ullypug

It's 4mm. Is that definite about being back in production? I got fed up of waiting for Karlgarin to reintroduce the former Impetus kits. It's good news if they are though, because they did some unusual prototypes.

Decided to open the Impetus R&H 165DE kit that's been lurking in the cupboard as it's too cold to start spraying the 03 just yet. This kit is my best ever bargain, ??8 on a second hand stall at a local show including wheels. I thinks there's a couple of bits missing but nothing insurmountable. Spent yesterday evening soldering - it's nice to build an etched brass kit body again. I can't think but just about everything I've done recently has been whitemetal or plastic. After the complexities of the 03, this should prove to be a quicker project. I don't know much about the history of these locos, but I intend to have it as a works shunter for Wheal Elizabeth (which is a little over the top given its size). It'll probably be finished in ECC Blue and called Jamie. Anyway, photos attached.

OK, so it's 4 in the morning and I'm wide awake. Maybe some inane ramblings might help. Of course it's dangerous writing anything at this time of day or is it night as I'm liable to start waffling. Look I'm doing it now. As I'm coming towards the end of another project, the 03 in this case, thoughts turn towards the what's next catagory. Usually this means staring for hours at the cupboard which houses my contribution to the EU unmade kit mountain before closing the door with a 'nah, maybe tomorrow'. One of my new year's resolution for 2009 was to avoid buying anything new until I'd made space for it by building something else. Trouble is, it only takes a couple of impulse purchases (Bachy 150/2, Falcon etc) and the space is soon gone. I quite enjoyed building the 42xx as on RMWeb 3 as it was something that I'd had for years. Applying the same logic, the next on the list would be: Craftsman 121/122 conversion for a Lima 116/117 power car, which I bought from a previous employer, namely the model railway in Weston when I had a summer job as a teenager. Speaking of which, it seems the local council has failed once again to get the Tropicana development restarted (that's the old open air pool on the seafront for the uninitiated). I spent many happy days working at the railway, which just happened to be on the top floor overlooking said open air pool... Other projects going way back include: Gibson 02 Ratio Van B (2 of them) Perseverance Pannier chassis and Replica pannier body (would use the High Level one now though) Triang Maunsell bogie brake Finney T9 Rewheeling conversions for 108, West Country, 2 N's, Grange Mitchell 4575 prarie 50 or so wagon kits The list goes on... Then there's the prospect of a new layout, namely Clevedon on the WC&P. Then the roundy-roundy which I've always wanted to build based on the Newquay branch somewhere between St Denis and St Blazey. Ah well, enough of this. Should probably get back to bed, perchance to dream... night, night.

I caught it reading a copy of 'throbbing diesels & steamy chuff' don't ask why I'm awake at this hour, I'm trying to work it out myself...

Photos attached from the latest tweaks. Some of the grab rails are going to need tweaking with the pliers. Funny how it takes a photo to notice these things.

Couldn't see whether you'd used brass or phosphor bronze to represent the stream of flowing gold and what swg would be appropriate (sorry P4 modellers need to get it all right)... ...not that I usually need a magnifying glass in this regard you understand. I'll get my coat. Andrew

Now that's impressive. Looks oh so real! Andrew

I went and looked at some of my research material which showed you are right of course. I've duly changed them to 0.31mm and it does look better. Thanks for the constructive feedback. It is always appreciated.

Whoops. Sorry it's 36swg and it's from Eileens Emporium.

Hmm, maybe I should click on one of these spam e-mails offerring ahem, certain blue pharmaceuticals

...and I'm pleased to say it trundled up and down the test track quite happily once the pick ups had been wired in (36swg phosphor bronze). Body work detailed ongoing including replacing the original Mainline front lamps with Western Region brackets. Overall, I'm extremely pleased with the way this is going.

I found the book in my library and you're quite right about the container colours. A trip to the paint shop beckons... I haven't found the reference I was looking for though have found a reference to 5 types of converted Boplate. I'll keep looking if only to confirm my sanity status...!

I'd be happy to. The rear axle is fixed and the front and middle are compensated on a single central beam. The rods have a forked joint ahead of the central crank pin and as you say, are a single piece from there to the rear two axles and jackshaft. The gear box is a 108:1 2 stage affair with the previously mentioned extension to keep the jackshaft syncronised with the rear axle. The step assemblies are separate to the chassis and fix to the underside of the body. The etched overlays for footplate and valances just glue in place. I did some work to the body yesterday evening and I'll post some pics later.

Hmmm, I think I need to go and search out this book - I may even have it in my library. I've seen references to Conflat Coke, Conflat Salt and Conflat Sand.

The really clever bit is that the jackshaft and the flycrank aren't connected. They just run adjacent. As the rear and flycrank axles are driven off the same gear train, they keep perfect respective positions. It turns an 0-8-0 into an 0-6-0 which makes quartering a lot easier.

Those boffins at CERN have just confirmed the smallest known element. No it's not the Boson-Higgs particle, it's the distance between the jackshaft and the rear of the step assembly on the High Level Kit if you're building in P4... The important bit is however small, it is enough. Wheels quartered up and trial assembly photos attached. All well so far and it doesn't bind when I push it up and down the workbench! Have gone past the point of no return and loctited the final gear wheel onto the axle whilst waiting for the epoxy for the copperclad pick up points to set. Will concentrate on detailing the body now until the powered test (always a nervous time) but all is well (apart from me that is - snot does not make an effective flux in case you were wondering).

I know what you mean. I'm not sure why one would end up at a Cornish clay works either, but I'm going to stick to the script of works on the line somewhere and use of the run round/storage siding on the layout! The Chivers kit goes together so well, though it wasn't until after I'd finished it I looked on Paul Bartlett's site and found the axleboxes were hooded roller bearings and both the Ling and Crab had tie bars, hence a few last minute alterations.

I think I scaled them off the photo at a little under 4ft. One Bachmann 8ft x 20ft ISO cut longitudinally(twice) left about a 2mm sliver. Interesting point about the colour. The book I used just mentions light blue boxes and black sheets, but as I've another one and haven't yet sprayed the boxes maybe I should follow your suggested colour scheme. They're going to have a healthy coating of white yet anyway!

Yes, I think so. That's not to say it's not complicated in places, but everything has fitted so well and the instructions are highly detailed. It's taken some time to do, but taking it a step at a time, I've encountered no problems. The rear step assembly with the flycrank cover is a lesson in origami but it all just clipped together. I don't know whether a beginner would enjoy it so much because you do need to be able to solder some fairly small components, though I don't class myself as an expert. It's all reached the final assembly stage so this weekend should see the first trial run.

As promised, I've finally got round to taking a few photos. Dogfish, Crab and Ling in glossy post transfer application but pre-weathering from Cambrian and Chivers kits. Also a pic of the Conflat Clay in the same state and one of the excellent High Level 03 kit. It's moved on since I took this and I've now done both step assemblies. A joy to build. Fiddly, yes but very rewarding.

Title kinda gives it away really. I've been struck down with the dreaded lurgy for a couple of weeks now (pretty much since Cheltenham) and haven't been doing too much. In between bouts of coughing, sneezing and sleeping I have managed to make a little progress with the class 03, finishing off the idler and jackshaft assemblies. Tried it under power the other evening and all was well. I'm expecting a few problems when I finally add the rods though as I'm not convinced the wheels are totally circular and crankpin centres consistent. Time will tell. Made a start this evening on the body. It's quite theraputic to carve off details (boy there are a lot of handrails). Am quite looking forward to progressing this bit. I've mainly been concentrating on applying transfers to the increasing rakes of stock in the works, Ling, Crab, Dogfish and 2 Conflat Clays, yes I converted the other Boplate E into one after all. I don't recommend sneezing while you're trying to apply transfers with tweezers though... The aim of all of this is to have the conflats, 03 and engineering train complete in time for Wheal Elizabeth's next show, at Weston on 17 January. Will take and post some pictures to show progress

Damn you sir ! I've just read through your blog and have realised just how far I have to improve to attain the levels you reach. Truly inspirational. Andrew

Hmm, yes I think we'll be having a few of these on Wheal Elizabeth. Probably a bit late for me but might get away with Tre Pol & Pen in redstripe rf.

Have been playing with my High Level Class 03 chassis kit, which I started on my old RM web workbench thread. Have been fitting the brake gear and rodding. I have to say it's been an absolute pleasure, the kit has clearly been designed by someone who knows what they're doing. No fettling is required, other than opening out holes marginally to the sizes required. Photos attached. Doesn't come commended highly enough.

Looking good so far Matthew. Keep us updated with progress. Finished layout by the end of the week then?