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Progress and Holidays

D869

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A few words on recent progress hereabouts...

 

The second bogie for D604 is now complete and looks much like the first one, so no need for any photos there. There are a couple of small jobs remaining before the new underframe bits get painted and then it should be 'job done'.

 

We've been away in Wales for the past week sampling the Garretts on the Welsh Highland. Definitely a good way to see Snowdonia but take a coat because this narrow gauge stuff has no heating... especially if you want to ride in the open air coach.

 

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As usual I took along a few bits and bobs to work on. I assembled a couple of my own GW NPCS bogie etches which went together reasonably smoothly barring a couple of minor mistakes in the drawing. When painted these will be going under the blue Siphon and the displaced long spring bogies will take up residence under an Ultima Hawksworth.

 

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... which leads neatly on to...

 

The kit selected to leave the gloat box on this occasion was an Ultima Hawksworth BCK. I have several different Hawksworths in the gloat box but selected the BCK because it can on occasions be used to make up an entire passenger train on its own, which might be handy for South Yard. It might also appear in the St Ruth sleeper formation because I have a photo of a 1960s sleeper at Penzance with just such a vehicle providing the seating accommodation. I got as far as assembing the basic bodyshell and attaching the bogies while I was away, but there is plenty more work to do.

 

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Coincidentally while visiting Llangollen on a rather rainy day we happened across a Hawksworth brake vehicle (BTK I think) apparently in use as sleeping accommodation.

 

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So I now have my own photo of a pressed steel bogie... long spring variant though...

 

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South Yard didn't go on holiday with me on this occasion. Instead it was loaned to John to take to the Peterborough show where he was helping on the 2mm Association stand. Hopefully that went OK, but I haven't had any reports back as yet.

 

Of course on returning from Wales I found some heated discussion on RMWeb around the announcement of the Hawksworth BG by the N Gauge Society. I have rather mixed feelings about this. On the one hand the availability of another a decent RTR coach model must be a good thing. On the other hand my kit built BG will now be compared to (or mistaken for) an RTR model. Anyway, I'm getting fairly used to building things now and then seeing them announced as RTR models. Maybe I should take up broad gauge modelling.

 

I must admit that I find it rather disturbing that an announcement of a single type of coach available at some future date in limited numbers and to a restricted community can prompt the discontinuation of an entire range of kits. I understand the reasons and I think that the motivations of all concerned are fair enough but the end result does seem rather a backwards step for the whole community, at least until a wider range of RTR models does become available (if that ever happens). It also saddens me to see the supplier of a range that has been supporting 'N' gauge modelling for many years apparently feeling aggrieved by the actions of the society.

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D869

I'm also thinking about broad gauge modelling. That is when I can do some non-virtual modelling.

 

I really admire photos of broad gauge stuff and I have a great deal of respect for the few people who actually build models of it. On the plus side, BG locos do seem to have a commendable absence of nasty things like outside valve gear and tapered boilers, plus probably having a good deal of space for hiding motors. On the downside, research is difficult and building baulk road track seems rather too much like hard work.

 

Maybe I'll await the arrival of baulk road Easitrac... soon to be followed by dual gauge Easitrac no doubt.

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richbrummitt

I really admire photos of broad gauge stuff and I have a great deal of respect for the few people who actually build models of it. On the plus side, BG locos do seem to have a commendable absence of nasty things like outside valve gear and tapered boilers, plus probably having a good deal of space for hiding motors. On the downside, research is difficult and building baulk road track seems rather too much like hard work.

 

Maybe I'll await the arrival of baulk road Easitrac... soon to be followed by dual gauge Easitrac no doubt.

 

It seems that when you see broad gauge it is almost always done really well. The bodies are pretty small but there is all that extra space between the frames so I don't think it would be such a big ask to fit a motor in what would otherwise be a tiny tender.

 

If you are waiting for baulk road easitrac I think you will be waiting forever (unless you're going to take up the challenge), but if you want some BG underframes in the meantime I may be in a position to help out in the near future.

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D869

If you are waiting for baulk road easitrac I think you will be waiting forever

Yes - definitely tongue firmly embedded in cheek on that one. The method I've seen involves using flat strip on edge for the middle part of the bridge rail and then building up on either side of this, starting with the bridge rail flanges and then the visible parts of the baulks. Presumably you then get to add transoms, complete with suitable woodworking style joints.

 

if you want some BG underframes in the meantime I may be in a position to help out in the near future.

 

A simple piece of BG rolling stock might make a nice project, so I might take you up on that one... although strangely all of my rolling stock drawings and photo books seem to begin post 1892. Anything more than that is likely to be a long time in the future.. if at all.

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Chris Higgs

On the other hand my kit built BG will now be compared to (or mistaken for) an RTR model.

 

If they do, then you can point out that yours is to 2mm scale, not N.

 

Chris

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D869

If they do, then you can point out that yours is to 2mm scale, not N.

 

Yes I can, but that's the start of a slippery slope if they go on to ask about locos, Farish Mark 1s, Dapol Colletts (which seem rather big even for 'N')... the list goes on.

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Chris Higgs

 

Yes I can, but that's the start of a slippery slope if they go on to ask about locos, Farish Mark 1s, Dapol Colletts (which seem rather big even for 'N')... the list goes on.

 

Ah, so what you really wanted was the new NGS model after all...

 

 

As far as I know, the Dapol Collett bodies are bang on scale for N, although the underframe might be another matter. I re-underframed mine.

Chris

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D869

Ah, so what you really wanted was the new NGS model after all...

Umm... maybe 18 months ago but not now - don't think I can justify more than two Hawksworth BGs

 

As far as I know, the Dapol Collett bodies are bang on scale for N, although the underframe might be another matter. I re-underframed mine.

 

I just dug mine out and had another look. You're probably right. I probably checked them last time with 7mm wheels fitted - this definitely leaves them sitting too high. With 6mm wheels in the Dapol bogies they match up pretty well to Farish Mark 1s. The wheels are too small but given a choice between small wheels and a coach that looks too high, I'll go for the height. The Dapol wheels are about 6.3mm, so 6mm is a closer match for what the manufacturer fitted.

 

...then there is the question of the flush (ahem) glazing. Overall, I still like them as a model though so they will continue to get a run.

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richbrummitt

I just dug mine out and had another look. You're probably right. I probably checked them last time with 7mm wheels fitted - this definitely leaves them sitting too high. With 6mm wheels in the Dapol bogies they match up pretty well to Farish Mark 1s. The wheels are too small but given a choice between small wheels and a coach that looks too high, I'll go for the height. The Dapol wheels are about 6.3mm, so 6mm is a closer match for what the manufacturer fitted.

 

Ah, poo, I fitted mine with coach wheels. Fortunately they're not a long term proposition.

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D869

Ah, poo, I fitted mine with coach wheels. Fortunately they're not a long term proposition.

 

You could always whip them out and flog them to some poor soul waiting to convert a bunch of Farish Mark 1s. The 7mm wheels on 15.2mm axles are out of stock but the 6mm ones are still showing as in stock on the shop 2 list.

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bcnPete
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Very nice work as usual Andy.

 

Been away for a few days so am playing catch up...will have to have a search for the heated thread you refer to...seems to be happening more and more these days... :(

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