After much thought it was decided that I would lightly weather the Project Mercury ZDW.
Month: November 2017
O Gauge Heljan Class 25 Update
This loco is owned by Graham and is planned to run on Morlock Heath. As this layout is based in the Mid 80’s a degree of updating is needed on the basic model.
Again we wanted something a bit different, so after some research we decided to go for 25035. This was one of a handful of unofficially named Loco’s that ran towards the end of their BR careers.
Work Carried Out
The nose doors were carefully removed by medium and then very fine ‘Wet and Dry’. I did not use a scalpel at all as I did not want any indentation caused by cutting. The cab was then partially repainted.
I added the extra catches on the grills on one of the body sides as per prototype. After research it was noted that not all 25/1 had this modification but 25035 certainly did. From photo’s I could see that the catches did actually vary in size slightly – 25035 had the larger type.
I looked on all websites that sell Transfers and could find no ‘nameplates’ had been made for these loco’s. So it was ‘make them yourself’ time. After several attempts I managed to get a reasonable likeness, but I think they are about 15-20% to large! I decided I would rather have this than too small. I can always replace them if they ever become available.
The body side footsteps and the boiler grills were covered as per prototype.
The Head Code 4 Digits were replaced with Marker Dots.
Finally a Light to Medium weathering was applied.
This was not a quick project – but very rewarding.
Below is 25035 CASTELL DINAS BRAN photographed from both sides and ends
O Gauge Project Mercury Wagon ZDW
This wagon was made by Graham using a brass kit with ‘poppy’s wood inserts’ The painting has just been completed by myself.
We were both looking for something a bit out of the ordinary to use on our Morlock Heath Engineers layout and this certainly filled the bill.
I will weather it if Graham requires it done, but I have failed to find a really dirty photo of one as they seemed to have been well looked after in their short life in this livery. I will post further photo’s if it is weathered.
I added a ‘Air through Pipe’ as this wagon could be run in Vacuum and Air Braked rakes.
O Gauge Loco’s for Les Williams
Les is a very old friend and he paid a visit on Sunday. I have known Les for over 20 years now and he is an absolute delight to ‘talk trains’ with.
Les has recently purchased some loco’s and I agreed to help him number and weather them. The below photo’s were taken by Les when he arrived home.
Oh and one Van
I HAVE TO SAY——–Nice wallpaper Les!!!!!!!
OO Norton Wood – with stock
The making and many photo’s of Norton Wood have already appeared on this website, but with no stock Some stock has now been obtained, albeit not weathered yet, here are the results.
This Layout is now owned by Graham Minshall and will appear at approx four Exhibitions in 2018 – see Exhibitions section for details.
OO – Weathering Loco’s for Marsh Lane
When I sold Marsh Lane to Nick, I also sold him some stock. After a couple of Exhibitions, Nick has decided to start weathering his stock. All are lightly weathered. I must admit on Class 47’s, using ‘wash & wipe’ to get dirt into the roof grills really brings them alive.
O Gauge JLTRT Pressflow Cement Wagon
This wagon was made by Graham and painted and weathered by myself.
I can not comment on the making of the wagon, but Graham certainly had to call on all his modelling techniques to finish it.
As far as painting was concerned it was a medium to difficult job with ‘lots’ of masking and quite a bit of hand painting. The transfers were OK, but could have been better– perhaps I should have varnished the transfers first! I put two coats of varnish on the transfers after applying them to ensure they stayed in place.
The weathering was performed by several washes and a little dry brushing on the body – then my usual methods on the chassis.
I am reasonably happy with the results – although it could have been better with more durable transfers.
