Next on to the undergubbins. Because each is a cut and shut, with the exception of one of the coaches, all will have to have fabricated frames.
The longest, ten compartment third, has had some white metal castings fitted. These I have had rattling around the spares box for ages- knew they would come in handy one day.
Below shows the results so far and before painting as it gives more clarity.
Then , when the transfers are dry, a waft of Testors Dulcoat to fix everything in place.
The windows were then secured in place with Glue and Glaze. I did consider individually glazing each window with SE Finecast glazing but too much filing of the apertures was needed so I just used clear styrene.
The time between the announcement and release of the new EFE Rail must be the shortest yet.
Several ex KMRC models including the Beattie Well Tank and Southern Gate stock are welcome re-releases.
Will we see a fresh run of 02 0-4-4Tanks? Lets hope so.
These appear from time to time and have the advantage that they come with wheelsets which run on code 75 rail!
Of a Southern Steam prototype, these fill my requirements perfectly and also add weight where its needed most.
They really are excellent castings with little or no flash to clean up.
Below is the picture I omitted last post which shows how the roof fits-almost flush. Just the original roof mounting hole to fill and it will do before undercoating and painting begins- when it stops raining!
This was done by cutting plasticard to the inner roof profile and superglueing in place.
I am aware that the coach ends shouldn't have a tumblehome but to reshape would mean a lot more work - this conversion is not meant to be an exact facsimile!
There are similarities of Southern coach ends and the clerestories produced by Tri-ang and later Hornby.
However, once painted black the missing part of the detail won't be too obvious.
Next is roof vents of the Torpedo type- and ,yes, you've guessed I don't have enough- just 15 short!
However, several months later and I discovered that the one's I had were too wide. So a quick call to SRG , the transfer of a few pounds and the narrower type, 31mm, landed on the doormat.
They are still slightly wide but a bit of judicious filing and now they sit almost perfectly, just a bit more fettling to do.
The impetus to complete St Mewan so I can restart Woodlands my other 4mm scale layout which has been in storage far too long.
The buildings for Woodlands have nearly all been made and await blending into the awaiting countryside.
So- work to do and a couple of layouts to sell!
Couldn't resist a few shots of the 02 with the converted Tri-ang/Hornby Clerestory coaches.
Conversion was detailed in previous posts which I won't repeat.
Although St Mewan is an ex-GWR station I plead modellers licence with Bodmin as the main witness!
Idly sorting through the bits box I came across a bundle of coffee stirrers of various sizes.
Roughly cut with a pair of sidecutters and stuck together with quick stick PVA they have turned out quite well for no outlay.
A coat of acrylic brown paint mixed with dark grey they are all ready for a delivery of coal and a Coal Office.
The SE Finecast version stands a little higher than the Kernow offering but later builds had a cab 6'' taller than the original batch.
A crew has been fitted into the SE Finecast version, it being nearly impossible on the other due to the cabside doors being modelled in the closed position.
Which do I prefer? Undecided!
I was therefore pleased to aquire this one from a well known auction site recently.
As I usually do is cut down the lugs on the coal load to lower it. I may coat the moulding with real coal when I get some time.
Until then this one will join the private owner collection.
Unfortunately this meant that they were destroyed so a set of, incorrect, springs were fitted.
Luckily the van is still even without any rock so I seem to have got away with the engineering refinements (butchery)!
Next to tackle is the etched brake gear so I may be some time!
Fully legible and embossed even down to the fixing bolts these are the best I have ever had the pleasure to apply to one of my models.
Once the atmosphere is a little drier I will give them a waft of Testors Dulcote as recommended- glad I bought a batch!
Below are the cab and tender transfers plus the Railcar arriving at St Mewan.
https://www.railtec-models.com/index.php
Assembled with the front reversed from the instructions first, a wooden partition was added together with a window fabricated from microstrip.
A door opening was added and the forge itself was turned into a rustic fireplace.
Undercoated in grey the stonework was then dry brushed with brown and black.The woodwork is brown.
So this one, a solid chassis example, has been obtained to provide a little alternative to the current motive power.
But the number as supplied was wrong so a quick scan of the Railtec listings provided a complete set of numbers and branding as shown below.
Complete with embossed nameplates and shed codes the quality, as usual is superb.
