7mm National Railway Museum Workbench

[James]

Hi James , how did using the genuine turps go ? I assume good but we all know where making assumptions can end up .

I really liked using it, much more pleasant than white spirit. With the latter I find during weathering sessions having to periodically clean the airbrush but not with turpentine, it dries more slowly but not to the point affecting practically.

For spraying enamel paint I think I'm going to swap to turpentine.

 

[paulc]

I really liked using it, much than white spirit. With the latter I find during weathering sessions having to periodically clean the airbrush but not with turpentine, it dries more slowly but not to the point affecting practically.

For spraying enamel paint I think I'm going to swap to turpentine.

I may try it then as i have some left from when i restored furniture where i used it for thinning down beeswax polish .
That's the smell you get when entering an antique furniture shop .

 

[James]

Another restoration job.



There's a bit of sad story with this one.



This was donated to us along with a BR 2MT tank a while ago. Their elderly owner was moving into a home and unfortunately the box containing the locos was dropped; the 2MT suffered only superficial damage but the Duchess wasn't so lucky.



Twisted front end, damaged valve gear, parts knocked off, etc, etc.



The plan is to rebuild it as one of the first batch of non streamlined locos in original condition; single chimney, no smoke deflectors and original LMS livery as we've received a number of kit built LMS coaches. Stripping the loco back to bare metal will be the first job.

The front end requires modifying and the tender rebuilding as a non streamlined type but nothing bad - it has a full set of Alan Harris wheels which is a nice bonus..

 

[LarryG]

Blimey, what a task. It looks a big enough task just putting the Duchess back together without converting the model to represent one of the non-streamlined locos in original condition.

 

[Herb Garden]

I know it's been in the wars but even so that duchess oozes the power and the glamour of the class

 

[simond]

Blimey, what a task. It looks a big enough task just putting the Duchess back together without converting the model to represent one of the non-streamlined locos in original condition.

I considered it with one I bought second hand (the story’s on my RMW thread) but decided to leave well alone.

It was enough getting it to work properly, and it hadn’t had the battering that one has suffered!

 

[James]

Blimey, what a task. It looks a big enough task just putting the Duchess back together without converting the model to represent one of the non-streamlined locos in original condition.

I considered it with one I bought second hand (the story’s on my RMW thread) but decided to leave well alone.

It was enough getting it to work properly, and it hadn’t had the battering that one has suffered!

My sanity is being questioned, isn't it?!

The bodywork and mechanical bits don't worry me (I've rebuilt worse!) but painting and especially lining are another matter, I've not lined anything with a bowpen for a few years now, my hands didn't shake back then!

 

[Osgood]

Other options:

 

[James]

The V2 is nearly there now - I've noticed the pony truck has a bit missing so I'll rectify that.



Not a @Podartist79 weathering job as it's trying to hide things rather compliment the detail. But at a scale sixty I think the results will work.

 

[James]

Absolutely, James

Most interested to see.

Jon

@jonte the basic stages for the V2

This is the photo I've used for reference, not mine and I can't remember where it came from...



I chose a V2 on the GCR London Extension because I could

Unusually I Matt varnished the whole thing because it was going to be absolutely filthy to hide the repairs and patched paintwork.



The chassis was sprayed using a lightish mix using various photos for reference from this selection -

Humbrol -

27004 Metalcote Gunmetal
33 Matt Black
62 Matt Leather

Revell -

69 Matt Granite Grey

Additionally Humbrol 53 Metallic Gunmetal, you'll see!

The tender and loco body were given a dusting of granite grey, Metalcote Gunmetal and leather.



Normally I'd clean this but this time I just let the filth accumulate!

Next similar mix but more leather and metallic gunmetal in the mix. This helps suggest ash, soot, cinders, etc from a hard working locomotive.



A further coat dirt referencing photos was applied. Then streaks from leaks, priming and so on were applied. Not subtle but they will be!



Then it's copying reference photos.



The scars are there but hopefully from a few feet away it'll be fine.

 

[jonte]

@jonte the basic stages for the V2

This is the photo I've used for reference, not mine and I can't remember where it came from...

View attachment 243251

I chose a V2 on the GCR London Extension because I could

Unusually I Matt varnished the whole thing because it was going to be absolutely filthy to hide the repairs and patched paintwork.

View attachment 243250

The chassis was sprayed using a lightish mix using various photos for reference from this selection -

Humbrol -

27004 Metalcote Gunmetal
33 Matt Black
62 Matt Leather

Revell -

69 Matt Granite Grey

Additionally Humbrol 53 Metallic Gunmetal, you'll see!

The tender and loco body were given a dusting of granite grey, Metalcote Gunmetal and leather.

View attachment 243260

Normally I'd clean this but this time I just let the filth accumulate!

Next similar mix but more leather and metallic gunmetal in the mix. This helps suggest ash, soot, cinders, etc from a hard working locomotive.

View attachment 243255

A further coat dirt referencing photos was applied. Then streaks from leaks, priming and so on were applied. Not subtle but they will be!

View attachment 243254

Then it's copying reference photos.

View attachment 243252

The scars are there but hopefully from a few feet away it'll be fine.

This is how these large steam locos appear in so many online videos and photos of the later steam period, James, as borne out by the photo attached at the beginning of your post. I really do admire your ‘bravery’ in showing us what you’re trying to achieve (and it’s apparent you have) by doing so

Most helpful too that you take the time to not only record the process, but post the details of the colours used in your ‘recipe’. This is really helpful to many of we members and surely in the spirit of what a forum is all about.

Btw: am I looking at the model in the final photo, or is it another of the real thing?

Thanks for sharing.

Jon

 

[James]

Thanks for sharing.

You're very welcome Jon

And thank you for your kind words

 

[James]

During the Great WT Outage of 25 I was experimenting with trees.

A couple of examples of our existing trees first.



I've always enjoyed making trees and, as a result, the Museum has some big trees, 18" tall in some cases.



I normally use florist's wire but I've been having a play with Bowden Cable

This is just 14" tall and takes no longer to form and shape than florist's wire. Just needs final shaping before bark can be applied.

 

[James]

The tree has had its trunk built up with car body filler - this makes the base of the tree very strong and sturdy which is very important for the larger trees. The main branches have been sprayed with car spray putty to begin to hide the wire's surface.



Next is bark

 

[James]

 

[Joe's Garage]

Now James you can't fool us with a "real" tree in winter.....!!
That is fantastic all you need are a couple of rook's nests.
Even the lighting is very real....are you tempted to leave it as per winter.
An inspiration to us all.
All the best
Julian

 

[James]

Now James you can't fool us with a "real" tree in winter.....!!
That is fantastic all you need are a couple of rook's nests.
Even the lighting is very real....are you tempted to leave it as per winter.
An inspiration to us all.
All the best
Julian

Thank you Julian

I'm afraid all the other trees are in full leaf so this one will be too. But the fine structure should look nice towards the front of the layout.



To contrast this a much more basic structure/armature and teased out rubberised horsehair as the basis for the foliage. For trees further from the front they might be acceptable.

 

[Oban27]

Hi,

good to see decent sized trees! I know that most modellers don't quite realise just how tall many trees are! Unfortunately, not many of us have the space, myself included, to have one on a layout, let alone several or a small copse!

Roja

 

[James]

A little preview -

 

[James]

And finished

A total of around fifteen hours maybe?

The interesting task is delivering it unharmed!