[MOC] Awdry's Thomas Mk. 3 and Rapido Evolution Coaches (7W)

[SerperiorBricks]

In planning for Dryaw, I needed an appropriate locomotive to populate the scene with. I prefer more realistic locomotives, so I used one of Awdry's custom Thomas models as the basis for my Thomas. Awdry's third Thomas was made from a Hornby LB&SCR E2, so that shape was where I started with my model. 

With some of the new shapes in the catalog, I chose Medium Azure for my model, reflecting the color choices of Awdry's model. In this scale, I decided against the handrails on the cab, making a closed door cab. As I planned to line it, I didn't extend the side tanks, focusing instead on making the rounded front edge of the water tanks. I also was able to make use of the inverted curved slopes to get nice shaping for the running board.

I've built Thomas on a Powered UP Train motor, with the wire running into the coaches for battery power. I don't expect Thomas to be a strong model, so I don't have any issue driving from a train motor directly. The design would probably fit even an L Motor relatively easily.

At Dryaw's first show, I used the blue L BBB wheels I bought last year, but I'm working on 3D Printing custom #8 / ML Drivers in a color that's very close to Medium Azure. 

 

I finally figured out Vinyl lettering! Cutting a red and yellow layer using a Cricut machine, then placing the layers with a slight offset. I really enjoy the lettering more than the #1 on the middle of the tanks, so that was the style I went with for this model. I had to import a render of the model from stud.io into a photo editing software to design the shape of the lining, electing to have the lining hug tightly to the shaping of the tiles, making the lining on the bunker mismatched, but cleanly follow the outline of the tiles. 

I have some elements on this Thomas from all different sources, keeping the twin whistles from the TV series. 

For coaches, I wanted bogie coaches, as the shortened two axle coaches from the TV series wouldn't fit the scale of this Thomas - about 28 studs long himself - and saw photos of Rapido's 'Evolution' Non-Corridor Coaches that looked close to what is on display at the Talyllyn layout.

I still have to design brake rigging, but that's usually easier for me to do once the coaches are built.

And here's it all together - Side Rods and Wheels still to come, but the model is effectively complete. Only bit of vinyl missing is the names for Annie and Clarabel, my initial draft did not separate properly. I'll make a separate post covering Dryaw, but for today this is the full report. 

In the Background, Harold is my design and @Murdoch17 contributed his Bertie model to complete the display.

I did J70 Lettering too

Edited 2 hours ago by SerperiorBricks

[TeddytheSpoon]

Nice models! The bogie coaches looks great, nice way to bring in some realism.

[Murdoch17]

Glad I could help with Bertie, and nice work all around with these models! Also, congrats on being featured!

Edited 2 hours ago by Murdoch17