Commission: Class 31 weathering in OO…
It was rather nice to welcome back some BR blue to the work bench in recent weeks. First up is a pair of Accurascale Class 31 that were in for some minor work plus weathering…
The models have had the Accurascale crew, from Modelu, fitted within the cab and the headcodes of the one with them, changed to 0O00. I also renumbered them - my customer wanted their identities swapping so 402 became 409 and vice versa.
The all blue example got a little heavier weathering with the usual 31 oil seepage along the body side join and unused a little gloss lacquer over this to add some sheen. Otherwise the usual 33/98 washes and removal with a flat brush, building up the finish slowly and finishing with airbrushed roof dirt along the lower body and roof with darker exhaust, helping to soften the washes. Dry brushed gun-metal on the step edges add a touch of life.
The white striped example is a little cleaner, but followed the same processes and colours. They provide a nice pair, contrasting different amounts of care and cleaning but producing the same basic results.
If you’d like me to breathe life into your own BR blue diesels - or any Lovett for that matter, I enjoy working on these, studying prototype photos and talking about your memories of specific locomotives you have as inspiration. Get in touch for a personal proposal, the contact form is linked on the Commissions page and in the top menu. Until next time, more soon…
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I've actually "got" 31 402 in my 1981 Ian Allan Combined Volume, James, probably seen on a visit to Didcot; exotica to a Southernite like me. Your weathering captures their condition as I remember.
ReplyDeleteI certainly remember thinking that the white stripe suited them well. More recently (over 20 years ago, mind you) I saw Fragonset/FM Rail 31s top-and-tailing shocking pink Mk.2s on Wessex Rail's Brighton-Weymouths when I worked on the Wild West Coastway for a while.
The black with red stripe looked good, the pink not so much!
Cheers, Simon.
Thanks Simon - I’m lucky to love alongside a preserved 31271 here, I love the noise and the way she shakes and moves like a living being. The bodywork held together by visible lines of rivets and bolts, oil seeping through, rust threatening the paintwork and exhaust and road dirt discolouring the aging paint. All magic to me!
DeleteAlthough I am mostly interested in industrial and narrow gauge railways, when it comes to mainline stuff, the Class 31 is my absolute favourite. So this pair are right up my street!
ReplyDeleteI think 31s look nice in just about every livery they ever carried l, but the workaday BR suits them perfectly. It reminds me of the hours and hours I spent engrossed in my dad's Bradford Barton books on Eastern Region diesels as a kid. Happy memories 🙂
You've done a fantastic job at making what was the run of the mill, everyday look so special.
Thanks Dave - it’s always good to hear that I’ve managed to capture something of the character of a model in my finish. I think it comes from actually caring about the prototypes and recreating the finish with heart and passion.
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