7mm On Heather's Workbench - North Eastern interlude

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michael mott

michael mott

Western Thunderer
Heather Kay said:
Thanks Brian. Much appreciated. :oops:

Today, I’m having one of those days where I need to remind myself that I really should work things out a good deal earlier in a build.

Let’s just say coupling with "working" gangways is proving a little tiresome. I’m getting there. Experience gained and all that.
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I can empathize with your troubles. As you mentioned earlier experience does tend to teach us some valuable lessons. Regarding the static on the plastic, I had that same issue when I was building Architectural models for a living, I purchased one of those anti static guns that were used on vinyl records. They worked well.
On another note those seats do look really fantastic. how did you manage to make them look soft and 3 dimensional?
Michael
 
Heather Kay

Heather Kay

Western Thunderer
michael mott said:
I purchased one of those anti static guns that were used on vinyl records. They worked well.
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Thanks Michael! I think I’ll get one of those gadgets anyway. I’ve a hankering to set up the turntable and visit my vinyl library again, so it’ll have two uses.

The seats are just the kit resin moulded jobs. They were quite well modelled, which was a nice change from some of the horrors I’ve inflicted in 1/43rd passengers over the years! By carefully applying the self-adhesive sticker material and working it into the recesses and curves, it just makes the seat look inviting and comfy.
 
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LarryG

LarryG

Western Thunderer
As regards a test track for coach formation testing, I fully agree. The track on my layout is at least useful for 'throwing trains' over points and around sharpish curves.

Working scale vestibule connections are okay if one has the time to spend on them. But for down-to-earth operation, the readily available flexible corridor connections made from black paper and card do the job fine.
 
Heather Kay

Heather Kay

Western Thunderer
LarryG said:
Working scale vestibule connections are okay if one has the time to spend on them.
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You're not wrong, Larry. This trio is destined for a ScaleSeven layout, so won’t be expected to encounter exceptionally tight curvature. My test plank is purposely the worst I expect a model to negotiate. I have an idea of setting out something longer in our loft - it is boarded out and insulated, and until fairly recently operated as my paint workshop - but that will need some time to clear decades of clutter to make enough room, as well as planning and investment in multi gauge track and points.
 
Couplings resolved
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    • Heather Kay

    Heather Kay

    Western Thunderer
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    A photo to show the rather extreme curvature in the test plank. This is with all three coaches coupled together, allowing me to report that the gangways now slide nicely over each other at such extremes, nothing tends to derail, and the trio weigh a bloomin' ton!

    One final modification was made to the gangway rubbing plates. A slot was cut at the base to allow a coupled coach to be lifted off its neighbour.

    So, paint retouching, the possibility of adding OLE warning plates in the ends (would be correct for period), refitting the roofs, and before all that going to get my tracking chips, 5G and wifi boosted by the NHS Covid vaccination programme.
     
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    • Heather Kay

    Heather Kay

    Western Thunderer
    B2AF8FF5-D87A-4377-A9DA-387358445373.jpeg

    All packed up and ready to go. A friend of ours, who is a hobbyist wood turner and occasionally did demonstrations, lent me his home-made toolbox for the transport job.

    As to what’s next, I’m giving it thought. There’s one remaining stalled job that needs attention, before I really get stuck into the logjam of new commissions. I have decided, though, that the rest of the year should be devoted to family time, tidying, decluttering, reorganising and - what else was there? Ah, yes, Christmas. :D Back into the fray, refreshed and more overweight, in January.
     
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