Best laid plans...

As mentioned at the start of the month, I went and manned a demo desk at the Brisbane Miniature Train Show.  Naturally I was, like Caesar, ambitious with what I hoped to do.

To give some idea, I took with me the Chivers kits which appeared in the previous post, along with 3 Black 5s to renumber, 4 Dapol MkIIIs to likewise renumber and a few other bits and pieces.  Given that I was only there for 4 hours you can see what I mean about ambitions.

In the event, I did manage to get the black paint on the Chivers kits and made a bit of progress on renumbering the Black 5s.  There was also a lot of talking and I did have a look around the show.   As a modeller, I was disappointed, as most of the layouts were more toy train sets on steroids but there were glimmers here and there.  Given that it was a new venue, I suspect a few of the more serious enthusiasts had decided to give it a miss until they could have a look at the set up.  Maybe next year there will be a few more models.  Standout model was Esk, a QR layout modelled on the station of the same name in the Brisbane Valley.

Since AMRA I have managed to get some transfers onto the Chivers kits - but having decided to do them in LMS livery I have found this takes much longer than doing the same for BR.  For one, there is more transfers to put on and for two, I have managed to find some pictures of prototypes on preserved railways so I am trying to mimic these - but this has its one pitfalls, chiefly that the NGS transfer sets for LMS wagons do not include the right numbers so it is a cut and paste job.

In a couple of weekends, the Toowoomba Train Show is on - I am hoping to go and take the collection of 2mmSA etched kits that I have promised a mate I'd build and get stuck in.  In the meantime, I will hopefully get some pictures up on Friday night - and try to bring back the Friday Night Update!



Where has the time gone???

"An extremely busy end to 2012 on the domestic front saw less trains being done than I had planned - stuff happened, but more often than not I didn't get around to photographing what I did. I do have some which I will upload in coming days."

 

I wrote this back in February.  The title hasn't changed and is more accurate than ever as it is now the 1st of May and I still haven't done anything about blogging.  However, new month, the start of the show season in Queensland is this weekend and a new resolve.

 

As mentioned, the first show of the season kicks off on Saturday.  This is the 36th Annual Brisbane Miniature Train Show run by the Australia Model Railroad (Railway? Not sure) Association - AMRA - and for the first time in my memory (and I have been going for many years!) it isn't at the Brisbane RNA Grounds (it was originally I am told at Brisbane City Hall and I probably went, but that was some time ago).  It has moved to a new venue at the Doomben Race Course.  How this pans out remains to be seen.  The other big change, not of AMRAs doing per se, is the show is now a 2 day, not 3 day show.  Again, for as long as I can remember, the AMRA show was on the May Day Long Weekend (Bank Holiday to the Brits reading this) but the Government last year (actually it was the outgoing Government who started the idea) moved one of the Holiday's from this time of year to October.  (The original plan had the June one for the Queen's Birthday going but it was felt the May Day one worked better as it was so close to 25 April which is the National Holiday for ANZAC Day.)

 

In keeping with past years (at least past years when I was in Brisbane) I am going to be demonstrating various techniques on the British Railway Modellers of Australia stand.  However, I am only going for a half day rather than the whole weekend as I have done in the past.  Too much other stuff on.

 

To give me something to do, I have been making some LMS wagon kits by Roger Chivers.  These were out of production for a while but a batch turned up on eBay a couple of years ago so I snapped up a few.  Nothing fancy in the making - followed the instructions - and they have since been painted with Phoenix LMS Grey paint.  The other examples I have are in BR livery but these are intended for a different layout than my current one, hence the change.

 

 

Left to right - Peco 5 plank wagon (I had one so...) 4x LMS Tube wagon, 2x Plate and 1x double bolster.  I have another double bolster but the white metal buffers weren't usable and I haven't gotten around to getting some brass ones.

 

So, all things being equal, a picture next week (or more than one) of the finished wagons.

Winners are grinners!

OK, seriously I am not gloating - I wasn't even there to see the quality of the competition.  We had storms in Brisbane on the day of the comp and I was on a light aircraft and so didn't actually make it to the venue until mid afternoon by which stage the only models left were mine!!!  However, I did manage to win two trophies - one for the fourth time which was special as it was the one I was most wanting to win - and one for the first time,  which is equally special as I hadn't entered that category before (mind you, I was amazed that my Fleetline Garratt was judged the best in the category for Kit or Scratch built locos against some 7mm models.)

 

The model which got me the modified RTR trophy for the 4th time (under the rules of the competition this is the most times I could have won it in the last 9 years) was one of my Peco Jubilees.  The blurb I included with the model is below:

 

Category B – Modified Ready To Run Locomotives

Scale:               British N Scale (1:148)

Prototype:       BR (Ex LMS) Jubilee 45565 “Victoria”

The model:      Peco by Riverrossi. The model started life in post war LMS Black livery and was un-numbered and not named.  It has received a complete repaint into BR Express Locomotive Green.  The lining transfers are by Model Master with an etched brass nameplate produced by a modeller in the UK as a bespoke job have been applied.  Extra details include: lamp irons, head lamps (Class C for fully fitted freight/parcels/milk traffic), screw link coupling on the front, brake pipes front and rear, glazing on the cab forward and side windows (Krystal Klear), real coal in the tender and a crew.  The tender has had turned brass vents to replace missing plastic ones (the model was purchased second hand in 1996, some 20 years after production had ceased) and the rivets taken off to represent a welded tender, one of which was fitted to the locomotive from 1936, although this one, in Green with the Crest, would be numbered 10152 – assuming you could read the plate on the rear of the tender! – and fitted in 1961 (or it could be 9696 fitted in 1946 and presumably painted lined green with the Crest at some stage prior to 1961).

My wife kindly took some pictures today while I was refereeing the kids.  She did manage to a) drop it and b) remove one of the crew in her attempts but fortunately nothing terminal.

 

 

 

I'll get around to photoing the Garratt in due course.

 

BRMA (Q) AMMC 2012 - my entries.

Next weekend (17 November) is the BRMA(Q) Annual Model Making Competition (AMMC).  Now in its 9th year, there are 7 categories for competition from which an overall champion model is selected.  I have been a keen entrant pretty well every year (there was at least one where I didn't have time to finish models in the categories I was eligible in - you can't defend your trophy as winning makes you ineligible for the following year's competition) usually in the modified RTR categories (both locomotives and rolling stock) and in the kit built rolling stock section.  Last year I managed to win the scratch built line side structure and diorama sections.  To date I haven't entered the kit or scratch built locomotives nor modified line side kit sections.  My plan was to do both, along with the three other categories I was eligible to enter.

 

Well time and what not have conspired against me getting the modified line side kit model done - I had planned on modifying the Kestrel semi-detached house kit, having been inspired to have a go at it by an article in 'Nspirations 3.

 

The rest are sorted.  I have two entries in Category A for the first time ever - a Skytrex/Fleetline LMS Garratt as BR 47975 and the Knightwing kit for LMS 10000.  For Category B - the modified RTR locos - I have finished off detailing a Peco Jubilee which was repainted into BR Green some years ago.  Category C (the kit or scratch built rolling stock) sees a NGS Sealion paired with a Shark from the same supplier (you have to have two wagons or one coach) as one entry and a pair of HBA hoppers as barrier wagons for a FNA Flask wagon - all from TPM.  As the rules of the competition state there needs to be at least two modellers in the competition, I have decided to put my ERG conversion of a GNER TGS MkIII into the Prince of Wales Saloon from the Royal Train.  I don't expect it to rate highly to be honest, but hopefully someone else who has made a significant effort with their models will be recognised as a result.

 

10000 was finished today - one week early - along with 45565 (the Jubilee).  47975 has been finished for a while - I had planned on entering it last year but realised on the day it only had numbers on one side so felt it would be a bit of a con to put an manifestly unfinished model into the competition. The wagons have similarly been ready to go for a while - I was ineligible for Cats C and D last year.  So one week to go - results next week.  In the meantime - a picture of 10000.

 

 

Something Different - Object A, Part I

I received an email from a mate of my father's a couple of weeks back seeking help on a railway matter.  My dad, bless him, had decided I was a suitably qualified person to approach for said help which turned out to be a question regarding painting and lining a locomotive.  Would I be willing to have a go at it? 

 

The model in question is photographed below:

 

 

This is a C38 class Pacific of the New South Wales Government Railways.  The first 5 of the class were semi streamlined - see elsewhere for my model (which hasn't progressed I'm embarrassed to say) and the last 25 looked like this, albeit in various shades of green with varieties of lining and smoke box colour; a real engine pickers nightmare.  Further queries established it was HO (which I expected since John doesn't model N!) and is a Samhongsa Model from Korea.  I was willing to give it a go and, having spent a weekend in Sydney visiting Phil Badger (BadgerBits Generalissimo) and getting the low down on colours (pretty well every shade of Green seems to be OK!) I invited John and his wife over for a BBQ to inspect the model and see what could be done.

 

The result of a couple of afternoons with the spray can and then a few evenings with the paint brush is below:

 

I am very pleased with it generally - although the silver roof needs to be redone as the brush marks show up too much for my liking.  Now there is the matter of lining it out in red and yellow and putting 3830 on it.  The general idea is to match this:

 

(I have searched via Google for the original as I would expect this to be on the net.  I couldn't find it hence posting the picture rather than the link.  If someone knows the copyright holder (who most assuredly isn't me!) could you pass on his or my details in whichever direction so I can seek permission - or alternatively, point me at the web address for the photo and I'll take down the photo and put the link up in its place.  Thanks)

 

 



Friday Night Update - 28 September 2012

Trying to get back into the Friday night update habit and, by extension, getting some modelling done so there is something to update with!

So this week, I have two things - my WD8 which I got for Father's Day (the test haulage video is further down the blog) was the subject of weathering practice at this months Area Group meeting (which was back a couple of weeks!) but I have done some more with paints on it since.  There is still a bit more to do I feel to match the various published photos I had a look at - my preferred one being a shot of 90012 approaching Ais Gill Summit on the Settle and Carlilse.  I did think of renumbering my loco to match, but I suspect there will be a second one coming at some point, so I will do that then.  This one is for hauling mineral wagons, and the photo is of a mixed goods.

 

Initially I used some of my Tamiya weathering powders which work really well for putting the brown grime on the tender axle boxes and dulling down the numbers and crest.  The black provides a sooty feel but the various lighter shades didn't work well at all in producing the streaking effects which seem to be so common on these locos.  So out with the paint.  This isn't my preferred medium for weathering as it is a bit no-reversible once it has dried.  This is especially so with my preferred Humbrol Enamels.  The streaking from the safety valves was achieved with a dry brush and a little of the palest grey in the Humbrol range - can't remember the number at the moment but if you are interested get in touch.  A bit of matt black was dry brushed on behind the chimney which gave a much better sooty effect than the powders did.  As a result I think I will do a bit more with the paint and see what else I can manage.

 

 

The second item is actually an FOed UFO.  Long time readers will know I built an example of the NGS Kit 4 - the brass etch Sealion.  It has been languishing around waiting for transfers - being one of the older kits in the NGS range, it doesn't come with included transfers.  However, the hardworking transfers officer of the NGS has managed to get a set done which provide transfers both for Kit 4 and Kit 11 (which is a plastic kit for the later Seacow - really should be called a Dugong says the Australian in me!).  Unfortunately it doesn't actually say what is on the transfer or where on your model you should apply it.  So the Internet and Google (mostly to Paul Barlett's excellent website of photos) showed that there doesn't seem to be a universal location for the details, other than the data panel with the number goes on the LH end.  Comparing with my Farish RTR examples shows the NGS one is significantly different - being shorter to start with.  In the end, I decided I would please myself and stuck what looked like the right sort of thing in the right sort of place.  As this wagon will be joined by a couple of others - and something will be done about the coupling gap - I was pleased to see there is enough numbers to transfer 4 wagons.  Now if only the NGS would hurry up and produce some transfers for the Cartic 4 - I know Cambridge Custom Transfers do a set but that is for the prototype and they only do the one, and I drive a Holden, not a Ford.

 

2012 Diorama Project

I've mentioned this from time to time but have never really gotten around to properly addressing it.  Just to recap: Back in February I formed a group of modellers who were members of either the NGS, the 2mmSA or BRMA or a combination thereof.  One of the ideas we had to improve our modelling throughout the year was a diorama which had to have the footprint of an A4 piece of paper.  There was no deadline for these to be completed but the general thought was by Christmas at least. 

 

Mine is based on a segment of my 3rd rail BR TOPS era layout "Swallow Street" which is awaiting a complete rebuild.

 

There was a brief entry with one photo back in July.  Progress has occurred since then and it goes like this:

 

The basic structure.  The track bed is the bit of Masonite at the bottom here between the two pine platforms.  All dimensions were scaled off the 2mm SA print of the loading gauge in the Yearbook.  Turns out that I got some of it wrong.

 

First lot of progress.  Track laid - Easitrack.  Lid for the roadway and houses above and extra bits added to the platforms to make the trackbed the correct width - it was too wide the first time.

 

Closeup of the track bed.  The third rail has been soldered to Peco trackpins and these have been inserted every fourth sleeper as per the details here.

And this is where it currently stops.  The platform surface has been done on the closest platform but unfortunately I ran out of the white edging papers (all papers are Scalescenes) so the back platform hasn't been completed.  Will have to wait for me to buy the colour laser printer I have had my eye on - which may have to happen sooner rather than later now!  The road is in place and a concrete footpath is against the wall (which is manila folder).   Next step will be to put the wall in properly and then consider if I will put arches on it for decoration purposes.

 

Bit of a detail shot of the excellent 4CEP which is part of the reason why I am getting more interested in 3rd rail.

 

So that's progress thus far.  With two weeks of school holidays, I am hopeful of getting more done prior to the next LAG meeting in October.

 

Masterclass Models LNER Quad Art - Part II

As promised (albeit late owing to the camera going to a fifth birthday party yesterday!) here are some photos of the updates to the Quad Art.  The captions explain best I think:



The brake on the set - the last of the four done and therefore the best of the lot.  Handily since either the loco or the last vehicle get looked at the most at shows.  I put the plating over the doors as it was on the etch (and I didn't look carefully at the photos on-line nor read the blurb with them when building - turns out they are probably a BR addition so I will take them off since I am wanting more 1924 than 1954).

\

Shorty third - second from the end (well, depending on which end but it is the one next to the brake).  Another pleasing result - the roof needs a little bit more work to get it to fit neatly.  The gaps between the coach bodies are very small - I am not even convinced about 36 inch curves for these coaches but will have to see.  I am planning on a second set which I was going to put N gauge wheels into but I am doubtful it would run on my layout.

The first of the two longer coaches - no work done on the roof of this one at all.  It is just sitting on for the photo but needs a tiny bit of flash removed from the end which is sticking up - which is why it is sticking up!

The far end (from the brake).  This roof is a little bit banana shaped but doesn't require much to hold it flat so I am hopeful when it comes to gluing it will be sorted out.  You can just make out the thread holding the body on inside the coach here - and clearly can see the 10BA one providing the pivot for the two coach bodies resting on the common bogie to the left.  The gap is barely enough for the brass thread to get in there and the two center coaches are prone to listing like a ship in a heavy sea.



I am planning on finishing the set in all over teak similar to that on set 74 at the North Norfolk Railway - the black ends are a later change apparently.  Then there is the small (!) matter of a 3 on every door...  All this by November hopefully for the BRMA(Q) AMMC.

Friday Night Update - 17 August

It seems an age since I did one of these - but then it has been an age since I have done anything to make posting an entry worthwhile.

Much has happened in the past week modelling wise.  A parcel turned up from the Central Shop with bits to sort out my Class 24 (I had mucked up the order previously and gotten axles of two different sizes!) and to do some more work on the Quad Art - handily the roofs for same turned up on the same day.  There was also a pile of cattle wagon etches for a mate who has since decided that they are safer with me (he is moving back to SE Qld at the end of the year) and I have offered to make a start on them - an article in the offing for the 2mm Ed perhaps as I have thought about writing one early enough to take the appropriate photos along the way.  There was also some work done on my diorama along with a test of static grass which went sufficiently well to make me consider refreshing the entire grass area of St Alban's Priory.

No photos - flat battery for the DSLR got in the way but hopefully a fine day tomorrow (and no chores for a change!!!) will remedy that.

Bachmann WD8 on test (videos)

My Father's Day present this year is one of the new Bachmann WD8s.  It arrived from Hatton's via my parents Post Office box today - a bit early for Father's Day which is the 2nd of September but I wanted to make sure it was a) here and b) worked prior to the day.  Now that I have tested it, I have handed it over to the Shop 1 Groupie to wrap for the kids (who haven't seen it!) to give me on the day.

As there has been quite a bit of discussion on the N Gauge Yahoo Group about the haulage capabilities of these models, I thought I would do similar to the A3 I received recently and load test it.  The videos (I took two this time) are below.  Suffice to say I either have a great one or some people need to check their track and rolling stock a bit more carefully as this is the second one I have seen - the first having been present at the August LAG meeting where it hauled 14 Gresleys (but no more owing to fiddle yard congestion.) 

There is a mix of Peco and Farish wagons in the train and it is my complete tray of BR coal wagons minus one which currently has no wheels (nor paint as it happens!) but this was subbed with the brake van.  None of the wagons have been recently serviced so the free running and clean wheels are a bit of a mixed bag. 

The train is running in the opposite direction to the A3 - which means it comes off an S bend straight onto the grade up towards the camera in the long shot.  Given that the loco was purchased primarily to haul the collection of PoWs that the kids have given me (currently numbering 36) I am well pleased.  Incidentally, the length of the train is longer than the 24 Gresleys the A3 was hauling the other day.