Workbench

Friday afternoon - 29th December 2006

Pantophobic reaction?

Time off over the Christmas period should be relaxing and enjoyable. Not a time then to be constructing further batches of Hurst pantographs!? As good as the end results of these kits are, constructing them has always been a nightmare to me, so much so that I`ve almost lost the will to live on several occasions! Ok, maybe that`s a bit of an exaggeration, but only just!

The biggest headache is drilling the small holes in the brass. This is very time consuming, and gets through a lot of drill bits. Another couple of broken drill bits today brings the project to another stand-still. I`ve been promising myself a high speed pillar drill for some time now, so perhaps I`ll pick one up in the january sales somewhere.....
In the meantime, finishing off my stock-pile of AC locomotives have been put back even further.......

On my Stereo: Dead Meadows - Feathers

Saturday afternoon - 16th December 2006

Dreaming of a purple Christmas?

With Christmas shopping, a Kasabian gig on Thursday night, and not forgetting chasing 87002 (Haulage conveniently acquired to said Kasabian gig,) there has been little time to get on with my numerous modelling projects over the last week. 87002 is pictured above on Friday the 15th of December, on what I believe to be her last scheduled working on the 1G21 service. Perhaps as a mark of respect, I should finally finish my model of 87002, which has been simply waiting for a pantograph and weathering treatment for the last couple of months.

Whilst shopping in Leamington Spa during the week, I decided to pick up a virgin liveried TGS - an old Lima model which has now been reworked by Hornby. For comparison purposes, the new TGS is pictured below a standard TS. Although an improvement over the Lima glazing, the finish on the TGS is not as effective as on previous 'full length' Hornby Mk3s..... You will also note that the white stripes are positioned differently, and are slightly thinner. This is disappointing, and it looks as though these will have to be removed, and replaced with transfers. Why oh why should we have to do this???? Obviously the couplings, and buffers (Which do not feature in HST rakes) will have to be removed.

Also on trial are a couple of Mk3 sleepers. As documented elsewhere, the purple section on the 'Caledonian sleeper' is perhaps too similar to the upper blue colour, but personally, I don`t find this uncomfortable to live with. The blue/grey version, however, has bigger issues. The grey band should extend further round the body to the door hinges, and more importantly, is simply too narrow. The grey area applied to the model is as if it was for a coach within a HST rake, rather than for loco hauled stock. To be correct, the grey should extend upwards slightly, and should also extend downwards a few inches below the door handles.

Looking through my photograph collection for blue/grey sleepers is like looking for a needle in a haystack, although I did manage to find this one. It`s no masterpiece, but it`s good enough to point out the livery error.

I only intend having one rake of sleepers, but which rake should I go for? A rake in Intercity (red-stripe) would be nice, but these are currently unavailable. The blue/grey rakes are what I grew up with, but then I`ve already got plenty of other blue/grey rakes, and I`m not happy with the livery application. That really leaves the eye-catching 'Caledonian sleepers' but where are the accompanying mk2`s? It`s a difficult decision, and I think I`ll have to sleep on it!!

The Christmas break will hopefully see the completion of many unfinished projects, and is set to see some new projects started. This pile of Class 92 parts is enough to complete an extra loco, albeit being a dummy loco for the time being. This will become 92046 'Sweelinck'. There are also 2 complete 92`s which are spare, and these are set to become 92013 'Puccini' and 92024 'J.S.Bach'

I have also acquired a rather poorly looking Hornby class 60. This will require some replacement detail parts, and is currently being prepared for a repaint, although I am yet to make a final decision as to it`s new identity.

So as you can see, there`s plenty to get on with over the Christmas break, and we`ll just have to see how we get on!
In the meantime, I hope everyone has a Great Christmas, and a happy new year, and who knows, perhaps 2007 will see more AC locos on passenger duties? There`s still time....

Dear Santa.........

On my Stereo: Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms

Sunday afternoon - 10th December 2006

Dirty Cow!

Yet another YGB Seacow is ready to enter service. At least it will be when it is fitted with it`s ballast load, but that can wait for another day.
The layers of grime and rust patches really transform this model. I`m not a fan of pre-weathered models, as these are generally items of rolling stock that have had a layer of 'tan' sprayed on the underside of the model, and in my eyes is far from convincing. At least manufacturers provide us with the option of finishes. However, I prefer to do the job myself, which (in my opinion at least) is more realistic every time.

Here are a few more which have recently passed through the weathering workshop.... Their ballast loads will be added at a later date, thus in the meantime, enabling them to be stored away safely in their boxes.

On my Stereo: The Cult - Sonic Temple

Sunday lunchtime - 10th December 2006

Dishing the Dirt!

Last night, I decided to sit down with my recently purchased Bachmann OBA, and turn it into a wagon that looks as though it has seen many a hard days work. With logic seemingly going out of the window, I found myself sitting down with some Hornby Seacows instead!

Heavy weathering is paramount for these wagons, and a wide variety of techniques are being used to make give these wagons a work-stained appearance. Airbrush, acrylics, and weathering powders are all being used to achieve the required results.

I also dug out some old Lima Sealions. If you can excuse the underscale bogies, given a little work, these can make a great addition to the rake. However, I`ll leave them alone now, and await the future Hornby release with interest.

One thing which crossed my mind this morning is the packaging for the Hornby Seacow, and indeed, many other recently released wagons. If the wagons are to be fitted with a load, then the packaging is rendered useless. Perhaps manufacturers should consider this at the packaging design stage?

On my Stereo: Bob Dylan - Modern Times

Saturday afternoon - 9th December 2006

Rubber duck of the year award, 2008

Instead of enjoying real ale at the local pub last night, we opted to stay at home and watch the telly instead, not that there was anything particularly worth watching! Anyhow, during some adverts, I became very annoyed. No, it doesn`t take too much to annoy me, and this time it was an advert for a Ford Focus S-max, C-max, tam-pax, or whatever.... What particularly annoyed me was the fact it has apparently won 'car of the year award, 2007'. Hold on a minute, we`re still in 2006!!! Needless to say, even if the award was for the correct year (which, should you need reassuring is 2006,) a worthy winner? Hmmmm...........

Just have a look at the car of the year website, and look at the past winners. You have to go back to 1983 to even find something half-decent! Sorry if anyone out there still has a Fiat Tipo. Really???
I`m not out to diss anyone`s car, but am just expressing my opinions, one of which is that Ford motor cars, put politely, are not very good. Should things that are not very good win awards?
If you want to drive a car made from recycled tri-ang body-shells, and which may as well be engined with a Lima pancake, and has a build quality similar to a brass kit held together with pritt-stick, then that`s up to you! And what is it with all that gaffer tape on the bumpers of every other Ford Mondeo you see? Come to think of it, taking a lengthly journey on a Voyager is starting to sound appealing!

Ahhhh.... That`s more like it! A proper 1969 Ford Mustang. And no, there`s no need to worry, my railway layout is not being replaced by a racing circuit!

Anyway, sticking to the theme of awards, but getting back on track with model railways, Model Rail have announced the Model of the year award 2006, yes, 2006! I`ve only made purchases in 2 of the six categories, the first being RTR 'OO' Diesel or Electric locomotive. The candidates are: Hornby class 60, Bachmann 57, and the Heljan 33. I have somehow resisted buying the Class 60 yet, probably because I want some in original railfreight sector liveries, but I`ve already got enough repainting projects on the go at the moment! Despite a few minor niggles and livery errors, the Bachmann 57 is a great model. I have also resisted picking up a Heljan 33, so until I`ve played around with all three, feel it would be unfair to cast my vote.....
From the 'OO' rolling stock category, the Hornby Seacow has been a very useful addition to the shelves. The Bachmann Mk2 coaches would not be voted for, simply because I am not happy with the livery application to the blue and grey liveried examples. Then there`s the recent Bachmann OBA. This is good, but the winner has got to be the Seacow!!

Anyway, putting rubber ducks and rubbish cars aside, I`d better get on and play with some trains!

On my Stereo: Jean-Jacques Burnel - Euroman Cometh

Sunday evening - 3rd December 2006

T(TA) Total?

The Warley exhibition this weekend has now passed, and many pepole out there are playing with their new purchases, and showing them off on their web-sites. I had planned to keep my spending to a minimum this year, and on that front I at least succeeded. When I turn up to shows like this, I end up spending lots of money, normally on things that sit in boxes for months and months! So, this year, I was wearing my sensible head, and kept my money for beer instead! Tea-total? Not a chance!

Just a couple of wagons were purchased, including the above TTA wagon. A new OBA wagon was also purchased, and just a few detail parts as can be seen below. That`s it, no frills, no spills.........
The grey plastic bits on the sprues are sections of cable trunking by 'Ten Commandments' and were purchased to test out. I`m going to need an awful amount of cable trunking, and am going to test out various items and techniques, but that`s for another entry.........

I had planned to buy several ZKA limpet wagons in 'dutch' livery, but I couldn`t find a single one. Still, no rush! I at least managed to pick up an OBA wagon for closer inspection.

First impressions of the OBA wagon are very good, but I`m certainly not going to replace any of my 'Cambrian' kit-built models, probably due to the amount of time I`ve spent on constructing and painting them! In the meantime, this wagon is going to gain a new identity, is going to get battered a bit, is going to show signs of being exposed to the elements, and basically won`t be recognisable as a pristine 'out of the box' model. Destroying brand new models really is where I have most fun!

Some excellent prototype photographs can be found at British Rail Wagon Photographs by Paul Bartlett which I inadvertently omitted from my list on my previous entry. I have used this site for reference for at least a couple of years now, and is definitely worth book-marking.

On my Stereo: New Model Army - Impurity

Friday afternoon - 1st December 2006

TEA break?

This year's Warley exhibition is upon us already. I have not been very prepared this time round, as I haven`t even written a shopping list!
Unlike previous years, which has seen a mad spending rush on all the latest releases, I think I`m going to be doing more 'window' shopping this time, although no doubt some new Bachmann wagons will find their way to a new home at Rugby Parkway. I am yet to inspect their OBA and Limpet releases.

Perhaps with the exception of the class 108 DMU, and speaking to DC Kits about the forthcoming Class 85, I am most interested in seeing how Bachmann`s TEA bogie tank is coming along. I have never been happy with previous offerings of this wagon, (See entry for the 1st May 2005 in the archive section.) I am really, really hoping that this model will break new ground.....

Whilst near Tamworth the other day, I took the opportunity to 'snap' at a few wagons which were wearing various coats of oil and grime which appealled to me. This is how I have modelled most of my Hornby and Lima toys. It will be interesting to see if Bachmann will include a 'weathered' version in their range. Possibly waste our time with a light coat of 'tan' sprayed on the underframes perhaps? Let`s wait and see.....

I must admit at not being a wagon expert, not even with a large stretch of the imagination, but if you look at the picture above and below, you will notice, amongst other things, different style of bogies, and differing walkways. I`m not sure which version Bachmann are releasing, or perhaps they intend to provide us with a few variations???

So there you go. Some nice dirty tank wagons to get you thinking. So, will my modified Hornby and Lima wagons be replaced, or will they be retained to provide some variation? Only time will tell.....

For more photographs of TEA`s, and indeed various other wagons, check out the following sites:

First of all, check out UK Rail Rolling Stock A nicely organised site, with lots of reference material. Wagons on the web is another excellent and well known site, and should cater for most of your wagon needs! And also worth a browse is Ginge's Train Piccies which also contains plenty of useful pictures.

On my Stereo: The Clash - Give `em Enough Rope

Tuesday afternoon - 28th November 2006

Pantograph road......

Then came the churches, then came the schools. Then came the lawyers, then came the rules. Then came the trains and the trucks with their loads, And the dirty old track was the...... Oh whatever! More importantly, when am I going to finish these Hurst pantographs? It seems like this task is leading me down the road to nowhere, or the road to ruin perhaps?? Undeterred, I`m slowly making my way through them. You can count how many I have left to do if you can really be bothered....

When mundane and time consuming modelling isn`t being done, some locos which were scheduled for major makeovers are nearing completion. Here we can see 86241 'Glenfiddich'. The model is finished in a somewhat 'patchy' state as the loco appeared toward the end of it`s working days. A front grabrail is also missing, quite deliberately! As can be seen, weathering treatment is the next task.

Oh well, there`s lots to do, and merely thinking about it gets nothing done! I shall re-emerge sometime in the future..........

On my Stereo: Neil Young - American Stars'n'Bars

Sunday afternoon - 19th November 2006

A slight site improvement........

In case some of you thought I had fallen into the canal the other week and drowned, due to the lack of updates, I thought I`d better let you know I am still here!

Recent workbench activity hasn`t been interesting enough to post on here, there`s only so much you can say about replacing TDM cables on class 86`s........ I`ve done several dozen over the last week or so.
This job can become very t e d i o u s but it`s something that needs to be done! Several members of my fleet are still waiting their turn....

I`ve also spent some time lately making a few alterations to this web-site. How is it that you can spend considerable time doing something which is hardly noticeable, yet you can spend just a moment doing something which will immediately smack you in the face? Anyway, as usual I digress......

I have also been setting up a new fotopic site. It`s still early days, and as with everything else around here, there`s still lots to do! At the present time, this site will only feature some of my photographs taken this year, but I shall review this at a later date. In the meantime, I hope you find it an enjoyable browse.....

On my Stereo: Misfits - Earth A.D.

Sunday afternoon, 5th November 2006

'Water' mess!

Whilst drinking a cuppa this morning, I decided to peruse the latest issue of Model Rail which arrived on my doorstep earlier in the week. Of particular interest to me was Chris Leigh's 'Still waters' article in which he sets out to create a canal diorama using items from Hornby`s Skaledale range.

With local locations such as Brinklow, Hillmorton and Shilton, and not forgetting Dodford, Weedon, Bugbrooke, and Whilton locks, canals have always been linked into the Railway scene for me, and there was always a plan to incorporate a section of canal on the layout.

As can be seen in the above picture, my canal section is in a very crude unfinished state. No work has been done in this area for almost a year! The Class 47 in the cut demonstrates the sunken construction of the canal. The canal sides and base will be painted and decorated before being filled with EZ water, which I hope will produce the required result. The canal continues for a few feet to the left which will seem to disappear into a wooded area. The canal here will be lined with many Fir trees, and is likely to be known as the 'Fir-canal' by the locals! To the right, we can see a wooden structure. This is going to be the start of a canal tunnel.
The uncompleted building is going to be part of the derelict warehouse which backs onto the canal.

Water lot of work there is still to do......

Anyway, for some fresh air, and fresh ideas, we had a little walk down to the canal this lunchtime.........

This pub is just a short walk from our home. An interesting modelling idea? This particular building was in fact an old farm building that was built before the canal!

I was initially going to model a set of locks, but decided that, despite the section of canal being over 5 feet long, a set of locks would make the scene seem a little cramped....

And don`t forget those lock-keepers cottages. These days, often converted into homes, or even as canal side shops for passing tourists.

Sometimes, you don`t have to think big. These little 'tugs' would make an interesting little project me thinks.....

Here's the entrance to Braunston Tunnel. If you look hard enough, you really can see the light at the end of the tunnel! One day, that wooden mess on my layout will look more like this!

And finally, how about this for something different - a floating cafe! This could certainly add a little interest to a layout.

So there you go, something a little different, and possibly some extra ideas for layouts out there in that internet-worldy-place. Thanks Chris for rekindling my interest in this corner of my layout. You never know, it may even get completed one day. Fir canal, can you believe it?

On my Stereo: The Stranglers - No More Heroes

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