New to OO9 - Peco loco problem

[clanky]

jim a great start even more so when you say you've never modelled before . what was the paint you used ? , it would'nt have been rail match ' crimson lake ' .  the problem that i've found with  some paints are , the're to glossy and to thick . question , how many coats of paint did you apply ? . i prefer to use matt enamel  using lots of thin coats .
another thing that springs to mind is that , farish do three maybe four '0-6-0 chassis as i found out first time round .
another way to achieve what i think mick is saying ( to create a shadow ) is to use the ' dry brush ' method . don't know if you are familiar with the techique . cheers john .

[jimowers]

I used Precision Paint LMS Maroon as this matches other locos. I will have a think about the techniques you mention.

[pilotfriend]

The best advice is to KISS! Start off with RTR and gradually built up your skills. Go to your local 009 meeting where there is always skilled advice available. There is a lot to good modelling techniques, just like all other skills, so just stick with it! Ther is also a wealth of advice available on the internet.

Building up locos at this stage is probably more likely to discourage you.
best
JdF

[jimowers]

I understand JdF that RTR is a good way to start and I did this initially with several locos already available for use. I have also read much on the internet and will continue to do so

However, everyone has to start somewhere building their own loco. This was my first attempt and I was asked to show what I had done which I did with some trepidation as I know that I am amongst experts. MikeT gave me excellent feedback and that has shown me how to improve on what I have done so far which I aim to do in the next couple of weeks. I would welcome any similar constructive comments however I sense from other comments that I am perhaps being 'put off' building stuff - is this only the preserve of those who know how to already?

It is just a bit difficult going to my local OO9 society - I live on the IOW. That is why I have to visit shows and to a great extent plough my own furrow.

[slateworks]

Jim - don't be put off doing your own thing and I'm sure none of the posters intended that. I've been building locos for a few years now and I'm still rubbish at it, but the satisfaction of doing a little better each time is enormous. The contributors to forums such as narrowgaugemodelling, ngrm-online and many others will provide endless advice and encouragement and through these, I have found the developement of new skills to be hugely satisfying even if my level is pretty basic. Just do it!
Doug

[jimowers]

Thanks Doug, I was almost ready to give up there. I was so fired up with enthusiasm having recently been to Trainwest - an excellent exhibition.

With the exception of one prominent layout I found the people who were presenting OO9 layouts extremely helpful and supportive - people who brought those wonderful layouts Purbeck and Nettlecombe especially. It is great that these people who have vast experience were happy to spend significant amounts of time with many people such as ourselves who were just starting out. They certainly seemed to feel this as important, if not more important, than running their layouts.

It was there that I received a lot of encouragement to start my first loco. I will keep on going Doug and hope that I can improve this loco before too long.

Thanks all for your support.

[Graeme Dunbar]

I'm glad you did not give up! I think the loco looks very smart - as you say - straight "out of the paint shop".

I like Mick's suggestion for cylinders and dummy motion too. I must give that one a try myself.

[invercloy]

That's much better than my first effort was!  :)

It looks like it's all gone together well  8)  If you wanted to add some more realism to it at some point then maybe you could weather it at a later date?  Rust stains, dust, coal dust, soot etc. bring locos to life.  It doesn't have to be anything OTT, subtle normally works best and enhances what's already been done.

Look forward to seeing your next effort.  Do you have anything in the pipeline?

[jimowers]

That's much better than my first effort was!  :)

It looks like it's all gone together well  8)  If you wanted to add some more realism to it at some point then maybe you could weather it at a later date?  Rust stains, dust, coal dust, soot etc. bring locos to life.  It doesn't have to be anything OTT, subtle normally works best and enhances what's already been done.

Look forward to seeing your next effort.  Do you have anything in the pipeline?

Yes, I plan to weather. This is the ex-works state and will be modified as recommended on the forum before I go any further.

When I have finished making all the mistakes I can on this one then I have a Russell on a Minitrix chassis to try next! ::)

[clanky]

jim , i'm sure no one is trying to put you off . i think there are two  ( must be more )  thoughts on a layout , whether it's the overall (scenics or operation ) picture . or you enjoy , simply building locomotives . the main thing is , that you have fun . please , out of curiousity tell us the name of your railway and describe   the , countryside . cheers john .

[jimowers]

jim , i'm sure no one is trying to put you off . i think there are two  ( must be more )  thoughts on a layout , whether it's the overall (scenics or operation ) picture . or you enjoy , simply building locomotives . the main thing is , that you have fun . please , out of curiousity tell us the name of your railway and describe   the , countryside . cheers john .

I want to have a go at both the locos/wagons and also the scenics, although my wife is more heavily involved in that. My layout is provisionally called 'Torriton'. It is an an old quarry from which runs an adit mine for iron stone. It is one of a number of similar quarry/mine operations around this area. There will be a viewing window into the mine workings. The iron ore is brought out of the mine and taken to a distant processing plant near to the main line. It is set in Devon. The layout will also feature some of the buildings of the village around the old quarry workings.

[Graeme Dunbar]

There will be a viewing window into the mine workings. The iron ore is brought out of the mine and taken to a distant processing plant near to the main line.

I am fascinated by this idea and have seen it on a couple of layouts, though not in 009. One was on a visiting French layout from Orlean at a Dundee MRC exhibition (the towns are twinned there are often MRC exchanges I believe) and the other is a layout from the Edinburgh and Lotians MRC here:
http://elmrc.freehostia.com/09.html

The French layout was on several levels and almost cube shaped.

I look forward to seeing photos of your layout. Please keep us posted!

[jimowers]

I know that no idea is ever entirely new! Glad to see somebody else's take on a similar idea.

In planning the layout I started with the landscape and how people would have exploited it. The baseboard is 3ft 3in by 2ft 3in - designed to fit in a VW Gold without lowering the back seat.

The quarry is now disused - great for lots of rusty items and disused gear. Trains go into the mine empty and come out full and are then taken away by a steam loco.

Will keep you posted.