4mm Llanfair ....
- Thread starter LarryG
- Start date
LarryG
Western Thunderer
I dont know if I am alone in thinking that weathered models look like models of the real thing while ex works models look like toys. Similarly, highly polished heritage steam has no chance of bringing back memories of the real days of steam for me. And so following yesterday's photo shoot of the '3-coach Inter corridor set', I weathered the other brake third. If nothing else, the coaches do at least match now... 
PS: I like the idea of the 'inside out' brake. It mirrors the untidiness of BR.
PS: I like the idea of the 'inside out' brake. It mirrors the untidiness of BR.
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Focalplane
Western Thunderer
I agree, Larry. Modelling what we remember (or what we think we remember after looking at old photos!) is why many of us model a period that we lived through. I certainly plan to weather just about everything on Moor Street, possible by letting off a “bomb” of fine soot over the layout!
Later, in the smokeless zone era, Birmingham started steam cleaning its buildings, changing the childhood memories for ever. I returned after a long gap (30 years) the year that Birmingham hosted the G7/8 and was astounded - no old prams in the canals, etc.
Later, in the smokeless zone era, Birmingham started steam cleaning its buildings, changing the childhood memories for ever. I returned after a long gap (30 years) the year that Birmingham hosted the G7/8 and was astounded - no old prams in the canals, etc.
paulc
Western Thunderer
I agree Larry , unfortunately a large percentage of RTR buyers prefer the better than new look . Kit builders seem to be evenly split between clean and weathered. I recently asked a friend who has just completed a rake of six GWR coaches if he was going to at least weather the roofs from the gleaming white back to something approaching reality . He replied that he didn't want to do anything else with the ^&=$##% things .
Focalplane
Western Thunderer
Simon, I don’t even get that far, yet! But it is my best intention to get going again after regaining my “mojo”. There are too many coaches waiting to be finished and I just ordered another SideLines open first to complete the Midlander rake.
One good thing about the Midlander was that only light weathering is needed. The Bushbury shed staff were famous for turning out their Jubilees, so why not the coaches as well? Here is the proof!
Birmingham New Street Station - BR Period Locomotives: Ex-LMS 5XP 4-6-0 No 45647 'Sturdee' is seen about to enter Worcester Street tunnel at the head of the up 'Midlander' to Euston
One good thing about the Midlander was that only light weathering is needed. The Bushbury shed staff were famous for turning out their Jubilees, so why not the coaches as well? Here is the proof!
Birmingham New Street Station - BR Period Locomotives: Ex-LMS 5XP 4-6-0 No 45647 'Sturdee' is seen about to enter Worcester Street tunnel at the head of the up 'Midlander' to Euston
LarryG
Western Thunderer
Everything I painted professionally for builders was finished ex.works. It was understandable when a feller has spent months building his loco. I toned down the smokebox, cab roof and tender top to a dull finish, but that was the extent of 'weathering'. To add rust and muck would in truth have devalued the model. Personally, I like to see polished unpainted brass. 
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Compton castle
Western Thunderer
Im very much in the dirty camp, good weathering brings a model to life. I’m to young to remember steam so I go by colour photography and even clean locos had some dirt about them.
Focalplane
Western Thunderer
In the late 1950s I sent away for permits to various works before a cycling trip with a friend. At each location we had to find an adult leader and 9 other youths like ourselves. Never a problem. This was really the only time we saw ex works locos and then only a few as most were in varying degrees of undress. The three places were Crewe, Doncaster and Derby. I can’t remember Derby at all!
Phil O
Western Thunderer
As soon as a fire is lit and smoke starts coming out of the chimney, the weathering process has started, boosted when the regulator is opened.
paulc
Western Thunderer
Hi Mike , i looked at the two cement wagons and the one on the right is just way too clean . Then i studied the wagon on the left and decided it was too dirty . Logic tells me that these wagons would have been filthy considering what they carried but i would still prefer the L/H wagon to be a bit cleaner , but not too much cleaner .
Is it something to do with the colour yellow as i cannot weather my Saxa salt wagon apart from a light dusting although the rest of the salt wagons are dirty . We're peculiar creatures aren't we .
Tim Hale
Western Thunderer
Mike,
Thanks for posting the image, I have a Ratio Ferrocrete van and your image provides the guidance needed.
Tim
Focalplane
Western Thunderer
I have two rakes of goods vehicles in the railway room, one out of the box, waiting to be weathered, the other all weathered except. I too prefer the weathered rake. My illustration of the Midlander with pristine loco still has the chassis of the brake 1st in a mucky state! Both Wolverhampton passenger sheds, Bushbury and Stafford Road, competed to keep their top link locos in good condition. This competition is mentioned in a biography of a Bushbury engineman, however, ignore the price, it can be found much cheaper.
Stephen Freeman
Western Thunderer
Living not far from Crewe on the WCML, we did see ex-works locos occasionally, I might have a not very good Black and White snap taken from the site of the old Minshull Vernon Station, public access was still OK in those days not now of course. Loco in question was an LMR maroon City class loco, not at speed as it had just come out of the works and was only going slow. In all the years of my youth, I only managed one visit to the works, where they were building Brush class 4s (I believe they are now known as Duffs) but they were still working on steam loco overhauls and painting. I might have a couple of photos if of interest.
Peter Cross
Western Thunderer
I also think it's rather too dirty, the cement would be in sacks. If they leaked that much powder the company would do something about it. I would imagine that under the doors you may get spillage, but the rest of the van would be more road dirt and soot.
Overseer
Western Thunderer
'Industrial Railways of Southern England in Colour' has a photo of a pair of internal user wooden vans in the same blue circle livery that are far whiter than the iron mink model, and photos of the other internal user stock which is covered in white lime/cement/chalk. Mainline stock delivering cement probably wouldn't get so covered in white dust and probably would have more normal dirt and rusty water over the running gear.