Simple Things, Simple Coaches

Following the arrival of an O9 loco I decided to attempt some simple scratchbuilding, inspired by Colins work.

Built from 30 and 60 thou plasticard, there essentially just a serious of rectangles glued together. The longer coach was meant to be a bogie coach but I didn't leave enough clearance for the swing of the bogies...

As a result both run on chopped up Peco N gauge wagon chassis. Couplings are also Peco, from their 009 range, and probably the most expensive item of the build!

I'd like to think the finished item, with its simple red livery, fits in well with the Alan Keef loco. I do feel a small seaside railway layout is needed...

Till next time.

Oh No, O9...

I've always liked the modelling scalebof O9, which is 7mm scale on 9mm gauge track. There's often two forms of modelling that stem from it, more industrial representations of 18inch gauge railways, and more Miniature outline 15 inch gauge railways. It is the latter that's always interested me more after discovering Colin Peakes Shifting Sands Layout.

Years ago, while still at school, I purchased a Battery Outline locomotive from Colin and attempted to model in the scale, but the kit and scratch building required wasn't for me at the time and the loco moved on. The end of last year I had the urge again and purchased more items from Colin!

The loco is a A1 Models print mounted on a Bachmann Plymouth Chassis, cleverly made a four wheeler. The model represents a Alan Keef K12 and has been expertly finished in Colins usual style. Despite been more 'industrial' in outline it is a small locomotive and suitable for engineers trains in the 'miniature railway' environment. The three wagons are scratchbuilt, and lovely in their finish. All I need to do is add couplings and a suitable engineer load.

Also in the purchase was this 'miniature' outline coach. Built from the currently unavailable Chivers Finelines kit, it's simple black and red livery just screams seaside railway to me!

Till next time.

A Final Hattons Order

I think everyone at this point knows Hattons is winding down. When I saw the news it was unexpected, but in some ways not a surprise. Personally I've not used Hattons much, often buying my items from local shops or at shows, and this final order might be only the third order I've ever made with Hattons in the last 15 years. 

As you can imagine, most of the rolling stock was gutted from the website as soon as it was reduced. A few weeks later I picked up these couple of items, all half price. A couple of 'Bookazines' were joined by a couple of items from the HobbyZone stable, mainly a paintbrush case and small carry box. Both are self build items so I'll feature them more once they look a little more exciting than a cardboard box!

Till next time.

Not another Open Wagon...

A few days back I posted about some bargain Bachmann Mineral Wagons (Here). The first of these has now passed through my workbench as a 'quick' project.

This slope sided 16t Open was factory weathered by Bachmann, mainly consisting of a sandy spray of paint over the rust patchs. The chassis was totally repainted into matt black before re-weathering. The rust patches already present were 'reworked' adding further shades and depth, before a black wash and a coat of matt varnish was applied.

The inside was also treated to a rusty rework. Intending to run this as an empty wagon, I may add the remains of a coal load at some point. Gibson EM wagons were fitted, along with Smiths 3 Link couplings, and the wagon is ready to add to the operational fleet.

Till next time.

A Look At - Accurascale Chaldrons

Like many, the announcement of the Accurascale Chaldron wagons had me intrigued. With my interest in modelling industrial railways I was tempted, but it wasn't until a chance encounter with a secondhand set at Rails of Sheffield that I picked some up.

Although second hand, these were basically mint in box, and what a lovely box it is! This is the first time I'd handled a Accurascale product and the initial impression is very promising.

Opening the lid we get our first look at how small these wagons are. Inside each is held within an 'ice cube' tray to protect it during transport. 

Below the tray we find paper work covering the history of this type of wagon, and in the case of this set, a Limited Edition certificate! It turns out this is an Accurascale Exclusive NCB set.

Out of the box and on the track it becomes obvious how tiny these wagons are. Despite this they have a nice amount of weight to them.

Looking a bit closer we can see the detail, especially around the brake handle. Despite been simple wagons, there's lots to take in. The wheels are especially nice.

Been inside framed wagons the axles are 'clipped' into the chassis. Although this type of chassis often results in additional friction, these seemed to have no problem.

Coupling is achieved via magnets, with spares supplied to clip into you locos NEM socket. This is one area of the model I'm not a fan of. Such small wagons were always going to be an issue coupling wise, and although nicely executed, the Magnet approach doesn't allow them to be easily shunted.

Comparing to a small 'modern image' wagon (Bachmann Limpet) we can truly appreciate how tiny these models are for 4mm scale standard gauge.

Despite been lovely models, they have since moved on. Been an EM gauge modeller I decided that bringing the wheels will look silly due to the exposed inside frames. Luckily the new owner will enjoy them in there intended 00 gauge state.

Till next time.

Foto Friday 4

New build Lynton & Barnstaple Tank 'Lyd' is prepared for its next journey at Porthmadog Harbour Station. Ffestiniog Railway, 29/10/2022

Till next time.

Make Mine a Mucky One

Hot of the heels of the Hornby Class 37, the Slaters Open Wagon is also completed!

Weathering was completed using a black wash and weathering powders. This was sealed with Matt varnish, which annoyingly dried with a gloss sheen!

Further testing with the cans of matt varnish I had in stock gave the same result, so a new can was ordered. This 'saved the day' by brining the finish back to matt! 

A load was added to this example, hiding a weight underneath, and secured with watered down PVA glue. With 3 link couplings added and the wheels popped back in, it's ready to be added yo the operational fleet.

Till next time.

Into The Archive - 1 - Hornby Hymek

I thought it would be fun to look back at some previous models in my collection from time to time. Some will be previous models I've built, others will be items from my 'childhood' of playing trains.

The first to feature is this Hornby Railways Hymek, product code R758, first released in 1966! This model is much older than myself but I have distinct memories of getting a 'bargain' of eBay at the time.

I seem to remember been sat with my Dad, who was looking for something non train related on eBay at the time, when this little locomotive came up as ending soon. He put a bid in for it (and paid too!) and I believe we paid something along the lines of around £7 Inc Post!

I remember been very excited when it turned up as it had 'proper' hooks for 3 link couplings fitted, although that prevented me running it with anything I owned coupled too it! I think a couple of wagons with 3 link couplings arrived not long after for it to run with.

In reality it's a very basic model, with rather chunky wheels, but it was perfect for running on my train set laid on the bedroom floor! 

The body is simply unclipped revealing the simple internals, although I always remeber it running fine, if even throwing a few sparks out sometimes. Clearly it was also BR Blue originally!

So what to do with it now? It's pointless selling it on, as its pretty worthless, but I wouldn't anyway as it holds sentimental value. It is tempting to tart it up, maybe repaint it plus a little detailing. Whether this involves going the whole hog and putting finescale wheels in it! Whatever happens I think it will make a reappearance on the bench again...

Till next time.

Bargain Class 37 Part 6 - Finished!

It's taken longer than expected, but the bargain Class 37 is now finished! I stalled slightly with doing the chassis and underframe work. I originally intended to add much more buffer beam detailing, but project stagnation saw this not happen! Some gauges were picked out in white and the entire chassis given a track grime dry brush, with some gunmetal and oily steel shades around 'working' areas.

Fuel Gauges (?) picked out in white, and a grimy finish added.

The Side profile of the loco. The Hornby Railroad Class 37 has many shortfalls, but the weathered finish helps lift it to be more realistic. 

The roof is difficult to photograph, but grime, applied in the direction rain would make it run, is bolstered by sooty black staining around the exhaust ports that Class 37s always seem to have.

A cheap addition, the etched BR Double arrows add an air of finesse to the model, lifting it from its humble origins.

The other end is more mundane, without the flare of etched plates. Weathering helps tone down the yellow ends.

A rather picture heavy post, which I apologise for, but the first big project of the bench for the New Year! Am I happy with the result? Yes. It isn't perfect, but hopefully shows 'budget' models can be lifted with some simple washes and time. 

As I'm writing this post the loco has found a new home, as been 00 gauge it doesn't fit with my current EM gauge plans. Luckily the new owner seems to be a fan, and has even managed to get the DCC sound working! 

Till next time.