Mad Bomber - Repair, Modify, Multiply

Bomber Diesel & Steam is well into production, this vlog explores a number of modeling issues.
Web links.
en.wikipedia.or...
en.wikipedia.or...
en.wikipedia.or...
en.wikipedia.or...
en.wikipedia.or...
en.wikipedia.or...
HO bogie wheels, coal tenders, lighting with torches and basic mould making are explained in this video.
50 ERTL train, lots of model work, a evil twin bomber, 2 video cameras and a loyal audience.

[@leokimvideo]

One point on the take alongs I believe the kids really enjoy playing with them. Children would not notice they are out of dimension and the magnet coupling is far better than the ERTL plastic clip and pin. I chose ERTL as it was prior to take alongs and like you state the ERTL's look pretty good for their very small size.

[@leokimvideo]

I'm not impressive, all the Thomas youtubers to me a highly impressive, they have lifted my spirit for making videos again, and really making some more episodes is my way of saying thankyou for such interest in the first episode.

[@leokimvideo]

Thanks for your comment, yes the personal reward of a finished job is great, and hopefully I can indicate this time around just how much work is involved in these videos, I would love to make one a week, but its little by little, scene by scene, a very slow process, and tis time around a little easier from mistakes I made on the first episode.

[@somerandomladontheinternet533]

Remember kids this was before 3D printing

[@noyougood6240]

rome91 this was made in 2008

[@sliceofstrauss]

The cast Diesel's look better than a 3D print

[@ironhorse3826]

rome91 wasn’t the original video made in 2000?

[@sliceofstrauss]

@@ironhorse3826 ya it was made in 2000

[@cdyvids22]

I prefer casting

[@leokimvideo]

I totally agree, the obvious choice would be make it all HO guage, and like you said the cost would skyrocket. I chose ERTL's way back in 1999 due to their low cost ,and they look pretty good for such a small toy. Sadly the Take Along's don't cut it and look all squashed up, mind you they are a excellent children's toy.

[@ravenhawk6910]

It's just a shame Mad Bomber 2 was never made :( Personally I am a big fan of your engines seen here. I wish i could get some of these actually to have sitting on my HO layout...I love these way more then the HO ones that are offered these days....

[@CrypticClay]

ravenhawk6910 well Bachmann is very detailed

[@donniecorrigan8519]

@@bluefoxy6478 No that’s Hornby

[@leokimvideo]

I bought a Henry and Gordon as lots of viewers really enjoy those big engines, lazy me put it in the too hard basket to make them work on HO, but the suggestion to give them the chop was indeed a good one, I believe one Henry is enough, and remember if I have doubles of trains I usually blow one up...now we can't blow up those lovely big engines...can we..??

[@merlinandmurdoch7837]

“Difficult things take a long time, impossible things a little longer...” - Leo

[@Henry03Studios]

.

[@leokimvideo]

I am really focused on the competition and trailer video, I do have a smoke system made for the diesels, its something I will share with the Thomas audience as soon as I can. The Vlogs for me have been great to get a feel for what you (the audience) would like to see, yes the big engines, more explosions have been some great feedback. I dare say for me the comments section have become a chat zone for ideas, nice to have and always thought over.

[@ThomasWoodenRailway]

Leo, I don't know if you'll see this comment but: what tool did you use to separate the engine from the tender? Some sort of cutter I presume?

[@lostmemories4398]

* Replies to year old comment *

[@FlyingScotFilms]

RailwayEnthusiast11 now I’m replying to you

[@drepykeretm5104]

Hi I'm your biggest fan I didn't know you watched leokinvideo

[@ProfessorCagan]

Well, at this point you probably found an answer elsewhere, but he likely used a dremel cutting tool.

[@johnathonmcjohn3]

Blue Bell made Thomas commit kaboom

[@leokimvideo]

The wheel sets are sometimes screwed in, or glued using a glue called Tarzans Grip, the plastic used on the ERTL's does not take to superglue, each engine had different fit out, so that was very time consuming, I converted around 50 models, it was a big job.

[@leokimvideo]

For me the take alongs make excellent stunt doubles (sorry to any take along fans) compared to the ERTL there are many differences, so if they are used it will be in very brief moments of disaster.

[@leokimvideo]

It really makes the ERTL look better I believe, but there will be those who will not like it, at least now I have a way of using them on HO track.

[@Zebrails]

In the first episode, when Thomas almost meets "his maker" with the first bombing, your description of the damage to him totally cracks me up! Almost so violent, yet so innocent and mellow. Thomas looked blown to bits. "Thomas lie up-side-down with severe burns..." Beautiful downsizing the catastrophe! I look forward to the next episode!

[@leokimvideo]

I had issues getting 3 wheel sets, some of the Andy clones actually have two wheel sets, generally no one can see the difference. Changing the wheels has really caused much interest, I am quite surprised,and for someone who is not a model train modeler I am happy it's a winner.

[@leokimvideo]

Would you believe I found a paper face James, cost $1.00, I told the person selling it may be worth more, I don't need it as all I do is cut them up, or blow them up. The Gordon was $2.00 AUD..I had a hunch it was a rare find, it was the first paper face I had ever seen.

[@Hiawatha_Productions]

That face you put on Gordon is one of Thomas’ signature mischievous smiles

[@DC4260Productions]

I think that modified Henry is the same one that Leo would eventually give away to the boy he met at a train show. It's fascinating to revisit his older videos all these years later.

[@Razer_-fe9mo]

That Henry has quite the history!

[@leokimvideo]

its very simple, pull apart your toy, have only the dicast main piece, carefully hacksaw the desired area, also cut the plastic wheel base in the same area, fill up the gaps with styrine, add a little spring to couple, screw to base, dress wheels, paint, play..

[@JohnBachofer]

Hard to believe it's been 10 years almost 11 since this video went up. I remember watching it as a kid. Funny thing is, in these days I do stuff like this virtually. I bet it took hours in real time to convert the ERTL Toys to HO gauge wheels. Funny thing is in a software like Blender 3D, Conversions like that usually in the form of switching heads onto different biped figures for video game modding, takes a matter of seconds. Oh how times have changed.

[@leokimvideo]

a very good question, all my train stuff and new ERTL purchases came from a model train shop which was being closed down, all the stock was being sold off, this same shop was where I went to buy stuff for episode 1. apart from wheels I picked up buildings, a windmill, lots of track, scale people and power transformers.

[@leokimvideo]

I'm not good at making moulds, its a tricky craft, but once mastered you become a clone master, nice if you need lots of stuff.

[@leokimvideo]

I am trying to stay as close to the first episode as possible, all the engines stay bright and clean, everything else gets a dirty look, it really makes the engines stand out in a drab world.

[@leokimvideo]

So many people asked for the tenders to somehow be involved in my next episode, a viewer of the first Vlog made the suggestion to cut teh tenders off, some said don't, well its resolved a huge issue of movement. It took a full weeks work to convert all the tendered engines, and all this pushes the finish date backwards.

[@leokimvideo]

There is always a ghost, and without giving any more away I think he will be there in spitit form.... The Japanese youtubers love ghost stories, thats one thing I have learned from episode ones brief ghost scene..

[@leokimvideo]

Thanks Nick for the offer I have 50 ERTL's now converted to HO, and hopefully thats more than enough.

[@leokimvideo]

I too see ertl's in old shops collecting dust, much of my collection was picked up from a model railway shop which was closing, and the ERTL's were literally being thrown away as new unopened. Some of which went into my video comp last year.

[@toadsonice]

Another classic video, it's so inspiring to see how you did this.

[@user-dk5xn4sl7r]

Such a classic ^^

[@TonsOfTrackmasters]

Epic

[@leokimvideo]

Doing model stuff is not oof my strong points, sparkshot and others like him are I believe great modelers, my work lacks the super detail that real model railway work needs, thanks for your comment..

[@leokimvideo]

Good question, sorry for taking so long to reply. As it stood the Douglas engine did not speak in the first episode, it appeared in a ghost video, and made a brief appearance delivering the video cameras, I tend to only give names if the engines have a speaking role, not sure exactly where it fits in next episode, maybe the mad bomber will knock him off before he has a chance to talk.

[@leokimvideo]

Its not a problem, once that bomber moves into top gear most will be in need of repair! Like episode one there is no main layout, just sections of set, no loop line, its made for filming, not playing with trains.

[@leokimvideo]

It's called fast cast, it's a two part casting agent which is actually very expensive, it pulls great detail and is fast to work with. It sets very hard and is quite easy to work with files and drills. It is far more robust than plaster.

[@leokimvideo]

The coupling rods before I chopped up the rare ERTL Gordon were light grey, and too thick once the HO wheels were applied, Gordon like Diesel are long thin ERTL's, and their HO wheels do look a little wide. I may change this as that red is very bright, it really is there to dress out the HO wheels which look nothing like the big steam wheels.

[@leokimvideo]

I don't have derek (well im not really sure as I am not up with all the character names) one thing I did notice was some of the ERTL's were real easy to convert, the most difficult was the large steamers, Gordon and Henry. I wonder who else has had a go at doing the HO / OO wheel change.

[@leokimvideo]

My advice it to get as narrow profile as possible when choosing bogies, the ERTL's are smaller than HO / OO guage, it would help to take some of the ERTL's with you when searching for wheel sets, go to a dedicated model railway supplier, often they have good advice. Most of mine are Marklin double axle sets, and Roundhouse brand sets. The Diesel and Gordon models are very narrow and difficult to make the HO wheels fit. Hope this helps..

[@leokimvideo]

Mark, so nice to have your comment, I have lots of respect for your youtube stuff, and the way you deliver videos on youtube, I will need some help n your points in running a competition, I will mail you very soon.

[@leokimvideo]

I would love to do some sort of tugs cross over, only problem I have never seen tugs toys for sale in Australia, in fact its never been on TV here, I only found out about it on youtube, and it seems many Thomas and Tugs fans do cross over to each series.. Its a good thought, I will consider it.

[@leokimvideo]

In the first episode rolling stock his arm was cut off so it could move to different angles, its his only moving part, to mould him requires the arm to be done away from the main body, the arm has its own tiny mould.

[@leokimvideo]

Would you believe I also found a paper face James from the same shop, marked as $1.00, I was honest and told them it may be worth more. Thnaks for your info, I learn as I go, I'm not into trains at all..

[@leokimvideo]

Thats clever, but watch out the series has many sets of twins, and when is a twin a clone.

[@funsyminn]

Leo was ahead of his time

[@leokimvideo]

I think the large engines rebel against using LPG, as they argue their tenders are like little brothers, and the LPG tanks look silly attached to the engines.. Hope this answeres the question.

[@leokimvideo]

Hi Hiesler. I will do a video on this subject, plenty of people have asked this question and I really only skim the topic over so far. I'm hoping to pull this off using only everyday hardware materials and not the expensive professional products which are basically made for speed of work and finish. Sorry for the big delay in reply I did keep this mail sitting in the box for a few weeks so I would not forget.

[@leokimvideo]

A interesting question, there are no strings, magnets, gravity or powered wagons at work, there is a clue in the shadow of the front on shot of Thomas moving. Like a magic show your eye often looks where the real magic is going on.

[@leokimvideo]

A interesting idea, the 'resident evil' aspect has me thinking of a horror series, these types of themes seem to be very popular, I know in Japan they love a ghost story, and pure horror is enjoyed most other placs, I would hate to scare the small kids away..

[@minebiggut1510]

Its rather funny seeing one of your first videos commpared to your most recent ones :)

[@leokimvideo]

To really cover all the aspects of making moulds would be a full 10min video and maybe more for complex moulds, I in no way could undertake a mould with undercuts or complex shapes, what I have shown is very basic stuff, something I had many questions on.

[@leokimvideo]

The idea came from a viewer comments, and thats whats great about youtube comments.

[@callinstead09]

Hmm. and at the "name that face" bit, the face looked a bit like James "gleaming red Ted" because it has his ERTL facial features; mouth is open slightly, the bottom lips meet in a sort of V shape, the nose is short and stubby, and large bangs under the eyes.

[@JohnBachofer]

Man I'm impressed by all those train customizations. A vast collection too, the closest thing I have to a collection like that is my collection of action figures from Star Wars, Star Trek and what not. I used to do something like this in my own Project "Space Battles" named after the famous website until I switched to CGI; but I could never have been as talented as this. Keep up the good work.

[@Shunteration]

I know, it'll probably take a LOT time and energy and work, but, in episode 3 maybe, could you introduse some Electric engines? Please?

[@leokimvideo]

Thanks , only problem is it was a rare paper face ERTL, I should have left him as he was. Its too late he has been cut and shut..

[@OwenDWF]

Ive got an idea. Your saying that alot of people say that replacing the Wheels on the Ertl Models makes them loose their character abit. Why not spray the replacement wheels/bogeys on each Engine their correct colours, EG Henry will have green, James will have Red so on.

[@Britishrailwaystories]

Looking fantastic so far - well done on the tender engines, the modification is nicely done - and I think the way you've re-incorporated the red coupling rods into the Gordon model has worked well too. Very nice! 5*

[@hiesler]

Hey Leo, Is there any chance you could make an in depth 'how to' video on how you make your resin moulds and castings as seen in this video? I am thinking about making some resin casts for some model trains I want to make. But I really dont know what I need or where to start. I hope you concider my sugestion. Hiesler

[@Boypogikami132]

Fun fact: in the railway series, we see 4 generations of The Fat Controller

[@leokimvideo]

I made very small moulds with silicone, and in fact they were done in drink bottle lids, then cast the little faces, the Diesel was cast up 25 times over 3 moulds, again that took some time, the wheels on the diesels are both screwed on.

[@SignoreBoy]

Very informative and amazingly well done. Sounds pretty expensive but I bet this is something every Classic Ertl Model Collector would love to do themselves ;)

[@leokimvideo]

I have to agree with that comment, yes the older Kinder toys were great, I remember getting little plastic kits in breakfast cereal, and in saying that I have given away my age,,! Then again there are Happy Meal toys, they can be cool to collect.

[@james_fisch]

ERTL is and always will be my favorite type of diecast train for collector's, take along is sadly squished, the day I got them when I was young, I was disappointed in their look. However, ERTL trains today are very rare, I was lucky to get a lot of them, my bro likes to use them as collecting and movies, since you inspired him to do some neat films. He is a very big fan of you and would like to say, thank you for giving him a cool hobby! I also have the ERTL Frank the diesel.

[@leokimvideo]

Had me searching the IMDB. He was a skilled model-maker, and worked on special effects for the marionette adventure series "Thunderbirds" and "Captain Scarlet". I see he passed away early in 2008. Its great to know all this, as the Thomas series to me has a strong link to series like Thunderbirds even if its only format related, due to the kind hearted nature of Thomas stories it restricted the action compared to the types of screenplays which were the backbone of Thunderbirds.

[@emmascrivens5419]

I was born in 2008

[@notaslav]

So was I

[@leokimvideo]

I only have plans to do a episode 2 and 3. With them will be behind the scenes videos, and very soon a competition which will attract much attention, its running a little behind, I am aiming for the end of Jan 2009.

[@JacobMski]

I like the wheel configuration you've done with Bob.

[@leokimvideo]

no he has a moving arm, it did move in episode one, either set up or down, no one ever noticed.. the arm has its own cast, and yes it was cut off with a hacksaw, delicate operation 8 years ago.

[@hightidekraken]

When you think about it scrap yard sets are basically a easy way to do something with those 50 Thomas’s you unnecessarily had as a kid. Also that face is James I believe

[@james_fisch]

Very true. ERTL did attempt to continue the line after they made a better coupling system for engines, but was discontinued with the line in 2004. Ever since, it has been very hard to find several trains. I got BoCo for 1 dollar at an antique shop.

[@leokimvideo]

yes, they are the older style kinder egg, the new ones have a easy open indent in them. they are a little too big but I will live with that, i used to collect kinder toys, these days i just eat the chocolate.

[@gtw4918]

I like the blue diesels with the 2-axle truck sets.

[@leokimvideo]

I went back to the shop where I found the paper face Gordon, I found a paper face James (he's the red one..??) I was a good boy and explained to the people selling it to maybe have a price higher than $2.00 on it. I believe they are now selling it on e-bay. I learned the hard way, would hate to see someone else loose out.

[@Alzaar_The_Gunzel]

The green Andy diesel is named Class 40 in Thomas

[@leokimvideo]

Well done in spotting that face..donaldengine9 the FC arm is removed as its a moving feature, it has its own mould. All he ever does is move his arm..

[@leokimvideo]

Sorry he got the chop, I actually found in a old shop a number of paper faced ERTL's. I never knew they were worth anything special until people here saw the video.

[@D0nnyB0y]

Aren't the HO bogies powered? In your first vlog, Thomas moved on his own accord.

[@leokimvideo]

Had to laugh at this comment, and I think there is a line "and the coal trucks were completly deatroyed", thats because I only had 4 of them, and I needed them all. Don't worry, I have plenty of logs to put on the next fire, and you will see destruction like none other.

[@leokimvideo]

to make a 10 min stop motion video for me would take 6 years, people have trouble waiting a few months for video, some want it produced overnight...well I don't do overnight specials.

[@Shunteration]

No, No! I ment that 'Diesel 10's' face is look evil, and since he's a diesel, you could use him in your next episode... To explain, look for a videos: 'Tribute of Diesel 10'. But cut away the claw from him, because it's only in the way... But the idea with the boogies is O.K., right?

[@thunder230mph6]

I like what you did here, Leo, those diesels look very sharp with their new paint, the steam engines aren't bad, either. BTW, I saw the Mad Bomber episode you made, pretty cool. I also discovered that with the ERTL TTTE diecasts, you can take them and build the real locomotives they're based on as well, I've got a few of my own planned, hope to start work on them soon. I haven't bought any beaters to build off of yet, however, but I'm working on it as we speak.

[@leokimvideo]

He looks like a great character, would like to know exactly how he fits in, and what his job is in the real Thomas story...??

[@leokimvideo]

Look at the shadows, and think simple thoughts..only one other viewer has worked it out.

[@nzardoin]

Cool. Nice project. Your really good at this.

[@JohnBachofer]

I don't know if this has come up allready but in the video you said that converting the ERTL models to HO Scale wheels can kind of the cherecter away. Well my idea is paint the wheel sets the color of the engine. I don't know for sure because I'm yet to try it myself on all the Bachmann brand trains that I have, but it might just work. Oh I also really like your cloning idea. I might just try it on the Star Trek, Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, and Babylon 5 figurines that I have. Keep it up.

[@Thomas4trainz]

6:02 You blew up Alan!

[@leokimvideo]

Thats a easy one for me...The Mad Bomber..!

[@tommee10533]

Great video, nicely done!!!5 STARS!!!

[@leokimvideo]

I think they will keep their tenders as they don't want to convert to LPG, they are proud big engines who don't like change..and without their tenders they do look a little strange.

[@leokimvideo]

Thanks, I will keep this in mind.

[@D0nnyB0y]

Thank you, and that's quite clever of you to move his arm.

[@katiemilner9773]

If you do start mad bomber again you should take the coal load out (if you can) and replace it with whatever you used for coal in episode 1. It shall make crashes more interesting to see the coal fly out but you don't have to whatever floats your Bulstrode!

[@PercyandDuckfan94]

I believe the face you used in your "new" Gordon model is James'.

[@WhitehouseFilms]

is that a sort of resin that you used to make the copies for andy?

[@camscott8402]

Well, ERTL's right now aren't exactly all that collectible in the old packaging (Except for the sticker faces), but it's going to end up like the old Thomas Wooden Railway and Hornby models. They are going to be VERY collectible.

[@bluefoxy6478]

I think if Leo manages to make molds for the entire ERTAL line, he would be able to sell the "clones" of the line and people could get them again. That's not a bad idea actually.

[@leokimvideo]

About the Gordon face, there is one thing I have found out of interest, the ERTL, Take Alongs, and even the $2.00 plastic Thomas trains have a face size all exactly the same, I was able to find a $2.00 plastic Gordon and cut this face off, so my ERTL has a Gordon face. I have also developed a smoke system for the diesels, it was a little tricky to do, its sorted now.

[@Theworrierofages]

Come on Leo, I have been waiting since you first posted the mad bomber. I have very clear memories of it before Mute.

[@twistedaxles9126]

4:59 Now that's cursed Ertls right there.

[@theremoteanater]

im am in love with your videos in 2005 i madae my first video but i never uploaded it to youtube

[@DaRkCaBoOdLe137]

@theshedrailway i found a paper face percy buried in my front yard

[@Shunteration]

2 things: - You could put the boogies into parts, then paint the wheels on the color they should be... It will gave the characters a realistic look, and if you put back the coupling rods, no one could see the rest of the boogies that the wheels... And second, try to find an ERTL 'Diesel 10' on the internet... If you cut down the claw, you will have a diesel whit the perfect 'Resident Evil' face for your next episode...

[@OrugaVerde6]

Sure buddy, sure...

[@megamangos8490]

You can put In tmotor on it

[@leokimvideo]

Thanks, believe me if I could have it made now it would be, maybe the time required to do such work will be realised by the many people who keep asking for a release date. Please think of this time as the quiet before the storm.