Jump to content
 

Sylvian Tennant

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    822

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Blog Entries posted by Sylvian Tennant

  1. Sylvian Tennant
    So I finished work a few weeks ago and thank god for that! Despite having another 8 hours a day free, I seem to have less time for modelling with other stuff taking prioirty. E.G preparing for University and the likes. However I did manage to get this little darling sorted. The whole process was just over a week (it would have been less had stuff like friends and life not been a pain in the hoop and wanted my precious time). But I am quite pleased with the outcome.
     

     
    She is 43050, the first Mucky Duck built in Darlington I believe and was based at Haverton Hill for a few months which is not too far from me.
     

     

     
    I didn't want her to be completely filthy like my other one but, being an Ivatt 4MT, not exactly clean, or that presentable.
     

     
    Modifying methods were the same as 43073 explained in a previous blog and weather is as my usual standards. One addition to this, however, is the use of WHSmith artist pencils I found in the loft. Specifically browns, oranges and whites used to add the rust texture to the smokebox and areas around the tender top and tender bulkhead. They were scribbled or dashed on, then dabbed at with a damp cotton bud. The outcome was quite pleasing.
     

     
    I'm now finding it harder to find different poses for the crew but I won't let creativity stop me
     
    She is pulling (as I have generally assigned her to these duty, being from Haverton Hill shed) the rake of Sulphate wagons I detailed in another earlier blog.
     

     

     
    I'm having some trouble with these on our exhibition layout as I am led to believe that the track is laid not entirely straight and points are handmade and had what I'd consider bigger gaps in the common crossings and point blades which are not entirely flush with the rails. But most of the ready to run stuff seems to work so I guess I'm out voted . I have noticed as well the Parkside bogies can sometimes be a bit crude and may have become slightly un-square when the wheels have been added but they seem to run pretty well on the fiddle yard where peco track is installed. Oh the trails and tribulations.
     

  2. Sylvian Tennant
    Well I did really... But I managed to surpass even my own expectations and got my breakdown train finished!
     
    and here's the results.
     

     

     

     
    About three generations of Hornby Railways are combined in this one train... plus a Bachmann J39.
     
    All of the train (save the 12t van) have been heavily modified in some way or another.
     
    I'm currently waiting to see it;s first proper useage at Railex NE at Blyth. If you're around, please don't hesitate to say hi.
  3. Sylvian Tennant
    That's me at this moment in time, using secondhand and left over bits to creating stuff. The only thing that sets me away from the hindrances of Wimbledon Green is that I'm not called Uncle Bulgaria or Orinoco or even an actual Womble.
     
    I have been mixing and matching however and my latest project is something of a complete mongrel.
     

     
    It's a Breakdown Train complete with an old Hornby Dublo crane which has been very heavily modified to represent something just a little less toy like and a combination of Hornby wagons that have went through an array of updates and modifications.
     

     
    The crane itself has had the handles and interior cut out and paint striped as much as I felt physically possble.
     
    The gears and lifting gears were creating from plastic tubing with spare gears bought for between £1 - £2.99 at my local model shop. Also some spare Dapol kit wheels came in handy too. A representation of a coupling beam and breakpipe was added to the buffer beam and other small details were included.
     

     
    The weight distribution bogies were from the later Hornby plastic crane. It was modified with the original couple removed and a new one added underneath the body to bring the couplings closer together. The old axle caps were filed away and oil boxes added as I didn't want any roller bearings.
     

     
    The same goes for the runner which is one of those Hornby Railroad-esque LWB wagons with a scratchbuilt body.
     
    I plan to have four support vehicles including a 12t Van, a gresley tool/packing van, a clerestory riding and mess van and finally a six wheel packing/tool van.
     

     
    The six wheel van was originally a Palethorpes sausage van, I glued the central axle box to the chassis and replaced the original; wheels with a modified Dapol set with with no flanges to ease the negotiating around curves. I've also added some underframe detail too.
     

     

     
    Finally for the moment is the former teak tool/packing van which has had the original underframe detail removed and in the process of replacement into something more prototypical.I've also cut out the door ways and removed the end corridors
     

     
    If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to oblige.
  4. Sylvian Tennant
    Hello again you men and women and cats and dogs and all sort of other people.
     
    You've heard me bang on about it enough time already. I just thought I'd share with you all some quick photos I took tonight on our exhibition layout in progress "Hartburn Junction".
     

     

     

     

     

     
    It is now running and will be at the Middlesbrough Model Railway Exhibition on the 17th & 18th May, we have unfortunately had a few set backs which has hampered total completion of the layout in time for the exhibition however we should be on track to have the layout completed fully in time for our next show at Blythe over the August Bank Holiday.
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     
     
    Please do stop by to say hello if you are at either exhibition.
     
    For more information please do visit our website http://www.stocktonmrc.co.uk/
  5. Sylvian Tennant
    ...oh I forget his name.
     
    But what I have remembered is I forget to try and not be funny. Then end up not being funny, tragic really.
     
    In other news I have been modelling, alot of modelling to be done in preparation of our next long anticipated exhibition at Middlesbrough within the fortnight.
     
    So, understably I have been rather busy.
     
    First up are some little bits for the layout which included updating this fine beast of a water crane, originally of Hornby decent and now looking more like the type you'd find in North East sheds.
     

     

     
    also the missing vacuum pipe on the turntable has been replaced by a brass one which is both sturdier and looked alot better. Hopefully the turntable can make it to the exhibition :S!
     

     
    I have also been working on a crew for my latest project so I decided to kill two birds with one stone and repaint the Ivatt 4MT crew as they looked unrealistically bright.
     

     

     
    This was done mainly (entirely) with Vajello acrylics which are a joy to use .
     

     
    Finally, but by no means least, my latest project; the Thompson B1 "Nyala". Once more a Stockton (Area 51 ) locomotive this recieved a much cleaner finished than her grubby sisters but it wasn't spared a scar or lick of dirt, I shouldn't have though.
     

     

     
    The technique is largely ones I have done before and this is mentioned in an excellent George Dent article in Model Rail edition 183 which a LT pannier tank.
     

     
    The crew enjoy a nice cupper before the days work is done
     

     
    Please, let me know what you think.
  6. Sylvian Tennant
    I have been quite busy, so far, I have a couple of trains to get through before the exhibition on may and one in the running is a fitted van train pulled (hopefully) but a B1 61030 "Nyala".
     

     
     
    I bought a good running split chassis B1 from Tri-Ang Man about 10 months ago with the intention of making this locomotive and have managed to finally get round to it.
     

     
    I even scratch built a new smokebox dart from brass bits (which I am quite proud) as well as new front steps which makes 2nd radius curve a bit hair raising.
     

     
    I also cut out the moulded coal and added a bit of depth to eventually show that the engine will need to pop off to the depot soon.
     

     
    However, not everything went to plan.. for more info on what I did, please do visit my blog.
     
    http://sylviantennant.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/a-series-of-unfortunate-events.html
     
    Be aware, the content is aimed primarily at adults.
     
    Also a big thank you to 34theletterbetweenB&D for supplying the spare wheels as the rear set for this one had decided not to play ball.
  7. Sylvian Tennant
    Hello chaps
     
    Just a quick update to say that I've finished my first engine shed.
     
    Loosely based on or around Malton for our exhibition Layout "Hartburn Junction
     

     

     

     
    For more information please look at http://sylviantennant.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/goodbye-dear-ladies.html
     
    or
     
    http://www.stocktonmrc.co.uk/
     
    anyway, must be off, work and all sorts tomorrow
  8. Sylvian Tennant
    Merry Christmas folks.
     
    Just an update to show my new complete sulphate train.
     
    I honestly don't know how accurate it is so I suspect it's not that accurate but reference pictures were a nightmare to find... or non-existent. So I did my best anyway.
     

     

     

     
    Nothing is perfectly but for the moment, I'm happy with the outcome.
     
    For a more indepth look, along with extra added frustrations on life... please follow the link http://sylviantennant.blogspot.co.uk/
  9. Sylvian Tennant
    So far the wagons are generally complete, they have now been assembled (with some problems and weathered (which was quite fun!)
     
     
     

     

     
    as they were apparently sheeted, I am using a technique which involves cling film, newspapers and lots of PVA/water
     

     
    and finally the break van
     

     
    for more on these updates please take a look at my blog, http://sylviantennant.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/wine-women-and-cops.html

  10. Sylvian Tennant
    It's just finishing on Film 4 now.
     
    But that's not important...
     
    What is is the progress on my Sulphate train.
     
    The Brake van is almost complete. Only the glazing and some weathering to do.
     

     

     
    It's not turned out too bad really...
     
    Also, I've come a long way with the sulphate wagons, where the progress so far with them all.
     

     
    The decal have been added and under frame has been painted with the planking highlighted with various shades of grey and grey/brown to represent replacement and weather planks. I'm hoping this tones down when weathered
     
    For more information please go to http://sylviantennant.blogspot.co.uk/
     
    WARNING: contains strong language and a fascination of Doctor Who.
  11. Sylvian Tennant
    But that's not related to the rest my modelling of the ex-LNER brake van which is now looking more brake van and even more ex-LNER.
     

     
    I've also made a crack at painting my sulphate wagon using Railmatch early BR and LNER grey to simulated fading wood on the doors. Hopefully this will show when the wagons are properly weathered.
     

     
    For a more insightful and E.L James hating update, please read my blog. May contain traces of opinion.
     
    http://sylviantennant.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/i-hope-i-dont-die-of-old-age-just-yet.html
  12. Sylvian Tennant

    Ex-NER brake van

    By Sylvian Tennant,

    Hello, I'm back for a little while before disappearing again like an elusive ghost in the night.
     
    At the moment I'm working on my sulphate train which will include an ex-LNER brake van bringing up the rear. The brake van is made up of a Dapol kit which is being extensively modified to take up it's representation. So far the chassis is night on complete and just requires the body to complete (well almost, we still need to paint it and number it and weather it).
     
    Any so here he it is.
     

     

     
    I'm hooping to have the full train complete in the very near future but not guarantee can be made on that.
     
    Anyway, I have a new blog which details the process a little bit more. Please take a peek... http://sylviantennant.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/a-goods-train-goods-train-goods-train.html
     
    Warning, contains strong Language and abrasive humour.
     
    Night night folks.
  14. Sylvian Tennant
    Okay so after 8 months I've now finally come to the end of the first chapter of 16mm scale modelling. With this, my new brake van.
     

     

     
    It is a modified IP Engineering kit with saftey chains, handrails, foot boards and a furnished interior built from scratch.
     

     
    The van is weighted wth a fishing weight under the chassis and hidden by a box ala LMS style.
     
    The roof is removable to access the interior which include a seating area with table, a stove (built from plastic tube and a seal-able bottle top)
     

     

     
    Bramwell the guard chats to Ted about his new Van he seems happy.
     

     

     
    Now I've finished another chapter of 16mm scale, I'm gonna give it a bit of a rest, save some running and concentrate on some 4mm project I have in mind.
     
    ext up: Sulphate wagons.
  15. Sylvian Tennant
    Hello
     
     
     
    I'm not dead, just slepth... or so they say.
     
    Well, I haven't been too busy model at the moment but I did some some more wagons. This time some pretty private owner wagons.
     

     
    I named this after an artist friend of mine, thinking he was understand.... he seemed more bemused.
     

     
    A lovely stone wagon, the stone was from a balloon ballast from my mums wedding.
     

     

     
    My now completed hooded wagon with tarpaulin made from some layers of kitchen foil.
     

     
    Jemima with now new rake.
     

     
    Jemimas bits and bobs, the 2nd radius curves don't like these bits.
     

     
    That's all folks!
  16. Sylvian Tennant
    Well so far, I now have three wagons for my 16mm scale project. All in mostly finished condition.
     
    The models were primed with some not to be use wilkos cheap primer. The several coats of humbrol borwn and grey followed by a coat of ronseal satin varnish!
     

     

     

     
    The lettering was done with a white gen pen with the larger lettering finished off with revell matt white.
     
    The tarpaulin is baking foil which will be painted, possibly green or matty black.
     
    Most of the descriptive weathering is mentioned on my blog. But mainly finished off with tamyia NATO black and flat brown with some humbrol leather and metalcote drybrushed on the metal work.
     

     

     
    As it stands the live steam stuff is a bit of a learning curve but if you're willing to invest in the patience and treat any errors with a degree of respect, as well as your locomotive then you are onto a real winner, this is something much different from the Hornby and Bachmann models. Of whom I still love dearly, but unlike them with their artistic temperament towards reality. This is already the real thing, I don't need to justify the teddy bear in the cab or the chuck appearence of the loco or track... because I'm dealing with a real steam locomotive which is oily and damp and hot.
     

     

     
    Anyway enjoy.
  17. Sylvian Tennant
    But not before I boast my latest update at you unfortunate few!
     
    I've been building up my wagons (three to be precise) a coal wagon, an open general merchandise wagon and a box van, all from IP engineering.
     
    But not content with the basic appearance of the finished article I decided to give them a bit of do over.
     

     

     
    The sole bars had some plastikard pieces added to represents some iron parts for the supports as well as a builders plates. Some of the 00 gauge track pins became useful again as rivets and bolts.
     
    I also simulated a brake gear from some spare plywood from the kits (always keep them, they do come in handy!)
     

     
    For the general open wagon and the van, I am going to add some vacuum pipes but they too needed a little modification so out came some brass rod and plastic tubing. I am also going to add a tarpaulin hood on the open wagon negating any upper body detailing..
     
    As the coal wagon is to be exposed, I decided to add some plastic strip to represent as the metal strip you can see on open wagons (but rarely modelled!)
     
    I also gave the corner brackets some chain kept in place by some copper loop.
     

     

     
    In other news, I finally managed to get Jemima steaming and I was well impressed with her.
     

     

     
    Even Ted the driver was happy to be at the regulator.
     

     
    Mind you, not everything went to plan!
     

     
    For a more in depth look and for my terrible overview of York Expo, please do visit my blog... the link is somewhere!
     
    http://sylviantennantmodelling.wordpress.com/author/sylviantennant/
     
    there it is!
  18. Sylvian Tennant
    I hate Cold of Death, it's so small yet so, so unbearable... meh!
     
    I've managed to pretty much finish my lower body for my 16mm scale tram loco, only the floor planking is left to do which is currently drying off.
     
     
    I'll need to cut into the planking for locating the speed controller and battery pack but all is done pretty much
     
    The side skirts are 020" plastic card, with foot holes and panels cut out. Strengthened with mahogany and removable plywood panels added for access and to give the option of seeing the motion.
     

     

     

     
    The cowcatchers (another b*****y nightmare!) were given a playwood base with plastic strip and brass making up the corner bars.
     

     
    the vacuum pipe (a very sophisticated railway) is just some plastic pipe with copper wound around it.
     

     
    I added a pouty out buffer beam as per the loosely based prototype and the rivets (70 in total) are peco track pins cut to length and fitted into drilled holes.
     

     
    All of this and other inane bits of my life are descried in great detail on my blog http://sylviantennantmodelling.wordpress.com/2013/03/18/death-is-a-runny-nose/
     

  19. Sylvian Tennant
    Well last week was for me. Alot of good stuff happened and left me really happy.
     
    A basic highlight of them were, practical completion of my pugbash.
     

     

     
    Painting it up and adding the final details before weathering. I gave the cab some details too such as copper wire for piping.
     

     

     

     
    However, one would like to know as to weather one should give the little blighter some lining. I was thinking LNWR colours as they are the only ones I have available.
     

     

     
    In the larger scales I have been plodding on with my tram loco for 16mm scale, finally finishing the chassis and making a start on the lower body....
     
     
    ... then she arrived!
     

     
    http://sylviantennantmodelling.wordpress.com/2013/03/11/sensory-overload/
  20. Sylvian Tennant
    I've updated my blog, ready to annoy the world! and here's the jist of what I've been doing this past week... nothing too concentrated but alot of progress.
     
    http://sylviantennantmodelling.wordpress.com/
     
    Well my pugbash is coming along quite nicely.
     
    I last left off at the body work and now she is all black
     
    Here though you can see the main sub-assemblies in this terrible picture I took.
     

     
    Anyway... here's the latest. There a big bits missing which will be painted over eventually when she is touched up. The buffer beams are to be the obligatory red and certain parts with be repainted black.
     

     

     
    Also I've been working on my 16mm tram loco and so far have gotten the chassis painted black and the moving bits primed for painting... you guessed it, red.
     

     

     

     
    I've totally wired it up too using some pretty wires
     
    I've also been fixing my Q1's lubricator as I snagged it about 2 years ago!
     

     

     
    and finally I got this in the post!
     

     
    for my Five79 Joffre kit.. more on that later!
  21. Sylvian Tennant

    I'm back!

    By Sylvian Tennant,

    ,Hello there you wonderful people. Before I begin. I've been going it alone with a new and spankingly brilliant* blog.
     
    http://sylviantennantmodelling.wordpress.com/
     
    *I'ts probably not that brilliant.
     
    Please do read it. It's rather irreverent but I'd like to think I've been a life changers
     
    Anyway.
     
    I've been a little busy as well as a little down about things. I've not had a job for nigh on two months now and I'm slightly wound up unable to find a new job and slowly loosing money. But how else do you keep yourself entertained?
     
    PUGBASH!
     

     

     

     
    Yeah so using Dapol's wonderful kit, a Graham Farish 94xx chassis and some plasicard, I've been making a rather arrogant and chunky looking narrow gauge tram locomotive.
     

     

     
    The motor needs some running in and it looks a little rickty with some strangely large rivets (does anyone else thing they're large?)
     
    I'm not happy with the back of the roof but that'll be covered up with some tarpaulin covers.
     

     
    I even made a cradle for it to fit into a Wachy Bachy well wagons
     

     

     
    Looking at the size of it I think it would fit into the Campbelltown and Machnimarish/Lynton Barnstaple railway loading gauge (thank god Peco have released some new wagons). But is a little too big for the Ffestiniog wagons. Hmm, does anyone beg to differ?
     

     
    If the coaches I have bought have proved to be a tad too small, can anyone suggest any alternative wagons (especially balcony type ones) I had been considering converting some street trams.
     
    Anyway, I have a couple of layout ideas.
     
    On top of that, I'm making a slow but sure start in 16mm scale with some things I bought at Elsecar when I actually had a job!
  22. Sylvian Tennant
    My girlfriend has such strange & creative titles titles for my engines.
     
    Anyway, I shall keep this short and sweet as you pretty much know how I weather my engines. Unfortuantly, my pcitures are terrible
     

     
    I have finally finished my WD which was once a limited edition K&WVR 90733 and is now an even more limited edition "51E" 90155.
     
    I have some some slightly different weather technique to this engine to see how they would work (hoping they would anyway!)
     

     
    The first is dry brushing some humbrol rust into the wheel recesses of most the driving wheels. I left one out to add a little bit of diveristy as if the engine has had a recent wheel replacement. The second was dry brushing some humbrol metal cote along the cab side, I think I could have done it to the tender too.
     
    In addition to that you may notice one of the buffers is still a vibrant red compared to the rest of the buffer beam. Again this was intentional as I remember a picture from a Dub-Dee (possibly from about a year ago) showing a dirty buffer beam with a bright red buffer shank which interested me.
     
    Finally I painted up the coupling rods the usual way with humbrol gloss brown and matt black but on the occasional linkage I dry brushed some leather and painted up the joints, slide valves and spome of the link with metal cote. These areas where finished with a smearing of gloss varnoish (making sure it is carefully applied as to not fowl the running gear) to make sure, I oiled the back of the working to free them.
     

     
    Finally the crew and coal. The coal is as per WD usual mostly awful and dusty with the driver looking back to the rear of the loco and the fireman having a craft ciggie between stoking.
     

     
    The ciggie was made from some 5amp fuse wire and painted with acrylics. Unfortunatly the close up shot was great and it looks better from a distance.
     
    Anyway, time to go, christmases to attend and things to not care about.
     
    Toodles
  23. Sylvian Tennant

    WD-40

    By Sylvian Tennant,

    Well I'm back again
     
    This time I have this wonderful Bachmann WD limited Edition based on the one at the KWVR.
     

     
    I have to make sure I do treat this one with the respect it deserve, no unecessary...
     

     
    OH MY GOD WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!
     
    Yeah, I didn't want a KWVR loco! I'm doing North Eastern Locos! This loco will eventually be Stockton Based 90155.
     

     
    I have so far carried out the following. Replacment smoke box darts.
     
    Lubricators piping and water feed piping from 5 amp and 15 amp wire respectively
     
    A new front coupling loop from brass wire.
     
    A whistle from 15 amp fuse wire crimped gently to represently the pipe and whistle (strangely missing from this model)
     

     
    I cut away the front coupling mount and replaced with some plastic card to represent the basic design of this truck.
     
    Fire Iron store on the tender (also strangely missing from this model)
     
    I have also given that gap between the loco and tender a fall plate and added cab doors which allow the loco to round 2nd radius curves. As with the nature of these locos I have added one of the cab side doors in an neglected open position.
     
    Anway... more progress to follow soon!
  24. Sylvian Tennant

    COMPLETION!

    By Sylvian Tennant,

    There it is!
     

     
    I completed J39! Fully tendered, weathered, watered and crewed!
     

     
    The fire irons are from Springside and coal lovelingly given from City of Truro (omg not a western engine!) and the foremans coat was made in the same way as the weather sheet (some greaseproof tissue paper, crumpled three times and soaked in water/pva for a day.
     

     
    Weathered was achieved via the same methods as perviously mentioned.
     
    The weather sheet above the cab was initally painted Tamiya nato black then some dry brushing of humbrol matt black and metalcote gunmetal helped to add depth.
     

     
    The fireman and driver are now in position. The driver keeps control of the loco, hoping the fireman closes the cab door, looks on as the fireman has removed his coat whilst he prepares to readjust his gloves.
     
    The crew were primed with halfords and painted with some cheap acrylic paints obtained from The Works (or any good art shop)
     
    "CLOSE THAT ******* DOOR!" He impatiently reacts.
     
    Hopefully, you'll be able to see this loco on our exhitibtion layout "Hartburn Junction" in 2014
     
    for mor einformation please do visit the S&DMRC website at http://www.stocktonmrc.co.uk/
     

  25. Sylvian Tennant

    Hve I ruined it?

    By Sylvian Tennant,

    Oh dear! I it appears I may have, all of those bright colours... ah well never mind.
     
    TBBH I'm awful at implying risk. But honestly After adding the vibrant rust colours I was a tad worried it may look awful once finished.
     
    Anyway, as you'll find out later it turned out all okay.
     

     
    Firsly was to applied a 50/50 mix of matt black and batt leather to the uncleaned bits of the loco (cab interior, roof, smokes, running plate, chassis, tender tops and coal space etc)
     
    than once dry add the rusting colours.
     
    As anyone who follows these blogs (you poor devuils) may be aware I tend to leave a signature piece of adding red to the chassis top where you'd expect to see the inner workings of the chassi and I have not let you down this time
     

     
    I have also painted the cab interior as this was quite an exposed position.
     

     
    Finally, I've wanted to add a crew but I simply cannot stand just adding a crew simple just coaling the loco and sat there looking into middle distance to I got all Ed Gein on them and butchered some Dapol work men figures.
     

     
    TBC... soon... very soon... almost immeadiately
×
×
  • Create New...