Jump to content
 

westie7

Members
  • Posts

    739
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Recent Profile Visitors

1,013 profile views

westie7's Achievements

337

Reputation

Bookmarks

  1. Signaller69's projects
    Signaller69's projects
    37 minutes ago, Gibbo675 said:

    Hi Martyn,

     

    Did you happen to find out how the dimensions of the Hornby model work out for as a true scale size model ?

     

    I know that the diagram that the Hornby model is built to also had suspension pedestals fitted in place of the "W" irons latterly as you have done with the Lima wagons.

     

    As the dimensions go it would seem that the height and width are much more of an issue than the length when assemble as a train especially as they are slightly different in any case.

     

    Gibbo.

    Hi Gibbo,

     

    sorry I forgot the Hornby version.

     

    from the body dimensions you gave it appears a tad too long (should be 102.9mm over headstocks/end posts). Max width over side bracing on the early pattern (ie Hornby & Liliput / Bachmann) scales to 35.1mm & later (Lima) at 35.25mm; you give an end width of 31.7mm which sounds a little narrow, the Liliput/ Bachmann being c.32.5mm and the Lima at c. 33.5mm (side bracing adds to this of course and both the Lil/Bach and Lima measure c.34.5mm max width); the later (As per Lima) versions also have a slight end framing taper from top to bottom, the earlier ones don't.

    Buffer heights; scale (1067mm) 14.03mm, Liliput/Bachmann with scale wheels 14mm, Lima (scale wheels) c.15.5mm, my conversion c.13.75mm.

     

    Length over buffers for all versions scales at (8864mm) 116.6mm. Liliput/Bachmann = c.113mm, Lima also = c.113mm.

     

    Hornby wheelbase should be (4572mm) 60.2mm, not sure what the model is though.

     

    Note my measurements used a steel rule not calipers, so are approximate.

     

    Hope this helps.

    Martyn.


  2. Signaller69's projects
    Signaller69's projects

    Pretty much getting there ready for painting now, cast metal brake levers from the bits box were used, bent to shape as required. Brake shoes are from the Suspension kit. The small hopper operating wheels have also been moved outwards on brass wire to a more correct position. There should be some daylight at the top of the suspension, which is present on the Pedestal moulding but is lost due to the "W" irons moulding. I may drill a couple of holes to try to fool the eye but it's something to think about when I do the others.

    20190415_094459.jpg.c515ca269009253af1158966c86efc6f.jpg20190415_094537.jpg.b3dfc891b25fe0d25211b46f4a9b2a76.jpg20190415_094547.jpg.9747145b55336d8ca3393f6b87ec028b.jpg20190415_095731.jpg.68c7cef61c94a7ce1abe03d409aca035.jpg


  3. Signaller69's projects
    Signaller69's projects

    Another rolling stock upgrade project has been started, in the form of adding hopper bottoms to my rake of Bachmann / Liliput BRT Grain hoppers. This will involve fitting finer brake detail too, but the first task is to make a master for the hopper bottom, so resin castings can be produced to speed the process up. First task was to remove the rather basic trapezoid plastic ribs which pass for this area, along with unwanted "below solebar" detail:

    20210513_012348.jpg.3c7b464c917e9135db95b13c0ceb04b9.jpg

     

    After taking some measurements a 40mm x 28mm rectangular piece of plasticard was scored and cut as per this diagram:

    20210513_013910.jpg.b9bd49450ffd90c45b90c437c7c28494.jpg

    Shaded parts were removed, so that when folded to shape and glued it gives a base footprint approx 35mm x 21mm thus:20210513_012402.jpg.268a2d5622d6c9f48329d0121a506426.jpg

    After filling and sanding the corners, further strapping detail etc will be added. The sliding discharge hatch detail will be made separately for casting purposes, which will sit on the flat hopper bottom.

     

    I hope to get more done over the weekend (along with finishing the class 29 off). Thanks for looking.


  4. 3D printing class 25 parts .... Also class 20,37, 2mm and 7mm wagons and 1/32 bogies
    3D printing class 25 parts .... Also class 20,37, 2mm and 7mm wagons and 1/32 bogies

    Some more 7mm wagons nearing completion tonight.

     

    First up is the PBA clay tiger, this had had a document holder fitted recently which was printed on the Form2.

     

    46016429392_330a8e2540_k.jpg7mm PBA clay Tiger wagon by simon br blue, on Flickr

     

     

    Next up is the Polybulk wagon, finished off with homemade transfers.  I struggled to draw all the individual decals and to get them to look good over the green colour, in the end I went for a large transfer that has the green colour and decals on it.  The chequer plate top walkway was done with a chequer plate drawing printed on clear decal paper.

     

    46016424122_688c5081ef_k.jpg7mm Polybulk wagon by simon br blue, on Flickr

     

     

    46066248281_6a30a385ee_k.jpg7mm Polybulk wagon detail by simon br blue, on Flickr

     

    Another wagon that stalled for a while but had now been completed is the PAA Grainflow hopper.  This stalled as I couldn't find a good way to make the top walkway, I printed a set of walkways in Professional plastic and these looked ok.  The transfers are a mix of home made and Precision labels for the Grainflow logo.

     

    32194914218_e78e8236ea_k.jpg7mm PAA Grainflow wagon by simon br blue, on Flickr

     

     

    32194910358_870dd37a6d_k.jpg7mm Grainflow walkway by simon br blue, on Flickr

     

     

    46016483682_669a721210_k.jpg7mm PAA grainflow detail by simon br blue, on Flickr

     

     

    A wagon that is nearly finished is the Railiner wagon, this just needs the end builder details/advertising board.

     

    46066315501_47452a6e90_k.jpg7mm Railiner Wagon by simon br blue, on Flickr

     

     

    Next wagon completed recently is the ex private owner mineral wagon.  This had the plastic body purchased from EBay with a WSF printed chassis and buffers fitted underneath.  This has also has home made transfers added.

     

    46016494202_eb26dfcb51_k.jpg7mm ex Private owner wagon by simon br blue, on Flickr

     

     

    The next wagon is the BAA steel wagon.  This has mesh added under the deck and is pictured with Balco PLA printed coils loaded eye to sky.

     

    32209704318_d451366fa5_k.jpg7mm BAA wagon by simon br blue, on Flickr

     

     

    45356702444_e0bb1d3dfc_k.jpg7mm BAA wagon deck by simon br blue, on Flickr

     

     

    The other steel wagon I've been working on recently is the BCA cradle wagon which is based on the BAA wagon.  The Chassis/deck, coils and cradles were printed on the Balco printer - the chassis was printed in 2 parts so it would fit on the printer.  The bogies are WSF black from Shapeways and in the finished pictures the details and buffers are printed on the From 2 in black resin.

     

    45356704244_d6edb2f733_k.jpg7MM BCA wagon by simon br blue, on Flickr

     

     

    44350823480_239ac4e21f_k.jpg7mm BCA wagon by simon br blue, on Flickr

     

     

    45255257925_1db36da31d_k.jpg7mm BCA wagon with coils by simon br blue, on Flickr


  5. Christleton Junction - 1986 - Gateway to North Wales
    Christleton Junction - 1986 - Gateway to North Wales
    On 19/10/2021 at 07:25, 61656 said:

    By 1986 the selection of class 40’s still working is down to just 5 for me, celebratory D200 plus the 4 x 97’s. I do plan to have one of the 97’s for ballast workings, probably the split box; it’s quite handy that one of each type got saved for departmental use. 
     

    I’m hoping my reworking of the timetable will reduce the number of DMU’s I need to around 4! 
     

    Good to have another North Wales coast fan onboard.

     

    Speaking of ballast workings and just to prove that I do pay for my driving ticket at Christleton Jct, here's the beginnings of something for that 97 to haul.  The 3 Dogfish are from Cambrian kits, but with replacement buffers, handwheels, vac pipes and, in one case, roller bearings to better reflect 1986.  I've also reworked the brakegear on the latter 2 builds so that they line up for the wheels - think the original kitt was designed for P4.  They're horrible to put together; each wagon has taken about 8 hours work to get to this stage!  4 Dogfish and 2 Catfish still to go...

     

    Shark from Hornby, just need to work out how to get the ploughs off so I can swap the couplings for 3-links.  Any advice gratefully received!

     

     

    IMG_20160709_221606165.jpg

    thumbnail_IMG_0924.jpg


  6. Signaller69's projects
    Signaller69's projects

    Just needs the Kadee couplings screwing back on now. Quite pleased that the new suspension mods have blended in so well.

    20190426_083341.jpg.cd0908a284f3dbc727db88a5700730b2.jpg

     

    Difference in height is quite marked with the modified wagon on the left.

    20190426_090751.jpg.ef18d68a8a6b184f3d5f962fae51e2c0.jpg

     

    The overheight Lima suspension is clear to see on the right:

    20190426_092003.jpg.2ce73707ab20ff2ba5953e6adae0c9e2.jpg

    I have now found diagrams with main dimensions on the Barrowmore site, BR Diagrams of PO Wagons Part 1 (Vehicle Diagram book 300 part 1);

    http://www.barrowmoremrg.co.uk/Prototype.html

     

    The Lima model appears based on PA004B (ex PO diagram 6/402), recalculating the main dimensions to 1/76 gives a length over end ladders (7975mm) of 104.9mm, height (3708mm) of 48.8mm and wheelbase (4572mm)  of 60.2mm. It appears spot on in all but height which comes in (unmodified) at approx 50.5mm with scale wheels.

     

    The Liliput/Bachmann pattern (PA003A, ex PO diagram 6/400) gives scale length (7824mm over headstocks) 102.9mm, height (3702mm) 48.7mm and the same wheelbase of (4572mm) 60.2mm. Thus the model is a little undersize at 100mm long, wheelbase of c. 58mm, but height is actually very close at 49mm on scale wheels. Comparison in the flesh shows little obvious difference in overall dimensions however:

    20190426_090929.jpg.bdde2cc3a87d055eeef2be5563431cdb.jpg

     

    So I have another 2 Lima suspension mods to do, before working out improvements to 7 Liliput/Bachmann models....:wacko:


  7. Crewe Test Train
    Crewe Test Train

    There used to be 2 test trains - an electric one & a diesel one, I remember them both being stabled in Chester during the summer of 1985 when the Crewe remodelling was taking place 

     

    CE test train:

     

    ADB975051 - This vehicle was formerly DM&EE Test Car 5, ex BTK M34133 - this was in RTC Red & Blue livery

    ADB 977081 -  Mk1 FK M13267 B1 - converted 1982

    ADB 977082 - Mk1 RKB 1511 - converted 1982

    ADB 977083 - Mk1 RKB M1552 - converted 1982

    ADB 977084 - Mk1 RKB M1505 - B4's - converted 1982

    ADB 977085 - Mk1 RKB M1637 - commonwealth bogies - converted 1982

     

    ZC Test Train:

    ADB975618 - ex Mk1 BTK M34538 B1 Bogies - converted 1977

    ADB975626 - ex MK1 BSK S34939 B1 Bogies - converted 1977

    ADB975627 - ex MK1 BSK S34938 B1 Bogies - converted 1977

    ADB977146 - ex MK1 TSO E4841 - converted 1983

    ADB977147 - ex MK1 CK M16123 - converted 1983

    ADB977148 - ex MK1 CK M16133 - converted 1983

    ADB977149 - ex MK1 CK M16137 - converted 1983

    ADB977150 - ex MK1 CK E15642 - converted 1983

    ADB977151 - ex MK1 SK M25339 - B1 Bogies - converted 1983

     

    Previously it was made up of ex LMS 50ft Full Brakes - all converted in 1980

    ADB975986 - LMS PIII BG M31359M

    ADB975987 - LMS PIII BG M30977M

    ADB975988 - LMS PIII BG M31057M

    ADB975989 - LMS PIII BG M31181M

    ADB975990 - LMS PIII BG M31254M

    ADB975991 - LMS PIII BG M31045M

    ADB975992  - LMS PIII BG M31904M

     

    Half an hour with a 1985 diary & a 1984 platform 5 "departmental coaching stock" & a blimp at Departmentals.com & its sorted (perhaps)


  8. Freightliner 86’s
    Freightliner 86’s

    Here you go gents, 86608's extra sandboxes, still fitted from the time of its 86501 incarnation.

     

     

     

    post-10566-0-49022000-1526110385_thumb.jpg

    post-10566-0-77421500-1526110402_thumb.jpg

    post-10566-0-40237500-1526110418_thumb.jpg

    post-10566-0-75642800-1526110438_thumb.jpg

    post-10566-0-93707500-1526110453_thumb.jpg

    post-10566-0-09741700-1526110476_thumb.jpg

    post-10566-0-93888900-1526110491_thumb.jpg


  9. Newbryford's mostly Yellow workbench - "it's a drag, man......."
    Newbryford's mostly Yellow workbench - "it's a drag, man......."

    Here goes with RSC3.

     

    Radio Survey coach 3 - 977997 is usually accompanied by Mk2's 5981, 9481 and 1256.

     

    9481 starts life as a "normal" Airfix BSO.

     

    The coach is stripped of windows, chassis and paint.

    9481 requires the blanking out of the toilet window and the first full saloon window making into a 1/2 size.

     

    Rather than trying to fill in and match up window frames, I cut out two windows from a spare BSO that had previously donated body parts to a DBSO/RTOV conversion (it will again provide parts for another RTOV). Matching holes were cut into the side of 9481 and the new windows inserted and the bodywork filled in.

     

    post-408-0-42495000-1337118152.jpg

     

    post-408-0-21915400-1337118165.jpg

     

    post-408-0-94156400-1337118201.jpg

     

    post-408-0-82406700-1337118184.jpg

     

    BSO's can usually be picked up fairly easily/cheaply and one coach can provide parts for two DBSO/RTOV conversions and 9481 above.

     

    This is not me being a full time modeller - I'm describing projects that have been done in the last 2-3 years or so. I'm hoping that this thread will encourage me to finish off a few "nearly done" items on my long "to-do" list.

     

    Although, every now and then, there's something that jumps the queue, such as 6392/6397 above.

     

    RSC3 was mostly completed last year, but will finally be finished in the next few weeks.

     

    Cheers,

    Mick


  10. EM Gauge, is it still used on new layouts?
    EM Gauge, is it still used on new layouts?

    Heh, to answer the OP. Look at the makers of components. Peco via the EMGS, C+L and Wayne Kinney are making track. Wizard, Gibson, Markits, Ultrascale and others do wheels and stuff. Most serious kit makers allow space for EM or P4 wheelsets. There are many conversion packs available for EM. 

     

    So, if they think there is a market then EM is alive and well. 

     

    I'll give you a tip. Do what I did way back in the 80s. Get some track and some wagon kits. Both EM and OO. stick them on a test plank. Then don't compare them to each other, compare them to photos of the prototype you want to model.  Then decide which looks more realistic to your eye. 

     

     


  11. Newbryford's mostly Yellow workbench - "it's a drag, man......."
    Newbryford's mostly Yellow workbench - "it's a drag, man......."

    Back to 975280.

     

    A lick of paint, transfers from scalemodel transfers (not available anymore, but Railtec Models have carried on the mantle of departmental stuff)

    And this is the end result.

     

    post-408-0-96123400-1353540360_thumb.jpg

     

    And a further update with 977983.

    I cut a few pieces of 30 thou styrene and profiled them to fit inside the roof section.

    post-408-0-12547700-1353540684_thumb.jpg

     

    They were glued in and vertical side sections also added to form the outer section of the roof well.

     

    post-408-0-16513000-1353540511_thumb.jpg

     

    One toilet and one window have also been blanked with 30thou styrene and minimal filler.

     

    post-408-0-58857500-1353540527_thumb.jpg

     

    The floor of the roof well and work on the ends will be next.

     

    Cheers,

    Mick

     

    edit: pic added


  12. ScotRail 1987/88 Workbench
    ScotRail 1987/88 Workbench

    Additional Under Frame modifications

    The Stones double AC fan units were cut off with a wide blade razor saw and remounted on 2mm plasticard to get them a the correct height (I think having looked at the pictures another 1mm  lower would be more accurate but close enough as they are), to get to the fan I had to also cut off the first box to its left and refix. See picture below. I also cut off and remounted the box to the left of the battery box.

    121307233_ACfanmods.jpg.78ecea2b9a0bd8abbcecf418cd400108.jpg

    Despite some of the other boxes not being 100% correct I am happier with the look of the under frame with the changes I have made

    Note also that the central fan hubs stick out beyond the fan cowl so I have added a section of plasticard and also added a small 0.5mm piece on top which represents the cable housing into which I drilled a hole for the wire.

    614289149_ACunderframes2.jpg.155aa90bece5daa0c0a394396dd4e0f6.jpg

    I cut out the ETS socket position on the end of the coach body and will replace this with a section of plasticard on the top of the under frame. That way I can fit a dummy plug into the recess.

     

    Jonathan

     


  13. Mk1 BG Generator Vehicle
    Mk1 BG Generator Vehicle
    7 minutes ago, tractor_37260 said:

    Anyone got roof details for these modified BG Generator Vans or photo links....

    TIA

     

     

    Searching flickr with "6260 generator" - or any other generator vehicle will turn up something.

    e.g. This is 6261 - not my pic

     

    6261 Bromley South, 01/08/20

     

     

    This leads to other search links such as reporting numbers - then it's onto youtube for even more research.

     


  14. BR Mk 1 BG generator cars
    BR Mk 1 BG generator cars

     Have you tried looking on Google images. I looked earlier and found several photos including a photo of both sides of ADB975325 in blue grey livery.


  15. Oxford Rail announces - OO gauge Mk3 coaches
    Oxford Rail announces - OO gauge Mk3 coaches

    Ok guys, here's my update from the MK3a that Iv'e been doing this last week and from ModelRail Scotland.

     

    I'm going to put up a few fots of the 3a I've done this week - be gentle as it has been done in a bit of a rush and considerably more care will be taken with the intended rakes for the layout, As is, this vehicle will just about pass muster once it's finished, as there is a lot of detail still to be added and also once it's weathered.

     

    I've been putting on here mini updates with things that i personally have found with the OR 3a, so I'm not going to go over those again, as they are on here but several posts up.

     

    I took the coach with me to Glasgow in order for various bods to have a look at and take on board their comments. Most importantly, I had a good long chat with the chap on the OR stand, who graciously gave me a fair bit of his time and was very pleasant to chat with - I do apologise, but I never got his name. Anyway, I unwrapped my ScotRail liveried 3a and we had a good chat initially about the dreaded livery issue.

    I have used Precision paints to respray this coach and the colours are about as perfect a match to the real thing as you can get.

    What it does show is how completely wrong the OR model is.........

     

    Now before anyone mentions lighting conditions, cameras, wash plants, UV wear or anything else, I think it's fair to say that if OR had got the livery somewhere near, then any of those issues could be argued. However, taken indoors, outdoors or whatever, the difference in the actual visible spectrum of the colours between OR's choice of livery and the precision colours are complete polar opposites - in fact they're not even in the same hemisphere I'm afraid...........

     

    I pointed this out to the OR rep and he eventually took my coach over to the Bachmann stand and compared it to their Exec/Swallow liveried MK2f's and the DBSO they had on show - result? Hardly any difference in the two whatsoever. Again, before anyone says that the 2f's and DBSO are pre-production paint jobs - which granted they are, in the interests of fairness, I also took my coach over to the Model Railway association of Scotlands stand and asked to put their brand new 47/7, which sold in bucketloads btw, next to my 3a.

     

    Result? Everyone agreed that there was no distinguishable colour difference between Bachmann's choice of Executive Dark Grey/ Executive Light Grey and the Precision grey's on my 3a................

     

    This then leaves me in no doubt whatsoever that OR's livery is so wrong, that it leaves me astonished as to how they managed to pluck defeat out of the jaws of victory with it. The most positive side of all this was that the OR rep made several notes on the subject and promised to forward these findings directly to the project co-ordinators at OR.......and apparently it wasn't just me that raised this issue, but a lot of modellers had been stopping off to discuss this important issue.

     

    What we have here, is a potentially damaging ( to OR sales ) situation whereby you can buy a Bachmann 47/7 in the correct livery, a Bachmann DBSO in the correct livery and slap 4 or 5 OR 3a's in between which will then stand out like the proverbial thumb. I was asked what my opinion on this was and replied that OR should match Bachmann's livery with their own as soon as possible -  more notes made in his notebook, which can only be good.

     

    Now we move on to the myraid of other issues, which may or may not be of interest depending on the fidelity of the model you're happy to settle with.

     

    For me, there was a huge issue of the module carrier underneath the bodywork, and the bogies - all of which, as they come on the OR3a, make it look top heavy. I made numerous comparisons ( again described in previous posts ) with photos, the Joueff3a and Lima/Hornby 3's. What I found, was that the module tray itself, although dimensionally correct at the top and the whole length, was almost a scale foot to wide at the bottom - in other words, it didn't angle down sharply enough downwards and inwards.

     

    Solution to this was quite drastic and not for the faint hearted, but I decided that if it worked, it would provide a quick and simple solution. In essence, I cut a slice down the entire length of the module tray and up each end,  to the tune of 3mm. The resulting gap was then pinched together and Cyanoacrylated together ( I was concerned it would bow the chassis sides, but it didn't ). I then mixed some car body filler and smoothed the bottom of the now pitched module floor, level with the sides so I had a completely flat module bearer once more. Job done.

    For the bogies, I have used Stenson models etched brass subframes, which are rediculously easy to construct, by folding up and soldering. The OR bogies sides were cut off the centre stretcher and glued to the side of the Stenson subframes - again job done. Ultrascale EM wheelsets were also fitted.

     

    It's interesting to note that for ALL bogies, the maximum width should be 32mm in 4mm scale - it is a standard dimension based upon the loading gauge and works out at 8 feet in real terms. After completing the brass subframes and adding the OR sides, the bogie width comes out at nearly 30mm - not far off, but as standard the OR bogie is 26.3mm..........quite a way out. Now I know that OR have to accomodate these models traversing very sharp radius train set curves, which is fair enough, but they are far to narrow to accomodate EM wheelsets, never mind P4. What would have been a good compromise, would have been a wider bogie and fit a longer axle for OO modellers. Maybe something for OR to have a think about.

     

    Lastly, to the window frames and glazing. The frames themselves are ok....ish and the glazing is not too bad either, but as I wanted to go that little bit further, I fitted the Extreme etchings frames and more interestingly is the fact that EE's laserglazing fits perfectly into the OR rebate. Result! No having to file openings which takes a LOT of time. The plus side with the EE frames are that Brian Hanson has faithfully reproduced the real thing in miniature, which means of course that the frequently mentioned 'Silver' on the ScotRail livery around the frames can be achieved. Visually, there are two parts to the MK3 window frames and it is the INNER part only that is left in alluminium, the outer section is Executive Dark Grey - the same as the body.

    Sadly, the OR frames are a one piece moulding only - same as Lima/Hornby, which means that if OR decide to paint a Silver colour to the frames, it would make them look far too thick............If anyone from OR is reading this, PLEASE look at a way of reproducing the silver effect by lining only half of your moulded frames - it would make them look so much better.

     

    All in all, I found this was an extremely easy and simple fix to the issues raised on here about the OR 3a. Like I said before, these are entirely my own findings and if you're happy with them out of the box, noone should tell you how to run your railway!

     

    Oh almost forgot, for those interested, I found that the light grey band above the windows on the TSO and the yellow First class band on the FO were too small on the OR model. As it comes from OR, the band is 2.5 mm overall including the orange cantrail lining - whereas the band itself should be 2.5mm, THEN the 0.5 orange cantrail lining on top - making 3mm. Doesn't sound a lot, but it does actually make a big difference visually.

     

    cheers

     

    Andy

     

    PS I wholeheartedly apologise for the quality of the fots - taken on my mobile phone camera!

    post-10371-0-61949300-1519667330_thumb.jpg

    post-10371-0-97426300-1519668384_thumb.jpg

    post-10371-0-53785100-1519668399_thumb.jpg

    post-10371-0-58051500-1519668411_thumb.jpg


  16. Hornby Mk2e coaches
    Hornby Mk2e coaches

    (BTW, Thanks Tom, we've had a gander at the 3D vents earlier in the thread, they are very impressive.)

     

    Hi,

     

    Thanks, forgotten I'd posted them earlier, my bad memory... :fool:

    Here's a side on pic showing how oblong they are.

    post-7290-0-46210500-1417967264_thumb.jpg

     

    Here's some shots and dimensions of the dampers.

    post-7290-0-19643400-1417967263_thumb.jpg

    post-7290-0-35136800-1417967258_thumb.jpg

    post-7290-0-47607800-1417967259_thumb.jpg

    post-7290-0-84303600-1417967261_thumb.jpg

    post-7290-0-73932700-1417967260_thumb.jpg

    Cheers

     

    Tom


  17. Hornby Mk2e coaches
    Hornby Mk2e coaches

    Using a Railroad 2E TSO as a guinea pig, i've unclipped the body from the chassis, and removed the interior. Next i've cut off the end vestibules of the interior, then cut across the chassis at the inside of the end steps at each end.

     

    post-298-0-34506400-1416169354.jpg

     

    These chassis ends, complete with steps and buffers, are attached to the body and glued in, part of that "1mm solebar" can also be removed from under the steps. The pics show how the end sections are already at the correct height. The cut-off ends of interior can be re-attached, but their tops will need cropping, as will the main interior around the toilets, to allow for their 1mm higher position.

     

    post-298-0-07694200-1416169405.jpg

    post-298-0-03029600-1416169427.jpg

    post-298-0-06782700-1416169462.jpg

     

    The main section of interior was slightly banana-shaped and is only held by one centre screw, so with a bit of effort, can be straightened out and glued to the chassis, along with the single screw. I did away with the central body and floor clips, and modified the end corner clips, which can be retained. Here's a little dodge to improve the look of the door windows, i've just applied black ink to the moulded insert which represents the pushbar, i may add a new silver line above the black to represent the new higher position, this avoids any physical alteration. More to follow . .. . .  BK

     

    post-298-0-68738200-1416169493.jpg


  18. Hornby Mk2e coaches
    Hornby Mk2e coaches

    Here's the main chassis and interior ready to be re-inserted into the body.

     

    post-298-0-15970100-1416171519.jpg

     

    These pics show the body in it's one millimetre lowered position, the 1mm solebar has disappeared behind the body side. As supplied, these RR versions with black plastic wheels have a buffer height from rail of 14mm, which is a fraction over at 3'6", nominal buffer height should be 3'5.5" or lower, but it's near enough. This chassis mod has reduced the buffer height to 13mm (3'3"), which again is not too bad, i could add some packing between chassis and bogies, but only after i've changed the wheels to 12mm (Bachmann 36-034) and re-checked the buffer height. I've already changed the couplings to Bachmann and shortened them for close-coupling.

     

                                                                                   Cheers, Brian.

     

    post-298-0-42774500-1416171538.jpg

    post-298-0-57049500-1416171558.jpg

    post-298-0-29124200-1416171582.jpg

    post-298-0-54844100-1416171643.jpg


  19. Hornby Mk2e coaches
    Hornby Mk2e coaches

    As promised, here are some pics showing some extra work on my chopped up chassis. Bearing-in-mind that my method means that  we end up with a 1mm. step in the chassis floor, i've added a 1mm=40thou piece of plasticard to each end of the main chassis, then i add a larger piece of the same to bridge the now level joint. This helps to stabilize the four corners of the body on to the chassis, plus you can now fit a couple of body-retaining screws if you wish.

     

    post-298-0-27974200-1416348959.jpg

    post-298-0-67521900-1416348983.jpg

     

    I've changed the wheels to 12mm. Bachmann 36-034 type, so having re-checked the buffer height, the next job is to give the bogie pivots more vertical movement, this is achieved by drilling down slightly on the top side of the bogie pivot holes. Then 1mm plastic packing pieces are added across the tops of the bogies, this will raise the body up from the bogies, to give a correct ride height.

     

    post-298-0-44588700-1416349008.jpg

    post-298-0-27785500-1416349037.jpg

     

    So here is the raised body with the bogies re-equipped with Bachmann wheels and couplings. Next task is to correct the livery errors, as Robert says, the shade of blue is very dark, but i might leave that for now.    BK

     

    post-298-0-84763500-1416349080.jpg

    post-298-0-53996100-1416349107.jpg

    post-298-0-07299200-1416349130.jpg 


  20. Edinburgh North, late 80s Railfreight
    Edinburgh North, late 80s Railfreight

    Chassis primed and look even better. The striped layers in the printed plastic is barely visible.

     

     

     

     

    Filling the old buffer holes with milliput (the Hornby ones are too low because the ride height was all wrong).

     

    B692A817-CDB4-43C9-A014-551F01E9F8DC.jpeg

    7CACD86A-EE0A-417E-9050-829F4879BD70.jpeg

    AF26DD44-4D9F-4DD6-9964-E25D8D2B5A57.jpeg


  21. #4 Farish Mk2A BFK Simple Conversion
    #4 Farish Mk2A BFK Simple Conversion

    Given Graham Farish produce a Mk2A BSO it’s not surprising that they haven’t produced another half-brake variant. The BFK is a very useful model though; it was a staple of many loco-hauled services on secondary routes and appeared in a range of liveries during its life. 
     

    Fortunately converting a coach from BSO to BFK is a fairly straightforward business. I took a second-hand Farish model (cat no. 374-680), applied yellow line transfers to half the length, added ‘1’s to the passenger doors, swapped out the open seats for a corridor insert (from a Mk2 FK I’d used in another project) and swapped out the passenger windows for ones with first class markings on them (from the same FK). The only other alteration, aside from the 2mmFS wheels, was to correct the roof vents. These were carefully filed and sanded back before drilling holes at the correct alignment, adding track pins for vents, and painting.
     

    Hopefully it looks convincing; now I only need to decide whether to add ScotRail branding or not!
    Graham

    691CB3C5-E132-4F7D-93AB-756FB01E581A.jpeg

    845B29CA-67C6-4DB9-B208-E0A41D684CC9.jpeg

    A791699D-B7D7-4A89-B703-18E698013DBE.jpeg


  22. Hornby 2023 - New tooling - TTA tank wagon
    Hornby 2023 - New tooling - TTA tank wagon

    This is probably the least glitzy but the single most useful and welcome new release for Hornby in a long, long time!

     

    The amount of chassis upgrading that the existing Bachmann release requires to make it a respectable model makes this an instant no-brainer purchase, assuming it's done correctly. Factor in also the cost of replacement brass and whitemetal components, new ladders, mesh roof walkways and intricate fitting of various pipe runs and brake gear - hours of modelling time cut in a single swoosh, and instead plenty of time to spend on weathering and personalising!

     

    Perhaps this could lead to some other wagon types to follow - POA, ZKA, MKA 'Limpets' and MTAs, you never know!

     

    Cheers,

    James


  23. Mk2E Ex-Caledonian Sleeper BUO - crew coach
    Mk2E Ex-Caledonian Sleeper BUO - crew coach

    Another one that I couldn't find to complete my rake for a test train. This one is designed to replace the sides on a Hornby donor mk2e, cutting out the original sides and replacing between the end doors. The glazing is modified and re-used.

     

    Sides have to printed in 2 pieces, using the middle door as the join line,

     

    2057986557_BUOprint.thumb.PNG.62188c1d13e2b2043d95c046548b1699.PNG

     


  24. 009 micro layout using Kato N gauge unitrack
    009 micro layout using Kato N gauge unitrack

    Hi, a couple of things have got me interested in making a 009 micro layout using Kato N gauge untrack as that should ensure the tight curves are nice and curved.  I've come up with a plan, but there are a couple of places where the tracks do not join up.  Please can anyone advise how I alter the plan to make a complete circuit?1835706604_Screenshot2022-04-06at16_28_04.png.934e874f36bf64737a0c74769277c72c.png


×
×
  • Create New...