This is a van that I have weathered before in GWR livery. It is now destined for a new life on Colin’s new layout ‘Dunwich Tramway’.
I have stripped all traces of GWR markings and then re-weathered it.
Ex GWR Van has a new life.
Year: 2021
HAA weathering
Just finished this one off Dapol HAA, great model and very heavy and sturdy. This is a light to medium weathering. I have tried to show the inground dirt and coal dust.
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Dapol Conflat Pair
Here are a couple of Dapol Conflat’s with loads. These are very good models and Dapol have done an excellent job, just love them.
Graham just wanted them weathered and left it to me to decide how they could look. After looking at a few photos I went for a light to medium look.
My only tip is to add the chains after weathering.
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ICI – Soda Ash 16T
Here we have two of Tower Models Limited Edition 16T open wagon in the ICI Mond Div. livery. After a lot of research by both Graham and myself we had to concede that there was not many photos available. All we could find was withdrawn wagons that had obviously been standing about for a long time! These photos in fact did throw up a difference to the wagon as we knew it – the ones in the photos had a ‘high bar’ fitted to keep the ‘tarp’ from the Soda Ash. We thought we would add this item to add a bit of interest, after as much research as possible I came up with a design, made a prototype and then manufactured two to fit the wagons.
An interesting little project, we have done the best we can – and hopefully it is near the prototype!
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Class 31’s Numbered (2nd Batch)
This is my second batch of Heljan 31’s. These two needed the most work of the six, 31234 started off as the pre-weathered, numbered and named Heljan special – I had to take off the tampo nameplates and then re-spray that part of the loco. I then renumbered it and added the cockney sparrow as it was a Stratford (SF) loco in this livery. Railtec and Fox transfers used this time.
The last Loco is 31155 in three tone grey Construction Livery, this is a full set of transfers from Railtec and the etches are from Proto Neo.
Both will be weathered at a later date as will the batch one locos.
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Class 31’s Numbered (Batch 1)
Here are the first four of the Heljan Class 31’s that have been numbered and had extra detailing added. I have used HMRS and Railtec transfers and the etches are from Proto Neo. All Locos are based on 88-92 Era. Sadly weathering is a way off at present. Batch 2 to follow.
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Ex Pipe Wagon as ZDV
This wagon was made by Graham from a brass kit, I have painted and weathered it.
This wagon is as it would have been just before being withdrawn in the vacuum brake purge in the late 80’s. I started off by using dark bauxite paint with a little white paint added, this was for a very faded and dirty body. I decided that to make it interesting I would simulate some replacement planks. This was followed by a dilute black/dark brown wash. After airbrushing the underframe I picked out a few rust spots that I saw on some photos of a prototype.
Overall quite happy with the result, it is certainly something a bit different!
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Heljan 31’s (Refurb) 2nd Batch
My second batch of two 31’s arrived today. After they were unpacked and tested I started to research appropriate numbers for each livery. This may sound an easy job, but the prototype changed in many ways and there are many mistakes that can be made. The only true way to complete a accurate model is to have photographs of each side and end in your chosen livery. Some of the differences are:-
Headlight fitting and position.
Bodyside Grill reversal.
Reinforced Drivers front window.
Radio roof Pod fitment
Roof Fan grill cowl
Snowplough fitment
After much research and help from friends, the below are my number choices:-
Red Stripe Railfreight —– 31219
Blue with orange cant—– 31442
I/City Mainline————-31407
3T Grey Construction——31155
Dutch———————–31163
I will recheck these before starting the numbering process.
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Heljan Class 31 (refurbished)
At long last the refurbished Class 31’s that I ordered nearly a year ago have arrived. After being very critical of the last original batch of 31’s, I feel that I ought to just say how I find their latest offering.
Firstly the packaging has been upgraded to a much higher standard and it worked very well, no damage to any of my three arrivals today.
As usual the livery application is superb as you would expect from such a high value item. The 31/1’s do not have a headlight, but have a radio pod as an add on extra, there is also a pair of etched toughened drivers window surrounds. The 31/4 does have a headlight and also has the little extra bag as well. Neither class come with Snowploughs, which is fine for the 31/4’s but several 31/1’s were fitted.
Now to search my files to find suitable numbers for each.
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Work on N Gauge Layout (3/8)
Things progress at a good rate on the layout. All the cork and polystyrene is now laid and board one has had the Polyfilla added to the edges of the cork.
The river and two ponds have been formed, the road is laid including a little junction on board two. Board two still needs some Polyfilla added to the edges and the basics for the level crossing need adding.
I have tried to keep all materials as light as possible and the use of heavier materials is kept to a minimum. Based on this I decided to seek an alternative to putting plaster bandage on the polystyrene and tested a few alternatives, in the end I tried EVO-STICK General Purpose PVA, this product is used for sealing, priming and bonding, I brushed it on and left it overnight, I checked it this morning and it worked well with one coat, although I may do two coats to be sure.
The next job will be to smooth the Polyfilla down and give the whole lot a coat of various coloured emulsions.
