Rob P's Rolling Stock Workbench

Discussion in 'Kits, Kit bashes & Scratch builds' started by Rob Pulham, Sep 26, 2017.

  1. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    A thread on RMweb on pre group models that I have been contributing to reminded me of something a little different that I did from a photo a couple of years ago.

    The photo is in Essery's Midland Wagons Volume One (I think) and it shows a ROD (WWI Railway Operating Department) conversion of a Midland railway wagon and although I haven't confirmed it fully all enquiries seem to point to it being used for the transport of munitions.

    I really liked the look of it and thought it would make a good kit bash. At the time I had a couple of Slaters Gloucester 5 plank wagon kits on stock and close examination reveal that If I removed/moved a few rivets the solebars and body would match.

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    You can see from the following photos where I had to adjust bits to get it to match the photo - The white styrene rod showing the replacements.

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    This was another one that was done before I got the Silhouette soall the bits were cut from Evergreen strip
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  2. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Nicely done Rob. Very neat as always.
     
  3. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    I had a really busy weekend this weekend and one the things that I made much progress on was the SR Brake van that I started earlier in the thread.

    After work today I gave it blast of primer and here it is.

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    Now I have a bit of a dilemma, I plan to sell it once it's finished (I bought it specifically to build and sell on as I neither model BR or the Southern) and I have seen examples with both screw and 3 link coupling and I am unsure which to add - If I add screw couplings it will add another £5 to the price.

    Similarly with a stove, if I add a cast stove it will again add another £5 to the cost. without my adding anything for the assembly etc. of them.

    If you were a buyer would you prefer screw couplings and a stove or to get the van £10 cheaper?
     
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  4. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    You will note that I have added a brake standard. I knocked that up from some pieces of styrene tube and a spare hand wheel so I have no additional cost for that.
     
  5. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    During last week I took a little time out on a couple of evenings to get the top coat of paint on ready for transfers.

    A more knowledgeable gent than I also pointed out that I had made an error with one of the brake linkages so I will have a look at sorting that.

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    I then blackened the buffers and added a decent set of 3 link couplings.

    To blacken the buffer shanks I heated then to cherry red with the microflame and dunked them in a small pot of oil (I used 3 in 1 but apparently any oil even cooking oil will do the job). When cool take them out and wrap in kitchen paper to soak up all the oil and leave until the next day when they are ready for fitting - Please note this method is only any good for steel buffer heads

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  6. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    It's worth noting that the roof and body are just placed for the photos I won't glue them together until they have been glazed.
     
  7. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Hi Rob,

    Is this a plastic kit ? I think folks would be happy to pay the additional £10,00. The only thing is, you may barrow your customer base if others are just using standard couplings although I don't suppose there is any issue mixing the two.

    Looks very good. There is also a bit of a drought of RTR brakevans on the go at the moment so you may have hit on a winner. Depends if folks are prepared to pay a premium or if they just want to pay for a standard RTR option.

    I'm sure someone will snap it up.

    Cheers

    Toto
     
  8. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Hi Toto,

    yes it's a plastic kit but I hope that I will have enhanced it sufficiently to create interest. After quite a bit of work this weekend tt's finished now apart from glazing the duckets (stupid boy here forgot to take the "Glue n Glaze" with me!).

    Photos tomorrow.
     
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  9. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    Lovely work Rob, what folk (who wouldn't build these kits) often forget is that there is a lot of work involved in building a brake van, it's all the brake harnessing with rigging on brake blocks each side of wheels which take time to make properly. Having said that the grab rails can be a challenge too, the worst being the Parkside GWR long wheelbase veranda brake... never again :facepalm: aligning up all the rectangular shaped side rails in their tiny fixing brackets.
     
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  10. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Almost there just the duckets to glaze now and fasten the body to the underframe.

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    Finally just a last one to show the underframe with the linkages corrected.
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  11. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Very nicely done. Really looks the part.

    Toto
     
  12. jakesdad13

    jakesdad13 Staff Member Moderator

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    Nice work mate :thumbup::tophat::tophat:
     
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  13. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Thanks Gents.

    Hopefully tonight will see the duckets glazed and then I will place it in the small adds.
     
  14. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    I could have sworn that I had posted some pictures of the Slaters wagons that I am building at the moment but I can't find them.

    Anyway much progress was made on the Ale wagons this weekend.

    Going from this:
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    To this.

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    I also managed to get all the roofs canvassed and a coat of primer
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    I will dig out the photos of the other pair of vans and add them later.
     
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  15. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Cattle wagons primed and ready for the top coat - I need to find out from Bob what colour he wants the inside first though.

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  16. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Nice
     
  17. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    The last two wagons that I am doing for Bob reached the painting stage over the weekend.

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    These are very detailed kits and took quite some time to add all the details. Not helped by the fact that the brake safety loops were really flimsy and I didn't even manage to get them off the sprue in one piece so I scratched some brass ones to replace them from scrap etch.
     
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  18. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    Yes the brake push rod loop pieces on these are micro flimsy, I usually try to cut them off in a block and then cut the inner tabs by pressing down on the with a finger to stop the plastic from twisting under the pressure of the scalpel. The other thing is the push rod harnesses are not handed ... I usually cut one so the left side push rod is positioned under the brake shaft and forces up to the left hand side brake block.
     
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  19. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Toto solved this problem by not fitting brakes - they only slow you down anyway :avatar:

    Phosphour bronze strip may also work (the strips available for pickups).

    Paul
     
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  20. jakesdad13

    jakesdad13 Staff Member Moderator

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    I wish I could get the corners on my kit builds as tidy Rob :avatar:.

    Pete.
     
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