I don't normally post my ordinary kit builds here, not trusting my normal standard of model-making. However, I needed a break from construction and wiring and planning diode matrices, so I raided my kit box for something interesting and made this:-
The Parkside kit for the LNER Dia.D5 Horsebox has been around for a while, and Mick B has shown his
...here... and Jwealleans (second ?) build
...here...
I found it went together quite well, as with most Parkside kits in my experience, however I did make the following alterations:-
- packing the solebars out from the cross-members by about .75mm on each side. This makes the wheels run much easier and avoids the classic
problem of the w-irons leaning inwards as the solvent dries.
- replacing the lower footsteps with a brass and copper construction. The plastic supplied seemed a bit 'femmer'.
- making up underframe details to what is now my usual specification. This is not as good as Mick B's, but it looks adequate from the side. (I try to
avoid looking at my wagons upside down!) I always like to make the cross-shaft fairly thick (I think they were about 2.5" diameter) For this I use
insulation stripped from layout wire. I also like to add safety loops and remove the plastic flat moulded items.
- the brake blocks on this kit are supplied as separate and rather fiddly mouldings. These are difficult to fit in a good position, and on 6 out of the 8 I
have got too large a gap between them and the wheels. More thought would have suggested some kind of sub-assembly to make fitting easier. I did
consider using some of the Mainly Trains LNER etches I have in stock, but I am saving those for a future project!
I also modified the body moulding slightly:-
- carving away the moulded handrails and door handles and replacing them in brass.
- modifying the lamp irons
- fitting seat and door detail in the grooms compartment. (which is hardly visible when the roof is on!)
The glazing is tricky, as Mr Wealleans also comments on. It needs to be done after painting and it would it have been easier if I'd added the compartment partitions afterwards. I should have replaced the material in the kit, which seems to damage quite easily, with the normal acrylic that I use. (It might be just that I've had the kit for ages). For the lavatory window I abraded the inner surface of the window with a glass-fibre brush and fine glass-paper. Before fitting the roof I added white electrical tape to the inside of the compartment. This avoided the problems of paint leaking through!
I used Mr Tatlow's NPCS book as a reference, but that does not help with the lettering. I didn't like the instructions in the kit and couldn't find any other photographs in LNER condition. I appealed for help on Mick B's thread and JASd17 was able to help
... here... . On the following page he was also able to supply a picture.
This was also useful for showing an additional brake control (?) pipe on the compartment end. I managed to fit a representation of this without damaging the almost finished model.
There has been discussion in the past about the colour of LNER Brown paint
...here...
Unfortunately some of my favourite artists acrylic pots have dried out and the different brand I used doesn't have quite the same effect. Once the lettering I am ordering from Precision Labels (Mr Peck is being most helpful.) I may try some method of varnishing - very carefully!
I have still to fit the lower door springs. The plastic ones would be a bit weak and I will make a metal replacement.
This forum and it's members are a splendid resource. Thank you everybody!
(as is the snowplough too!)