IRON RAILS 2015 GB

Getting ready to airbrush the track ties and the rail itself. I know they (ties) should be darker in color, any suggestions, for a base coat?

Also, I have to say, one of the best tools I EVER purchased for Modeling, was the Etch-Mate. Makes doing PE so much easier. Clamp, bend, apply. The blue tool for making bends, round form, is most helpful. Now, I need better eyes to see these smaller parts :)

Eric - i have an etchmate too. really like it except for those multiple folds like complex brackets or boxes.

i think the flatcar deck is looking nice. for the ties i would paint them a medium brown and use dark gray washes.

Terry - the wires go underneath the frame. i have no idea what they are for and doubt abyone would miss them.

UPDATE the lines where the upper body attached to the lower body on both trucks need more work so i did some scraping, sanding, filling with white glue and reprimed. hopefully it will look better this time because it's hard to fix.

Yeah Eric thats the look, light/dark each board thats slightly different and some staining. I really don't see the gloss but it may just be the photo but an oil wash will take care of that and really bring the grain up.  

Maybe brake or air hoses?

jibber

Maybe brake or air hoses?

nope. i have no idea what they are for.

got base coat on both trucks and generator car.to all

added CH1 to track tutorial.for the full tutorial go to the armor section

CHANGE 1

It was suggested the ties would be splotchy with oils, grease and other stuff falling from locomotives and rolling stock.

a second suggestion recognized, since the rails I used are aluminum, why not polish the tops with a scouring pad. Given i had 4 coats of paint and primer i used sandpaper instead.

A  third suggestion, at least for American rails, was to use styrene to make plates so the spikes go through the metal plate into the ties. I will do this on the next build.

Applied my (not so factory fresh anymore) oil wash. Will do some touch up / removal and give the trucks more attention. Bad lighting, I know. Will get a better shot when fully complete. This just gives an idea.

I'd like to see some more pics of this and maybe a little brighter to see the detail.I think I am seeing some things i really ;like and will steel but can't be sure.

I decided i can repair mine but have to build it differently. since i had to cut the frame apart i have glued the for deck pieces together and will build the frame attached to them. and the whole wheel assy is going to be an interesting fix.

Cool News. While looking for something in my 1/35 boat section i found a DRAGON low side Gondola and a high side Gondola I haven't started.That gives me 5 rail cars. now if they would make these in 1/72 and make a 1/35 box car...

PS i wonder if the wheelbase on the soviet armored train car kit is adjusted for soviet width rails?

Started work on the resin engine compartment. The engine itself is assembled and dry fitted into the Panther. Surprisingly, everything fits :) Now to get the hoses connected.

not being a smart ass, but would the entire rear deck be removable? looks like the only way to pull the pack. That might be a way to sure all the guts, strap the back deck on the flatcar under the rear of the Panther.

waynec

not being a smart ass, but would the entire rear deck be removable? looks like the only way to pull the pack. That might be a way to sure all the guts, strap the back deck on the flatcar under the rear of the Panther.

Yes, the entire (real) deck is but  it would come off in separate sections. For the sake of the model, you just remove the entire thing. You could remove certain sections, if you want to show it under repair.

Here is how those panels look close up:

Trying to get the picture right, so the weathering doesn't disappear in the light. I still have more work to do on the trucks (like putting a steel color on the wheels that meet the rails) and do some touch up.

I like the deck and the weathering As was mntioned to me on my gondola, don't forget to use black around the journal boxes to represent leaking oil and grease.

Eric the weathering works perfectly with the base color. Very realistic.  

jibber

Eric the weathering works perfectly with the base color. Very realistic.  

Jibber & Waynec:

I really do appreciate your comments and suggestions. After being off and on with this hobby for nearly 30 years, it means a lot.

I had a really hard knock, I would say roughly about 9 years ago, when I entered a model in a local IPMS event/model show. I really worked, researched and put forth my very best effort, into a Tamiya Sherman kit. It was OOB, on a small display base (not a diorama) and had just netting as an add on.

I was told, after the event my model wasn't the correct color (Olive Drab), the welds were inconsistent (comon...it was OOB) and the netting could have been better.

After that...I didn't build for nearly 3 years. I kept looking at my stash and wanting to build. I kept thinking about  not doing builds the "correct way". This is the reason I refuse to do any "bolt counting" now. I still catch myself checking and double checking the correctness. I guess I'll never get away from it fully.

I finally got myself to start building again and just will be doing it for the fun and enjoyment of it. I also like to learn (new techniques, tools and the like) along the way. Both of you have been a great help, in this GB for me.

I really do appreciate that.

Eric, I'm sorry that you ran into one of the worst examples of an IPMS member there is on your first outing at a contest. That is not what IPMS is all about, and that individual certainly doesn't reflect the 99.9 percent of the membership. I also build for my own pleasure and enjoyment of it, yet I still go to shows and enter contests. I go never expecting to win, so when I rarely do ever place, it is just cream. If I don't, it ain't no big deal because the real fun is socializing with fellow modelers and friends and enjoying some magnificent works of art. And whenever I do encounter that rare individual who tries to tell me the color on my WWI vehicle is wrong; I usually say to him, "Oh, so you were there during that war, served on and painted these vehicles?" If they try to push it, I keep throwing that back on them until they give up in disgust. After all, unless you were there, then there is no definitive proof of anything since even color in color photos can be influenced by anything from the environment, weather and the photo developer; now even the color settings of a computer monitor or webpage.

Personally Eric, I do see an incredible, award-winning effort here on this Group Build from you; and I've been an IPMS judge for 7 years now at many different contests. You work far outshines mine and I am looking forward to seeing more of it.

Wayne, I'm not sure if this UM model was adjusted for Soviet rail spacing but I don't think it was. I test fitted my previous Russian armored train on the Trumpeter/Hobby Boss tracks that come in their locomotive kits, and it sat just fine on those rails.

Duke Maddog

Eric, I'm sorry that you ran into one of the worst examples of an IPMS member there is on your first outing at a contest. That is not what IPMS is all about, and that individual certainly doesn't reflect the 99.9 percent of the membership. I also build for my own pleasure and enjoyment of it, yet I still go to shows and enter contests. I go never expecting to win, so when I rarely do ever place, it is just cream. If I don't, it ain't no big deal because the real fun is socializing with fellow modelers and friends and enjoying some magnificent works of art. And whenever I do encounter that rare individual who tries to tell me the color on my WWI vehicle is wrong; I usually say to him, "Oh, so you were there during that war, served on and painted these vehicles?" If they try to push it, I keep throwing that back on them until they give up in disgust. After all, unless you were there, then there is no definitive proof of anything since even color in color photos can be influenced by anything from the environment, weather and the photo developer; now even the color settings of a computer monitor or webpage.

Personally Eric, I do see an incredible, award-winning effort here on this Group Build from you; and I've been an IPMS judge for 7 years now at many different contests. You work far outshines mine and I am looking forward to seeing more of it.

Wayne, I'm not sure if this UM model was adjusted for Soviet rail spacing but I don't think it was. I test fitted my previous Russian armored train on the Trumpeter/Hobby Boss tracks that come in their locomotive kits, and it sat just fine on those rails.

Thanks Duke.

We have been building together for quite a while and those words coming from you, mean a lot. I know your builds and they are always top tier.

I didn't expect to go in there and say "hand me a trophy" but the judging experience, wasn't fun. Those that beat me out...were truly exceptional, in all styles and catagories. No way I am taking anything away from their builds. I just didn't expect to be downgraded in that way. I approached the judges and they were quite on a high horse. I respect that. They are judges for a reason...they know the subjects. Just..... talk to me like you KNOW how many hours I put into my build and say it with some respect, as a fellow modeler.

Anyhow...that's not what this GB is about..it's about sharing so...I am really excited about how this is turning out. I can start to envision the end product:

Eric I'm really happy your here and enjoying it, I think you're an incredible builder and what ever happened before is the reason I'll never enter an event. Personally I build because I enjoy it and I especially enjoy the camaraderie here. I didn't even join this site until a couple years ago for those very reasons and the info we seem to give/get here is very useful and never ever should be taken personally.  I think this site in particular has something for everybody.

I think Wayne may have a contest story or two...he does quite well but I think he took a few knocks himself.      

jibber

I think Wayne may have a contest story or two...he does quite well but I think he took a few knocks himself.      

i do but won't bore everyone. Let's just say one towed gun should have placed at contest A, seriously it was better then the 3rd place winner, and  didn't but placed in 2 other contests later that year. 

colors, within reason, are subjective. i am repairing my Dragon heavy flat car since i need a break, and i'm sure my gray will not match Eric's gray. as for OOB it's hard in local contests when you are competing against $120 worth of AM. as for the net he was probably right but said it poorly. Your next one would be better.

am playing strip the paint on my Dragon heavy flat car after cutting the frame apart. so many errors but i need the break and want to try a couple of things.

Was it that bad that you had to rebuild it?  

Taps88

Duke Maddog

Eric, I'm sorry that you ran into one of the worst examples of an IPMS member there is on your first outing at a contest. That is not what IPMS is all about, and that individual certainly doesn't reflect the 99.9 percent of the membership. I also build for my own pleasure and enjoyment of it, yet I still go to shows and enter contests. I go never expecting to win, so when I rarely do ever place, it is just cream. If I don't, it ain't no big deal because the real fun is socializing with fellow modelers and friends and enjoying some magnificent works of art. And whenever I do encounter that rare individual who tries to tell me the color on my WWI vehicle is wrong; I usually say to him, "Oh, so you were there during that war, served on and painted these vehicles?" If they try to push it, I keep throwing that back on them until they give up in disgust. After all, unless you were there, then there is no definitive proof of anything since even color in color photos can be influenced by anything from the environment, weather and the photo developer; now even the color settings of a computer monitor or webpage.

Personally Eric, I do see an incredible, award-winning effort here on this Group Build from you; and I've been an IPMS judge for 7 years now at many different contests. You work far outshines mine and I am looking forward to seeing more of it.

Wayne, I'm not sure if this UM model was adjusted for Soviet rail spacing but I don't think it was. I test fitted my previous Russian armored train on the Trumpeter/Hobby Boss tracks that come in their locomotive kits, and it sat just fine on those rails.

Thanks Duke.

We have been building together for quite a while and those words coming from you, mean a lot. I know your builds and they are always top tier.

I didn't expect to go in there and say "hand me a trophy" but the judging experience, wasn't fun. Those that beat me out...were truly exceptional, in all styles and catagories. No way I am taking anything away from their builds. I just didn't expect to be downgraded in that way. I approached the judges and they were quite on a high horse. I respect that. They are judges for a reason...they know the subjects. Just..... talk to me like you KNOW how many hours I put into my build and say it with some respect, as a fellow modeler.

Anyhow...that's not what this GB is about..it's about sharing so...I am really excited about how this is turning out. I can start to envision the end product:

Thanks Eric. Yeah, you should have been spoken to with respect, especially from modelers. I know I always try to when someone approaches me after a judging session. I also have a few stories like Wayne from several contests I was entered in too. But as Wayne said, I won't bore you.

That model is looking great! You could almost just paint it and leave it sitting on the flatcar without the wheels and it would still work. Way to go!

jibber

Was it that bad that you had to rebuild it?  

the 2 end pieces were attached to the side pieces upside down. at least half the brake pads are broken in every possible way. and the hand paint was horrendous on the sides so have to smooth that out.  so i glued the four deck pieces together and will glue the four frame pieces to the deck. may need to add some angle iron on the corners, may be easier than filling and sanding. this is going to be a well used car. OTOH not spending ANY time on things that won't be seen.

for example on the K-5 there are a dozen sink wells running around the deck overhang of the generator. i didn't fill any of them because no one is going to pick it up and turn it over (at least not more then once and never with that hand again). same with the wood steps on the trucks. Not going to spend any time weathering the underside of the truck.is.  THIS IS a big step for me

I agree completely. I'm on my second Soleil Royal by Heller that includes about 120 cannons on multiple decks. The first time I spent a month or so making each cannon just perfect, then when I assembled it, you could only see the cannons on the top deck and barrel ends from the windows. I would do the same thing making nice tank interiors then close it up. Don't we ever learn that we can build more and better models if we spent our time more wisely. Unless it's for s customer or for a contest, I might not repair a bad piece tucked on the belly of one of these.

On another note, I haven't got much done lately i'm just in a bad stretch but should get things rolling real soon and post some photos.

Eric I think I found another photo for you if I can remember what fold it's in.

Terry  

Eric here it is. If I'm correct, the crews stayed with their tanks during transport and they rigged up a tent suspended from the barrel to sleep in. Anyway its similar to your build, thought you might want to see it. 

jibber

Eric here it is. If I'm correct, the crews stayed with their tanks during transport and they rigged up a tent suspended from the barrel to sleep in. Anyway its similar to your build, thought you might want to see it. 

T

Very nice pic...thanks for the reference!

Starting to work on the base.

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Schienenwolf is 95% completed, final assembly and a little more weathering. I used the D string from one of my basses for the threaded rod and a little more work and this is done. I'm finishing up the C 12 Locomotive and the track. 

UPDATE: SEE THE END

my shelf queen Dragon heavy flat car. Got the frame back  together. Had to shim the ends but will look fine. also some obvious paint removal. no underside details which is fine. wasn't planning on rolling it over

Hey Eric -  I n looked at the instructions and the sprue pictures and it seem they only gave you 4 of the little hooks that go along the top. easy enough to fake with angle iron sprue. BUT, is it me or did they only include 1 coupler? WTH? already thinking of options such as 1. having the end without the coupler against a loading ramp, 2. derailed and that end buried in a pile of dirt, 3. have someone resin cast me more coupler parts though my guy is out of casting for the next few months, 4. steal a second coupler from another kit, 5. see if i can order one from dragon usa. 

depending on how well it looks after painting, this may become a rusty abandoned derelict sitting on a rusty weed infested siding.

UPDATE. it seems all the rail cars have the same sprue C and only one coupler. the gondola does have not used hooks so i can put them on and steal a coupler from a gondola to have one at each end. Seems Trumpeter kits have that. sent a request to dragonusaonline for 2 new sprue Cs.

Waynec,

Mine came with some duplicate sprues, almost enough to do 2 models. I had enough of the hooks though.

Update on the base:

Eric are you going to do more with the ballast, if so I may have a suggestion to consider. I've had a couple of these and what has worked for me is a base paint thats a dark dirty color sprayed or painted over the ballast, then dry brush a couple different browns or grays over the rocks hitting the peaks. This seems to add some depth to it without overkill.

Eric heres a photo that shows the rails and ties before I hit the ballast with the dark base and dry brushing lighter colors. Oh and I this added an oil wash to the ties, cant remember anymore. I thought I had a finished photo but I can't find one.