Further update. It's been a while since I posted on progress, but I have been steadily tinkering away with the railcar. I tend to have around three projects on the go at any one time so I can get on with something else while waiting for paint to dry or for stuff to arrive.
All seats now printed, assembled, painted and installed and she's been through the paint-shop. There's still more to do - mostly tweaking and finer detailing - and (as is always the case with my projects) a bit of remediation. However, she's now looking more presentable.
- IMG_0630.JPG (126.48 KiB) Viewed 6303 times
A bit more work needed on tidying up the bonnet and the cab roof will be screwed into place once I've finished tinkering with the electrics. The loose cable in the cab will eventually provide lighting for the passenger compartment.
.
- IMG_0631.JPG (104.81 KiB) Viewed 6303 times
The steps need painting and weathering and handrails need adding. I'll also print out some luggage for the roof rack. I'm looking for a basket of chickens or geese which I think will add a agrestic touch! I can't disguise the join in the roof, unfortunately. Maybe, once I've peopled the interior and installed the lighting I'll just fill it, sand it and paint it and hope I won't have to reglue the passengers or sort out lighting problems!
.
- IMG_0632.JPG (115.56 KiB) Viewed 6303 times
My hard work on the filing, filling and sanding of the tail end seems to have paid off - as long as you don't look too closely! I'll add a swivelling coupling to the rear as initially, I want to tow a luggage van but eventually add a dummy railcar to make it double ended - thereby avoiding having to install turntables at each end of the line!
It's been a challenge putting together a bare bones etched brass kit without instructions and with no additional fitments and fittings, but I am quite pleased with the result. I know there are modellers on the forum who would have produced a far finer model - but this has very much been a learning experience. I'm not sure I will rush to make another brass kit. I am much happier working with plasticard - particularly as I can more readily cover up my mistakes - or maybe avoid making them in the first place.
Rik