Commission: Dapol HopAB in O gauge…

All sorts crosses the bench here in the workshop. In recent weeks I had a quarter of Dapol O gauge HAA coal wagons for back-dating…

Dapol offer a myriad of liveries and numbers but not the ‘as delivered’ pre-TOPS. This shared the Railfreight brown framing but were coded HOP AB rather than HAA. This make-over is the first four of a whole train, so in this batch I designed and prepared a set of decals to replace the data panel and replicate the black square, each with a unique number from the first batch, and a slight variation in number position as if labelled by hand.

 

Finishing is a 6 stage job. First remove the existing markings, then a wash to the underframe, body and interior. Once dry, gloss lacquer where the decals sit, then apply decals, then matt lacquer. Finally, a blow over with the airbrush, underframe grime in a browner mix and coal dust using a greyer black.

 

The finished wagons were then treated to some home made removable coal loads, fabricated in black foam board and coal secured using PVA and scenic cement. The result, four unique hand finished wagons that already feel an impressive train to this OO gauge and smaller modeller! At least another eight should cross the bench in the coming weeks, picture that behind a Heljan 47! Impressive stuff! If you have a rake of rolling stock you’d like me to work on then get in touch, we can discuss your exact requirements and I’ll prepare a personal fixed price proposal. Until next time, more soon…

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