1 hour ago, stewartingram said:

I like the look of this, I really have the feeling that it is time to replace my trusty old Bec kit (made when I was still at school, 60 years ago)!

Now for peace of mind for a luddite (please excuse me, (silly questions probably):

1) You model in P4, is it suitable for a 00 build.

2) It is a flexichas, is that necessary or can it be a solid chassis

3) For a number of reasons I won't use coreless motors. I do use HL gearboxes and have been very satisfied using them with the Cambridge Custom Transfers motors, (and similar examples from ebay that I have tried). Any idea if those would fit (they are quite compact, but the pic of the motor tucked down inside the frames makes me wonder)?

 

Sorry about the questions, you probably don't agree with my ways of doing it, but the hobby is a broad church and I do respect otherways of doing things.

Hi Stewart

I've described the kit as 'designed for P4/EM' but we have included frame spacers for OO. The tender chassis will need a little modification to solder the two side frames at a suitable OO width rather than just folding down. You also will need to file a little bit of the 3D print behind the front wheels to clear the narrower wheels.  The chassis uses Brassmasters' hornblocks and the 'Continous springy beam' principle to spring the chassis (not flexichas that uses equalizing beams). If you really want a solid chassis then you could ignore the CSB wires and just solder each bearing into the hornguide at a specific height (you could put a piece of round or square rod between the top of the bearing and the top of the horn guide to set the height). I really would recommend building it sprung as it is no harder. The boiler has a decent hole down the middle and a small mashima iron-core motor would fit. You probably won't be able to fit in all the cosmetic valve gear, but you should be able to narrow that 3D print so you at least get 'something' to fill the hole between the frames.

Hope that helps.

David

8 hours ago, stewartingram said:

Thanks for that very helpful description, you've made my mind up. The Bec one will be kept (I may even refit the Hornby chassis for nostalgia sake), but I shall be ordering the new one very shortly. That will be followed by the HL gearbox, and at the right time, the AG wheels. I have an outstanding order with AG at the moment, no quibble but he has problem sourcing the right spec of brass for his etching work.

Once again, thanks.

Stewart

On gearbox selection, the High Level LoadHauler+ which I've recommended is 10mm wide and the Brassmasters easichas bearings and etch overlay stick inside the frames by ~1mm each side. You might get away with that as there doesn't need to be any side-play on the rear axle. It is probably worth looking at the HiFlier+ which should fit and is 2mm narrower.

David

3 hours ago, wiggoforgold said:

I shall be getting one. Is now the time to start the pressure for a J19? 😊

Thanks

Alex

Hi Alex,

Not a lot of pressure required. The changes needed to the etched parts for the J19 are quite small (an extra 2mm either end on the frames and the widened section of footplate). It is definitely in my plan after I've done a 3D model for the round-topped boiler to allow the pre-grouping folks to make a J16.

David

It looks very impressive. Well done.