006 pit prop waggon

I wanted a pit prop waggon, based on my flat, using offcuts of code 40 rail as the stakes. There's no prototype for this waggon, it's based on how I'd imagine a small basic workshop would do the job.

To bend the rail into an inverted U I first cut part way through the rail with a razor saw then opened out the cuts to a V shape with a square needle file. The rail could then be bent through 90 degrees and the bend reinforced with solder. Two cradles were made, which were in turn soldered to a brass base, a rare outing for my little-used RSU;

All parts were pre-tinned using a conventional iron. The tinfoil is there to keep flux away from the brass sheet that I use as a base plate. I like my RSU, but I don't believe it to be the be-all-and-end-all for soldering. However, using the probe to hold parts in place whilst the heat is applied is useful at times.

I blackened the bodywork (Birchwood Casey Brass Black) before mating body and chassis together with epoxy;

A coat of red oxide Hycote primer followed;

Finished off with Vallejo black grey followed by Vallejo matt varnish;

Note that the stanchions aren't straight. When I made them I didn't quite get them square, so I left them a bit wonky as in use they'd get knocked about and bent being made from light rail. All well and good but...

This build has been, shall we say, awkward. Once I'd glued the body and chassis together (which took three attempts as the epoxy just wouldn't bond) I kept knocking the thing about, it ended up on the floor several times and in fact ended up getting trodden on. This bent the uprights even more, and on straightening then one whole cradle broke off. So, I cleaned it up and re-soldered it into place again using my RSU with a crocodile clip on the waggon's brass floor. This took a few attempts to get right and I ended up partially melting the floor into the plastic chassis (this was before the wheels were fitted). A little work with a scalpel and there's no sign of anything amiss, apart from the stanchions being a little wonkier than when I started. If I wasn't numbering my stock in the order that I'm building it this would be number 13 rather than number 5...

It's easy when reading peoples write-ups, whether on paper, blog or forum post, to get the impression that everything goes smoothly and mistakes do not happen. This isn't the reality, mistakes are made but most are so small that we put them right then put them out of our mind and don't bother to mention them. Maybe we should, if only to remind ourselves that we're not infallible and to keep our egos in check.

Paul.

006 long load waggon

 On my last visit to the Steeple Grange Light Railway I noticed this waggon;

It was modified from a mine tub for carrying long or heavy items underground. I decided to use it as inspiration for a 006 waggon, using the same basic design and dimensions as my flat waggon.

The body was made from 3 pieces of scrap etch with the floor and end made from one piece folded up;

As the body is longer than the chassis at the open end there's only a coupling, a link, so the waggon has to be at the end of a train.

Apart from the body the build follows that of the flat waggon, including the paint (Vallejo 862 black grey) and numbering, applied with a mapping pen;

I used my new Super 63 for the paint and the finishing coat of varnish. 

Proportionally the waggon seems bigger than its inspiration, and because of that I don't count it among my better efforts, perhaps I should have gone back to Steeple Grange with a tape measure before starting. However, it does match my flat which is important as I'm trying to build a small fleet of similar size.

Paul.

Wills Finecast Illustrated Modellers Guide

 This little booklet is all about using and modifying the famous Will Scenic Series of kits. It's illustrated by Iain Rice (although I'm not sure if he wrote it), interestingly it pre-dates his Wild Swan book on the subject by 6 years. It may come as a surprise that the booklet dates back to 1982, and is a reminder that the Scenic Series has been around a lot longer than we think! I have a feeling that Rice had a hand in designing the range although I can't be certain.

My copy cost me one pound back in 1983, and I know the date as there's a price list included dated March1983. Back then the Station Garage was priced at £2.30, and I remember building one at the time.

As you can imagine the booklet is full of Rice's wonderful drawings;

And of course light railways figure in his work;

There's even a Buckjumper creeping into one of the drawings.

This little 20 page booklet has been an inspiration to me over the years, even though I haven't built a Wills kit in many a year. Emphasis is on modifying, grouping, and bedding buildings in, all of course still relevant today. I've always been a fan of the Scenic Series, yes they are a cliche nowadays but that's down to the success of the range, which have always featured interesting subjects and sold at pocket money prices. In fact I have a plan for a simple layout that mainly draws on the series.

If you see a copy I'd certainly recommend snapping it up.

Paul.