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46444

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  1. 46444
    Tonight's blog entry is an eclitic mix of wagons I am working on that are currently on the workbench.
     
    The kit below I am working on is an excellent Chivers GWR P17 permanent way wagon. As with all Chivers kits the quality is superb. 
     
    It's just waiting for some of Mr. Frank's finest buffers from Lanarkshire Model Supplies (LMS).
     

     
    The Cambrian GWR P18 is enhanced with Lanarkshire Model Supply buffers and Chivers door bangs.
     

     
    To complete the BR WR permanent way train an old Ian Kirk GWR P23 kit adds to the collection.
     

     
    All of the above will be finished in black with transfers courtesy of John Isherwood at Cambridge Custom Transfers.
     
    The Airfix 5 plank wagon is enhanced with the fitting of a Ratio RCH 10ft chassis to represent a LMS D1892 Open Merchandise wagon.
     
    Buffers again from LMS as well as door bangs from Chivers.
     

     
    The velnerable Airfix/Mainline/Hornby GWR/BR 'Bogie Bolster A' recieves a makeover. Romford wheels and new buffers from LMS.

     

     
    I have been on the look out for the Ratio Huntsman Ales van kit to complete the 1980's trio including the BOCM and Badger Ales versions I had already built.
     
    Recently I was able to acquire an unopened kit from eBay for less than £10.
     
    The build of the BOCM and Badger Ales vans are detailed in a previous blog entry.
     

     
    Finally following on from jweallans thread I purchased a 3D printed Three Peaks Models Lancashire & Yorkshire Diagram 1 Low Goods Wagon kit.
     

     
    I will do a blog entry on this shortly. Must say I am really impressed with this kit.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark 
     
     
  2. 46444
    Eveventually I came across some pictures of Collett cabbed Moguls with lining which answered my previous question.
     
    Using Fox GWR/BR passenger loco lining I have finished the lining out including the wheel splashers.
     

     
    The lining transfers were fixed with Johnson's Kleer when in the correct place. Once dry a couple of light coats of Halfords Laquer varnish was applied. To tone things down a misting of Halfords Matt varnish was then applied
     

     
    A nice front end shot showing off the new chimney and 3D printed Railtec smokebox numberplate and 81E Didcot shedcode plate.
     

     
    Window frames have been edged in with a Citadel acrylic brass colour.
     

     
    Real coal added to the tender, fixed in place with Kleer. 
     
    Jobs to do include adding flush glazed cabside windows. Front ones are Microscale Liquid Glaze. 
     
    Also to do are the two uprights in the tender for the cab weather sheet.
     
    Light weathering, add a crew and a local passenger lamp on the smokebox door. 
     
    The contents of the photographic plinth are well recommended by the way....
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  3. 46444
    Like many of us we often have numerous projects on the go.
     
    From a personal point of view I have the BR Clan's and Dapol BR Manor Class to complete. See my previous blog postings. All being well these should soon be completed. 
     
    I have had an old Airfix Siphon H in my 'to do box' for a while. A quick strip down and prototype research reveled that Airfix had fitted the wrong bogies which on a Siphon H should be 9ft American Style. 
     
    The existing bogies where put to one side. Then I removed the buffers, vacuum tanks and gas tanks with a pair of Xuron track cutters. These areas were made good with a scalpel, sand paper and files.
     
    I ordered the correct 9ft American bogies as a pair, 3D printed from Shapeway. I believe these are designed by Stafford Road Modelworks.
     
    https://www.shapeways.com/product/CT854ECA7/gwr-9-american-bogie-airfix-Hornby-fit?productConfiguration=60118509&etId=202691468&utm_source=automated-contact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=order-shipped&utm_content=5
     
    The bogie prints are a bit rough and the detail is ill defined however from normal viewing distance the correct impression is given.
     

     
    The bogies were cleaned up with a soak in white spirit and also a fibreglass brush. 
     
    Then Romford brass axle bearings were fitted and masked off. A quick blast of Halfords grey primer and satin black finished the job.
     
    Using the existing mounting pins the bogies are a direct replacement. Bachmann coach wheels fit nicely.

     
    Buffers were replaced with Slater's GWR coach buffers. LMS Models provide the coupling hooks.
     

     
    That's play for today with more planned including replacing the gas tanks and vacuum cylinders with MJT components and scratch building a few underframe elements.
     
    Another Airfix build has involved a 10ft RCH chassis in the stock of spares. Armed with plastic sheet a basic Conflat was built.  I have Cambridge Custom Tranfers to hand so as to finish in early BR colours 
     

     
    I made the fixing rings from fuse wire. Buffers and coupling hooks from LMS Models as previous.  Tie bar is also from Microstrip.
     

     
    Thanks for looking. More soon.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark 
  4. 46444
    The recent re-release of the Hornby BR  Clan Class was a blessing for many especially with the price of previous issues becoming prohibitive. The model had not been available for a number of years to compound this.
     
    Like others I was surprised to find the running boards and rear of tender not painted black on either the late or early crest variations. This has been debated on the Hornby Clan thread.
     
    Other issues have concerned a missing top lamp bracket on the smokebox door on a number of models. I was fortunate to pick one of these up from Derails recently for around the £150 region *. with excellent service from them as ever. Well recommended.
     
    I took delivery of 72004 Clan MacDonald but wanted to renumber it to 72001 Clan Cameron. In addition to this I decided to spray in the missing black painted running boards and rear of tender.
     
    Nameplates were obtained from Fox Transfers and Pacific Models provided the smoke box door number plate.
     
    Tamiya masking tape is your friend here and I masked off the areas to be sprayed carefully ensuring all was sealed neatly.
     
    Using Tamiya satin black I airbrushed in the the areas to be corrected. Carefully removing the masking tape revealed a neat job with a few areas needing rectification. 
     
     
    I hand painted the screw reverser with Precision BR green which appears a good match for the Hornby green. 
     
     
    The whistle and surrounding brass work was picked out with Citadel acrylics. 
     
     
    Fox transfers London Midland 8 inch numerals made up the number sets with Tamiya masking tape ensuring a straight line. 
     
     
    Once dry these were sealed with brush applied Johnson's Kleer along with the rest of the Hornby green painted areas to lift the flat paintwork. This also added some lustre and depth in the paintwork. 
     
     
    A false floor was added to the tender bunker and real crushed coal was fixed with PVA.
     
     
     
    The missing lamp iron was made from the Branson bent up staple method (BBUSM).
     
     
    The excellent as ever Pacific Models number plate was cut out and glued on with PVA. The edges inked in with a black Sharpie permanent marker prior to this.
     
    In the next instalment I will have put the Fox Transfers 'Clan Cameron' nameplates on and fitted the detailing pack.  Weathering will also be started/finished.
     
    From a prototype perspective the earlier releases of the Clan's had a fitting attached to the driver's cab side. I think this was for a tablet catcher. Could anyone confirm this?  Also was it only the later build of Clan's to have this feature.
     
    Another quandary surrounds nameplate background colours varying from black, green, light blue and possibly red. Can anyone enlighten me?
     
    This has been a nice project so far and it has been good to remedy the missing black paintwork.
     
     
    The BR Clan Class is a favourite of mine and more widely travelled than would be expected. Well worth looking at if you are modelling the Scottish and London Midland Region's. 
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
     
    * Kernow Model Rail Centre have 72004 Clan MacDonald for sale at £159.00 if people are interested. 
  5. 46444
    Lurking on the work bench have been two EFE Western National, Bristol LS' which I have been detailing. Both were picked up for less than £10 each secondhand.
     
    Inspired by the Lincolnshire Road Car Bristol LS on Tony Wright's Little Bytham I asked Ian Wilson at Pacific Models to make me up some printed destination screens for this pair. 
     
    I supplied Ian with the dimensions of the screens, destination and route numbers. In this instance services which would have originated from Tavistock, crossing the River Tamar at Gunnislake.
     

     
    For those who have never used Ian's products they are easy to use and in this instance self adhesive. Link below to the Pacific Models website:
     
    http://www.pacificmodels.co.uk/
     
    The turn around tine was excellent and the destination screen sheet arrived quickly with plenty of spares.
     
    Both models were broken down into their component parts. 
     

     
    Using a new scalpel blade, the destination screens were carefully cut out using a steel ruler. Being self adhesive they were applied easily over the existing factory finished ones.
     
    Using Halfords Satin varnish light coats were applied to seal the destination screens as well as dull the high gloss finish.
     
    Numberplates were included for suitable prototypes as well.
     

     
    The window mouldings were dipped into Johnson's Kleer and allowed to dry.
     
    Then the raised window frame detailing was inked in using a silver Sharpie permanent marker. Cleaning up was  carried out with a cocktail stick.
     

     
    Scale Link produce a sheet of etched brass vehicle door mirrors (Sheet SLF 137). This provides the drivers rear view  mirrors for this brace.
     
    A coat of Halfords grey primer, followed by their satin black gave a good finish. I am not sure if these mirrors should be green? The silver Sharpie helped give a mirror effect.
     
    Using prototype reference shots the mirror fixing points were ascertained and holes drilled for them. The Scale Link mirrors were fixed with contact adhesive. In my eyes this does help to lift the EFE model. 
     

     
    Essentially the detailing work is finished. I will paint the wheel arches and lightly weather both buses. Driver and conductor figures as well as passengers will be added. 
     
    With a bit of work these older EFE models can certainly be lifted to another level. 
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark 
     
  6. 46444
    A while back I was given one of those excellent Hornby Southern Railway BY's in olive green and decided to repaint it into BR (SR) green. Paul Bartlett's excellent site came up trumps with this photo:
     
    http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/srby/h3317da13#h399adca5
     
    The thing I liked about this photo of 'S764S' is didn't appear to have the full data panel on the right hand ends this making application of decals easier.
     
    The model itself breaks down really easily into its component parts. The bodyshell received a coat of Halfords grey primer followed by Howes Railmatch BR (SR) green acrylic paint. Then the roof and ends were sprayed with Tamiya black and NATO black. Once dry a coat of Klear to the sides give a good surface to apply the HMRS decals.
     
    I had to put the wheelbase decal above the 'BY' lettering owing to size. The HMRS sheet doesn't contain the 'BY' lettering so this was made up from other parts of the decal sheet. I managed to find a 'Y' on an old set of Woodhead decals I had. The decals where once more sealed in with Klear.
     
    I then sprayed a home brew track colour on the underframes, lower sides and around the iron work. This was followed by a wash of the same mixture which was wiped off with a damp cotton bud once nearly dry.
     
    Everything was sealed with Tamiya matt varnish and left to dry.
     
    In my eyes one of the weaknesses of the Hornby model is the lack of window grills. Thankfully, I had some of the excellent Roxey etched grills suitable for the 'BY'. These were given a coat of white primer then misted with NATO black to tone things down. Prior to putting the glazing back in I fixed these in with PVA so as not to fog the glazing.
     
    Reassembly was straight forward. Here's the finished article being shunted by 46444 somewhere along the Kettering to Cambridge line in the 1950's.
     

     
    A detailed Base Toys AEC Monarch is parked up next to the line.
     

     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  7. 46444
    Evening,
     
    Once more another modelling project that is different to the norm and will spur a small layout.
     
    Before I start I need to thank two people. Firstly, Castle on this forum for making me aware of the PKP Px48 through his thread on a visit to Poland and actually driving one of these locos. Here's the link to his photos and accompanying commentary:
     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/51212-little-didcot/page-22
     
    Secondly for James Hilton on NGRM for making me aware of the GLR Models 3D printed kit through his build of the kit and his help and advice.
     
    For those not familiar with these locos here's a link and a video clip showing Px48-1919 hard at work:
     
    http://www.interlok.info/Px48.htm
     

     
    Now on to the kit itself. Richard from GLR Model Design has designed a 3D printed kit for the Px48 available through Shapeways website. Here's the link to Richard's website:
     
    http://www.glr3dmodeldesign.co.uk/home/3-5mm-scale-products/px48
     
    The kit is available in OO/HOe and TT Scales. The HOe version which I'm doing uses the Graham Farish 8F as the donor chassis.
     
    I ordered my kit over the weekend from Shapeways and it's due to arrive tomorrow from Holland according to UPS.
     
    In the meantime I've sourced two Graham Farish 8F chassis and have painted the wheels and valve gear tonight with Valejo acrylics. They've had a coat of Klear as well. Next I will add a wash of German grey to bring out the detail and disguise the solid wheel sets. This is tonights progress:
     

     
    One thing that has surprised me is how smoothly the Graham Farish 8F chassis runs-which is very pleasing.
     
    I've sourced some Liliput HOe coach bogies from the 009 Society's members sales shop for the tenders and acquired a few other bits necessary for the build.
     
    The locos I'm modelling are as follows:
     
    Px48-1784:
     
    http://www.tabor.wask.pl/egzemplarz.php?&id=50708
     
    and Px48-1919 which features in the video clip above.
     
    http://www.tabor.wask.pl/egzemplarz.php?&id=50754&foto=914#opzdj
     
    If you look closely you'll see differences in the cab/tender handrails-some being recessed.
     
    Steve at Narrow Planet has just completed the artwork for the numberplates, 'Px48' plates and 'PKP' plates although they are not listed on the website yet but can be ordered by contacting him. They cost £10.
     
    http://narrowplanet.co.uk/
     
     
    That's it for now until the 3D print arrives.
     
    More soon.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  8. 46444
    As some of you may know (gwrrob in particular) I'm a real fan of the GWR 78xx Manor Class and often request a photo of 7804 at work on ANTB.
     
    Several years ago I had a go at detailing two of these Bachmann models which date back to prehistoric times Mainline days. In fairness Bachmann did give them one of their new split chassis back in the 1990's but these are prone to axle problems.
     
    When I detailed my brace I modelled 7802 Bradley Manor and 7807 Compton Manor. Later on I sold 7807 which was the better of the two and gradually 7802's running qualities deteriorated resulting in the infamous waddle. She's been stored for a number of years and appears once in a while. Here's 7802 as she stands today:
     
    7802-29 ps by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    Now with no imminent announcement of an up to date model that befits this class I've decided to bite the bullet and order a replacement set of driving wheels from Bachmann's service department. Hopefully all will be well and once the chassis is reassembled she'll run well once more.
     
    If all goes to plan I'll totally revisit this loco and look at finishing adding details and improve the paint finish. When I initially did this model I didn't possess an airbrush. I'm planning on trying to bring up the depth of the green with some Kleer before weathering and sealing once more.
     
    The chimney was replaced with one from DMR and is the correct pattern GWR version. I've also a David Geen screw reverser from the Malcolm Mitchell kit to add to the cab along with an ATC bell.
     
    7802-29 ps2 by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    Lets see where this goes though first before I get too carried away.
     
    Out of interest does anyone know if the splasher beading and cab window surround would have been brass on this class of loco particularly after the war?
     
    7802-29 ps1 by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    More soon. Either good or bad news!
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  9. 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.
  10. 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.....
  11. 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 
     
  12. 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...
  13. 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!
  14. 46444
    In the 1980's as an impressionable teenager Ratio produced a number of special pre-printed kits based on their venerable GWR 12T box van. 
     
    As far as I an aware the three kits available came in Badger Beer, Huntsman Ales/Elderidge Pope and BOCM liveries *. 
     
    When they were available in the 1980's I never built them. I remember they were advertised in black and white images in the Railway Modeller from Ratio when they were based in Sturminster Newton. 
     
    However a pang of nostalgia sent me on a retro modelling challenge. Sadly I have not been able to procure the Huntsman Ales kit to complete the trio. Hence the blog title.
     

     
    The Badger Beer van came as new in an un-opened package courtesy of eBay. Other than Gibson bearings/12mm wheels and Lanarkshire Model Supples GWR  buffers the kit is as supplied.
     

     
    I have added a Microstrip rain strip above the doors and sprayed the roof in Tamiya German grey.
     

     
    The BOCM variant was a different kettle of fish. Essentially a non-runner minus roof and broken details it was obtained from eBay cheaply. 
     
    To mine and our postman's suprise it arrived in a used Heinz Tomato soup tin. The Postie was evidently bemused.
     
    Using a new donor Ratio GWR 12T Van kit I was able to restore the broken detail, missing roof and running gear. 
     
    Thankfully Games Workshop/Citadel paints offer a suitable match for the light blue. 
     

     
    The roof has been finished as per the Badger version.
     
    I am still looking for the Huntsman Ales/Elderidge Pope kit. If you have a spare kit please contact me via PM.
     
    More soon.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
     
    * Was there a Harvey's Sherry version as well?
     
  15. 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 
     
  16. 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 
  17. 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
  18. 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.
     

  19. 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
  20. 46444
    Ninelines sell a number of 009 scale kits including several wagons from the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway.
    I have built a number of these in the past and they are lovely to make. Here's two I've made previously that need a few tweaks to finish off:
     
    L&B Find.... 2-10-15 001 by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
     
    L&B Find.... 2-10-15 002 by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
     
    Recently I've started work on three more. An original L&B bogie open which represents number 12/13 (SR numbers 28301/2) and one of the later 1927 Howard of Bedford built bogie opens with sheet rail ordered by the SR (Numbers 28316-9). Finally one of the bogie vans ordered by the SR from the same manufacturer again in 1927 (Numbers 47042-5)
     
    I've decided to use BEMO stylr couplings on these kits so have cut away the centre section of the buffer beam. In doing so to adjust the ride height I've removed the Ninelines bogie mounts and replaced them with Plasticard. Other than that the kits have been assembled as per Ninelines instructions.
     
    One to say is I've been using the excellent Lynton & Barnstaple Railway. Measured & Drawn by Phillips (2012) and Portrait of the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway by Chris Leigh (1983) for reference.
     
    I'll not go into the builds as such but look at the finishing techniques. Prior to painting the wagons were sprayed with Halfords grey plastic primer.
     
    Them I loaded my airbrush with Tamiya NATO black and applied preshading to raised detail:
     
    FBLR-L&B 11.10.12 002 by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    Once completed Tamiya Hull Red was sprayed on for the SR brown:
     
    FBLR-L&B 11.10.12 008 by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    Tamiya Old Wood was then sprayed inside the open wagons:
     
    They were then sprayed with Valejo satin varnish to even things out a bit
     
    FBLR-L&B 11.10.12 009 by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    Over the weekend the wagons received a diluted wash of Valejo German Grey to pick out panel detail. The open wagons received dry brushing of various grey's and before receiving the German Grey wash.
    The 1927 built open also had the red stripes painted in representing the load markers seen on the prototypes:
     
    FBLR-L&B 11.10.12 012 by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    Then Fox SR freight stock transfers were started to be applied to the wagons.
     
    FBLR-L&B 11.10.12 014 by Mark Branson, on Flickr
     
    One thing I did learn from the Measured & Drawn book was that the original L&B wagon can really only represent 28302 because the ironwork on the body of 28301 was spaced differently. Also the ends of these wagons were also modified so strictly this kit would not represent a late period SR wagon.
     
    A few more decals to add as well as final detailing and all will be done.
     
    Great kits to build and research.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  21. 46444
    Evening
     
    Bit of an update on the Px48 build after spending three days in Cambridge on a course I've had the day off and in between things have managed to make some good progress fitting brass bits I've cut out.
     
    Sorry about the photos-they're quick workbench shots taken with my HTC.
     
    Here's a front view showing the roof profile:
     

    px48 12-12-2013 004 by kettering15b, on Flickr
     
    On the loco I've added some thin brass overlays to the top of the cylinder casings and on the lower half of the firebox as per the prototype. I've also tried to thin the front steps down as well and add chequer plate overlays sourced from the Mainly Trains etch.
     
     

    px48 12-12-2013 006 by kettering15b, on Flickr
     
    Here's a view of the loco and tender together. You'll notice I've cut away the tender cab roof plastic and just used the brass overlay I made to get that thinness to the edges:
     
     

    px48 12-12-2013 007 by kettering15b, on Flickr
     
    The tender needs some new wheels and I'll adjust the ride height slightly to clear the extended cab roof seen below:
     
     

    px48 12-12-2013 009 by kettering15b, on Flickr
     
    Here's a front view of the tender showing my dodgy brass cuttings for the doors and the vent above the door. I've added a shelf to the bottom of the tender cab and made up the coal hole from plasticard.
     
     

    px48 12-12-2013 010 by kettering15b, on Flickr
     
    The next photo shows where I've put the vertical back in the bunker space and added the water tank filler hatch. To do this I had to remove the rear light which will be moved back slightly.
     
     

    px48 12-12-2013 012 by kettering15b, on Flickr
     
    Finally an overview of the rear of the loco:
     
     

    px48 12-12-2013 013 by kettering15b, on Flickr
     
    Essentially the main work has been completed. There's a few other bits to add before I give the model a coat of primer. I'll then add the myriad of pipes and handrails and use some Archers rivet transfers before further priming and application of the red, green and black paint.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  22. 46444
    Evening.
     
    Well the GLR Px48 kits arrived from Shapeways on Monday courtesy of UPS. I'm impressed with the kits and Richard has done a good job of capturing the shape of a Px48 well.
     
    On examination there's a little 'stepping' from the print process on the rear of the tender but generally everything is crisp and forms a blank canvas to add the detail to. There's going to be a lot of it as well.
     
    The kit comes as three parts with the smokebox and running plate forming one of the prints, then the cab and boiler and finally the tender print. The HOe version is designed to fit the Graham Farish 8F chassis and it is a good fit with room to add plenty of weight. The tenders will run on Liliput HOe bogies when they arrive from the 009 Society Members Shop.
     
    The pictures below are a couple of quick shots taken on my mobile this evening with the smokebox and boiler pushed together. Both the locos I'm modelling have a few variations on the Px48 theme so I've started to modify the kits to represent the prototype. On the boiler print there are skirts in front of the firebox either side which I've removed opening this area up a bit more.
     
    Firstly, Px48-1784 pictured in the link below doesn't have recessed handrails on the tender so I've started filling the recess with Revell filler. It has the raves on the bunker sides too.
     
    http://www.tabor.wask.pl/egzemplarz.php?&id=50708
     

     
    The second loco is being modelled as Px48-1919 and has recessed handrails on the tender sides but no raves. Here's the prototype:
     
    http://www.tabor.wask.pl/egzemplarz.php?&id=50754&foto=914#opzdj
     
    On this tender I've cut of the moulded raves on the with a scalpel before sanding to a smooth finish with various files.
     

     
    A close up of the tenders together as well:
     

     
    There's a bit more work to do before giving the kits a coat of Halfords filler primer, then sanding and priming with plastic primer before adding the detail.
     
    More soon.
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  23. 46444
    One project that has sat on the work bench for a while are a couple of the old Airfix/Dapol BR 20T brake van kits I've been been detailing. One of them I decided to back date as an earlier LNER version which I've now completed.
     
    This particular kit had banana shape sole bars so a bit of manipulation was required to try and staighten them. I cut off the concrete end weight mouldings and made new ones up from plastic sheet. The moulded handrails were removed and replaced with brass wire and soldered up where necessary.
     
    I enlarged the windows on the veranda ends and made flush glazing up from a CD case. This has worked well. The ducket windows are made from Glue-n-Glaze.
     
    The kit roof was replaced with one made up from plastic sheet-details added included MJT torpedo vents and some aluminium tubing for the stove chimney.
     
    The running boards were cut shorter and the stays thinned. Wheels are Gibson 3 hole disc ones.
     
    To finish I sprayed the underframe with NATO black and preshaded the roof and body. A mix of Valejo acrylics made up the bauxite and this was all sealed with Klear. Decals are a mixture of HMRS/Fox. Weathering was carried out using a mixture of washes, dry brushing and airbrushing the underfame. This was finished with Tamiya matt varnish.
     
    Finally, Springside lamps were added as well as the cliche Monty's guard leaning over the veranda end.
     

     
    I'm not sure if the LNER version would have had different 'W' irons compared to the kit ones but I'm happy with the finished result.
     
    I've taken a few snaps on 'Juniper Hill' of the brake in the company of Kettering Ivatt 2MT 46444. A farm worker (Monty's) has a brew beside his Ferguson tractor (A weathered Oxford product) oblivious to the goings on behind him.
     

     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  24. 46444
    Afternoon.
     
    A few photos taken this afternoon of bits I've been working on.
     
    Here's the Model Rail Sentinel weathered and completed on my photo plank. Nameplates by the excellent 'Narrow Planet'
     

     
    The wagon behind is a Cambrian kit and builds up very nicely as an internal user.
     

     
    I've all most finished the Hunslet/J94. Needs final weathering and the Hunslet works plate from NP. I'll post some photos when I've finished it.
     
    Here's something totally different. I couldn't resist getting one of the recent Dapol 7mm scale wagon releases, especially as they'd chosen an S&L prototype too.
     
    Out of the box it does look nice-if a little toy like. Anyway, out came the paints and airbrush and this is where I'm at. It needs some underframe dirt misting on to the chassis and a bit of detail weathering added and should be finished soon. Again I'll post a few pics when it's done. Not sure whether to do it as an internal user too with a few black patches and number on the side?
     

     
    Out of interest what is the three link coupling made from. Tried Carrs nickle silver blackener to no avail. Are they stainless?
     
    This wagon may become part of a long term 7mm scale micro-layout based around the Northamptonshire ironstone industry. Hmmmm! That Ixion Hudswell Clarke does look good.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  25. 46444
    It's been a weird week on the modelling front. From the excitement and adrenaline rush of getting Juniper Hill ready for the Rushden show and then exhibiting come Monday I felt like some modelling . There are bits to do on Juniper Hill and repairs required on the layout and some of the rolling stock but I wanted something quick and easy to do which in my case always turns into a major project.
     
    Here's the link to Juniper Hill:
     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/70516-juniper-hill/page-2&do=findComment&comment=1020664
     
    A mate of mine had an old Lima BR brake van which had been damaged following something heavy landing on it. The veranda on one end had been smashed and he had repaired it in a kind of a fashion. I offered to return it to him repaired and renovated
     
    Looking at it once again I was impressed with the Lima moulding-its finesse compared to other offerings of the time. Yes, there's a few faults in the sense of the underframe detailing, buffer beam hight and the metal panel above the ducket is slightly too large but overall its not a bad model in my eyes anyway. I happened to have an old Airfix BR brake van body so thought I could bodge a cut and shut repair together to fix the broken veranda end..
     
    I found a nice picture on Paul Bartlett's site of an early unfitted example without the four lamp brackets on each corner-just the one inset between the veranda end and ducket like the LNER brake vans. Although the prototype didn't have the metal panels above the duckets it wasn't meant to be an exact replica and I thought it would make a change from the norm.
     
    The photos below show what I've done to this brake van. I've used some spare Dapol 3 hole wheels to replace the Lima ones. Staples have been used for the foot board stays and I've added the missing foot board from modified Plastitruct 'L' section.
     

     
    As you can see the Airfix brake van veranda end has blended in nicely with Revell plastic filler. I've used a mixture of brass and piano wire to replace the moulded or missing handrails but soldering the horizontal handrail to the uprights. The small handrail next to the metal panel below the chimney should be moved across slightly and in hindsight I should have modified the panel to suit.
     

     
    The roof has been detailed with MJT torpedo vents and an aluminium tube chimney. The rain strips are Microstrip positioned with the aid of a jig made from Tamiya masking tape.
     
    Below are shots of the brake following a coat of Halfords plastic primer showing the finesse of the Lima moulding. I'm pleased with the result so far. Hopefully tonight I can get a few coats of Tamiya acrylic on,
     

     

     
    Although this model has many faults it also has some good points including the standard of moulding and I believe it will give a good if not accurate representation of a BR brake. I would imagine that if the metal panels were modifiyed above the ducket and a new underframe added you would get an accurate model. Saying that you'd probably use the Airfix/Dapol kit or just buy a ready to run Bachmann/Hornby RTR offering.
     
    However, there is something satisfying is renovating these old models and bringing them up to date using bits to hand.
     
    Update soon.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
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