Evening all
apologies for the lack of updates. Primarily due to my camera having to be repaired. I don't see the point of blog posts without photos.
As the title suggests, I've got the Muir Hill Tractor to the painting stages and have managed to get something approaching a wooden appearance, after a couple of false starts. Just the transfers to add, one or two painting defects to rectify, a little light weathering and we'll be done.
Clevedon has been put away for Christmas, having been
Evening all
I've been making slow steady progress with the tractor which has culminated tonight in the gear box being powered up and test run. No shorts and the wheels went round!!
The body and chassis have both been primed and painted and the next step will be to fit the pickups to the chassis, then glaze the body and put the roof on. Then the final painting/light weathering, transfers...
Also have made a start on the so called match truck, which I've always thought was a milk trail
I'm pleased to say that the O2 had a successful try out at Uckfield this weekend. The photos I took there were not good enough to post so I've taken a few tonight. Not the best lighting conditions but I'm really pleased with the way this has turned out.
I only had the one 3/4 shot aft so apologies for the out of focus. I like it though!
Also had a little shunting session with the Ruston. This will be the works shunter when I reconfigure the layout and it needs a headshunt. We tried the bas
A visit to Uckfield this weekend saw the purchase of wheels and gearbox for the tractor. A day off today saw the (eventual) fitting of said wheels and gearbox.
I haven't ever built anything in 7mm before so I suppose it shouldn't have been a surprise when I discovered I lacked the necessary reamers to open out holes etc!
The kit says it hasn't been specifically designed for motorising but there are options. In my case that consists of a bit of guesswork, a Roxey 40:1 gearbox and Mashima 1420 m
Evening all
Nothing like a deadline or in my case a looming exhibition appearance to cause a general panic and frantic session of modelling activity.
Wheal Elizabeth's off to Uckfield next weekend and I really thought I should have the O2 ready for running.
So, a little bit of tweaking here and there, the fitting of the roof and application of smokebox number plate and crew and it's just about ready. Of course I'm not actually planning to have this hauling clay hoods, so I
Evening. It's been a while hasn't it?
Fear not, the silence doesn't indicate lack of layout activity, just the ongoing and rather mundane electrical wiring of Clevedon WC&PR. The second board is now done. I linked the two together for the first time on Saturday and we had trains running. Just the third one to go. I couldn't bring myself to post photos of the rats nest of wiring, but I have attached a shot of the underboard turnout operating unit involving an Exactoscale mounting plate an
Amazing what a week off work can do. I have time for modelling and another layout update. The first board has been fettled, wired and the first train successfully run. The Caboose Industries ground throw incorporates a SPST switch for frog polarity and whilst a little chunky, seems to work ok. Having put the second board up, it's obvious that I won't be able to use them on all the turnouts.
Having the boards in the relative comfort of the tinking room helps too. The second board beckons. With q
Have been playing with the mechanism for the first loop turnout on the Clevedon station throat. The other end of the loop will have something similar as these are going to get the most use. The others will be surface mounted throws similar to those used by Chris Nevard on his Brewery Quay. Also took the opportunity to adjust some of the trackwork.
Told you I'd get the boards for Clevedon out. First board now installed in the tinking room for wiring up. Have decided the loop turnouts will be driven via wire in tube from SPDT switches. The remainder surface mounted Caboose Industries turnout throws. Routed out the two end channels. Will backfill with Rocklite once the tubes are in.
Feel like the modelling mojo's definitely returning. I plan to make the ballast look a lot more light railway is before it's finished. The first board will be e
Been doin' some modelling...
A couple of Tulis PAA Hoppers. Very nice kits too. The resin is cast particularly well. They're filled with lead so should have no problems staying on the track. Now Weston's gone to the convalescent home I'm starting to think about progressing Clevedon. May put the boards up at the weekend and have a good look at things. I've a couple of weeks off coming up and a little modelling time will be required. Also sprayed up the bubble car roof. Body next.
Not mine alas, but of Weston WCPR. Thanks to all who came and said hello this weekend at Camrail. A good show to finish on.
I really should crack on with Clevedon.
Next weekend will see Weston-super-Mare WC&PR rolled out for one last time. Never say never and all that but I'm not planning to do any more shows with it.
It'll be at Camrail along with some other cracking Colonel Stephens layouts.
Come along and say hello (or goodbye) as we look to recreate May 1940 and the last train from Weston...
Camrail details
In the meantime, here are some photos I never got round to posting including an original (courtesy D Walrond).
I've stripped down the O2 chassis to find the cause of a slight bind (this was the reason it wasn't released to traffic at RailEx) and took the opportunity of changing the bogie pick ups to something much cooler I saw on the Scalefour website forum. Basically, it uses Alan Gibson sprung plunger pickups bearing on a gapped copperclad stretcher to transfer power from the wheels. The two plungers also mean the bogie is sprung. Pick ups from 36swg phosphor bronze were added including a link to the b
Sorry for the lack of updates but I've been busy continuing with the programme of modifications to Wheal Elizabeth which will eventually result in passenger running.
First came the removal of the loading dock and platform almost immediately after Trainwest.
Next came the attachment of the new fiddleyard board and painting.
Next the start of an overbridge based on Bugle. The stone work is from Kibri styrene sheets. Very good and not as pronounced as the usual Wills offerings.
Then the additio
Final assembly tonight. I'm quite pleased with this. A few details to add, crew, coal, route discs and a few spots of paint required, then I can call it done. May have to tweak the chassis a bit when I get it out on the layout for a good run in (the crossover on Wheal Elizabeth's always the killer). Something to haul coaches when I get round to converting the Hornby Maunsells.
Have taken the plunge and built the lighting rig extension for Wheal Elizabeth. The purpose of this is to bring all the supports forward allowing the front line to be used for a through passenger traffic in the future. I've only had to bring this forward about 100mm and the effect is a rather nice 'chunky' proscenium arch. Still needs a topcoat of blue gloss in time for its next outing at Trainwest, Melksham next weekend and after this, the next step will be to crack on with the necessary bridge
They both work!! Always a huge sigh of review when they move under their own power.
O2 Motor wired in and pick ups added. Over sprayed varnish to deal in transfers added. Buffer beams & final detailing awaiting, then weathering. Couldn't resist a photo opportunity for a Maunsell coach too!
Bubble car has had a coat of primer to show up the blemishes. A bit of rubbing down is required and beading to the end window.
Where did the last fortnight go?
Some progress with the bubble car. Second end finished. Just waiting for the handrails to arrive courtesy of Southern Pride and 'courier'. Think I'll have to lower the original end a bit looking at the photo. Got the High Level lo-rider power bogie installed finally. Was a bit of a struggle as I'd cut off most of the Lima mounting bits when I originally built it. Anyhow, it seems to fit now, though I haven't tried it under power yet. I think it looks alright
End game now.
Well it always feels like it to me when you start the painting. Probably still weeks away yet!!
I've finished lining and lettering one side. I have to say I'm impressed with the Fox lining. Apart from one piece, it's gone on really well. Engine had 2 coats of Halfords Satin Black first. A couple of blemishes have been noted but once the transfers are sealed I'll tone everything down anyway. Numbers are also Fox. Emblem is methfix exPC now HMRS.
Just need the blasted motor to
More work on the bubble car.
New end is on and large windows reduced in size. Still some filler to sand off then it's sticking bits on time.
I'm enjoying this
Oh and the O2 has had another coat of paint after a rub down. Transfers on order from Fox as I've bottled the idea of lining with a bow pen.
You know how it is. A couple of quiet weeks with not much progress and then the mother in law arrives. Modelling output mysteriously increases. Actually not for the reasons you might think but because with a bit of child care, I've suddenly got a bit more time than of late - though building the Lego Toy Story train set the nipper got for his birthday was strangely therapeutic.
Anyway, progress of sorts on a number of fronts. The O2's been in the paint shop and is now hardening off before I
Slow progress at the moment due to a succession of family birthdays and the odd exhibition, but we are getting somewhere...
O2 is starting to come together as I add bits and pieces. Some are included with the kit, most are not.
I had a slight hiccup when I discovered my choice of motor wasn't going to fit inside the boiler. Must've measured it wrong. Anyway as soon as the replacement arrives from High Level we'll be back in business. The body's not far off its final clean up and spray. Then I
Happy New Year to all of you out there (or is that in here) in RM Web Blogland.
I succumbed to the lurgy over the Christmas period and consequently didn't do any modelling. Starting to feel better (coinciding with starting back at work surprise, surprise) so have recommenced detailing of the O2.
I like this bit of the build. An evening may only result in just one fitting being applied and it's the usual case of 'how do I replicate that thing?', but it's all steady progress.
First off the h
Coming thick and fast now. Must be the fact that we're snowed in!
Have had another good session with the O2. Chassis has been tweaked by soldering additional strips onto the High Level hornblock thingies for the spring wire to slide through. Photo makes it easier. The front two wheels are now set at the right height so don't foul the underside of the splashers.
I've also attached the steps, coal rails, drawhooks (Ambis) and (after opening out the holes in the buffer beams) the buffers. Finally
Right
Thanks to all who came and said hello at Wigan last weekend. Nice to hear kind things said about the layout. Although enjoyable, the show was a bit of a killer for me with a nightmare journey home on the Sunday evening. I've done too many shows this year (no surprises there Mr Venton!) and subsequently i've decided that I won't be accepting any more invitations for Wheal Elizabeth as I've got sufficient up to and including 2013. I want to get on with Clevedon and want to have it finished
