The Little LaFayette That Will (Hopefully)

Looking better than I expected so far! I see you still carved the facial features into the stack as you did before. This new model looks like it's shaping up to be completely awesome. Don't you think the lamp colour is a bit too dark though? The picture you provided of the original character shows the lamp being the same shade of blue as the body.

I'd be interested to know what you will use for the cab, and where you'll get the trailing wheels from. You should also find a way to fill in the spokes in the wheels, since she doesn't have any.

[Super]

You do a wonderful job of sculpting the face/smoke stack. Is that a type of clay where it hardens in the oven when you are done sculpting it? What type of paint are you using? It looks so deep in color like icing on a cake, I like it but makes me hungry for cake

Looking better than I expected so far! I see you still carved the facial features into the funnel as you did before. This new model looks like it's shaping up to be completely awesome. Don't you think the lamp colour is a bit too dark though? The picture you provided of the original character shows the lamp being the same shade of blue as the rest of her body.

I'd be interested to know what you will use for the cab, and where you'll get the trailing wheels from. You should also find a way to fill in the spokes in the wheels, since she doesn't have any.

Well, we don't know for sure if the lamp is the wrong colour or not because the shading in the film was a bit inconsistent.

As for the wheel spokes, I thought about that but was worried it might slow the engine down so I'm only going to paint them.

It's coming along nicely, but at the same time it seems a bit of a shame to convert such a lovely and uncommon engine, but I guess it all depends how much you want it lol!

Have you ever considered using something like Milliput instead of the modelling clay? That is air-drying so doesn't need to be baked, but it can be modelled and painted just like clay. I think you'd find it is tougher as well as its epoxy based

Well, we don't know for sure if the lamp is the wrong colour or not because the shading in the film was a bit inconsistent.

As for the wheel spokes, I thought about that but was worried it might slow the engine down so I'm only going to paint them.

How will that slow it down? I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to this stuff.

How will that slow it down? I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to this stuff.

Just a guess, but maybe something with aerodynamics and air passing through the spokes in the wheels, or the material used to fill in the spokes dripping or chipping off...

Time for another update.
Yesterday, I painted the head.

Thinking of redoing the eyes, what do you think?

A few years ago, I got a plastic battery-powered train set with all the tickets I won at an arcade. I was looking in my shed today and found the engine from it.

Now the cowcatcher on this was perfect for Tillie, so after breaking the cowcatcher off by hand (it wasn't very strong plastic), I ran it under some hot water and trimmed off the excess plastic with some kitchen scissors.

It's currently being temporarily held on with blu-tack.

I've also decided to postpone anymore modifications until I get someone to look at the motor.

[Super]

Excellent, keep up the good work.

I do think the eyes should be redone. It would've looked better with the pupils facing down.

IMO, This cowcatcher is not suitable, as it's somewhat oversized and is the wrong shape. Tillie's is a lot shorter, flatter and thicker, and actually goes 'under' that blue board at the front. You could probably build one from scratch instead.

Great work so far, I'm really enjoying this thread. I bet the cab from that old red loco would be a good candidate for being cut up to make the cab on your custom. I like the cow catcher I think it looks about right,

keep us updated,