Jump to content
 
  • entries
    134
  • comments
    483
  • views
    99,810

About this blog

Railway Series, P4, SCC and Pre-Grouping blog. Basically whatever I'm modelling at the time.

Entries in this blog

Small P4 Layout Update

Half a year a later I post a mini progress report. Progress is really slow, partly due to me making and converting wagons to P4 with Dingham couplings. So far I have four fitted with them plus the 57xx loco. Apart from the latches not always dropping I'm really happy with how the magnets and couplings work. Any advice on reliability? I've installed 3 electro-magnets and 3 push to make switches and wired them up through a chock block. I only realised later I could daisy chain some of the wring,
Knuckles

Knuckles

0

(P4) - 57xx Ultrascale Conversion for Bachmann Example

Success! About 6 years ago I had a bash at converting a standard Bachmann 57xx into a RWS 'Duck', it was nothing more than a face addition, balsa wood sandboxes (Ugh, replacement ideas please?), a couple of paint tweaks, brass number plates...and that's about it. I have been looking for another pannier of the same part number to have another go with more accuracy and care, however it seems Bachmann have discontinued it as I can't find one anywhere. Hopefully they will re-release it. Anyway,
Knuckles

Knuckles

3

P4 Wagons - Update and mini conversion.

The E2 project isn't abandoned, I just need to get around to doing the body.     Ok, so, I haven't been on recently much as has been established for a bunch of reasons. My modelling progress has ground down to a halt and I've made little progress on my layout. Well, really it's almost none as I have been 'waggoning' more than anything and before I make much progress on the layout I wish to get Dingham couplings fitted to a enough examples to accurately test if I like them. This means I need t
Knuckles

Knuckles

3

(Post 9 (LBSCR 'E2' Perfect Chassis Running))

Ook, high Level gearbox arrived today so I spent an hour or two carefully building it. Apart from me not shaving the crank pin retainers enough, and the coupling rods 'possibly' being a wee bit slack, here is the resultant running. I'm very bloody happy! Also I think it's safe to say you have another High Level proselyte.     Please see what you think.
Knuckles

Knuckles

2

(Post 8 (LBSCR 'E2' Boiler Explosion!))

I think after I'm going to buy a Hornby body and have another go with that. Truth is I think this old kit body is pretty horrid. I naively thought at the time of planning, simply being a 'kit' the model would be far superior as a base to detail over the old Hornby plastic one but after having a good look I think I was wrong.     I don't know what is the most accurate in terms of basic dimentions so last night I measured my metal body to that of my Hornby Thomas, which is basically an E2 with
Knuckles

Knuckles

9

(Post 7 (LBSCR E2) Chassis Complete!))

Updatiostini: Ok, where does this loco building n00b start.... Oh yes. Firstly I'd like to appeal to those of you who know better and have built a siable bunch of these. Much of what I've written below will probably make you cringe and be a good example of how not to do things! If that is the case then I'll just agree with you and try to learn. If your, like me fairly new to loco kit building then this post might provide some help or interest. I had to have a real good think how to buil
Knuckles

Knuckles

1

(Post 6 (LBSCR 'E2' Gearbox Construction))

Before I do much more on the body I want to start the dreaded chassis. I have already battled to remove the bits that needed to be removed from the flat etch fret and in the process made a bit of a pigs ear out of it, but thankfully after the suggestion of getting a good quality peircing saw I might be able to avoid future problems here. Mike G' graciously sent me some hornguides/springs and a coupling rod chassis jig, I had already brought the Alan Gibson hornblocks so I'll use them here
Knuckles

Knuckles

3

(Post 5 (LBSCR 'E2' Build))

Update,   The replacement sprung buffers have a small cap that needs to be soldered in place, but once that is done I found that the components were not supplied with a back buffer plate, and so I had to make my own. I did lose a cap but I made my own.   The following photograph I recieved from Tom Biddle (A.K.A Blue Pioneer), and may I say thankyou again, for it is a great picture. For a while I've been debating with myself whether or not to discard the 'enclosed' coal rails that came wit
Knuckles

Knuckles

2

(Post 4 (LBSCR 'E2' Build))

Mini update. Where I accidently filed the rivets smooth I've drilled holes, inserted .45mm brass rod with superglue. Then they were clipped off and filed. I just need to finish cleaning them up, removing the glue and fine tune the tank extension shape as the join is smooth to the touch now. Also added the grab handle seen in photographs. Bunker gone! Will scratch build my own. Chimney position looks crap here so might resolder it. Accupuncture pin cushion Nails clipped and filed, still need
Knuckles

Knuckles

3

((Post 3) LBSCR 'E2' Build)

I added the chimney and dome. This wasn't the easiest thing do do becasue the pre drilled holes on the boiler were not in the right place, and the pip in the castings wern't in the center either. I did try aligning them ofset but it didn't work so I cut and smoothed the pips off. On the dome before I even deflashed it, there was a small chunk missing and when I tryed to sort that the metal was so thin it flacked away leaving a nice gap. Brilliant. The chimney I couldn't put on perfectly straigh
Knuckles

Knuckles

4

((Post 1 & 2) LBSCR 'E2' 0-6-0 kit builds into 'Thomas' (x2))

Rather than call this, 'Moving to P4 Post 41' I think I can safely say I have now 'Moved to P4', Although 00 isn't 100% abandoned. I'd like your opinion on whether you think it's safe for me to call myself a P4 modeller yet. I would rather have it collectively said of me than me say it becasue I know I'm still new to it. Opinions please.   Ok...   As some of you may know, I'm going to try to build two LBSCR E2 locomotives, the first one as a straight E2, and the second as a slight kitbash.
Knuckles

Knuckles

1

Moving to P4 (Post 40 (Need help - Dingham's))

Need a bit of help guys. My Dingham auto couplers arrived today, I've took photographs and will make a mini write up in due time but I'm stuck.   Instructions say (in my own words) "If at all possible make sure the coupling protrudes at least 6mm's from the headstock outwards in line with the buffer heads. The coupler end must be inline with the buffer heads."   Problem is, even with the tabs removed and the coupler sunk as far back as it will go, and even after pulling the buffers out a lit
Knuckles

Knuckles

3

Moving to P4 (Post 39 (Loco Building))

This post won't amaze you, neither is there any pictures so I'll be supprised to see any comments as it's more an announcement than anything, anyway, my next post will likely be the building of a locomotive kit (or 2) straight into P4   I'm finally going to have a crack at Thomas MK 1& MKII. Finally I got a reply from Blue Pioneer who has built one of these E2's, he says the chassis is indeed etched and he has showed me a photograph and the horn guides are cut too. Thus, I have ordered t
Knuckles

Knuckles

5

Moving to P4 (Post 38 (Layout working!))

Note to readers: Please can you advice on the pictures? All my pictures seem to have the additions removed and so unless you copy and type them into your browser you can't see them. I haven't changed anything but RMweb clearely have. If I can't sort it easily then it seems people wil get bored with no pictures and I'll have a massive job trying to sort the pictures out - probably not bother. Please advice????     Stress & Success Minues the Dingham auto couplers with electronic magnets
Knuckles

Knuckles

6

Moving to P4 (Post 37 (Home brew angle crank and...stuff))

Ok, had a small rethink not long after posting the above. Because it seems overhead operation will be harder with angle cranks, rods etc, and researching what to buy and how to install them realistically might awkward, plus other than a few conflicting photographs I know nothing about them, I decided to...err, scratch build some. Makes so much sence. :shock: So, I know they are likely to be prototypically inaccurate and installed illogically and more like 7 or 10mm/1ft scale but at the moment I
Knuckles

Knuckles

2

Moving To P4 ((Post 36) 2 more Turnouts Motored)

I had a pleasant supprise today to see I and a few others have been graciously published in the Scalefour News 180, even with a special URL made. I'm much honoured, Who do I thank?? :thumb A mini update. I haven't wanted to post until I had something substantial to add so here is something marginly...substantial. Sub, more than Stantial...if that even makes sence. (Translation: There could have been more but I haven't done much modelling lately) Finally submitting and taking the advic
Knuckles

Knuckles

1

Moving to P4 (Post 35 (Success))

After several peoples Kind advice I have tweaked things more.   so, progress. The original droppers have been unsoldered and dumped and two of these have been made...     They have to 'low lift mech' ' in place, which to be honest don't look that out of place to me. Certainly after rust paint they will blend in.     Next was another reaf of the Tortoise instructions. It says to not use a powerful iron and to use a small tip. My soldering station is a Weller 40Watt jobby. Don't kno
Knuckles

Knuckles

2

Moving to P4 (Post 34 (Problems))

The point motors will have to wait a while as I have not brought any yet.   Basic track wiring is done minus any turnout feeds.   I have a serious problem. I started my first TOU using 0.7mm brass rod soldered to the rail webs through generous holes onto some gapped PCB with a drill hole. Had no sleepers so quickely cobbled up my own. The problem may only be with this one point because the switch rails are bent ever so slightly upward so whenever I 'operate' the tie-bar with a wire powered
Knuckles

Knuckles

6

Moving to P4 (Post 33 (Lots of Progress))

It's been a long time since I have done an update so for those of you who may be interested here is the story so far. Due to the back log there are about 11 photo's. The middle siding is my attempt at replicating that tasty combination of ash, oil, coal and crap you often see around steam engine sheds areas. Fine filler plaster mixed with PVA glue and some grey paint is the medium of choice, splodged and smudged into position and shape by the finger. For some reason I painted it brown, why?
Knuckles

Knuckles

2

Moving to P4 (Post 32)

Thanks for the advice Wil (from other forum). I can't take it though because I can't use the airbrush in my room. I only ever use it in the shed.   I am however supprised at how easy and fun brush painting track can be. Neatness is only needed in a few areas so a slightly thinned mix seems to work. Not all track is laid but I have painted what is. I have not finished painting it but it oooks to my aye pretty good so far. Ive only used two coloures; Humbrol 32 and 62 Matt, just mixed different
Knuckles

Knuckles

0

Moving to P4 (Post 31 (Tangable Progress))

Update: Bodge Jobs, Balls-Ups, & Pigs Ears!   As forecast here are a few pictures. I am yet to lay the four exits but that will be done soon as I wanted the 'harder' bits done first. Due to my faulty board build I used Balsa wood and C&L 3mm foam as the packing and trackbed. Most of it has gone ok but a few bits where the track joins hasdecided to be at a different height. To remedy this I soldered metal fishplates as a solid join whilst holding the track
Knuckles

Knuckles

2

Moving to P4 (Post 30 (Started Layout))

Rather than crack straight on with one of my main plans...     I decided to play it safe and do this plan...   probably the corner of a steel works. Unsure.   I've finally arrived at that golden area; started on a new layout.   This is a start on the mini lauout I proposed in the other thread...   It isn't my main layout idea but something to do while I finish sorting the loft out. Actually it serves severel purposes that will be more clear if they are listed.   1) Allow m
Knuckles

Knuckles

3

Moving to P4 (Post 29 (Track Building COMPLETE))

Ok here we are. 99% (100%) finished, so this is basically my last full post on it. Having the closure rails in place has given me a datum to gauge and fit the 1st double edged sword (point blade..what else?), I used the previous method I invented beforehand which was to bodge it with a mini drill and sander, then tweak and bend to suit afterwards. It's worked every time, just isn't quite as neat as maybe doing it with hand files but as I said before I felt like I was pidelling in the wind as
Knuckles

Knuckles

6

moving to P4 (Post 27 (Track Building Progress 4))

Monster post coming up. Actually about three congealed from Scalefour forum... Just realised I put a load of standard chairs where slide ones need to be at top right of the slip. Good job I only glued one chair down init!? Sorted now. I am a trifle unsure where to go from here though. The standard turnout needs another wing/knuckle rail, straight switch blade and check rails added, but for the slip I'm unsure.   Good news on the turnout progress, save for the stretcher bars, electrical mods a
Knuckles

Knuckles

2
×
×
  • Create New...