Workbench

Wednesday Lunchtime - 25th May 2005

The missing link....

The latest delivery from Merseyside brings a dozen of these Rugby cement Presflos, which I consider vital to the layout. On a quality control front, Dapol have not been too stringent. One wagon had a pair of spoked wheelsets, 4 wagons had one spoked wheelset, and one 3-hole wheelset, while the others all came correctly fitted with a pair of 3-hole wheelsets!! However, this is easily rectified, although when buying a brand new model, one should not be expected to take action such as this!
As an interim measure, I have replaced the couplings with the smaller Hornby R8099 couplings which fit in nicely. Although far from perfect, these newer tension locks are far less obtrusive than they used to be, and can just about be forgiven within a rake.
As over 95% of stock is operated within fixed rakes, I tend to use whatever coupling arrangement I feel work best for each rake. The smaller tension lock couplings from Bachmann/Hornby (Which will now be the MINIMUM standard on my layout) may be used for say, a rake of TTA`s, while a rake of HAA`s may have Smiths Instanter Couplings. If the wagons don`t mix, then the couplings don`t have to either! I use various screw link couplings within wagon rakes, and Roco close couplers have proven useful for rakes of passenger stock. I am yet to experiment with Kadee couplings, which may come in useful for the 5% of stock which is not in fixed formations and will be subject to shunting operations. I still have stock fitted with the traditional tension locks, but as these are about as useful as an old bag of cement (Gone hard) these will be replaced as time permits. Anyway, I`ve rambled on for long enough and I have work to do.....

Now, what can I do with these N gauge models.............?

On my Stereo: Magazine - Real Life

Friday Afternoon - 20th May 2005

Waiting for a brake............

I`ve been tinkering around with my collection of brake vans. Some are seen here prior to coupling replacement, detailing and weathering.

I`ve also completed a Cambrian Kits Shark, complete with a chap having a cuppa. (He`s obviously a contributor to Traction magazine!) An ex-GWR Toad van has also been modified and repainted as a mess van. This will be used in a 'Permanent way' rake.

On my Stereo: DJ Shadow - Private Press

Tuesday Morning - 10th May 2005

The new Bachmann TTA wagon has been around for a few months now, but I`ve been patiently waiting for the Shell version. My limited editions have finally arrived from TMC. The Bachmann release (bottom) has far superior underframe details, walkway and ladder, buffers and has no visible mould lines. However, I`ve a feeling the printed branding has been positioned a little too low on the Bachmann model, whereas on the Hornby model (top) it`s a little on the high side. This would be more noticable if mixing the wagons, but in due course all the TTAs on my layout will be of the Bachmann variety.

I`ve been spending a few hours weathering and adding loads to my rake of MEA wagons, and have also been trying to model some MFA empties. An empty wagon is never really empty, and here I`ve tried to create load stains and residue by using ashes and charcoal from inside the chimenea which was secured on varnish. Once dry, areas were scraped or rubbed away to leave an effect I`m not totally sure about. It looks good, but I need to find some more 'internal' photographs to check for realism.....

On my Stereo: Paradise Lost - Icon

Sunday Afternoon - 1st May 2005

Fancy a cuppa?

I`ve been trying to make the most of some TEA bogie tank wagons. In model form, the Lima wagon is not very good. The walkways are moulded on, and some of these wagons can often have a large split down the side where the separate moulds that form the tank are not joining too favourably! The plastic ladders and hideously protrusive coupling bars are also big turn offs. The hornby wagon is slightly better, but far from perfect, and I think it rides too high.
However, as a quick fix, I have adapted a number of wagons with smaller Bachmann couplings, fitted Gibson wheel-sets to improve riding, and have given them a good weathering.
Until something better comes along, they will have to do…..

On my Stereo: Julian Cope - Interpreter

Sunday Evening - 17th April 2005

This weekend has seen a rake of six PWA bogie fertiliser vans go through the weathering treatment, and more importantly have been closer coupled. The tension hook couplings on these Lima wagons stick out very proud, presumably to to avoid catching the wagon brake handwheels. With the original configuration in place, the distance between buffers on a coupled pair of wagons is in excess of 30mm. I have adapted all these by cutting off all traces of the Lima coupling hook and shaft, and incorporating smaller Hornby hooks (R8099), which are cut into the bogie frames, and held in place with Liquid cement and pieces of plasticard cut to shape. Distance between buffers is now less than 3mm, and no fowling of hooks, buffers or handwheels is encountered, even on the tightest of curves.

On my Stereo: The Seeds - Evil Hoodoo

Tuesday Afternoon - 12th April 2005

Taking the biscuit???

Do we sometimes take our hobby a little too seriously these days? For example, do we really expect to get a model wagon straight out of the box that is prototypically correct in every way? (In at least one way would be nice!)
I often think that some of the fun can be lost when we spend hours modifying, correcting and detailing something like a wagon which can often get lost on a large layout. I am of course being very hypocritical here as I`m one of the worlds worst!!! Anyway, just for fun, how about a nice rake of McVities wagons, weathered, but this time not detailed! Brings back some happier memories of childhood train sets...........

On a more serious note, 6 Bulktainers are almost ready for service........

On my Stereo: Money Mark - Push The Button

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