I made a start on this model today, having had my 100 degree solder delivered earlier. There certainly seems to be a lot of bits in the bag, so I got stuck in and started by cleaning up the flash, not that there's a lot of it, unlike some models, then began assembly by constructing the bogies. These need drilling 2mm to accept 'Top Hat' pinpoint bearings, so after drilling, I superglued these in place then on to soldering the two halves to the crossbeam, a bit tricky since you have to get the wheelsets in place before you solder......awkward, but achievable! Next, the hopper base is soldered to the chassis, and side and end panels soldered in. Attached files
As I shall be using the wagons with a ballast load, I'm not bothering to clean up the inside of the hopper. Next job was to fit the hopper divider like so. More tomorrow, hopefully. Attached files
Continued with this build today, having fitted the floor sections, then onto a lot of small and fiddly bits to attach and solder. Fortunately, everything went well, and the wagon is now completed and standing on it's bogies, ready for a good wash to get the phosphoric acid flux off everything. I have two more to build, so won't bother with paint until all three are built, then prime and paint all three together. Keith. Attached files
Looking good Keith A few of these will weigh a bit as a train. They will definitely test out the pulling power of little locos
Hi Keith, I was about to ask if you had used flux but you have answered my question. They look very good. Sturdy beasts. Out of curiosity, how much does one weigh in at ? I like the flared discharge boxes on the underside hovering above the track. Nice kits. cheers toto
Excellent build Keith , they are very business like wagons, it will be great to see them finished and painted. Will you be weathering them? Pete.
I hadn't thought about weighing these wagons, but I have 3 'Lima' versions of the "Sealion" wagon, so comparing them, the Lima ones weigh in at 64 grams, the 'Genesis' one weighs a comparatively whopping 197 grams, so 3 times as heavy. Definitely won't be needing any lead flashing added to these! Regarding weathering, both 'Lima' and 'Genesis' ones will be weathered in due course, probably 'in bulk'! Keith.
I have an unfinished (plastic) Cambrian Kit of a Southern hopper still on the go. It is a rather more complicated and fiddly kit than the Genesis one, and a lot lighter (it will need some added weight). Once I get my act together, it will join all my Hornby, Bachmann and Lima Sealions. It is good to have a few differences among such trains; in my opinion, they don't look right if the wagons are too uniform. Your build is rapidly progressing, Keith, and I look forward to seeing the finished result. In the meantime, you jogged my memory about having a Genesis kit to build myself, albeit a far simpler one for a BR brake tender. I have almost completed this in two short evening sessions. One thing I'll say about these newer kits, though: the pewter is a lot harder to file and trim than the old, softer white metal! http://www.click Edit: I have posted a quick summary and pics of the brake tender on my workbench thread - not trying to hijack Keith's topic and achievements!
Been getting a bit further with this project over the last few days, and have now completed the building of all 3 wagon bodies. Here they are after primer spraying. I just use a car primer spray which is also suitable for plastics, and available in white, grey and red oxide, choosing whichever is most suitable, depending on the final colours. All come from our local 'cheap shop', £2.49 for a large can! Attached files
I happened to have a bottle of 'Vallejo' Dark green 'in stock', and checking it against the 3 Lima 'Sealion' wagons I have, it seemed a pretty good match, so choice made! I understand that Vallejo acrylic paints are supposed to be suitable for use in airbrushes straight from the bottle, but maybe because I've had this bottle a while, I had to dilute it slightly with my usual 66%/33% water to Isopropanol, as it seemed a bit on the 'thick' side, to enable it to spray properly. That being said, the bodies seem to have turned out ok, so I'll give them a chance to harden for a day or so before I fix decals. I shall be adding ballast load, so have not wasted time on a lot of cleaning up of the hopper internals as it'll be covered by the load anyway. This is where we are so far, and of course, handrails, handwheels etc will be picked out in white. Keith. Attached files
Quote "I understand that Vallejo acrylic paints are supposed to be suitable for use in airbrushes straight from the bottle," Hi Keith, the Vallejo Air acrylic is, but as you have found out it's best to thin the non air bottles down to the desired consistency. Models look very nice, will be great to see them in action with coal loads and a bit of weathering Kim
