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| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Artman |
Posted - 05/22/2012 : 09:40:05 AM
Okay, so I have this plastic HO model of the Bachmann Coal & Sand Complex that I bought long ago. I glued a few pieces together back then and added weathering effects with paint on one side of it. The results were encouraging and so I got it in my head that with a little extra effort in the painting department this thing could be made to look more realistic than the image of the model on the box, which by the way, at the time, I thought wasn’t to bad.
I like builds that look “real”, look believable and functional. Well all that is well and good but life got in the way and I had to shelve the project. In fact I mothballed my entire train collection putting it all into deep storage. The years rolled by until one day (some 8 years ago) I retrieved my choice stuff out of the dungeon, like a few locomotives some rolling stock, a water tank and you guessed it, that barely begun Bachmann coaling tower. I gathered the stuff together and displayed it on a book self in my busy art studio.
About a year or two ago I started getting the itch . . . I’d been silently watching what some of you fellows have been building here in this forum (Mike Chambers’ Craftsman’s Corner), and I began to wonder, perhaps I aught to do something with that Coaling Complex.
So I got myself all enthusiastic about starting what I thought would be a simple build only to find out I had misplaced the working plans for this model . . .
In the Railroad Line Forums “Reference & Research” section I asked if anyone might have the plans for this Coaling & Sand Complex . . . unfortunately no one did.
The advice I got was to “wing it” but it soon became clear to me that unless one is armed with the knowledge of how a coaling station such as this one, operated, you can’t make it look believably functional. Puzzling over the parts to this model, still attached to their sprues’, I set the darn thing aside.
Then came a stroke of luck, a couple of weeks ago I found the kits misplaced plans tucked between the pages of an old Model railroad magazine that I have. As I studied those plans it became obvious to me that the workings of a coaling station could not be understood looking at these overly simplified instructions, I had but the vaguest idea of how such a facility functioned . . . I needed more information. So I went on line and immersed myself into the world of steam era coaling stations. I began to get an idea of how they worked and with that came an understanding as to how I might add greater detailing to my Bachmann model and up the realism factor.
The actual working details on this model are, in my opinion, overly simplified and in some cases omitted entirely; I did notice one encouraging thing though, the basic structure was well made and quite believable. What I wanted to change were those rather “toy like” simplification of the coal chute and the coal bucket that came with this kit.
While not entirely incorrect, the coal chute that came with the kit lacks detail and the thickness of the plastic looks way to robust. If this were life sized and made of metal it would be ridiculously heavy and unworkable . . . even as a small model it looks clunky. After my on line research and education, I tried my hand at a scratch built coal chute that would address those detail and function issues.
Painted up and all, I think this coal chute definitely adds more realism to this model.
However, though it looks good in these photographs it was a tad off. My first try at this thing wasn’t aligned precisely to my liking. So I busted her apart.
And began again
The result, more precision!
That is all for now but I will post more images as things progress. Obviously there’s the sand tower to detail and complete, I will be removing the overly thick wire attached to it and modifying the arm . . . more to come.
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| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Artman |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 9:57:39 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Frederic Testard
Robert, I had missed the last piece you added to your tower (the coal bucket). It is masterfully engineered.
Your argument about thread vs chain and wire makes sense too. Thanks for sharing your work and ideas.
Frederic, Thanks, and I'm glad to be here sharing . . . after all, I have learned a lot just watching others building their stuff on this forum and sharing it with the rest of us.
I am really only just starting to get my feet wet with this stuff, and I am aware that what I’ve done here while interesting, pales in comparison to many of the amazing things others have done on the Railroad Forum. Still, this build of mine isn’t over yet, got the weights to install for the coal chute, the below grade coal pit grill to add at track level, the pulley house to make more believable, the sand complex to put together and alter a tad with some scratch building and then I may add some lights. After that its tracks to weather and install, telephone poles and landscaping . . . you know brush, dirt, stone, and spilled coal, that kind of stuff.
Yes, I have a ways to go yet before this is done, and looking forward to it!
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| Frederic Testard |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 05:02:01 AM
Robert, I had missed the last piece you added to your tower (the coal bucket). It is masterfully engineered.
Your argument about thread vs chain and wire makes sense too. Thanks for sharing your work and ideas. |
| Artman |
Posted - 07/07/2012 : 9:21:10 PM
quote:
Originally posted by DaVinci1953
Hi Bob,
Haven't been on the forums in ages, due to other stuff going on. You went nuts on this, as I suspected you would....but that is good thing! It looks absolutely gorgeous. You know by now, of course, that, with the level you are achieving here, you could just as easily have thrown out the original kit. You're going to be an excellent scratchbuilder and innovator in future builds...in fact your work already rivals the best that's out there.
Lance
Hi Lance,
Thank you! 
It is your work and that of Greg Shinnies’, which inspired me to try my hand at this stuff.
When I began this build I had no idea if I'd enjoy the process . . . lucky for me I do!
It has been my experience as an artist that the more one enjoys the process the keener are ones observations and insights. The greater these are, the better the results!
Your kind words of praise are much appreciated!
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| DaVinci1953 |
Posted - 07/07/2012 : 11:11:04 AM
Hi Bob,
Haven't been on the forums in ages, due to other stuff going on. You went nuts on this, as I suspected you would....but that is good thing! It looks absolutely gorgeous. You know by now, of course, that, with the level you are achieving here, you could just as easily have thrown out the original kit. You're going to be an excellent scratchbuilder and innovator in future builds...in fact your work already rivals the best that's out there.
Lance |
| Artman |
Posted - 07/02/2012 : 08:54:09 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Quark
Curious why thread and not chain or wire? Thanks
The reason for choosing thread over chains and wire are two fold. Thread allows for flexibility, one can actually pull upon the weights and cause the coal chute to rise or lower (a working model, not just for looks). Chains and wire won’t allow for such movement at this scale. Second reason applies more to chain than to wire, can’t get it thin enough to look prototypical, again, at this scale. By the way I will be adding some chain dangling from the end of the coal chute and the end of the sand spout . . . it may be just a tad heavier than prototypical but I suppose only a rivet counter (like myself) will take issue with it.
However, I think I can learn to live with it.
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| Quark |
Posted - 07/01/2012 : 10:21:13 AM
Curious why thread and not chain or wire? Thanks |
| Artman |
Posted - 07/01/2012 : 09:09:22 AM
quote:
Originally posted by George D
quote:
Originally posted by Artman
My apologies for the double post here regarding the coal bucket . . . I thought things jammed up when I hit the send button so I hit it again. Perhaps an administrator could help by removing the repeat.
I took care of it, Robert. As the poster, you can also delete a reply by hitting the trash can at the top of your posting.
I'm enjoying watching the nice detail work you're doing with styrene.
George
Thanks George, much appreciated, and thanks for your kind words.
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| Artman |
Posted - 07/01/2012 : 09:06:47 AM
Hi George,
Actually I am finding myself quite enjoying the challenge of working with these new materials, at least they were new to me . . . I am starting to get a feel for them now. It really is amazing what one can do with this stuff. What I really enjoy though is finding solutions to the issues that come up. That makes building something like this coal tower and all its various details, really a lot of fun!
I’m sure I am not the only one here who feels that way.
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| George D |
Posted - 07/01/2012 : 07:48:19 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Artman
My apologies for the double post here regarding the coal bucket . . . I thought things jammed up when I hit the send button so I hit it again. Perhaps an administrator could help by removing the repeat.
I took care of it, Robert. As the poster, you can also delete a reply by hitting the trash can at the top of your posting.
I'm enjoying watching the nice detail work you're doing with styrene.
George |
| k27rgs |
Posted - 06/30/2012 : 10:26:45 PM
I'm always in awe, when I see projects like this, with all the tiny scratchbuilt details. I can only imagine the "ups & downs" experienced as the project progressed, especially with no previous experience in working with brass or styrene.
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| Artman |
Posted - 06/30/2012 : 10:02:55 PM
quote:
Originally posted by mark_dalrymple
Hi Robert.
I would imagine you would find it anywhere where they sell sowing supplies. It only came in a 200 metre (660 foot) reel, but it was under $10. Enough for a lifetime, I'm sure! I bought mine at 'spotlight' but I would imagine that is just a NZ company. Singer, Bernenia, Janomi - any shops along those lines, or large material shops.
Here is a link to page three of my Tap and Die scrapbox challenge thread. The last 6 photos show the thread attached to the stack. As you can see it is barely visible. Obviously these shots are not zoomed in as much as yours are, but it is certainly finer than anything I have used before.
http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=35193
The sticker on the bottom of mine says 'made in Taiwan' and '0.12mm'. I think that works out to be around 1/200th of an inch - so pretty thin. I haven't got the receipt anymore, but I'm pretty sure the man (yes man - I know there aren't many in sowing shops!) who served me called it 'overlocker thread'.
Cheers, Mark.
Thanks Mark, I will be out and about searching for some of that thread. By the way your P & D Duncan Ltd, build is nothing short of amazing . . . now that is craftsmanship, excellent work!
This is really my first HO scale build where I treated it as a piece of art rather than a glue & paint out of the box model.
Like you, I find it a lot of fun innovating and taking things way past the ordinary, thanks for taking the time to look at my work.
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| mark_dalrymple |
Posted - 06/30/2012 : 7:47:06 PM
Hi Robert.
I would imagine you would find it anywhere where they sell sowing supplies. It only came in a 200 metre (660 foot) reel, but it was under $10. Enough for a lifetime, I'm sure! I bought mine at 'spotlight' but I would imagine that is just a NZ company. Singer, Bernenia, Janomi - any shops along those lines, or large material shops.
Here is a link to page three of my Tap and Die scrapbox challenge thread. The last 6 photos show the thread attached to the stack. As you can see it is barely visible. Obviously these shots are not zoomed in as much as yours are, but it is certainly finer than anything I have used before.
http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=35193
The sticker on the bottom of mine says 'made in Taiwan' and '0.12mm'. I think that works out to be around 1/200th of an inch - so pretty thin. I haven't got the receipt anymore, but I'm pretty sure the man (yes man - I know there aren't many in sowing shops!) who served me called it 'overlocker thread'.
Cheers, Mark. |
| Artman |
Posted - 06/30/2012 : 6:57:45 PM
quote:
Originally posted by mark_dalrymple
Looking fantastic Robert!
You would never know this started out as a budget kit! The bucket looks brilliant.
I used overlocker thread for guy wire for my last stack. Very thin and very strong, black and very few hairs.
Cheers, Mark.
Great way to describe this model out of the box . . . a budget kit, you are so right! Thanks for your kind words about my bucket, I have to admit, I’m very pleased with the way it turned out.
Now about that overlocker thread . . . that’s a new one on me, where does one get some of that?
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| Artman |
Posted - 06/30/2012 : 6:50:05 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Ensign
Hi Robert, excellent work & craftsmanship!
I hope this is the start of a certain modular railway group that I know of.
I know that I have a couple of engines that would love to stop and re-fuel at this very well modeled coaling tower.
Greg Shinnie
Thanks Greg,
You never know, it just might fit on that modular railway, we will see.
One thing I have in mind for this Coaling Tower is to add a lamp . . . you know, the simple type with a round shade and bulb, they sort of snake out from the structure. I will post some pictures of what I have but I think they are to big for HO scale even though that is what the package said they are for. As well it's just a bunch of wires coming out of the bulb end, how does one create a curved arm with that. Like I said I will post some pictures when I get the time that should clear things up if I am sounding too vague.
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| Artman |
Posted - 06/30/2012 : 6:46:54 PM
My apologies for the double post here regarding the coal bucket . . . I thought things jammed up when I hit the send button so I hit it again. Perhaps an administrator could help by removing the repeat. |
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