'Taz' in time for Christmas

I have to admit that I've not really been too enthusiastic about completing this model, but having had a few bursts of activity on it I have now completed the remaining post-paint jobs. I've added sufficient weight (25cm of self-adhesive window leading strip) to allow the Tomytec chassis to perform reasonably well, MicroTrains couplers, cab glazing and finally some light weathering and the all-important driver.

The tiny nature of this model means that from most angles the driver is not really visible, he is a combination of a Preiser 1/50th head/upper body (and feet) and Slaters seated legs. I did wonder if he might need a drastic haircut to make the cab sit down on the chassis frame properly but it made little difference...

I think that's about it, I just need to decide what to use 'Taz' for in the longer term, in the meantime I now have an O9 loco that can make it around an 009 layout. Clearly that man "is far away" (to misquote Father Ted).

And finally, I'd like to wish all readers of O9 Modeller a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Colin

A Winter's Tale

For some reason the last few weeks have been full of thoughts as to "what comes next" and I'm sorry to day that I'm no further forward than usual. I did start work on a desk-sitting test track scheme using what can only be described as "cork board technology" but even that has proved to be flawed in testing - I clearly haven't learnt the lesson from 'Upcycle' about length vs desk size...

However, I had a welcome distraction when studying my daughter's winter term homework sheet - "create a winter scene". My mind seemingly switched to diorama mode as I wondered what could be done with materials already to hand. She then told me they had been learning about Joseph Farquharson at school and that provided a few ideas that shaped the final model.

What has resulted is a study in cat food box, polystyrene, wood filler, PVA and some snow scatter that I actually received as part of a well thought out 'secret Santa' present last year. She got involved at all of these stages of scenic development, with varying levels of help!

Detail touches include a length of Peco flexible fencing, a length of twig as a log, cheapo 7mm scale figure, a hare from the spares box and 'Olaf'. The trees and bushes are sea moss, sprayed brown and then when dry sprayed with hairspray and scattered with more snow powder (mostly achieved by little hands under supervision).

The reindeer wrap was added as a novel finishing touch (and because covering the print on the box was taking several coats of paint). Just to prove that this started as a cat food box:

Filling the box with polystyrene (mostly sheets and blocks) didn't take a lot of time or effort and it was carve-able the next day, including cutting the box sides down to shape. I think this would prove to be a useful method again if an "instant" diorama was required.

Colin

Minitrains Bagnall - Transformation Complete

My 009 Minitrains Bagnall wing-tank rebuild and repaint is now completed. I tempted fate somewhat with my 31st October posting about the "curse of the paintshop" as my initial attempt to prime and paint over the factory finish was marred by poor attention (or lack of) to the primer layer and then the bottom end of an old can of aerosol paint that had been around since my O9 'Pandora'. Stripped right back and new paints purchased the result after a couple of coats of Dullcote are most satisfactory.

Having given it a run on my 009 layout 'The Old Quarry Line' I had a play with the camera and software....

That should be the last you hear of 009 on here... until next time!

Colin

PW Crew Comfort

Spurred on by reviving the semi-complete 'not DA1' I looked into the incomplete projects box to see what else might be revived. My eyes settled on the 4-wheel coach I had assembled from Dapol railbus left-overs and last seen on the blog in May 2015 (and that date rather surprised me too...)

I had never had a real plan for this coach and to that end it had been completed with running gear adapted (badly) from an old coach bogie and only passive provision for MicroTrains couplings. Realising it would make a rather nice crew coach for the permanent way department I have replaced the running gear with a modified Peco wagon chassis and made proper provision for MicroTrains couplers. I then stripped back the primer on the body and tidied it up a little, especially around the ends of the roof which were never my finest work.

At one end I blanked over the end window on each side and added a vent cut from an old A1 Models BR class 37 etch. In fact I think these had previously been used on the original version of my model of 'Jay' before I realised I had made it a little overscale.

On the end itself is another etched addition, I suspect that this is again A1 in origin, alongside an electrical connection from the railbus spares box.

Internally a cupboard has replace the seat at this end, complete with a kettle fashioned from Dapol and Knightwing leftovers.

Another recycled part is the window set into the other end, this was once in the same position on one of my very early coaches that had to be dismantled.

It has been fun making these changes, and yes, there is something of a nostalgic tone to working with leftover kit parts and odd bits of etch...

Colin

Meet 'Taz' - a green devil?

Progress continues on the A1 Models locomotive based on DA1. Whilst this was due to follow my 009 Bagnall through the paintshop, following a few setbacks on that job they have actually been neck-and-neck at times, certainly both reached the varnishing stage together, which actually was an advantage.

Having considered whether to follow DA1's maroon or blue liveries I opted to turn things around and go for green. Ford Meadow Green is again the choice, that can is serving me rather well this year...

Before painting I added an exhaust to the bonnet, but seemingly forgot to add any headlights. Whilst generally this build has been something of a slightly less detailed one (for instance there are no controls modelled in the cab at the moment), this didn't look right. After painting I used Replica Railways transfers for BR diesel headlight lenses and added a dome of Araldite after varnishing.

On the other side of the loco can be seen it's number plate, home made from a scrap of nickle silver etch and Fox lettering transfers. Rather than DA1 this is TA2, the nickname of course is 'Taz'

The model is a little way from completion, windows need glazing, couplings adding and general weathering. The driver is also lagging behind somewhat after a false start, so another update to follow upon completion...

Colin