RMweb Premium newbryford Posted October 8, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 8, 2011 (edited) Following on from the prototype discussion here: http://www.rmweb.co....post__p__502812 I thought I'd describe my experiences of the build and the modifications needed to build it into 975025 "Caroline" as rebuilt by RVEL in 2008/9. The kit arrived without instructions as I think it's one of the first issued. Having built a few brass kits before, I had some idea how it might be assembled and a look at the photos on MARC' website http://www.marcmodel...tion_coach.html filled in some of the blanks. I wasn't sure how the roof was secured and was contemplating permanently fixing the roof to the sides to form an end/side/roof box. However the website photos show the interior clearly - so I assumed that the roof was a seperate piece held or clipped in by other means. However a quick call to Mike at MARC and all is now clear. The roof is indeed fixed to the end/sides to form a 5-sided box. The photos are to show the interior detail that is fitted. One of the ends was already folded by Mike as this is probably the most complicated part of the kit - the difficult fold is the small fillet the fits behind the cab and then folds down and back up to from the buffer beam. I simply replicated Mike's work. The "ears" need bending down as roof fixing points. The top edge of each side is folded down to an angle to match the ends, so that it can be used to attach the roof. One end is soldered to one side to make an "L" shape and the same is done with the other end/side and then soldered together to from the body. The assembly is only tack soldered at this point as I want to make sure everything is square before fully soldering the joints. I already like this kit as there's no pratting about with curved sides!! And the roof is already formed. More to follow as and when. Cheers, Mick Edited October 8, 2011 by newbryford 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium newbryford Posted October 9, 2011 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 9, 2011 (edited) As I'm doing the rebuilt version, the cab headcode panels are filled in using some scrap brass and soldered/filed to fit. The half-etched line around the cab window is used to locate the seperate window frames, so it's not too critical if some of it is filled in The moulded chassis has also had the original detail removed, just leaving the truss rods. Cheers, Mick Edited October 9, 2011 by newbryford 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium newbryford Posted October 10, 2011 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 10, 2011 (edited) Stepboards have now been added along with three strips of brass to hold the body in shape when the roof is fitted. Photos later. Progress is now likely to appear to slow up a little as work proceeds on a number of fronts. The body will have all the detail added, such as handrails, door knobs and window frames. If doing the earlier NSE version I would leave the window frames until after painting, but in modern guise, the window frames are the same colour as the body. The roof will be fitted with vents. The interior detail will be assembled - chairs/tables/driving desks. Cab end detail such as head/tail light fittings will have to be fabricated - probably from large lumps of plastic. It's highly likely that one end only will have DCC controlled lights as this vehicle will normally be paired with my 37423 or 47501 in push-pull mode. Wiring and fitting of the lights has to tie in with interior detail to hide the wiring. The decoder is likely to be fitted in the roof. Underframe detail will be added, including modifying the bogies into something resembling the B5(S) type. Some of the undeframe detail is included within the kit, other will have to be fabricated. Cheers, Mick Edited October 10, 2011 by newbryford Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium newbryford Posted October 11, 2011 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 11, 2011 The basic interior partitions are now in place. Cheers, Mick 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted October 12, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 12, 2011 Looking V good. What would you rate build complexity in comparison to (say) an average (not Centenary for example) Comet build? Cheers, P @ 36E Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium newbryford Posted October 12, 2011 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 12, 2011 Looking V good. What would you rate build complexity in comparison to (say) an average (not Centenary for example) Comet build? Cheers, P @ 36E Can't give a comparison as I've not built any Comet coaches. I would rate build complexity (so far) as suitable for anyone competent with a soldering iron. So far, the only complicated part was folding the lower cab end/bufferbeam. The roof is pre-formed and the sides are flat - which add to the ease of build. As I first stated, there are no instructions - yet, but hopefuly at the end of this build there will be! My intention is that at the end of the build, I hope that my experiences - and any helpful hints and constructive criticism from kind rmwebbers, will contribute to a concise set of instructions. Cheers, Mick 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted October 12, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 12, 2011 Well done Mick. I was wondering if you might be up for doing some instructions. I've done a fair few Comets and some other brass stuff of varying degrees of difficulty so this might be something I'd like to try. This coach has been around a few years; I'd be wanting to do it for early 80's if it existed then. P Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium newbryford Posted October 12, 2011 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 12, 2011 This coach has been around a few years; I'd be wanting to do it for early 80's if it existed then. P It certainly was around in the early 80's. I think it was converted about 1970/1971. Painted blue/grey. Acquired NSE 1990-ish(?). Then something resembling SR EMU green after the demise of NSE and finally the peculiar opal green in 2009. Cheers, Mick 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium keefer Posted October 12, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 12, 2011 looking very good, just the thing to allow you short trains for mallard, 80s blue/grey also meant SR headcode box and high level pipes/jumpers http://www.departmentals.com/photo/975025 http://www.departmentals.com/photo/975025395280 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium newbryford Posted October 15, 2011 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 15, 2011 I spent most of Saturday night with a woman..................... A bit more progress. As I'm doing Caroline, the window frames are painted with the main bodyside colour, so can be soldered to the body at this stage. For the NSE version - where the frames are silver - the recommendation is to fix the frames after painting. I've also soldered the handrails and door handles with the exception of the T handles. Etched ones are supplied with the kit, but I want to fit turned brass and I've none in stock................ The closeup shots show are very cruel - the shadow under the front frame isn't visible to the naked eye! The small holes in the front are the pilot holes for LED's. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Harvey Posted October 16, 2011 Share Posted October 16, 2011 Looking good Mick any progress pics of 950? Pete Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium newbryford Posted October 17, 2011 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 17, 2011 Looking good Mick any progress pics of 950? Pete Not this week! Other priorities that even Caroline can't rise above.......... Cheers, Mick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium newbryford Posted October 27, 2011 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 27, 2011 Work recommences after a few days holiday. The roof has been soldered to the sides/ends and now forms a rigid five sided box. It was a little tricky to line up the roof correctly, but by tacking a bit at a time, a satisfactory result has been achieved. The roof is supplied overlength and required trimming down and the joint filled and filed/sanded. Roof details will follow soon and then that's it for the main body soldering for a while. As the light clusters will be fabricated from plastic, they will be glued on, so I can get on with a good clean and a coat of primer to highlight any areas that need attention. (The small hole by the gutter line has already been sorted). Bogies and undeframe next. The tension lock is soon for the chop. Cheers, Mick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
springs branch Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 Looking good Mick, will you be bringing to Wigan so I can see it. Just needs a driver with a brew in the front with a load of office wallers sat around now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium newbryford Posted October 30, 2011 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 30, 2011 Looking good Mick, will you be bringing to Wigan so I can see it. Just needs a driver with a brew in the front with a load of office wallers sat around now. Yep - will be at Wigan. Where can I get a 4mm "Springs Branch" figure for my driver? Cheers, Mick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium ianmaccormac Posted October 31, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 31, 2011 Hi Mick I am hoping to get to Wigan this year. Will you be an exhibitor or a punter? I would love to see the etch made up. Following this with some interest. Regards Ian MacCormac up in Blackpool Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium newbryford Posted October 31, 2011 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 31, 2011 Hi Mick I am hoping to get to Wigan this year. Will you be an exhibitor or a punter? I would love to see the etch made up. Following this with some interest. Regards Ian MacCormac up in Blackpool Hi Ian, Plan is to be on the DEMU Society stand for both days. Your name on the etch has now disappeared under the roof................ I'm hoping to complete it before Wigan. Cheers, Mick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium ianmaccormac Posted October 31, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 31, 2011 Hi Mick Hope I'll see you and Caroline, or the Tea Trolly as I knew it! Cheers Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted November 1, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 1, 2011 (edited) It's looking very nice indeed Mick. I'm seriously tempted by this kit. Just remind me what the bogies are please? P @ 36E Edited November 1, 2011 by Mallard60022 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium newbryford Posted November 1, 2011 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted November 1, 2011 Just remind me what the bogies are please? The kit is supplied with B4's (on a Replica undereframe), but the prototype is fitted with B5(S), very similar to a B4, but with an extra large bracket and damper. Not to be confused with a B5 that is a heavyweight B4 with square traction rod and heavier sping plank. The B5(S) is clearly shown here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/27017199@N07/6099792489/ The bogies also require rotating 180degrees as the traction rod should point inwards to the coach centre from the centre of the bogie, as clearly shown on the photo. As the tension locks will be have been removed, it's an easy job to rotate the bogies. Cheers, Mick 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
meld Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 Re B5S bogies ... If they are available as a spare, then the Trailer Bogies from the 4 VEP ( Hornby ) will be very useful . Mike 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium newbryford Posted November 4, 2011 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted November 4, 2011 Re B5S bogies ... If they are available as a spare, then the Trailer Bogies from the 4 VEP ( Hornby ) will be very useful . Mike Hi Mike, They would indeed be useful - however, will they be a direct fit to the Replica chassis - I doubt it without modification - yes it probably could be done, but as I've got a set of B4's, then that's my route. The tension locks have been removed and the bogies rotated in readiness for conversion to B5(S) A bit more work after a delay awaiting some roof vents - they are supplied with the kit, but look a little chunky. I'm using MJT 2944 short shell type and I think Mike at MARC will hopefully supply these with future issues of the kit. Buffers and buckeye plate fitted and it now has a "face" Cheers, Mick 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted November 4, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 4, 2011 The kit is supplied with B4's (on a Replica undereframe), but the prototype is fitted with B5(S), very similar to a B4, but with an extra large bracket and damper. Not to be confused with a B5 that is a heavyweight B4 with square traction rod and heavier sping plank. The B5(S) is clearly shown here: http://www.flickr.co...N07/6099792489/ Mallard 60022 has got a spare set of these under his bullion van The Hornby ones are inside bearing so I wouldn't touch them with the proverbial. Try MJT on compensated bogie frames? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted November 4, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 4, 2011 Mallard 60022 has got a spare set of these under his bullion van Oh poo, you remembered! Anyhow, as I'm doing another one (Bully van) can you remind me if the MJT bogies mentioned above will suit or was it 247. Otherwise I'll have to trawl back through that previous discussion! I'd like to play at 'bitsa' building (alternative bogies) with this Comet effort. P (P.S. Been through Donny recently?) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted November 4, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 4, 2011 Mallard 60022 has got a spare set of these under his bullion van Oh poo, you remembered! Anyhow, as I'm doing another one (Bully van) can you remind me if the MJT bogies mentioned above will suit or was it 247. Otherwise I'll have to trawl back through that previous discussion! I'd like to play at 'bitsa' building (alternative bogies) with this Comet effort. P (P.S. Been through Donny recently?) Memory like a wotsit me. The best bogies are the Replica ones, as I believe Geoff is now supplying, along with a few other things. Through on wednesday, I waved but you weren't looking 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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