On The Workbench Today...

Bachmann BZA/BAA Steel Coils

Yet another steel train for Cradley Bridge, this time consisting of the very nice Bachmann BZA/BAA steel coil model with load. Typical of this type of train, they seem to take on an allover hue of rust and dirt so ideal for the type of stock I want to run. Also typical is that the rake of wagons is made up of a variety of liveries, new and old. I decided to model the majority of the stock in EWS house colours, but to add a bit of variety there are also a couple of old rail freight liveried examples and a unique trainload metals sector liveried one in there too.

The model straight out of the box is a great representation of the real thing - in fact the only things missing are lamp brackets at each end and a footstep at each end (which has probably been omitted to enable it to travel on small radius curves and point work). It even comes with air pipes too, which you have the option to add yourself. So the plan is to recreate a typical steel coil train the like of which I see traversing the network everyday and with that in mind I decided that between 12 - 14 wagons would be a good length to do so.

As it stands at the moment I have more than enough to work on with the 12 that I have - the additional ones will be picked up as and when. First thing I did was to remove all the bogies and wheels from the wagons to enable me to check the back to back measurements of the axles and then to paint and detail the wheels and bogies. The wheels are painted with frame dirt (Phoenix) and are then further detailed with etched brake discs (Colin Craig) which really makes a difference.

I normally use CC07W 10mm brake discs for all my Bachmann rolling stock (where fitted) but the profile on the BZA's seems to be different and so I had to use the CC02W's instead which were a perfect fit. Once these were done the bogies were also painted in frame dirt and also had their axle boxes picked out where necessary.

Next up the wagons themselves had the plastic air pipes supplied fitted and painted, buffer shanks painted chrome and instanter 3 link couplings fitted. I also fitted new overhead warning stickers to all the wagons(Fox) to bring them up to date. Once these had all dried the weathering began on the sides and ends of the wagons using my tried and trusted method of paint on - then  remove with thinners soaked cotton buds dragged in a vertical motion. I also did this with the cradles that support the coils too, this time overpainting with light rust (Phoenix) to give their characteristic look.

Slowly it was now coming together giving it the look of a real careworn steel wagon. The next thing to tackle was the actual steel coil load. Bachmann supply each wagon with 3 coils, moulded in a very shiney silver plastic. In reality they tend to look a rather dark grey so after trying a few shades of paint, I decided to go with metalcoat (Humbrol) which can be buffed up later to give it a metallic sheen. To finish off the load a small strap was wrapped around the coil made from insulation tape.

So thats where we are at the moment - all in all I'm really happy with how it turned out. Just got another 11 to do!!! To finish the whole thing off a little brake dust weathering powder (MIG) was dusted around the base of the bogies, the buffers were given a dab or NATO black (Tamiya) to simulate grease and as this was the end wagon a jewel lamp (Springside) was mounted on a lamp bracket made from a piece of brass strip.

On The Workbench Today...

A Small Fuel Train

The type you see being shunted around small refuelling depots and left in sidings near main diesel depots. I love these sort of wagons as they are easy to do, full of character and individual touches, but more to the point they're quite quick to turnaround. I'd seen a photo on the internet a while back of a rake of 5 fuel tankers sat in in a siding and knew I'd like to recreate that in model form. It actually turned out far easier than I'd expected as I was able to purchase a set of 4 individually pre-numbered Bachmann TTA fuel wagons as part of a limited edition set (Kernow Models) They came as a weathered set too, but to be honest they looked like they had just had a quick blow over with an airbrush to make them look a little less factory fresh - still as a basis to start from, these are excellent.

All four wagons are slightly different - in addition to the numbers they also had different logos, data panels, warning signs and Hazchem panels, which all adds up to making them into individual models rather than duplicates of the same thing. A bit of extra detailing and weathering and they should really start to come alive. The final addition to the set would be a single Bachmann TTA finished in black and unbranded.

So to start with all of them had their under frames painted in Frame Dirt (Precision) and then had a Smiths 3 link instanter couplings fitted along with an air brake pipe (Shawplan) at each end. The tank walkways were also toned down a bit with a very dilute wash of frame dirt and thinners. The buffer shafts were given a coat of chrome as the OLEO buffers are always nice and shiney - starting to look better already! 

Next each tank was washed over with a very thin mix of frame dirt and black and whilst wet a thinner soaked cotton bud was drawn down the side to simulate dirt/water/fuel run off. This was repeated for each side and both ends and then left to dry. Finally a good helping of black weathering powder (MIG) was dusted down the side to simulate where the fuel overspill had stained the tank. This was carried on to the underframe too.

After looking at the photographs, the only thing I would add is probably a little more staining to the grey tank sides - it is there, but probably too subtle for the camera to pick it up. I'll leave it for a few days then go back to it with fresh eyes and take a view on it then.

Sending Out The Right Signals...

Berko Colour Light Signals

To give myself a break from working on rolling stock, I like to occasionally have a go at something else that will contribute to the layout in the end. Signalling on many model layouts is often overlooked, or if not, the signals used are normally nothing like the real item and are either just overscale or are poor 'bare bulb' representations of colour light signals. You can get very accurate bespoke models made up by a couple of specialist suppliers, but these are normally quite expensive and I fancied having a go at adapting some of the current better ones that are available.

After having a look at what was around, the prebuilt Berko signals offered not only a wide choice of variants but also looked pretty good to me once I had 'tweaked' them a bit to how I wanted them. Consulting my design plans for how the layout will eventually appear, I managed to come up with a list for the different types of signal needed. Where non were available, I intended to alter the prebuilt ones to fit in with the design I required.

In all I needed a mix of 2, 3 and 4 aspect signals. Some with junction feathers, some with route indicators and some with call-on lights. When purchased, the Berko lights are basic but the detail that is there can be added to. For each signal the first thing I did was to remove the oversize telephone box and replace it with a white metal scale sized one. The signal base was then given an overall wash of Sky Grey (Tamiya Acrylic) and the signal head was given a coat of Nato Black (Tamiya Acrylic) which transformed them from their original glossy silver and black 'plastic' finish to something far more realistic. In time, no doubt, some subtle hints of weathering and rusting will be added to them also.  

This shows the initial models for the 2 and 3 aspect signals. A couple more junction 'feathers' still need to be added. The route indicators on the two rear 2 aspect signals are non-working. I've mounted them all on a balsa box for the time being so as to keep them safe but also so that I can test wire them up - photos of them lit and working will appear soon.

Signal numbers were then added to correspond with wherever the signal appeared on the track plan. These were drawn up in Adobe Illustrator and printed off, then stuck to pre fitted mounting plates. All in all I'm really pleased with how they've turned out. I've still to tackle the 4 aspect signals for the main line and also have some plans to produce a few ground signals too. For the time being the plan is to operate these manually with 2 and 3 way switches, but in the end I'm hoping that some kind of IR control (Heathcote Electronics) will be able to automate many of these - being triggered when the train passes by the signal and so starting the red to green sequence.

On The Workbench Today...

Heljan Cargowaggon Bogie Open

I had purchased a couple of these quite a while back, but had never really got round to doing anything with them. Whilst on a recent online shopping session -  at a well known Liverpool model rail retailer (OK it was Hattons) - I noticed that they were now selling these at half the price that I'd previously paid. Never one to miss up a 'bargain' opportunity, I purchased a further 3 units so as to make up a small rake.

The model itself is a pretty good interpretation of the real thing - once the glaringly bright colours are toned down and the overall model is given the 'Cradley Bridge' treatment, it should look far more like the real wagon. I intend to run the wagons in a set of 5 complete with loads - metal rods in this case. In real life they are normally seen on extremely long trains carrying long lengths of CWR (continuously welded rail) however I don't think I'll be able to model one of those trains due simply to the amount of room it would take up!!

First thing to do was to paint the bogies and wheels with my default frame dirt mix and the deck of the wagon was treated with Deck Tan (Tamiya Acrylic) and a wash of dirty black/brown. The sides of each wagon where then also treated to the frame dirt mix (Precision Paints) and then using cotton buds dipped in thinners, the paint was carefully removed in a downward fashion to simulate the dirt and muck these wagons seem to collect. When this was dry the sides were further treated with weathering powders in rust shades (MIG) which enhanced the detail on the sides and on the bogies. 

Just one more to go! By working through them each in succession, the dirt and rust really brought out the detail and helped tone and blend the colours on the wagon down to a far more realistic level and as a small rake of Cargowaggons, they look really good together.

To finish off, each wagon also got fitted with an air-brake pipe and a 3-link instanter coupling at each end. The loads for them are currently being worked on - lengths of spaghetti sprayed with red oxide looks to be about perfect... seriously!! These will be 'tied down' with small straps made from coloured insulation tape.