Scale7JB
Western Thunderer
Hi Graham,
It’s not hard to lose stuff in the flat thankfully..
Apologies for completely forgetting to bring to the Albury meet. I can stick it in post or bring to Stafford?
JB.
Spike's folding table - Painting a Shunter's Truck
- Thread starter Spike
- Start date
It’s not hard to lose stuff in the flat thankfully..
Apologies for completely forgetting to bring to the Albury meet. I can stick it in post or bring to Stafford?
JB.
Return of the Sentinel
Spike
Western Thunderer
Nearly a year and a half has passed since the Sentinel featured on the folding table. In the background I have been working away on the loco. The problem area for me was working out what to do with the electrics to keep all the wiring hidden. I finally have settled on how to control all the lights which results in a lot of cables running down the inside of the chassis.
There are two micro bore tubes soldered to the chassis and about 5 wires run down each tube. There is not alot of room within the bonnet once the decoder and motor are installed. As such the keep alive will be inside the cab along with the connections for all the lighting. I have designed cab fittings to concel the items.
There are still 4 sets of LED's to be installed which will not happen till the loco has been painted.
The buffer beams were attached about a year ago but never got round to posting about the progress. Better late then never.
Whilst not visible in the below picture I have used MOK self contained buffers, otherwise convential buffers would have resulted in the spring being visible around the steps.
One part of the kit that I wanted to upgrade was the sandboxes. The kit calls for the plate with the two holes to be pushed back at an angle with wire forming a handle. Research showed something different, and a bit of time with CAD later and four new sandboxes with lids were produced to go behind the hole in the side once that plate had been removed.
Below is the 3D prints, the one on the left has had the wire installed to form the handle.
Final photo shows the sandbox placed behind the hole in the side, much better! Just the checker plate to be added in the half etch.
Next up is sorting the side lights and finishing the wiring.
Regards
Peter
There are two micro bore tubes soldered to the chassis and about 5 wires run down each tube. There is not alot of room within the bonnet once the decoder and motor are installed. As such the keep alive will be inside the cab along with the connections for all the lighting. I have designed cab fittings to concel the items.
There are still 4 sets of LED's to be installed which will not happen till the loco has been painted.
The buffer beams were attached about a year ago but never got round to posting about the progress. Better late then never.
Whilst not visible in the below picture I have used MOK self contained buffers, otherwise convential buffers would have resulted in the spring being visible around the steps.
One part of the kit that I wanted to upgrade was the sandboxes. The kit calls for the plate with the two holes to be pushed back at an angle with wire forming a handle. Research showed something different, and a bit of time with CAD later and four new sandboxes with lids were produced to go behind the hole in the side once that plate had been removed.
Below is the 3D prints, the one on the left has had the wire installed to form the handle.
Final photo shows the sandbox placed behind the hole in the side, much better! Just the checker plate to be added in the half etch.
Next up is sorting the side lights and finishing the wiring.
Regards
Peter
A Club O Gauge Layout
Spike
Western Thunderer
My local railway club has restarted the O guage layout about 10 years after I had built three of the seven baseboards. They have been in storage and are in really good condition. Over the past two months myself and my dad have been progressing the fourth board. Some of the parts were cut around 10 years ago and have been living in the garage waiting for their use.
The plan for the layout was to have a split level design with the top level running along arches with a goods yard at the front. Some of the parts are
shown below, it is a giant jigsaw puzzle.
The piece above is the goods yard top and then a road tunnel that goes under the arches.
At this point the internal structure is glued in and front panel has been added. The sides are to be added next.
Went a bit over the top with clamps. Once the glue is dry the parts are pinned together.
The Basingstoke Club who are building the O gauge layout are having an open day on the 3rd September where the plans for the O gauge layout will be on show and the boards built to date will be on display. We are hoping to get the other boards built by the end of October so trackwork can commence.
Regards
Peter
The plan for the layout was to have a split level design with the top level running along arches with a goods yard at the front. Some of the parts are
shown below, it is a giant jigsaw puzzle.
The piece above is the goods yard top and then a road tunnel that goes under the arches.
At this point the internal structure is glued in and front panel has been added. The sides are to be added next.
Went a bit over the top with clamps. Once the glue is dry the parts are pinned together.
The Basingstoke Club who are building the O gauge layout are having an open day on the 3rd September where the plans for the O gauge layout will be on show and the boards built to date will be on display. We are hoping to get the other boards built by the end of October so trackwork can commence.
Regards
Peter
GWR AA19 Toad
Spike
Western Thunderer
Over the past year I have been working away at a Parkside kit of a GWR AA19 Brake Van.
I decided to build it pretty much as per the kit but with a couple of upgrades:
1. Replacing the plastic handbrake column and handle with a cast brass version.
2. Suspension units from Exactoscale.
You can see the Exactoscle units below, I had to reduce the height on the internal chassis beams to accomodate the units. I have also got rid of the Parkside breakshoes and hangers and used Slaters instead. I managed to break one of the parkside yokes hence the single brass version.
The next change I made was to the Handbrake column. I think I used a CPL version instead on which you can see the teeth and latch. Overall a much better representation.
I had trouble with the handrail brackets provided in the kit. I ended up ditching them and my Dad mentioned there was an article in MRJ about the brackets being made out of metal. Quick trip up to the library and volume in hand back to the shed to start creating the brackets. It took me a day to file and drill the holes in all of them, a couple of cut fingers but worth the effort as once attached to the model it really improved the appearance.
First set of brackets and handrails fitted. I have corrected the wonky bit on the left hand side.
Today I have been adding the footboards, the top step has been filled down in the middle to represent the guard climbing in and out of the van and wearing away the timber. I have only placed the roof on at the moment - glazing still to be added. I am leaving the extra support on the veranda end till the end.
Overall I am pleased with the Brake Van, I have a soft spot for Brake Vans and whilst this was not exactly the right period for me I enjoyed building it and will still find a home on the layout.
Peter
I decided to build it pretty much as per the kit but with a couple of upgrades:
1. Replacing the plastic handbrake column and handle with a cast brass version.
2. Suspension units from Exactoscale.
You can see the Exactoscle units below, I had to reduce the height on the internal chassis beams to accomodate the units. I have also got rid of the Parkside breakshoes and hangers and used Slaters instead. I managed to break one of the parkside yokes hence the single brass version.
The next change I made was to the Handbrake column. I think I used a CPL version instead on which you can see the teeth and latch. Overall a much better representation.
I had trouble with the handrail brackets provided in the kit. I ended up ditching them and my Dad mentioned there was an article in MRJ about the brackets being made out of metal. Quick trip up to the library and volume in hand back to the shed to start creating the brackets. It took me a day to file and drill the holes in all of them, a couple of cut fingers but worth the effort as once attached to the model it really improved the appearance.
First set of brackets and handrails fitted. I have corrected the wonky bit on the left hand side.
Today I have been adding the footboards, the top step has been filled down in the middle to represent the guard climbing in and out of the van and wearing away the timber. I have only placed the roof on at the moment - glazing still to be added. I am leaving the extra support on the veranda end till the end.
Overall I am pleased with the Brake Van, I have a soft spot for Brake Vans and whilst this was not exactly the right period for me I enjoyed building it and will still find a home on the layout.
Peter
Last edited:
Dog Star
Western Thunderer
The article in the MRJ is by John Hayes, "Uncommon Toad" (pg.31, issue no.92, 1997). Peter's reference to the library refers to the bookshelves in our modelling room.
Spike
Western Thunderer
Can not quite believe it has been 2 years since I last posted on my workbench thread, what has happened well I have spent the time working on my layout Scruffs Junction getting it ready for its first outing in March 2025 at the Basingstoke show and since then working on upgrades in time for the Fareham show on the first weekend in October.
I have posted about Scruffs Junction over on RMweb in detail and I will add some photos to the layout thread here in due course.
In the background I have been working on bits of rolling stock, mainly Private Owner wagons and a shunters truck.
Below are two pictures of the finished shunters truck awaiting paint and final fitting of buffers and couplings.
The model features 3d printed axleboxes and springs as the ones provided in the kit left a gap under the solebar which was too visible for my liking.
Regards
Peter
I have posted about Scruffs Junction over on RMweb in detail and I will add some photos to the layout thread here in due course.
In the background I have been working on bits of rolling stock, mainly Private Owner wagons and a shunters truck.
Below are two pictures of the finished shunters truck awaiting paint and final fitting of buffers and couplings.
The model features 3d printed axleboxes and springs as the ones provided in the kit left a gap under the solebar which was too visible for my liking.
Regards
Peter
Dog Star
Western Thunderer
HJ arrived on the scene....
009 Diversion
Spike
Western Thunderer
I have not really been doing much if any O Gauge modelling since October, just decided to do something different. I have a separate project on the go to make a model of Tan-Y-Bwlch station on the Ffestiniog where I go for my summer holidays. Before committing to painting the buildings I wanted to practice painting slate and weathering on something else first, spured on by attending the Missenden Modellers November weekend to learn and practice weathering.
Cue MS Models - they produce 3d printed buildings and can not fault the quality of the prints. I picked up a couple of items from their narrow gauge range.
Coal Staithes
Single Track Rail Under Footbridge
Water Tower - similar in style to Tan-Y-Bwlch
Engine Shed
Brakesman's Hut
The idea was to produce a small diorama to test all my ideas before pressing go on the layout.
Whilst the diorama is not likely to happen now I do have plans for these buildings.
Cue MS Models - they produce 3d printed buildings and can not fault the quality of the prints. I picked up a couple of items from their narrow gauge range.
Coal Staithes
Single Track Rail Under Footbridge
Water Tower - similar in style to Tan-Y-Bwlch
Engine Shed
Brakesman's Hut
The idea was to produce a small diorama to test all my ideas before pressing go on the layout.
Whilst the diorama is not likely to happen now I do have plans for these buildings.
Attachments
Painting a Shunter's Truck
Spike
Western Thunderer
After the past few months painting 009 models I have carried on the painting theme and set about finishing off the GWR shunters truck from a Scorpio Models kit which I had been building last summer.
Following a recommendation from Simon Thompson regarding primers for brass and nickel etch I popped over to the local model shop and picked up Mr Hobby Aqueous Surfacer 1000 and gave it a go with the shunters truck. Very impressed with the quality of the product and the finish it gave. Definately will be my go to primer. Unfortunately I forgot to photo the results before moving on to the grey.
Railmatch acrylic GWR stock grey was used for the main colour applied with an airbrush.
The handrails need to go white, I have applied Games Workshop's Seer Grey first which is a very pale grey paint to give the white a better chance of covering the Stock Grey. Have painted the first side with the Seer Grey and need to repeat for the other side and then apply the Railmatch white.
Peter
Following a recommendation from Simon Thompson regarding primers for brass and nickel etch I popped over to the local model shop and picked up Mr Hobby Aqueous Surfacer 1000 and gave it a go with the shunters truck. Very impressed with the quality of the product and the finish it gave. Definately will be my go to primer. Unfortunately I forgot to photo the results before moving on to the grey.
Railmatch acrylic GWR stock grey was used for the main colour applied with an airbrush.
The handrails need to go white, I have applied Games Workshop's Seer Grey first which is a very pale grey paint to give the white a better chance of covering the Stock Grey. Have painted the first side with the Seer Grey and need to repeat for the other side and then apply the Railmatch white.
Peter
Spike
Western Thunderer
The Shunters truck is nearing completion and made an appearance on the layout at last weekends Basingstoke Club Open day.
Decals have been applied thanks to @magmouse for the decals. Choice ended up being a Banbury shunters truck as this appeared closest to the model built.
The wagon was placed behind the stone wharf to hide the masking taped wheels as final spray of matt varnish did not happen in time for the open day with time being spent on Scruffs gaining a new fiddle yard and cassettes also thanks to Nick (Magmouse) for the 3d printed parts and idea.
Once Varnish is complete buffers and couplings can be fitted and that is my first completed brass wagon kit.
Decals have been applied thanks to @magmouse for the decals. Choice ended up being a Banbury shunters truck as this appeared closest to the model built.
The wagon was placed behind the stone wharf to hide the masking taped wheels as final spray of matt varnish did not happen in time for the open day with time being spent on Scruffs gaining a new fiddle yard and cassettes also thanks to Nick (Magmouse) for the 3d printed parts and idea.
Once Varnish is complete buffers and couplings can be fitted and that is my first completed brass wagon kit.