Matt's workbench - current project: a Grampus
- Thread starter matto21
- Start date
AJC
Western Thunderer
I honestly can't remember - probably either abused scrap etch or adapted something else (likely a Dave Bradwell etch for plate wagon levers which I had several of: they're not available as part of his range which will make the one in the drawer a bit tricky...). They are, as you note, a rather tricky shape.
Adam
Hi all,
While I wait for an opportunity to paint the 12t van, I've started work on a Mermaid ballast wagon.
There were two choices: the Flangeway RTR option or the venerable Cambrian kit and I opted for the latter. It's a shame there are no detailing/upgrade parts available for this kit because it would really benefit from a few bits.
I initially constructed the chassis as per the instructions, and went to bed feeling pretty pleased with myself. Next evening, I realised I had messed up somewhere, because it was much too narrow and I couldn't even fit the wheels.
I tried to disassemble it, but this was easier said than done and the w-irons and chassis frame were damaged in the process. After resisting the urge to stamp on it, I rebuilt things as best I could using a range of bits and bobs.
It's not perfect, but it runs smoothly. The body was harder than it needed to be and is only balancing in place in these photos.
I've also started adding a bit of extra detail - again just from bits and bobs - to the bufferbeams.
I originally planned on building a few of these...currently that's not looking likely!
Matt
While I wait for an opportunity to paint the 12t van, I've started work on a Mermaid ballast wagon.
There were two choices: the Flangeway RTR option or the venerable Cambrian kit and I opted for the latter. It's a shame there are no detailing/upgrade parts available for this kit because it would really benefit from a few bits.
I initially constructed the chassis as per the instructions, and went to bed feeling pretty pleased with myself. Next evening, I realised I had messed up somewhere, because it was much too narrow and I couldn't even fit the wheels.
I tried to disassemble it, but this was easier said than done and the w-irons and chassis frame were damaged in the process. After resisting the urge to stamp on it, I rebuilt things as best I could using a range of bits and bobs.
It's not perfect, but it runs smoothly. The body was harder than it needed to be and is only balancing in place in these photos.
I've also started adding a bit of extra detail - again just from bits and bobs - to the bufferbeams.
I originally planned on building a few of these...currently that's not looking likely!
Matt
AJC
Western Thunderer
It's a tricky kit (and prototype, of course). Dad's just built his second - 15 years after the first - and observed that he's in no great hurry to make a third. I have a second one in the drawer, I have better ideas on how to make the chassis robust now and in so doing, the chassis-related stress can be reduced, but not wholly eliminated...
Adam
Adam
Hello all, a bit of Mermaid progress to share.
I don't claim anything - between or under - the solebars to be truly accurate. More a case of using variety of spare parts and odds and ends to fill the gaps. Fortunately most of this is not visible with the body in place anyway.
Still to do are brake levers, rail clamps and end chains, plus a multitude of small parts.
Matt
I don't claim anything - between or under - the solebars to be truly accurate. More a case of using variety of spare parts and odds and ends to fill the gaps. Fortunately most of this is not visible with the body in place anyway.
Still to do are brake levers, rail clamps and end chains, plus a multitude of small parts.
Matt
Just to follow on from yesterday's post - I was able to bend up some brake levers to the approximate shape and, by combining them with the plastic parts, end up with something that looks pretty decent - even if I say so myself!
Things must now pause, as I need to paint the underframe before I can secure the body and end chains and I'm not in the mood for painting at the moment!
Matt
Things must now pause, as I need to paint the underframe before I can secure the body and end chains and I'm not in the mood for painting at the moment!
Matt
Firstly, hello from Reykjavik!
Before I left, I was working on another two projects simultaneously.
Firstly some old Hornby OAA's - these have been stripped down and the underframe has been discarded. I used some spare Cambrian SPA solebars, although in hindsight maybe should have used the ones from the OCA kit. Too late now either way!
These'll have new buffers, w-irons and a repaint.
The second project is the equally old Cambrian Catfish. I'm hoping to do a similar job as the Mermaid. If successful, hopefully I'll build two of them.
Matt
Before I left, I was working on another two projects simultaneously.
Firstly some old Hornby OAA's - these have been stripped down and the underframe has been discarded. I used some spare Cambrian SPA solebars, although in hindsight maybe should have used the ones from the OCA kit. Too late now either way!
These'll have new buffers, w-irons and a repaint.
The second project is the equally old Cambrian Catfish. I'm hoping to do a similar job as the Mermaid. If successful, hopefully I'll build two of them.
Matt
Hi all,
The old Queen Mary has returned to her storage box for the time being. I'm unhappy with the bogies so may revert back to the RTR originals, but can't face working on them at the moment.
Bit more recycling is on the cards though! I first built this Parkside Grampus in 2006, finally got around to painting it in 2011, then stashed it away and forgot about it after a house move.
5 years ago I rediscovered it, stripped the paint, then put it back into storage again.
I really enjoy recycling and refurbishing older models so thought it'd make a nice quick[ish] project!
The underframe parts had become pretty brittle over the years, and disintegrated pretty much as soon as I got it out. Undeterred, I've rebuilt as much as I can using a mix of scratchbuilt and spare parts. Note that the total outlay so far is £0, and I want to keep it that way so I can live with any errors [i.e buffers].
This isn't the most inspiring photo, but hopefully gives an idea of some of the work so far. The body and ends really are a delightful bit of moulding by Parkside.
I've got another two of these planned, but both will be unfitted versions.
Matt
The old Queen Mary has returned to her storage box for the time being. I'm unhappy with the bogies so may revert back to the RTR originals, but can't face working on them at the moment.
Bit more recycling is on the cards though! I first built this Parkside Grampus in 2006, finally got around to painting it in 2011, then stashed it away and forgot about it after a house move.
5 years ago I rediscovered it, stripped the paint, then put it back into storage again.
I really enjoy recycling and refurbishing older models so thought it'd make a nice quick[ish] project!
The underframe parts had become pretty brittle over the years, and disintegrated pretty much as soon as I got it out. Undeterred, I've rebuilt as much as I can using a mix of scratchbuilt and spare parts. Note that the total outlay so far is £0, and I want to keep it that way so I can live with any errors [i.e buffers].
This isn't the most inspiring photo, but hopefully gives an idea of some of the work so far. The body and ends really are a delightful bit of moulding by Parkside.
I've got another two of these planned, but both will be unfitted versions.
Matt
Hello all.
Lost a bit of momentum recently...I blame Football Manager 24 being available as a free download a few weeks ago...but that's another story!
The Grampus is finished and features a whole host of bits - some scratchbuilt, some from Rumney Models and some from the spares box. I'm sure there are numerous errors [not least the buffers and the too short brake levers] but I don't really mind as most bits were re-purposed for use.
End of the day, it looks like a Grampus to me.
Then there's this ex-Lima CCT that's hung around since the start of the year waiting to be finished...and it almost is [if you ignore the fact it's yet to be repainted, the loose roof and lack of glazing - to be added later]. For some reason I just struggled to get this one to this stage.
One day I am going to have a monster painting session!
Matt
Lost a bit of momentum recently...I blame Football Manager 24 being available as a free download a few weeks ago...but that's another story!
The Grampus is finished and features a whole host of bits - some scratchbuilt, some from Rumney Models and some from the spares box. I'm sure there are numerous errors [not least the buffers and the too short brake levers] but I don't really mind as most bits were re-purposed for use.
End of the day, it looks like a Grampus to me.
Then there's this ex-Lima CCT that's hung around since the start of the year waiting to be finished...and it almost is [if you ignore the fact it's yet to be repainted, the loose roof and lack of glazing - to be added later]. For some reason I just struggled to get this one to this stage.
One day I am going to have a monster painting session!
Matt