Boston Lodge

This is surely a conspiracy, this steady drip-feeding of quality versions of the Bury locos and even Harvey Combe but all in large scales. What future do my own attempts at EM versions hold in the face of this onslaught? Grrr!!

Ooh, interesting. When I've got my modelling bench back I'm going to be investigating if I can make stone sleepers out of plastic jewellery cubes. Not sure how to replicate the 2 spikes used by the L&B but I plan on soldering the track onto the head of a pin pushed through the string hole.

I can't believe no one has mentioned Aylesbury for the gravity operation. Unfortunately (-ish) there is no record of it being used at the original station which one day I will recreate.

I know the water in the Channel wasn't what was planned but I thought the tide-out effect was superb.

I've created something similar myself, using Shapeways FUD pressed into Alan Gibson tyres. The model the wheels are destined for still hasn't run in anger so I can't answer whether a 3D print can take the forces and stresses generated by a motor and con-rod. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/130587-gibson-5ft-wheel-rimstyres-has-the-design-changed/

Thanks for all the replies. I'm not ashamed to say that I abandoned this idea. It sounded like an easy way to turn brass and lead into copper but the results just never matched the dream. I will be painting these bits once the model is ready for it. The ideal solution (sorry!) would be to make the whole thing out of copper bar using a lathe. Maybe one day.

The original engine shed at Aylesbury was apparently built to house 2 locomotives (quite why, it wasn't exactly a busy branch) and that is recorded as 100 ft long. Since the branch was principally operated by Bury 040 and 220 locos, both quite short, maybe they can be used as a guide. note: the shed was moved within 10 years of being built but i believe the length stayed the same.

No 1 tool is a gas soldering iron from B&Q. Only owned it for 4 weeks and i love it. Second favourite tool is the inside of a windscreen wiper, cut into 4 inch lengths, some straight, some bent at useful angles - used for stirring paint, applying pastes etc.

I've been wrestling with how and where to attach the frame and still be able to assemble the boiler etc. Finally I've managed to get all the brass bits in almost exactly the correct place, Weight-to-date = 80g

As with the every other part of this build I've made the riveted smokebox twice. I have tried to harden the tip of the riveter and might have been successful, at l least I think it hasn't changed with use but I'm pleased with the results. The second attempt showed that practice makes better, even if not perfect. This is the main structural and weighty part of the build completed, everything else is cosmetic. Note, the axles are too close together but the way the front suspension is made allows me to change this. p.s weight-to-date = 74g

From a personal point of view I would say that pre-grouping railways running south of London are spoilt rotten, but would I know? In terms of simple designs that would suit laser cutting in card I would like to request a London & Birmingham 2nd or 3rd class 4-wheeler, especially the ones without a roof. Something very similar to the blue open coach at the NRM sat behind The Rocket. Oh, 4mm scale please.

Errmmm, no ! I'll do some Googling and see if I can make this happen with my mini blow-torch.

For making the smokebox I'm going to need some rivets. I've looked at the stick-on variety but decided to have a go at embossing my own into the brass sheet I'll be using. As ever, Google provided some inspiration. The rod is from B&Q, M4 at £1.15. The sliding weights are a fishing weight and a stair-rod end, drilled out to fit over a short length of brass rod. The short nose end was turned in a drill to a point and it attaches to the rest of the rod using a cut-down cupboard joiner from IKEA. It works by lifting the weight a set distance, I haven't chosen which brass thickness vs drop height yet but these are the results: 0.13mm 0.23mm 0.43mm

After at least 4 different attempts incorporating over 20 modifications I have finally made my firebox. The change to EM became obvious after trying to build inside the OO width limits. After that it was different ways of adding the dome and the front lip that overlaps the boiler. This is the final design. I eventually gave up trying to solder lead sheets into place and settled on lead shot set in Miliput. Weight-to-date is now 58g

That looks fantastic, Chris. So many questions. 1) You said the weight was just enough - how much does it weigh? 2) What technique do you use for creating rivets? 3) Do your hook and chain couplings rely on 'the Hand of God' in operation? Looking forward to your Bury Goods. Richard ps, Did I mention that is an amazing model?