Penpont Dries: Taking stock…

Throughout the clay project I have shown the stock with the composition and as things draw to a close, it’s now their chance for the stage and their leading roles…

On such a tiny scene this is a rather lovely collection of stock. The perfect size, a complete train in four items - and all of such character. Three items almost as they came and the fourth a complete repaint - but uniform in their appearance through the careful art of weathering.

Usual shades - Humbrol 28/33/98 (the former only used on the clay hoods), the same shades found on the track and weathering of the layout itself - a small but important point to note - one that helps tie things the scene together, subtly increasing realism.

08113 started life as an old chassis from an 009 model (!) and a second hand BASRA body from eBay purchased because it featured the hood doors with hinges. Towards the end of the build I realised these should have had their handles removed too, but such is life, it was too late by that point... I stripped the paint in IPA and removed the factory applied details, before adding the vertical framing on the back of the cab and started a 'simple' repaint into BR blue. Fox decals for the stripes and markings, Rail-tec for the number, sealed under a satin lacquer before weathering - itself a dance of washes, detail painting and careful removal of both...

Alongside this characterful prototype are a pair of Peco clay hoods - the hoods in particular are wonderful in capturing the distinctive shape (and colour) of their prototype. Initial 98/33 was painted over with 28 - this could probably be even denser, but in the interest of artistic restraint I have left them like this - the Farish brake van has just had a 98/33 wash all over - with careful attention paid to the handrails. This is from the latest release - theoretically I should have added electrification warning flashes - but life can be too short...

Looking at these images I'm proud of their finish. Whilst I did airbrush the repaint on the 08, all the weathering shown here is done with just enamels, thinner and a selection of paint brushed. I notice there is the possibility of a little refinement in the 08s finish - some gun metal dry brushing would look super on the step edges - perhaps some chipped paint on the cab handrails too... but overall, as a quartet they feel very much at home on Penpont Dries and all that is really left is the 'obligatory' video! That can wait a few days, for now, until next time, more soon...

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