Thursday 12 May 2022

WW1 Palestine project continues with a scratch built train

In the WW1 Palestine campaign supply lines were important to both sides due to harsh terrain and distances involved.

For Commonwealth forces the speed of their advances was determined by how quickly they could construct the supply lines. This supply infrastructure included water-pipes, a narrow guide railway, and chicken-wire roads (where the wire was laid down to stabilise the ground).

While the Turks had extensive railway network established. Large numbers of troops were tied up defending the railways against raids from Arab Rebellion forces and the activities of T.E. Lawrence.

As a break from painting figures and given the importance of railways throughout the Sinai and Palestine campaigns. I thought I should make a train and rolling stock so they could be represented on the tabletop and be objectives to be fought over. I opted to continue my scratch building approach and made some track from felt and a simple train. As with my recent scratch built models I rely upon painting the details rather than modelling them.

Supplies are on their way on the latest scratch built model

I used wooden dowel and beading to create the shapes of the train and its running stock. Cardboard is used on the sides to create a smooth finish and wheels.

Wood dowel and beading is cut to create the models

Cardboard is used for the wheels and sides

Additional circles are cut for the wheels to help highlight them and make them easier to paint

The same approach is taken with the running stock

Circles are cut for wheels

The tracks are made from some cut felt material which was lightly brushed with a sand colour. Once dry, I used a dark brown permanent marker to draw the sleepers and rails.

The train with figures to show the scale

A view from the top

I now need to find a suitable scenario to get the train in use on the tabletop.

26 comments:

  1. Very clever! That looks great.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. It was a good weekend project.

      Delete
  2. That really is a great little Engine Peter!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Very impressive, you are very handy with bits of wood and stuff.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like making the wooden models, there is something very appealing about working with wood.

      Delete
  4. The Train looks very good Kieth- a nice bit of Scratch Modelling.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I kept to a simple shape and relied upon the painting to do the rest.

      Delete
  5. Looks great! Simple and effective. I am still following this with keen interest, once I finish my hobby bingo card I will let myself start a new project, and am eyeing Baccus to do something similar in 6mm.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, it is very much a model for the wargaming tabletop. I am enjoying reading about your bingo approach to progressing your painting projects.

      Delete
  6. Those paint jobs are unbelievable effective at creating the effect of modelled detail - I'd swear you had actually made up some bogies to fit under the rolling stock.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It always surprises me how painting can deceive the eye. Especially when viewing at a wargaming distance.

      Delete
  7. Wow, gorgeous WW1 train!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. Steam trains are always appealing, are they not?

      Delete
  8. Absolutely awesome Peter, what a great looking model. How about a flat car with an artillery piece or a gatling?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There will most likely be a flat car on the job list for this weekend.

      Delete
  9. Very effective! Perhaps you could add a sandbagged flat car to mount a weapon of some kind?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The train does need one more piece of rolling stock to balance it, and a flat car will hopefully be a simple addition.

      Delete
  10. Excellent scratch building once again Peter!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. It helps keep the costs down as I am aiming to make this one of my cheaper wargaming projects.

      Delete
  11. I like the idea of felt for the railway track, Peter. The train is excellent!

    Regards, Chris.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It worked out ok. I have taken the same approach with cardboard, but that did not work as well. Thanks.

      Delete
  12. I am behind on my blog reading and commenting! The train is superb and the track idea brilliant! Ambushes of trains etc was one of the attractions of the period for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The train should get used a good few times with Arab Rebellion forces. Thanks.

      Delete