Another two of the fantastic Dapol Fuel Tanks weathered. The Esso is Light to Medium and the Shell/BP is Medium weathered. This must make at least 25-30 I have done over the years and its always a pleasure.

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.

DIRTY

ABSOLUTELY FILTHY

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.

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.

Here we have two brass kit built pre BR wagons. Both purchased by Graham at very reasonable prices, made and painted to a very good standard, all I did was to weather them.

Here is one of the latest Heljan PMV vans. I have given it a Medium/Heavy weathering, Body medium, roof and underframe Heavy.

I have to say a lovely model and will be getting at least two – when I can afford it!

Since taking these photos I had given the door vents a coat of Matt Varnish to dull them down a bit!

Here are some O gauge wagons weathered for three group members. Usual methods, but note the cattle wagon is to be used as a converter wagon with three links at one end and knuckle coupler at the other.

Here are a rake of four bogie bolsters that have been weathered to a medium standard. These Dapol wagons are very good and I like them a lot, however one thing I now realise is that NO separate parts (mouldings) are glued on – all are push fit, and a few do not like handling very much. This is not a moan at Dapol, I think the days of securely fitted parts are over from all manufacturers, probably due to keeping the price down on foreign manufactured items! My advice would be check your stock for loose bits and pieces and glue on to avoid loss when handling.

After the Dogfish, what else would you do! Yes, Catfish. All the same methods were employed, but this time I stepped the Interiors up a bit to a more rusty finish.