7 completed 3 L&Y & 1 Midland loco in progress.

[Simon Moore]

As a subscriber to BRM I've been reading with interest both Phil Parker & Tony Wrights exploits on kit building & I must admit I have really enjoyed some of the things produced. I switched to modelling Swiss metre gauge trains & although this is my main interest I do like to diversify my modelling.

 

As a modeller I think it is important to stretch your wings & have a go at different things, kit building being one of them. I find this one of the aspects of the hobby I really enjoy & it's great to look at something knowing you've made that. I have enjoyed building many plastic structure kits for my Swiss layout but although I enjoy this it does fall short of burning the tips of my fingers with a soldering iron & the other thing I really enjoy about modelling ( Weathering )

 

When we had the layout challenge in 2007 I think it was, I entered & built a little stabling point which was my first layout & it features on the Carl Arendt website & I also exhibitioned it at the first LYDCC show in Rawtenstall.

This challenge when I spotted it I thought great, perfect. I've been itching to have a go with a brass kit again & I've wanted to weather a model so this is a perfect challenge for me.

 

Then I asked myself what am I going to do with the model once it is finished. I don't own a OO layout or any stock for that matter so I am going beyond this challenge all being well. I am going to construct not 1 but 2 loco kits, a rake of stock & fingers crossed a layout for them to run on before the end of the year.

 

Can I do this...... It's big ask but when I entered the layout challenge I had a focus & a finish time to produce the layout & I managed to complete the task.

I'm currently recovering from a motorcycle accident so I have a lot of time on my hands plus 1 & a half working arms so building a etched kit is going to be a challenge mentally & physically for myself.

 

I cannot bend my right elbow it is locked in a 90 degree position & I have no movement in my right wrist so bending & folding metal won't be easy. I've suffered a lot of demons as a result of this accident because I cannot do many aspects of my hobbies because of the injuries. I hope this challenge will be not only fun but for me personally it is a big challenge & in my own head hopefully i will be in a better place if I can produce the goods.

 

a hint of what it's all about

 

steel1.jpg

 

 

That's all for now

 

Simon

 

As a subscriber to BRM I've been reading with interest both Phil Parker & Tony Wrights exploits on kit building & I must admit I have really enjoyed some of the things produced. I switched to modelling Swiss metre gauge trains & although this is my main interest I do like to diversify my modelling.

 

As a modeller I think it is important to stretch your wings & have a go at different things, kit building being one of them. I find this one of the aspects of the hobby I really enjoy & it's great to look at something knowing you've made that. I have enjoyed building many plastic structure kits for my Swiss layout but although I enjoy this it does fall short of burning the tips of my fingers with a soldering iron & the other thing I really enjoy about modelling ( Weathering )

 

When we had the layout challenge in 2007 I think it was, I entered & built a little stabling point which was my first layout & it features on the Carl Arendt website & I also exhibitioned it at the first LYDCC show in Rawtenstall.

This challenge when I spotted it I thought great, perfect. I've been itching to have a go with a brass kit again & I've wanted to weather a model so this is a perfect challenge for me.

 

Then I asked myself what am I going to do with the model once it is finished. I don't own a OO layout or any stock for that matter so I am going beyond this challenge all being well. I am going to construct not 1 but 2 loco kits, a rake of stock & fingers crossed a layout for them to run on before the end of the year.

 

Can I do this...... It's big ask but when I entered the layout challenge I had a focus & a finish time to produce the layout & I managed to complete the task.

I'm currently recovering from a motorcycle accident so I have a lot of time on my hands plus 1 & a half working arms so building a etched kit is going to be a challenge mentally & physically for myself.

 

I cannot bend my right elbow it is locked in a 90 degree position & I have no movement in my right wrist so bending & folding metal won't be easy. I've suffered a lot of demons as a result of this accident because I cannot do many aspects of my hobbies because of the injuries. I hope this challenge will be not only fun but for me personally it is a big challenge & in my own head hopefully i will be in a better place if I can produce the goods.

 

a hint of what it's all about

 

 

 

That's all for now

 

Simon

Edited October 18, 2015 by Rhb Simon

[Corbs]

So are you going to enter both challenges (making the layout a module)?

[Simon Moore]

Hi Corbs

 

I think I'm just going to do the layout as a stand alone although I will look at the modular challenge & see what it's about.

[Simon Moore]

Well yesterday I dug out a part finished wagon kit which is going to be part of this project. It's generic to say the least but it's a start.

I've also changed my genre from steel to coal. I've also ordered a wagon kit to start until I can fund the locos I am planning on building.

looking forward to getting this whole project underway.

 

Simon

[Simon Moore]

Today I purchased my first loco kit. I managed to buy a Djh class 02 shunter kit which is basic but I don't want to jump the gun with my arm as it is. Anything simple is a bonus for me.

 

Hopefully it will arrive Friday & then I can get cracking.

 

Simon

Edited March 25, 2015 by Rhb Simon

[Simon Moore]

Well I've added another 2 kits to my list of models to build.

 

After hearing about Jim Mcgowans 4mm pocket money range back in production I had a great chat this morning with Jim & purchased a Y7 & a j79.

my thread is going to be a collection of starter kits aimed at beginners. I'm hoping I will have about 5 locos now to build. My locos will be painted in Ncb liveries I think & i'm going to name 1 with some custom plates from narrow planet. Once we know for certain the sex of our baby it will be named one of the names we've chosen.

 

I must admit I'm looking forward to building jim etched kits I've wanted to make one for a long time they look great models.

 

Simon

[Simon Moore]

I had a knock at the door this morning with a Djh 02 starter kit.

 

The weather is dreadful here today so I've made a start getting the basic chassis & body off to a flyer.

Although the chassis has no gearbox yet I can blow it down the test track with coupling rods fitted which is a great start. I'm really pleased with this kit Djh has done a grand job of making a starter kit & i'm looking forward to making the barclay next.

 

I've taken pictures of my progress which I will upload later. It's time for a brew now though.

 

Simon

Edited April 6, 2015 by Rhb Simon

[Simon Moore]

It's seems my tally of kits is now at 5. I've been busy gathering materials & kits to settle down with. My missus has told me this will be the way forward because the layout will have to come down in the spare room to house our baby.

 

I've now moved downstairs to a kitchen table workbench & I've dug out my kit building tools. I've got a couple of mercian saddle tanks coming as well as a agenoria kit & also a mcgowan j79. I've plenty of models to build now & I hope to complete them & maybe some more before the cut off date. I've been really busy painting the 02 in a fantasy ncb livery. It currently looks toylike with gloss paint but that's only my base for transfers. Hopefully by the time it's finished it will look the business. I will upload some photos of the 02 when I have time later this week.

 

Simon

[Simon Moore]

So my challenge has changed a bit since I set out a couple of weeks ago.

Originally I was going to build a few locos that would have been used for the steel industry & make a layout for them to run on but I have changed my tune somewhat.
I've started to look more to NCB locos & my first kit was a Djh 02.

The 02 kit was a nice easy build but the gearbox that comes with the kit needs scrapping because it is a bad design & will not work smoothly. I fitted a LRM gearbox with a big Mashima & it runs nicely now although i am less than happy with the paint job which i may replace.

Below shows the build process.

 

 

 

 

I sprayed this with Halfords aerosols which i hope once finished with wasp strips & weathering will tone down the model & look more like a clapped out NCB diesel. I'm a little annoyed a rushed the paint job but i have not made a kit for a long time.

I have got a number of industrial kits coming & as my layout room is now a nursery for our upcoming baby i am now stuck on the kitchen table so kit building is what will keep me going for now. 

This challenge was going to be tough because of my on going elbow problems which i suffered in 2013 as a result of a motorcycle accident. I am suffering pain in my elbow but this challenge is giving me something to aim for & i would really like to do something good enough that would feature in BRM.

Whilst i waited for some of my loco kits to arrive i decided to have a go with a RT Models Hudson tippler kit.
After reading the instructions on the website i felt this was a challenging little model which would test my elbow & also my soldering etc. Although i didn't document the build i think the result is something to be proud of. I thoroughly enjoying this kit, it was a joy to build with all the pieces fitting as they should.

Hopefully this image shows the result.



I need to finish it off with a bit of weathering & a load for the hopper but i am pleased with the result.

I also made this fictitious liveried ex NER wagon into a NCB wagon which is finished off.



One of my loco kits has arrived & i have made a start on building it. The kit is one of Jim McGowans connoisseur models 4mm component packs. It has everything to make a 4mm J79 loco. This is going to be finished as LNER 1787 which was given to the Bowes railway in the 30's to be used as a colliery engine.

I have never rolled a boiler before & i was worried about doing this task. I thought the best way to do this was to buy a sheet of brass & some brass tube from Craven models in Skipton & practice. My first go was a perfect finish & i am very pleased with the result.



I started to get the basic chassis started yesterday & firstly got the connecting rods built up which are made from 6 pieces etch & some brass rod.

Before they went together



Once i had set up the chassis jig with the rods i got the top hat bearings soldered into the frames ready for the chassis to be built up.



I've decided not to go any further with this kit at present because i have been planning the gearbox & how best to drive the model. I have a Mashima 1220 which i think with a flywheel & a High Level gearbox it should be a nice set up. 



Although the above image is just a mock up i am hoping that a High Level humpshunter box will be a perfect set up for the model. The downside to using this set up is that the motor will then go into the cab & will be visible but i am happy to compromise with this. I'm going to ring High Level on Monday & have a natter to see if this gearbox will be a suitable box for the model. 

Once i have the gearbox i will then finish off the full chassis & i am still waiting for my GW models wheel quartering jig to arrive. The wheels for the kit are from the Alan Gibson range which i now have for the model.

After this i have the choice of another 3 models to build so up to press i have 5 models for the challenge but i am hoping to have built more than that before the end of the year. I'd really like to build a Backwoods Garrett that looks like a real challenge & i really like the look of the model.

As i cannot do anything Swiss until we move to the bigger house ( a few years off ) I will concentrate my efforts on building locos & stock for the challenge. Although i originally said i would build a layout for the models to run on i cannot do this now so i will just see how many models i can build. 

Thats all for now

Simon







 
 

[ColinK]

Wow, you made that 02 quickly - looks good. I've also got an 02 to build, but not started it yet?

[Simon Moore]

Colin I would recommend replacing that built in gearbox if it's the newer version kit. I know a few people who had the same trouble trying to get it to work correctly.

 

Thank you for the comments on the build. I am going to pick that build back up at some point but I really want to get the J79 finished off. I may repaint the 02 in br livery i'm not happy with the paint I've done.

 

Simon.

[garethashenden]

Take the wiggly bit at the bottom of the gear box and turn it around so that it is under the motor. That way the whole thing can move forward and not intrude into the cab as much. If you remove the flywheel it might not intrude at all, not sure though.

[Simon Moore]

Hi Gareth

 

I've nearly completed his kit now I have been taking photos but not updated the thread.

I put a high level hump shunter in there with a flywheel in the cab & it works a dream. I'm really pleased with the model so far.

 

Simon

Edited April 24, 2015 by Rhb Simon

[Simon Moore]

I've been so busy with this challenge that I'm actually on my third loco now.

 

I've joined a EM group & I've converted the djh 02. It ran happily for 4 hours with a heavy train On the groups layout with very favorable comments.

 

I've now got on my bench a Mcgowan J50, N7/3 & a PDK B16/3. So I now have enough stock to keep me going for quite some time.

 

I have photographed the models I've been making at various stages & I shall do a proper thread update sometime over the weekend all being well.

 

I must admit that I'm enjoying the McGowan kits immensely. They are a real joy to build & both will be done as west riding locos. The N7/3 was a great eastern loco but they went to Copley hill for 1 year in 1954 so I will be doing mine in early emblem. The B16 will become a Mirfield based loco once I get round to it.

 

That's all for now.

 

Simon

[Simon Moore]

I've been very busy recently with this challenge.

As i stated at the start my health isn't brilliant. My arm is badly damaged & after 18 months of hospitals, operations & various other therapies i am told i am only half way there. This has been a big blast to my already battered mental state. 

Thankfully Brm & Rmweb have come up with this fantastic challenge which has been a game changer for my mental state. Although i have done some modelling on my swiss layout its been a bit hit & miss because i have very little motivation or enthusiasm.

Building these kits has been great, I've had a huge mood lift seeing something i have built run. Most people are building A loco, i'm just going to chug away until times up & see how many i can churn out. I've built 2 already & the 3rd is underway with another 4 sat on the workbench waiting. 

I've joined the Keighley Model Railway Club & become involved with the EM group in the club. I've always strived to model in finescale but lack of skills has always stopped me. Now i am involved in the construction of a layout based on Halifax St Pauls i am worknig towards building stock to run on the club layout.

Right so what have i been doing?

The DJH 02 i wasn't happy with, the paintscheme didn't look right so after stripping it a couple of times i repainted it BR green & weathered it & it looks fantastic. The model has also been converted to EM & was on the layout pulling a very heavy train for 4 hours running in & didn't skip a beat. The model has had favorable comments from the members of the club which has given me a real lift.



Before fully completing the DJH 02 i started on a Jim McGowan 4mm kit of a J79. The kit is a challenge because you have to roll your own boiler which is scary when you have not done this. I first did a test on some sheet brass & then rolled the final boiler using some brass tube as a guide. 
I'm not going to run through the process blow by blow as i got stuck in & just took pictures as i went. You can see the build process in the images below. Hopefully my third model i can do a stage by stage account rather than like this one.











With the J79 done it was tested at the club for 4 hours on the club test track & ran perfectly only coming to grief once but this was the track not the loco.

Now the J50. 

I started this on friday & built the chassis ready for wheels etc. Again another very enjoyable kit so far with only a few minor hiccups. I built the chassis complete with brake gear which ended up fouling the coupling rods so i fixed that this morning. The motor originally chosen for this kit was a 1020 i had in a box but after testing i found the motor faulty. It would fire to life when the power on the controller was turned right up & initially i thought it might be the mesh being tight in the gearbox. I removed the motor & found it was the motor at fault not the high level gearbox. 
I had a 1220 left over from the DJH 02 & after getting the worm off i replaced it into the gearbox & it is silky smooth once again with great slow speed control. Testament to a very well designed set of gearboxes which i will now be standardising in my locos.

The kits when they arrived.



Chassis between jigging the brakegear,



Completed chassis



This next week i plan to have the body built & completed ready for the layout all being well. I am working my way up to a Brassmasters 4f that i have but i want to do some north eastern 0-8-0's too especially the Bradwell Q6.

I plan to have 8 or 9 locos built by christmas 1 isn't enough ; )

Thats all for now 

Simon
 

Edited April 26, 2015 by Rhb Simon

[backofanenvelope]

Wow, you don't hang around! but lovely work and you should be proud of your progress. I have a number of kits that have been in boxes for years, but I do rather like that J50

 

Good to hear you have joined a club as learnt loads when I was in one looking forward to seeing more come off the production line.

 

Tom 

[Simon Moore]

Thanks Tom

 

why not dig out a kit & get cracking ; )

[ColinK]

That's terriffic Simon, I've only openned the box on my 02 kit (O gauge) and you've managed a whole fleet of locos that look good and run well. Well done too for persevering with that paint job.

 

You could have a new career building locos for people.

 

Colin

[Simon Moore]

Thanks Colin

 

It's funny my wife said the same thing. She thinks it would be a good career for me. If I'm honest I need to learn to paint models better I can do br black fine but more intricate colours are a struggle at the minute.

I must admit I'm enjoying my modelling more than ever at the minute & I have a large & ever increasing list of models I want to build. More or less everything from here on in will be north eastern locos.

 

I'm looking forward to building more challenging models as I go along. This J50 has some parts i'm looking forward too as it's fiddly & detailed.

 

Simon

[t-b-g]

All I will say is that if you can build stuff that well, that quickly, with only one good arm, you will be positively dangerous when you get the other arm sorted out!

 

I also did 1787 for a proposed Cawood, Wistow and Selby railway layout that never got off the ground. For a class of only 3 locos (and only two that looked like that as the third one had bigger tanks) they have been well served by the kit manufacturers as mine was from a Steve Barnfield kit.

 

I have a lovely photo of 1787 on the line at the head of two NER 6 wheeled carriages which inspired my build.

 

Many congratulations on the very nice models and I look forward to seeing more.

 

Tony 

[Simon Moore]

Thanks Tony

 

Originally I was going to do 1787 in a fictious industrial livery. I had no direction when I started this challenge I just wanted to be involved & try to lift my mental state.

 

I'm more focused now & have something to aim for. Thank you for the positive comment.

 

Simon

[Simon Moore]

This morning i tackled the pick ups on the chassis & after a google on this site i found something that worked ( I Think )



I made these wiper pick ups but they didn't do the job properly so i made some that touch the rim via a double coil spring from 28 gauge phosphor bronze wire which is working a treat.I had to cut off the brake gear parts that run under the chassis because it was stopping me from installing the pick ups. I don't like soldering at all near Gibson wheels as they rust easily if any flux gets near them. I cannot handle the wheels without gloves because the acid in my fingers does the same thing.

I started on the loco super structure this morning & there were a few bits that worried me but i managed to get them right in the end. The curves on the side tanks were a ball ache & the 1 piece etched cab was fun. I think i have got it sorted though, i soldered the sides to the body & filed it flat touching up the solder until the joints are almost invisible. I am hoping that once the body is sprayed the joints will have gone all together.



I folded up the various parts on the footplate etch to begin then fitted the sides, cab & bunker. I also fitted the inner tanks so i can build the tank tops & then fit the boiler which still needs rolling. This boiler is a bit more in depth with multiple pieces but i am fairly confident that it will be just like the last one fingers crossed.

 

I had to modify the front cab because of the motor but i have found this with both of the McGowan kits so far. I'm guessing that the N7/3 will need the same treatment. 




I might get the boiler rolled this evening then i can get cracking tomorrow with the rest of the superstructure.

Thats all for now.

Simon

 

[Simon Moore]

My camera is charging but I've got some more done on the body & it's been mated to the chassis & test run on the club layout.

 

https://youtu.be/QHAuuFKEkFA

 

I'm hoping I can get some sleep this evening then I can get the body finished tomorrow. Between my pregnant missus & a cat that won't leave me alone I didn't sleep well last night Otherwise the body would be done now.

 

Simon

[backofanenvelope]

Looks very smooth, v.impressive.

[Simon Moore]

Cheers Tom

 

I'm really pleased with it. Great kit & high level gearboxes are fantastic.

 

Simon