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Owen · Posted: Tue 12 Jun 2007 15:46 pm Post subject: Davecov's Build - BR Railbus

Dave's Build Progress will be reported here:
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davecov · Posted: Sat 16 Jun 2007 12:14 pm Post subject:

I am making the Dapol version of the Airfix Railbus. Kit pieces and intstructions come in a plastic bag sealed with cardboard header:

Compared with a lot of Dapol ex-Airfix railway models, there isn't too much in the way of flash. A bigger problem is the large number of ejector pin holes:

Some of the parts show quite a bit of warping as you can see here:

I'm a bit disappointed that the interior is bereft of any detail - there is not even a "Ratch the driver" figure. I will carry out some research now to check out some interior shots so I can scratch-build seats and driver's positions.

Dave

Owen · Posted: Sat 16 Jun 2007 12:29 pm Post subject:

I thought it came with seats. Its a shame it doesn't.

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davecov · Posted: Sun 24 Jun 2007 08:40 am Post subject:

I actually got round to assembling the some of the underframe last night. Most of the parts fitted quite well although they all needed quite a bit of cleaning up. Unfortunately, the brake reservoir (part 15) would not fit properly due to one of the wheels getting in the way. So, I've had to cut a notch in the brake reservoir to clear the wheel:

I also fitted a couple of parts on to the floor but I still need to get rid of the numerous ejector pin marks before I paint it and fit the underframe and the heater (shown above the floor):

I have since removed the wheels so that I can do final cleaning up of the various joins and then apply a coat of H64 Matt Light Grey as a primer.

Dave

davecov · Posted: Wed 27 Jun 2007 20:17 pm Post subject:

A couple of days ago I removed the ejector pin holes the best I can and applied a coat of H64 Matt Light Grey. I then painted the undersides of the chassis and underframe with H85 Satin Coal Black:

Tonight, I painted the top side of the underframe and tomorrow will pick out some of the detailing etc

Dave

davecov · Posted: Sun 01 Jul 2007 11:20 am Post subject:

Took longer than I thought to get round to picking out some details of the underframe and chassis but I finally got it done this morning. I followed the instructions for the silver painted heater and piping but did a bit more too! I also painted some parts in gunmetal just to give a bit more contrast

I then removed protruding parts of ejector pin marks and then filled the holes:

I am now studying some pictures to get the internal layout right. There appear to be four (or five) single seats alongside three (or four) double seats in each half of the carriage, the rear single opposite an exit door. The backs of the seats have ash trays - remember those?

There are also double seats at the front of each end, next to the driver's cab(s) facing rearwards and there are partitions alongside the exits.

I won't know exactly how many seats each side until I do some measuring and make a seating plan, which is the next step.

Dave
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davecov · Posted: Sun 01 Jul 2007 23:06 pm Post subject:

I've just spent half an hour playing about with pieces of paper and have reproduced the seating plan. There are five singles and four doubles in each half with another double at the front and back next to each of the the drivers' cabs. The single seats are 9mm wide and the doubles are 13mm wide. You can also see where the drivers' cabs are and the four small bulkheads behind the seats. These are slightly wider and taller than the respective single and double seats and are not shown to their full height here:

All I have to do now is make plastic card versions.....

Dave

Owen · Posted: Mon 02 Jul 2007 07:24 am Post subject:

That looks good Dave. If you make any plans/dimensions, please post them in the reference thread as they would be very useful for me!
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davecov · Posted: Mon 09 Jul 2007 19:07 pm Post subject:

Will do, Owen.

Progress is slow - very slow, but at least progress is still being made. The interior faces of the body are full of ejector pin holes and needed a liberal application of filler:

Whilst the filler of the sides has been left to dry, I painted the framing of the windows with Tamiya Chrome Silver and dipped the windows into Klear:

Lots of sanding next to get the body interiors smooth. I will then be able to paint them and get the windows installed. I will probably go for a mid-green interior with cream ceiling and trimming.

Dave

m0rris · Posted: Mon 09 Jul 2007 19:14 pm Post subject:

it going well, a company in railway modeller offers the interior, probably a bit late now then.
m0rris
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Owen · Posted: Mon 09 Jul 2007 19:49 pm Post subject:

Hi Morris, who is that? What page is the advert on in this month's issue?
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Owen
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Trainman · Posted: Tue 10 Jul 2007 19:30 pm Post subject:

The company is

Branchlines, P.O. Box 31, Exeter,
EX4 6NY.
tel & fax: +44 1392 437755

http://branchlines.blogspot.com

The Railbus + interior + motor is £51 but I cannot find a recent advert with the interior proces only.

Regards

Trainman

Owen · Posted: Tue 10 Jul 2007 19:32 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the Info, sorry for the Hijack Dave!

£51 is just slightly steep!
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Owen
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davecov · Posted: Sun 15 Jul 2007 12:20 pm Post subject:

Almost forgot this was my build thread....

You might think that I had forgotten about my build too. Well, I have been up to non-modelling things for the past few days but I got back on track (pun intended) with the Railbus yesterday. Lots and lots of sanding means that the interior is now ready for painting:

Next step will be to give everything a coat of H147 Matt Light Grey as a primer.

Dave

Owen · Posted: Sun 15 Jul 2007 12:44 pm Post subject:

This really does look like a pig of a kit. The ejector pin marks were all over the Meat Van I made, but not so much on the Crane. This kit looks atrocious though. Still, you've done great, and your build will make the perfect guinea pig for when I get round to doing my kit!

I did buy all of the 1980 issues of the Airfix Model Trains magazine at the weekend, I think there may be an article in there about building this kit.
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Owen
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davecov · Posted: Sun 15 Jul 2007 22:31 pm Post subject:

Having given the interior a coat of H147 earlier on this afternoon, tonight I applied the first of two coats of the interior colours:

The cabin ceiling has been painted H103 Matt Cream with the sides and doors painted H78 Matt Cockpit Green. I painted the floor with H75 Matt Bronze Green as I wanted a nice dark contrast with the sides. It might be a bit too dark though.

Dave

davecov · Posted: Mon 16 Jul 2007 20:33 pm Post subject:

Tonight I have painted the second coat of the interior colours and then turned my attention to the exterior scheme as I want to prime and paint the exterior window frames before fitting the windows. I notice that the instructions do not tell you what colour to paint the body - I assume it is some sort of "BR Green" and I think H3 Brunswick Green might be suitable. I'm sure Ratch or Owen would put me right on the right colour. However, that may not a problem as I am considering giving it my own colour scheme which I imagine would give most railway buffs a fit!

Whilst I ponder over the decision for the exterior, it is about time I made a start on the scratch-built interior.

Dave

Owen · Posted: Tue 17 Jul 2007 06:05 am Post subject:

It looks OK, but I may be wrong. BR Mk.I Coaches often have Wood Paneling inside. I was on the North Norfolk Railway on Saturday and the interior of a first class compartment was wood paneling with decorated seats. I shall be travelling down to the NNR this weekend again (volunteering), so I'll keep my eyes peeled for the Railbus.
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Owen
"Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?" - Douglas Adams
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davecov · Posted: Tue 17 Jul 2007 09:51 am Post subject:

Hi Owen, according to one of the references I put in the Reference thread, the interior of the original Park Royal Railbuses (as featured in the kit) had dark blue leathercloth almost up to the windows and grey leathercloth above that all the way up to the roof. The roof itself was eggshell grey. The seats were Dunlopillo cushions covered with blue patterned cut moquette and the floor was covered with a dark blue linoleum. There was no wood panelling as you described.

Here are a couple of pictures showing the second coat after it has dried:

Before I fit out the interior, I am going to paint the lower part of the sides in a darker green and paint a narrow "aluminium" strip along the bottom of the sides, door and edges of floor.

Dave

m0rris · Posted: Wed 01 Aug 2007 15:03 pm Post subject:

Davecov, I have just bought one of these. you're doing well. I have bought two of these before and they had similar fates to the real ones! what will you make the interior out of?
m0rris
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1/32 cars for all, all three different ones.