Matt's workbench - current project: a couple of OAA's, a Catfish and a Queen Mary
- Thread starter matto21
- Start date
AJC
Western Thunderer
I honestly can't remember - probably either abused scrap etch or adapted something else (likely a Dave Bradwell etch for plate wagon levers which I had several of: they're not available as part of his range which will make the one in the drawer a bit tricky...). They are, as you note, a rather tricky shape.
Adam
Hi all,
While I wait for an opportunity to paint the 12t van, I've started work on a Mermaid ballast wagon.
There were two choices: the Flangeway RTR option or the venerable Cambrian kit and I opted for the latter. It's a shame there are no detailing/upgrade parts available for this kit because it would really benefit from a few bits.
I initially constructed the chassis as per the instructions, and went to bed feeling pretty pleased with myself. Next evening, I realised I had messed up somewhere, because it was much too narrow and I couldn't even fit the wheels.
I tried to disassemble it, but this was easier said than done and the w-irons and chassis frame were damaged in the process. After resisting the urge to stamp on it, I rebuilt things as best I could using a range of bits and bobs.
It's not perfect, but it runs smoothly. The body was harder than it needed to be and is only balancing in place in these photos.
I've also started adding a bit of extra detail - again just from bits and bobs - to the bufferbeams.
I originally planned on building a few of these...currently that's not looking likely!
Matt
While I wait for an opportunity to paint the 12t van, I've started work on a Mermaid ballast wagon.
There were two choices: the Flangeway RTR option or the venerable Cambrian kit and I opted for the latter. It's a shame there are no detailing/upgrade parts available for this kit because it would really benefit from a few bits.
I initially constructed the chassis as per the instructions, and went to bed feeling pretty pleased with myself. Next evening, I realised I had messed up somewhere, because it was much too narrow and I couldn't even fit the wheels.
I tried to disassemble it, but this was easier said than done and the w-irons and chassis frame were damaged in the process. After resisting the urge to stamp on it, I rebuilt things as best I could using a range of bits and bobs.
It's not perfect, but it runs smoothly. The body was harder than it needed to be and is only balancing in place in these photos.
I've also started adding a bit of extra detail - again just from bits and bobs - to the bufferbeams.
I originally planned on building a few of these...currently that's not looking likely!
Matt
AJC
Western Thunderer
It's a tricky kit (and prototype, of course). Dad's just built his second - 15 years after the first - and observed that he's in no great hurry to make a third. I have a second one in the drawer, I have better ideas on how to make the chassis robust now and in so doing, the chassis-related stress can be reduced, but not wholly eliminated...
Adam
Adam
Hello all, a bit of Mermaid progress to share.
I don't claim anything - between or under - the solebars to be truly accurate. More a case of using variety of spare parts and odds and ends to fill the gaps. Fortunately most of this is not visible with the body in place anyway.
Still to do are brake levers, rail clamps and end chains, plus a multitude of small parts.
Matt
I don't claim anything - between or under - the solebars to be truly accurate. More a case of using variety of spare parts and odds and ends to fill the gaps. Fortunately most of this is not visible with the body in place anyway.
Still to do are brake levers, rail clamps and end chains, plus a multitude of small parts.
Matt
Just to follow on from yesterday's post - I was able to bend up some brake levers to the approximate shape and, by combining them with the plastic parts, end up with something that looks pretty decent - even if I say so myself!
Things must now pause, as I need to paint the underframe before I can secure the body and end chains and I'm not in the mood for painting at the moment!
Matt
Things must now pause, as I need to paint the underframe before I can secure the body and end chains and I'm not in the mood for painting at the moment!
Matt
Firstly, hello from Reykjavik!
Before I left, I was working on another two projects simultaneously.
Firstly some old Hornby OAA's - these have been stripped down and the underframe has been discarded. I used some spare Cambrian SPA solebars, although in hindsight maybe should have used the ones from the OCA kit. Too late now either way!
These'll have new buffers, w-irons and a repaint.
The second project is the equally old Cambrian Catfish. I'm hoping to do a similar job as the Mermaid. If successful, hopefully I'll build two of them.
Matt
Before I left, I was working on another two projects simultaneously.
Firstly some old Hornby OAA's - these have been stripped down and the underframe has been discarded. I used some spare Cambrian SPA solebars, although in hindsight maybe should have used the ones from the OCA kit. Too late now either way!
These'll have new buffers, w-irons and a repaint.
The second project is the equally old Cambrian Catfish. I'm hoping to do a similar job as the Mermaid. If successful, hopefully I'll build two of them.
Matt
