New kit - the BBP ballast wagon

Hi all,

I have some photos of my next kit - the BBP wagon. This kit has been in the pipeline for about two years, however it stalled when it came to the roof vents. I had contacted two manufacturers who made them in brass, and asked if a bulk buy could be arranged. One said they would get back to me, and the other said they would be able to make them in white metal. I did not hear back from either of them again and so I moved on to other projects but, I had made a promise to a number of people that I would do this kit and I was not about to let them down.

After seeing the outstanding casting work of John Dersch at Ornamental castings on my other projects, combined with his very fast turnaround, I gave him a call. I asked if I could send a master of the Flettner vents down for casting. The rest is history! The Flettner vents arrived and I got a move on with the masters and the casting. The photos show what I have done thus far.

The model will be made in such away that you can model it with the doors open or closed! Peter Boorman made the brass etch steps for me. You may not see it in the photos but that's checker plate on the walk ways! I used a new US brand of polyurethane for the castings with some great results. The fine details like bolts and rivets are there you just may not see them in the photos.

The kit will also include K.D's and bogie's.  It is some way off yet, but I thought I would share the progress. 

Cheers Dean

P.S. The early bird price is $55, however as things move along it may increase. 
If your after a kit please email me on railsinscale@gmail.com

Thanks John,

http://www.orncastings.com/ 

Thanks Peter,

http://www.peterboormansworkshop.com.au/index.htm

NSWGR Pay Bus number 8

Hi all,

It's been a busy few weeks! The weather has finally dried up allowing me to do some casting and get a move on with the coil wagon! In between I have been keeping my sanity by doing some modelling.

The subject is the NSWGR pay bus - FP8, based on the unit stored at the old Casino station. The model went together nicely, the only problem I encountered was the decals were not printed very well! I used a set of L7 logos I had in my decal collection.

I fitted DCC and fibre optic lights behind the clear lenses. I had to replace the headlight mounts with a set from Detail Associates as the castings on the bus were way to large.

Now to the coil wagon - I hear you say! I have started the casting and will soon be sending out the orders already taken. I will also have the coil sets for sale. They are $8 for a set of three, enough for each wagon. Those of you with unpaid orders will receive an email when you kits are ready.

Cheers Dean

Finished coil wagon sample

Hi All,

At last I have a sample to show!

This model has been built of castings from the masters and is what you will be getting in kit form. The signage is the only part that will be reworked with some extra details on the number board and a clean up of the L7 logo. I will now set about making new production molds that will let me cast parts at more than one at a time with so many small detail parts this will speed up production. I hope to have it all sorted in a few weeks.

I regret to say the price has gone up. The lost wax brass castings were not the only change made to the kit, I have made a number of new parts in white metal instead of polyurethane. This has brought up the empty weight of the model and also replaces some of the polyurethane brackets  that were so small they were prone to breakage.

All orders already taken will stay at the original  announced price however from this point in time all kits are $60 each.

Price on coils will be announced soon.

Cheers Dean

Coils for coil wagons

Hi all,

I have just finished some test castings for the coils. They are a two piece casting that is glued together not unlike the large plastic Auscision silver coil also in the photos. I have cast one in two colours so you can get an idea of the two parts. The other is finished with  the straps added.

At first I thought they were a little too fine however fine was what I was aiming for and after many attempts on the lathe with different speeds and tools I decided on this one! Not too fine or course, (some were so fine they would have passed as N scale).

They will be available as an extra for the coil wagon or the small Auscision or Walthers coils will also fit.

Cheers Dean 

 

Coil wagon steps

Hi all,

The coil wagon kit is ever so close, I now have the lost wax brass steps.  I know It caused a set back but the detail has been worth the wait! It will make the model look really great (much better than bent wire). I must thank John Dersch at Ornamental castings. Without Johns help, the steps would not have been possible (see link below).

The other good news is they make a great replacement set for a lot of NSWGR rolling stock. I just fitted a set to my Auscision NLKY Louvered vans (see pics). I will list them on my Rails In Scale E-bay store "Loco-Alco" in the next day or so.  I have poured more molds today.

I will give a few days for them to set. I'll post another blog with pics of the coil wagon and a surprise kit I have been working on. 

Until then...

Deano  

http://www.orncastings.com/

http://stores.ebay.com.au/Rails-in-Scale

 

A saturday arvo V/line X class weathering job

Hi all,

While I was waiting for silicone rubber molds to set for the coil wagon project, I thought I do some weathering. Just a weather powder job with a little oil spillage in places.The V/line locos can get rather dirty and their gray & orange paint can really show this.

I did change my flat clear from my usual dull coat to a water based paint. Now that Horizon has closed, I have discovered how well John looked after us modelers! I went to buy Dull Coat from another shop in Beenleigh and It was twice the price! So I used a water based paint from the UK.

The paint goes on white and drys flat clear, however the dull coat has a much flatter look and takes the powders with more tooth! I will use the Tamiya flat clear from now on. It does not eat decals and drys reasonably flat. As for this Loco, it will pass. But, I think it would have been better with the dull coat.

Cheers Dean
 

 

Updating the update - coil wagon progress

Hi all ,

Things are going well with the new kit. I have made a few changes and added some white metal components to bring the empty running weight up.The finished lower frame has now been re-done with some added detail!

As you can see in the pics, I have added the side rails and the lower parts of the coil seats. This was a test fit of the new white metal parts. I have also added a close up shot of a Jacking pad. This is one of four brass etch pads you construct from the etch parts (see other post for a shot of this etch).

It also has the tow plates in the same etch.

Now for the brass steps. I have started a new master for the steps that will be based on the prototype steps. The NQIW steps were close but not the same! Now, I thought they would be better  than just a bent wire. However, a few you you pointed out that they are close, but  not the same. If I'm putting in so much effort, why not go that little bit extra and make them correct!

So you win! I will cast brass step that match the prototype and I'll keep you posted.

Deano