How to: bring the cabs of older models to life


by model-rail |
Updated on

Workbench

With modern ready-to-run diesel-outline models excelling in the art of interior decor, what can we do to improve the spartan cabs of older models? George Dent offers some simple tips.

PHOTOGRAPHY: GEORGE DENT

How we’ve been spoiled over the past decade or so, with ever-increasing levels of detail on our new diesel and electric locomotives. An increasingly common feature is a fully detailed and painted cab interior, with all the dials and controls picked out, plus printed instruction and safety panels on the bulkheads.
Much depends on the prototype’s design, and whether these internal appointments are actually visible on ‘OO’ models, unless the cab lights are illuminated. But when the detail can be glimpsed, the effect can be really satisfying. Most of us are in no hurry to replace our large fleets of models from the 2000s, which still run beautifully and – in the most part – look pretty good, but is there a way to bring some extra life to the interiors? After all, if you’ve put some work into making the exterior look more realistic, by adding bufferbeam hoses, etched nameplates and so on, a dark void within the cab or a basic grey moulding can spoil the effect somewhat.
Presented here is a simple array of tips for bringing your interiors to life, whether that be painting an existing moulding or fabricating your own, or maybe adding clutter such as safety vests and discarded newspapers. Adding a suitable crew is a no-brainer, with plenty of figures available these days, not least 3D-printed characters from Modelu with a broad choice of poses and uniform styles to suit different eras. When figures are already provided, such as the Bachmann Class 66 seen above, painting into more appropriate colours can be helpful.
Moreover, when faced with a locomotive with generous windscreens, such as the Class 66, adding some magazines and newspapers strewn atop the console instantly catches the eye. And it’s a regular sight in reality too, which is a bonus!

What you will need
SHOPPING LIST
◆ 3D-printed train crew figures
Price: from £4.95 each
Availability: www.modelu3d.co.uk
◆ Lorry/Van detailing pack
Price: £2.00
Availability: tencommandmentsmodels.co.uk
TOOLS
◆ Knife and spare blades
◆ Cutting mat
◆ Steel rule
◆ Tweezers
◆ Paintbrushes
STEP BY STEP

1 There was a time when we were grateful for any form of cab interior, and these mouldings from a Vi-Trains Class 47 from the late 2000s have been painted matt black to remove the intrusive, high floor from view. The tops of the seats have been picked out and, thanks to the driver’s safety vest, he becomes more visible from the exterior.

2 As diesel-outline models began to offer improved levels of detail, the cab interior mouldings became a little more intricate, albeit usually unpainted. The seats, doors, bulkhead detail and consoles of these Bachmann Class 25 cabs (from the mid2000s) already look better. Painted drivers help too.

3 Bachmann’s original Class 08 first appeared in 2000 and will soon be superseded by an all-new version. A simple, effective upgrade for older models is to prise the cab shell off and paint the control panel and equipment, picking out the dials, and giving the ‘floor’ a coat of matt black before fixing a driver in place.

4 Heljan’s Class 14 has been around for 15 years now and, while the interior mouldings feature lots of detail, they’re unpainted. Picking out the controls, dials and conduit in appropriate colours, while painting the ‘floor’ matt black, gives a sense of depth. A coat of thin weathering wash and a spot of dry-brushing gives the cab a lived-in feel.

5 This Hornby RailRoad Class 37, based on the 1980s Lima tooling, lacked any sort of cab interior, so I added one to the non-motor end from various bits of plastic card offcuts and seats salvaged from a long-forgotten old model (a Hornby ‘25’?). A degree of fettling was required to ensure adequate clearance within the bodyshell profile.

6 Reducing and printing newspapers, magazines and other ephemera is a simple way of adding internal clutter – and gives the Driver’s Assistant something to fill his time. This is a proprietary pack of printed details, aimed at lorry cabs, from Ten Commandments. Adding a road atlas into a train cab can introduce a touch of humour.

7 Milliput and similar modelling putties are great for shaping into objects with which to furnish the cab, such as drivers’ bags, lunch boxes, flasks and even clothing. These high-visibility vests were created by rolling out the putty thinly, trimming to size, then folding loosely. Once painted, they look the part.

8 This LimaClass 67 has gained a driver’s desk from an aged Hornby Class 110 DMU, found in a bargain bin at an exhibition, while the DIY high-vis vest adds extra interest. I wasn’t able to add a bulkhead due to the proximity of the gear tower, but the painted driver catches the eye through the windscreen.

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