Austrains 4 Wheel Wagons

So I attended the 50th Anniversary Exhibition at Liverpool on the long weekend and made a couple of purchases at the Austrains stand in the form of there latest batch of 4 wheelers I really like these wagons although the only problem I am having is the boxes are piling up waiting to be weathered I think I will have to get stuck in and get busy again.All of the following use the same underframe as the CW's and GSV's so not a lot of work to do to get them on the layout. I will put some scale head couplers and I am considering replacing the brake handle brackets with KRM ones but I will see how I go.

LV with double roof

Single canvas roof

I think I will have to do something about the roof on these ones maybe some tissue paper to represent the canvas 

I love the SRC's I am really looking forward to weathering these

If you weren't there on Saturday then you missed these

I have to say well done to Austrains they all look fantastic and if you weren't at the show then get on the phone and grab some before they go.


cheers Jon

The Post Man has been again

So I had a parcel waiting for me when I arrived home last night contained within it were my OCY wagons from SDS Models. What can I say WOW the details on these are awesome RP 88 wheels as standard plus whisker Kadee scale head couplers as standard the brake details underneath are just awesome the bogies have full brake detail and the deck looks superb see for yourself.

 

A great model well worth picking up.


Also I have been busy weathering some more stuff lately I have been trying some more of the MIG washes that I used on the CW's  on some of my other stock as well as some powders from Bragdon see what you think.

 Trainorama BWH wheat hopper I applied a dark wash then faded it with thinners to get the faded grey look then used powders for the rust and finished with some poly scale dirt along the bottom with the airbrush and railroad tie brown on the wheels.

 Austrain's PV & CV's given a light coat of H343 soot from Aqueous then washed with MIG dark wash and dusted with powders.

Austrains MLE finally weathered the deck was dry brushed with Tamiya XF20 and then dark wash applied then fished with powders and the steel load.
And Finally

I applied a neutral wash from MIG over both of these and then washed it with thinners added a bit of powder around the bogies to highlight them a bit and a little bit of soot across the top of the white one I will still do a little bit around the sub frame but after Liverpool.

I will be there operating Waterfall on Sunday with the rest of the IMRA crew if you want to say hi. It sounds like it will be a great show I know I am looking forward to leaving with a whole heap more goodies I don't think the bank manager is though. I hope to see you there.

Cheers Jon   

Country Branch Lines Part 5

I picked up a new book today from train hobby productions Country Branch lines Part 5 Volume 1. The book is a photographic profile of the cross country line between Blaney & Harden and also includes photos the Grenfell & Eugowra branch lines. There are lots of great weathering shots of tankers, CW's, BSV's, LCH's etc and I would highly recomend it for weathering. Sorry about the bad photo.

Plate Steel Loads

So I received another package the other day with some steel loads that I had ordered from JWD premium products in the USA (link) they are made by DUHA in the Czech Republic I had seen these reviewed in AMRM a couple of years ago but could not find the Australian distributor they had listed.

#11220 plate steel load excuse the unweathered wagon :)

The loads I ordered range in price between $15 to $20 each and they take paypal or credit card. I would advise contacting them by email as there shipping calculator over estimates the shipping costs. But I found them to be very easy to deal with they refunded the extra shipping charges straight away. 

#11417 "Voestalpine" Plate Steel Load

#11226 Assorted Structural Steel

Also I have included some photos of my SDS BMF wagons for you to have a closer look at starting with the 1970's version in Black 

Nice Underframe details

And the 1960's version in white

The bogies even include brake detail

Close up view of the 2AE bogie ( I have a feeling these will be available seprately)

 And some shots of the nice boxes they come in.

Cheers Jon

SDS BMF OAK Milk Tankers

I had a package arrive Friday morning in it we're two packs of SDS Oak Milk Tankers I had a quick look before heading away for the weekend they are just awesome fantastic paint work and all of the parts are fitted correctly :) I ordered two packs a 1960's and a 1970's the 2AE bogies fitted to the 1960's pack are just beautiful with full brake details applied the paint on both sets is very crisp and if you are thinking about getting some I would be quick because they are great models and you will be kicking yourself if you miss as they are a very limited run I did not have time to snap pictures yet but I borrowed a couple from the SDS site until I can take some of my own.

Cheers Jon

Really has it been that long

OK so I just realised it has been nearly a month since my last post I haven't being doing much since the last update I have had plenty of new arrivals from Austrains and Eureka FO's and GSV's and BSV's from Eureka all fantastic looking models on the modelling front I have started to work through weathering the large pile of orange and green boxes i have on my bent first cab off the rank is some CW's (yes I have had these for a while now:-) )

 A comparison shot between weathered and straight out of the box

 And finally a close up

Thanks for looking a will try to make post a little more often in the future

Cheers Jon

SDS Tankers a quick update

Here are a few shots of the weathering progress on my SDS tankers

cheers Jon

SDS Tankers a quick review

It's been a bit quiet in the shed lately between work and family commitments and I have had a serious man Flu in the last week so sorry for the lack of posts. The following is my personal review of the SDS  fuel tankers.

I preordered and paid for my SDS tanker models. I have opted to purchase the “special offer” tankers from SDS models. This is my quick review of the models.
I put it on record, upfront, that I know one of the SDS guys through my local model railway club. This fellow has very modeling high standards, that this can be seen from his well known modeling efforts and I think explains the reason for the special offer.

The wagons come packaged in silver boxes decorated with the SDS models’ pin stripping. The models are well protected for transport via a clear plastic cover inside the box.

A real bonus is that the wagons come factory fitted with genuine Kadee scale head whisker couplers. The rp88 wheels look the part and the wagons roll freely. The bogie detail is exquisite, as is all the underframe details.

As shown in the photos the paint and decals are probably some of the best I have ever seen on a model. The lettering is very crisp and legible.

Now to the reason for the special offer. Some of the etched walkways and ladders have been installed poorly and as a result they can have a bit of flex to them. I personally think the guys at SDS have sold themselves a little short here. On the examples I received found this to be so minor it was barely noticeable.

I think this problem could be easily fixed by anyone with moderate modeling skills . This would be done removing the walkways and reaffixing them in place. This becomes tricky is because they have been glued in place so would require them to cut and re glued.

It just depends on how noticeable it is. I think in most cases with appropriate weathering you would barely notice. I have seen handrails on locos that look worse. Most of the guys at the club who viewed the  models had to shown what these issues were.

I think SDS should be commended for only wanting the highest standards in their models. My advice is if you have modeling skills (e.g. you can put a kit together) I would take advantage of the offer while it's available. Get some inexpensive but fantastic looking models that may or may not need a little work to bring them up to some of the highest standards anyone could hope for. I have included the link to the special offer order form below.


http://www.sdsmodels.com.au/xorder.htm


 cheers Jon

Pictures

So I thougt I would add some pictures of some of my models that I have photograhed lately.

Trainorama 32

Trainorama 42 weathered with oils and airbrush

Trainorama 47

Trainorama 49

Trainorama 44

Austrains 35

Trainorama S Truck with Sydney Hobbies Timber Load

Powerline S truck with my first attempt at a tarp

IDR CG concentrate wagon

this kit comes with a nice amount of detail underneath although I do need to add RP88 wheel sets

Austrains WHX

DJH 50 Class

Classic Brass 55

Austrains 36

Bergs 57

I have found it very useful to take pictures of these lately to pick up problems with the models such as the handrails on my 47 or the staff exchanger on the 44. Apart from these I haven't done much in the shed lately. Although I did get to visit Linton's shed the other day to view the progress on stonequarry creek and found it very useful in planing benchwork for my own layout. Thanks again Linton.