Dad-1 - Workbench - West Bay Wagon Works

[Richard08]

Richardo8,

Were I to use it that would be the thing to do, but I'm sinking in a sea of wagons.
Well past the 550 mark and now having long ago filled all the storage boxes, even
my layouts are filled to the level it's difficult to run anything !!

Geoff T.

Yes, a problem on the horizon here too. I have a plan, that would involve building a new bench for for the music stuff 'behind me' and extending the goods shed siding round the corner. A double slip, a set of curved points and a horrible 40in radius curve to gain about 3m of siding space, so maybe not this week... Good scenic opportunity though.

[Dad-1]

Withering on the vine ?
Well I hope not, but I have little reason to build much more. There are however
quite a few unfinished jobs. In truth one hell of a lot !! Most of that can be just weathering,
but this particular job was simply devoid of any paint.

The Ratio GWR Bogie Bolster 'A' kit.
Now I had built one back in 2019, to me that's very recent, but I've still forgotten exactly
what paint colours I used. I know they were Humbrol enamels, but that's where memory
fails.
Currently I'm also puzzled why the original had plate bogies and the new build has diamond
frame bogies. Oh I hope that's the right description.
So a splash of Humbrol 27, slightly light, but suitable as a faded GWR grey and then compare
to my old build that has been weathered. Mmmm I do like the look of my old one, but I doubt
I'll ever get a similar finish.
Side by side :-



My original build had wire loops for coupling, while this works fine in a drawn train there is no
way you can reverse. So this time I've tried building in NEM pockets, but the height was wrong.
To correct that the best I could I've used those special low slug hooks sold by Bachmann. They
now sit at the right height, but I've not tried reversing in a 10 - 20 wagon rake.

The old one 2/12/19




Geoff T.

[Dad-1]

Back at the beginning of November I'd built 6 Dapol 16 Ton Minerals.
They were painted and numbered and just put aside. It was my intention
to make up as Chalk traffic wagons for use on Chalkhill where I'm intending
to have at our July exhibition a yard full of mostly kit built wagons.

At long last I've started, as a reference I hooked one of my Bachmann wagons
out to hopefully almost match the extreme amount of weathering these chalk
wagons always seemed to display.



I've now thought again and I might finish 2 as coal wagons Here they sit on
the points section of Chalkhill. The thickest white one is the Bachmann RTR,
a second coat needed on my 4 to get to a similar standard.

Geoff T.

[Richard08]

Good stuff

[Phred]

Looking good! I like the weathering on that Sentinel too.

[Dad-1]

Thanks for the comments guys,

Tonight I did a final white wash on the 4 new kit built 16 tonners, plus weathering the
Presflo I made back in October (page 87).

Unless I build any more here is my complete set of Cement Industry stock. A mix of
Bachmann RTR (mostly tipplers) a mix of some Dapol RTR 16 tonners and Dapol kits.
The yellow & grey Presflo are Bachmann with the 3 bauxite ones from the Dapol kit.
The yellow vans are RTR Dapol.

Something you don't see very often. When I was a technical welding advisor I used to
visit chalk quarries in the Chilterns, particularly around Dunstable area.



Geoff T.

[Dave-00]

That’s an impressive fleet Geoff, and I know that it’s a mere fraction of your total stock.

[Phred]

Very realistic.

[Richard08]

Now you'll be able to chalk it up to experience. I'll get me coat.

[Phred]

Richard08 wrote:
Now you'll be able to chalk it up to experience. I'll get me coat.

[Dad-1]

what does it take to reinvigorate you ?
In my case digging through stuff I've not see for years as I reorganise the shed.

First there was a broken traction engine. Scrap, or save ? By drilling into the body and
driving in a dressmaking pin, then drilling the front axle trunnion for the pin to seat in
I have a traction engine to mount on a Lowmac. A 3/4 size job ?
The model is Lesney No.1, Is this the first Matchbox Toy ? in which case it's about70 years
old. If I remember correctly Lesney did a coronation coach for the late queens coronation.
It was a great success and I think the Matchbox toys idea originated from that.



At the same time I unearthed a tin that was full of bits left from building wagons, plus a
Metcalfe free gift building that was included with a Railway Modeller from 8+ years ago.
I've not built one for years, but fancied trying, once I found an unopened UHU tube !!
It's been great fun and I thoroughly enjoyed making it. Only a few additions to lift it slightly.



There is a reason why so many layouts have Metcalfe buildings. Easy enough to build, affordable,
I thoroughly enjoyed making this, adding a couple of figures, some wall paper, a big glass vase,
even a picture on a back wall all enhanced with coloured paper curtains.

I think I'll buy another model and do a street, my wife likes that idea, but no railway ??

Geoff T.

[Dave-00]

It’s years since I built a Metcalfe too, I had a viaduct in the loft but it didn’t handle the extremes in temperature very well. Your extra additions make a big difference.

[Phred]

Dad-1 wrote:
adding a couple of figures, some wall paper, a big glass vase, even a picture on a back wall all enhanced with coloured paper curtains.

It's the understated details that make it work, things like the unfolding disaster scene behind the shop.

[Bigmet]

...I have a traction engine to mount on a Lowmac. A 3/4 size job ?...

If it's 3/4 size it may not be necessary to drop the chimney to clear under the yard loading gauge. But if not, then cut through the bottom flange: it is present for this very reason. Some had a hinge incorporated, handy for locations with plenty of low bridges such as farm accesses under railway lines.

[Dad-1]

Hi Bigmet,

I have yet to try it under a loading gauge. It's going to be close
to limits. I have to lift off one layout and place on another. Must have
the right health & safety so we don't have the accident like that Phred
noted alongside the wool shop !!

Today has been most frustrating because Chalkhill has been giving
awful running. Not just the set-track points, but stalling on straight
sections into the bargain.
I know it's the trackwork as HSII works the same locomotives without
any stalling. For whatever reason 3 months on it's side in my shed has
caused havoc. Todays session has it almost back to an acceptable state.
Careful use of wet-n-dry, even a very fine file has worked. The slightest
step on a rail join needed to be removed. Getting perfect switchblade
continuity on insulated points ..... Uggg. Even the switchblade rivet was
not wanting to play !! Result, live blade, dead frog !!

Geoff T.