2750 (Tom's) Workbench-North Eastern Modelling 1938

[Tom F]

Latest weathered coaching stock update

The first two coaches being Parcel Coaches, one a 4 wheel CCT Van and Ex LMS Parcel Coach, in my opinion wanted to look more worldly weathered seen as being none passenger stock, less time would have been taken on them looking spic and span





While this coach is an Ex LMS Passenger 1st, I wanted to show she had traveled across the Pennines but not to be totally neglected!




What do you think?

[Multiprinter]

Nicely done. Some may say that the vans are still too clean though, particularly the windows.

[Tom F]

Evening all, very little updates from me recently...i have been up to stuff...particular, getting my airbrush working.

I bit the bullet and decided to start weathering.

Started well...then regardless of running thinners through between each paint change, I found it was blocked somewhere as it kept spitting...anyhow we cleaned it and cleaned it, still the same kept happening, then my Dad cleaned the nozzle and I covered the end with my finger and blew back the paint into the cup.

Anyhow here are the results, for a first attempt, I'm pleased with the results

[Atlantic 3279]

In my untrained opinion, formed only from similar experience/frustration, I would suspect particles in the paint as a cause of blockage. Possibly poorly ground pigment, poorly dispersed pigment (maybe due to inadequate stirring/agitation before use), foreign particles from the stirrer or even airborne dust entering the open tin, or dried bits from around the lid seal if using a previously opened tin, and even reaction with the thinners causing curdling/flake formation in the paint, especially when well-thinned for weathering or mixed with varnish. The varnish, I am convinced, is not always based upon the same substances as, or fully compatible with, the "same sorts" of paints in the same manufacturers' ranges. It could even be that your airbrush wasn't as clean internally as you thought before you started.

[Tom F]

In my untrained opinion, formed only from similar experience/frustration, I would suspect particles in the paint as a cause of blockage. Possibly poorly ground pigment, poorly dispersed pigment (maybe due to inadequate stirring/agitation before use), foreign particles from the stirrer or even airborne dust entering the open tin, or dried bits from around the lid seal if using a previously opened tin, and even reaction with the thinners causing curdling/flake formation in the paint, especially when well-thinned for weathering or mixed with varnish. The varnish, I am convinced, is not always based upon the same substances as, or fully compatible with, the "same sorts" of paints in the same manufacturers' ranges. It could even be that your airbrush wasn't as clean internally as you thought before you started.

Thanks Graeme

I have now got my hands on some celulose thinners and blasted them through...it does appear to be as clean as a whistle now

but the paints were new, I did give them a good mix, but you theory does make sense.

I decided to go back to the J39...and follow what Tim Shackleton suggests, due to metalcote being used in the mix...buff it with a cotton wool bud, I've got a very subtle but nice verticle effect on the tender and sides of the boiler, ans smoke box...very subtle, just shaded vertical, which i think you can just make out, showing gravity's force with oil rain etc



What I will possibly do, is at somepoint, add gloss varnish to the motion to simulate greese, and possibly some around the filler cap representing spillage when watering.

[kimballthurlow]

Hi Tom,
Regarding grease, yes a gloss coat should do this OK.
I don't know about the UK, but many color photos I have of US steamers appears to show greased areas in an orange shade.
I seem to remember those in Australia were colorless.
If you do want the colour, Humbrol do a shaded clear in red, 1321, orange 1322 and green 1325 -these are produced for signal spectacle plates.

By the way, I think your weathering is perfect - as good as I've seen.
regards
Kimball

[wehf100]

Interesting technique with the addition of 'metalcote'. Might be tempted to try that myself.

[Tom F]

Many thanks chaps

Ok chaps, couple of locos to show you this evening

Two A3s, in two different conditions 60086 'Gainsborough' and 60070 'Gladiateur



60086 had had previous weathering done with powders and T-Cut a few months back, so all that was required, was some smoke staining. I then used Johnsons Klear and applied through the airbrush, which has given a nice shine to the boiler and tender sides I think.





60070 has had a touch more modifications done to her. Notice the round dome i.e HP boiler. So far the variation of this boiler and double chimney isn't available from Hornby, but is as a single chimney in the form of Ladas. So I removed the chimney and added a white metal double chimney.

60070 was a Gateshead loco, and as we know, 52A were never keen on cleaning there locos, so grime was a must.



Using references from my Keith Pirt books, I have tried to show a nice representation of limescale leakage from the washout plugs, but also around the snifter valve behind the chimney





Late crest pressifx replaced the early crest on the tender....fireman can be seen at work too

[Tom F]

Evening all

After a long gap, I'd thought I'd post an update.

What you shall be seeing over the next few months are locos that are going to be part of the phoenix rising out of the ashes of the old layout. More on that in a couple of months.

Anyhow this 'GRAND PARADE' Circa 1950 while being a Doncaster locos, July would see her moving to Haymarket.

The only real inaccuracy is that I had to use a single chimney Scotsman super detailed loco, which currently has an A4 boiler, so this loco should really have the 94A boiler, rather than a 104....oh well.



water is still on the tender as the pressfix decals had just gone down, nameplates from 247 developments.

The other side requires doing...and then weathering

[Tom F]

Couple more updates this evening






Lighting is awful I know, apologies on that, the final photos will be done outside!

I've now done the other side, so all that needs doing is a shed plate adding...and shed allocation on buffer beam and then some Doncaster filth

[mick b]

What version of the A3 have you converted to Grand Parade . I am only aware of the Double chimney NRM version with the A4 boiler.

Looking good shame you will cover the lining with muck !!

[Tom F]

What version of the A3 have you converted to Grand Parade . I am only aware of the Double chimney NRM version with the A4 boiler.

Looking good shame you will cover the lining with muck !!

Hi Mick

It was the Australian Scotsman...you may remember I had TMC use it to become Brown Jack....well now I've got better with my own skills and can quite happily renumber, I used her as the basis

Tom

[mick b]

Oh yes i forgot about that version

[Saint Johnstoun]

I used the US Tour version of FS for my 1948 version of Spearmint.

I swapped the tender with that on 4474. I then modified the corridor tender to return it to its 1928 condition by removing the 'curves' at the front added when they were coupled to A4s.

[Tom F]

I used the US Tour version of FS for my 1948 version of Spearmint.

60100a.JPG

I swapped the tender with that on 4474. I then modified the corridor tender to return it to its 1928 condition by removing the 'curves' at the front added when they were coupled to A4s.

Nice, and you were therefore able to get a proper boiler for her.......I'm put off by the price of her mind, how easy was the cow catcher to remove?

Right, 60090 is pretty much done, she just requires a shed code...or I might just add the buffer beam code and not add the the smoke box plate.

I firstly airbrushed her, then with thinners began removing, adding some streaks etc, finally I used neat Klear into the airbrush. Last night it didn't look right at all, and I honestly felt I'd ruined her.

This morning I'm rather pleased with the results actually, nice shine to the boiler and tender, but clear signs she is a working loco.

Anyhow see what you guys think