cutter wheels'.
     
    Egger 2 by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    With the coaches themselves I've replaced the windows and sprayed them with Tamiya green giving them a coat of satin Valejo varnish. A wash of thinned Valejo acrylics and strategic dry brushing has given them this finish which I'm pleased with.
     
    Egger 3 by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    With the roofs I covered the plastic moulding with masking tape. and added MJT roof vents. Tamiya German grey was then sprayed on, The Narrow Planet etched balcony ends were blackened chemically before receiving a coat of primer and a blast of Tamiya black. The uprights are once more florists wire. I also made the couplers smaller reducing the size of the buffer head. Here's the finished coaches seen with a modified PECO 4 wheel coach and my trusty Narrow Planet O&K 'Linnet'.
     
    Egger 4 by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    On the structural front I've had a modified Wills wooden goods store sat ready for painting which can be seen below. Once painted with Valejo acrylics and distressed with fine grade wet and dry.
     
    Egger 5 by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    Also the venerable Wills Pagoda hut is seen below with added bolt head detail.
     
    Egger 6 by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    Finally the Wills Staverton signal box I've built for a good friend and of course a POWSides 'Eastern United' 7 plank built from a Slater's kit ready for weathering.
     
    Featherstone Rovers 2 by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    Finally and the reason for the title and brief introduction a POWSides 'Acton Hall' of Featherstone 7 plank wagon built from a Parkside kit....
     
    A trip to Post Office Road and 'The Big Fellas Stadium' awaits to see Featherstone in action.
     
    Mark
  6. 46444
    Since I bought one of the Bachmann USA 009 Skarloey's when they first came about the intention had been to create a fictitious loco acquired by the W&LLR and named Captain Fisher after the gentleman responsible for being instrumental in opening the railway. The project has sat in a box for a while in pieces but a few days off saw it sprayed with Halfords satin black and reassembled:

    P4181340 by Mark Branson, on Flickr

    As you can see a replacement bufferbeam has been made from sheet plastic. Smoke box door is a CWR 3D printed replacement for Skarloey's face. Couplers are RT Models Penrhyn cast ones with coupler height set using a Greenwich Coupling height gauge. The cab spectacle plates are from RT with Microsol liquid glazing for the glass.

    I've also added 0.45 brass handrails to cab and tank sides.Lamp irons are bent up from staples:

    P4181341 by Mark Branson, on Flickr

    Here's Captain Fisher with a Parkside Tralee & Dingle open wagon for company

    The nameplates are custom Narrow Planet etched brass ones. I did manage to loose one so if after crawling around on my hands a knees doesn't find it I'll be ordering a replacement from Steve. Other than the Halfords satin main body colour the detail painting is a mixture of Games Workshop and Valejjo acrylics. Valve gear has been blackened using Birchwood Casey Aluminium Black.

    ps2 by Mark Branson, on Flickr

    Finally crew are from the old Airfix range acquired by Dapol using Valejjo paints to finish. Captain Fisher is at the controls in his trilby and old shooting jacket. The lamp is from Hornby supplied in an accessory pack.

    ps 1 by Mark Branson, on Flickr

    All that remains is a bit of light weathering. A nice project and a smooth running loco.

    Cheers,

    Mark
  7. 46444
    Having lived in Devon for many years the old GWR was ever present however small outposts of the LSWR that still existed held much interest. A trip from Plymouth North Road to Gunnislake in a Wessex Trains Class 153 (Black & Gold with picture vinyls and Celtic Knots) certainly stirred interest in the remains of the Southern Railway's Withered Arm. Over the years I've taken the opportunity to photograph the remnants of the old Plymouth Friary-Callington line via Bere Alston including photographing the station and remaining buildings at Bere Alston.
     
    In steam days the LSWR O2's were synonymous with the line and Plymouth Friary shed had a number of them allocated to it for local services around Plymouth. The introduction of the Kernow/DJM O2 model was received favourably in the 46444 camp being a personal favourite. Two were obtained and here are the fruits of my labours. I might hasten to add that these projects where influenced by Graham Muspratt's excellent 'Fisherton Sarum' blog entries listed below.
     
    https://grahammuz.com/2016/04/23/workbench-witterings-5-o2-and-not-an-o2-is-this-more-weathering-i-see-before-me/
     
    I'd also like to thank Graham for his input in locomotive post war allocation and general information.
     
    Kernow's push pull fitted 225 became Plymouth allocated 182 being a straightforward renumbering using HMRS 'Methfix' Bullied 'Sunshine' numbers.
     

     
    I'd not used Methfix decals before but eventually I got used to nuances of these transfers and would certainly use them again. To seal the decals I used a couple of coats of brush applied Johnson's Kleer but will finish with weathering and airbrush applied satin varnish.
     

     
    Kernow's BR lined non-auto fitted 30193 was backdated to 197. Lining, crests and numbers were removed with enamel thinners then the cab/tank sides were sprayed with Tamiya black being sealed with Johnson's Kleer. The smoke box door number plate was gently carved off a sanded with a a glass fibre burnishing stick. Weathering has commenced with a coat of Tamiya NATO Black around the smokebox and cab roof. This has been further embellished with dry brushing of Citadel Gun Metal.
     

     

     
    On the non-auto fitted examples cab doors were not fitted and these were successfully removed using a mini-drill, scalpel and sanding sticks/needle files as can be seen in the comparison photo below:
     

     
    Weathering and crew are required to finish this pair off as is the work on Bachmann N Class 1853 which started life as a fully lined Maunsell green example which received the enamel thinners treatment. Halfords 'rattle can' satin black followed by the Tamiya NATO black for the smoke box, roof and tender completed the initial weathering. 1853 was shedded at Exmouth Junction post war and is finished accordingly awaiting reapplication of its smoke deflectors. I was fortunate enough to pick up a bargain copy of Peter Swift's 'Maunsell Moguls' from Trago Mills in Falmouth which has also been an invaluable source of information.
     

     

     
    I was fortunate enough to acquire a couple of Mainly Trains/Iain Rice etched detailing kits which in this case include cab doors and fall plate:
     

     
    Once more this project was influenced by Graham's work and can be seen in this article below about a post-war N Class that he did for Robin of A Nod To Brent fame:
     
    https://grahammuz.com/2015/01/04/infiltrating-the-gwr-at-brent-or-a-repainted-and-weathered-n-class/
     
    Finally I've a couple of the new Hornby post-war 'Bullied' cattle wagons but fancied an earlier 'Maunsell' version. Initially this was only available as a BR version (?Soon to be rectified) which I have acquired and resprayed in to SR brown'ish shades using Tamiya acrylics. .
     

     
    I'd like to finish it in pre-war large SR script finish.Any ideas on lettering placement, particularly the end stock numbers? Are these as per the Bullied version?
     

     
    Thanks once again to Graham for his input into these projects.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
     
    For those with an interest in the the Southern Railway's Withered Arm the recent release of Memories of the Withered Arm by Peter Barnfield (Wild Swan, 2016 is well worth a read.....
     
    http://www.titfield.co.uk/Wild-Swan/Reference.htm
  8. 46444
    Over the weekend I had a chance to crack on with working on 7802. He she is completed and I'm really pleased with the finished result:
     

     
    The main focus of attention has been in the cab area where I made new flush glazing from an Oxford Diecast clear plastic box. The cab interior received the cut down David Geen screw reverser and scratch built ATC bell. The cab tarpaulin/sheet was made from a piece of blue masking tape rolled up with tapes made from the same source, This was painted with Valejo acrylics and fixed to the inside of the cab roof with a few dabs of super glue. Finally the wonderful fold down GWR cab seats were also made up from scratch.
     
    To me these improvements have certainly lifted the model but with crew insitu they are not easy to see. The crew come from my stash of Dapol figures:
     

     
    I wanted 7802 to look 'lived in' so I used a mixture of Valejo German Grey, Hull Red and Gun Metal to lift the detail on the model and also lift the paintwork through the use of dry brushing and washes.
     

     
    Hopefully the look is of a loco which has received the oily rag treatment. To achieve this I gently rubbed the paintwork with a clean dry cotton buds as well as buffing the paintwork with my finger tip to add a patina.
     

     
    You'll notice I've added the steps on the buffer shanks as well made up from Mainly Trains etched tread plate. I decided to keep the water filler lid shut in the end!
     
    I need to source the mouldings for the brake gear pull rods and will fit them when they become available.
    Overall I'm pleased with the finished result and now I've got a decent running representation of a late GWR period Manor Class which as many of you know rates as one of my favourite loco designs.
     
    Of course DJM Models will announce a modern version at Warley to a standard the same as the Hattons King Class!
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  9. 46444
    A good friend gave me this OOC Bedford OB in Wallace Arnold livery for Christmas. I believe it was part of the Great British Bus Collection from Atlas Editions.
     
    It's a lovely model and with the West Yorkshire connections and the destination screen set to Scarborough it is very appropriate and will be used on a future layout. Because of this I thought I would detail the model and it would make a quick festive project.
     
    I managed to separate the bodyshell from the chassis by gently prising them apart and removing the glazing. I gave the bonnet grills, driver's door and rear doors a wash of diluted acrylics which when nearly dry I wiped off leaving the panels lines with a darker outline. I then sprayed a coat of Valejo satin varnish over the bodyshell.
     

     
    The chassis,wheels and tyres were also weathered with Valejo acrylics. The seating module was sprayed with Halfords grey primer before receiving a Tamiya NATO black pre-shading. Valejo red was then sprayed over it.
     

     
    Driver and passengers from Airfix/Dapol figures were cut down at waist height and glued in. The coach was reassembled and holes drilled in the glazing for fitment of door mirrors made from bent up PECO track pins painted with Valejo silver.
     

     
    A nice little project and one which will be seen again at a later date.
     
    Happy New Year,
     
    Mark
  10. 46444
    Good evening...
     
    Well progress on Ivatt based projects continues.
     
    Recently I've been lucky enough to pick up a few mint used Ivatt's in LMS livery around the £35-40 mark off off a well known auction site . I've three on the work bench at present which will become Kettering and Darlington lined examples respectively and Cambridge's 46466 which is another Darlington built prototype in late 1950's-early 1960's unlined black with late crest when allocated to 31A..
     
    Unlike the initial Crewe and later built Swindon examples the Darlington Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0's had a taller chimney fitted. 247 Developments can supply a nicely cast white metal example for this.
     
    A pair of Xuron track cutters removed most of the the original Bachmann moulding. The remainder was cleaned up and made good using a scalpel and sanding sticks. The 247 Developments replacement was glued into place super glue. Looking at the pictures there appears to be a forward 'wonk on' along with a 'jaunty' angle to the chimney which is a my doing and not noticeable from normal viewing distances.
     

     
    The original numbers and LMS logos where removed from the donor loco using Humbrol enamel thinners. I then masked off the respective cab and tender side panels with Tamiya masking tape. Tamiya black was applied with my trusty Expo airbrush thinned with Halfords windscreen wash. Valejo gloss varnish was then sprayed over this to give a good base for the Fox waterslide transfers to adhere too.
     

     
    Here's the finished example awaiting final weathering. The smoke box,cab and tender roof have been sprayed with Tamiya NATO black. They have received a dry brushing of Games Work Shop Gun Metal (Leadbelcher) to bring out the raised detail. Valejo satin varnish was then applied to bring things together nicely.
     

     
    All the decals are by Fox and are to the usual excellent standard. Crew are the ubiquitous Airfix/Dapol figures painted by yours truly.
     

     
    I've a few tweaks to add to the weathering however I want a clean looking ex-works loco as per the photo I'm working from of the loco at Peterborough in 1958.
     
    More Ivatt Interludes to come....
     
    Happy New Year.
     
    Mark
  11. 46444
    Bachmann recently gave us a revised model of their Ivatt 2-6-2 tank with a new DCC ready chassis. Other than the dome on the body no further changes were made sadly. A good friend bought one to put the new chassis under an old body I'd previously renumbered. I thought I could add a few enhancements to the spare new body by adding a new chimney and a few other tweaks.
     
    I had a 247 Developments Ivatt chimney in my spares box so cut off the old Bachmann effort and glued on the new one. New lamp irons were made from staples and handrails replaced with Alan Gibson short knobs and wire. The smoke box door dart from the same source.
     

     
    The undersize mechanical lubricators where also replaced with some Comet ones I happened to have.
     

     
    On the cab I opened up the roof ventilator making sliding shutters and runners from scrap brass sheet and Micro-strip. Again lamp irons from staples.
     

     
    Other than the cab roof and the smokebox area the paint is original. I removed the factory printed number with T-Cut. My friend was a passed fireman at Wellingborough 15A shed and wanted it numbered as 41328 a loco he had worked on. I used Fox decals to finish.
     
    Since these photos where taken I've airbrushed the roof and smokebox with a coat of Tamiya Nato Black and sealed it all with Valejo Satin varnish. Reassembly and tweaking of the weathering will be next and it will be reunited with it's new chassis. I've tried to find some auto-gear fittings to no avail so these will be taken off the older body.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  12. 46444

    3717 City of Truro

    By 46444,

    Here's my take on 3717 City of Truro. I've always been a fan of the prototype as well as the Bachmann model and have fancied a model of it towards the end of it's career. A photo on the excellent Warwickshire Railway website shows 3717 in 1930 at Snow Hill waiting to pilot a train spurred me on and with the release by Bachmann of 3708 Kilarney the seed was sown.
     
    Here's the prototype photo:
     
    http://www.warwickshirerailways.com/gwr/gwrbsh43.htm
     
    The main difference between the Bachmann model as it comes and the above photo is the addition of a larger 3500 gallon tender albeit with narrow frames. Thankfully the trusty Hornby 'County of Bedford' tender body fits the bill nicely and actually fits on the Bachmann tender chassis without modification. It will need gluing on though.
     

     
    As you can see I've cut the moulded coal load away and added separate handrails. I've sprayed the tender with Precision GWR green and it just awaits the Great Western transfers as well as final weathering.
     
    Here's the loco and tender coupled together. I've added weathering to 3717 using my usual washing and dry brushing techniques using Valejo acrylics. Nameplates come from Modelmaster and buffer beam numbers from Fox. I've blackened the connecting rods with Birchwood Casey Gun Blue. With the front bogie I've removed the coupling pocket and added a piece of Micro-strip to tidy things up.
     

     
    Out of interest would the tender have had stays for the cab-tender sheeting/tarpaulin? If so any idea of the position?
     

     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
     
    Must clean my camera lens as well!
  13. 46444
    Courtesy of Bachmann USA we now have a 009 version of Skarloey based on character from the Rev.Awdry books for their Thomas range.
     
    skarloey by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    Skarloey is based on the Talyllyn Railway's 'Talyllyn' built by Fletcher Jennings but in this case it will be finished in a fictitious livery.
     
    The model itself is excellent and runs superbly. The smokebox, saddle tanks and coal bunkers are cast from metal. The cab is a plastic moulding.
     
    The plan is to remove the face and add a scratch built smoke box door from plasticard cut using a compass cutter. I'll remove the lump of metal from the cab area as well and detail the cab too.
     
    Some have mentioned the size of the cylinders but In my eyes the cylinders are made worse by close up photos and are hardly noticeable at normal viewing distance.
     
    Separate wire handrails will be added along with removing the buffers and more than likely deepening the buffer beams. I'm considering using RT or NP couplings as well.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
     
    I'm sure we'll see a derivative of this as the full blown Talyllyn from Bachmann UK at some point.
  14. 46444
    Recently I've managed to finish of the EuroNG kit for the LKM NS2 diesel. Here's Kestrel with some repainted and detailed PECO L&BR coaches:
     

     
    Finally just as a size comparison Kestrel is seen with the Narrow Planet kit for the O&K 40hp finished in black and named 'Linnet':
     

     
    Both of these kits run on Minitrains chassis that are readily available and come with a can motor and fly wheel for excellent slow speed running qualities. Nameplates via Narrow Planet. Crew figures by Monty's or Dapol.
     
    Cheers.
     
    Mark
  15. 46444

    Caution Toads Crossing

    By 46444,

    Well I've finished a number of the Bachmann/Airfix mated Toads I've been working on. Here's 56541 which represents an AA15 Diagram allocated to Taunton.
     

     
    As a comparison of the chassis here's a shot of the standard AA19/20 Bachmann model next to the Airfix chassis equiped AA15. The 'J' Springs show up nicely in comparison:
     

     
    As I mentioned previously the GWR grey was Tamiya German Grey applied over preshading. Decals are by HMRS and are sealed with Valejo satin varnish.
     

     
    To finish I've used a mixture of Tamiya and Valejo colours to highlight detail and add worn patina to the brake van. A Monty's figure acts as a guard looking at his watch. For those with keen eyes I've even added some chalk marks using my fine tip Edding type pen:
     

     
    All in all not a bad project and once more it goes to show what delights can be conjured up from the spares box. Also it offers the GWR modeller something different to the standard Bachmann or Ratio Toad.
     
    More soon on Kirby Hall and 7427!
  16. 46444
    Some progress on my model of 5993 Kirby Hall. Here's a photo of the loco ready for lining with all the detailing complete:
     

     
    I've painted in the back head detail in the cab as well as replacing the lamp irons with staples. Cylinder drain cocks were made from small handrail knobs and scrap brass 0.45 handrail wire.
     

     
    The screw reverser housing/handle has been refinished and the reversing lever has received a coat of Valejo gun metal.
     

     
    A couple of questions as well regarding finishing 5993 as per this photograph:
     
    http://evergreen.zenfolio.com/p853141025#h1a8cba0b
     
    1: Would there be a vertical piece of brass beading on the front of the cab side on a post war loco?
     
    2: I'm right in thinking the covering over the pipes up to the safety valve would have lining on it?
     
    3: The cabside lining would be as per the photo and not a simplified panel as in BR times?
     
    Thanks in advance.
     
    More soon on the 74xx and those Toads!
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  17. 46444
    A bit more progress on the Hall over the past week.
     
    Managed to airbrush the Precision post-war GWR green last weekend which went on nicely.
     

     
    I then hand painted the cab roof, smoke box and tender coal space etc with Valejo black acrylic which covered nicely as ever:
     

     
    The copper cap to the chimney, safety valve cover and splasher beading were painted in using Games Workshop colours:
     

     
    I plan to add cylinder draincocks using handrail knobs and use staples for the lamp irons.
     
    Also the lining was deliberately left on so as to act as a guide for applying the Fox lining transfers.
     
    One of the Airfix/Bachmann Toad marriages is almost complete but representing an AA3 rather than the AA13/AA15 the model portrays.
     

     
    The transfers are the recent releases from Cambridge Custom Transfers and are really good to work with. A drop of Microsol setting agent helps them bed down nicely.
     
    Glazing and couplings and it will be finished soon....
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  18. 46444

    Toad Hall.....An update

    By 46444,

    Bit of an eclectic mix in this entry with a number projects on the go at present.
     
    The Hornby Railroad Harry Potter 'Olton Hall' is well known as a good conversion project and was documented by Chris Leigh recently in Model Rail. I've two of these and the first one is to become '5993 Kirby Hall' named after a residence near Corby in Northamptonshire. Here's a link:
     
    http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kirby-hall/
     
    Being a Railroad model there's a few compromises along the way but in this instance work has centred on removing the smoke box number plate and adding handrails to the tender replacing the moulded ones.
     

     

     
    The cab has received the curved 'L' shape window hand rails:
     

     
    This afternoon with the fine weather I even managed to fire up the airbrush and get a coat of Precision GWR green on the loco and tender body shell but light wasn't good for photos sadly.
     
    I'll paint in the cab roof, smoke box and tender rear with Valejo acrylics. Then it's a case of full lining out in post war livery using Fox transfers.
     
    Like many when Bachmann announced they were to produce a GWR 64xx, I wanted a 74xx, Newton Abbot had 7427 on shed during the post war period and an article by Tom Foster in Railway Modeller instigated a conversion of the 64xx I owned.
     
    I've removed the overhang on the cab roof on both sides and used Archers rivet transfers to represent the the line visible on the top of the cab. Also I've added the missing handrail above both centre steps. as well as the missing steam lance cock next to the smoke box door by using a handrail knob,
     

     
    On the bunker end I've opened up the rear cab doors, opened up the roof vent and replaced the moulded lamp irons using bent up staples. The same can be said for the spare lamp irons on the running plate.
     

     
    Finally, I've painted the black panels on the BR version of one of my Airfix/Bachmann Toad matings. This one may carry 'Kingsbridge RU' markings!
     

     
    More soon.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  19. 46444
    The prototype NS2 was build in great numbers after the end of WW2 in Germany by Lokomotiv Karl Marx (LKM). A number of variants were built including some of the later designs with outside cranks.
     
    The kit I'm building here is by Euro Narrow Gauge having been designed by James Hilton and is available through the Narrow Planet website:
     
    https://narrowplanet.myshopify.com/collections/frontpage/products/eng-003
     
    It represents one of the earlier chain driven examples and is powered by the Minitrains Gmeinder chassis. The kit comes as a crisply printed 3D bodyshell along with an assortment of etched nickle silver frets for bonnet sides, grill front panel, roof and assorted cab designs.
     
    I've added some additional detail working from prototype photos including an exhaust stack, hinge detail on the bonnet panel as well as a fuel filler lid.
     
    WP_20160307_001 (1) by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    Here's the kit ready for painting posed next to my Narrow Planet O&K 40HP loco.
     
    I've also used Narrow Planet 3D printed Bosna couplers instead of the kit supplied couplings.
     
    WP_20160307_002 by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    This evening I've managed to paint the loco in house colours of Halfords Satin black. Red buffer beans and detail painting should finish the kit nicely,
     
    I'm planning on adding a Monty's figure as driver to one side of the cab and a sheet covering the other side to disguise the motor. RT Models headlights will be fitted to the front and rear of the cab as well.
     
    As for the title...No I'm not a fan of this brand of strong lager if it's still available . The NS2 is to be named 'Kestrel' using some Narrow Planet custom nameplates.
     
    Well worth building if you fancy a dabble in 009
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  20. 46444

    Two Toads...

    By 46444,

    Work has commenced on detailing a number of Bachmann GWR Toad brake vans as I mentioned in my previous entry. These are not meant be exact replicas but representations.
     
    Some of them will be finished in late GWR livery as Newton Abbot variants suitable for working on the Teign Valley line. Others will be finished in unfitted grey livery as brakes that worked in the Forest of Dean using some excellent decals produced by John Isherwood.
     
    Of the two ready to run GWR Toads the old Mainline now Bachmann model which cuts it above the Airfix version. Both show their age and have pro's and cons. For me the Bachmann version captures the outline of the prototype better but the Airfix Toad has finer detail and 'J' Hanger suspension.
     
    I had a couple of Airfix Toad chassis in my spares box and saw on ebay it was possible to buy Bachmann Toad bodies marked as seconds for a good price. My two came intact with no damage for the princely some of £6.70 for a brace with postage.
     
    To fit them to the Airfix chassis retaining lugs must be removed both the chassis and the bodyshells. Other tweaks include slicing off the corner stanchions from the Airfix chassis. The Bachmann body should fit easily now.
     

     
    Here's the GWR version representing a Diagram AA15 with the 'J' hanger springs. By adding some diagonal bracing to the middle panels of the guards compartment you could probably get away with a late GWR period Diagram AA13 with metal sheeting to the van sides. Here's a comparison of the springs on the standard Bachmann version compared to the Airfix/Bachmann alliance:
     

     
    Both vans have been sprayed with Tamiya German Grey over pre-shading. The roof is finished in NATO black. I've added the tie bars from brass rod and have used cut down staples for the stays. Bufffers have been replaced with Lanarkshire Model Supplies GWR unfitted wagon variants which I feel improves the look no end. The stove chimneys have also been replaced with aluminium tubing and the wheels are Alan Gibson. Application of HMRS decals will be next followed by detail weathering and reassembly. I also plan to add the sanding handle as as well.
     

     
    I'm pleased with how the Bachmann/Airfix marraige has gone. It certainly offers up a few more Diagram variants even if they are not totally correct.
     
    More soon.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  21. 46444
    I'm in the process of detailing a number of Bachmann GWR Toad brake vans. Two of them will be numbered as Newton Abbot's Diagram AA13 vans. There's a bit of modellers licence here but the Bachmann van based on an AA20 I believe is not far off an AA13. Major discrepancies include metal sheeting on the guard's accommodation and the lack off J leaf springs.
     
    Looking at photos of Diagram AA15 brake vans the actual body has the metal sheeting on the guards accommodation like the AA20. In addition to this the chassis has the 'J' hanger suspension.
     
    I have a couple of the old Airfix GWR Toads whose chassis has the 'J' hanger suspension and some spare Bachmann Toad bodies. Now if you remove the four mouldings from the corners of the Airfix chassis the Bachmann Toad body fits nicely.
     
    Now would this make a fair representation of a Diagram AA15?
     
    Of course us GWR modellers would appreciate an up to date model of a Toad. Alternatively there's always the Frogmore etched brass kits.
     
    I'll post some photos soon.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  22. 46444

    Lima LMS 42 ft CCT.

    By 46444,

    Inspired recently by Alex (Wiggoforgold) and Dave (Max Stafford) I thought I have a go myself at modifying one of these CCT's using Bachmann LMS bogies as a replacement for the incorrect BR ones that Lima fitted.
     
    The moulding is trypical Lima and is quite fine. Even the undeframe is reasonably detailed.I manged to strip off the paint using Mr Muscle oven cleaner. Moulded handrails were cut off, as well as the roof vents and buffers.
     
    Paul Bartlett's site came up with a suitable victim to model:
     
    http://paulbartlett....7fad5#h19f7fad5
     
    This example has additional strapping on the body sides. I made this up from Microstrip. Buffers and roof vents came from MJT. The buffer heads were filed down as per the prototype.
     
    I sprayed the shell with Halfords white primer, then pre-shaded the panel lines and the roof with Tamiya NATO Black. I used Valejo Carmine acrylic for the crimson. The ends were sprayed with Tamiya NATO black as well and the roof was sprayed with German Grey. A coat of Klear sealed this all in.
     
    Decals were from an old Woodhead sheet I've had for years. These are lovely to work with and they were fixed with Klear. It's a real shame they're no longer available.
     
    I replaced the moulded brake wheels with etched examples from Mainly Trains-soldered to some wire.
     
    I then used a watery mixture of Valejo Black and Flat Earth to cover the sides and ends. This was then removed with a wet cotton bud. The underframe received a few passes of Tamiya Flat Earth/Nato Black mixture, before everything was blended together with Valejo matt varnish.
     
    Bogies were fixed on with some Wickes nuts and bolts (6 BA I think?). Packing was with washers to achieve the correct ride hight. The Bachmann wheels fouled the underside of the chassis so i replaced them with Romford 14mm ones I had spare.
     

     
    This has been a lovley little project over the festive period and certainly adds some variety to the NPCS.
     

  23. 46444
    At the weekend I picked up one of the newly released Oxford private owner wagons in the livery of Weymouth Co-op. I'm not going into the the pro's and con's of this wagon which can be found elsewhere on this site.
     
    All I will say is I'm impressed with the build of it wagon and how easily it breaks down into it's component parts. For example if you remove the buffer shanks and pop out the handbrake levers from the 'W' irons the chassis comes away easily. In it's out of the box form it is a bit bright so wanted to weather up some post-war wagons in a 1947 condition and thought this wagon and a few Bachmann ones would be a nice project. Here it is with a Bachmann 5 plank wagon:
     

     
    And close up showing replacement door and planking:
     

     
    Paint effects and weathering are done with Valejo acrylic paints. The wagon was distressed with a glass fibre burnishing stick to give a worn look and remove the printed lettering. Various washes and dry brushing completed the look.
     
    I picked up a set of 3 Bachmann Parkend weathered wagons commissioned by Totally Trains according to the box. The weathering was in the fashion of spraying brown paint at the chassis lower wagon and I felt did't look too good.
     
    Again the same process as above and here are the 3 wagons having received the treatment:
     

     
    Again a close up showing the work involved. German grey was applied on the chassis and the ends of the wagon removing the factory weathering. The glassfibre burnishing pen removed the side weathering and distressed the wagons at the same time:
     

     
    I'm pleased with how these have turned out and it's been good to get my eye in for the Teign Valley Granite wagons I'm building. Talking of which the third of the six wagons I'm building has received scored planking inside the wagon:
     

     
    Certainly an improvement over plain sides. A fault of these old Slaters kits. Must say it is an improvement. Door posts are made from Microstrip.
     
    More soon.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  24. 46444
    Having had a modelling spurt I've completed a number of projects one being the Narrow Planet O&K 40HP seen below:
     

     
    I gave the model a coat of Halfords grey primer then sprayed it with Halfords satin black.
     

     
    Detail painting was with the usual mix of Valejo German Grey, Hull Red and Gun Metal applied in either washes or dry brushing.
     
    To add a bit of interest I've added sheeting to the cab sides made from a Smiths wagon sheet and crew are from Dapol.
     

     
    Here's the loco in company with a Parkside Tralee & Dingle open wagon. I've just added the number patch with German Grey dappled on with a stubby brush having first masking off the area. Numbers are from the HMRS LMS wagon sheet.
     
    I'm going to have a go at building the 20HP version next in the guise of P.C Allen based on the LBNGR.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  25. 46444
    I've started to build 2 of the kits I recently received from PoW Sides . For those not familiar with the make up of the kits they come ready painted and lettered requiring wheels, bearing and couplings of choice. The kits are from either Parkside or as in this case Slaters. The wagon transfers are available separately and are rub on ones.
     
    These are finished in a later period of the company's history with the Trusham address and Roads Reconstruction panel on the doors. The Teign Valley Granite lettering differed in height according to wagons. These wagons carried a type of hard granite called basalt used in road building which was often coated with bitumen.
     
    Firstly a shot of the kits in their bags with components being removed from the sprues:
     

     
    Having previously ben sprayed with Halfords grey primer the solebars receive two coats of Valejo red and the axle guards and iron work is picked out in German Grey from the same source.
     

     
    With the underframe finished thoughts turn to the inside of the wagon which is not painted. A coat of Valejo grey, followed by a dry brusing of old wood, dark earth, German grey and gunmetal helps to build up a planked wood effect. One of the problems with these Slaters kits is they do not come with planking scribed on the side walls and the floor has raised plank lines.
     

    Here's the finished effect. The wagons would have either carried coated basalt chippings or plain ones depending on use.
     

     
    Here's the wagon bodies having been assembled. Obviously touching in is required to the sprue gates and where the glue has removed the paint.
     

     
    Here's a side on view of the wagons mounted on their chassis. Wheels are Alan Gibson:
     

     
    Here's a aerial view showing inside the wagons.
     

     
    The kits need the brakes, brake handles, buffers and couplings to finish, Because these are post war wagons they are to be weathered accordingly with planks replaced and well worn around the gills!
     
    More soon!
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
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