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46444

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  1. 46444
    Last year in the August edition of Hornby Magazine Phil Parker converted an Hornby Lancashire and Yorkshire 'Pug' into a resemblance of a Manning Wardle 'H' Class. I thought this would be a nice little conversion to undertake that I could use on my layout Juniper Hill based on a Northamptonshire ironstone line. It could also be used on my proposed Teign Valley project as well.
     
    Here's the link to Phil's website with plans and pictures of his completed model:
     
    http://pagenumberone.co.uk/downloads/H%20Class.pdf
     
    I've been meaning to start this conversion for a while and actually saw Phil's 'H' guesting on Chris Nevard's Polbrook Gurney at Railex in Aylesbury earlier this year and was really impressed with his version. Obviously there are many faults with this build by using the 'Pug'. Mainly the lack of spoked wheels and the covered valve gear. What I want to achieve is something that represents an 'H' and is a quick project.
     
    Today I made a start on this conversion. Here's the fruits of my labours. I've got the main sub assemblies together.
     

     
    The 'Pug' saddle tank was removed with a razor saw and the footplate cleaned up. I've added some Manning Wardle buffers from the excellent RT Models range and modified the rear of the buffer beams and cab foot steps to better represent the prototype.
     

     
    The cab, saddle tank and smoke box are made up from various sizes of Plasticard. The water filler and chimney are also from RT Models and are beautifully crisp castings. These along with the buffers have been blackened with Birchwood Casey gun blue. The spectacle plates are from the same source.
     

     
    The cab obviously is not glued together and is held in place with Blu-tac.
     

     
    The smoke box door was made up from two discs cut out using a Compass Cutter.
     

    As you can see the saddle tank is resting on two wheel balance weights. I think the height is about right but would value your opinion. Once this is confirmed I'll make up the boiler under the saddle tank and add leaf springs to the foot plate. Then it's a case of making up the roof, sand boxes and adding the handrails and other detail.
     
    I'm going to get Steve from Narrow Planet to make up a set of Manning Wardle works plates and a pair of nameplates for this model.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  2. 46444

    LMS post war wagons

    By 46444,

    I've started working on a few wagons for my proposed Teign Valley project. These two LMS wagons were ones I had to hand and have tried to represent them in a post war condition.
     
    First up is an unpainted D1927 medium goods wagon that I've just found out having applied the numbers last night was in fact a D2101 built in 1945 and rated at 13T. This is a standard Ratio kit finished with Tamiya/Valejo acrylics and HMRS decals.
     

     
    Next up is a D1892 unfitted wagon finished in bauxite with a few replacement planks represented. Once again this is finished as above. This is the excellent Airfix body mated to a Ratio RCH 10ft WB chassis.
     

     
    A few shots of Newton Abbot's 9717 shunting in the yard. I need to finish off the weathering on this 8750 and will do once I've started weathering a few other items sat on the bench.
     
    Next instalment will have a GWR theme
     

     

     
    I think I may get away with the Ferguson tractor (Weathered Oxford Diecast) as they were built from 1946-so just fits in the period. I stand to be corrected though!
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  3. 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
  4. 46444
    Recently Oxford Diecast introduced a range of traction engines in their OO gauge range of vehicles. The Fowler steam roller called 'Lord Jellicoe' caught my eye. I thought it would make a nice change on my proposed Teign Valley quarry based layout set in the late 1940's.
     
    Here we see John Luscombe of 'Luscombe Contractors Kingsteignton' making his way up the Teign Valley towards Ashton for a spot of road repairs. He's pulled over and talking to the fireman on GWR Pannier 9717 shunting wagons at the nearby quarry close to Trusham.
     

     
    As it comes the model is in full gloss finish and portrayed as an example seen at the Blandford Steam Fair I do believe? Not knowing a great deal about traction engines I might have to wing this a bit .
     
    Anyhow, I used my usual trusty weathering techniques which involved a coat of Johnson's Klear as a base coat followed by dry brushing and washes of Vallejo acryilics. Coal was placed in the bunker and John Luscombe is one of the excellent Monty's figures. I resprayed the canopy and finished this with Tamiya colours. A further coat of Klear followed by some Tamiya matt varnish airbrushed on sealed everything together.
     

     
    The plan is to scratch build a caravan for the Fowler to tow so I'm looking at prototypes.
     

     
    As for 9717 she's nearly finished so watch this space.
     
    The Fowler steam roller has been a nice little project and something unusual as well-for me anyway.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  5. 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
  6. 46444
    Recently on my blog entries and also on my layout thread for Juniper Hill a number of folk have asked about a technique I use call preshading which has its origins in military/aircraft modelling. I used to model aircraft so was familiar the process. The idea is that preshading gives a faded effect to the centre of panels whilst the panel lines appear to have collected dirt etc.
     
    Below is a photograph of the Tamiya acrylic paints I've used thinned with car windscreen washer fluid
     

     
    I've had a LIMA LMS 42ft parcels van that I detailed a while back but it never ran well. I've changed the bogies to MJT compensated ones and used the Bachmann bogie sides. The roof was treated to a coat of Halfords grey plastic primer.
     

     
     
    Then I loaded up my airbrush and sprayed Tamiya NATO black around the ribbing, panel lines and vents as per the photo below.
     

     
    The next stage involved spraying the Tamiya grey over the roof and as you can see the centre of the panels appear faded and the black paint gives some representation of trapped dirt in the pamel lines.
     
    Here's the roof fitted back on the parcels van.
     

     
    Once all is dry I like to spray a coat of Johnsons Klear over the roof to lift the matt finish of the acrylics. This then leaves a suitable canvas to add washes and further weathering once dry.

     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  7. 46444
    One of those projects I've had sat on the workbench for a while were a couple of those Dapol Stanier coach kits which I wanted to detail. The composite offers the missing link in Hornby's range of Stanier coaches. I'm no expert on LMS coaches but hopefully these modification will bring these 1970's models up to date.
     
    I think I'm right in saying that Airfix/Dapol got the battery box on the wrong side of the Brake 3rd so I modified this as per one of Coachman's threads on modifying/using the Dapol kits. On the Composite I replaced the moulding with a Comet white metal casting. Comet also supplied the brake cylinders, dynamos, cross bracing and regulators. Hopefully everything is stuck where it should be? Using these components is a vast improvement and brings the underframe to life. Buffers are also from Comet. The underframes and bogies have been painted using Halfords grey primer and Satin black.
     

     
    Moving on to the bodyshells I used Valejo biege which believe it or not is an exact match for the Dapol 'Cream' to paint in the window ledges, The printed numbers were removed using a glass fibre pen and I need to gently blow over these areas with some Railmatch Crimson, The sides have received a coat of brush applied Johnsons Klear to add some lustreto the finish.. I've also applied the grey panels on the luggage compartment doors on the brake using Tamiya acrylic paint. Flush windows have been made up for the rear of the brake and I'm replacing the toilet windows too with new ones. I think Airfix/Dapol have got too many frosted windows on the brake.
     

     
    On the ends of the coaches I've removed the moulded handrails/water fillers and made replacements up with wire and short handrail knobs. These will go on once everything is back together again. I also masked off the ends and gave them a coat of Halfords grey primer and satin black.
     
    Roof wise the kits plastic vents were replaced with MJT shell vents and the moulded water filler pipes were cut off the composite, whilst for ease the ones on the brake were left. Following a coat of primer I preshaded the roof with Tamiya Nato black before spraying over a Tamiya medium grey. This has worked well but I need to add further washes/dry brush areas on the roof to add definition.
     

     
    Thats where we are at present. Once the windows are finished its a case of adding the window bars in the luggage compartment of the brake, adding numbers and weathering them both.
     
    Does anyone know of the number series of these coaches? I believe the Brake Third is a D1905 but I'm not sure about the Composite.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  8. 46444
    Bit an update on the progress of my model of Newton Abbot's 9717.
     
    Following on from a discussion in the last entry regarding the position of the sandbox filler lids on the Bachmann Pannier here's the real thing on the South Devon Railway's L92.
     

     
    As we can see on the prototype the lids are actually in line with the front of the smokebox as opposed to the Bachmann model that has them situated closer to the buffer beam.
     
    Here's my model of 9717 progressing nicely showing the sandbox filler lids in relation to the RT Models sand box pull rods.
     

     
    Robert's etches are an exact match for the protoype so in theory the lids need moving backwards on the model version. I did try to see how well they were glued and in this instance I left well alone. They were stuck fast and I thought attempting to move them may course a lot of damage and it's something I can live with.
     
    Finally. a shot taken on JH of 9717. I've added the Fox buffer beam numbers and the HMRS 'blue circles' to the cab sides The Fox numberplates are excellent but I think I may need to revisit fireman's side as the plate doesn't look level.
     

     
    I've decided to fit screw\three links to the stock for myTeign Valley Project so I've a pair of Smiths ones on order. A few other jobs and finish the weathering then 9717 will be almost complete.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  9. 46444
    Yesterday I received two pairs of finely etched 57xx sandbox pull rods from RT Models.
     
    They come complete with instructions. Along with the the two external rods is an internal linkage rod as well. I'm going to omit this on this 9717 and on 5798 too. The instructions supplied are self explanatory and I added the 90 degree bend in the etch at the sandbox filler end. Following a coat of primer I brush painted some Precision GWR green to finish.
     
    Looking at prototype photos of 57xx's it looks as if the bend in the rod goes towards the rear of the wheel arch. In doing so this leaves a gap between the end of the etch and the sandbox filler cap. The colour photos I have in my reference books aren't very clear in this area but it looks as if there's a linkage between the rod and the filler cap. Hopefully, the photo below will make things clearer. Does anyone have any idea how this attaches?
     

     
    Here's a few progress shots of 9717. Still no buffer beam numbers or number plates. I've readjusted the front lamp irons because I'd made a right mess of positioning them and added the handrails above the centre footstep from Gibson handrail knobs and wire. The existing handrails were painted GWR green accept around the front.
     

     
    Vacuum pipes have been replaced with white metal ones and I've added checker plate squares to the top of the buffers
     
    Following on from CK's earlier advice I just need to rectify the front footsteps either side of the smokebox door (See Part 1) then hopefully I can finish of detailing and weathering.
     
    The proposed crew are seen bailing out of the cab. One is an old Airfix/Dapol figure on the firemans side. Not sure about the provenance of the driver though? For GWR crews I would imagine their uniforms wouldn't be as pale as this-perhap darker blue? Though we are talking post war and uniforms faded I guess.
     

     
    The other question to finish is concerning the light positions. For branch freight/mineral train would there be a lamp on the top of the smoke box and one above the left buffer? (This is standing facing the loco head on)
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  10. 46444

    Pannier capers

    By 46444,

    Evening.
     
    A quick update on 9717's progress.
     
    Following on from starting the weathering yesterday I muttered a few words about opening rear cab doors and adding lamp irons etc,
     
    My mind was made up when I re-read PMP's blog for Albion Yard set in the Forest of Dean capturing the works of Ben Ashworth nicely in model form. Other than the rake of Berry Wiggins tank wagons which kind of encapsulates the Forest is the close attention to detail Paul has applied to the ubiquitous Pannier tanks based on the Bachmann model.
     
    Here's the link to the excellent blog and well worth a read through. Brillaint photography and some pictures of the procedure I followed when modifying 9717 this morning.
     
    http://albionyard.wordpress.com/
     
    Here's a photo of the bunker end having been modified with open rear cab doors, lamp irons bent up from staples and the cab roof shutter opened up-replaced by one cut from brass sheet. I also cut the moulded coal away having removed the bunker moulding from the cab . In doing so the green semi-circle (Think this is the hand brake housing) comes with it and needs cleaning up and gluing back into place.
     

     
    I then gently sprayed Precision GWR green to affected areas requiring touching in. This appeared to be a good match for the Bachmann GWR green.
     
    The front end has received the full complement of lamp irons once more bent up from staples and touched in with Tamiya NATO black.
     

     
    Also you'll notice I've given the cab sides a blow over of Precision GWR green to hide the printed number plates ready for the Fox etched replacements and the weight restriction spots.
     
    Next job is to make up the sand box rod pulls working from photographs and add the buffer beam numbers.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
     
    19.43 As an addendum this morning I took a photo of the sandbox pull levers I made up from brass rod filed flat. The picture illustrates one side affixed with genuine GWR Blutac! So I'm led to believe. Not sure whether to go down this route or get the RT Models etched ones. What do you think?
     

     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  11. 46444
    A new blog for a few things Great Western.
     
    My current project Juniper Hill-based around the Northamptonshire ironstone quarries is getting to the point where the number of jobs to do is becoming less but it is by no means finished. It is booked for a few exhibitions so will continue to be part of my layout thread.
     
    Somewhere I wrote about having a few core interests one of them being the delightful Teign Valley Line in GWR times that ran between Heathfield and Exeter and closed to passengers before Beeching came along in the late 1950's.
     
    However it's not passenger traffic that interests me-it's the industry on this picturesque line. There where a number of quarries along the line (There's a theme here ) around Trusham (Teign Valley Granite) and Christow (Scatter Rock) which provided a good source of revenue for the line especially the Trusham Quarry.
     
    I'm planning on building another micro layout based around the Teign Valley Granite (TVG) quarry at Trusham in the near future so this blog will have a few relevant postings. One thing I really hope to achieve is portrying the GWR post war in a warts and all approach. Down the line in Newton Abbot the express trains hauled by Kings and Castles stop or pass by but this is of no interest-a Pannier/Prarie shunting a few wagons at a quarry next to the River Teign captivates me more.
     
    First up is a Bachmann Pannier tank in late GWR livery that I am weathering and modifying to represent Newton Abbot shed's 9717. Robin (gwrrob) kindly provided me with GWR shed allocations for South Devon post war so this will be the first of two Pannier tanks you will see.
     
    The model was an ebay purchase for a good price and is in excellent condition. As you can see from the photos I've started putting on a base coat of weathering using the usual Tamiya/Vallejo acrylics applied by airbrush or dry brushing. I've also applied a coat of Johnsons Kleer as well to give a lustre to the finish.
     

     
    The numbers have been removed from the buffer beams with the aid of a glass fibre pencil and will be replaced by Fox ones hopefully this evening. The number plates are on order from Fox.
     

     
    The title of this entry refers to spots-in this case GWR weight restiction spots. I've a feeling that the GWR gave these Pannier tanks a 'blue' spot later changed to 'yellow' by BR post Nationalisation. Can someone clarify this please then I'll rectify it as Bachmann have put a 'yellow' spot on. Power classification is 'C' I presume?
     
    With regards to positioning of the spot did it vary or where they always above the number plate. As you can see from the photos Bachmann have postioned it higher up.
     
    Finally, Jonty Chambers renowned photographer captures the soon to be 9717 simmering in the Teign Valley during 1947 whilst visiting his sister in Moretonhampstead.
     

     
    I'm planning on adding the sand box pull rods, lamp irons and possibly opening the rear cab doors too. Watch this space!
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. 46444
    A good friend of mine in his 70's who worked on the railways told me of a story where a L & Y Pug was brought down from Derby to take a large piece of equipment up one of the ironstone quarry lines around Wellinborough. The rationale being that it's short wheelbase would be suitable for the job and once completed the loco was returned to Derby shed.
     
    In homage to this story I've taken a few shots of my Pug which isn't Derby allocated I know.
     
    One of the reasons for these photos is to illustrate some of the wagons I have been working on for Juniper Hill. First up is the Bachmann Stewarts & Lloyds 8 plank wagon weathered with Tamiya/Vallejo acrylics to represent an old private owner taken into BR stock with replacement planks etc. I still need to add the numbers etc. This wagon is a complete work of fiction of course and would more than likely just been an internal user wagon in reality.
     

     
    Secondly, Bachmann have once again come up trumps for modellers of ironstone layouts with their representation of a 1940 Charles Roberts 16T BSCO iron ore tippler wagon. Paul Bartlett's site has few photos of these wagons stating they were later used for coal traffic and I've seen film evidence of this with a 9F hauling a southbound coal train north of Loughborough in the early 60's. They are interesting wagons still running in the 1970's with split spoke wheels as Paul's photos taken at Wellingborough illustrate.
     

     
    I've four of these wagons. Three are from a Modelzone weathered set which isn't the best weathering I've seen being the usual blast of track colour on the underframe and lower body sides which doesn't look like the weathering on the wagons on Paul Bartlett's site. Some of the wagons look suprisingly clean too in reality. The fourth wagon was an unweathered version.
     
    With these I sprayed the inside of the wagon with NATO black followed by Tamiya hull red. The underframes where sprayed with my homebrew underframe dirt mixture then details picked out around the axle boxes and springs.
     
    Then the sides of the wagon were dry brushed with some Vallejo colours to represent wear.
     
    Finally the Pug is the Hornby offering that has been renumbered, detailed and weathered. Crew from the excellent Monty's range of figures.
     

     
    Here she is at rest in between jobs. The subsidance in the area is quite bad too!
     

     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  16. 46444
    In one one of my last post's concerning stock for Juniper Hill-my Northamptonshire Ironstone micro-layout I posted some pictures of the Hornby J94/Hunslet I'm working on called 'Cranford'.
     
    Paul (Halfwit) suggested I could improve around the injectors by cutting and drilling away excess plastic as he had done. I think he mentioned Chris Nevard had done something similiar.
     
    The easy way out would be to just cut them off and use some RT cast injectors but I went with Paul's advice and was impressed how easily the operation went. In a matter of minutes the excess plastic was removed and a new pipe made from brass wire was bent up and glued in place.
     
    Final details were crew from Dapol (Airfix), real coal, RT Models oil cans, lamp brackets from bent up staples and a homemade Stones turbo generator.
     
    Here's the finished result.
     

     

     
    Also, I've finished detailing the Sentinel 'Twywell' with real coal in the bunker area, crew and an oil can from RT Models.
     

     

     
    Both models are finished with Tamiya/Vallejo acrylics. Nameplates/worksplates custom made by the excellent Narrow Planet.
     
    I'd like to thank Paul for his suggestion on the injectors-it has made a difference.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  17. 46444
    Whilst in Devon recently I popped into Express Way Models at the South Devon Railway. Being a member of the SDR you get a discount in the shop. Pauline the shop manager is very helpful too. Having a browse around the shop I saw one of the PECO O Gauge 16T Mineral wagon kits for sale and treated myself.
     
    On getting home and opening the kit up I was impressed. Everything you need bar glue and paint is included. In this instance some PC Transfers so I've a feeling this is an old kit-though I may be wrong and PECO may have an old stock of PC Transfers. The quality of the mouldings is first class and the kit falls together almost.
     
    I did deviate away from the instructions and assembed the three side panels including the doors on a plate of glass rather than individually to the floor fearing parts may not match up. Also the kit is designed for the side doors and end door to be made to open, although in this case I glued them shut.
     
    One area I'm not sure on with the kit is the choice of a pressed steel tipping door on the end. I need to check the numbers included on the transfer sheet with my reference to confirm this is right. I guess Paul Bartlett may know, but I'm sure this isn't correct.
     
    I blackened the wheels/buffers/three link couplings with Birchwood Casey Gun Blue then polished them. The wagon was given a coat of Halfords grey plastic primer followed by a total covering of Tamiya NATO black. Then the inside of the wagon and the sides where lightly sprayed with Tamiya Hull Red. Once all dry I used some Vallejo masking fluid to make rusty type patterns on the side of the wagon in the style of Martyn Welch's weathering technique but using acrylics rather than enamels.
     
    Next up was a coat of Tamiya Japanese Army Grey to the sides of the wagon. The door end stripes, bottom door markings and the black panels were masked off and sprayed with Tamiya NATO black and Vallejo Old White.
     
    Where transfers were to be placed I brushed on some Johnson's Klear and once dry applied the decals which are like HMRS Pressfix ones (I believe HMRS took over PC's range of transfers). They were applied easily though and sealed with a further coat of Klear.
     
    Detail painting was carried out on the body with dry brushing using further Vallejo paints and the underframe was weathered using a mix of Tamiya NATO Black and Dark Earth. I then rubbed off the masking fluid rust patches on the side revealing a rusted metal effect. Dry brushing these patches with gun metal further enhanced them.
     

     
    To finish everything was brought together with a coat of Vallejo matt varnish.
     

     
    Overall this is an good kit to make and excellent value. I'm not sure about that pressed steel tipping door-perhaps the welded version should be included, so further clarrification may be needed on this.
     

     
    From a personal point of view I really enjoyed constructing the kit. The size of the wagon begins to emulate the real thing-something a 4mm/2mm wagon can't match. I'm pleased with the painting technique-something I've never tried before. I think one side is better than the other though personally. Also I should amend those bottom door markings-I think they're a bit wide.
     
    I'm debating on what kit to build next be it another PECO or venture out into a Slaters or Parkside kit. Either way it will be a generic 1950's prototype so as to keep my options open.
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
     
    As an addendum I now own a length of PECO O Gauge track and a buffer stop. Does that construe an O Gauge layout?
  18. 46444
    Before I start thanks to Andy Y for his words of wisdom re: altering image sizes. I wish I'd have asked earlier!
     
    This is my first entry for a while now. I've been working on bits for Juniper Hill, my layout based around the ironstone lines of East Northamptonshire. Hopefully, with the spring coming-believe it or not I hope to get into the garage for some track laying and soldering.
     
    Fred the bus driver has known Doris his conductress for a number of years now. Doris had started working for United Counties in Northamptonshire during the war and had carried on in her role. She works with Fred who'd been demobbed in 1947.
     
    He'd worked for United Counties prior to the outbreak of hostilities and had served in the Army in Europe driving trucks. He returned home to his family in Kettering and started working for United Counties again.
     
    Fred and Doris enjoy one anothers company and particularly like the country routes on the eastern side of the county passing beautiful villages, some once home to hundreds of young American airman-the skies no longer angry with the sound of USAAF B17's.
     
    Along the route from Kettering to Oundle they pass the ironstone quarries around Cranford and pick up some quarry workers. Usually Fred and Dorris get a chance of a Woodbine and a cup of tea in Oundle prior to making their way back to Kettering.
     
    Here's Fred and Doris' bus they use for this journey. It's a Bedford OWB that has seen better days and the timber the body was built with is beginning to warp badly because it wasn't seasoned properly during the war years.
     

     
    Ok so a total work of fiction as is the bus which is a resprayed Oxford product with decals from Fox. Fred, Doris and the passengers come courtesy of Dapol (ex-Airfix) with a few amputations where necessary.
     
    I've tried to use the preshading technique on this bus using either Tamiya or Valejjo acrylics sealed with some Johnsons Klear.
     
    In fairness United Counties did have some Beagle bodied OB's in their fleet. However, there's something about the OWB I like and decided to go for this fictitious member of the fleet.
     

     
    Also another vehicle to make an appearance on JH will be this Base Toys or what ever they're called now AEC Monarch which I think is a lovely model in Pickfords livery. It comes with a trailer as well. I've used Glue n Glaze for the windows, Weathered it and added a sheeted load to the flat bed. Like the OWB I gently placed the finished model on an hot iron for a matter of seconds to gently flatten the tyres. Something I learnt from my aircraft modelling days.
     

     

     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  19. 46444
    Evening,
     
    After my 009 diversional therapy (see previous entry) I thought I better get back to the micro-layout I'm building called Juniper Hill (JH) which is based on the ironstone quarry lines of Northamptonshire around Kettering/Corby.
     
    I really need to get in the garage and start the track laying and wiring. Once this is done I can at least start playing trains
     
    However, there were a few bits on the workbench to finish including these two locos that will form part of the motive power. I'm tempted to get a Hattons/Heljan ex BR Class 14 in BSC ownership as well. I've seen some nice shots of these locos running around Corby in the 1970's and the shed at Gretton Brook looks interesting.
     
    Here's a link with a few photos of Class 14's in that area:
     

     
    These two locos I'm building do not represent any protype's as such and are based on the motive power that worked the quarry lines. They also carry names which were carried by locomotives in real life.
     
    First up is an Hunslet design which began life as a Hornby J94 in private owner livery. I've made a few alterations basing the look on the RSH built locos that worked around Corby.
     

     
    I've added headlights made from Cambrian wagon kit sprue, opened the cab roof vent and replaced it with one cut from sheet brass. I'm waiting on a new set of buffer beams to come from RT Models then these will be added along with a set of Comet BR buffers.
     
    I've sprayed this loco in the style carried by the RSH designs using Tamiya acrylics. I've preshaded the panel lines before spraying the green on which I think worked well. Masked off the lining with Tamiya tape before spraying. At present I've sprayed 'Klear' over the loco to provide a nice sheen prior to weathering.
     
    Narrow Planet provided the custom nameplates-this loco being called 'Cranford'. I'm just waiting on the Hunslet builders plate to come when the next batch of etching is complete.
     
    Next up is a Model Rail Sentinel. This started life as one of the GSR of Ireland versions. I thought this would be the easiest to strip off the numbers/crests etc as it only has a small number on each side and on the buffer beams.
     
    I've put new handrails on it in the style of Chris Nevard's take on his Sentinel. I didn't alter the moulded coal though and have left this and will put real coal in once finished.
     
    This Irish version didn't come with a whistle so I found an Hornby one in my spares box which as been fitted.
     

     
    I finished this loco as above with custom nameplates from Narrow Planet once again. This Sentinel carries the name 'Twyell'
     

     
    Obviously this loco is loosely based on 'Isebrook' that worked at Thomas E Gray's in Burton Latimer and is now preserved at Quainton Road.
     
    There are a few bits to do on these two locos and I will post an update soon when finished.
     
    Now where's that soldering iron and the track cutters?!!
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
     
    I think the driver of the Sentinel must have fish paste sarnies because there's a few cats around!
  20. 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
  21. 46444
    Here's a few shots of the Hornby Ivatt finished except the crew insitu.
     
    Alex (Wiggoforgold) came up trumps with a Comet chimney. I was going to do Cambridge shed's 46466 in unlined black with late crest but had a change of heart.
     
    Instead I finished this loco as 46483 another Cambridge engine in lined black with early crest.
     
    The model was primed with Halfords grey primer then Halfords satin black. Tamiya NATO black was then sprayed on the smokebox and roof. Lining and decals are from Fox.
     
    Real coal was added to the tender before I gave the model a quick blast of Tamiya NATO black/Dark earth mix. Everything was sealed with Valejjo satin varnish with a drop of matt as well. Lamp from Springside.
     

     
    Overall I've enjoyed this project. It was quick and reminiscent of 'Old School' modelling-infact almost adding a Crownline detailing kit to the loco. Yes, the Hornby Ivatt has its failings. The tender is too long and the valve gear is chunky and over simplified. Saying that the loco bodyshell isn't too far off the current Bachmann version for shape.
     
    Having changed the tender and pony wheels and added shedloads of weight to the loco and tender has improved the running too.
     
    In this day and age of economising perhaps revisiting models such as this may be the answer-though I guess a secondhand Bachmann Ivatt can be found for around £30-£40.
     
    Food for thought!
     
     
     
     
     
  22. 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
  23. 46444
    Well fans of Ozzy and Hawkwind will be familiar with the title. Once more this has nothing to do this 1970's rock outfit. (He says listening to this song )
     
    Recently a mate of mine was given a box of old Hornby/Lima locos and rolling stock (Tat )including a Hornby Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0 and a Lima GWR Railcar which had seen better days. More of these in future instalments . Some of the tat was kit built including few Cooper Craft GWR wagons and a rare SILVER and BLACK Airfix BR Brake van. It looked like it belonged to the LMS 10000 test train-except for the thick gloss paint. However, as with many things in life looking beneath the surface revealed a suitable project to add to the ever expanding work bench.
     
    I was already building an Airfix brake van and fancied doing an unfitted version. A soak in Mr Muscle oven cleaner removed the silver/black livery and work commenced. Both of these brakes were treated the same.
     
    Firstly the moulded handrails were removed and holes drilled or wire replacements. The same applied for lamp irons which were bent up from scrap etch or staples trimmed. The door and window frames in the verander were thinned down as well. The step boards were filed from behind to help them sit more closely and the stays were thinned down as well.
     
    It is well documented that Airfix got the chimney and roof vents in the wrong place. I corrected this using some spare Cambrian vents and aluminium tubing.
     
    The buffer heads where replaced with turned H & A Models ones and both brakes run on Bachmann wheels I had to hand.
     
    I soldered the horizontal handrail to the two verticals by tinning the ends of the horizontal piece, positioning it and holding it in place with Blu-tac before soldering in to place. Believe it or not it was the first time I did this. No burnt fingers or melted plastic (I placed a small piece card behind the vertical handrails)
     
    After a coat of primer the chassis was finished with Tamiya Nato black. I pre-shaded the brakes as well. Colours used include Tamiya JN Grey, Dark Earth and Hull Red. Vallejo acrylics were also used .
     
    Then they both received a coat of Johnsons Klear ready for decals. I will use Crystal-Clear for the windows. I'll update on these soon.
     
    I'm pleased with the results so far and it goes to show how well the Airfix Brake Van kit can scrub up.
     

     

     
    Also I received this confirmation from Narrow Planet that the custom nameplates for the Sentinels will be with me soon. Now do I keep the Sentinels black or respray them green?
     

     
    Also the Hornby Ivatt 2MT has had a thorough going over. It is awaiting a new chimney and buffers and I will post a photo soon! Finescale it is not!
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  24. 46444
    With apologies to Alison Goldfrapp for the title of this entry
     
    Been sorting quite a lot of bits on the workbench of late and making space for other bits and pieces. I've been off for just over a week and have fired up the airbrush for the first time in ages. Next week I need to get on with completing the fiddle yard for Juniper Hill.
     
    Here's a few photographs and descriptions of some of the stock that will be seen running on Juniper Hill.
     
    First up is the ready to run Airfix/GMR Low Machine Wagon (Lowmac). I probably stand to be corrected on this but the Airfix model is based on a Diagram 2/247 (According to the number on the model) 25 Ton design intended for Continental working. Only 13 wagons were built. In my Rowland there is a photograph of a Diagram 2/243 25 Ton unfitted design of which 136 were built.
     
    Now I know this isn't strictly correct and the design differs in a few areas but I fancied something a bit different so went with the unfitted wagon. Here's a photograph of the wagon on my small diarama:
     

     
    This wagon was finished with Tamiya and Vallejo acrylics. It just needs a coat of matt to blend it all together. The photograph in Rowland shows quite a bit of additional timber on the load bed so I cut up a coffee stirrer to make chocks and battons.
     
    I've replaced the buffers with Markits turned ones and added a pair of 10.5mm Gibson wheels as well as fitting a Parkside NEM coupling block for a Bachmann coupling.
     
    The Roco side tipping wagons have also been finished as above. The plan on the Juniper Hill is to have a piece of OO9 track in the foreground with a few rusting narrow gauge wagons. There's a bit of inspiration in this photo linked below but not the raised line:
     
    http://www.flickr.co...N06/6966019662/
     
    Thomas E Gray's quarry was where the preserved Sentinel 'Isebrook' worked. Here's a photo in sadder times:
     
    http://www.flickr.co...N05/3118325693/
    Also temptation (Carol Kenyon/Heaven 17 singing Temptation springs to mind ) comes in many forms:
     
    http://www.madge00n3...k/Shop/Shop.htm
     
    May lead another quick project!
     
     
    Anyway-I digress!
     
    In my bits and pieces box of wagon bits was an old Ian Kirk GWR wagon and one of those beautifully finished Hornby private owner wagons (Princess Royal). Also there were 2 Ratio 9ft chassis and some spare Gibson spoked wheels. I used some excellent turned wagon buffers from H and A Models too for these.
     
    Again finished as above with Tamiya/Vallejo acrylics to represent the wagons at Burton Latimer in the above Flickr link. Numbers are from a HMRS LMS wagon sheet.
     
    The Sentinel in the background is the Model Rail 'Great Southern Railway' of Ireland release. I have two of these which will be weathered and as I write this I've just received confirmation from Narrow Planet that the custom nameplates for them (Cranford/Islip) are almost ready! So these will become a blog entry in the future.
     
    Few more bits to finish then as I say next few weeks fiddleyard and track laying and wiring on Juniper Hill
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  25. 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.
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