Brian’s been back in touch, this time with his HO barge:

“Hi Alastair,

First off, an industrial barge project.

I saw a photo of a model industrial barge which I liked and thought that I could use one on my waterways around the layout. I love anything boat wise.

After searching the internet, I found a file that had the barge that I was looking for.

I sent the file to my friend who does the 3D printing and asked him if he could print one for me in HO scale please. A couple of days later (after 14 hours of print time) a slightly shorter barge modified to fit his build plate in his printer, I had my barge.

The raw resin hull shown below. (Top view)

It is 250mm long by 70mm wide and 18mm deep. (The original was 310mm long)

The painting process started using Tamiya Red oxide fine surface primer for the hull.

It turned out to be the perfect colour. (Especially after it was weathered).

The inside all rusted up from hard use using various colours to get the correct effect.

Wear and tear on the top side. (And the rust)

I used some details from my bits box to fill up the hull. (Note the 3D printed generator sets at the back in the 3D printed hull). Scrap vehicles on the way to a scrapyard.

Afloat in the harbour and must still add the tow ropes at the front. I have some chain around somewhere that can lay on the front deck of the barge or inside.

HO Barge:

A resin Tug boat kit painted and weathered many years ago towing the barge.

A close up view showing the weathered hull with tyre bumpers on the sides.

The wood loads need a bit of weathering. (Possibly a black or brown wash on them)

Here, it just fits on the waterway in front of the freight terminal at Pelican Bay.

Found the chain in my bits box and weathered it with rust. Note the seagull found a perch at the front.

Second project – another small fishing trawler.

The one below was already in my small fleet of lobster boats for my layout.

I had another one incomplete. I used my Dremel tool to cut out the bait box.

I painted the cabin interior and lightly weathered it, then added a floor to it.

Added a mast and guy wires to keep it steady. I also added some fish boxes at the back. The loop at the back will be used to bring in the nets. I also added working lights, one inside the cabin and a spot light on the cabin roof.

A boat captain was added to the inside of the cabin with a steering wheel.

Here I am making sure that would look perfect in the harbour. It is 37 HO scale foot in length.

It now needs to be completed – the hull painted then the deck edges, bumper tyres painted and a final weathered coat and a lobster cage on the roof. I will add fine netting used to catch the fish at the back.

Another two short term projects almost completed and ready for placement on the layout.

Thankfully I have a lot of water on the lower level around 3 sides of the ‘U’ shape.

Thats all for now, until next time.

Brian – The HOn3 guy in Knysna RSA”

A big thanks to Brian for sharing his HO barge project.

You can see more his work in the Hall of Fame.

(Have a look at another of his barges: HO scale river barge.

That’s all for this time folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you get started on your layout, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS More HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.

Need buildings for your layout? Have a look at the Silly Discount bundle.