Here's a couple of methods you can use for making replacement coupling rods.
Its not unusual when scratchbuilding a new loco chassis to make the rods first and use them as a jig to drill axle bearings holes or holes for axle bushes, but there are times when there's a need to make replacement rods. Here are a couple of methods that may be of use. The first method is the simplest, but requires the use of either a milling machine or compound slide mounted on a bench drill. For those t
Modifications and detailing on Neilson & Co 0:4:0 Coffee Pot.
After reading other modellers blogs, its seems that quite a few of us are plaqued with infinished projects syndrome, with incomplete models littering our shelfs. In my case, I had scratchbuilt 16 locos and 5 remained unfinished, so a decision was made to try and get some of them transferred to the done section. This scratchbuilt model of the coffeepot was started some 30 years ago, but because of its racehorse like
Geabox Madness illustrates the construction of different gearbox types.
How many modellers do you know that make a closed gearbox for an Adams B4 only to find that the motor intended for use with the gearbox has packed in, a modification is made to the gearbox to later find that the unit will not fit in the intended B4 without surgery to the boiler, a start is then made on a cradle type gearbox only to find the same, the end solution on the B4 can be viewed in another blog.
Ever wanted to make your own worm and gear wheel ?.
Here's how to make a simple 30:1 worm and gear along with a home made gear cutter, both lathe and milling machine were used in the process.
Snitzl.
Scratchbuilt Em to P4 conversion with wheel rim turning for this L.S.W.R. class B4 Dock Tank.
This second installment of Snitzl Works section covers the conversion of a scratchbuilt Adams B4 in EM gauge to P4. The original model was built way back in the early 1980's to standard gauge and a few years later converted to EM, so its taken a while to build up enough enthusiasm to do this final conversion.
Brief introduction and Wheel Quartering Jigs .
Snitzl Works blog will illustrate and describe my efforts into modifications and scratchbuilding of rolling stock / locomotives along with all the sub assemblies / components such as gearbox's, gears, worms, wheels, motor bogies, wheel quartering jigs and will also include all the trials and tribulations that can sometimes occur along the way, so perhaps this blog should be a guide on how not to modify and scratchbuild locomotives. I
Walls Traverser Cover - Part 2.
This is part two of the 'Walls Traverser Cover' which was started last February and has taken at least 1260 hours to construct. Details of construction covered in part one are not repeated in this blog so illustrations move on rapidly. The model is virtually a micro, multi layered layout modelled in styrene. This blog also covers details of the traverser with its extruded aluminium tracks, mechanical switch and end of board track protection.
Walls Traverser Cover - Part 1.
It was only last February that I thought to myself that Snitzl Town only required a traverser and transportation rack to finish, then I could get on with some rolling stock modelling. Thinking about the traverser, instead of using two pieces of plywood to hide the traverse sidings from the viewing public, what about an actual model of stone walls and walkways. Searching the internet for ideas with search terms such as ' fantasy castle ', ' stone wa
Harbour Cranes for Snitzl Town.
Detailing continues for Snitzl with the addition of two types of yard crane and a warehouse pole crane. Images of these types of crane were collected from the web by searching google images. The model types chosen were Ratio's Yard Crane, Mikes Models GWR yard crane and a real world warehouse pole crane. A majority of the work was done by hand but a few components required lathe turning, milling, dividing head and bench drilling.
The Boat Warehouse Scene.
The boat warehouse scene covers construction of two simplified boats, packing cases, warehouse crane, timber fence and a couple of items covered in previous blogs. The water is still receiving repeated coats of varnish and PVA, as suggested in the RMWEB forums. Further attempts were made at moulding street lamps as covered in the 'Cab Shelter Scene' blog which resulted in one more street lamp for this scene. Its worth a mention that the water clear resin
Cab Shelter Scene.
This blog features a horse drawn cabbies shelter, stone paving, winter tree's, shrubs, street lamp and a little more. In particular, the street lamp has been a bit of a problem. Initially, I wanted to mould the lamp in water clear resin with fibre optic running through the base and stand but found it impossible to fill the mould completely. Moulding one street lamp per day, cutting the feed deeper and thinking, might have to addopt an alternative approach.
Lineside Odds and Sods
Here we have a collection of small modelling projects that have kept me busy for the past few weeks. Most of these projects were inspired by a series of articles found in Model Railways Magazine by Nelson Twells, Roy Anderson and Gregory Fox.
Included are :
LMS Lamp Hut - February 1977.
LMS Mileposts - March 1977.
LMS/BR Concrete Lineside Bin - April 1977.
LMS Sandbox - May 1977.
LMS Sidings Gates - October 1977.
Here is yet another illustrated guide through the construction methods used on Snitzl's market stalls.
In all, ten similar stalls were built and modelled in styrene with bread, pies, flowers, biscuits, meat, books, dishes and vegetables made from various materials. A simple brass injection mould tool made years ago was used for wheel production and the small empty crates are modelled in 10 thou brass.
Construction of the simple brass mould tool will be covered in a fut
Here is yet another illustrated guide through the construction methods used on Snitzl's low relief warehouses. Inspiration for all three warehouses comes from a similar brick structure found on Peter Denny's Buckingham.
Area's of construction lacking detail are covered comprehensively in other blogs.
Thanks for Looking..
Harbour Walls and Warehouse.
Here is an illustrated guide through the construction methods used on Snitzl's 12 foot harbour wall, step ladders, mooring rings, mooring bollards and warehouse. A little time has been spent adding variations to the plain stone walls with bulging / multi-layered stonework.
Inspiration for the warehouse comes from both Dave Shakespeare's canal tunnel on Barden Road, featured in Model Rail - April 2003 and the front cover of a Langley Models b
Warehouses - Three of a kind.
Warehouses - Three of a kind, has taken over 500 hours to model with an end result that recurs time and time again for me. It seems strange that some buildings modelled look perfectly fine on the workbench, but when placed in situ on the layout, they don't seem to belong.
Again, inspiration for the warehouses was taken from photographs of Tregarrick MKIV by Iain Rice in Model Railway Constructor - May 1980 and Model Railways - January, Febr
The Works or Halfwits Wondrous Wagon Works.
The works is a small wagon / loco repair shop, managed by Jack Halfwit, that services the rolling stock of Snitzl. Comprises of three small buildings, water tower, hoist and pit. Most, if not all the inspiration for "The Works" was taken from photographs of Tregarrick MKIV 1980 by Iain Rice in Model Railways February 1981. 'The Works' is presented here as a complete project with the usual snitzl step by step pictorial approach.
Servo Mod Point Motor.
Following on from my previous episode with radio controlled servos as point motors, it did eventually dawn on me that there might be a way of using servo's without the electronic drive and sensing circuitry. A stripped down servo is made up of three main components :-
5volt dc motor.
Precision spur gear box.
Small PCB with electronics and sensor.
By discarding the electronics and sensor, it should then be possible to utilise b
Kimberley - Signal Box.
Built for Ilkeston Woodside MRC's 00 / 4mm layout of Kimberley ( G.N.R. / L.N.E.R. / Midland Railway ).
Just a few illustrations following the construction of this Great Northern Signal Box. Construction of the model was initially similar to the small timber station building posted previously, however, the interior of this building has been partially modelled so that furnishings can be added when required. The roof has been made detachable for this
Kimberley - Small Timber Station Building.
Built for Ilkeston Woodside MRC's 00 / 4mm layout of Kimberley ( G.N.R. / L.N.E.R. / Midland Railway ).
Here are a few illustrations following the construction of this part timber station building. The original building was constructed by the Great Northern Railway in 1876 and early photographs show wood panels down to ground level, later pics show bricks had replaced the timber from below the windows. Construction of the model
Timber Goods Shed for Kimberley.
Built for Ilkeston Woodside MRC's 00 / 4mm layout of Kimberley ( G.N.R./ Midland Railway ).
Here are a few illustrations following the construction of this timber goods shed and adjoining goods office. A small amount of Will's flexible brick sheet was used for a small area of brickwork in the office section of this building, the remainder was constructed from plain 0.5 and 1.0mm styrene sheet. Two photo's of the original building were av
Three Buildings for Kimberley.
Built for Ilkeston Woodside MRC's 00 / 4mm layout of Kimberley ( G.N.R./ Midland Railway ). Here are a few illustrations following the construction of two small weighbridge buildings and a small goods shed. Laminations of 0.5mm plain styrene sheet and Slaters embossed plastic were used for the body shells, while electrical wire was used for the downpipes and brackets. Special focus is given to the lintels and step by step illustrations as to how reas
Trestle Bridge.
Based on Wickham Bishops trestle bridge over the river Blackwater with slight variations, this is a step by step guide to modelling the main components of this bridge in styrene sheet. The stone supports at either end of the bridge are briefly covered and further details of their construction can be found in Random Stone Walls. The bridge itself, is a fairly straight forward bit of model making ideal for the beginner. Most of the trestle bridge is constructed from
Lattice Footbridge and Steps.
Based on a G.N.R. foot bridge that existed at Kimberley station,nottingham, this is a step by step guide to modeling the main components of this bridge, from styrene sheet. The stone support structures for this bridge are not included in this build because similar structures of that type have already been covered in other blogs. The build method is very similar to an earlier construction for Kimberley Station, with slight alterations due to lessons le
The little people in 4mm scale.
Creating figures in 4mm scale is a bit of a hit and miss affair for me. When sculpting the face, some figures turn out great, while others turn into real monsters. The initial sculpting is done in dental plaster or chalk from which a silicone rubber mould is created. From this mould is cast a white metal figure which is further detailed to become a 'master figure'. If multiple copies of the same figure are required, then a second silicone rubber moul
