We all have shelf queens, but what's the longest time to completion? The two brake vans were started in 1993 (NER birdcage V1/3) and 1995 (NER V4) respectively. Frankly I had forgotten about them and found them in a box in the attic over the weekend. Both had been damaged falling off a shelf mainly paint chips and a broken buffer - still to be sorted this afternoon, both needed transfers applying. Any way set to to fix them up yesterday, the paint chips need revisiting, but other than that finished, so 27 and 25 years respectively. Whats your longest time to completion of a model? Mossy
I've not put the coal or the shedplate on the LNER C12 tank i built 20 years ago if that counts. I built the tender tank on my Bulleid pacific 14 years ago (i know because theres a 2006 nameplates catalogue inside the box). I only got back to it 6 months ago. I also have a hornby D49 which i resprayed black and never put the transfers or name on possiblt 15 years ago
Paul, Your C12 certainly joins the +20 club. Trying to replace the snapped buffer of the V1, I've just manged to snap a drill in the buffer housing $£%%^$. How the .... am I going to get it out now. I think a n email to Jim McGeown might be in order for a replacement buffer. Mossy
Ah yes we have all been there. I have several locos which still have drill bits in them. Ive always found Jim pretty accommodating so definitely worth a call
Ow ... this one is going to be sore I have several 4mm projects mainly in P4, a DJH HR Barney started in the mid 80's before I met my better half, a Stanier 0-4-0ST a pressy from the Boss and the kids early probably 93 - 94, a Airfix 4F conversion to P4 - this was almost completed, but I left it on the table ready to test run before going to work, unfortunately I left the door open to the man cave, and my son came in, saw the train and as he lifted it the chassis and body parted company, the chassis took a nose dive onto the floor - it's still waiting to be fixed / finished off - probably '95 for that one, and that's before we even go to the stash of wagons etc . Paul
More on V1 buffers. Before contacting Jim McGeown, I remembered there was a 2nd V1 somewhere in the attic stashed away in the late 90's when I gave up modelling due to work pressures etc. After many expletives, ripping boxes open and lots of inhaled dust there it was, still on it original presentation cardboard buried under lots of switches, point models and assorted electrical stuff from a demolished OO gauge layout. I fished out the bag of white metal casting and guess what 6 buffers, I love the fact Jim always seems to add a couple of spare castings. I wish Jim would do a few more NER wagon kits, as all his kits I have built just fit together perfectly they meet the gold standard in kit design. Better still perhaps with an arm twist he might turn his hand to the V1/1 (horizontal planking) and V1/2 (outside framed) brakes, well I can dream can't I. Anyway this afternoon the old buffer was removed and replaced, so it's still on track to be a 27 years completion as all that is left is a quick paint job. Perhaps I should think about building the second V1, but only after the on going fun with V2 and a V3 brakes - they will not become shelf queens. Mossy
Paul, They have to be completed, because as a pre retirement present I have bought an air brush and compressor, previously everything has been painted using rattle cans or hand painted. These are planned as the first two victims of my air bush painting lessons. I have got three lovely D&D kits unbuilt, waiting in the wings, but, they have to wait till I get some experience of using the air brush, slightly tatty paint jobs will look fine on hard working wagons, but nice sleek coaching stock I think need a good paint job. Over the last week the build has been going nicely, I'm done to refitting the brakes to the V2 and buffers for both brakes before the big clean up. The world cab be witnesses to the process. Mossy
Detol can be your best friend, if you use acrilic paints, using a tank of original dettol (the brown smelly one) a a stripping tank, will allow multiple attempts on the same model. The dettol will also strip the manufacturers paint jobs as well. We've all been there for the first paint job, some of us even brave (read daft) enough to film it as well - my first attempt at spraying Enjoy, Paul
