VBA/VAA vans

My Bachmann VBA and VAA vans are nearly finished now that I have recieved the explosive hazmat transfers I ordered from B.W. Models. I put the transfers on last night and all that is left is a final bit of toning down and they are done.

I was inspired by an article in Rail Express Modeller about rail transported explosives and thought that this would be a relatively easy project to do - not. I had no luck with the usual transfer makers and just by chance I stumbled upon B.W. Models' website after several years and discovered that they do a hazmat decal sheet with the transfers I was looking for.
 http://www.bwmodels.co.uk/index.asp?pageid=296102 DC 24 if any one is interested.
I also bought a couple of white metal kits for use on a military train I am working on.

Innsbruck Haupfbahnhof

I spent a few days in Innsbruck Austria this month. I had a few hours spare before my flight home and as all the shops were shut for a public holiday I didn't get the chance to visit Rainer model shop so I went to the main railway station instead - it's a modern station and the surrounding scenery is quite spectacular.

While I was there a motorail service from Milan arrived. A couple of car carrier wagons were uncoupled and shunted into a bay platform just as the owners arrived from alighting at another platform.

And while all the wagons are uncoupled there is a man to wash the drivers windows!

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ravenproject11&aq=f

I won't be updating this for a while as I am moving house. Stay tuned!

Detachment workbench

I have been on a business trip to France this week and have been able to bring a box of stuff to keep me occupied. Not much to be honest, just some Class 47's to fit DCC chips to, buffer beam details and masking in preparation for weathering.
A few problems cropped up with two of the models. The bogie frame detached from one and the screws securing the body to another rounded off and will need drilling out. This is the second time that this has happened with this type of model.
I also fitted buffer beam detail to my Hornby Class 31 to complete it except for an 8 pin decoder which I haven't got yet.

I am staying in a town called Morlaix in Britanny. It's an inland port with an amazing viaduct spanning the valley floor that the old town is situated in. There has been the odd TGV rumbling over the viaduct but like a lot of rural French towns the railway station is fairly sleepy. The pictures above were taken last autumn when I had a bit of spare time to visit the station and see what was about. It might not seem like much but this was a busy day in the station with a track machine and DMU parked up.

Recommended products

I use products from a wide range of suppliers for my weathering techniques.

Tamiya masking tape and Weathering Master sets are used extensively. There are several different sets with three colours in each including an applicator brush and sponge. Aimed primarily at the military modeller there is still plenty to offer the railway modeller for weathering.

The Railmatch range of enamel and acrylic paints is also really good. They offer a range of colours for liveries as well as weathering. The most common paints I use are:

• Track Dirt
• Roof Dirt
• Frame Dirt
• Sleeper Grime
• Brake Dust
• Black
• Weathered Black
• Satin Varnish
• Gloss Varnish

Enamel paints are best for airbrush weathering and I have used acrylics for hand weathering my road vehicles. I will have to do some more experimentation with acrylics.

Tensocrom Lifecolor weathering acrylics are a new addition to my paint box. These are a very thinned down acrylic pigment, with the consistency of a wash, in a wide range of colours. Like the Tamiya range it is aimed at the military modeller but they have started to introduce products specifically for railway modellers. I have only used the Oil, Rust and Kerosene colours so far with satisfactory results.

It probably goes without saying that the Humbrol range of paints is another mainstay of my paint box. The variety and quality is well known. These are used on my buildings, figures, vehicles and other trackside items as general finishing colours as well as for weathering. Colours I have just started experimenting with are Matt 62 Leather and Metalcote Gunmetal. Matt 29 Dark Earth is another useful colour.

Andover Model Railway Club

I am a member of a local Model Railway Club; Andover Model Railway Club meets on Wednesdays nights at Tangley Parish Hall in Wildhern near Andover. We are always looking for new members of all ages and abilities so if you are interested in Model Railways or just railways in general then please come along and see what we have to offer.
You will find us very friendly and welcoming to all with diverse interests from British Steam & Diesel to North American and European in N to O gauge.
Please visit the Club website for more information.

http://www.amrc.hampshire.org.uk/