A new chapter begins

Well, I went off a bit half-cocked last month. As it turns out, the grain hoppers weren't finished. But after some white paint on the handrails and a spray of dullcoat, they're finished now.

Brake Detail

Brake Detail

I've been thinking about building a layout for some time now, but there's a number of problems with this. Firstly, I rent, so any layout has to be portable. Secondly, I don't really have much space. I have a spare bedroom, but it only measures 3m x 3m, which would be just big enough for a loop, but nothing else really.

So instead, I decided I'd build a diorama. That way, I'd have somewhere to photograph my trains other than my kitchen bench. And it would also be a good opportunity to experiment with layout building and scenery techniques before I build a proper layout sometime in the future. So I went down to Bunnings and got myself a sheet of 12mm plywood. Originally, I was going to build a single module, 1200mm long by 600mm deep. But when I started construction I realised I'd have plenty of leftover plywood, so I decided to build a second module. The end result is a 2400mm x 600mm "diorama" made up of 2 modules, supported on some trestles (which I also knocked). The whole thing makes for quite a sturdy base to work on.

My 2400 x 600 "Diorama"

What will go on top of all the wood will have to wait until the next post...

Finally, something is finished...

Well, the first 6 VHGF wagons have rolled off the workbench and into service...

These are the first models kits I've completed. I'm really happy with how these wagons have turned out. When I started construction, I wouldn't have dreamed I'd be able to achieve this detail and finish. I sit they sit well next to me ready to run models.

A final coat of paint...

This month, I decided it was time to narrow my focus a bit and finally get some of these kits finished. So, I picked 6 of my VHGF Grain Wagon kits and gave them a final coat of paint. I'm really happy with the finish on these units.

Paint Station

The final coat of paint is drying...

The last couple of nights, I've started applying the decals. Putting that V/Line Grain logo on makes all the difference...

Finally, some decals...

Couplers, shunters steps, air hoses, bogies and a coat of clear coat and they're done.

Oh, and I also painted up some bogies...

I won't have to paint any bogies for a while

Yellow, yellow and more yellow...

With some warmer weather here in Canberra, I finally got a chance to get the airbrush out and put some paint on some of the kits sitting on my workbench. At this stage I'm focusing on getting some paint into the hard to reach areas on my grain wagons, around the brake detail at each end. Once this is complete, I can complete the assembly of the models.

My makeshift airbrushing bench

VHGY Wagon Base

VHGY Brake Detail

The latest delivery from Auscision...

I received a delivery from Auscision today - a whole bunch of Victorian hopper wagons! 

GH Hopper Wagon

VHSF Sand Hopper Wagon

VHQF Quarry Hopper Wagon

Brake Detail on the Sand Hopper

I also got some VHCW Cement Hoppers, which unfortunately have been printed with VQDW Dolomite Hopper boards. Other than that though, I'm happy with these. The detail is excellent, as is the finish. All up, I got 10 packs in total, the only bad thing is the effect on my bank balance!

No question, it's a great time to be modelling Victoria in HO scale...

Specials at the Malkara Exhibition

I picked up some Austrains items on sale today at the Malkara exhibition here in Canberra. 

The first item is a CL class locomotive in AN Green livery. This is the 3rd AN loco I've added to my fleet, joining a Trainorama 930 class and an Austrains DL class. I don't think the CL spent much time in Victoria, but they were on special for $200 each, so I figured now was the time to get one before they sell out.

Austrains CL Class Locomotive CL 2 W

I also picked up a pack of ribbed-sided VOBX wagons in V/Line livery, which were also on special for $110. I already have a pack of these, but I'm hoping to build up a larger collection of these wagons. They were widely used all over the Victorian Railway system, and transported a wide range of products, including containers, gypsum and briquettes. 

Out of the box, the wagons have the V/Line signage installed in the incorrect position. The factory have glued to sign in the centre of each wagon, whereas the prototype model has this sign offset slightly to the left. 

So this evening, while I was watching the footy, I decided to remove the sign and glue it in the correct position. There wasn't much to it really, taking about 20 minutes all up. There is a spot on each side where the sign was glued previously, where the paint has come of when the sign was removed. At some stage I'll paint over this spot, but I'll need to find the right paint for that. It's not too noticeable, so I'm not really worried about it at the moment.

Austrains VOBX Wagons

Latest Additions...

I've been away on holidays for most of July, so not a lot has been happening on the model train front. 

Work continues on the VHQF hoppers, I've almost got them to the point where they need a coat of paint. Unfortunately, with the weather the way it's been recently, that'll have to wait for a while.

My RMM VHQF Hoppers, waiting for a spot in the paint shop 

But the highlight of the month was waiting for me at the post office. Back in January, I'd gotten my order in for 2 packs of Auscision N Passenger cars in V/Line Tangerine livery. Which was lucky, because they sold out before they even arrived in Australia! The detail on these models is fantastic, particularly the underfloor detail. In fact, if anything, the detail is too fine in some areas. Both sets had a small piece loose in in the box on arrival. Still, I'm very happy with them. Now I just need a layout to run them on...

 My N Passenger Cars in V/Line Tangerine

One of the 1st class ACN cars

Next up on the work bench...

In the last week and a bit I've got around to applying some decals on the many wagon kits I have sitting on my workbench. This was the first time I've played with decals, and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy they went on.

Steam Era Models VCQX Container Wagons

Rail Motor Models VHFF Phosphate Hopper

Some clear coat, bogie's and coupler's and they're done. In the meantime, while I'm waiting for some good weather, I've started on some Quarry wagons. I've got 12 of the RMM VHQF Quarry wagon kits, enough for my own Apex train. Although with these ones, I'm trying to push myself and add a bit more detail, so I bought some Model Etch accessories to dress these rather plain kits up a bit. I'm also planning to add some brake piping made from brass rod. 

Here's the first 4 on the production line.

My first 4 Rail Motor Models VHQF Quarry Wagons

Fresh out of the paint shop...

The weather here in Canberra has been magic for the last couple of days. Sunny, low 20's and no wind. So when I got home from work a bit earlier than usual today, I decided it would be the ideal opportunity to get the airbrush out and get some paint on some of the half finished kits on my workbench. I'd had a go earlier in the week at painting inside, and it wasn't real pleasant to be honest. To do the job properly, you really do need good ventilation and natural light (just like everyone says!).  So I knocked up a quick workbench that hangs of the railing on the back porch. Only took about 45 minutes and it does the job nicely.

I set up the airbrush with some Steam Era Models Wagon Red and got out some of the container wagons I had ready to go. First up was the 3x IDR Castings VQDW wagons from the previous post. I'd given them a coat of primer on the weekend, as per the instructions. It took me a while to get the hang of the airbrush; it's only the third time I've really used it. Initially, I was applying too much paint, and I wasn't getting an even finish. But eventually I worked out that a couple of light coats gave a much better finish than one heavy coat. Also, thanks to the natural light, it was much easy to see where extra paint was required, especially in all the crevices.

Next up was 4x Steam Era Models VQCX Kits. By this time I had the hang of the airbrush, and I ended up with a pretty good finish. One thing I did notice was that the styrene VQCX kits seemed to be easier to paint than the resin/primer VQDW kits. The paint just seemed to go on a bit smoother with the styrene, not sure why that is. Probably need to do a bit of reading up on that...

Overall though, pretty happy with the result.

During the week I got around to doing some work on a LBAT VVDY Guard's Van. There were quite a few bubbles on the surface of the resin casting, but with a bit of filler and some sanding the casting comes up alright.

There's still some prep work left to do on this one...

VQDW Wagons

One of the many projects on my workbench at the moment is 3 IDR Castings VQDW 80' container wagons. I bought these a couple of years ago at the Liverpool Model Railway Exhibition, and they've been sitting in my kit box ever since. 
So a couple of weeks ago, I got them out and made a start. They're a pretty simple kit really. The main body of the wagon is a single casting of polyurathane, and has a considerable amount of flash. After that's all removed, and  the brake detail is added, it's now ready for a coat of primer and VR wagon red.

I've assembled these as per the instructions, but over on Railpage there's a good example of a VQDW model that's been kitbashed to better reflect the wagons in service with V/line (http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p1456244.htm#1456244). Maybe next time...