The Other No.5

 An invitation for Sunday lunch at Himself's gave me the opportunity to inspect progress and I was really pleased to see how great Maenofferen tank waggon looks now it's been painted  - a coat of red oxide primer will be sufficient for this model - and with its transfers in place.

It's always hard to judge when the model is still in resin or styrene form whether you've captured the look of the real thing, but if I say so myself I think I have.

Just as well, really, given how the first ten kits for sale have been cast this weekend...

Ovaltime

I've reached a landmark moment in the Maenofferen Tank Waggon.

There are many details still to be added to it but it's looking the part now.

After adapting the chassis the next key job was to make the four cradles for the tank, for which I chose to make a master in styrene and cast copies in resin.

The next stage will be to add the distinctive metal bands which hold the tank in place.

Maen Over Matter

I’ve been turning my mind to another challenge to tackle over the summer - and challenge is definitely the word.

Since I first saw it I’ve been captivated by the Maenofferen tank waggon, but the shape is like no other tank you’ve ever seen before.

Until this week how to tackle it was an academic question, but a passing comment to the FR GM that one day it would be useful to get some key dimensions for it resulted in him conducting an immediate security check on Minfffordd Yard, tape measure in hand.

So now I don’t have any excuses left.

I’m thinking that I may try to shape a slice of styrene to match the end profile, then cast it a few times and stack them to make a one third segment of tank, and repeat the casting process with that.

These larger sections could also be drilled hollow to save weight.

It all sounds like a lot of work but I don’t have any CAD skills for 3D printing, and anyway, that’s cheating, isn’t it??

Vintage Distractions

Himself and I had a fabulous time at the FR's Victorian Weekend but seeing all the toys out of their boxes does become a dangerous distraction.

There was modelling inspiration wherever you looked.

I have enough trouble trying to keep up with the output of the carriage works without getting waylaid by all the new treasures in the Waggon Tracks shed like this bolster set.

I can see myself having to scratch build something like that very soon.

Also irresistible is this recently restored tank wagon which was acquired from Llechwedd.

The elliptical tank could be a real challenge to get right, as could replicating the pitted surface.

The weekend was also bitter sweet in that we saw the unique Hearse Van in service for the first time this century to carry the ashes of FR volunteer John Powell, in whose company we had both spent many hours, to his final resting place at Tan y Bwlch.

We do already have a model of the hearse which I scratch built at least 20 years ago, but in my naivety back then I made it with external axle boxes like 99% of other waggons.

Silly boy!

I think I will need to dig it out and see whether it would be possible to convert or whether I should just build a replacement.