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46444

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  1. 46444
    Recently a good friend of mine picked up a fairly decent 'old school' Bachmann split chassis GWR Mogul.
     
    In this instance the Collett cabbed later prototype version.
     

     
    I said I would give it a service and make good any problem areas. 
     
    Initially the model came in unlined economy BR green. Something 7327 carried in later life. The Bachmann green was a bit flat. I decided I would give it a makeover for him. 
     
    I carefully removed the moulded on cabside numberplates as well as the smokebox numberplate. A new door strap was made up from Microstrip. 
     
    The chimney was lopped off with the trusty Xuron's and the base made good. An Alan Gibson turned brass replacement was fitted having been sprayed with Halfords grey primer and satin black.
     
    The smokebox was sprayed in with Tamiya matt black and the boiler, cab sides and tender received a coat of roughly applied Precision BR Green. This certainly lifted the patina.
     
    Dapol spares available from Peter's Spares came up trumps with new sprung buffers, lamp irons and vacuum pipes. 
     

     

     
    Wheel sides have been inked in with a black Sharpie. Valve gear with a silver Sharpie.
     
    Steve at Railtec made me up a set of excellent 3D printed transfers for the cabside, smokebox numberplate and the shedcode plate for 81E Didcot.  A brilliant service and product if you have never tried it. Well recommended.
     

     
    What started off as a reasonably running loco developed the wobbles from a chassis failure. Examining the wheelsets showed the dreaded split axles.
     
    Thankfully, Peter's Spares produce replacement axles and gear for these split chassis Bachmann models. 
     
    The parts arrived speedily once more from Peter's Spares and in a matter of no time using a OO Scale back 2 back gauge I had a sweet running chassis in both directions. As new...
     

     
    I have started lining the loco and tender out with Fox Transfers lining. I have sealed this with Johnson's Kleer as I have gone along. 
     

     
    Now my question is does anyone have a decent picture of the cabside lining on these Collett cabbed variants?
     
    The horizontal upper lining start point is easy beneath the handrail but the separate vertical handrail throws out where I think the lining should go.
     

     
    If anyone can help please get in touch.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark 
     
     
  2. 46444
    Richard of a Far North Line fame on here recently detailed a number of GBL static Black 5 models.
     
    I must say I was inspired to have a go myself at a quick project. It's not all beer and Ivatt 2MTs on the 46444 workbench. 
     

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

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

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

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

     
    The ride hight was modified and bogies refitted. It now runs superbly. Another model that deserves revisiting. 
     
    More on those Ivatt's soon.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark 
     
     
  3. 46444
    Here's a couple of shots of the completed Lima BR brake van from my previous blog entry seen at the buffer stops on Juniper Hill.
     
    The brake was finished and weathered with Tamiya acrylics. Again the pre-shading technique was used. Decals are Fox or HMRS and the bodywork was given a coat of Kleer. As you can see I've replaced the huge Lima tension lock coupling with a Parkside NEM coupling pocket and Bachmann coupling.
     
    The veranda glazing is made from microscope slide glass. The door and window moulding being nice and thin enabling the glass to be glued from behind.
     

     
    Here's another shot of the brake next to another project I've nearly completed, this time being the old Airfix/Dapol brake van I've converted to an LNER version. Finished as per the Lima version-just awaiting decals and a coat of Kleer.
     

     
    I'm pleased with this brake van once again showing older models can be brought up to modern standards. The brake will be going back to its owner soon,
     
    I'll post some more photos on my layout thread for Juniper Hill later along with an update on what's been going on with the layout.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  4. 46444
    My new Hornby LMS brake van in BR guise appeared in a previous blog entry.
     

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

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

     
    A nice little project which certainly enhances an excellent model. 
     
    Cheers, 
     
    Mark 
  5. 46444
    Another Dapol build from a 12T BR van body mated to a Parkside BR chassis. Buffers from LMS once more. It is awaiting its transfers from CCT once more.
     
    It is shown with a previously built Dapol brake van modified to represent an LNER version. 
     

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

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

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

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

     
    Finally a visit from Captain Birdseye... 
     

     
    More soon including a resurrected  Sentinel and some Fruit D's... 
     
    Cheers, 
     
    Mark 
     
  6. 46444

    1950's Darlington Delights

    By 46444,

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

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

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

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

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

  7. 46444
    The recent introduction of the Halling Zillertalbahn VT1 railcar has been well received by modellers of this iconic Austrian railway which runs between Jenbach-Mayrhofen and I brought one from Winco recently.
     
    The prototype came from the SLB in 2013 and is on long term loan to the Zillertalbahn. Here's some photos of it being delivered (Scroll down):
     
    http://www.alpenbahnen.net/html/zillertalbahn.html
     
    The model itself is made in Austria and is crisply moulded. Those familiar with Vi-Trains locomotives will be accustomed to the number of detailing sprues that the owner is expected to fit however drilling out the holes makes fitting the parts really easy and the instructions are self explanatory.
     

     
    One thing that did disappoint with the model was the mat finish. Zillertalbahn stock is generally clean so I thought this needed rectifying. Dismantling the railcar is easy-four screws underneath and away comes the bodyshell which was given a couple of spray coats of Humbrol Clear-then a brushed coat followed by another light spray coat. Windows weren't masked.
     
    Once everything was dry I started to add the detail parts. Working from the pictures in the link above it would appear that VT1 has a whistle instead of a horn on the left side so a spare shock absorbers were modified and painted and fixed to either end.
     

     
    Dry brushing of the underframes, bogie sides and couplers was carried out with acrylics. The windows were then given a coat of Clear as well to make them crisper.
     

     
    Finally some roof grot was added around the exhaust and the two side vents received a wash as well to define the detail.
     

     
    The model runs superbly and really does look the part. I just need to get on with the layout in the next few months.
     
    The next step is detailing two Liliput Zillertalbahn Gmeinder B-B locomotives.
     

     
    The prototypes were delivered in 2004/2007 and numbered D13-D16. They are nicknamed 'Lupos' (Wolves). D15/D16 both carry advertising liveries as shown in this model of D16. the plan with these is to add pipework, ploughs and weather the roofs. Again the locos themselves are generally clean.
     
    Update soon.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  8. 46444
    Well it's been a while since I posted on here,
     
    Real life has certainly had a profound effect on my modelling escapades of late.
     
    However, in between things a good friend of mine has taken up 7mm modelling. As a gesture of kindness I thought I'd paint a few Monty's 7mm figures for him.
     
    Here's the finished result:
     
    Loco crew and guard 11-14 001 by kettering15b, on Flickr
     
    Finished with Vallejo/Revell acryllics. I built up layers using washes to obtain the effects on the figures. Monty's/Dart figures are a pleasure to work with as always, though the size differential is noticeable!
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  9. 46444
    Bit of an update on the Coble front I've made from the Zvedza 'Medieval Boat' kit. It was given a coat of Halfords grey primer and then dry brushed with Valejo German grey, On top of this it has received a coat of Valejo dark earth. More dry brushing to complete as well as name and registration lettering for a Scarborough registered boat. I'm told fishing boats in the 1950's carried registration details painted on their hull's.
     

     
     

     
    Around the Coble can be seen a number of mysterious buildings made from Wills kits. Also some Monty's figures can be seen and a few donkeys!
     
     

     
     

     
    Finally, two PECO L&BR coaches have had their roofs modified with the removal of the gas light fittings and vents to be replaced with MJT torpedo vents. These in due course will be repainted in the colours of the FBLR *.
     

     
    More updates soon.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
     
    A prototype photo for painting the Monty's donkeys as well!
     

     
     
     
     
     
     
    * Filey Bay Light Railway
  10. 46444
    It's been ages since I last posted and truth be known my modelling motivation isn't brilliant at the moment.
     
    Before I go into full on Leonard Cohen mode I'll write about a few positive bits that have sprung from the work bench of late.
     
    One of my modelling interests is the Kettering-Cambridge line which is fascinating. Although a very rural line and one which closed to passenger traffic in 1958 the western end of the line was deep in Northamptonshire iron stone quarrying country. Pits around Cranford/Twywell where worked into the early 1970's. Now the A14 has tarmaced over large areas of the old line though Cranford and Twywell stations exist as private dwellings.
     
    The main motive power in later years where the trusty Ivatt 2MT's from Kettering and Cambridge (46444 was a regular Kettering loco used on the line), although a few Standard 2MT 2-6-0's, and the odd J15 also appeared. Kettering also had 8F's and 3F's allocated to it which would also be seen on the line too.
     
    Rarer motive power included 'Jubilee' Rooke on a iron stone train in later years and also according to one of my references the 'Blue Pullman' was tested on the line as well.
     
    Oh well! Enough rambling!
     
    Here's a few photos of some Iron Ore tipplers/hoppers and 16T mineral wagons that I've refinished and weathered. All are Bachmann products.
     
    I've used a variety of paints to achieve the weathered effects-mainly Tamiya, with some Humbrol Metalcote gun metal and a few Valejo shades. A bit of dry brushing as well.
     
    Transfers are either from Fox or some excellent ones from Cambridge Custom Transfers.
     
    The wagons are finished with Valejo matt varnish to seal and bring everything together.
     
    First up are some 27T Iron Stone tippler wagons.
     

     
    Here's a gratuitous shot of my superb Model Rail Sentinel. Please excuse the Bachmann decoder poking out of the cab window. The loco is on lone to a mate and he's running it on DCC.
     

     
    That really needs to be finished like this one day:
     
    http://www.flickr.co...N05/3118325693/
     
    Then some 24T hoppers.
     

     
    Finally, a couple of 16T mineral wagons as well.
     

     

     
    The pictures where shot on my phone's camera on a mate's layout.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  11. 46444
    The Oxford N7 in my eyes is something of a bargain and Oxford have captured the look of these distinctive engines nicely.
     
    It is representative of the N7/4 sub-class I believe so is only suitable for a small number of members of the class.
     
    I wanted to model a Cambridge 31A example and discovered a number were allocated there in the mid-1950`s. Choosing an identity was made easier by finding a snap of 69620 at Cambridge Station in 1957.
     

     
    One of the problems identified with the Oxford model was how much the couplings protruded. To solve this I cut back the existing NEM pockets. Then by using a modified Bachmann coupler I was able to glue these in place. 
     
    31A of this parish also kindly highlighted that there should only be a reversing lever on the driver's right side so the one underneath the boiler on the left was gently cut off with a sharp scalpel.
     
    Wheel rims were inked in with a Sharpie black indelible pen as were the silver painted window frames and cab door beading. The whistle and safety valves were also touched in with Vallejo black acrylic.
     
    Following on from this the coupling rods were lightly distressed with a fibreglass burnishing pen then had a number of washes of a combination of German Grey and Dark Rust. 
     
    Buffers were also given the fibreglass pen treatment then brushed with Birchwood Casey Aluminium Black which was cleaned off with a cotton bud. Vacuum pipes were painted in with Vallejo white then red for the buffer beam area. 

     
    The cab roof and running plate were sprayed with Vallejo German Grey. The smokebox door had the printed numberplate/shedcode plate removed with T-Cut. Also the undernourished smokebox door handle was replaced with a brass Eileen's Emporium example sprayed with Hycote grey primer and satin black.
     
    The smokebox was sprayed with German Grey having masked the boiler off with Tamiya masking tape. 
     
    The existing bunkerside loco numbers were also removed with T-Cut. A piece of Tamiya masking tape acted as a straight edge to renumber to 69620 using Fox Transfers. These were sealed with a light a light dusting of Johnson Floor Polish. The loco received several brush applied coats of the same product to lift the finish. 
     
     

     
    The bunker received a load of real coal glued in with a PVA/Water mixture. 
     
    New smokebox numberplate from the excellent Pacific Models. The 31A shedcode plate was from Fox also. 
     

     
    Weathering wise a dusting of Vallejo home brewed track colour on the wheels and lower body. On the top of the smokebox/boiler a few passes of Vallejo black/German grey. 
     
    Other than crew and lamps all done. A nice project worth completing and in my eyes lifts this lovely model. 
     
    Cheers, 
     
    Mark 
     
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. 46444
    And now for something completely different....
     
    When I went to Plymouth in the early 1990's to study believe it or not one of the things I can always remember are the Western National and Plymouth Citybus buses. Coming from the land of United Counties the mix of colours and different designs always stood out. Even after a night on the Barbican down at a club called the Salling School which was affectionately known as the 'GX'.*
     
    At the time I was in my early 20's and owned a white 2CV # which was my pride and joy. During one of my placements I was driving between Freedom Fields and North Prospect and managed to right it off sadly so ended up having to use the bus to get around North Prospect, Stoke, Stonehouse and Devonport.
     
    At the time Western National were under the auspices of the Badger Line and I can always remember their Plaxton Beavers and the more modern looking Pointers. The red, white and blue livery with the Badger logo always stood out and to this day remains my favourite bus livery. Here's a photo of a preserved example looking resplendent on the Kingsbridge bus rally:
     
    https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3927/15168403558_c80b8dea24_b.jpg
     
    Hard to believe its preserved but I guess its 20 years ago since this example started in service and I'm getting old!
     
    Now as it happens I have a number of EFE Western National buses from this period along with the odd Citybus example and whilst looking on eBay came across a sorry looking Western National Beaver that looked as if it had been around Charles Cross too many times. It had severe paint chipping around the destination screen roof as well as other places and the wheels looked like they were hanging off. I kind of felt sorry for it and bid 99p for it and won it. Postage was more that the model!
     
    I should have taken a picture before I started but basically other than the above mentioned problems there was a mark in the roof paint work. This was removed with T-Cut and polished up nicely. The fixing points were drilled out underneath and the model broken down into its component parts. Thankfully, the decoration was not damaged.
     
    The red area around the destination screen was carefully cleaned up with wet and dry as well as well a fibre glass brush. Once this was complete I used Tamiya masking tape to mask the red area off. Then the the remaining areas were covered in blue decorating tape.
     

     
    First of all I sprayed the area with Valejo white as an undercoat before spraying the red using Valejo paint once more. On unmasking there was no strike through so the whole body was given a coat of Valejo satin to blend things together.
     

     
    The offside wheels were repaired and the tyres glued into position with CA, The wheels and other blue parts of the body requiring attention received touching in with Valejo dark Prussian blue
     

     
    The interior moulding has been sprayed with Halfords grey primer and will be detail painted. A driver and a couple of passengers will be added. I'll add mirrors and make good the reaming paintwork and in doing so it should be a suitable model bus for a layout as opposed to a glossy, out of the box shelf queen.
     
    I'm pleased with how things have gone with this project and feel it's been saved from an uncertain future. The building masquerading as Western National's Laira Bridge depot before they moved to Chelson Meadow is the excellent free warehouse kit from Scalescenes.
     
    More soon.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
     
    * Groin Exchange
     
    # I owned a further two 2CV's before selling my last one to two spinsters from Bodmin...
  17. 46444
    Following on my my previous entry about detailing these Dapol/Airfix Stanier coaches here they are near enough completed. Both are running on Romford 14mm wheels I had to hand.
     
    First up is the D1905 Brake 3rd which has come out the better of the two.
     

     
    I've added flush glazing to the rear windows and new rear hand rails. The corridor connection board is a spare from a Hornby Stanier coach. The non-brake end has received separate water tank filler pipes although I've kept the moulded pipes on the roof however.
     

    Here's a couple of detail shots of the guards compartment showing where I've added flush glazing. Three of the windows are frosted with Tamiya Japanese Navy grey from behind. The bar across the toilet window was sprayed on with Valejo Beige following masking and priming.
     

     
    The bars on the windows are either Roxey SR PMV/CCT etched window bars positioned vertically or soldered up from scrap etch and wire for the horizontal door bars.
     

     
    Decals are HMRS Pressfix with a few of the remaining excellent Woodhead Decals I have left.
     
    Here's D1925 Composite completed as well.
     

     
    Detailing as before.
     

     
    LMS coach experts will notice I've got the dynamo on the wrong end but I will rectify this next time I put an order into Comet Models.
     

     
    I've had real problems trying to get the glazing to fit in this coach. You could go down the Flush Glaze route but I'll probably revisit this pair when some Lazerglaze is available for these coaches. With the glazing as supplied it is very cloudy. I did use a one of those multisided nail files to bring the plastic up to a shine followed by a coat of Klear. It's an improvement but is no way perfect. It's a shame Dapol don't look at the glazing side of these kits and provide a new clear plastic insert that actually fits.
     
    Weathering wise the roofs of this pair received a dry brush with Valejo German Grey followed by a spray over over Tamiya NATO black and matt varnish to seal. The sides received a mucky wash which was wiped away when almost dry. Underframes/bogies received a light covering of my home brew underframe dirt with some dry brushing to the bogies.
     
    They need the couplings reaplying but I will use wire to couple them together and they will run with an Hornby Brake 3rd/All 3rd which will look good behind an Ivatt 2MT at normal viewing distance. Other than that I need to reaply some crimson paint to the vents above the doors as this was removed accidently when I masked the roofs off.
     
    They've not scrubbed up too badly but I guess there are errors and compromises in using the Dapol kits. I do need to do a D1925 in maroon at some point. Do I go down this route or buy a pair of Comet etched sides and overcome the glazing conundrum? I'd like to thank Coachman for firstly his help and secondly for providing the inspiration in his coach building thread. Here's Larry's take on a D1905/1925
     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/26504-br-lms-gwr-lner-lnwr-mr-coaches/page-7
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  18. 46444
    As some of you may be aware a mate of mine was given a box of tat-namely old 1970's/80's Hornby and Lima stuff. One of the locos was a badly repainted Hornby Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0. Now I'm fully aware of the misproportions of this model and it can never be compared to the current Bachmann RTR offering or the Comet kit but I thought using some bits and pieces I had to hand a few cosmetic adjustments could improve the look of this loco.
     
    Also I have a real soft spot for these little Moguls and the BR version. A trip to the GCR at a Loughborough now provides 46521,78018 and 78019.
     
    Working from pictures and one of my Bachmann models details were added as can be seen using Microstrip and scrap bit of brass etc. Moulded handrails were replaced-missing ones added. Excess plastic was removed from the tender chassis to represent a resemblance of an Ivatt 2MT chassis. A Parkside NEM coupling block was fitted along with a Bachmann coupling.
     
    Additional weight has been added to the tender and the loco itself using alloy wheel self adhesive wheel balance weights.
     
    The front pony truck wheels were replaced with a Romford set I had to hand. The tender wheels are Hornby spoked wagon wheels out the spares box. These will need spraying. Comet buffers were fitted and Comet water filters were added to the tender. I have some Comet steps to add to the front of the loco and the tender.
     
    Sadly, Comet couldn't come up with a spare chimney so I'm in need of a replacement chimney. I see 247 Developments do an Ivatt 2MT chimney which may be suitable (Are there any other suppliers of Ivatt chimneys?)
     
    Here's a few photos I took this morning on a mate's layout hauling a brake van special (See earlier post-not finished yet!)
     

     

     

     
    Once I've obtained a replacement chimney I'm planning on spraying the loco in plain black with late crest as 46466-a Cambridge shedded Ivatt.
     
    Finescale modelling it is not but I have learnt from this quick project. It's also been enjoyable and the loco will quite happily run around a layout. Slow speed shunting is out though!
     
    Next installment soon.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  19. 46444

    Juniper Hill

    By 46444,

    As some of you may be aware Juniper Hill lays of the A43 south of Brackley-unfortunately this entry has no relevance to this Oxfordshire village. I drive down the A43 to Oxford on a regular basis and pass the sign for Juniper Hill and am always enchanted by the name. Infact I've decided to call my latest project after the village although it's not set in Oxfordshire.
     
    Infact it is set no where in particular and could almost be generic. Ideas have centred around ironstone quarrying in Northamptonshire with the Cranford area providing inspiration. This would not only allow me to run my Kettering sheded locos but also run an industrial line in the mould of Thomas E Gray of 'Isebrook' Sentinel fame based around Burton Latimer. Other ideas have included sand and gravel extraction around Cambridgshire so as to run an Class 03 and even a BR Sentinel too!
     
    I happened to have a 3ft x 1ft board going spare from an unfinished project and decided to mock up some images to get a feel for Juniper Hill. Here are the photos taken on my mobile including an aerial shot illustrating the track plan.
     

     
    This shot show's the simple track plan. The line will enter from the right on the top line from a fiddleyard.
     

     
    Here's a panoramic shot giving a feel for what I want to achieve. The buildings are courtesy of Wills-and have been modified slighty. They have been finished with Tamiya/Vallejo acrylics. The Corgi Ruston Bucyrus RB19 was subject of a previous post. The recently released Oxford Bedford OWB will become a contractors bus and will be resprayed.
     

     

     

     

     
    Figures are from Dapol finished with Valejo acrylics. Really lovely figures and good value too!
     

     
    Here's the state of play this evening. I've encased the board with plywood/hardboard I had had previously cut. Lighting will be provided by a slot in gantry and a flourescent light. I also managed to paint the baseboard with brown emulsion and give the backscene a coat of wood primer this evening. Tomorrow I will refresh this prior to giving the backscenes a coat of greyish white. I've given the ply a coat of yacht varnish to see what it looks like. I polished the wood with fine grade sandpaper prior to applying the varnish. Not sure what people think? Opinions welcome.
     
    Trackwork will be some ancient SMP Code 75 track with Peco Code 75 points.
     
    Track laying and wiring up next. Update soon.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
     
    Bit of an update on the lighting that I've achieved today. I've made the lighting gantry and used a fish tank 'Daylight' flourescent tube I had to hand which looks ok.
     
    The backscene has received another couple of coats of lightish grey and the fascia has received another coat of yacht varnish. Since the photo was taken I've filled in the gap between the two up rights to make the top pelmet flush with the sides.
     

     
    Track laying and fiddle yard next.
  20. 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
  21. 46444
    With the weather being good here yesterday I was able to fire up the airbrush in the workshop so work on the Manor has progressed nicely.
     
    One thing I did want to make sure was I got the chimney on straight because originally when I fitted it there was a distinct 'wonk' on! In order to combat this I used a 4.5mm HSS drill bit and turned it with my fingers to enlarge the existing hole. The size was determined by the piece if plastic tube I had to hand which would fit inside the DMR chimney. Thankfully this made fitting of the replacement chimney with Superglue easy. A clean up with a glass fibre burnishing pen finished the process nicely. The photo below shows this clearly and made a good solid vertical fit. Phew!:
     

     
    I've removed the plastic Bachmann lamp bracket from the smokebox door and made a replacement from a bent up staple. Working from the photograph of 7818 on an earlier post I've also added the two pips either side if the safety valve and a pipe that runs from the cab next to the reverser housing down on to the running plate and goodness knows where after that?!
     
    The boiler was then masked off and the smokebox sprayed with Valejo Black acrylic avoiding the previously painted copper cap on the chimney.
     

     
    Then I masked off the smokebox and sprayed Phoenix GWR green over the boiler. handrails, touched in other areas around the cab and on the tender avoiding the GWR transfers.
     

     
    Here's a close up shot of the chimney insitu and the paintwork as described above. This will receive a coat of Valejo satin varnish before being lightly weathered.
     

     
    Also in the above photo you'll see the brass safety valve cover has been filed down to give a finer lip. This has then been refinished with a mix of Games Workshop Burnished/Shining Gold seen below. Also the David Geen cab screw reverser housing has been cut down to fit the cab as per prototype and will be fitted once the glazing is put back in.
     

     
    Jobs to do include making up some brake gear linkages, seats for the cab, sort out the water filler lid in the open positioning and some detail painting. Then name/number plates can go back on before finishing.
     
    I'm pleased with how this project has gone so far. It's been good to revisit some modelling from 5 years ago and see how I've developed as a modeller by enhancing the previous work and also creating a better model of a class that certainly deserves a more up to date model to the standards of the DJM/Hattons King!
  22. 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
  23. 46444
    Blimey! It's been a while since the last entry.
     
    Woodwork and electrics have taken over recently and modelling has been put to the side. Last night I thought I'd actually try to finish off the three Ninelines L&B wagons I have sat on the workbench.
     
    Thanks to Jaymz he was able to help me clarify the positioning of the lettering on the brake van. Also the purchase of a second hand copy of Chris Leigh's book on the L&B recently and a loan copy of the Prideaux et al book helped to speed things up considerably.
     
    This is where we stand at the moment.
     
    Here's the brake van which needs its windows putting in.
     

     
    The bogie van:
     

     
    The bogie open:
     

     
    Decals are by Fox/HMRS.
     
    I also need to complete the weathering and add the vacuum pipes then they are finished.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  24. 46444
    As some of you may know my main interest in railway modelling is the Kettering-Cambridge line. This interesting line ran for 32 miles and was known as the Varsity Line. In later years the main motive power from the Midland/Eastern Regions was the Ivatt 2MT Mogul and its BR Standard version from Kettering and Cambridge sheds respectively. Nevertheless old timers did make an appearance with Kettering providing Midland 2F's and Cambridge the GER J15.
     
    If you want to model a J15 in 4mm scale there are three options. Either the Alan Gibson etched kit, the Nu-Cast white metal version or scratch build one. About 5 years ago I embarked on building a J15 from the second option having never built a white metal kit in my life. I did use some Alan Gibson parts such as the chimney and boiler backhead which were superior to the Nu-Cast parts however.
     
    Of course not being too familiar with soldering at the time I went for the not recommended 'Super-Glue' method of construction.
     
    Having come from aircraft modelling I was used to kits that almost fall together. Boy was I in for a shock. I fettled and filed lumps of metal to make something that resembled a J15. With this kit which I believe has it's origins with Stephen Poole I came across two major problems.
     
    Firstly, I could never get the horizontal join line on the boiler flush even using copius amounts of filler. Secondly, my attempt at construcing a Comet gearbox was laughable and everything was seized. Needless to say this kit has languished in a box ever since.
     
    Recently, Ivatt46403 rekindled the interest in J15's following his thread on the Buckden Station and I thought I might see what could do to it cosmetically before Bachmann bring out their RTR version in 2015 (So said the tea leaves).
     
    When I built the kit I scratch built a cab from plasticard and here's the finished result also showing the Gibson backhead cut off to allow room for the Mashima motor. I have a set of etched wheels from Mainly Trains which will do for the screw reverser.
     

     
    The wonk is due to the body not being fixed to the chassis.
     
    Bodywork wise, the troublesome line where the boiler halves mated up was treated to more filler and and cleaning up with a glass fibre pen. It's still not perfect but without taking off the handrails it will have to do. Other areas to receive attention were the cab and tender sides which were pitted badly. I used Halfords primer filler followed by grey primer as a base coat. Halfords satin black was then sprayed on the loco and tender though I had masked off the cab and buffer beams following a coat of white primer.
     

     
    I treated the smokebox, bunker and cab roof to a coat of Tamiya NATO black followed by spraying the loco and tender with Valejo black. A coat of Johnsons Klear then gave a suitable gloss finish to apply the Fox decals.
     

     
    Working from protoype photos I decided to model 65390 which was a regular on the Kettering-Cambridge route.
     
    All of this work has brought the loco to life. It is in no way perfect by all means but does capture the beauty of these engines. I couldn't resist hanging a tarpaulian over the rail on the tender as so often photographed.
     

     
    Prior to this work I took the loco to Railex at Aylesbury and spoke to the chap from High Level. I showed him the J15 and he recommeded a SlimLiner+ gearbox. Any thoughts?
     

     
    Other than the gearbox, a new set off buffers and brake shoes from Gibson may result in a J15 that works! Well thats what I'm telling myself.
     
    It would be good to see this loco running as it's one of my favourite classes of engine.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  25. 46444
    Evening,
     
    Here's a few bits I've been up of late-namely a brake van marathon!
     
    Here's the first one-a Parkside LMS brake finished with Valejo acrylics. I tried the pre-shading effect on this model as well as the Stanier Reverse Brake and the Cambrian SR Brake shown below following on techniques aquired from my aircraft modelling days. This technique has recently appeared in the latest version of Model Rail. Next to it is a Cooper Craft GWR cattle wagon finished in BR colours that appears in an earlier entry. The GWR version is also completed.
     

     
    Here's the Stanier Reverse Brake which Alex (Wiggoforgold) gave me the idea for as he had already done a conversion. It's basically an Hornby model with modified veranders, wire handrails and NEM couplings added. It's not a true representation as the ends should be planked and the arch filled in below the roof but I can live with that!
     

     
    The Cambrian 25t SR Brake was originally built in Plymouth Freedom Fields Hospital Nurses Home in 1993 whilst doing my training. It was originally handpainted and had plastic strip handrails. It had been given to a good friend of mine who is a BR (SR) enthusiast and was returned to me in a poor state for renovation. This consisted of replacing the handrails, using staples for the foot board stays and lamp irons as well as the preshading and respray. As with all the above models they were finished with HMRS Pressfix decals and some MIG weathering powders.
     

     
    Also, her's my namesake hard at work on Brian's layout on a Kettering to Cambridge train in the mid-50's.
     

     
    Thanks,
     
    Mark
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