Weathered by Philden Showcase 27

My Pacific National era sugar hopper fleet recently received some attention.

I finally managed to catch up on some weathering that had been waiting for me to complete for my own layout. In this case, the Auscision Models HO scale NSW NGGF sugar hoppers that will typify operations on my NSW North Coast layout.

Having had some of my own photos to work from that I had snapped on a visit to Grafton where the Sunshine Sugar silo stands on the southern banks of the Clarence River, I could carefully copy some of the weathering patterns on these great looking hoppers.

My results were a combination of masking and painting various shaped patches to replicate efforts to paint-over graffiti tags, airbrushing some light rusting to the lid hatches on the top of the wagon, painting the axle journal box covers in appropriate colours, weathering the model in two different shades of grime, adding some burnt black sugar stains just below the walkways and clear coating the model in matte acrylic before finally hitting the completed model with some rub-on dry transfer graffiti made by Busch, followed by an additional coat of clear matte spray. Basically a combination of everything I had outlined in my book Model Railway Weathered Wonders.

I'll write a follow-up post on how I plan to incorporate running these NGGF hoppers in operations on Philden Beach at a later date. Including some prototype snaps I took at Grafton back in the day. For now, here's a look at my NGGF hopper wagons along with some N scale coal hoppers I have listed for sale on eBay, (links below).

The other side of NGGF 35701. Note the painted and weathered axle box journal caps.

The heavily tagged sugar hopper NGGF 35702.

While the rear of NGGF 35702 has had the graffiti patched out.

NGGF 35719 is fighting a losing battle with having the graffiti patched over.

But at least the rear of NGGF 35719 has stayed tag-free.

The same can't be said for NGGF 35763. This is the good side!

This is the other side of NGGF 35763. It was the only hopper I painted the axle journal caps orange.

With the sugar hoppers out of the way, I next turned my attention to the remaining N scale coal hoppers that I had sitting in my study. When Auscision announced that these were available along with teasing us with samples of the NSW 80 Class locomotives, I spirited enough aside to be able to make up a short train. Hoping of course, that I could one day build a small N scale roundy-round layout to run them on. But after having to admit that all of my combined modelling projects had far exceeded my hobby budget, they too became surplus rollingstock in search of a new home. I've now listed them all up on eBay as pairs.

These are N scale NGKF coal hoppers. I have listed them in pairs for sale on eBay.

While this is the NHFF coal hopper variant. Again, I have listed them for sale on eBay in pairs.

Click to view my remaining model train listings.

I've now signed well over 200 of these tiny certificates to go with each model I have sold.

I now have an empty work bench again, and only my small fleet of model locomotives are awaiting a date with the airbrush. It seems that I'm finally caught-up with everything. Until next time...

For my own record...

Models sold 239/263

Weathered by Philden Showcase 26

This week I managed to fire-up my airbrush and weather a couple of boxes of the SDS Models FX/VPFX flour wagons to list on eBay. These were the very last of my Victorian HO scale models I had sitting aside waiting to for some spare time to give them a light rust spot treatment and general coat of grime, before they found new homes.

Also in need of finding new owners, were my pair of CFCLA diesel locomotives, FL220 and JL406.

After providing years of enjoyment on my former Philden Street Yard layout, and then surviving a further year of running on my NSW North Coast Philden Beach layout, the time seemed right to move them both on. Especially as I am wanting to nudge the timeline forward to include some QR National running on the Beach.

My DCC sound equipped Auscision Models ex-422 Class loco sold first.

And the DCC sound equipped Auscision Models ex-442 Class followed a week later.

This SDS Models VPFX flour wagon is finished in silver with the large Victorian Railways VR logo.

While this VPFX flour wagon is painted white with the large VR logo.

This is an earlier FX flour wagon with the Kimpton's and So-Lite Flour logos on the side.

This FX flour wagon features the Water Wheel Flour logos.

While this FX wagon has only a very light application of rust and grime.

I guess by moving on my CFCLA pairing of Auscision Models locos, I'm keeping the traffic on my small shelf layout fluid. Both locos ended up going to the same owner, so its a nice thought to know they will be plying some new rails together for the years to come.

My thoughts can now turn to planning to introduce some more region-specific power onto my Philden Beach layout and further fine tuning my modern-ish era.

My latest batch of weathered flour wagons are now all live on eBay, and take the number of models I have weathered in this little venture to over 250. More importantly, the total number I have sold now stands at 232, which is a pleasing success rate. My next weathering weekend will see me finally attack my sugar hopper fleet for Philden Beach, and 4 lone N scale coal hoppers that I misplaced after my N scale sell-off late last year. The boxes are so tiny I must have missed them! I'm just waiting on my graffitti decals to arrive so I can do a real job on them all.

Click on the above banner to view my eBay sale...

As has been the custom since I started weathering some models to offer for sale alongside my own books, all models sold come with a signed certificate, just so you know that the model has been personally detailed by me. It is just a small way of saying thanks for your continued support as a writer, modeller and general all-round railway tragic. Without the added sales through my eBay shop, ultimately this blog would not be able to continue.

For my own record...

Models sold 232/255

Weathered by Philden Showcase 25

Every now and then I weather a model to the extent where I surprise even myself, such as these Auscision Models NDCH/NDMX Railcorp infrastructure wagons. While Auscision did a great job producing these models, the one colour rust/grime on the inside of the open wagons called for a rust job worthy of the ages. So, over the course of a week using whatever time I could spare, I weathered my set of infrastructure wagons to resemble a late 2000's era works train.

This Auscision Models NDCH spoil wagon is the Rail Services Australia version.

The two different style open wagons were purchased individually on eBay. In the real world however, these infrastructure wagons were all rebuilt from former NSW NOBX open wagons. The NDMX wagon was repainted orange for Railcorp around 2005 along with the NQJX flat wagons, of which a fleet of 20 were made available to be leased to private operators. While the rusty-looking brown NDCH with the ribbed side panels and fresh white painted side-striping was a hold-over from the late 1990's Rail Services Australia era, prior to the formation of Railcrorp.

For my Philden Beach layout, the set of four NQJX container wagons can be swapped in and out of my intermodal service. While two individually weathered pairs of the SB spoil bins will also enable me to fit out a pair of the container flats complete with spoil bins to move across onto my infratructure train, joining the orange NDMX and rusty NDCH open wagon to make a 4 wagon set. This versatality will ensure the set of six wagons stay in constant use on my shelf layout, and now that they are all weathered they look the part.

While this Auscision Models NQJX container wagon has two SB spoil bins positioned on top.

And another example, only with a subtle difference of colour on the axle bearing caps.

The NQJX wagons were weathered separately, so that the spoil bins could be swapped for containers.

The four NQJX wagons can then be moved between my intermodal or infrastructure trains.

Next on my weathering hit list is a small batch of Victorian Railways FX flour wagons I had purchased some time ago with the intention of weathering them up to sell. So I might be able to make a slow start on these between study periods over the next few weeks to keep some new items coming to my eBay store, before I start on my own set of NSW NGGF sugar hoppers for Philden Beach.

I'm particularly pleased with how my set of infrastructure wagons turned out, and if I had the spare money I would probably invest in a couple more sets to make another batch available for sale on my eBay store. Time will tell once I finalise the release date for my next book. More on that to follow.

Click the above banner to view my eBay listings.

All of my weathered models that are still available for sale may be found by clicking on the banner above. As always, each model comes with a signed certificate to ensure that they have been personally weathered by me. It is simply my way of saying thank you for supporting my writing, and this blog, as this is now my main income stream while I undertake a year of full-time study. So thank you to all who have now helped me reach the 200+ models sold milestone. It is very much appreciated!

For my own record...

Models sold 216/249

Weathered by Philden Showcase 24

Another quick weathered update to share the final few Queensland Railways models I have listed for sale on eBay. That's all. Finito. Over and out. My few years spent collecting and modelling Queensland narrow gauge has now come to an end. The only models now sitting beside the spray booth awaiting an airbrushing of grime, are my own. And that is only if I can find the time amidst full-time study and preparing to release another book. Time and money, two things that just don't seem to be my friend!

Right now, after thinning my own personal collection down, and moving on anything that doesn't belong on either of my two current layouts, I really need to afford some new camera gear and update my computer as I move away from writing about model trains, and into studying a new creative field. One that is proving to be just as expensive!

These Wuiske Models QSC tautliner wagons now need to find a new home...

...as does this SDS Models refrigerated container, this one lettered for QR's RACE exchange fleet.

And these Wuiske Models QLX vans will be sorely missed...

...as they were one of the reasons I originally was drawn towards modelling the QR.

Since the beginning of this blog back in May 2015, I've lost count of how many models I have bought and sold as a result of building new layouts and changing eras, not to mention the 140+ models I purchased and weathered as part of writing my Model Railway Weathered Wonders book last year. Along with the weathered models I have listed, there are over 1,000 items in my eBay shop to keep you interested in looking through. Link below...

Click on the above banner to view all of my items listed on eBay.

Each weathered model comes with a certificate of authenticity to thank you for your support.

For my own record...

Models sold 199/239

Weathered by Philden Showcase 23

With every Queensland modeller currently excited about the CGL/SDS Models joint release of the QR 1460/1502 model locomotives, I've gone and done the opposite... I sold my pre-ordered model to a friend, and have just finished weathering up the last of my Queensland 12 mm gauge HO scale models to list for sale this week on eBay.

I guess for me, my QR modelling days are now behind me. The HJS Wuiske Models open wagon (above), and the following QR models I have photographed below, are waiting only for a batch of QLX and QSC wagons that are currently drying downstairs in the garage, for my QR fleet to be dispersed.

A Wuiske Models PCS container flat wagon.

A Southern Rail Models ALY louvred van, painted yellow and stencilled for Poison Spray - Roma St.

Another Southern Rail Models ALY/T van, this one with ARHS stencilling and a subtle yellow side sill.

Once more, I will list each model for sale only through eBay, and each will come with a signed certificate as a way of saying thanks for your support over the past couple of years of writing full-time. Instead of regretting letting my Queensland stuff go, I'll still get to enjoy watching some of my former models turning laps on my friend's layout each time I visit.

As for the rest, I should have the last photographed and listed by the weekend, so be sure to follow my eBay seller page on the link below. With time commitments pressing in 2024, I won't be weathering as many models for sale as I did last year.

Click here to view my latest listings, with all my ex-QR models going live this week.

For my own record...

Models sold 199/234

Weathered by Philden Showcase 22

Not only have I gone and listed another batch of weathered Australian models for sale on my eBay page, but this week I'm also clearing my wardrobe of any distractions ahead of sitting down to start writing my next book, by having my biggest ever eBay sale!

Ever buy something thinking that someday you could build a little project layout of this, that or the other? Well... that's been me for the past 8 years! And I think it might have just reached the point now that my NSW North Coast layout is almost complete that I need to pick one, and only one, project to start early in the new year.... and simply farewell the rest.

Without going over everything I am culling from my timetable, tickets and trains collection, here is simply a sample of some of the weathering I have been up to since the completion of my latest book.

This Freightcorp NHFF coal hopper is by Auscision Models.

This N scale NHKF red hopper is hardly recognisable as red anymore...

Having always wanted to return to modelling N scale, I now doubt whether I am going to proceed in that direction, despite another jolt of enthusiasm when Auscision Models released their NHFF/NHKF coal hoppers in August this year. Instead, I weathered up the Freightcorp coal hoppers and have listed them for sale on eBay.

Auscision Models have produced a great looking N scale model of the NHFF and NHKF coal hoppers.

Then there are an assortment of HO scale Australian containers. If I learnt anything from attending two exhibitions with my new layout recently, it was that I simply had more containers models than I could poke a stick at!

So I've subsequently halved my container fleet and am still left with enough model containers to fill my container train three-and-a-half times over! Here's just some of the containers I have listed.

This Auscision Models 40' foot SCT container has found itself out-of-era on my layout...

...as has this Aurizon 40' foot container. Both need to find a new home.

I had a few too many of these great-looking On Track Models curtain-side 40' foot containers.

This SDS Models WGG Westrail gyspum wagon features some white-grey residue after it was emptied.

And a side-on view showing the rust beneath the gypsum spills around the door frames.

This WOAX Westrail open wagon has one of the rustiest floors I've ever modelled!

SDS Models once more made a fantastic model. Yellow happens to be my favourite base colour to weather a rusty wagon, and I've lost count of how many models I've weathered similar to the one on the cover of Model Railway Weathered Wonders.

Given the amount of airbrushing I have done these last few years, it is hardly surprising that my mini-compressor has given up the ghost this past week! Instead of the tut-tut-tut noise as the air pressure builds back up while you are brushing, it sounded like something inside got stuck as it tried to do its job. To the point where the metal body of the compressor heated up that much that it melted the fingertips on the latex gloves I was wearing while working....

I've added a new mini-compressor to my shopping list this week, ahead of a laptop upgrade as I prepare to head into a new year of writing. So I'll call this week my biggest ever sale on eBay as I work through what to keep and what to clear. Hopefully by the end of this weekend I'll have a clear favourite emerge for a new model railway project post Philden Beach... And the rest will follow the above as I turn a wardrobe full of one-day projects into some much needed cash!

Once more, all models weathered by myself come with a signed certificate of authenticity as a way of simply saying thanks!

There's only a few more surplus Australian HO scale models for me to weather and list on eBay in the coming months, before my modelling interests take me abroad to a change of pace, scenery and prototype. For now, this is still an enjoyable way of keeping my weathering skills sharp... and a means to justify purchasing a new airbrush!

Click on the above banner to view my current model railway items I have listed for sale.

For my own record...

Models sold 181/230