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P4 Class 55 "Deltic" conversion: One step forward, two steps back, and maybe one further step forward - P4 Deltic Pt 11


Jon020

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Well, there comes a time when we all hit that wall. After our local show (when I exhibited the 55s) and EMExpo last month, I felt enthused to carry on... the mojo was restored... but it didn’t last. Despite having a useful chat with Ian Rathbone (at EMExpo) the prospect of painting the loco looms over me and is seriously hampering my judgement. I’m also dithering over final details.

 

I’ve also spent some time setting up the Class 55 group on here (not much time doing anything, but a surprising amount thinking about it – how does Andy Y manage it all :chok_mini:?)

 

For the last few weeks I’ve also been clearing out material from inside the fuel tanks to remove the material behind the valves to add the pipes... this led me to think about adding a bass reflect speaker (cue diversionary research into which one to fit – will stop dithering soon and just phone SWD) and then trying to decide whether to go the whole hog and remove the fuel tanks from the water tanks and move them inboard... and then a) risk messing up the fuel tank brackets, and B) not be able to fit the speaker. Then there’s the fuel tank gauge that I ought to replace, but haven’t got an etch to do so – and the existing ones are a little small.

 

To cap it all, these last two days I’ve been questioning my judgement over not going for the cantrail grills... and tonight this came to a head. I spent some time looking at the body of my loco trying to decide whether I should risk all the currently fitted details and drill out the existing grills in order to fit the etch ones. However, as with much of this project, this might solve one problem but leads to more: If I remove the cantrail grills, I also remove the supports and housings for the inner screws that attach the chassis to the body, leaving only the four outer screws (by the bufferbeams) securing the loco... and given that much work has been done here already, i found myself wondering about the resultant structural integrity of the loco.

 

I’m certain that this problem is not insurmountable... but I think it might involve some extensive major surgery to rectify. Is this all too much for this my first extreme etching major project.... er yes!:blackeye:

 

I have to remember that I’m a newbie to this hobby and whilst what I’m doing here is proper modelling, which there is nothing wrong with, I have to remember that to aim for perfection the first time may be too much. I think that I need to cut back and focus on getting this loco finished... do what needs doing, get it painted and weathered and enjoy it. I still have problems to overcome (fitting brake chains to class 50 brake cylinder actuators – different to before; fitting bogie tie hooks; fitting sanding pipes to bogies) but I ought to keep the list to just these – but maybe add sound as my first DCC venture.

 

In the back of my mind I think back to my Grandfather, Tony Burgess: A true gentleman and friend, JP, Active in the Scouting movement (County commissioner, district commissioner, silver fox, and finally OBE), artist, racing yacht builder, ex scenery painter at Elstree, ex motorcycle racer (Brooklands), original supporter of the MNLPS (when Clan Line was bought) and railway modeller. His RM speciality was whitemetal kits and brass kit building: his goal was to make a perfect Bulleid Merchant Navy class Clan Line in 4mm... or specifically P4. I always remember as a boy wondering why our locos fell between the tracks of granddad’s scenic plank track. The trouble was, his striving for perfection in Clan Line meant that whilst a finished Clan Line appeared a few times over the years... it was always stripped back and taken apart again to improve on that imperfection. At the time of my grandfather’s passing in 1985, the model was in an incomplete state and was “acquired†by one of his acquaintances... despite it being promised to me. I wish I still had that loco to marvel over today, because despite its incomplete condition, a rivet counter would have a field day... it was (as I recall in the eyes of a 16 year old) spot on... although to my grandfather’s eyes, in his failing health, I can only assume it wasn’t.

 

So, perfection is something to strive for... but I don’t want this to be at the expense of all else. In my day job, we can’t ourselves deliver perfection all the time... we just need to ensure that everything that’s presented is right... so quite a juggling act that one!

 

For my relaxation hobby (if that’s what it can be called) perfection is something that can be identified... and results aimed at that... I’ll just not worry of my aim is slightly out.

 

I also have other Bachmann 55s sat in their boxes in my drawer; and as Brian promises to bring out new bits (cast fuel tanks?) in the future, perhaps by then I’ll have honed the skills a little, got a bit quicker and got a few more projects under the belt from which to feel more satisfied and confident about and something closer to perfection might be achieved. After all I’ve a 47, 50 and 37... and 08 all waiting titivation... and I think they’ll be a bit quicker to work than this one; and doing these will hopefully prevent me from continuing to be “a one trick ponyâ€... which I feel in danger of at the moment.

 

So, sorry about this slightly less than positive posting... but I think that I’m now going to focus on getting my act together and get on with this 55... finish it... show what can be achieved with the majority of the extreme etch bits (with room for further work) and do something else.

 

Right that’s it... tired now... Will post a photographic posting once I’ve got something proper to show on the fuel tanks ... removing the material is worth it... it’s just a case of knowing when to stop. Like this entry.. which I’m stopping now. Until next time.... J :bye:

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Jon an excellent read.

 

I can empathise with the mojo thing - my 4mm one has totally vanished. I think your reasoning on this Deltic is sound, I often used to find myself revisiting older projects... (these two blogs might be of some solace: http://paxton-road.blogspot.com/2010/11/third-time-lucky.html and http://paxton-road.blogspot.com/2010/02/gathering-of-gronks.html).

 

In the end I found P4 and 4mm to lose a bit of fun for me - and that's what I needed back in the dark days of early 2011 and the G-scale diversion (as I'm sure that's all it is) has been a strong part of my life since injecting some much needed fun, energy and modelling freedom.

 

Good luck - I look forward to seeing this Deltic finished. I've been pestering about paint for months, splash some on, finish her off, and start on the 08!!

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Thanks James... your linked blogs (which I'd not realised you had before) are a good read and I'll bookmark these for later. I really want to get as much done on this loco as I can (within reason) and only really come back to it if necesary (but yes, never say never) - your comments about coming back as skills develope is recognised. Last night I spent an hour or so assembling two working 4mm scale screw link couplings for the loco - mainly cosmetic but they look the part - mind you -I might need to blacken these rather than paint them. We'll see.

Thanks for your response, it's greatly appreciated.

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I think perfection will never quite be reached, especially in the eye of the modeller examining his/her own work. At 1:76, some things are just too damn small in reality, but are still "big" or noticeable when viewed close. And you'll probably always try to improve something.

 

You just have to find 1/ how close to perfection you can achieve and 2/ how far from perfection you are happy to accept.

 

And.... you don't have to achieve perfection first time round. The next incarnation will always be better, think of your Granddad's Bulleids except perhaps starting afresh rather than stripping the same base model each time.

 

 

My above comment comes across remarkably "deep" for a 'capturing the essence is plenty good enough' modeller such as myself! :lol:

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Hi Jon,

 

As James says, this was a great read...fascinating to hear about your grandfather.

 

I can sort of see where you are (now, were?) going with this and I can understand your dilemma. Coming from someone who finds it difficult to finish things himself :rolleyes: , its all to easy to try and offer pointers but I think towards the end you sort of summed up yourself what you need to do.

 

Don't think for a minute that you are a one trick pony...the work as witnessed on those Deltics is very inspiring and although I am only guessing ;) that they are your favourite loco, I can see you applying the same sort of craft and care to the other locos in your fleet as you note above.

 

Hence why the MPD will be the perfect backdrop to display your work.

 

Perhaps by taking the Deltic to its natural conclusion, you may well end up beginning the layout to replace the plank and provide a new direction.

 

Inspiring stuff so please do keep us posted on what your next move is :yes:

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Jamie, thanks... you're right... hopefully I'll be able to live with what I end up with.. or as James suggests, there's always the possibility of coming back to it later on. So thanks... and yes, wonderfully deep.

Pete, Hi.... I think you're right. Thinking and then writing all this clarified what I need to do... I just need to do it now... rather than sitting here sorting out stuff on line whilst watching Star Trek IV.

I think you're right that when I get this done, I'll be able to concentrate on something more scenic... such as the previously mentioned MPD... or even a glorified stabling point... to replace (or supplant) the photoplank. Thanks for baring with me.

James... sorry for the shorter than intended reply yesterday... you're certainly setting new ground with the G scale and I can see how this inspires... despite tight financials at the moment... I've decided to slowly head down the DCC S route and order the bass reflex speaker for the Deltic's fuel tanks today (Caroline at SWD)... chip and possibly an upper speaker to be order later, when funds permit... one step after another. Hopefully sound will relight that enthusiasm... let's see how this speaker fits first.

Thanks for you comments... and encouragement. I'll start tomorrow.:bye:

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