WBB minerals PAA Sand Wagon

July 18, 2016July 19, 2016 Kelvin Barnes Uncategorized OO Gauge, Wagons

When you would like a wagon and none are available RTR, there is only one way to get one (or more), you have to build them. The first thing I usually do is to look at what is available RTR and what bits are usable. Luckily the PAA is very much like the Hornby PGA, the main difference being the PAA has a moveable hood for loading. After loading the hood is closed and the sand is discharged from hopper doors beneath the wagon.

A trip to Ely to photograph the wagons then followed, plus a good rummage through photographs on the web. Not many shots of the hood or the mechanism from above were found, but just enough to have a good stab at the hood. After measuring the Hornby model I made my first prototype hood out of plastic card. It looked good, but further prototypes followed until I was happy with the fit and the general overall appearance.

I then made a mould and cast eight tops to convert the PGA. There were other small cosmetic details that needed to be done, these were done as individual items, to be fitted separately. The production line was ready and after a couple of nights work they were ready. After under coating the overall colour scheme was applied. The transfers were home made and applied on to a coat of gloss varnish. The whole model was then matt varnished and lightly weathered.

The rake was then fitted with fixed 3mm sprat and winkle couplings and loops as internal couplings, with an instanter on the end with a tail lamp and a modified tension lock on the ‘hauled’ end. The sprats close couple nicely and are less obtrusive then other options, see photographs below.

Well there you are, something a bit different, for a reasonable cost, well it was when I made them over ten years ago.

Compared to modern standards they are a bit average, but again it was a good project from a reasonable base model.

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OO Test Coaches

July 14, 2016July 16, 2016 Kelvin Barnes Carriages, Departmental OO Gauge

During the late 1990’s when Bachmann brought out their superb Mk1 and Mk2 coaches I wondered what to do with my two dozen or so Lima models. Some were repainted into various liveries that were not available in the Lima or Bachmann range, these were sought after and sold. This left about ten that were standard Lima and to be honest, not worth a lot at the time.

I decided that if I took some and ‘cut and shut’ them I could turn them into Department and Test coaches. As well as cutting them about, I filled in windows, made roller shutter doors, re-profiled the roofs and remodel the ends. I also purchased some Replica Railways bogies of various types. I have to say at this stage I did not replace the roof vents that were left as the prototype. I really wish I had and have to say this was a missed opportunity.

The best part of this project was the research, this was the time that SERCO had most track testing contracts for Railtrack and later Network Rail. There was many great websites that helped a great deal, books were a little thin on the ground, but some were available. I drew up a wish list of ones I would like. I did rough drawings of each carriage, both sides, the ends and the roof where possible, not many photographs of the roofs exist for obvious reasons. I did amend some of the under floor boxes etc., but not all. Again I wish I had done a bit more to the underfloor bits.

Now a note of caution, a lot of the coaches in departmental service ‘evolved’ in service, some had extra windows added, vents and grills added and some went the other way and had things ‘filled in’.

As I say above, I did regret not doing more to the roof and under frame, my excuse at the time was a limited budget and time. I also thought that at exhibitions, most people just see a train go round without stopping and little notice is taken of the underframe, although the roof is very noticeable.

I have to say that the plastic that Lima coaches were made from was very soft and easy to cut and re-glue in different positions, it fills well and sanding is easy, gluing plastic card to it was also easy. It also takes enamel paints very well.

After doing this exercise, I then turned my attention to Dapol Mk2D’s and even a Lima Mk3. All were cheap purchases and went through my modification process.

Although not perfect – they are better than nothing!

I later also took a Lima Class 101 and turned that into ‘IRIS 2’

All stock to be weathered later.

Silver Hill

July 6, 2016July 12, 2016 Kelvin Barnes Uncategorized Layouts, OO Gauge

I made Silver Hill for Jerry Prentice, who at the time was a professional modeller working for Braintree Models. Jerry already had a layout plan and it was just fitting everything in that he wanted. I believe I did this and it was certainly well received. It was not made as an Exhibition layout and was purely for private use and to be used as a photographic scenic base Jerry had a vast collection of detailed Lima models at the time, as did some of his friends. This layouts 3rd rail section was fully researched and checked with a Southern Region Engineer. One thing a bit different on this layout was that we made removable sections in the back scene so that photographs could be taken from unusual angles.

I think Jerry had the layout for several years before selling it on, I believe it has been sold on at least twice since and possibly still exists.

I later made Jerry another OO layout/diorama as a photographics background for his models, it had no electrics and was purely for photography – sadly I have no photographs of that layout, hence mentioning it here.

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Other commissions

July 5, 2016July 30, 2016 Kelvin Barnes Uncategorized Layouts

THIS IS A GROUP OF LAYOUTS THAT I MADE BUT SADLY HAVE NO PHOTOGRAPHS OR TRACK PLANS – SO DO NOT WARRANT A SEPARATE SECTION

STAINSBY

This was definitely out of my comfort zone – A ‘G Scale’ layout in a space of 8′ x 2′! using two 4′ x 2′ boards. This is quite a long story and it has been covered very well by MODEL RAIL. Sadly, I have no personal photographs of this layout and the only way to see any are in the magazine. I believe the owner had this layout for about four years before selling it on – sadly I have no idea where it is or whether it still exists.

This layout has appeared in MODEL RAIL No 111 December 2007

It has the full story, great photos and track plan

BRIANS LAYOUT

This layout was situated in a loft conversion and was one of the largest I ever made. The layout had a quite unusual brief, Although all OO, it was to be conventional around the outside loops with Hornby Live Steam on the inside loops. I have to admit the combination of live steam, conventional electrics and a rather hot airless loft did give me a lot of concern. Sadly I believe that after I finished the project Brian did suffer some reliability problems, especially with points near the live steam tracks . I also believe that Brian later had a Loft Window put in with some form of temperature control, whether it helped or not I do not know. I have been to Exhibitions in the summer when high temperatures and large crowds have caused very humid conditions that can affect running. I think the popularity of OO live steam has faded but at the time was the thing to have. My conclusion is not to mix the types, and never in confined spaces. Brian was a fantastic chap to work for and we had a great time making the layout.

DAVES LAYOUT

I was approached by a model shop in Essex and asked if I could help build a large OO layout for Dave. Sadly Dave had been involved in a bad motor cycling accident and was paralyzed, Dave had very little movement in his hands and none in his legs, he was obviously wheelchair bound. The electrics were given to an electronics engineer as the control panel had touch pads and very complicated switches. My job was track laying and the scenic work, Dave with his helper, Mary would build houses and railway structures , Mary being Dave’s hands. We all came up with a track plan and work commenced. I have to say this was some of my happiest and saddest modelling I have ever done, a strange statement but it could be very emotional, but interspersed with much laughing and fun. Dave could be a hard task master and it was difficult to get things over to him from time to time, but it was always managed well by Mary. The layout was 95% finished and looked very good, however there were ongoing problems with the electronics. The electronics were so far ‘above my head’ it was difficult to even suggest anything. At this point I drifted away from the project with the intention of returning to do the last bit of weathering that was required. Sadly, very sadly I was never called back as I believe the electrics could not be sorted. A year afterwards I heard that Dave had died and that all the stock was sold and the layout broken up. The saddest end to any of my projects.

ANGLIA RAILWAYS SIGNALING LAYOUT

This, in some ways was a dream, even when approached by Anglia, I could not believe it. The brief was simple to build an unpowered OO layout to demonstrate all types of signalling currently being used in the franchise area. The signals did not have to be working but had to be placed in the correct positions, in the right order and with the correct options for drivers and guards. There would also need to be stations, platforms, crossings and all other situations that could impact the drivers journey. The loco’s and units had the motors removed so they could be pushed into various scenarios. The system/layout was used successfully for the next few years. Sadly after this I heard that the manager who did the training had died of a heart attack aged just 50. I was led to believe the layout went out of use after Clint’s death and was broken up. The layout was sponsored by Hornby who supplied all the buildings, track and ancillaries. I certainly learned a lot about signalling during this project, which also included a couple of cab rides to see the real thing in operation.

HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE LAYOUTS – RAILWAY INSPECTORATE

I was commissioned to do two OO layouts for the Eastern Region of the HSE (RI). These layouts were to take around schools to show children the danger of railways, with special emphasis on electrification. This was a very enjoyable exercise as I was told to do the people placement on the layouts ‘doing stupid things’ . Well, being stupid comes easy to me so it was easy to invent scenarios. These varied from flying kites under the wires, dangling feet over platform edges, general trespass, trying to retrieve personal items from the track and climbing Catenary. Although they were not named, I unofficially called them ‘Fatality Alley’ no.1 and no.2. If we saved one life or injury then these have to be the best layouts I ever built.

THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE LAYOUTS

Over the years in think I did about five ‘Thomas’ OO layouts, possibly more. They varied from basic baseboards with track to one with full scenic features. I never turned down a Thomas layout as these layouts could inspire the youngsters into the hobby. I also made the layouts at a much reduced cost. It was fantastic listening to the parents on just how much the kids loved Thomas and his friends.

I KNOW I MADE AT LEAST TWO OTHER LAYOUTS, BUT I CAN NOT TRACE WHO THEY WERE FOR OR WHAT THEY WERE. I KNOW ONE WAS FOR A 10th BIRTHDAY AND ANOTHER WAS A THOMAS TYPE LAYOUT BUT FOR MODERN DIESELS.

OVER THE YEARS I HAVE ALSO DONE MANY WHAT I CALLED ‘ASSISTS’ , THIS WAS HELPING PEOPLE WITH THE BITS OF LAYOUTS THEY DID NOT WANT TO DO, HOWEVER I DID NOT DO AN ELECTRICS SERVICE AND PASSED THIS ON TO OTHERS. I THINK I HAVE HAD ABOUT FIFTEEN ASSISTS.

G Scale Class 66

July 5, 2016February 27, 2017 Kelvin Barnes G Scale Locos

I took on something a bit different when I was asked to number, detail and weather a G scale Freightliner 66. I did have my doubts about how I was going to achieve this due to the shear bulk of the Loco. The owner only wanted a light dusting but I would have really liked to have done it medium or even heavy. I cleared my work top and my son helped to turn the loco as I sprayed, thankfully it turned out fine.

O Gauge Stock Boxes

July 2, 2016July 2, 2016 Kelvin Barnes Stock Boxes O gauge

Over the last few weeks I have been making stock boxes for my O gauge steam loco’s. Up until recently I kept most of them in a communal stock box that held about six loco’s, trouble was they were very heavy and getting more difficult to carry about. I decided to consign the larger box to wagons and/or carriages so that it would become manageable. As I don’t have any large loco’s at present I decided to make them in three sizes. Size one, ‘Small Tank’, size two ‘Large Tank’ and size three ‘Small Tender’.

I wanted to achieve a box that was light, strong and stackable for storage. After a few experiments with some old stock wood left over from the business, I decided to use Obeche for the sides and base, a harder wood for the ends, its name escapes me and MDF for the Lid. All would be held together with ‘angle’ softwood. I also decided to ‘cork line’ the inside and use Cork to hold the loco firmly, I used various thickness to achieve this. As an alternative to the end pieces of cork I use pieces of foam.

O Gauge Carriages

July 1, 2016July 6, 2016 Kelvin Barnes Carriages O gauge

Although I currently have no layout to run coaches on, I felt I would like a small fleet. Because I could not run any I did not want to spend a lot of money on them and so turned to kit building. Most of the kits are Kirk Kits with an odd JLTRT as well.

Kirk Kits are very reasonably priced but they really come alive if you add extra detail. Yes, they are time-consuming but with care and a little fettling they are really good. I guess that by the time you have purchased the interior and the wheels, buffers, bearings and pipework, the whole coach costs about £85. Being a BR(E) transition person all the coaches are Gresley and Thompson.

I also purchased a MTH Stanier full brake for my ‘milk train’. I still need to number it and then do the weathering.

The JLTRT kit is a CCT and was a lovely kit to make, only slight problem was that the wrong size bolts were in the kit (to short) but I will be investing in further kits from this manufacturer.

Some coaches still to be weathered.

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