009 modeller at sea

[tedp]

Thanks - I am rather pleased with it myself!

After I had completed the tram coach, I had another look at the 009 Society cattle vehicles. These come with the standard Parkside T&D chassis, which usually needs some attention to get to run properly. No reflection on the quality of kit, by the way.

The trouble is mainly the 8.2mm wheels, which are never concentric. These are the only ones in the Parkside kits hat aren't running true - someone suggested this is due to the steel treads. They have to be turned on the axle so they wobble into the same direction. This makes the vehicle move slightly up and down instead of side to side. The up and down movement is hardly visible as opposed to the side to side waddle. At the same time, I set the back to back to 7.4mm, using the BTB gauge I made some time ago.

Another problem is the bearing cups pinching the axle if the solebars are set too tight. I slightly bend the axlebox away so they run free. And finally, check the brake blocks as these may touch the wheels. Again, I slightly bend them out of the way.

Then I test run them through several types of Peco 009 points. When I'm happy with the result, I add a drop of superglue to the axle inside the wheel. I have done this same operation on all of my Parkside T&D vehicles. Once set, they run quite well.



Next was a check on the couplings, then I added a piece of sheet lead to bring the weight up to the same standard as the other T&D stock. They are now a little short of 20g. The couplings appeared to be set just right, so I didn't touch them. Then I painted the vehicles brown, using Revell matt no. 37. Since I built the first CDR cattle vans, for some reason they have been brown, so I decided to use the same colour to tie them in with the other stock. The running gear and bottom have been painted Tamiya matt black.

Lately I have reverted to using oil based paint as often as possible, instead of acrylic paint. Somehow the finish is more regular and it reacts better to small corrections during painting. Acrylics tend to form a skin which you easily damage during painting.







Later I will show you some photos together with the older stock to show how they fit in.

[tedp]

Here is a photo of an 009 Society cattle vehicle together with an Airfix conversion and a scratchbuilt card wagon.



The colour used was Revell matt brown no. 37.

Following this, again whilst watching a film on TV with one eye, and the other on the job, I set to work with acrylics and water. I promptly forgot to pick out the ironwork in black, but I made up for that later. Note one or two planks have been picked out in a different colour as well.

Weathering with acrylics is done using a tiny tray as a mixing palette (in my case a screw-top off a pill bottle). The acrylic paint is picked out of the can with the brush and mixed with water - 1mm on the bottom of the mixing palette is enough. The thin wash is applied with the brush and watered down if necessary, so the mix fills the detail on the model.

I started with grey to give an impression of dust, then continued with some rust brown and finally black to add grime. This is done in stages so the wash has time to settle and stick on the model before the next colour is applied. Note that it may be necessary to put the model down flat so the wash can settle horizontally instead of sagging to the bottom edge.

Here is a row of very wet cattle wagons, drying out on a newspaper. The paint will only show up properly after drying.



The following morning I picked out all the ironwork in black. Then I added the lime marks along the bottom of the sides, drybrushing white acrylic on the surface. This inevitably shows up too heavily. Adding another thin wash of black and brown over the white patches will reduce the brightness. Here is the entire rake sitting in the window sill, together with a card model and an Airfix conversion.



A close-up comparing the model to an Airfix conversion:



And another one with a 40-year-old card model:



Finally a few cruel close-ups, showing the trouble I had getting the transfers on straight:





I think the bottom edge shows a nice mix of lime and muck. The one thing lacking is the smell, but that I can do without! Now I have to add safety chains and a pin to attach the route marker - note the pins on the top edge of the older models.

[Ross Chapman]

I like then, they are very nice looking models.

Good source for different colour washes would be the Games Workshop Citadel paints - you can get all sorts of washes which work really well and give a great matt finish.

[tedp]

Thanks, Ross - regrettably I'm not familiar with Citadel paints as they're unavailable here, but they would be for British readers.

[tedp]

Finally, after the cattle wagons had been completed, I decided to do this. Riding the Fair Days Only.   ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8l-qlb7b2A

[garrywhiting]

Thanks, Ross - regrettably I'm not familiar with Citadel paints as they're unavailable here, but they would be for British readers.

I think you might well be able to buy Citadel paints in the Netherlands, Ted.  They are obtainable from Games Workshop and some independant retailers. Do an internet search for Games Workshop which will lead you to a store locator and list of other retailers that stock their products.

Garry

[tedp]

There is a wargames modelling shop in town. They might know.

[Krizzy]

Ted

What a super atmospheric video. I love the rocking and rolling of the stock as the train makes its way up the line. Many thanks for sharing it on the forum.

Roger

[tedp]

Glad you like it, Roger.

[cnw6847]

the cattle wagons look superb as does the layout.

Really enjoyed the video

[tedp]

Thanks, Richard. Doing a video of the layout is a hobby within a hobby.

[The Sales Team]

That exhaust certainly echoes around those hills, Ted -and should make sure all the residents are awake!

There's something especially satisfying about a rake of very similar but not-quite-identical stock. All those evenings at sea have paid off handsomely.

David.

[clayliner]

My apologies for the previous post - while I'm sure the rest of the Team would have agreed with my sentiments I really should have remembered to log out and log in again before posting. I guess that's one of the hazards of having multiple personalities!

David.

[MickT]

Aha, your cover has been blown Mr Clayliner........................

[tedp]

 ;D

Thanks, David. Actually I pinched the sound from the internet and modified it to suit the video, but don't tell anyone!