00 Scale Slaters coaches.

The transfers and varnish have been applied as has the roofs.

Feeling quite pleased with these two  especially as they are from the bits box, and probably cost less than a fiver plus paint.

Downside is that there is no guards compartment so it must be decided wether I get another coach- probably not, or wait till one comes up in a bits box when exhibitions(remember them?) re-start.

00 Gauge Southern Coaches from Hornby Clerestories

Following on from the last post are a pair of Hornby ex Clerestory coaches .

I had seen the article in Railway Modeller on converting to Southern stock but until now hadn't sourced a suitable roof.

The original roofs had the clerestory part removed and the resultant hole filled- this ,however, warped making it un-useable. Some aluminium extrusions were bought from a stand at the Southampton Exhibition but were too wide.

Finally I obtained some from Roxey Mouldings. These are plastic card mouldings and not terribly robust.

But with persistance and risque language they were cut to size and the coach ends built up to fit.

Maroon livery has been decided upon because I had a rattle can of Vauxhall Maroon from Halfords and rather than buy more.....

Again, once the paint has fully dried then transfers can be affixed and the body sprayed with matt varnish. These two will only have Hornby bogies as I  have a couple of sets but will fit with metal wheels. An underframe will have to be fabricated,glazing and interior fitted and vents fitted to the roofs. It is surprising what you can do after a good rummage in the spares boxes.

00 Gauge Slaters Midland coaches re-purposed!

I have resolved to complete all of the unfinished things which, quite honestly, have hung around for too long.

From somewhere that I can't remember, came a pair of Slaters Midland corridor coaches which somehow arrived  with a couple of sets of BSL Southern Steam bogies!

Both have been sprayed Southern Stock green and fitted with the BSL bogies- these can be removed easily if other more suitable coaches arrive.

Once the paint has dried the transfers can be applied- fictional of course- Rule 1 applies!

The steam bogies and the roof test fitted,

009 Lynton & Barnstable Observation car.

 Although this Brynkits offering has etched bogies included, I have decided to use PECO GR-104 Coach Bogies as fitted to the rest of my L&B stock. I obtained mine from Dreamsteam of Aylesford, Kent https://www.dreamsteam.co.uk/
No connection- just a happy customer!
 All that is required is for the hole to be opened up to 4mm and the bogie clips in. I have added a washer to increase the ride height of the body, this saves removing a lot of the triple folded end.
First coat of paint and once fully dry will have 2nd coat as the brake coach.

Once the painting has been completed, the transfers can be applied. Then a coat of matt varnish followed by fitting of seats and glazing. The roof will, once again, be cut from a plastic venetian blind slat.

009 Lynton & Barnstable Brake Van Number 23.

As the pandemic continues it means more time to continue and complete outstanding builds.

Before starting more projects, the L&B Brake van number 23 has had its first top coat, and will receive the second after a couple of days.

The kit is by Langley- or it says so on the instructions. The kit went together well and with care has built up square.

The bogies are also etched and have been fitted with metal wheels to increase weight at the lowest point possible.
I now have quite a few L&B items including a couple of Manning Wardle loco's and really too much rolling stock! There is also the small matter of a name for the layout on which these will run.

Railtec Transfers- Excellent products!

A really swift delivery from Railtec- Thanks Steve!

This time some numbering for the 3mm scale Hymek and 4mm scale destinations for the stock to be used on St Mewan.

Because the transfers are fresh they are  very easy to apply. About half a minute in water then they easily slide into position.

Being custom made you don't have to buy a large sheet , most of which you won't use.

No association just a very satisfied repeat customer-https://www.railtec-models.com/

009 Lynton & Barnstable Observation Coach.

In bright sunshine the 009 L&B coach has been primed ready for it's top coat.

This is one of Brian Goldings excellent etchings- I have one more to build.

Once the top coat has been applied then door handles and hand rails, transfers will be fitted before a coat of varnish. Then windows and roof which will be a venetian blind slat fitted with lamp tops.

Although there are etched bogies in the kit I decided to use PECO kits which have had metal wheelsets substituted with the original plastic mouldings.

The mounting hole needs to be opened out to 4mm and they just clip in- lot of work saved!

The coach ends need reducing below the floor level to accommodate the couplings but otherwise it is straight forward.
 Please excuse the last picture slightly out of focus!