Here is another Class 31/4 from the recent Heljan run of refurbished Locos. This is 31407 in Inter-City Mainline Livery, it is based on as running around 1989-92 era. This is quite a light weathering compared to the freight engines I have weathered recently.
Railmatch and Humbrol paints used either by airbrush or by dry brushing.
Just a quick write up after the arrival of my Class 122. I tested the unit as soon as it arrived and it was a good runner albeit a bit speedy! The next job was to add all the extra detailing that is provided, the buffer beam detailing is excellent and fitted well after just reaming the holes slightly. The battery boxes were added each side and the methodology behind Dapol’s way of doing this is great, remember to push fit only, they are a tight fit. I then fitted the speedo cable, gluing the bogie end to the bogie, but leaving the chassis end unglued to allow movement by the bogie. Lastly I added the transfers, I choose ‘excursion’ both ends. The transfers are excellent quality and look great, just be careful cutting them out.
Overall this unit is great value for money and could/should help people that like smaller O gauge layouts.
A light weathering later.
I purchased this little gem about two years ago, I repainted and serviced it as Departmental No 55 and then put it away. I thought it was about time it was weathered and made a bit more realistic. This was achieved by airbrushing and dry brushing.
This Loco was purchased as 31296, a named and Factory weathered Heljan Loco. After the removal of the name, numbers and about 75% of the Factory weathering, it was renumbered 31234 as a Stratford (SF) Loco from the late 80’s. By this time and into the early 90’s this was a restricted Loco and basically it worked engineers trains at the weekends. Engines like this were rarely washed and had minimum maintenance, in fact before withdrawal 31234 was in a terrible state. I have given it a Medium level of weathering, as that’s how I remember it!
This was the only Class 40 I purchased from the latest batch, although I still have a couple to weather from the first batch. This Loco is based on a Scottish Loco from about 1966-69, but could also be seen on other regions. This weathering represents a full medium look as per a photo I saw of the original. Again Humbrol and Railmatch paints used by airbrush and dry brushing.
I actually had time to do some weathering on some of my latest arrivals. This is the Blue 31/4 in O Gauge by Heljan. I have given it a light to medium look after studying some photos of the prototype. I used Humbrol and Railmatch paints airbrushed and dry brushed.
Graham has been exercising his 3D printer again. This O Gauge OCA was printed in two parts and GJH buffers and metal wheels added, the Couplings are by Dapol.
This will be interesting to follow on this blog as it progresses through the stages to a finished item.
My latest Class 40 arrived yesterday and I have now detailed and numbered it as D358, a Scottish Loco of the mid/late 60’s. I have also varnished all the numbers and grills. Weathering will take place as soon as possible.
This weathering job is not for the faint hearted, a lot of care is needed when using washes for weathering and shadowing. I had to do all washes with a very small brush to ensure that the many windows were not damaged or misted. I must admit that when I started the Blood and Custard livery looked very plastic and lacked depth, I feel that after weathering it looks much more three dimensional. I am very pleased with the result, but amazed at the amount of time it took.
Here is a rake of seven Conflats, six empty and one loaded. Some have been renumbered to give the whole rake individual numbers. They have all been slightly differently weathered. All had a black wash and wipe, then airbrushed and a little dry brushing.
