This is possibly the best Lima O Gauge conversion I have ever seen. It has been converted to a very high standard and other than very stubborn original transfers, caused no problems.
The LMS original transfers and heavy varnishing caused me to repaint the Tender, Cab and smokebox after removal. Its new identity is pure BR(M) and very well it looks.
I am lead to believe it will be DCC sound fitted and end up operating on one of my old layouts, Little Sefton. The Engine and Layout will be appearing at the O Gauge Bressingham Exhibition in April this year.
Polly really is a very sweet little lady. She came to me for a light weathering to enhance an already well made and painted Loco – she is DCC sound fitted and will be appearing at the GOG Kempton Park Exhibition later in the year.
All usual methods used for weathering except a coat of matt varnish applied to flatten the quite gloss paint finish.
Another superb starter kit from Connoisseur Models – best ‘starter kit’ ever.
Here are two steam Locos that have recently been worked on, One repair for a dropped Loco and change of identity for another.
The first Loco was a change of identity from LMS to LNER, reasonably straight forward for this Sentinel, but removing the old LMS transfers was not easy and I had to respray the sides. HMRS transfers used, followed by a light weathering. I think some glazing would benefit, but that was not in my brief.
The second Loco was a repair after being dropped, the whitemetal chimney was off, the driver/fireman were lose and it had a slight crease in the roof. All were repaired, but a new chimney in cast brass would have been a slightly better option. After adding all bits back, it was a partial repaint and a varnish. If you did not know what had happened then it would not be noticeable.
Here we have a pair of Siphon G Bogie Wagons. Both needed renumbering as ones that had visited the Eastern Region during the Late 50’s – Early 60’s. After much research my friend came up with two numbers that I believe paid us a visit.
The renumbering was relatively easy, although spacing between the body slats had to be done with care. All other information panels etc. were as original Tampo Printing and they blended well with the new number transfers (HMRS).
Now we come to the weathering and my instructions were to have one ‘dirty’ and one ‘absolutely filthy’, I think I have achieved that. I started with my usual wash and wipe, and the first thing that made life difficult was the slats were vertical, but the vents at the top were horizontal. This meant the ‘wipe’ part of the operation had to be done in two parts, very carefully and slowly to avoid taking any paint from the crevices. The roofs were washed and lightly wiped, and then lightly stippled to create a mottled and distressed look.
It was then over to the airbrush and my usual four colours were used, the ‘absolutely filthy’ wagons was given a extra bodyside coating to ensure it was grottier than the other one.
After Airbrushing I did my usual Dry Brushing highlighting several areas of the bogies and underframe with dark rust and matching brake dust.
This is a Dapol/Tower Limited Edition ‘OSBORNE’ open coal wagon with RTR weathering! I was asked to completely re-weather the wagon to give a more realistic look, this was to include a replaced plank, reflected inside and outside the wagon, as it was to run empty.
I must admit I am not an admirer of ‘Splash and Dash’ one colour weathering, and its not always easy to pull them around and make them more realistic. Luckily this one was not over-splattered! I used five different colours!
By the way, I have left the original coupling as they will be replaced by ‘Dinghams’ before use.
Here we have three vans that I recently purchased. Although Dapol released them some time ago, for some reason I did not purchase any, probably the age old reason – could not afford them!
After opening the boxes, I sealed the ‘tampo’ printing with a coat matt varnish. I have had problems in the past with thinners attacking the printing during weathering, this stops any deterioration of print.
Two types of Vans here, firstly two air braked VEA’s and a vacuumed braked predecessor, VMV.
All Vans had the wash and wipe method, airbrushed and dry-brushed.
This is an industrial O Gauge Tank Loco that has been named and weathered to a medium standard. This is an EFE variety and purchased at a very good price. These are great little Locos to start your O Gauge journey.
Here is an O Gauge shunter, it is out of the box, but has been given a medium to heavy weathering. Usual methods used – dilute Humbrol matt black wash and wipe to get shadow into all the crevices, Airbrushed with four Railmatch weathering colours and finally a little dry brushing.
This is a loco purchased by a friend, it was not in the best condition, but at a reasonable price. I was given it to enhance the appearance, add back missing parts and give it a general clean up.
It did turn out to be a slightly more difficult job than expected as parts of the bodywork was ‘superglued’ together rather than the usual soldering on a brass kit. The only body part that may need replacing at a later date is the Cab Roof, its had a hard life, and is not a good fit!
Overall it has been made into a respectable static model, the motor does work, but a new set of pick-ups are required before full operation is possible.
I have just completed a MOYS wagon for a friend, It came to me in a rather tatty condition, but was solidly built and ran well. After cleaning all the dust and debris away it looked even better – so weathering commenced.
Being very old, I can remember MOYS Coal office and Staithes at my local station in the early 50’s. My Dad worked in the Goods Depot. I think I saw a lettered wagon, but can not be sure, certainly saw wooden coal wagons. what a pity photography wasn’t as easy as it is today!
I believe the other Coal Merchant on site was ‘Colliers’, and I think they outlived MOYS at our home Station.
By the way the wagons were Shunted by Horses, Charlie and Mary, I used to help groom them, very gentle giants. Charlie went on to Newmarket and was the last Shunting Horse taken out of service.
