James The Red Engine - Improvements

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Braking it down

Having taken delivery of the entire Tomix range of Thomas The Tank Engine models, I have been planning a small micro layout to use them on. My main gripe with the range is how limited it is, with no more than 4 types of wagon. To rectify this, I have been drawing up some designs that will be used to make models for this layout.

Click image for full view!

As you can see, rough work yet but this will be a reality very soon!

Jack

Red Coaches - Brake Coach

Well, time to kick into 2013 with an update on my Red Coaches project, as seen here and here. The problem I had was that whilst the composites were easy enough to sort, the brake ends would require designing from scratch and as such were a pain in the backside. I decided to put them on the back burner until I sorted the problem out.

Eventually I got in contact with a guy who does 3D printing as a business, and managed to get a model knocked up. For now, the whole brake end will be a solid model with the windows merely painted in, but I hope to rework this at some point to have fully glazed windows like the coaches in the show. Trial print came through and certainly looks the part attached to the coach.

Still got to apply a coat of primer and eventually paint the model yet, but overall I'm quite pleased with how this little project is almost done with. The imminent release of Bachmann's Duck is also going to help, as I should have them completed by then giving him a smart rake of coaches.

For anyone interested, I do not intend to sell these parts on. I'm quite happy with having unique models that I can truly say are bespoke to my layout, and are as close as I can possibly get them to Ready to Run standards. It's going to be just my luck if Bachmann announce some for their 2013 range now!

Jack

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

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

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.

Skarloey Coaches - 1st Attempt

This project has been somewhat interesting for me, as it's how I am going to do Duck. Working with a friend, who fixed errors and such, I've been able to make myself custom bodies for coaches. So far, I've had one test sample done and delivered.

It's not much. Just a coach body and a roof for the vehicle. What makes it special is that it has been designed on a computer, using Google's brilliant sketchup. For a first trial with the software, it's worked well and is certainly a method I will be using again. If you are wondering how it compares to a normal Talyllyn coach, look closely at this picture and you'll see it's a good match, despite not aiming for a accurate model of the prototype.

I designed the coach to have a flat base, hidden by sideplates. Whilst this may seem lazy, it's just so I can use N gauge wagon chassis in order to improve running qualities when the coaches will be in fixed rakes. I've stuck to using Graham Farish chassis, simply for the metal wheelsets and the fact they are common over here.

Going by the rate I've been working at today, it should be complete bar couplings and buffers by tommorow. Hopefully that'll be the case, leading onto a rake of 5 or so.

Jack