Jump to content
 
  • entries
    134
  • comments
    483
  • views
    99,775

About this blog

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

Entries in this blog

Moving to P4 (Post 26 (Track Building Progress 3))

Little progress report now. I booked a half day off at work today (mega rare) so used most the time to do some serious track bashing. I don't think I have done everything in the official order but things seem to be going ok so far, I just remember to not glue everything down so it can be gauged later, already had to slice some chairs off due to forgetting! I'm using the top stock rail as the initial datum with which V's and other parts of the formation can be gauged downwards from. The first
Knuckles

Knuckles

1

Moving to P4 (Post 25 (Track Building Progress 2))

Here are two pics of the timbering/sleepering progress. On reflection I tihnk I might have to get the Master template out so I can see all the template detail. Sadly there are 12 inch wide angular logs in the way.   The other day after recieving an order from C&L (the next day! took me by supprise, Kudos to them) I went to Ryman's and brought an A3 folder to house some templates in. I thought it a good investment to buy the £34 job lot of popular templates so to have a bank of mast
Knuckles

Knuckles

3

Moving to P4 (Post 24 (Loft and Track building progress))

I really need help. Progress in the loft has finally started to get under way, pics below. Just putting some hard board up to cover the bricks and be a basic sky wall but another backscene will probably cover it anyway. Dabbled for a while weather to use plasterboard or hardboard but decided upon hard board. If it warps I'll just have to redo it!   Now whilst we are doing the loft I can't do a layout, that goes without saying, but in the mean time after reading Ian Rice's 2 books on tr
Knuckles

Knuckles

3

Moving to P4 (Post 23 (Proposed Layout))

Plan based on Wilbert Awdry's proposed model of Knapford Junction (old type) mixed with my own interpretive projections. I have billions I've planned in 00 on Anyrail but I've only reciently seen they have updated it with Exactoscale P4 track - so I've redone a plan to P4. I'm still learning Templot slowly but for the time being I can now legitimately use Anyrail with P4 geometry. A step forward definetly. Ok, First up is Knapford Junction before the rebuild and subsequent move to North of
Knuckles

Knuckles

6

Moving to P4 (Post 22)

Haven't posted for a while now, plus your all probably bored of seeing the same thing, so here is more of the same thing. You love me don't you?....don't you..... ............. Err, o..k , then. - NW + North Western Railway. Made up as you know but in a way I hope is believable. These two new ones are now finished apart from a bit of weathering needed on those wheel edges, and some small tare weight lettering and stuff. I need to research what to add and where to get from but that can be
Knuckles

Knuckles

2

Moving to P4 (Post 21)

I haven't posted for a while, many reasons. Anyway, I thought I'd have a go at converting some New Bachmann vans seeing how every RTR wagon needs a different tactic. Seems that way so far. A few of mine I have just swapped the wheels and that has been enough for a free running rigid axle conversion, others are harder. I'm trying to bodge a "12T Ventilated Fruit Van BR Bauxite (LATE)". The detail on this van compared to earlier efforts is to be commended, rather than having a horrable thick
Knuckles

Knuckles

3

Moving to P4 (Post 20)

I've painted some of the wagons now. The following needs Matt varnish and a little toning down of the white lettering, but it's pretty much complete. The livery is made up but sensible, I've seen examples of the same scheme and some RWS illustrations have it so I hope it's believable. Lettering is 4mm high and the NWR stands for North Western Railway. On the other wagon I'm going to use 8mm lettering and just have NW to represent the same thing, that wagon has grey strapping instead of black
Knuckles

Knuckles

9

Moving to P4 (Post 19 (C&L B6 Turnout Kit COMPLETE))

I had over 20 pictures but I've managed after some thought narrowed that down to 11, if that's still too many then...well. Can't please everyone.   C&L Timber Tracks B6 Turnout. Something before I start. I mentioned this when I started the Exactoscale turnout but nobody answerd on it, if you have an idea please share. Basically when I brought the turnout kit at Warley last year they were selling CARR'S Butanone to glue the chairs to the plywood. I also brought Exactoscale's Butanone
Knuckles

Knuckles

3

Moving to P4 (Post 18 (C&L B6 Turnout Kit)

Still need to sort stretcher bar out for Exactoscale's C10. Now on to C&L's B6. I've decided to tackle a right hand as the other was a left, however, before I even start is this normal???   It looks to me like it is a 00 plan, or does it not matter? can always cut the webs later but what you rekon guys? I don't know weather this is how they are all regardless of gauge or if it's another boob someone has made. I can't go further until I'm sure.   Also I can't number the slee
Knuckles

Knuckles

3

Moving to P4 (Post 17 (2nd Cambrian Wagon Complete))

The cattle wagon is Dapol and the other Cambrian, I haven't made a Cooper Craft kit yet, any good? New update and a new wagon. Construction was almost the same as before. I learnt a lesson from the previous truck that has led to easier and more accurate placement of the W iron etches. On the last truck they might be too far to one side by half a mm or so, it runs great with the shunting finger and gravity roll but in a train with energies bing pulled forward it might be a problem - will se
Knuckles

Knuckles

8

Moving to P4 (Post 16 (Cambrian wagon complete))

Ok progress report. I've done abit of putting together. I didn't realise that I'd have to remove 80 or 90% of what I added with the inside lamination thingies / solebars? Sides of the truck frame - that'll do! Bill's sprung W irons were in the way. Rather than being carefull I bastardised them with a mini drill. Was fun but in hindsight I think I would have had a better more neat job if I only added the middle section that's left. Good thing is I know for the future now when making these C
Knuckles

Knuckles

3

Moving to P4 (Post 15 (1st ever Cambrian Wagon Build))

Ok, whilst I still need to finish the cattle wagon and get some tie bars sorted for my turnout I thought I'd make a start on a wagon from Cambrian. To my knowledge they have a good reputation and the price (discluding wheels and couplings) made me drool. Seriously, you don't find this kind of value these days. Less than £5, 4 sometimes for a wagon can't be bad.   Anyway, I have to build it against the instructions due to me 'P4ing' it.         This is the kit, I've decided I'm going
Knuckles

Knuckles

1

Moving to P4 (Post 14)

This has repeated information on in part because it is a compilation I did for Scaefour.org's forum. There is plenty of new material though. First off a quote of the progress so far...   To which a few people kindly replied helping loads. Thanks. One reply in particular I found very helpful. Pictures always help too. Thus... Before (complete with yellow lamp lighting!) After Xuron and mini drill abuse Aaaand... "Wont sum led mayte? ayve got loads younz" 45 grams, I w
Knuckles

Knuckles

5

Moving to P4 (Post 13 (Converting the Heljan Class 35 'Hymek'))

Apparently known to being one of the easiest 00 conversions to P4 known to mankind, I thought I'd give it a go. Conclusion, MEGA easy, however, I had some difficulties that you are unlikely to have, thus I'll post them first.     before all that bother I had a short circuit that I didn't realise until the controller passsed out, I had a hammer accross the test track at the far end. MONG, so after that I changed controllers but loco was still almost dead, probably too hot. After the above q
Knuckles

Knuckles

9

Moving to P4 (Post 12)

Ok, new update. Apart from the stretcher bars and TOU (took me months to find out what that meant) and the need to add the fshplates to the removable section again, it is pretty much complete. Both my test trucks run through it fine, one is that sprung cattle wagon in progress and the other is a Hornby 'Thomas Tank' truck with the wheels swapped for pinpoint axle P4, that's currently it, not even inserted cup bearings yet and as result the wheels don't spin perfectly on one pivot, the bob kind
Knuckles

Knuckles

9

Moving to P4 (Post 11)

After 2 months I finally managed to get the blade problem sorted out and progress has continued.   I fixed the blades in position as per the instructions, constantly checking with standard 18.83mm gauges in relation to the stock rails, I used a few different types as I seem to like doing to be sure. Looking here you will see there are no fishplates, that is because I kept breaking them, and then later I realised 'how' I was supposed to remove the switch assembily away from the main structur
Knuckles

Knuckles

3

Moving to P4 (Post 10)

Well, I'm back from my 1st S4 exhabition, Wakefield. Really enjoyed it, some great layouts were there that I was thoroughly impressed with, not one of them disapointed me. it must be said I went mainly for trade though. I think I've spent at least £80 (gulp), I'm sure it'll be worth it in the end, the best thing is I managed to nab exactly what I was after and then some, so no disapointments. This is an overview of what I got. A close up of a few things. I brought a mixture of wheel typ
Knuckles

Knuckles

0

Moving to P4 (Post 9)

If you thought, 'at last he's made a post' then I appologise for the slight excitment that may have erupted inside you. This isn't mega interesting, but good news.     Point blade finally here!. Len, one of the guys who runs the company is seriously ill, thus the delay. Just hope he is ok. Expect some updates in the near future regarding points.
Knuckles

Knuckles

2

Moving to P4 (Post 8)

Thanks for your replies. Am taking it on board. I've had a fiddle this afternoon and have got a bit further, but as is alot of this I'm sucking it and seeing. I'm probably doing this all wrong but if I'm doing it wrong then it seems to be working so I do not know! This looks horrid I know, amazingly crude. The outer uneven holes are for the tabs in the etch to go through. In hind sight it would probably have been better to file them off but I'm unsure on ride height. I did leave them w
Knuckles

Knuckles

3

Moving to P4 (Post 7)

Progress report, P4 conversion attempt and a lesson on how to do some mild kit bashing. Having bent my first Bill Bedford etch the wrong way, I have refrained from Bill's advice of hammering it into a pulp(!) and bent it the opposite way whilst strengthening the wire retaining flaps with some solder. I have only got a Couple of kits I could try to adapt so I went for the Dapol Cattle Waogon. I don't know how suitable it is for P4 conversion but I have built a few up in the past so am comfor
Knuckles

Knuckles

4

Moving to P4 (Post 6)

Whilst I await that point blade (phoned Len other day) I finally managed to work out what I think I need. Bill Bedford RCH 1907 Sprung W Irons. Might try a truck conversion whilst I wait. if you have any suggestions as to a good flat base doner (kit or RTR) please tell me.     Don't really know what I'm doing as the instructions as usual with most etches asume you have some idea what you are doing. This is what I did... Clamped the wire in the err 'thing', then spent a while trying to
Knuckles

Knuckles

9

Moving to P4 (Post 5)

The replacement point blade that was wrong/same as I posted back that I again returned with a more full letter and diagrams still hasn't arrived. It was posted last wednesday and I'm still waiting. One tends to think that if it isn't lost in the post it's some cruel trick to wind me up more than I already am. Been about a month since I made any progress. I really do not want to have to get on the phone or send a nag letter.   One day i might make another progress post.
Knuckles

Knuckles

9

Moving to P4 (Post 4)

Exactoscale P4 C10-LH Turnout Kit (They didn't have a smaller one for the starter pack at Warley)   Started by taping the template above the work area so I can refer to it. No need to build the track on this as there are pips to locate chairs. Instructions reccomened blue-tack to hold the 3 sections of timbering down, so once I de-flashed them I did so with White Teck. Same thing really. The crossing V or frog comes in one section so that was a relief, however, at one angle it looks sl
Knuckles

Knuckles

6

Moving to P4 (Post 3)

I started by applying Butanone glue to the bottom right chair and moved it along using the triangular gauge and the '+1' roller gauge, poking sleepers and chairs into place and gluing along the way, about 1/3 along I gauged and glued the far bottom left chair and then jumped a few at a time becasue the triangular gauge gauges a few at a time whilst widening slightly on the curve. As I was doing this I would move the roller gauge back every now and then to test the alignment, occassionally I got
Knuckles

Knuckles

12

Moving to P4 (Post 2)

Pasted from Scaleforum   Curves. I still don't really know what I'm doing. I gtot a 4ft bit of cotton today, selotaped it to a pen at the bottom and then drew a few passes on an A4 sheet of paper. Had no bigger. The line wasn't always in the same place but I kinda got the idea. I am not sure how to build the rails curved, i did originally bend the rail before sliding the chairs on but then ended up straightening it again to build it straight on the (properly scaled this time!) straight
Knuckles

Knuckles

9
×
×
  • Create New...