Some recent projects

I've been busy lately.

First I took part in a group build of an etched wagon kit (on Model Rail Forum).  This is a Bill Bedford etched kit of a GWR diagram P4 ballast wagon - dating back to the late 19th century.  Mine was done in a BR era appearance:







Not the easiest to do but I got it together and it even goes.  The wheels are sprung.

My other project is another Bill Bedford kit - Conflat L.  I wanted a runner for 03 shunter.







There's a red and white lamp on the wagon buffer beam, denoting station pilot.  The loco would have this too, but it has electric lights.  Yes, before anyone says anything, the door window needs work.

Transfers for the two wagons are homemade - what a faff!

Details of the build can be found in the blogspot link below.

The other thing I did was to detail my set of Birds Eye containers.  This is the limited edition set from TMC:




The Conflat L kit came with etched shackles so I decided to use them here.  The wagons and containers are excellent as usual, I was impressed that everything has a different number.  I also added vacuum pipes (Romford wire wound) and weathered.

John

 

 

 

 

 

John, I notice you use Kadees modified so how do you uncouple them?

With a pointed stick Ron. :cool wink I just don't like magnets.  I've always marched to the beat of my own drum - usually I get there.

John

Thanks John, I thought the pointed stick would be the way - no problems when one can reach to to do the uncoupling.

Useful for keeping spectators at a distance, too.

I completed my second ballast wagon today:




Here it is paired with its' mate.  Pictures that I have seen show that lettering and numbering was somewhat ad hoc so that's what I tried to replicate.  It took me about 8 hours to assemble the kit.

John

Ooooh - I like those John. :thumbs

The weathering is excellent. :pathead

Are they both Bill Bedford kits ?

Thanks Peter.  Yes they are the same kit from Bill.  Quite a challenge to get all the fiddly bits on.

John

I think all these look really good John!

Thanks Gene, if you had been at the clubhouse today, you would have seen them in the "flesh".

John

 

John...did they all run well??

Tch!  Of course!

Oh they really look the part. I love the weathering.

Jimmy

Cheers Jimmy, I always like to make my stuff look used.  In the case of these, REALLY used.

John

 

I just finished weathering these:




The Bachmann 3 pack of PO wagons in the 50s or early 60s (they disappeared pretty quickly as the 60s wore on).  I was impressed with the distressing but the factory weathering left something to be desired.  I painted the white stripe on the 2 wagons with end doors and the brake handles white.  Additional weathering was done using an airbrush followed by powders.

John

I started building some Roxey coach kits today:




The kit contents:




Today's progress on the first underframe:




More details at the blogspot link below.

John

I got the underframe finished and bogies done today.  Here they are married up for the first time:




The ride height will need raising so that the bogies swing freely.

John

That looks good and solid John - well made too :thumbs.

Is the floor frame where it's supposed to be on the kit ?  As you say, it will cartainly need a higher ride height but as is, it has very clean sleek lines ……

Thanks Peter.  I'm kind of feeling my way at the moment so I'm not sure exactly what I'll do for a floor - probably plastic sheet.  Those holes will have to filled no matter what.

John

 

I finished off the underframe today and adjusted the ride height by two washer thicknesses:




Note the two pieces of 0.032" wire on the left most bolster - this prevents the coach from rocking.

I took it to the club layout this evening and I'm happy to report that it took even the most challenging double curve crossover with ease.  It's a keeper.

I also started work on the body:







The droplights were a challenge because there are few cues to aid location from the inside.

John