Freelance Tram

Jasper said:
Melbournesparks, is that a Hartland?
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This one is an LGB model (20390) of a Swiss RhB ABe 4/4 railcar. You might be thinking of the Hartland interurban, which is based on US interurban railcars though I don't think it represents any particular prototype.
 
That would have been my next guess. In its full red, it contrasts nicely with its surroundings.
 
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I am slowly progressing this model, however, watching paint dry is very time consuming. Once the cream paint has cured then I can progress painting the roof (probably in silver).

ttrama.JPG
 
Tim Brien said:
I am slowly progressing this model, however, watching paint dry is very time consuming. Once the cream paint has cured then I can progress painting the roof (probably in silver).

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I've always fancied bashing a couple of the B'mann coaches into a two-car set (US Interurban). I have what I need - and now inspired by your superb bashes - just need to ask what glue you used?
 
Mick,
for the later Bachmann coach releases ordinary quality styrene glue works perfectly. For early coaches from the 1990's I have a suspicion that they are not glue friendly styrene as I remember problems with glued joins not adhering correctly even though well reinforced. Perhaps they are an ABS compound. If you have early coaches then perhaps experiment with styrene glue.

For all my recent bashes (numerous others in a state of limbo remain 'undiscovered') I used the mid-2000's release Big Hauler coach kits as they are unpainted and glue friendly. I get an idea in my head and feel the need to build it. Once the construction stage is done then boredom sets in. At present I am painting two D&RGW coaches (Combine #127 and RPO #340 at scale length). I built these about five years ago and felt guilty seeing them on a shelf unloved.
 
Tim Brien said:
Mick,
for the later Bachmann coach releases ordinary quality styrene glue works perfectly. For early coaches from the 1990's I have a suspicion that they are not glue friendly styrene as I remember problems with glued joins not adhering correctly even though well reinforced. Perhaps they are an ABS compound. If you have early coaches then perhaps experiment with styrene glue.

For all my recent bashes (numerous others in a state of limbo remain 'undiscovered') I used the mid-2000's release Big Hauler coach kits as they are unpainted and glue friendly. I get an idea in my head and feel the need to build it. Once the construction stage is done then boredom sets in. At present I am painting two D&RGW coaches (Combine #127 and RPO #340 at scale length). I built these about five years ago and felt guilty seeing them on a shelf unloved.
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Thanks Tim. The donor coaches were acquired from that well know auction site so are indeterminate as regards to their age (probably the 'unfriendly' type of plastic!). I'll have to experiment! They won't be lengthened but I like the idea of moving the bulkheads 'in' to create a wider platform.

I look forward to your prototypical length coaches!
 
After an almost four month hiatus the tram is slowly back on track. For some reason I shied away from painting the roof and sought to finish off a couple of locomotives, plus paint fifteen extended coaches to help distract me. Once a colour was finally chosen, I decided to bite the bullet and get on with it. No doubt I will find other excuses for not progressing this project but at least some progress has been made. The colour chosen resembles that used on Sydney trams back in the 1950's/60's. By coincidence and not by design, my tram has some semblance to our now long gone trams.

tramza.JPG tramzb.JPG
 
Andrew B. Middleton said:
I have never seen a trolley pole sprung in the same way as yours Tim, but then neither have I seen that many either!
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Andrew,
I have not visited this thread for some months and did not see your comment until now. My mechanism is pure imagination and was simply a model way to demonstrate a method of having an articulated pole. It was not intended to replicate a prototype design.
 
Things are now moving. Tram is decalled and clearcoated. I will be able to install glazing and lighting over the next few days. Final assembly is delayed as I have just ordered some seated passengers from China and this may take from one to three weeks to arrive.

ztramza.JPG ztramzb.JPG
 
Tim Brien said:
Things are now moving. Tram is decalled and clearcoated. I will be able to install glazing and lighting over the next few days. Final assembly is delayed as I have just ordered some seated passengers from China and this may take from one to three weeks to arrive.

View attachment 226205 View attachment 226206
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Nice work! The decals are the icing on the cake - are they waterslide?

Also, where do you obtain them?
 
Tim Brien said:
Mick,
yes, waterslide. I had them made about ten years ago by Stan Cedarleaf in the U.S. He makes custom decals (waterslide).
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Thanks Tim - they sure look good!
 
Tim, that's a pretty impressive piece of modelling you've done there!
I'm sorry to have to ask a somewhat daft question, but in picture #1 in the background there's a engine and Coach combination, is that another kitbash or a standard LGB. Model?
 
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