So here's an update on those yummy RP bogie sides we saw last time. As you can see, the outside of the Atlas bogie sides were filed down until the bearings started to show, the RP sides were thinned a bit on the inside and some superglue applied to join them together. A beam of plasticard joins the rear sections together. All in all they look pretty good, they don't stick out too far, and I have a few thoughts on making a 'mk2' version of these.
I've also spent an hour or four popping some handrails on, attaching couplers (Z in front, N at the back), headstocks, rear rads, paint, decals and a few other details as 5293 has moved slowly towards completion.
The sinclair radio antenna, wipers and brake hoses are leftover N scale detail items. Dodgy painting is all my own work. The handrails are .006 brass - superfine but decent-looking, making the ones on the other DX look like drainpipes. Trouble is, they won't be very robust, so I'd better take another look at my trackwork and signalling systems... The handrails flanking the rear steps are the thicker wire used on older 5039 for solidity. I'm going to enforce a rule that you're only allowed to look at the front of my models.
Now that we're on the home stretch, you can see that the lasering has turned out even better than expected. Those partial-cuts (etch lines for panels, grilles etc), which looked a big daggy on the white plasticard have come out really well with some thinned paint thrown at them - just look at those nice dynamic brake intake grilles behind the cab on 5293. The grilles on the intake ducts are part of the duct casting and were borrowed from a US N shell for the master.
So what ever happened to "DX in half a day"?
I've come to realize that when it comes to churning these things out, it's not the 'big bits' - the shell and the panelwork - that that takes time, it's sticking on the bloody handrails. I might have to cheat a little on later models or I'll be dead before my tunnel motor collection is complete.
9 comments:
Wow.
These are awesome.
I think 'cause you've been making them you've grown too familiar with 'em and forgotten how stupendous your modelling actually is.
You've achieved in 2 1/2 months what most of us can't even contemplate. (me anyway)
Yes yes yes!!! very very nice DB.
Now, if you could just have done them in the later Krail scheme... :-)
very nice, 29 has defanetly got the works, did you run out of hand rails at the back?
I used the thick ones because they will last longer! They are more noticeable in the pictures than in the wild.
on the front of '29 you've got some exquisitely proportioned nose lights, handrail staunchions, horns etc... are these from a detail kit or...?
the comparison shot between dx's really shows this attention to detail, and what a difference it makes.
One of these with a couple of overlander cars would make a gorgeous add-on trainset...
Those RP DX bogie sides are exquisite. In fact they MAKE the DX in a way that I've not seen in NZ120 before. Any plans by you or Mark to make these available to buy?
Once I'm done with another project I'll clean up those bogies and add a bit more detail now that I know more about what the processes are capable of. It's all a learning process!
I need another 10 or 12 sets for myself and plan to run off extras. I'll post details here and on NZ120.org when they're done (a few months away I'm guessing).
Anony Mouse: more details on the details in today's forthcoming post
Cheers Mr KB.
By the by, ideas about cutting bits from existing loco bodies and using on scratch built bodies is working excellently...
and spring ideas on Dj bogies works wonders too...
:)
anon.
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