That looks great! Very tidy model.

Another half finished project was my Uc 1236 tank wagon. After spraypainting, I applied decals from the Uc decal set ( available from Trackgang Products ), then applied a bit of weathering with an airbrush, then finished it with a hit of Testors Dullcote. I also added a bit of a splash of Tamiya smoke for diesel/petrol spills. The hardest part was finding a pic of a Uc from the 70's era to use as a reference. I finally found one in "Pictorial Railways Of New Zealand" by K & B Cousins of a train heading east out of the Athenree Gorge.

I've been catching up on half finished projects lately - so here's a couple of progress pics.

My workbench mess. To do : handgrabs on the F van, paintshop for the Dg, handbrakes fitted on the Kp's then paint.

Hopefully the Dg will be painted this weekend using Humbrol #19. 2 regrets - I didn't have any drill bits smaller than 1mm, so the .25mm handgrabs look a bit odd sitting in the largish mounting holes. Also added the access panels on the nose and the sides which may have been better done in paper than 240 GSM craft paper.

I'm still deciding wether to do the roof in another shade of grey or leave as is.

I'd leave it as is, and weather it heavily.

Oh, and Nice work BTW.

nice job indeed but something else got my attention...

...tell us more about that - I see a Kato drive but where is the truck from ?

I was trying to ignore that one Steve ! For the curious, it's a brass etched freelance railtruck in HOe, produced by Japanese modeller Yoshiya Kobayashi. Just needs painting, and a canvas cover made for the back to go over the power unit. Here's one at the bottom of the page : www.justmystage.com/home/yoshiya/sub3.html

I've also got the No. 092 Hokuriku 4 ton L Type DL free style (orange loco) to make, but I'll need to upgrade my mini soldering iron for that one.

I thought you would have made a comment on the Bark/Crapmann chassis at the top left of the pic.

ECMT wrote:

I thought you would have made a comment on the Bark/Crapmann chassis at the top left of the pic.

looks like a LifeLike drive to me so I didn't mention it...

You're right Steve - I had a semi-senior moment and mixed up one crap drive with another.

I'll save my Kato Pa1 drive for the Dg recab.

The Dg looks fantastic. Looking forward to see it finished. 

After a chat with a more experienced modeller and looking at some other pics of a Dg roofline I decided to add a few more panels. The hardest thing was to find a pic of an actual Dg top. Had a look at the DTG site - every angle available but the one I needed. I settled for a pic of a 9MM Dg on Kiwibonds site which had more info than all other pics I'd found - model or proto. The panels are made of craft paper soaked in CA - the cheap stuff from $2 stores (probably best described as the poor man's styrene). Not the prettiest, but as MD advised, I'll weather it heavily and it'll look ok from 2 foot.

I have a couple on my flickr page that might be useful.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gibbseynz/4830105887/in/set-72157624585410444/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gibbseynz/4744620413/in/set-72157624257326617/

Ryan Gibbs

Absolutely superb shots Gibbsey ! There's some shots toward the end of that set that are fantastic - a side view of the rear of the roof and the two side shots that I can use to print the # & makers plates. 772 is the number I'm going to use, as it's the loco I took a pic of at Ferrymead when I was in CHCH about 12 yrs ago. I'm hoping to get to Weka Pass on Sun 3rd Oct, looking forward to getting some Dg & other pics. Thanks again.

Len

Hey ECMT,

What did you use to put the numbers and tare weights on the Hc and Uc? Are they decals?

Looking good, by the way!

Thanks Gummy-Joe. The tare weights & numbers on the Uc are decals from the Trackgang range. trackgangproducts.co.nz/product/item/1404 

The numbers etc on the Hc are a Kiwibonds trick. Open up a page on a spreadsheet ( I just use the basic Microsoft Works one ) and type your numbers in a cell, and print out. The text needs to be white on a black background. I used a font called Wagnum that is in the style of older NZR numbering/lettering.

I'm going to bring both items down to CHCH, so hopefully see you at the meet.

Len

Ah, of course! I forgot about the Uc decal sheet that Trackgang do.

That's a good tip re: spreadsheets — the Hc looks most convincing. I might have to adopt that method myself ;-)

I have added a Wagon Lettering Font article to the Articles/Prototype Information section. It contains the font and special keys doc. that is useful for lettering/numbering older rollingstock.

I've finally finished my J5. I had it cut by Mini Building Creations in Nelson. It was more of a test of their ability to laser an item from provided artwork. The J5 parts they supplied were a test cut, and only need slight adjustments made to the depth of cut, but still made up into a nice model. The wagon was produced in card, and while I had my doubts as to the suitability of card for such a fine item, it all worked out well. I was advised to prepare it with a sanding sealer (which I didn't do) but the only warpage was a slight rise in the bottom floor on one side which can be seen in the pic. I used the construction notes that comes with the files and also MD's construction notes from his build. I mounted my wagon on a slightly modified Trackgang 10ft underframe.

All in all an extremely clever little project in the way it's designers have put this together. I also highly recommend Mini Building Creations if anyone needs items laser cut. Superb service.

Len

Had a few days away last week while on a tipi haere, so decided to do the drive between Taumaranui and Stratford/Taranaki. Great scenery - and there's a railway line in there too ! The line would make a great scenic rail journey. I'm not sure if the train still goes to Whangamomona for Independance Day ? For a great pic of Whangamomona, check out the December pic in the 2010 Railfan calendar. What follows are a few pics that may be of use or interest.

Detail shots of a bridge on the outskirts of Whangamomona.

Whangamomona Station.

Just south of the station is an original watertank still in use for the railway house.

This cracked me up - it's not just modellers that use low-relief building fronts !

The Whangamomona pub - very modellable.

The Whanga Post Office.

An old dairy factory at Ahititi, south of Mokau.

Back to workbench items soon . . .

Nice pics of the buildings. Everyone could use a model of the old style pub. Now there's an idea!

Glad you enjoyed your trip.

Russ

Yes, old pubs have a certain appeal, and not just the contents ! Compress the Whanga pub widthways about 3/4, depth about 1/2 and remove the horrible dormer addition on the roofline would be a good basis for a model. The bulk of the windows look about the same as a couple of modified/joined Trackgang Products station windows and the Trackgang Products single station door might be ok for the pub entrance. I must take & post a pic of the Rob Roy Hotel in Waihi which would also make a good model.

Len

I think most modellers would have seen this E-mag, but if you haven't the Model Railroad Hobbyist Magazine is absolutely free, and now available monthly. Every issue has an article or 2 relevant to modelling in any scale - Enhancing Commercial Trees & Fun With Talus are good articles in this issue.

I also rediscovered this site tonight - Miniature World. Some amazing modelling there, but my favourite is by Australian modeller Alan Rockett.

Len

Continuing on with last years theme of having a clean up of half finished projects and bits laying around the workbench, I had a go at doing some " beginners " models. The wagons ( an La, a Lc, an M and a hut ) were supplied by Motorised Dandruff a while back. Resin one piece bodies would be an ideal start for beginners into making NZ120 wagons, but there's not many on the market ( Cross Creek/Midland Line Models still sell them - their ad. is in the Journal ). These wagons mount onto Peco chassis with very little adaptation needed. The only cutting needed is the brake gear and buffers. Peco chassis' run well, and I left the standard N couplings intact.

  The La is on a Minitrix chassis as I ran out of Peco's. The Lc has the addition of a ridge pole and tarp, as the edge around the top of the wagon was a bit rough. I cut the sides off the M wagon to be able to fit the hut on. The hut has the addition of a chimney and glazing. Straightforward models to complete. I didn't add hand grabs or brake hoses - just tried to keep them as simple builds. Add as little or as much detailing/weathering as you want. 

  The result is quite effective little models. Easily achievable by those new to the scale or modelling.

Len

nice work Len. what is the tarp made from? it looks very effective. i also have a hut to paint supplied from MD as well. i might flog your paint scheme, if you don't mind, as it looks very effective. cheers John

Don't forget to make it dirty. There's far too many 'clean' models turning up on this site.

I'm still surprised at the number of 'simple' models I made 15 odd years ago turning up in pictures. Obviously I made them far too well.

Thanks Beaka. The tarp then - hmmm ! The pics don't show how well that came out. I remember Kiwibonds recommending gladwrap, but being a conscientious recycler ( read that as tightwad ), I used another product a lot of modellers would readily find in the bin. Its the wrappers that womens sanitary napkins come in ! The plastic is thin, takes humbrol enamels without warping or melting, and retains fold lines after scrunching/crumpling to get the used tarp look. After painting with Humbrol no. 18, I finished mine with a bit of weathering from a Tamiya Weathering set then sprayed Testors Dullcote over it. The hut colour scheme is Humbrol no. 7 for the hut walls and Humbrol no. 62 for the roof & door.

  As with a lot of resin models these needed a little fettling, but came up quite well. I made these up to hopefully inspire some new modellers to give it a go, or as Russell of Trackgang so nicely put it - Just Do It !

 If anyone is interested in getting hold of some resin items, then contact Cross Creek for a list :

Cross Creek Models

29 Seymore Grove

Upper Hutt.

He doesn't seem to have a website or email, or even mention in his Journal ad that he sells NZ120 items as well as his S Scale lineup.

Len

Wagons look nice Len.Where do people get the peco chassis from?Would these wagons fit on trackgang underframes?

Tarp does look good!

Cheers

Stu.

If you wanted one or two most hobby shops should be able to order them in. Any more than that and you'd be better off getting them from the UK. Some other modellers may be able to recommend a shop or two that have them. You could fit these onto Trackgang underframes. I'll scan the Cross Creek pricelist and post it here tomorrow night.

Len

PS I just had a look at Macks Track who have these in stock : www.mackstrack.co.nz/Store/tabid/54/CategoryID/170/level/1/List/1/Default.aspx

For some reason I couldn't place this in the Articles section - I'll try another day. This pricelist is about 3 years old, so contact Cross Creek for updated prices.

Len

why do my neck hair all stand straight up when I hear the name Cross Creek ? ah that's right, I have seen four different DX shell kits (got two from Greg and bought two from Cross Creek which I returned on the same day) and they were all lower than lowest quality I have ever seen in resin casting. thank you but no thank you.

I'd just like to point out that the la, lc and Hutt on M wagon are from castings I did about 18 months ago, and are not representations of Cross Creek models kits (which are as Steve says).

They won't work with Trackgang underframes as they are one piece with the floor included.

You're right Steve - they are low quality, but then beginners would no doubt find them ok. There has been talk in the past about low cost models (with little or no assembling needed) being made to encourage new modellers into the scale. These are available, but as with all things the "easy" option comes at a cost : lower quality ( for $35 for the Dx shell what sort of quality were you expecting Steve ? ), and greater cost. Using a resin Lc as an example : wagon body + Peco chassis + postage for both items = a final price of between 50 - 75% (at least) more than a Trackgang kit.

Len

At $13.50 for most 4 wheeler wagons which includes metal wheels and brass bearings, & all the bits for basic detail, isn't that low cost?

Russ

Hi there

Trackgang prices are a very good price but not really for beginners to make, especially the chassis, this goes for bogies on the bogied wagons, now if someone could offer the service of making these up for a little fee or a swap for unmade chassis, would be ideal

It sure is ! I have always been a fan of Trackside/Trackgang kits, and believe that no-one can match them for value for money. They leave the resin items for dead - BUT, there seems to be a certain "sector" of the modelling community that perceive them as being too hard to have a go at (see post # 34). Maybe there is an opening for someone to offer to assemble kits for beginners.

Len

 I don't enjoy trying to put things togther when i don't have the knack, and my skills tend to be keyed into other areas, I came into this hobby late, (a middle aged adult), so have hot skills in other areas, and just want to run trains (NZ ones) so RTR's would be more Ideal for me.

well, at least something that looks like a DX and something I can use to build a DX but all I got was this...

why ? because they know nothing else ? or because these skits cost 'only' $35 ? (which is $35 too much in my opinion)

I am only talking about the DX shells here (I don't know the other stuff) but I don't think that these DX kits will 'lure' any new modeller into the hobby - I think that will make them running away and that very fast.

I can offer that service, who is interested ?

assembling Trackgang freight cars: NZ $25 each
painting (airbrush) Trackgang freight cars: NZ $15 each
decaling Trackgang freight cars: NZ $10 each
weathering Trackgang freight cars: NZ $10 each

that is a total of NZ $60 additional to the cost of a kit

price to build Trackgang passenger cars and engines on request by PM or eMail.

Thanks Steve.

 There you go, everyone. The commerial (real) cost to have your models made RTR, and by no amateur either.

Russ

This topic has been recycled so many times it's not funny.

I would rather have one of those resin Dx shells tidied up and painted than an N scale loco painted to look like an NZR engine. The look-a-likes quite often come up for sale on Trademe. Each to their own.

Steve wrote : " I am only talking about the DX shells here (I don't know the other stuff)".  I have used the 30 ft guardsvan kit from C Creek and also have some passenger stock to do - I haven't seen any of the goods wagons in their range. Yes they may be a bit rough ( but no rougher than the items in posting #23 were ) and I wouldn't go out of my way to buy them for myself, but others may not be as fussy. Posting #23 was about what I did with some basic models. Hopefully to inspire some to have a go. There's currently 95 registered members on this forum, and say a dozen regular or semi regular posters. That leaves a lot of armchair modellers.

Good on you Steve for supplying an assembling/painting service and prices. Sadly I don't think you'll get overwhelmed with takers, but that's the section of the hobby we're talking about. And I can't see RTR items happening any time soon, or at a price some would want them at.

Len

 Are these 4 wheelers or bogie wagon costs Steve?

Hi Greg,

4 wheeler and bogie wagons. some are easier to build, some are more difficult, my offer is per freight car.

cheers...

Quickly moving on from all things resinous - a couple of links to an Aussie site that have been posted on the Railchat group. Some very nice NZ pics from all over NZ, but a lot from the south island.

Weston Langford - 1963 Pics

Weston Langford - 1964 Pics

A nice pic of hut wagons in Greymouth.

Len

Does anyone have any recommendations for the internal cab colour of older NZR diesels ? It's a sort of peppermint green. Make and no. of paint would be handy.

Len

Re Locomotive cab interior colours:

FWIW: EMD locomotives (Da's, Db's) used a color described as 'machine green' and the  nearest shade to that seems to be Tamiya 'Cockpit Green' (Catalogue code unknown).  Alternatively, it would appear that Humbrol 023 'Duck Egg Green' is another option, with a dash of 'Sky-type 'S' (Cat. No. also unknown) added for good measure. 

I believe that Humbrol 40 ('Pale Grey') is also a possibility, but that it may be 'improved' by a dash of green - I would emphasis the 'dash'.

English Electric Df and Dg Cab interiors seemed to be pale cream in colour - something akin to Magnolia interior house paint.

Surprisingly, it would appear that no  'identical-to specification' interior colors are available for railway modellers, so any colour that is mixed would appear to be somewhat subjective, and depends on the colour-perception of the model-maker and viewer. It is also worth considering, that with a crew in place, the interior is dark and difficult to see into. 

 Hope that this helps.

Komata

"TVR - serving the Northern Taranaki . . . "

Thanks Komata - the Tamiya and Humbrol 023 sounds close enough with a bit of tweaking. The Dg/Df info is handy as well.

Len

Doh ! Got to the LHS, saw a bottle of Floquil F110330 NYC Jade Green, and remembered Grant Fletcher's article on building an Ew in the latest Journal. Paint sorted. A bit bright but close enough.

CAUTION.

The following post contains graphic scenes of resin items. Viewers discretion is advised.

Not much on my workbench at the moment. An on going process of finishing long standing projects and other detritus.

 Several bits of non-interest to most, but I'll list them anyway (it's a wet day, no work, I'm drinking homemade moonshine & pepsi, so you get wot you get).

Finished the last two resin huts. Probably not NZR paint scheme but I'm not overly fussed.

The Kato chassis awaiting the railtruck body to be painted.

The Eggerbahn wagon and the inhaler tube an attempt to reproduce an Eggerbahn tank wagon. Great tubing but probably too big for NZ120.

Material at left is an attempt at creating green canvas tarp material.

Lead strips for extra weight for railtruck, Peco track pins to be filed down for railtruck door handles.

Lastly, a mini-mini diorama ( I need to make a static grass applicator to finish it ) that will be a small cameo scene on a mini layout ( a tribute to the memory of Carl Arendt ). The basis of the car is a solid resin TT vehicle. I made a mould of it with casting rubber, then used an old paint brush to coat the inside of the mould with resin. Some windows have been added with Micro Scale Kristal Klear. It needed to be hollow to depict an abandoned wreck under a tree, with ferns, blackberry & inkweed growing out of the windows.

Caution warning noted. Nice to see some more modelling. Now mabe you could get that other stuff out of the cupboard.........  : )

Russ

Good idea - cupboard hoardings on the butcher bench as we speak (type ?).