Semi-scale BR: The Modernisation Plan
Re: Semi-scale BR: The Modernisation Plan
Agree That's a nice look loco. Great job on the surgery too.
ROD
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
- Sylvian Tennant
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Re: Semi-scale BR: The Modernisation Plan
I've been looking forward to seeing one of these done up. Great work.
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- Sylvian Tennant
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Re: Semi-scale BR: The Modernisation Plan
I've been looking forward to seeing one of these done up. Great work.
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Re: Semi-scale BR: The Modernisation Plan
Forgive my ignorance, but what/how have you altered the proportions?
Thanks,
PhilP.
Thanks,
PhilP.
Re: Semi-scale BR: The Modernisation Plan
Thank you kindly!
I did have a look at the real, cut down Class 08/9 versions, as Andrew suggests (there’s a picture on the BR class 08 Wikipedia page). Ironically, their rebuild would have been constrained by the full-sized wheels and higher running plate — the lack of which I was complaining about regarding Diesel.
I also had to reduce the width of the loco (see below) and build a new cab to fit, so my roof is not quite so ‘flattened’. I’m kind of surprised that I was able to get away with it.
I did have a look at the real, cut down Class 08/9 versions, as Andrew suggests (there’s a picture on the BR class 08 Wikipedia page). Ironically, their rebuild would have been constrained by the full-sized wheels and higher running plate — the lack of which I was complaining about regarding Diesel.
I also had to reduce the width of the loco (see below) and build a new cab to fit, so my roof is not quite so ‘flattened’. I’m kind of surprised that I was able to get away with it.
Re: Semi-scale BR: The Modernisation Plan
As delivered, Diesel measured (in mm) 168H x 115W x 324L but its wheels appeared to be undersized and the running plate too low, which also appeared to exaggerate the length of the overhangs at each end. I thought it looked a bit weird.
To sit comfortably with my existing rolling stock (and track) I needed to cut 20mm off the height and 12mm from the width (from the centre of the body and 6mm plus from each side of the supporting chassis moulding). To adjust the proportions to more like a Class 08, I then needed to lose a fair bit of the length too; say 20mm plus, off both the front and rear overhangs. Helpfully, the original cab appeared too long anyway, so building a new, shorter cab wasn’t a problem.
I was limited in where I could remove ‘featureless space’ from the body sides, so the front overhang wasn’t touched (and the wheels are still too small, of course) which makes the revised version look, perhaps, a little long in proportion, with roof sides that aren’t as steeply pitched as you’d expect from an 08 (see above).
I’m sorry, this answer is probably unnecessarily long, detailed and tedious (but I’m not writing it again).
Re: Semi-scale BR: The Modernisation Plan
We're railway enthusiasts! "Long and detailed" definitely isn't the same thing as tedious!
Personally, I really enjoy getting a glimpse into the minds of fellow modellers. As long as the train of thought I find there are in the correct livery and displaying appropriate headcodes, of course...
Re: Semi-scale BR: The Modernisation Plan
Not tedious, at all.. After all, I did ask!
The shiny-black model looks 'wrong' to me, but I don't know why..
A waft of matt-black, and rail-dirt, from a couple of feet away, would probably help?
I mainly asked, as I don't see the joins! - Which is the point, I assume?
If I can get over my 'fear of failure' I would love to have a go..
PhilP.
The shiny-black model looks 'wrong' to me, but I don't know why..
A waft of matt-black, and rail-dirt, from a couple of feet away, would probably help?
I mainly asked, as I don't see the joins! - Which is the point, I assume?
If I can get over my 'fear of failure' I would love to have a go..
PhilP.
Re: Semi-scale BR: The Modernisation Plan
I feel suitably chastened. So, just to illustrate just how off-the-scale nerdy I can be, here’s the amended, annotated plan / cheat sheet / mood board / user guide, I assembled as the rebuild began.
Not followed exactly, of course, for all the usual reasons (too hard and/or mistakes). I’m not pretending to be making any sort of accurate model here, just something that looks the part and fits in with the rest of the stuff.
The drawings are hardly altered, it was about establishing the differences between the original and Diesel at the size I wanted it to be
Well, I agree. If you’re not constrained by the dimensions of existing rolling stock, tight clearances on garden railway bridges or whatever, you can as you say, embellish and repaint or weather Diesel as it is. It doesn’t have to be chopped up and resized.
Re: Semi-scale BR: The Modernisation Plan
I’ve seen a photo of a real one actually with a yellow cab
Not glazed yet, run out of Canopy Glue
Here it is in vivid, disruptive camouflage — sorry, I mean ‘a fanciful, late development of’ the Rail Blue scheme. That bit in front of the cab in yellow is (partly) an attempt to disguise the length of the bodywork in front of it. Not sure it’s really worked.
The loco will be trundling slowly, with the odd wagon or two, to and from the ‘Semi-scale BR dockside sidings’ which, I suppose, are hidden behind the shrubs at the bottom of the garden. And Wikipedia says that Class 09s were geared to run fast enough (27mph) to be able to do branch line goods. Excellent.
It’s kind of a companion piece to the previous Class 33 effort. Neither are wired up so far — but I do have the bits
Not glazed yet, run out of Canopy Glue
Here it is in vivid, disruptive camouflage — sorry, I mean ‘a fanciful, late development of’ the Rail Blue scheme. That bit in front of the cab in yellow is (partly) an attempt to disguise the length of the bodywork in front of it. Not sure it’s really worked.
The loco will be trundling slowly, with the odd wagon or two, to and from the ‘Semi-scale BR dockside sidings’ which, I suppose, are hidden behind the shrubs at the bottom of the garden. And Wikipedia says that Class 09s were geared to run fast enough (27mph) to be able to do branch line goods. Excellent.
It’s kind of a companion piece to the previous Class 33 effort. Neither are wired up so far — but I do have the bits
Re: Semi-scale BR: The Modernisation Plan
I really really like these. Superb colours Bertie. Well done.
ROD
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
Re: Semi-scale BR: The Modernisation Plan
Spot on!!
Rik
Rik
Re: Semi-scale BR: The Modernisation Plan
Thanks very much! I’m plotting what else can be painted blue…
Re: Semi-scale BR: The Modernisation Plan
The Bulleid "Spam Can" - would look rather nice in "large logo" blue livery... Or the earlier variant of Network South East, with the swooping stripes at each end???
The shunter looks great - I look forward to seeing it and the 33 in action. With the 73 and the Thumper, you've got the makings of a Southern Region diesel gala...
Re: Semi-scale BR: The Modernisation Plan
My thoughts exactly, thank you.
However, I’m afraid I can’t agree that “the Bulleid ‘Spam Can’ would look rather nice in ‘large logo’ blue livery” — not to mention, in the hopelessly naff “Network South East, with the swooping stripes at each end” scheme.
I remember being extremely disappointed when the then fairly new and sensible, Class 455 EMUs (let alone elderly slam-door stock) started to appear in the ghastly NSE livery, rather than BR blue and grey. Late 80s, I suppose. It turned me into the cynical, table-thumping critic of crap corporate identity I am today.
Re: Semi-scale BR: The Modernisation Plan
Well, I guess those suggestions were a little tongue in cheek...BertieB wrote: ↑Tue Feb 21, 2023 9:22 am However, I’m afraid I can’t agree that “the Bulleid ‘Spam Can’ would look rather nice in ‘large logo’ blue livery” — not to mention, in the hopelessly naff “Network South East, with the swooping stripes at each end” scheme.
I remember being extremely disappointed when the then fairly new and sensible, Class 455 EMUs (let alone elderly slam-door stock) started to appear in the ghastly NSE livery, rather than BR blue and grey. Late 80s, I suppose. It turned me into the cynical, table-thumping critic of crap corporate identity I am today.
But... I do recall being quite excited by the launch of NSE - I remember the the press launch (presumably from the evening news?), featuring a newly re-liveried 455 and a loco-hauled set gliding into Waterloo in parallel, and thinking that was pretty cool. After a lifetime of blue and grey (or just plain blue, ugh!) EPBs, I was ready for a change, and NSE livery certainly made them easier to spot in the distance from the D floor classrooms art school, but I will concede that, in retrospect, it wasn't a great look for the older units. If I had insane amounts of money, enough to buy and restore an EPB (probably in the top 20, maybe top 10, of my unwritten fantasy restoration list), I'd paint it blue and grey...
If I had enough change to own and restore a Spam Can (top 100 on the list, maybe, there are a lot of 'em already), I think I'd go for malachite green...
- Sylvian Tennant
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Re: Semi-scale BR: The Modernisation Plan
I love it.
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Re: Semi-scale BR: The Modernisation Plan
Me too. Well, a bit.
The Lymington branch (for a ferry to the Isle of Wight), continued using two mid-60s, 3CIG, slam-door EMUs, as a kind of ‘official’ heritage railway, long after they had disappeared elsewhere — one in green and the other in blue and grey — neither in NSE (or SWT) livery you’ll note. Both looked great, in my view. Here’s some pictures (not mine):
https://bobfostersrailgallery.weebly.co ... ranch.html
- Tropic Blunder
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Re: Semi-scale BR: The Modernisation Plan
Fantastic work Bertie. It really does make you wonder though why Bachmann couldn't release theirs looking like yours to begin with! The "as delivered" model is so out of proportion its not even funny which is a bit disappointing because I was contemplating buying one at least to make a "near enough" Victorian Railways F class. At least you've proved with some careful cutting it is at least feasible
Re: Semi-scale BR: The Modernisation Plan
Thanks. Bachmann, presumably deliberately, chose not to follow the proportions of the original. It seems perverse. They don’t appear to have been limited by any obvious practical or manufacturing issues. But I suppose their intended customers aren’t you or me or members of this forum.Tropic Blunder wrote: ↑Thu Mar 02, 2023 6:05 am “The ‘as delivered’ model is so out of proportion it’s not even funny…”
The same applies, of course, to the other locos in their Thomas range, usually to an even greater extent. Makes an interesting comparison with the Hornby approach, where they stuck faces on generally recognisable or plausible locomotives. Weird.
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