Lots Of Paint Drying

[Richard08]

It's all been about paint and some scenery this week. I don't enjoy painting much, but alas needs must. The Crocodile H has it's nice ex works late BR grey base applied, not quite sure where the weathering is going on this as I've yet to find any photos in BR livery, but old and neglected is the plan, but not engineers, just because. The four vans need the roofs doing and then on to weathering. The Gloucester wagon needs all the ironwork picking out in black. This one is staying ex-works, mostly because it looks cool that way. The Dogfish, still minus the elusive escapee hand-wheel, is etch primed - way more applied than necessary, but getting into all the corners required blasting a lot of paint. The QM 2.0 brake van is awaiting Plan Z to attach the roof and the LMS bogie brake van is awaiting some adjustments to the running boards.

The domestic coal plant has it 'new' grey done and is next to be be heavily weathered, the accessories (the scales, crane grab etc) and some coal sacks and things will be attached mini diorama style.

The old steam engine I've had to make look ignored - it seems these were often quite garishly decorated (see pumping station photos and the like), but there's very limited access to get paint in with a decent finish. This would have been better supplied as a kit for that reason. And finally the signal box area has had some tarting up. The bricks on the shed are very round-edged making 'pointing' difficult as the pug comes out looking way to thick, but hey ho. Equally on the signal box (laser cut wood) the mortar lines are very thin and shallow - I can't get a better finish without it looking new-build so it can stay as is. The 'paths' are a bit too stark, some messing needed there.

[centenary]

Cool. On a slightly different topic, is that self built track or Peco \ Legacy Model track with it's wider sleeper spacing?

[Richard08]

Cool. On a slightly different topic, is that self built track or Peco \ Legacy Model track with it's wider sleeper spacing?

It's Peco, the plain track spacing and sleeper size is correct in O gauge (with some exceptions, inevitably). The Points are Peco, but I cut away the 'bent' sleeper and replace with plain (points width) 'timbers' and extra chairs. The exit plain track sleepers shouldn't interlace at all really but be replaced by ever longer timbers until there's a no interference. However, doing that, to my eye, looks very odd so I start interlacing rather sooner might be considered 'correct'. FWIW 'correct' track was an important factor in deciding on O rather than picking up OO again. I did make one set of points (using Templot) but it was a lot of effort and the point motors couldn't really cope. I also looked at P4 but making all the track didn't appeal - plus re-wheeling everything.

[Phred]

Ah, I thought I recognised the shape of the old steam engine on the platform. Looking at the cable drums reminded me that we always used to place a couple of bits of old timber as wedges to stop them moving. It's amazing how easily they moved when you didn't want them to and how many toes got mashed prior to steel-capped boots coming into fashion.

[Richard08]

Ah, I thought I recognised the shape of the old steam engine on the platform. Looking at the cable drums reminded me that we always used to place a couple of bits of old timber as wedges to stop them moving. It's amazing how easily they moved when you didn't want them to and how many toes got mashed prior to steel-capped boots coming into fashion.

Indeed - that's not their final resting place, I have no idea where that is yet. But rest assured they will be chocked appropriately, not least because they roll very nicely in model form too

[Bigmet]

... The Crocodile H has it's nice ex works late BR grey base applied, not quite sure where the weathering is going on this as I've yet to find any photos in BR livery, but old and neglected is the plan, but not engineers, just because... The Dogfish, still minus the elusive escapee hand-wheel, is etch primed ...

Both looking very smart, and the Weltrol especially handsome, don't know about you but I have allowed myself three wagons from the fleet 'ex-works', they do 'pop out' among the majority of BR steam era dirty wagons.

I was a little annoyed when one of my Hornby 'Trout' models likewise mysteriously lost a handwheel. But a late friend time served in railway engineering suggested that the handwheel had been removed to prevent any attempt at operation of the damaged mechanism: so it can run empty back to works ticketed for repair, an unusual vehicle among a train largely of down mineral empties.

[Richard08]

... don't know about you but I have allowed myself three wagons from the fleet 'ex-works', they do 'pop out' among the majority of BR steam era dirty wagons.

Yes, eventually one or two will be ex-works. Even in the early 80s mint wagons turned up now and again, so no issues with being prototypical. I kind of have a Speedlink van, a PGA and (if I can find a kit) an MSV pigeonholed for that.

.I was a little annoyed when one of my Hornby 'Trout' models likewise mysteriously lost a handwheel. But a late friend time served in railway engineering suggested that the handwheel had been removed to prevent any attempt at operation of the damaged mechanism: so it can run empty back to works ticketed for repair, an unusual vehicle among a train largely of down mineral empties.

I dropped it when fitting - I'll find it sometime. If all else fails I can make/adapt one, I keep an eye out on eBay 'Parts & Accessories in case something turns up there. I just don't want to admit defeat finding it - it has to be on the floor somewhere!