7mm National Railway Museum Workbench
- Thread starter James
- Start date
James
Western Thunderer
A bit of a cheap and cheerful model, a Lima 1/45 scale GWR Toad.
Another volunteer had replaced the wheels, buffers and couplings; I painted, glazed and weathered it.
There's so much wrong with the Lima model - the ever so slightly smaller scale isn't a real issue but the lack of depth of the body side details, position of the footboards, etc are. But from a distance, passing by, just about acceptable perhaps?
James
Western Thunderer
I'm trying to find where the a Duchess is - I have a kit built Duchess to strip and rebuild as it happens.
I'm looking at refurbishing 'your' coaches later this year. The paintwork is still in excellent condition but buffers, corridor connections, etc, have signs of wear.
The biggest issue is axle bearings being mounted from the outside of the bogie frames within the cosmetic axle box castings and these can fail so we need to address this.
We estimated that they have done over a six figure mileage! Perhaps quarter of a million miles.
They have incredible durability.
I'm looking at refurbishing 'your' coaches later this year. The paintwork is still in excellent condition but buffers, corridor connections, etc, have signs of wear.
The biggest issue is axle bearings being mounted from the outside of the bogie frames within the cosmetic axle box castings and these can fail so we need to address this.
We estimated that they have done over a six figure mileage! Perhaps quarter of a million miles.
They have incredible durability.
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James
Western Thunderer
A Heljan Warship is up next, one of its motors had failed.
As an experiment I'm trying "MM36" motors which can be purchased from a number of suppliers for less than £4 each. Dimensionally identical, both with 2,3mm shafts which is key.
Initial tests seem very positive.
Should they need swapping again it's about forty minutes to do so.
As an experiment I'm trying "MM36" motors which can be purchased from a number of suppliers for less than £4 each. Dimensionally identical, both with 2,3mm shafts which is key.
Initial tests seem very positive.
Should they need swapping again it's about forty minutes to do so.
James
Western Thunderer
Next up for the Museum another ex PO wagon.
This is one of Dapol's earlier 7mm releases, not as refined as later models, as working, 'layout wagons' they work brilliantly. Just replace those hideous chrome couplings! It'll need strapping adding before weathering.
The scrub up very well.
This is one of Dapol's earlier 7mm releases, not as refined as later models, as working, 'layout wagons' they work brilliantly. Just replace those hideous chrome couplings! It'll need strapping adding before weathering.
The scrub up very well.
James
Western Thunderer
Just a teaser!
Due for delivery to the NRM tomorrow
The 'coal' is fine cinder ballast from the Woodland Scenics range.
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James
Western Thunderer
A nice and straightforward renumbering and weathering for this Dapol Jinty. I also removed the vacuum brake equipment for a bit of variation
For this one I decided to try genuine turpentine rather than white spirit for thinning. The smell alone makes it a much better experience!
James
Western Thunderer
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..
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..
James
Western Thunderer
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.
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.
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James
Western Thunderer
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.
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.
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