Granny can always learn! The problem with painting convincing slate in my opinion is that attempting to represent the real variety of colours (i.e the purples and blues) looks pretty unconvincing. I bought a couple of blue and purple acrylics from a local shop and wasn't satisfied with any of the resulting shades or the paint itself (The Army Painter brand - useless, don't bother!). Looking at the building now, I don't really like it anyway so may scrap it and start again. Matt
Another random diversion... Bought this 7mm scale open wagon from eBay a few months ago, pre-built and painted. After stripping it down, repairing the damage and giving it a repaint and light weathering, it's good to go. It's not historically or prototypically accurate, as the colours have been chosen solely to highlight the lettering. It's a 65th birthday present for my father in law. Matt
Thank you @Andy_Sollis. Back on track with this Ratio LMS van. Roof needs painting and it still needs markings, but it's nearly there. Matt
Thank you both @paul_l and @Andy_Sollis for your interest. Another one on the bench is this ODA I built in March. Underframe still to be weathered. Matt
Hi Andy, I use Smiths instanters almost across the board (and accept that they are incorrect some of the time but have settled on them as "standard" for my freight stock). However I hate assembling them so always put it off. This is why 50% of my stock has no couplings. I usually batch assemble several pairs at some stage or another and then retro fit individual wagons. Matt
You can get magnetic ones I believe. These however are just the bog standard ones...or will be if and when I assemble them! Matt
Few updates from the workbench: 13t open wagons - one Parkside, one Bachmann: Scratchbuilt Gannet ballast wagon: Bachmann Limpet with rebuilt underframe parts: Triang Cowan's Sheldon crane rebuild: Parkside Open Wagon (match wagon for crane): Any questions, please ask! Matt
Thanks for the comments - it's been a difficult year. I lost my father unexpectedly during the summer and this has had a big impact on several aspects of my life, including my modelling. My latest project is another old one - this time it's the venerable Airfix Lowmac. I attempted to build the Dapol version of this around ten years ago - it was ultimately unsuccessful but when I think back, it set me on the path of wagon building. I'm using an old kit I picked up from eBay: I'm only using the deck, I've decided to fabricate everything else from plastic sheet. Given I was going to remove all the moulded details (axleboxes etc) it made sense to save time and do it this way. Still a few bits to add but it's coming along. Matt