Improving RTR Locomotives -

You won't find any LNER locos in need of refurbishment John …………..:roll::roll::roll:

:roll: No Peter, They consigned all their old loco,s to the bin. When the latest generation offers came out.

I might have expected a cheap comment like that from somewhere where they use orange trains …………:roll:

Here's a little red loco looking all forlorn without her moulded handrails.(Its an absolute swine of a job in n gauge to try to get it looking smooth and level without taking out big chunks!)



Now I need to tackle the tender handrails.That should be a darn sight easier,as the tender is plastic.
I didn't manage to pick up any LMS paint at Stockport Show,but on the up side,I did manage to pick up 3 Third Class Stanier coaches with a 20% discount!!!
  I would've got further on this weekend,but I was repairing a loco for a colleague at work.
Looking forward to getting stuck in properly this week and seeing some progress.

Cheers,John.B.:thumbs

Keep it coming John.:thumbs

:thumbsYou are going well with that little loco John, Whitemetal is murder on files, I use those mini drill metal abrasive head tools these days to ream off most of the offending stuff. Saves a bit of elbow grease!

My Jinty is just waiting for those Markit axles to arrive.

Derek, from orange trains country.

I've currently got LMS Crimson Lake on order from Phoenix Precision Paints,and several sheets of 2mm scale LMS waterslide transfers on order from Fox Transfers.
  Meantime,I've covered the bared whitemetal with a reddish-brown undercoat.Next job will be drilling out holes for handrail knobs.Blow by blow pics to follow very soon.

Cheers,John.B.:thumbs

After a slight break due to other demands on my time, I finally managed to get some sanding done.

400 wet and dry followed by 600 but it looks as if I've attacked it with a rasp !!!  Now I know why I've never done anything like this before ………….anyone for keyhole surgery ?  :roll::roll:




At least the moulded handrails have gone but I'm not sure it looks any better …………….




There are important  mouldings in all the wrong places and it was a real pig to get at it - particularly those annoying "blips" high on the firebox which have been slightly re-shaped ………..:roll::roll:    I think my hands are nearer "G" scale that "OO"




I'm hoping that a coat of primer might cover some of the scratch marks - 600 grade wet & dry certainly won't !!!  I'll have to mask off the cab area because there's no way I could re-line it and apply new numbers.  As I've said before, I'm better with a lump hammer than with a scalpel but I suppose as a first effort it could be worse …………… !!

I wonder how you master modellers do it ?

Now to order some handrails and knobs ……………….then attack the tender :roll::roll::roll:

Peter, try 1200 grade wet and dry. Google that & there are many cases of it used, even on motor cars headlight lenses.

Peter,
        Don't worry too much,a light coat or two of black will hide 99% of those battle scars.Once you've got your proper handrails on,you'll be amazed at the improvement.
        The Fox transfers have arrived,however,still waiting for the LMS/Midland Crimson Lake.Worst of all,I've turned the house upside down looking for damned handrail knobs! I KNOW I've got at least 2 packets,I had them out on the kitchen table a while back,but I'll be damned if I can find them.
So…… I've ordered a couple more packets from Markits,just watch,once they arrive,I'll find the original ones!!! For the time being,they've got me baffled!
         The lesson to be learned is a place for everything,and everything in its place!(Some chance in our house!)
        Lets hope Markits do express delivery!!


Cheers,John.B.:thumbs

[user=95]Sol[/user] wrote:

Peter, try 1200 grade wet and dry. Google that & there are many cases of it used, even on motor cars headlight lenses.

600 was the finest I could get locally Sol - I'll see what Google have to offer.

On the other hand, maybe some primer might cover most of it ………..:roll::roll:

Markits will wonder what's going on John - handrail knobs flying all over Europe in one month …………..:cheers

There could be a business opportunity for someone out there,something akin to the Australian "Flying Doctor" service…..
      ………….."Flying Knobs"????

Cheers,John.B.:thumbs

PS. BTW,Shunter,hows the Jinty coming on? -Don't tell me…..you're waiting for the handrail knobs to be delivered…:roll:
:cool wink

keep up the good work,John,but do not forget your career!!!!!!!if only
Ged

[user=525]Salfordman[/user] wrote:

keep up the good work,John,but do not forget your career!!!!!!!if only
Ged

Career ? Career ?  I thought John worked for the Government - that's not a career …………..:roll::roll::roll:

Had a brainwave today. :thumbs

I wondered where I might buy 1200 grade wet or dry paper without resorting to the net.  We have had the odd occasion to use a car body repair shop (just for Liz's car you'll understand :roll::roll::roll:) and I thought he might use very fine paper.

Bingo !!  One sheet of 1200 wet-and-dry aluminium paper kindly donated by the car body man.  It's a fairly small rebate when I consider what we've paid him in the past but nevertheless, a kind gesture……………….

I hope to try it out tonight. :cheers

[user=201]georgejacksongenius[/user] wrote:

There could be a business opportunity for someone out there,something akin to the Australian "Flying Doctor" service…..
      ………….."Flying Knobs"????

Cheers,John.B.:thumbs

PS. BTW,Shunter,hows the Jinty coming on? -Don't tell me…..you're waiting for the handrail knobs to be delivered…:roll:
:cool wink

:roll: Well :hmm No! John just those damned axles, Markits are proving a little slow. I sent another order off to Mainly Trains see if they are quicker? I have plenty of Hornby chassis so I can use them all, Way things are going this will be the June project.

Still I picked up a load of timber today for baseboards :thumbs

You guys are going well, That 4P will look the part in its crimson/red livery.

Those Ivatts are a pig to work on Peter, I find a mini drill with a small grinding stone attachment saves a lot of work. I use it to get the bulk of the rubbish off. Nice smell of burning plastic too

Well I got home today and my handrail knobs have turned up.Well done Markits!! I phoned my order Derek,I don't know if that's why its come quicker? Took the post office delays out of the equation,I suppose.Not going to start anything tonight as I'm too knackered,I don't think my eyes will be up to it.

  Stay tuned for further developments tomorrow.(Just the Crimson Lake paint I'm waiting for now!)

Cheers,John.B.:thumbs

Thats great news John, I also phoned my order still it has a bit further to travel to my neck of the woods.
Hope your paint arrives soon.
cheers,
Derek

here we go, I have decided to join the crazy gang and do a loco, got 6 sets of handrails & knobs off E-bay this morning
have the paint
(just need the patience ) all other bits,so will post pics later.

hmm:cool:

Owen,:Happy
        That's brilliant news mate.The more the merrier.So what locomotive are you going to be working on then?
:hmm
Cheers,John.B.:thumbs