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Gresley BG


D869

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A former member of the Midland area group recently donated his box of unfinished projects and other bits and bobs so that the group members could make use of them. I picked out a part built Gresley BG which looked like a nice model which was crying out for someone to finish it. I have a bit of a soft spot for parcels stock.

 

Some photos and words about progress to date...

 

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The coach as retrieved - basically two sides, two ends and a floor

 

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I don't know much about its origin - this is the only clue. I assume it's a shot down 4mm etch but I'm really not sure. The scale seems to be about 1:150, so half way between 2mm and 'N'. A rather unusual choice... which made finding a roof a bit tricky.

 

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I cut the ducket and gangway ends from plain brass - a change from all that computer stuff... although I did draw the gangway ends in CAD and then stuck a print of the drawing to the brass.

 

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A gangway being assembled. No real plan here - more a case of 'make it up as you go along'.

 

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Seemed to work OK though.

 

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My original plan was to use an Ultima roof that had been in my gloat box since the 1980s. I think I bought it at IMREX if anyone can remember that far back. Unfortunately when I measured it I found it was pretty much right for 2mm scale and about 2mm too short for this kit. Instead I decided it was time to get to grips with 3d curves and then got Mr Shapeways to produce the goods.

 

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Still needs some sanding though - admittedly the 3d printing artefacts run in the same direction as the planking beneath the covering of the real roof but I think the finish is too rough.

 

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A somewhat ropey shot of the coach so far. The underframe fittings are a combination of 2mm Association and Ultima stuff. The guards footsteps still need to be done from scratch.

 

The roof fits width and length-wise but I didn't try to fit it to the top profile of the etched coach end. Instead I used the prototype profile so I need to modify the etched end to fit the roof profile... which would have been easier if I had left the gangways off until later. Makes a change from my usual over planning.

 

Oh, and it will be a 'BGP' - or pigeon van if you prefer because these lasted longer than the 'pure' BGs.

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Hi Andy,

 

Blacksmith Models were sold by Cove Models near Farnborough did these years ago. As you say, the original Mallard etches were 4mm and they simply halved everything. My clerestories are the same source and I remember buying up as many as I could at the time. I should have looked beyond the GWR and picked up one of these as, like you, I have predeliction for BGs and the like. Looks like a really neat job.

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Hi Andy,

 

Blacksmith Models were sold by Cove Models near Farnborough did these years ago. As you say, the original Mallard etches were 4mm and they simply halved everything. My clerestories are the same source and I remember buying up as many as I could at the time. I should have looked beyond the GWR and picked up one of these as, like you, I have predeliction for BGs and the like. Looks like a really neat job.

Thanks Nigel. I did have the feeling that these kits probably had a bit of a story but I couldn't find much about Mallard online and no mention at all of any 2mm versions. It would be interesting to know when they were produced.

 

Very nice work Andy...

Cheers Pete.

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Up until early 2000s when the business closed. The range was available for sale at one point and I think (but don't quote me) that the 2mm ended up with whoever bought the 7mm, which was sold separate to all the 4mm.

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Thanks Rich. I do like a bit of history for early kits.

 

 (but don't quote me)

 

Oops.

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Very nicely built. A couple of questions if I may,

 

1.) Are you going to try and add the lower beading or leave the recessed bits as they are?

 

2.) As I'm thinking of doing something similar for some unusual GNR prototypes, do you know what thickness brass was used for these?

 

Many thanks in advance.

 

Steve

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Very nicely built. A couple of questions if I may,

 

1.) Are you going to try and add the lower beading or leave the recessed bits as they are?

 

2.) As I'm thinking of doing something similar for some unusual GNR prototypes, do you know what thickness brass was used for these?

 

Many thanks in advance.

 

Thanks Steve,

 

I'm intending to leave the lower half of the sides as etched. I realise that the beading should be proud of the panels and that the etch is a bit of a compromise here (it just has etched lines on either side of the beading - the panel centres are not etched) but I think it would be easy to overdo this because the lower beading is VERY thin. Here are a couple of pictures of the vehicle that I'm working towards.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/robertcwp/15173680243/in/album-72157603653607671/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/robertcwp/15791244841/in/album-72157603653607671/

 

I've just measured the sides. The answers were a bit variable but I suspect it's 12 thou or possibly a bit thicker. It's nickel silver though, not brass but I'd probably choose brass if I were etching one myself.

 

BTW, a discussion on the BRCS Yahoo group identified the location for the photo above as Keighley

 

Regards, Andy

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Hi Andy,

 

Blacksmith Models were sold by Cove Models near Farnborough did these years ago. As you say, the original Mallard etches were 4mm and they simply halved everything. My clerestories are the same source and I remember buying up as many as I could at the time. I should have looked beyond the GWR and picked up one of these as, like you, I have predeliction for BGs and the like. Looks like a really neat job.

 

Lovely stuff Andy, I too rather like NPCS although most of mine are 4 and 6 wheelers.

 

Interesting Nigel, I never came across the complete range although I do have a couple of the Mallard etches in my gloat box - a GWR full brake (K?) and a LMS period 1 example. The GWR clerestories are very nice, Im after a couple to add to my growing 1920 GWR rake to add some variety to the Masterclass toplights. So, if anyone has a couple to spare.......

 

Jerry 

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Lovely stuff Andy, I too rather like NPCS although most of mine are 4 and 6 wheelers.

Cheers Jerry. Seems to be a common affliction. Maybe it's because building a single NPCS vehicle leaves you with a finished item that 'makes sense' in its own right whereas most passenger carrying stock needs several friends. Or maybe it conjures up ideas of journeys involving much luggage or Christmas parcels.

 

Interesting Nigel, I never came across the complete range although I do have a couple of the Mallard etches in my gloat box - a GWR full brake (K?) and a LMS period 1 example. The GWR clerestories are very nice, Im after a couple to add to my growing 1920 GWR rake to add some variety to the Masterclass toplights. So, if anyone has a couple to spare.......

Now what would you be needing a 1920 GWR rake for? I'm guessing not the S&D. Bath Spa as your next layout maybe?

 

Regards, Andy

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There is about 2' of the GWR mainline on Bath where it goes under the S&D just south of Bath Junction. It ends in a mirror and I originally intend to just have two or three coaches sat there but I would now like to put together a full rake.

 

Jerry

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Interesting Nigel, I never came across the complete range although I do have a couple of the Mallard etches in my gloat box - a GWR full brake (K?) and a LMS period 1 example. The GWR clerestories are very nice, Im after a couple to add to my growing 1920 GWR rake to add some variety to the Masterclass toplights. So, if anyone has a couple to spare.......

 

Jerry 

 

Jerry, there is a list of the etches in the files area of the 2mm Yahoo Group. It's called 'Blacksmith etches' or something similar. Might help in your search.

 

Andy

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Jerry, there is a list of the etches in the files area of the 2mm Yahoo Group. It's called 'Blacksmith etches' or something similar. Might help in your search.

 

Andy

Thanks Andy, I'll have a look.

 

Jerry

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Thanks Steve,

 

I'm intending to leave the lower half of the sides as etched. I realise that the beading should be proud of the panels and that the etch is a bit of a compromise here (it just has etched lines on either side of the beading - the panel centres are not etched) but I think it would be easy to overdo this because the lower beading is VERY thin. Here are a couple of pictures of the vehicle that I'm working towards.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/robertcwp/15173680243/in/album-72157603653607671/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/robertcwp/15791244841/in/album-72157603653607671/

 

I've just measured the sides. The answers were a bit variable but I suspect it's 12 thou or possibly a bit thicker. It's nickel silver though, not brass but I'd probably choose brass if I were etching one myself.

 

BTW, a discussion on the BRCS Yahoo group identified the location for the photo above as Keighley

 

Regards, Andy

 

Thanks for the information Andy and the photographs of the prototype.

 

I believe I've seen a Mallard Models full brake in the past. Am I right in thinking that the five sides folded up from a single piece? If so, how easy was this? I assume that you would have chosen brass to make the forming of the sides a little easier.

 

Many thanks and sorry for all the questions.

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I believe I've seen a Mallard Models full brake in the past. Am I right in thinking that the five sides folded up from a single piece? If so, how easy was this? I assume that you would have chosen brass to make the forming of the sides a little easier.

That bit was already done before the model came to me. I've had a closer look. There is no solder between the sides and floor so it looks like the sides fold upwards. I suspect that the etch line is on the outside of the fold which is unconventional but it does give a crisp bottom edge to the side.

 

The ends have solder along the bottom edge and up the corners so I'd guess that these were not fold-up jobs.

 

Either material would work but Mr Rathbone reckons that paint adhesion on brass is better than nickel silver so that seems worth having given the choice. Nickel silver has lower thermal conductivity so it's definitely a better choice for etches like wagon chassis where there are lots of bits to join together without burning your fingers or unsoldering earlier work.

 

Many thanks and sorry for all the questions.

You're welcome. No worries.

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