What I did over the Christmas holidays

Did you ever have that essay to write at school? Write about what you did over the holidays?

Well, in true tradition here is my essay on SOME of what I was up to over the Christmas / new year break.
Not being one for watching much repeated films and usual tripe they put on TV at Christmas most of my spare time was spent at my workbench doing these little jobbies....

The first job was this 0-16.5 gauge "Machine Flat" and load.

Based on a design sold by Smallbrook Studio as a kit
The under frame and chassis is an old 00 gauge coach bogie!
The planks are cut up coffee stirrers and the rest is Plasticard or Evergreeen sections.

The Load was also based on a Smallbrook studio design and is a skid mounted air compressor.
Again made from scraps of Plasticard and Evergreen sections, the air receiver ends being moulded from Milliput.
I wanted some fine mesh for the radiator grille but not having any I used some 4mm scale chequer plate, from a normal viewing distance it doesn't look too bad.

Door handles and lifting eye complete the job.

 Here's the completed job, complete with Bachmann tension lock couplings (my choice for my narrow gauge stuff) Painted and weathered.

I have also added some air hose from very thin electrical wire. (one core of an old computer mouse cable) and made a pneumatic paving breaker to make the compressor look the part.

This wagon will form part of a works or permanent way train when the layout is finished!

 And the view from the other side.
Note the air pipe and shut off cock on the air tank.

The "rope" was from an old Ratio signal kit,
The weathering was done with C&L weathering powders which I must admit I like using.




I'll post another "Holiday job" soon

Cheers
Frank