I guess it depends on how the 4F runs on your layout (or in my case, my eventual layout). If there's any sign of it having trouble then tender pick-ups will be a must, presuming I haven't replaced the entire tender by then.

Not exactly a rolling stock kit or scratch build, perhaps, but one of my first tasks now that I have some paints and supplies has been to add the first batch of removable coal loads to some of my wagons.



The base of each load is thick card, folded at either end to hold the base close to the top of the wagon, and then painted black. Then I added a mix from two different model coal loads, one a fine scale 'real coal' and the other the chunkier bits. Allowed to dry and a little drybrushing added in white.

This is actually the result of two weeks of occasional trial-and-error attempts, with the 'real coal' being added in the first attempts and the lumpy stuff being added later. Only the Millom and the weathered LMS LOCO wagon have brand new loads, with both types of coal mixed and added together. Both of these have a second layer of card added on top of the main strip to bulk out the centre. The LOCO wagon had its strip gently folded in the middle to create a peak, and I think this one has turned out to be the best of the lot.

That's the way I'll be doing in in future.

Hi,

So far these have been the only etched brass kits I've built. Got them from Etched Pixels. Relatively easy to put together. In didn't solder them but simply used super glue. They have seats and passengers with clear acetate for the windows.



Alex 

Quote from: Alex on November 30, 2013, 03:34:04 PM
Hi,

So far these have been the only etched brass kits I've built. Got them from Etched Pixels. Relatively easy to put together. In didn't solder them but simply used super glue. They have seats and passengers with clear acetate for the windows.

They look great from here, Alex, but how about a close-up?

If I have time I'll dig them out tomorrow and take some close ups.

Alex 

I've had coal rails for Drummond tenders  from Worsley Works, used them on some other locos too. He also supplied me with etched loco and tender steps and bogie side frames for Urie and Maunsell 8 wheel tenders  (BHE N15 tender kit) with some cast axle boxes they  do a good job of concealing Union Mills wheels (with an added axle in front)

Found some photos of my coaches.





Alex 

Quote from: Alex on November 30, 2013, 07:23:36 PM
Found some photos of my coaches.

Thanks! 

They do look really good, even without any markings on them. Are you going to add transfers or lining?

Quote from: Dorsetmike on November 30, 2013, 06:42:20 PM
I've had coal rails for Drummond tenders  from Worsley Works, used them on some other locos too. He also supplied me with etched loco and tender steps and bogie side frames for Urie and Maunsell 8 wheel tenders  (BHE N15 tender kit) with some cast axle boxes they  do a good job of concealing Union Mills wheels (with an added axle in front)

I didn't even know they sold spares. The website doesn't say anything (that I can see).

Hi Pete33,

No I wasn't going to add any decals. They were bought for my coal line and were going to be used as miners coaches. From what I gather they were very beat up and not in a very good condition.

Alex

Quote from: Alex on November 30, 2013, 09:43:57 PM
From what I gather they were very beat up and not in a very good condition.

Alex

The coaches or the miners, Alex

Quote from: Alex on November 30, 2013, 09:43:57 PM
Hi Pete33,

No I wasn't going to add any decals. They were bought for my coal line and were going to be used as miners coaches. From what I gather they were very beat up and not in a very good condition.

Alex

Yep.. workmens trains were usually pretty basic - but cheap. It gives you a flavour of what they must have been like that there were notices of the form

"Third class ticket holding passengers may travel on workmen's trains at their own risk"

on some lines (and often a discount of 6d or so for those brave souls..)

Alan

Quote from: newportnobby on November 30, 2013, 09:54:38 PM

Quote from: Alex on November 30, 2013, 09:43:57 PM
From what I gather they were very beat up and not in a very good condition.

Alex

The coaches or the miners, Alex

Probably both....

Just finished - my very first attempts at weathering:

The previous owner of this SR Ferry Wagon had largely scratched off the SR decals, so I decided to go to town with this one, and show replaced boards, and a distinctly uncared-for look. A bit extreme for 1930 but this one's a bit of a one-off to see what I could do:





The next wagon is much more realistic for the period I'm modelling - fairly respectable with a little wear-and-tear, all achieved with Citadel black wash, diluted Humbrol wood brown (50/50 with acrylic thinner), and some wood-colour drybrushing. Not sure if it's visible here, but I also dabbed on a little gun metal to the buffers so that some metal shows in the middle of the dirt where the buffers have been bumping other wagons:



My very first tarpaulin cover on a weathered Farish 5-Plank wagon. The plastic on these seems to be more rubber-based than with the Peco wagons, with the result that it doesn't like to take the paint quite so well, especially on the chassis. The rope ties were a bugger to get on and tie together. Superglue wouldn't 'take' to the chassis at all:



And my first wagon loads that aren't coal. I need to strap these down with something other than thread for the ropes. I'd like to attach the ropes to the barrels but not to the wagon, so that the whole load is removable. But the ropes have to look like they're secured to the buffers when the loads are being carried:



That's it for now. I suspect there will be a whole load more weathering now that I've got the hang of it.

Quote from: Pete33 on December 18, 2013, 03:48:47 PM
Just finished - my very first attempts at weathering:

For your first attempt you have done superbly well, they look very realistic 

cheers John.

Excellent piece of weathering, well done.