Loco lining with Trimline tape

[ge_rik]

I've just posted another entry on my blog showing what I've learned so far about lining locos with Trimline tape.

http://riksrailway.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-i-lined-locos-using-trimline-tape.html

I'm still working improving the way I create curves (eg round the cab doorway), but this third loco is better than the previous two. Hopefully, there's something here if anyone wants to have a go themselves.

If anyone has any further tips to share, please feel free to chip in. I'm still learning.

Rik

 

[jacobsgrandad]

THankyou very much indeed for that. I found the explanations and pictures excellent for someone who has not yet got this far but hopes to in the future. Another target for the future!

 

[Bram]

Great blog Rik, and a damn fine splendid job of lining out

 

[jameshilton]

Very effective! Easier than using a bow pen I expect, although limited in colour options. I guess for a 2 colour effect you could always paint a stripe down the centre of the tape before it's applied too...

 

[Martino]

Very good Rik. It looks great and I enjoyed your blog too.

Very inspirational. It's a great looking engine.

 

[owlpool]

GREAT.
CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS

 

[ge_rik]

Thanks for the feedback chaps.

The difficulty I'm finding with the curved lining is that by using a finger to fix the tape down, I can't see exactly where the tape is going until the finger is removed - by which time of course the tape has been fixed in place. A transparent 'finger' (eg an old Biro tube) might be better. I may try a few experiments and let you know the outcome.

Regarding the 'layered' lining. The tape does come in a range of colours and widths. Someone with patience could lay down one colour with wider tape and then lay another colour of thinner tape on top. The difficulty would be taking the wider tape around a curve - the wider the tape the more likely it is to buckle on the inside of the curve. I have overcome this by nicking the inside edge of the curve - but the curve then becomes stepped and loses its smoothness.

The other disadvantage of using tape is you can't really get nice radiused corners. Even the narrowest tape couldn't cope with that severe a curve.

But otherwise, it is possible to get a passable finish which passes the '10 foot rule'.

Rik