In my first quick look at the Rapido Trains Uk 16inch Hunslet, I assumed the chassis was fully geared. Having had some issues with fully geared chassis’ before I was wondering how this one would perform.
However a look at the manual indicated that my thoughts were incorrect and the chassis is a conventional gear drive onto the rear axle. In the video you can see how well this straightforward split chassis performed, particularly when compared to the DJM J94.
Despite being incorrect on my initial assumption that this would be a fully geared chassis, it was a pleasant surprise to find it was conventional, and just how well it runs. I’ll follow this up with a blog review post in the next few days.
It’s probably giving the game away but I’m already thinking do I need a second one?
Rapido Hunslet running in
So first impression in ten minutes is this is a very creditable first locomotive release as their own Rapido Trains Uk, rather than as a partnership in projects such as the Model Rail J70 and 16xx locomotives. It’s been run in for around forty minutes at various speeds and directions. The tracks I tested on are the Peco Code 75 Bullhead points and double slip with no issues at all. I’ll follow up with another video and a more traditional blog review. This appears to have a fully geared chassis and the running on inclines will be a good comparison with the less than stellar DJM j94. That’s to come though, but I hope you find this first ten minute overview of interest.
So the motivation today was checking out yesterday’s application of the AK Interactive Atlantic Blue onto a test piece of plastic sheet. The luminosity above is caused by the light falling on the wet acrylic gel medium.
It dried well overnight, however the brown and deep blue colour mix isn’t working well, so satisfied with the first application drying correctly in around 8c ambient temperature, I’ve given the water area a second coating. The technique and day one result is shown above, so if you’ve got seven minutes of your life you don’t want back feel free to watch it!
No, I haven’t gone all Springsteen, not that there’d be anything wrong with that, but the river in question is Maple River, the layout title and water feature on Shelfie 4.
AK Interactive AK8003 Atlantic Blue
On this riverside shelf layout I want to try out a water feature and have had a few trials using paint. The video above is a short 2 minute snapshot intro to the AK interactive gel I’m trying out.
Geoff Taylor’s Penmaenpool
Water is a difficult medium to model effectively, Geoff Taylor’s take on it above is an excellent example of doing it really well. As the scenery and trains are mirrored in the water at Penmaenpool, it is completely captivating.
This is something like the effect I’d like to capture. The 08 is sitting on a glass sheet, and the ripple and reflection is what I’m hoping to get close to.
Shelfie 4 Maple River
This is the first attempt at a riverside feature. The gloss panel here has now been covered with the AK Atlantic Blue acrylic gel. The effect above was ok but too smooth so I needed something to disrupt the surface. The temperature in the man cave was good today, so I thought I’d try the gel out. It’s currently drying, and I’ll see what it looks like in a few hours, and assess if it’s viable to carry on with for this project.
Well 2023 is underway. It’ll be a big change and possibly challenge too. Both of us made redundant in December there’s a new life balance to work out, depending on whether anything turns up employment wise.
Planet Industrial ‘Victory’
One thing is certain, there’s going to be model building in some form or another, in terms of keeping the head space working modelling of any kind does just that. The ‘Victory’ above is just that, one of those simple makeovers that keeps the skill set alive. The idea was to give the appearance of a 1970’s era last of industrial steam locomotive, but one still looked after.
It’s a very simple makeover, the smoke box has been painted a dark grey, and the rear bunker masked and painted white using an Halfords enamel rattle can.
Railtec transfers form the chevrons, plain black stripes from the kit for 08 diesels fit once cut to size. These were left to settle and once dry varnished to give them a final fix.
Washes from Mig paints were applied to tone the stark whiteness of the bunker. The chassis and body were split to make the painting of those easier, (see how to split them in this video)
The overall weathering is slowly added to, so as not to overdose on filth.
So this project bridges 22/23, with just the last finishing touches to do, the top of the boiler and roof needs a bit more work.
One thing is certain for 2023, things will be different, and whatever modelling I do will be too. I’m reasonably happy that a viable aviation industry position will turn up, until then it’s treading water and not starting something which will be a burden. I’ve been fortunate that a couple of friends of the blog have asked me to do some product reviews and there’s a bit of a backlog of those.
The List…
An early priority is to sort the definitive list of stock (above), I’ve used fault free through the Peco Bullhead points and crossings. One idea is to add YouTube content using those, which could be good fun. Don’t worry no Sam strains content will be emerging from Albion Yard!
TT is intriguing and with an Hornby Class 08 on order think another Shelfie is on the to dolist. There’s an update to come on Shelfie3 and Shelfie4 too that may well involve a brave pill or two.
2022 has left the building, 2023 has already taken off. Have a good new year!
Just a quick note to say thank you for reading the blog this year, and please take time to visit the blogs and websites on the blog roll, they’re worth dipping into.
A while back, roughly two years ago, this 45xx passed through the man cave. It came from an estate sale as a non-runner. The original idea was to rob the chassis from it and place it under a Bachmann 4575 body a friend had found and donated to the cause.
Unfortunately the body swap wasn’t viable, clearances for the motor in particular meant it would take more effort than I felt worth it to do the swap and then additional work with the chimney and the cab to match the two other 45’s in the fleet.
Hybrid 4575
Fortunately the donor had located a suitable early chassis, DC only and a BR livery version with lined cylinders as above, and a wad of cash sorted the deal. I wanted to do something different with this one and cut one of the cab doors into an open position.
Inner cab block to remove
This wasn’t as easy as I first thought. Behind the cab door there’s a cast block section, this needs removing to enable the door to be positioned ‘open’. I did this by partially dismantling the body and wedging the cab off the floor to allow a thin file space to work.
Razor saw cut for the door
Using a 0.5mm thickness blade the door opening can be cut through. Using a scalpel score an inner line at the hinge side of the door to allow the plastic to flex and bend.
Door positioned ‘open’
The cab roof removal is a key element of making this conversion easier, it also allows the cab vents to be positioned open giving more light into the cab interior.
The glazing is also removed at this stage and replaced with hand cut windows, these make a big difference with virtually no refraction.
Pre shaded ready for top colour
Once the detail modification has been done, I prepare the body by pre shading around the raised details using acrylic black prior to using Halfords acrylic black for the base body colour.
Bachmann 4575
The next step was giving the smokebox a separate colour. Due to the heat the area receives I use a black or dark grey a shade or so lighter than the body colour. Having achieved the state above, it obviously ended up sitting on the shelf of doom for the best part of a year as they do!
So today, kicking my heels, I decided having an hour or two to spare to complete it.
With the addition of Fox Transfers large early logo, and BR/WR numbers from 247 Developments. I got the weathering completed not going too hard on that so that the engine looks used, but not abused. Choosing 5538 the allocation is Gloucester up to the late 1959, so a (remote) possibility it might have been seen in or in the vicinity of the Forest. The final element is the smokebox number and couplings, the Masokits Fifteen minute heroes of my choice.
So I’m quite pleased with that, a shelf queen finally terminating its residency. A ‘result’ as the pundits would say!
To all the readers of the blog, Facebook and viewers of Instagram and the Albion Yard YouTube channel, I’d like to thank you for taking the time to read, watch and comment on the content, it’s much appreciated.
“Rocky”
This morning instead of vegging in front of the fire I spent my time with one of my daughters helping at a local greyhound sanctuary, walking the mutts. Meet Rocky, bounces like a kangaroo, with a nice temperament. A good head clearing in many ways. Enjoy the day, and see you soon!
I took the opportunity to look at the TT display on Hornby’s stand, and overall was impressed by the stock in particular.
Hornby TT GBRF 08
Having ordered an 08 I was pleasantly surprised to see the blue version on the stand. At first glance it certainly captures the look of the prototype, apart from the nose ladders which are incorrect for this livery. The details such as cab door, side window, bonnet hinges and vents all look a plausible configuration, I’ve not checked against the running number yet. The chassis and side rods in particular look good, the crankpins and rod ends are much less chunky in their appearance than corresponding Farish N gauge details.
Hornby TT 21T Mineral wagon
For my industrial leanings paring the 08 up with 21T MDV’s really sets the imagination working! I wish they had introduced the BR 20t brake van and 16t mineral in this first tranche, as despite their everyday utilitarian lives, key mainstream items like that would I feel generate more interest.
Hornby TT HAA hopperHornby TT Tank Wagon Hornby TT HST
Also on display were the MGR hoppers, HST EP and 14t tank wagon which caught my eye. All have a quality look to them and whilst the display layout was very much in the traditional 6×4’ style the decoration of the Mk1’s and Pullman cars was very good too. I still think this scale has an exciting potential, and I hope that there’s a clear supply chain to ensure easy access into this scale. With the emphasis very much being on attracting new hobby blood and scale swappers into this genre, the decision to be a direct sales, sole supplier, is a very bold one.
Dapol
Dapol O Gauge J94
Dapol were showing a few new products that caught my attention. Having recently spent time looking over a real J94, the EP’s look like doing justice to this ‘plain Jane’ prototype.
Dapol O Gauge Austerity Dapol O Gauge J94
High and low bunker variants were in the showcase with differing saddle tank details. It’s good to see the more humble steam types being introduced in O scale, I think this one will do well for them.
Livery samples for the OO gauge Great Western Toplight suburban coaches were in evidence, and I can see these being used as generic suburban/branch line stock on many a layout!
Dapol O Gauge 82xxx BR TankDapol O Gauge 82xxx BR Standard Tank
The O gauge BR Standard class 3 2-6-2t is one of those classes that always turns my head. Possibly because of the early Triang model of it, and the stunning Kemilway examples we used to see at MRM at Kings Cross but an 82xxx lights the fires for me!
Accurascale
Accurascale OO class 31
Kings Cross and 31’s are forever linked for me, from seeing them on the ECML to the nearly ten years of regular commuting they’ve always featured in my life experience of railways.
Accurascale OO class 31Accurascale OO class 31Accurascale OO class 31
The display case shelf full of varieties of class 31’s shows what a lifespan and miriad of detail options there will be within this staple class of modelling British Rail, and the post privatisation era.
Accurascale OO GWR Siphon
Also lighting the blue touch paper like the 82xxx’s are the OO GWR Siphons. Another excellent choice in terms of variety and liveries.
So that concludes my brief look at some of the items that caught my eye. It was a show I really enjoyed, despite not seeing much of the layouts. The real benefit for me was just catching up with many of my friends both in the trade and modellers like me, just out for the enjoyment of seeing each other again for the first time in a few years. Well worth going just for that.
Albion Yard 
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