MAKING YOUR HUB CARS GREEN WITH ENVY (or just tint the windows green)

Since the release of the Eureka Models HUB cars there has been much debate around the windows and whether they should have had a green tint or not.

On the prototype there is a slight green tint to the windows.  The RUBs and stainless steel cars also had a similar tinting.

There have been a few different ways published on how to gain this effect. For me the ways shown darkened the windows too much and hey became way too green for my liking.

So recently when I was asked to tint a set for someone I came up with my own ideas and came up with an effect that looked the part

Firstly I purchased a bottle of Tamiya Clear Green (Xxx) and some Isocol to thin the paint with. I then sprayed the windows lightly with the clear green to give the tinted effect on the windows.

As can be seen by the before and after photos, the green tint looks the part.  This can also be used on the flush glaze used on Silvermaz RUB cars and the Lima Stainless steel cars.

BEFORE

AFTER

 

2013 THE YEAR IN REVIEW

Well another year has come and gone.  Very little to report from the last 12 months on the layout.  The main addition was the wheat silo going in.  Over the next few months I plan to really get stuck in and get the second (lower level) complete and joining in to the top level.  After much procrastination I have worked out exactly where the points are to go in to take the main line away from the branch line.

New additions on the new model front were, the HUB cars arrived early in the new year.  Many comments were made about no "GREEN TINT" in the windows.  (I've worked out a method to tint the windows and will post this on the blog soon.)  I also acquired an 82 class (as built).  Thre were more 4 wheelers (LV, MV, CW) as well as some new bogie rolling stock (MRC)

Looking into the crystal ball, this year we will see in locomotives the 442/700,  81, G, BL and hopefully the 48/830.  We my also get a 45/600.  On the rolling stock front TRC, VLX, LHG and S wagon  All additions that will be welcomed on the Main West.

Hopefully over the next 12 months there will be a lot more posts and much more to report.

Happy Calendar changing Day

THE SILO IS IN

As the title suggests the silo is now in position.  The silo is an S024 Silo from Auscision Models. 

A bit of cutting to the base of the silo was required to make it fit.  The piece on the front of the base for the track was removed, as well as some off each corner at the back.  Once it fitted into the designated area out came the marking pen ad jigsaw. Once it fitted in a false floor was place under the layout to allow the silo to just sit there.

Now I just need to scenic around it.

IT'S BEEN A WHILE.....

Yes it's been a while, but with recent health problems the layout & modelling in general took
a back seat for a while. Well that and waiting to pick up my Auscision S024 Wheat Silo.  Well, on the weekend I picked up the silo and have placed it on the layout.

With a bit of luck this weekend will allow me to permanently place it on the layout and complete that part of the layout.

I will post some photos once it's in place.

WHAT'S IN A NAME..........

The design of the top deck of my layout (see earlier post for the drawing) is based on the early track plan of Parkes NSW.   As my layout was going to be too short, a bit of modellers licence came into play.  Some changes were made to suit the operation of the layout and make the key components fit.  So what to call this section of the layout was something that had been a problem that was constantly left for a rainy day as.  

So the other night, that rainy day arrived and I googled the early history of Parkes to find that Parkes was not the original name of the town.  The area now known as Parkes was originally named "CURRAJONG" in 1853. In 1871 it became known as "BUSHMANS LEAD" and then shortened to "BUSHMANS" before finally in 1873 being officially named "PARKES".

So now I have narrowed it down to 2 names I can call this section of the layout.

Now if only the bottom sections name could be this easy.......

THE YEAR THAT WAS

This year has been a stop start year on the layout, for a few months a lot of work got done to it. A bit more of the bench work got done.  Some minor track repairs werer completed.

The passengers now have a platform on the top deck, they just don't have a station yet.

On the rollingstock front, They now have a local passenger service (FO's) but the train from the big smoke isn't due until early 2013 (HUB's).

The local stock farmers received some wagons to send their stock on their penultimate journey (GSV, CW, BSV & BCW) and also their last journey (SRC).

We also had a myriad of other 4 wheelers (CV, PV, LV, ICV) and some bogie stock was added to the roster as well (WTY, VSX, OCY, 10,000 gallon oil tankers).

No doubt this time next year the loco roster and rollingstock at our disposal will have increased but I'll leave that for another day.

So everyone, Happy Calendar Changing Day.

WEATHERING WOODEN WAGONS PART 2

As promised some photos of the ICV's and SRC's

These wagons were weathered using the same system as the previous blog

Enjoy