TRAINS (not boats nor planes...)

[null_null981707818191]

TRAINS (not boats, nor planes…)

I’m sure there used to be somewhere on the Airfix forum for trains and railway linked builds, but I can’t find it, so I’m putting this into General Discussion – if one of the Mods wants to move it, then feel free!

As those of you who are kind enough to read my posts, you’ll know I usually build WW2 1/72 scale aircraft (mainly British/RAF), although I have had an occasional foray into other areas – for example, the RAF Rescue Launch. So that covers the boats and planes, so here’s the trains!

I found two Airfix kits, and in a fit of nostalgia, decided to go off on a little tangent.

The 0-4-0 Tank engine – A2660-2  - was first released in 1964, and consists of 44 parts (some of which fit together…). It was reboxed as A2660-2 in a 1978 Type 4 box.

The kit contained old school instructions, combined with not necessarily entirely to scale (or clear) diagrams. The young modeller back in the 70s (who might also have been a train-spotter) probably recognised instructions such as: “Place crosshead into position between the slide bars of the left hand cylinder. Note that the crosshead slides between the slide bars and piston rod engages in slot on cylinder cover end” And also, one needs to be careful to note “that oil box on opposite end of connecting rod is to the top”. Actually, it was a mainly straightforward build, and the wheels and pistons, and associated rods and bars, all connect, and actually turn, reciprocate and sort of work.

The plastic is glossy black, but I painted it using Vallejo Model Air black. The buffer beam was painted using Humbrol 60 red, and the brass and copper and chrome bits were highlighted using Vallejo metallics. A little splash here and there of Vallejo Sepia wash was added to give an impression of rust and grease. I was pleasantly surprised that in spite of being nearly 50 years old, with the exception of the end of the loco number on one side, the decals all held together. It was quite fun detailing a train cab rather than a cockpit.

To go with the locomotive, the Meat Van – A2661-5 - was first issued 1962; mine was a 'new' mould (in 1972), and came in a new box (type 4) in 1979. It was a much easier build than the locomotive, and the instructions were far more accurately pictorial, although it would have helped if all the parts had been numbered, as there were several bits that had to be left or right. The kit came in bright red shiny plastic – the chassis was painted with VMA black, and the body of the van with VMA German Red Brown. Again, although somewhat old and curled, the decals all went on happily.

The only bit not OOB was the addition to both the locomotive and the meat van of coupling chains to replace the rather clunky, unrealistic and out of scale kit parts.

I bought a small section of OO gauge track and some ballast and grass scatter to provide a base, and a few figures were added to give a sense of scale and animation.

So an enjoyable departure from my normal builds, and a definite move out of my modelling comfort zone, but that said, I’m looking forward to getting back to ‘normal’, with the first of probably three Gloster Gladiators.

[Valhalla]

That looks really great, especially with the track and figures added. You may be starting a new trend 🙂

[paul71]

that's a nice build and a great little diorama setting

Edited August 27 by paul71

[A J Rimmer]

Now that's not something you see often - what a fabulous build and a great looking base - well done! 

[Ratch]

There was no specific area for trains. Mine were posted in this forum.

[null_null981707818191]

Thanks for the kind words in the replies, and thanks for moving the post to a more logical place Ratch. Perhaps the forum area could be renamed Cars and Trains?

[DoubleD]

Great builds👏

[SD45elect2000]

Neat build for sure!

 

Randall

[leslie entwhistle]

was never into building trains as i was more into cars but got to say these look good