I've been a bit busy fiddling with dodgy electronics recently but haven't produced anything worth adding to the blog (yet). However I have also found time to build another Dave Bradwell brake van chassis so thought folks might like to see a picture. On the left is the completed one from last year, on the right the one I've just finished. I decided to do a slightly different version of van, this time with the shortened foot boards. These kits really are enjoyable to put together, a bit fiddly in places but well designed and engineered.

Work has now started on a PDK models D16/3, so far this kit looks pretty good, some of the design is somewhat 'old school' (no option for compensation/springing) but it looks like it should be quite fun to build. Progress so far has been limited to putting together a High Level gearbox and making a start cutting slots for horn blocks in the frames. The frame spacers in the kit labeled EM/P4 are only 12.5mm wide so these have been discarded in favour of some from Perseverance which are a gnats under 15mm. For now they are just sitting in place held by the friction from the spacing gauges.

I had a read through the CLAG website on continuous springy beams but when I drew up the ideal arrangement of fulcrums it became clear that the curvy nature of the foot plate and the size of the wheels meant the fulcrums at the ends of the chassis would actually have to be above the height of the footplate. I think I'm going to try and use a similar under-slung springing arrangement to Bradwell's J39 chassis kit. I'll make some kind of keeper plate for the wheels which includes the cosmetic springs from the frame etch and also some points to secure the functional spring wire to.

Unless you have any better ideas....

David