Matt's workbench - current project: a Mk1 BG
- Thread starter matto21
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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
Hi all,
The old Queen Mary has returned to her storage box for the time being. I'm unhappy with the bogies so may revert back to the RTR originals, but can't face working on them at the moment.
Bit more recycling is on the cards though! I first built this Parkside Grampus in 2006, finally got around to painting it in 2011, then stashed it away and forgot about it after a house move.
5 years ago I rediscovered it, stripped the paint, then put it back into storage again.
I really enjoy recycling and refurbishing older models so thought it'd make a nice quick[ish] project!
The underframe parts had become pretty brittle over the years, and disintegrated pretty much as soon as I got it out. Undeterred, I've rebuilt as much as I can using a mix of scratchbuilt and spare parts. Note that the total outlay so far is £0, and I want to keep it that way so I can live with any errors [i.e buffers].
This isn't the most inspiring photo, but hopefully gives an idea of some of the work so far. The body and ends really are a delightful bit of moulding by Parkside.
I've got another two of these planned, but both will be unfitted versions.
Matt
The old Queen Mary has returned to her storage box for the time being. I'm unhappy with the bogies so may revert back to the RTR originals, but can't face working on them at the moment.
Bit more recycling is on the cards though! I first built this Parkside Grampus in 2006, finally got around to painting it in 2011, then stashed it away and forgot about it after a house move.
5 years ago I rediscovered it, stripped the paint, then put it back into storage again.
I really enjoy recycling and refurbishing older models so thought it'd make a nice quick[ish] project!
The underframe parts had become pretty brittle over the years, and disintegrated pretty much as soon as I got it out. Undeterred, I've rebuilt as much as I can using a mix of scratchbuilt and spare parts. Note that the total outlay so far is £0, and I want to keep it that way so I can live with any errors [i.e buffers].
This isn't the most inspiring photo, but hopefully gives an idea of some of the work so far. The body and ends really are a delightful bit of moulding by Parkside.
I've got another two of these planned, but both will be unfitted versions.
Matt
Hello all.
Lost a bit of momentum recently...I blame Football Manager 24 being available as a free download a few weeks ago...but that's another story!
The Grampus is finished and features a whole host of bits - some scratchbuilt, some from Rumney Models and some from the spares box. I'm sure there are numerous errors [not least the buffers and the too short brake levers] but I don't really mind as most bits were re-purposed for use.
End of the day, it looks like a Grampus to me.
Then there's this ex-Lima CCT that's hung around since the start of the year waiting to be finished...and it almost is [if you ignore the fact it's yet to be repainted, the loose roof and lack of glazing - to be added later]. For some reason I just struggled to get this one to this stage.
One day I am going to have a monster painting session!
Matt
Lost a bit of momentum recently...I blame Football Manager 24 being available as a free download a few weeks ago...but that's another story!
The Grampus is finished and features a whole host of bits - some scratchbuilt, some from Rumney Models and some from the spares box. I'm sure there are numerous errors [not least the buffers and the too short brake levers] but I don't really mind as most bits were re-purposed for use.
End of the day, it looks like a Grampus to me.
Then there's this ex-Lima CCT that's hung around since the start of the year waiting to be finished...and it almost is [if you ignore the fact it's yet to be repainted, the loose roof and lack of glazing - to be added later]. For some reason I just struggled to get this one to this stage.
One day I am going to have a monster painting session!
Matt
Hello everyone,
I mentioned this a few posts ago and actually finished it before the Grampus.
I built one of these a fair few years ago and was pretty happy with it at the time, but I never got around to painting or finishing it off.
My original intention was to rework this model, but I broke it when taking it apart!
Luckily I had another kit and, much like the Mermaid, added as much detail as I could to it.
The rather excellent handwheels came off the original model and were made by Adam @AJC - thanks again!
I'm currently working on a Mk1 BG, but nothing much of interest to show at the moment.
Matt
I mentioned this a few posts ago and actually finished it before the Grampus.
I built one of these a fair few years ago and was pretty happy with it at the time, but I never got around to painting or finishing it off.
My original intention was to rework this model, but I broke it when taking it apart!
Luckily I had another kit and, much like the Mermaid, added as much detail as I could to it.
The rather excellent handwheels came off the original model and were made by Adam @AJC - thanks again!
I'm currently working on a Mk1 BG, but nothing much of interest to show at the moment.
Matt
Hi all,
Things in my personal life have taken an unexpected turn recently which has severely limited motivation and time. But despite this, and as it so often does, modelling has provided a welcome distraction.
This Bachmann BG was my final purchase from Hattons [RIP] before they closed and it will become a key item of stock, being the centre of a 3 coach train for my future [now far off future] layout.
Although I generally like Bachmann Mk1's, there are a few areas I'm not so keen on so I've endeavoured to use this as both a test bed and benchmark for all my eventual coaching stock.
I don't like the overdone roof ribs on some of the older Mk1's - so I'll sand these [and the periscopes] off as per the CK I started ages ago [paused and back in it's box!]. I also don't like the moulded brakeshoes that are not in line with the wheels. I initially planned to remove them and reposition them more appropriately, but in the end decided it was likely to be more effort than it was worth. I subsequently decided to use Rumney Models bogie subframes and I'm very glad I did!
All the end detail has been removed as per the prototype photos I'm using and the grab rails replaced with wire [I also replaced the bodyside handrails at the same time].
I've also stripped the original paintwork [this is actually what it looks like underneath!] as it'll eventually be repainted blue/grey.
It's taken me the best part of 2 months to get to this point. With regards the bogies, they run beautifully smoothly and note that I've shortened and reused the Bachmann sideframes [you can see the joint below although not really visible at normal viewing distance].
I'll be reusing the original glazing - I did purchase some flush glazed replacements but have decided, mainly for convenience, to reuse the originals. I've also soldered up some simple bufferbeam footsteps, but I'll leave these off for now as they're prone to being bent accidentally.
Thanks for reading!
Matt
Things in my personal life have taken an unexpected turn recently which has severely limited motivation and time. But despite this, and as it so often does, modelling has provided a welcome distraction.
This Bachmann BG was my final purchase from Hattons [RIP] before they closed and it will become a key item of stock, being the centre of a 3 coach train for my future [now far off future] layout.
Although I generally like Bachmann Mk1's, there are a few areas I'm not so keen on so I've endeavoured to use this as both a test bed and benchmark for all my eventual coaching stock.
I don't like the overdone roof ribs on some of the older Mk1's - so I'll sand these [and the periscopes] off as per the CK I started ages ago [paused and back in it's box!]. I also don't like the moulded brakeshoes that are not in line with the wheels. I initially planned to remove them and reposition them more appropriately, but in the end decided it was likely to be more effort than it was worth. I subsequently decided to use Rumney Models bogie subframes and I'm very glad I did!
All the end detail has been removed as per the prototype photos I'm using and the grab rails replaced with wire [I also replaced the bodyside handrails at the same time].
I've also stripped the original paintwork [this is actually what it looks like underneath!] as it'll eventually be repainted blue/grey.
It's taken me the best part of 2 months to get to this point. With regards the bogies, they run beautifully smoothly and note that I've shortened and reused the Bachmann sideframes [you can see the joint below although not really visible at normal viewing distance].
I'll be reusing the original glazing - I did purchase some flush glazed replacements but have decided, mainly for convenience, to reuse the originals. I've also soldered up some simple bufferbeam footsteps, but I'll leave these off for now as they're prone to being bent accidentally.
Thanks for reading!
Matt