Rob's 7mm Rolling Stock Workbench

[Robpulham]

Hi 52D,

It wasn't placed nor (as I understand it) did it make the short list, but another of my models did so I can't really complain. I suppose it's the downside of making several entries. - The winner was a stunning modern breakdown crane.

[Robpulham]

The gent that bought my Kirk parcels van (Don Gillam) has asked me to build another Kirk kit for him. This one a 52'6" BG. Don asked if I could convert the kit from a D111 to either a D154 or D282. With that in mind I spoke to Laurie at JLRT about getting some castings for queen posts etc for it. Being busy at the show Laurie advised emailing him later to get a parts list and then once I advise what parts and how many he will give me a price. now I fully intend to do this but since it's to go under a plastic model I also thought that I might have a go with my silhouette cutter to see what could be done.

I am quite pleased with the result for a first attempt and feel that I might do better with subsequent cuts.

[Robpulham]

This weekend was a busy one so I didn't get much in the way of modelling done. I did manage to make a little progress on the NER vans getting some door furniture and a roof on the G1


It looks a little flat in the middle which I think is a trick of the light because it doesn't look flat in the flesh.

I had previously put "canvas on the roof of the G2 but took it off because I hadn't got the supports for the opening canvas roof in the right place. I moved them inwards and then re "canvassed" the roof ends using the usual lense tissue and I also made up the opening section with two layers of tissue and some 0.75mm square section rod carefully cut to length and spaced out. This when coated with pva and stretched onto the roof has given a very good result when compared to the photos of examples with canvas roof hatches in Tatlow.











Those with longer memories than me will note that one of the V hangers is missing. I have removed it to make this one of the vacuum fitted examples for variety since I have a brass kit for a vertical planked version which is unfitted in the stash to build.

[jwealleans]

Rob,

I'm going from memory, but isn't there a piece of framing between the end uprights at the top on G2s with roof doors?

[Robpulham]

Rob,

I'm going from memory, but isn't there a piece of framing between the end uprights at the top on G2s with roof doors?

There certainly is on one example in Tatlow (an unfitted vertical planked example) but reading the accompanying text states that this was unusual. A quick look through all the other photos where you can see the ends shows them without. Perhaps you read the bit where it points it out as unusual and it stuck in your mind?

[jwealleans]

Actually, what reminded me was seeing some in a box of unused kit bits at the weekend and remembering what they came out of. I'd take Peter Tatlow's word over mine in this case.

[Robpulham]

For a future project I found myself in need of a veteran car or two. Having looked around I was quite surprised at how much whitemetal kits were fetching.

I was watching a few models of yesteryear/Lledo types on eBay when I chanced up on a link to Danbury Mint Pewter vehicles. One of the ranges produced were to a nominal 1:43 scale and I had a few on watch when I chanced up upon three that were listed as spares/repairs at £15 for the three buy it now or best offer. I offered £10 and it was accepted. When they were delivered I was soon able to solder the broken wheels and straighten out the bent window frames which seemed to be the limit of the issues.

Like Heather with her milk float I intend to add glazing and paint etc.





1904 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost





1936 Jaguar SS/100





1948 MG TC - this last one is right at the extreme end of my modelling era but that shouldn't matter with what I have planned for it.



All in all an interesting side project and I would recommend looking at the Danbury/Franklin Mint 1:43 ranges because they have done cars right up to the 1980's and can be picked up at reasonable prices - some of them are complete and painted too but as you might imagine they fetch a bit more.

[Robpulham]

A couple of years or so ago I talk to Phil at Intentio about some occupied arches for my diorama board. At the time what Phil needed to charge to produce them was more than I could justify for a diorama for taking photos. So I left it at that and I pretty much forgot about it.

Whilst mooching around Telford we happened upon the LCUT Creative stand who had plain infilled arches and a couple of options of occupied versions all for just under £8.00 each. Having asked for measurements and worked out that three arches would create a backdrop for the diorama for just under £25 I decided that I could better justify the outlay.

Now it has to be said that they are made from a very thin fibreboard and can't in any way be compared to what Phil produces but they will serve the purpose.

I had to use some of the offcuts as packing pieces to allow them to sit back against a piece of plywood that I cut to support them - this is because they come supplied with an internal sections which represents the inside of the parapet but I chose not to use is because I plan to use the spare pieces for something else.

Chris came up with the idea of printing of some old workshop scenes from the internet and sticking them behind the glazing on the windows and this is what it looks like before it get's any paint on it.

[Atso]

Hi Rob,

I love what you are achieving with your cutter. I've got a part complete GNR brake van body produced using my Craftrobo (the predecessor to the current model) that I really must get around to finishing.

The cars look wonderful and it's really interesting to compare the size of the Rolls to the other two. Slightly off topic, a gentleman who lives at the opposite end of the street has an MG TC in British Racing green. It's a wonderful car that has been lovingly restored and maintained and certainly makes a marked contrast to the 1979 MG Midget my Father and I own.

The arches look very effective. If you can, I would suggest moving the pictures a little further back from the windows. I remember that Star Trek: Voyager used this technique for the main filming model of the ship and the results look very effective during close up passes.

[Robpulham]

Hi Rob,

I love what you are achieving with your cutter. I've got a part complete GNR brake van body produced using my Craftrobo (the predecessor to the current model) that I really must get around to finishing.

Hi Steve,

I look forward to seeing that progress - is it in 2mm?

The arches look very effective. If you can, I would suggest moving the pictures a little further back from the windows. I remember that Star Trek: Voyager used this technique for the main filming model of the ship and the results look very effective during close up passes.

in this instance, that won't be possible because they are now stuck to a sheet of plywood in anticipation of being attached to the back of my diorama but I will bear it in mind for future ventures.

Despite adding "the internals" I suspect that in most cases you won't see too much of the windows because of items posed in front of them.

[Atso]

Hi Rob,

Just a quick in progress shot as I don't want to hijack your thread.



W irons are only held on with bluetack hence why they're a little wonky. The second van is a Peco generic LNER brake van for comparison, close to a toad E but not exact.

[Robpulham]

That looks excellent Steve, my hat goes off to you.

As you might expect I hope to build one in 7mm at some point - the upper works being quite easy with the silhouette it's getting bit's for the undergubbins thats the challenge.

[Robpulham]

A particularly busy week at work didn't leave much energy or enthusiasm for modelling last week. I did get a few bits and pieces done though.

The first relates to my last post on the occupied arches. Chris asked if I could make some Pattress Plates that were used to strengthen buildings and bridges to further enhance the arches. Inkscape to the fore and I soon had some parts draw up and cut out.

They are made up from multi layers of 20thou sheet and sadly I didn't take photos of the finished articles before sloshing on the paint but here they are before fitting to the arches.



On my long term "want to try that" list has been Vallejo Crackle medium, which is used to represent peeling cracking or flaking paint. None of the usual haunts that I normally buy my supplies of Vallejo paint from seem to stock it and I am far too tight to pay postage to get some from eBay. Which pretty much doubles the cost.

Having done a search for it on eBay I noticed that Jackson Art supplies stock it and they are one of the places that Chris uses for her art supplies. I asked if she would add some to her order the next time she placed one which she did last week. - She waits until she needs enough supplies to qualify for free postage.... We are from the People's Republic of Yorkshire after all.

When I knew it was on it's way I thought what shall I use to test it and I could have used a square of styrene but no... I though perhaps I could could a couple of door sized pieces and cut some grooves to represent planks.

Which I did, then I thought I could add rails and stiles (I think that's what they call them?) to the back and perhaps a couple of hinges on one to look like a door that's been taken of for disposal or repair. Then I thought ah yes but the type of doors that I am representing have "Snecks" (or that's what we call the round 'ere) which meant that I would need to add a couple of pattress plates (see the theme developing).

Finally I got around to doing some actual painting and testing of the crackle medium. I have read various reviews and it seemed that many people didn't really get on with it. I suspect that in the main that's because the instructions are sparse to say the least - paint surface with acrylic paint, don't shake the bottle, apply to the surface and allow to dry thoroughly (small cracks) over paint with a contrasting colour. For larger cracks overpain while still tacky.

Now peoples biggest issue seems to be that while overpainting you can have a tendency to drag the paint off removing your nicely cracked surface - see the brown door.

Having done the brown door and experienced just that effect albeit that I think that it looks okay bearing in mind how much magnification there is on the images.

On the second (blue) door I watered down the paint quite significantly and did the cover in a single stroke making sure that I didn't touch it again with the brush once an area had been covered this gave a much better effect that does look like well worn paint work.
I plan to do some more tests but using the airbrush to apply the second coat to see what effect that has.




I tried variations of the above techniques on the backs and to be honest I am not that happy with any of them.


and finally the "sneck"

I couldn't resist distressing the bottoms of the doors to look like they have rotted away like so many outside toilet doors of my youth.

[Robpulham]

I finally got around to taking some photos of the Occupied Arches now that they are painted and the Pattress Plates are fitted. I just need to make some business signs to finish it off now.

The doors are really quite flimsy and they buckled quite scarily when the paint was applied but they went back thankfully as they dried.

[Robpulham]

I drew up some sign boards in Inkscape then didn't have time to cut them out so having spent much longer at Hartlepool show than I originally intended, I resorted to good old scratch building for them. - too busy catching up with people.

The biggest shock of all, apart from drinks and sandwiches for lunch I didn't spend a penny. - Worth noting for the future, the food and drink was excellent quality and value for money. I am not sure what the attendance was like on Sunday but Saturday looked to be very well attended.