Our leader was on about weathering his TTA's, but didn't want to work on them until he had changed the couplings etc, etc..... just an excuse really. So here are some of the steps I performed on my TTA's, before experimenting with the weathering. First job was to dismantle the wagon The tank unclipped from the body, the couplings were riveted on so were cut off, I fitted Kadee's. the rest of the coupling mount and rear crossmember were filed flat to allow the coupling, mounted in a draft box to be installed. To get the correct height I have several draft boxes made up with standard No.5, and EzMate over and under center couplings, tested by using attaching the coupling using double sided tape and referencing against the Kadee coupling height gauge. In this case the No.5 coupling gave the correct height. Next the tank, there are moulding lines on the body ends and top These were filed, filled and filed again, untill the the seams were hidden. Next up weight - I use between 1 and 1.5 ounce per axel, the wagaon was under so bits of steel blanks were added. To secure the weight, I cut a small hole in the base of the tank, dipped the steel pellets in pva, and inserted them into the tank, added a bit more pva for luck, covered the hole with insulation tape, to stop the glue running out. Sat the tank the right way up, and allowed to dry for 24 hours. The wagon was then reassembled, and weatherd using humbrol enamel washes and powders. 1 extreme, and the other very light. The amoco still need the couplings done. There you go Toto, no excuses Paul
I'll take a pack of three apart this weekend and get rid of these couplings and have a go. The couplings can be replaced later as I don't have any draft boxes. The tanks can be weathered off the chassis. May make it a bit easier. Thanks oh great one Cheers Toto
I'll take a pack of three apart this weekend and get rid of these couplings and have a go. The couplings can be replaced later as I don't have any draft boxes. The tanks can be weathered off the chassis. May make it a bit easier. Thanks oh great one Cheers Toto
You certainly have made a mess of that wagon Paul. Good job I say ! Just be cautious with PVA and your steel blanks. PVA is very corrosive on steel. How do I know this I hear you ask ?? Well, I had a bottle of PVA accidentally crush in my tool box... many pairs of pliers, several spanners, set squares, screw drivers, hacksaw, coping saws, hammer etc all ruined... An alternative is to mix sand with PVA and pour in through a hole in the bottom of the tank. Cheers, Gary.
Very nice 'how to' Paul really excited to see 'his wondering one' do the same ...? ... well when I say excited I mean sort of curious...? ...well when I say curious I mean sort of.... ps will you be changing the wheel sets? Ian vt
Wheel sets allready done, I didn't even think the originals were worth keeping in the scrap box. Paul
