dj_crisp

A few Iris 2 progress shots as I've had a few hours today to do some modelling; Went slightly crazy and decided to cut out the side grills and insert the etches which I think it's possibly worth the effort rather than just sticking them on. I'm rather hoping the primer coat hides all this mess! And I've decided lifes too short to really worry about getting the roof right so I've just stuck some 0.9mm wire in a few holes and added some MJT Mk1 catering vents. I've also done the DMBS the same way and just filled in the guards rear windows. Next up is making some engine coolant filler caps on the side and there are a few more bits on the Hurst etch to fit to the sides - just debating whether i need to make a few more holes for these or just stick them on!

Looking forward to something new! Hopefully nothing that's being retooled by someone else.

Lais? Not sure if they're a copy of DCC concepts..? Anyhow so many of both makes have died on me that I only use my remaining few for test purposes so I'm sticking to Zimo/ESU/Lenz these days. Of the non-sound variety to keep peace in my household ;)

A nice decoder that I use alot. Check out the JMRI decoder pro/ sprog setup as it's the only way I can understand this DCC coding malarkey... and then it's easy to remap functions to your preference.

Good luck with sorting the orange peel! I always find airbrushing a leap of faith and in any case I always sand down primer anyway 😉 I've gone with the principle of guess work and so have filled in my end windows. Just waiting for the filler to dry for a sand down then another spot of filling!

Quick question..... Does anyone know if the DMBS of Iris2 lost its inner windows by the corridor connectors? I don't have any photos but based on the new cable connectors between vehicles I can't see that it can have maintained them?

I think that's a great idea! And then we can chat on how to do a few of the extra details ;) !

I've had a few hours of a rare past time for me these days.... modelling time! Which has all been spent on my Iris 2 project. I feel like I've made a bit of progress as a few bits of Hurst etches have been stuck on! However rather than sticking them on like the instructions suggested I've tried to match the prototype and inset them into the body. This involved cutting a few holes! And then filling the holes (rather crudely tbh)! I've also discovered Bachmanns white plastic is really soft Vs the blue plastic with the expected result that I managed to split the shell here while cutting out the hole. Plastic weld and filler to the rescue! So now the etch remains flat and hopefully looks ok! Sometime has also been spent on the roof... and I'm trying to replicating a circle thing on top of the cabs. My hi tech solution is a M2 washer and a bit of plastic tube inset slightly into the roof. I'll only know if this looks OK when primed. As I don't have any detailed photos of the roof it's all guess work! As per all my projects this one is turning into a longer than expected one! Especially when trying to find decent shots of the roof!

Thanks! That link works for me. I dont have the symbol so must be an android/chrome issue Cheers Will

Thanks! I must be blind as I can't find the login page. Hey ho nevermind

This looks helpful. Sorry I couldn't find a link to login on their website. Do you know where I can find it? Thanks Will

Thanks! I have no plans to use the unit other than on its own so just wondered if there was an alternative deflector front with a smaller hole. No biggie and sounds like there isn't an alternative front.

Hi Charlie I'm impressed! The pacer looks ready good! One question on the front deflector (if that what is called?). I can see provision for the NEM coupling mount - will you be able to supply or fit a different one with a smaller hole with cosmetic couplings? Thanks Will

Always good to talk! FWIW I enjoy reading you're modelling exploits and look forward to seeing more 😊

I genuinely don't understand why anyone wants all wheel drive on a co-co in model form. RTR model bogies simply dont work like the prototype and I've lost count on how many I've had ones that rock on their centre axles. Added to that converting to EM/P4 is much harder.

I like the sound of this! I didn't notice the blanking until I started messing about with them... and then realised the original builder did put quite a bit of effort into them so felt I should perhaps do likewise. It looks quite neat if perhaps a little thick but I can live with that as I like the variety it introduced. I'll probably add a few detail bits to the ends tbh. The one thing I can't seem to source though is steps.

As hinted in a previous post this year I've been mostly messing with Super BGs for my early 2000 period. Plan is to have a 4 car set for use with my 67.... which could be classed as a full length train that fits the layout 😀 A long time ago I bought 4 Super BGs off ebay and didn't really pay much attention to them and parked them on the "to sort later" shelf. Anyhow they're a bit nicer than i first thought as all 4 are different and the previous owner had put some effort into them! One of my pet hates is having gangway gaps where no gaps should be. While not being the most refined I prefer having a keen floating plate than having nothing at all. It's a quick fix by chopping the plate off the end of the Bachmann gangway then drilling a centre hole and fixing the coupling plate with a spring. While the coach is in bits I also fitted hunt magnetic couplings to the inners at buffer beam height so along with the spring in the corridor connector means then move more as a complete set then with a loose coupling effect! The ends are just left alone with a kadee. One of the slightly cool features is the outer coaches have red LEDs set up so I'm going to program these as a set to allow the ends to illuminate depending on direction of travel... and have a park mode for both ends to be illuminated if sat alone in a loop. While the body was off and seeing as there aren't many windows I've replaced the glazing. It's a case of spot the differences between the four of them 😀 Also replaced are the side handrails which were a complete pain to get looking half ok. I admit I've given up now and am going with as is.... just need to paint them! The originals were brass etches and looked square. Most had fallen off by themselves but a few were really stuck on and removing them caused paint to lift so I've had to patch paint quite a bit. Some extra weathering will help hide my mess ups! The original weathering wasn't to my tastes so these have been T-cut to remove quite a bit. It also removes the matt flatness applied and while at it i removed so paint runs. Overall I think I'm quite pleased with the overall look; The all important lack of a gap looks better to me now; I'm going to re-visit the underframe weathering of all of them as some look a bit splattery and also blend in the corridor connectors to the ends. I'm not sure about those buffers and I'm also in two minds over adding in extra details to the ends and perhaps the underframes as they were meant to be a quick project just to get layout ready! What do you think? Would extra effort be worth it Happy Modelling Will

Very nice Nick! Thanks for the heads up on the destination frames which I'll check mine soon. I've been distracted with super BGs this last month. Really thought they'd be a quick project but as always things take longer than expected! But I've made a start on Lab 19.... I've had the files out.... and filler after a few knife slips! I've opened out the windows ready for frames. Hopefully leaving enough space for glazing behind. Also done a bit of shaping of the sides to roof... not sure it's much of an improvement though. And there's a few windows and doors to fill in. This is plastikard infills with two fills and sands. I'm snipping off the roof vents but not too happy with the rough look so will try something elseas from the few photosi have its obvious where they used to be . There's lots going on and different on the roof so will have a few bits to sort out and guess! So plenty of filling and filing to do!

They're very subtle but great frames and make a huge difference to the face of the unit. I'm not looking too hard at the sides ;) I like the sound of the serco unit! That one will look great!

Hopefully it'll be a fun project! I never really intended doing this one but i came across some hurst etches along with some sprinter stuff i was after.... then thought why not! So have changed one intended 101 project to be Iris 2 after seeing this photo on flickr There are a few things I need to research such as the roof, Interior and general differences Vs a standard 101. But I understand the unit is still in existence so have a few more modern photos to explore. I'll be very happy to swap notes!

Thanks! That was my suspicion and I'll make sure I stick on the frames in the right order!

I've just stripped a pair of Bachmann 101s and it's quite interesting (well for me) to see the body shape (photos on my thread). I'm thinking the bodyside curves might not be sharp enough. Also the centre window looks narrower than the outers. Do you know if the centre window is the same size as the outers? I plan on using the etches anyway as they look so much better

Winter is a strange time as although I have more time for modelling the garage is so cold I struggle for enthusiasm! Anyhow I've started on a new pair of victims.... I've spent a bit of time pondering the front curves on Bachmanns 101. Having stripped a pair it's a bit easier to see the bodyshell shape. I'm coming to the conclusion that Bachmanns front curve is perhaps a little shallow so I may spend a bit of time with some files. The project is Iris 2.... so some chopping and filling will be needed. If anyone has any photos of the roof that'll be an ace help as I think I need to remove and add quite a few bits!

HNY Rich! Some great projects! Thanks for posting this info and interestingly (well for me) I'm up to something similar and been looking at wheels. I've just bought a few of the new Peco/Parkside kits and forgot they included wheels. On looking at them the profile doesn't seem too bad so was thinking about using them in EM. I haven't measured the axle length so thanks for the heads up and will measure one soon. I do like a Grampus and have just found the old 1987 RM article which inspired me to have a go at building them (at that time so I'm hoping my next attempts are better/run). Now I'm researching the different types to decide whether to go fitted or unfitted. I look forward to seeing how yours turn out. Cheers Will

And your 101s etc! I spent a few minutes last evening looking at curves.... of the 101 variety.... and there is definitely something subtle going on in the corners on the prototype. It kind of looks to me that the prototype curves backwards from the front before the corner and arc of the roof profile. Will have a browse later to see if I can find any better.