Sunday 9 December 2012

Looking back, sorting things out and moving on

Well, I really need to get this off my chest, but as of late I've been lacking motivation to actually do much in the way of modelling. Having had the cost of converting my collection to DCC (£20 for a decent chip adds up when you're doing several locomotives) I've sold on a few items, including almost all of my OO9 items and a few others like the Jouef tank engine conversion. Along with this, I've also managed to get some room sorted for an actual layout so things look to be going up from here on.

Speaking of OO9, this doesn't mean I've quit Narrow Gauge. I'm merely going to scale up so I can get better detail, Skarloey and Duncan should be coming soon in the new year. It's not that OO9 is too small, it's just I want to actually have some models with decent chassis that I can rely on for long term running. The Ibertren I had under Skarloey has been replaced 3 times so far, and they don't come cheap!

One problem I've had is dwelling too hard upon the past. Even if someone has annoyed and/or upset me in the past, I've let it stick to me and get at me. Might as well just say I'm starting fresh for 2013 in terms of friends/enemies. There's just not a point in keeping up such immature petty hatred at the end of the day, something I wish I'd retrospectively realized at the time. If I've been nasty, harsh or downright rude to you, I am sorry.

So 2013 should be a good year after saying all that, along with Bachmann Duck I should get a good start at completing my desired collection. (TV series accurate models of all Characters seen between Seasons 1-5 and a few selected ones from other seasons.) Moving past that, I'll also be doing quite a few real locomotives and moving onto a few DJH, Agnoreia and other kits to keep myself busy.

Should be able to update soon!

Jack

Saturday 1 December 2012

8F Works Christmas Giveaway

Simply put, we're giving Railworks DLC out for free. Sounds good huh?



In order to win, simply "like" or "comment" on the relevant picture we post on the draw dates, and you will stand a chance of winning the DLC shown. You must also like the official 8F Works facebook page. It's that simple.

Head to the page today and like us in advance, as the draw will be held on these dates:

December 8/9
December 15/16
The December 22/23
December 25


As I've said, head there today, like us in advance, and wait for the first image to pop up. Be ready to like and/or comment on it, and you could win yourself a very nice prize!

Wednesday 26 September 2012

Moving on up!

Given how troublesome OO9 has been, I've decided to move all narrow gauge work up to 7mm scale. Whilst it may seem like a bit of a foul move, it's far easier to model at this scale.

First Skarloey loco to be built should be Skarloey, but I can't be certain.

Jack

Wednesday 12 September 2012

Percy the Small Engine - Running Test

As flawed as the Bachmann Percy model is, I like it. With the addition of DCC, I've been able to get very smooth running from mine, which will be assisted with a few wagons/coaches fitted with a plug'n'play pickup system I have designed.

 

Sunday 2 September 2012

Edward The Blue Engine - Running test

One of the more accurate Bachmann models, with a bit of tweaking here and there along with a decent DCC decoder. Not a bad model at the end of the day.

 

Saturday 25 August 2012

Saturday 12 May 2012

N gauge - Harvey The Crane Engine

Well, I guess I'd been holding this one off for a while but now it's revealed. Tomy/Yujin's range of wind up Thomas characters seemed to be around 2mm scale or thereabouts, making them ideal conversion candidates. Having converted Rusty into a passable OO9 locomotive, I set to work on one of my favorite characters.

Having around 9 Ibertren Cuckoo chassis for OO9 use, I decided to employ a spare one for this project, simply as it's slightly smaller than the Fleischmann option.








Just a final picture to show how small he really is!


That's all for now, just going to go to sleep!

Friday 11 May 2012

BoCo - Strip Down

I'm sorry for the lack of updates recently, but I'm afraid that I've been busy away from the modelling side of things. Work are posting me abroad within a few months (not badly paid either!) so I've been sorting that out as it keeps me going finacially. While I've still been doing things here and there, it's generally been delayed to a point where I need to restart it all.

Looking into the collection of models I've bought and made so far, it's obvious I needed to concentrate on one thing rather than several. Therefore, I've decided to make almost every character from seasons one to four, along with a few later additions. Those seasons in particular are the ones I remember the most, so it makes sense to replicate them exactly as I remember them.

First off, I've managed to start work on BoCo. I know it won't be 100% accurate to the TV series model due to the fact the sides are different, but it'll be a decent match for me and what I need it for. Luckily, I managed to snag a Hornby Dublo model for a decent sum, so I could do a model of a true fan favourite. Had I not been able to get this Dublo model, the Heljan one was tempting me but I feel it's far too detailed to use as a TV series model.*

* - Heljan do however make D5702 in RWS Livery, I have one and will supply pictures if anyone is interested. I'd say you could just give it a face and it'd be a great representation.

Using a mix of paint stripper and sandpaper, I got the majority of the paint off the body leaving it ready for respraying. I shall get newer pictures, but I've managed to get it in primer and a light green base coat.





In the meantime, I'll get around to taking newer photographs to show off the progress. Will post more soon!

Friday 13 April 2012

Destruction

Well, to whoever wanted to know how I get a face.



This reminds me. I need to work on Arthur.

Jack

Saturday 7 April 2012

Thursday 5 April 2012

Detour

Going to be taking a well deserved break from work for a week or so, which is needed after the past few months.

Have a random Derpy Hooves picture.


That said, I will be back soon :)

Jack

Tuesday 3 April 2012

N gauge - Henry The Green Engine

Quite happily, I've been looking at doing N gauge models. I really like the scale, which works out at roughly half OO/HO. One range of items that caught me, unsurprisingly, is the Tomix range.

Sold in Japan, there are multiple locomotives, coaches, wagons and buildings you can buy. Whilst the buildings aren't anything special, the rolling stock is amazing.



So far, I have a Henry and a Percy. I'm aiming to get the other two in the range, Thomas and James, then complete the gaps by making my own locomotives. It'll take time but it'll look decent.



Jack

Saturday 31 March 2012

Video of the Week - Tywyn Wharf Layout Tour

Okay, so whilst this may seem like a lazy way of making posts, I feel it's a good way to get videos out and noticed. Sadly, YouTube have disabled the function to place someone else's video in your channel so it leaves me with little to no alternatives.

This week's video comes from Adam, better known as TywynWharfOO9. It's a showcase of his layout, which is pretty sweet to say the least. Building a variety of Talyllyn prototypes and a Talyllyn based layout, it just shows how effective modelling in 4mm scale can be.


Jack

Friday 23 March 2012

Red Coaches - Painting Trial

Yesterday I continued working on the first one. At the moment I'm making two composites as I'm still working on the parts to make the brake end. One thing I have noticed is the new ends do stand out by a millimeter or so, but it's not too noticeable.


Not a huge difference, but still adds a bit of length to the body.

As you can see, I got the body into a coat of primer to ensure everything was flush and smooth. My biggest fear was creating something that wasn't identical to the Bachmann end, but it's extremely close.



Quite happy with how it turned out, so I cleaned a few areas and sprayed it again, making sure everything was clean and flush.




After letting it dry, I proceeded with the body paint. Whilst I did buy it for Arthur, I do have a large can of the stuff so I have plenty. Not a 100% match for the TV series, but I prefer it. Reminds me of Midland Railway livery infact.




Few shots to show how it compares to Annie & Clarabel. I've yet to paint the chassis and alter the cab roof.





Just got the other 2 to do to so I can have a rake, then I'll have a nice bespoke set of coaches. Currently working on the other composite, and I should have the brake end done soon.

Any comments, questions and criticism are welcomed!

Jack

Wednesday 21 March 2012

Red Coaches - Composite work.

The Red Coaches, known by their livery, are one of the most demanded items for OO/HO scale. Whilst neither Bachmann or Hornby are quick in making their own, I've decided to go ahead with mine.

I have about 7 Bachmann Annie/Clarabel models I purchased in bulk. The reason for doing so is conversion projects, but I fancy a rake of 3 red coaches, with two composites and one brake. Using 3D printing, I was able to make a near accurate end for the coach, which simply glues on.



It's worth noting that you have to remove the face on the donor model, but it is worth it to get a flush surface. Another thing I've yet to do is modify the roofs, but I shall do this when I have all 3 done.



Hopefully I'll have the duckets and parts for the brake arrive soon, so I can start working on it. I'm rather impressed with how they have printed, as it's far neater than I could have done with plasticard.

Jack

Tuesday 20 March 2012

Confusion & Delay. Literally.

I know you're probably reading this saying to yourself it's another pointless post. If you actually take time to read this, I thank you.

Whilst I try and keep deadlines on modelmaking, it hardly ever works to plan. Sat typing this, juggling between ordering parts I need and designing components for the company, it occured to me that I need to stick to projects I have already started.

Too many builds have been delayed, it's time to rectify that.

Wednesday 14 March 2012

Arthur - Work commences

Well, I kept this one quiet. On the subject, it's an oddball.



Whilst you could say he was a Standard 3MT on the show, they were never LMS locomotives. Given his livery, I'd put my money on him being an Ivatt 2MT as used by the LMS. That said, I feel the 2MT is far closer to the one on the show.



I bought the donor model a few years ago with the aim of making him, but I guess I wasn't sure on how to go about it. The obvious modification needed was removing the top feed from the boiler, and this thankfully came off with a few scrapes of my trusty scalpel. I then sanded it down and got it smooth, before filling in holes left by the cuts.

The donor also had it's rivets removed, as these are not present on Arthur in the Television series. This meant sanding the roof, boiler and sides to get them flush.




A coat of primer later showed a few imperfections, although these were later sorted out. As he stands now, it's coming along nicely. Some transfer paper has been ordered so I can complete him as a fully accurate TV series model. Posed here with his wooden face, which may be thinned down so it doesn't stick out as much.




That's all for now :)

Jack

Tuesday 13 March 2012

General update and other things

Just writing this from my phone, so excuse the odd spelling mistake or two.

Today i've been planning out the best ways to film models. For years, a permenant layout was on the cards but with the locations I want to film, it would be impossible.

Being of perfect height, the majority of filming will be done on modified decorating tables, strengthened with new tops. Given the size of the models, weight is not a problem.

Speaking of models, I will not be starting any new builds until I have all others out of the way. Green Arrow is a high priority build, so he should be completed soon.

That's all for now.

Saturday 3 March 2012

Welcome Stafford - Model making



I'm not too keen on the more modern characters that appear on the show, but this one got me interested. Electric locomotives are somewhat interesting to me, and I love them to bits. Stafford, based on a North Staffordshire Railway locomotive, is pleasing to the eye.

I just had to model him. So I've gone and developed a body for 3D printing, which will be on hold until I get the donor chassis I need.



That's all for now, but this is one recent character I'll be happy to do.

Sunday 26 February 2012

Duke The Lost Engine - Steady Progress


Whilst I find the colour of this loco a little dark, it's also more to my liking. Got to say it'll be a nice change compared to the other locomotives in red and black. As soon as it has a crew, nameplates, chassis fixed and lining, hopefully it'll be a good addition to the motive power.


Even when positioned with some of the Mid Sodor Railway stock, it looks the part. Hoping to get a few more of the Skarloey engines done and out the way, always been something I've wanted to do and now I'm getting it done. Do prefer them in the books though, the rainbow liveries of the Television series

Jack

Saturday 25 February 2012

Trainz Railroad Simulator? Pfft. Back in my day we had this...


This takes me back some years. I used to play the crap out of this, and getting a working copy again means I'm back at it.

Have a game play video whilst I bathe in nostalgia.



Jack

Monday 20 February 2012

Stepney - Complete

Whilst this is a somewhat lazy model, I've yet to add a few features such as the extended bunker and a crew. Certainly looks more appealing in his real livery though.




As always, running test will be up soon on my YouTube channel.

Jack

Thursday 16 February 2012

Monday 6 February 2012

Sunday 15 January 2012

Bachmann Devious Diesel - Rework begins

So whilst it's one of the better models Bachmann have made, I'm still not too keen on their model of Diesel. Don't get me wrong, everything appears to be accurate on it, the problem lies with the glossy finish on the loco itself. Whilst a coat of matt or satin varnish could solve such a problem, I'm going down a different route to do mine.





I've yet to decide what paint to put him into. Part of me is thinking a matt charcoal black, so I can retain a dark look whilst keeping the paintwork dull. I guess I'll decide upon it over a few days.

Jack