Adding Detail

I haven't seen this model mentioned on YMR. I received mine a while back after pre-ordering from Hattons

Dapol Streamlined Railcar

The  model catches the prototype very well but having large windows, gives a  very good view of the interior, which can only be descrided as BLAND.  It is moulded in a beige/light brown plastic and is frankly  disappointing. So the first job was to brighten it up a bit. Researching  the colours of the interior and upholstery drew a blank as the only  pictures I could find were in black and white, but they did show a  variety of patterns on the seat cloth, mostly tartan. So the floor was  painted a dark brown, the seats a brown/red colour to mimic stained wood  and the walls in cream. I then copied a green tartan design and printed  onto an adhesive label sheet. These were then cut and stuck to the  seats as shown below:





I bought some seated passengers at the Southampton show back in January. After painting these were used to populate the Railcar.



With the addition of a driver the interior is finished. The exterior is  well detailked but there are a couple of things on the roof which with a  bit of work will lift the model to greater heights if you'll pardon the  pun. The torpedo tube, which is actually part of the ATC equipment has  conduits running from it across the roof and down the sides. These are  represented, but are so finely moulded they cannot really be seen. Also  on the prototype there are bearers running across the roof between the  vents to support the tube; these are missing completely.

The  supports are an easy fix by cutting thin strips of 0.25mm plasticard and  slipping these under the tube and between the vents before glueing into  place. The conduits were a bit fiddly but made out of 0.5mm wire bent  to shape and very carefully superglued into position. Both the conduits  and the supports can be seen in the next three photos.







A couple of photos that can be compared to the link at the start of this  post to show the overall effect that painting the interior and doing a  small amount of detail work can make.





To finish this project I will need to repaint the roof, weather the  Railcar and maybe add some of the distinctive roller blinds to the windows which it was fitted with in the 1930's (Curtains came later).

It will then be ready for service on Much Murkle.

PS, it runs beautifully.

Hi Nick,

Like you, I received mine a while back. I was blown away on un-boxing, realising it needed interior work, ran it without even knowing it had lights, marvelled at the sweet running and then put it away, where it rests until the layout is ready for it.

There is much on the Dapol streamlined railcar thread over on RMWeb and I'm delighted that you're preparing yours for use on MM. I'm certainly looking forward to the time that mine will see use alongside the slightly less streamlined Lima and Hornby variants.

Looking forward to see your finished article Nick, as your enhancements does this model credit.

Best,

Bill
  

Excellent stuff Nick.  I have my friends Dapol Autocoach, currently with the roof off.  I've been pondering what to do about the interior, your work is inspiring.  I may just have a go with adhesive paper.

John

Happy to send you the file John if you PM me your email address

THAT"S A GREAT JOB YOU"VE DONE, WOODY.

Oops, sorry, your tag line says "Don't shout"! ;)

I like what you did with the seat "fabric", that really lifts the interior, as well as the other tweaks you did. Very Nice.  :doublethumb

p.s. Can you still hear me???  

Hi Nick,

I remember reading somewhere (not Russell, although he does give details on the interior walls for the earlier series) mottled green lino for the floor with dark green carpet and gold GWR motifs in the entrance ways. Passing nod to passenger coaches and steam locomotives I think.

Nigel

There is some great info here on interiors and moquette:

Latest News

You will have to scroll down quite a bit.  The modelling snippets on this site are quite eyeopening.

I bought some interior parts for my Gresley coaches.

John