The next installment in this brilliant stop-motion series is soon to be added to the media page, courtesy of Thomasfan 8. Following on from the first part of the story and featuring a great setting created by Thomasfan 8 and Owen Hayward.
Tuesday, 12 March 2013
A Bad Look Out! - Coming Soon!
The next installment in this brilliant stop-motion series is soon to be added to the media page, courtesy of Thomasfan 8. Following on from the first part of the story and featuring a great setting created by Thomasfan 8 and Owen Hayward.
Sunday, 10 March 2013
Great Waterton in OO - Update!
Well it is a new year and some work has been done to the layout since you all last saw it. The Road is almost finished! Just a little more to do them paint it all. But still a way to go for more Road vehicles, So far only have Bertie, 2 Bulgy's, Elizabeth, Butch and Lorry 1.
Lorries 2 and 3 will be build when I get them. All copyright belongs to it rightful owners.
Lorries 2 and 3 will be build when I get them. All copyright belongs to it rightful owners.
Friday, 8 March 2013
Workshop Progress - Boco's Undercoat!
Last time, we started Boco's journey by removing the unwanted detailing that wasn't needed where the face would be placed once finished. Using a hobby file, the front end of the Co-Bo model was carefully filed down and smoothed out, before lightly being dusted off ready for receiving it's primer undercoat.
Before using a primer base coat, always ensure the model is free from dust, oil e.t.c. and when using a spray primer (for the best results) spray at least 25 to 30 cm away from the model so that the paint doesn't run, as this will leave a horrid blotchy look and thick paint marks. I used Tamiya's Super Primer undercoat spray paint to do this, and the result was very effective. Once the model has been completely primed, you must leave to to dry for at least 24 hours before working further with your chosen top coat.
So far, so good. Now the model is ready to be given the top coat, i will be using 'Park Green' as it's the closest to Boco's color scheme, this stage will require some areas being masked off with masking tape or maskol.
We don't want to get any paint on the areas that will be dealt with later on, as it will show up on the model and make it look tatty in places, so it's best to always mask off areas that you will cover later on in the painting stage.
Before using a primer base coat, always ensure the model is free from dust, oil e.t.c. and when using a spray primer (for the best results) spray at least 25 to 30 cm away from the model so that the paint doesn't run, as this will leave a horrid blotchy look and thick paint marks. I used Tamiya's Super Primer undercoat spray paint to do this, and the result was very effective. Once the model has been completely primed, you must leave to to dry for at least 24 hours before working further with your chosen top coat.
So far, so good. Now the model is ready to be given the top coat, i will be using 'Park Green' as it's the closest to Boco's color scheme, this stage will require some areas being masked off with masking tape or maskol.
We don't want to get any paint on the areas that will be dealt with later on, as it will show up on the model and make it look tatty in places, so it's best to always mask off areas that you will cover later on in the painting stage.
HO Scale Duck - halted till further notice!
It has been heard that Bachmann's Duck model in HO scale, will NOT be shipping out on the 31/03/13 as expected, it has been said by an administrator on the Bachmann Forums, that until a new date is realized, there will be a further delay until they have an exact shipping date.
So all those who have pre-ordered the model in the UK, will have to once again wait now, until more news is given on when the model will actually be officially released!
So all those who have pre-ordered the model in the UK, will have to once again wait now, until more news is given on when the model will actually be officially released!
Monday, 4 March 2013
The Journey Begins.. Boco starts work!
When i first made Boco a few years ago using the Silver Fox Models kit of the Co-Bo, i found the kit to be rather fiddly since it was a one piece mold with small fittings, glazing e.t.c. However, when the kit was eventually finished, it didn't quite work as well as i had hoped it would.
Though it looks nice, it really didn't have the sufficient weight required, as you had to modify the chassis to suit the body, which proved to be rather difficult. This being said, the kit also proved to be a bit poor as the buffers kept breaking off.
So, the model itself has since been sat in a box among my other diesel models. But then it hit me, to redo the model using a more sturdy model of the Co-Bo, and what better choice than the die-cast Hornby Dublo 2-rail version of this marvelous model.
The model as shown above, is highly detailed for a dated version of this die-cast engine, and it still asks many questions as to why Hornby have not made any updated versions for their current range, as it would make one heck of an addition for all diesel fans everywhere. However, the model is currently available through Heljan, as commissioned by Hattons Model Railways, though the retail price for a model of this standard, will set you back £125 as it is quite a highly detailed version of the Silver Fox model, but better!
ONTO THE PROJECT IN PROGRESS:
The model has had the front end filed down to make room for the face to fit correctly, it is advised to do the same if you are planning to make Boco, and ensure that all the parts needed to be filed down, are done so with care and attention, a slight mistake may result in the model looking rather off.
Now that the front has been filed, it is best to remove the windows from the under side of the model, this also requires some care as the window glazing is fragile and will snap if not carefully seen to, to remove them, there is a metal lug holding them in place of the window frames, you will need to use a snipe nose pliers to gently cut away at the lug to remove the glazing without damaging it.
Once the glazing has been removed, we can move onto step 2, priming the model with Tamiya Spray Primer.
Though it looks nice, it really didn't have the sufficient weight required, as you had to modify the chassis to suit the body, which proved to be rather difficult. This being said, the kit also proved to be a bit poor as the buffers kept breaking off.
So, the model itself has since been sat in a box among my other diesel models. But then it hit me, to redo the model using a more sturdy model of the Co-Bo, and what better choice than the die-cast Hornby Dublo 2-rail version of this marvelous model.
The model as shown above, is highly detailed for a dated version of this die-cast engine, and it still asks many questions as to why Hornby have not made any updated versions for their current range, as it would make one heck of an addition for all diesel fans everywhere. However, the model is currently available through Heljan, as commissioned by Hattons Model Railways, though the retail price for a model of this standard, will set you back £125 as it is quite a highly detailed version of the Silver Fox model, but better!
ONTO THE PROJECT IN PROGRESS:
The model has had the front end filed down to make room for the face to fit correctly, it is advised to do the same if you are planning to make Boco, and ensure that all the parts needed to be filed down, are done so with care and attention, a slight mistake may result in the model looking rather off.
Now that the front has been filed, it is best to remove the windows from the under side of the model, this also requires some care as the window glazing is fragile and will snap if not carefully seen to, to remove them, there is a metal lug holding them in place of the window frames, you will need to use a snipe nose pliers to gently cut away at the lug to remove the glazing without damaging it.
Once the glazing has been removed, we can move onto step 2, priming the model with Tamiya Spray Primer.
Sunday, 3 March 2013
Boco MK II in the works
The Sodor OO Works is currently working on a revamped model of classic series character 'Boco' using a Hornby Dublo Co-Bo model that was bought recently for a nice and affordable sum. The paint, transfers and Trackmaster model have all bee bought, so it's now just a case of getting the body stripped down and ready for work to begin.
Although a model of Boco had already been made using a Silver Fox models bodykit, i feel that it lacks the weight needed to give good performance, and though the chassis had recently been updated, it still lacks the pulling power, however, the die-cast body of the Hornby Dublo version, gives better performance and better pulling power.
The model would normally be found for the sum of £145 to £200 at collectors fairs and swap meets, but i was fortunate to get my hands on a nice runner from Modelfair for £68 that i am more than happy with, and will enjoy rendering it from a beat up model into something worthy of running on the Elsbridge set. :)
Although a model of Boco had already been made using a Silver Fox models bodykit, i feel that it lacks the weight needed to give good performance, and though the chassis had recently been updated, it still lacks the pulling power, however, the die-cast body of the Hornby Dublo version, gives better performance and better pulling power.
The model would normally be found for the sum of £145 to £200 at collectors fairs and swap meets, but i was fortunate to get my hands on a nice runner from Modelfair for £68 that i am more than happy with, and will enjoy rendering it from a beat up model into something worthy of running on the Elsbridge set. :)