In my last post reference Class 24’s, I said that they were all finished – wrong! The day after our group member Nick asked whether I would weather one for him, how could I say ‘no’.
Slightly different to all the others I have done, BR Blue in PRE-TOPS. After research, I came up with D5008, just after it was repainted into blue. Because of what it is, it is Light on the body, but medium on the underframe.
As I said in the previous post about this Loco – a quick turnaround so that it can be displayed at the Mid Suffolk Light Railway August Bank Holiday weekend.
I added a red connecting rod to make it a bit different – other than that, it’s as previous photos. It has been given a light/medium dusting on the body and a medium underframe weathering. A crew has been added and wheels cleaned.
This Dapol J94 arrived yesterday as an early logo British rail Loco 68030! Just 24 hours later, it is Loco number 14 and named ‘Maggie.
What do I think of the Dapol J94, yes great little loco, but it again suffers from push fit or not enough glue on handrails and other detail items. I found several pieces in the bottom of the box, except one rear window that was totally missing.
After putting back all errant pieces, stripping the original tampo printing, a partial repaint and full varnish, I added the plates for its new identity, which is totally fictitious. It will now dry for several days before weathering.
You may ask – why an industrial? Well I am doing a display of Industrial O Gauge Locos at the Mid Suffolk Light Railway over the Sunday and Monday of the August Bank Holiday and I simply wanted a J94 in my stud of Locos.
Surprised when I saw the latest O Gauge Gazette. The Layout ‘Ashwell Moor’ I made for my Son several years ago appears on the front cover of the Gazette. It had already appeared on the Summer Show at Kempton Park Video by the Guild, but here it was with my stock on the cover of the Guild Magazine – thanks all concerned.
To make it even better, my friend Colin French has an article on one of his famous Micro Layouts ‘Foxbile Brewery’ in the same addition. Colin lets me weather his stock for this and some of his other layouts and its a pleasure to do it for him.
Here are the final four Heljan Class 24’s that I had to weather, I have had them since they were released some months back.
Usual methods used, wash and wipe, followed by airbrushing and dry brushing. All transfers were Railtec and the paints were Railmatch Enamels.
All locos are from different era’s and are in livery order.
D5037
D5040
24082
24 (97201)
Here are a few photos after I re-weathered and tidied up my latest O Gauge purchase. As I said in my previous post, the loco was very well made and an excellent runner, but the weathering was not that great. I also took the opportunity to give the loco a mechanical service.
This is another Dapol Sentinal weathering – this is a BR example. This is a medium to heavy application, the key being an overall coating of grime, cleaning was not high on the agenda for this type of Loco.
This is a Dapol 3MT Tank that I have had since release. Yesterday I thought I would weather it for a club meet up tomorrow – here are the results.
I tend to spend a lot more time on steam loco weathering nowadays. I research the loco with colour photos of the actual loco, a class member at the minimum and a rough time period it was running in the condition required.
The Loco has been renumbered to 82023, a Southern Region example.
I have spent the last week making some layout option boards for future developments. These are all made from stock materials, I have also got three laser cut baseboard kits to make over the next three weeks or so. These are a 4′ x 18″ kit, a 3′ x 18″ kit and a 3′ x 19″ sector plate (turntable) kit.
I would like to think these will be the last boards I make, down to now being 76 years old and slowing down. I still have several ideas I would like to explore.
5′ 10″ Board in 2 parts
These boards have already found a new owner – It will become an O Gauge shunting plank. They comprise of scenic 4′ board and a bolt on 1′ x 10″ fiddle yard – I am just supplying the boards as below only. All the wood used was donated to me for nothing, thanks to my Son who is moving home and these were the result of a clear out. They are made to sit on a 6′ x 2′ table, as usually found as stock tables at most Exhibitions. Transporting to Exhibitions made the decision to do two piece.
Lightweight Sector Plate
I have made four of these conversions before, this is the fifth. These kits start off as small OO9 plates, I simply double the capacity of the sector plate itself. In OO9 it was made to hold three tracks – after enlargement it is possible to have two OO tracks or one O Gauge track. This is ideal for a OO depot or a O gauge shunting plank with small loco and up to three wagons. This will eventually end up attached to one of my laser cut boards that are still to be made.
Went to the KLOGGIES summer bash today, not looking to buy anything. While we were there a trader had this Johnson 1P 0-4-4T on his stand and although it is very well built and an excellent runner, I was not convinced I needed it. Later in the day I went back and after negotiation a discounted price was agreed, the clinchers being it was an S & D numbered loco and it was Push Pull fitted, it was also a small wheeled variant, I already have a Johnson 1P, but that was a LTS loco and a larger wheeled variety.
I intend to do a partial repaint and put on new lining, but retain the same number and equipment. The Cab Roof is loose at present, but fits well. Very happy with the purchase.
