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Atso

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  1. Atso
    Hi all,
     
    It's been an age since I last updated this blog!
     
    Firstly, following a very enjoyable time at TINGS, I'd like to thank MikeJ and the North of England Line (NoEL) team for being most welcoming on the Sunday and letting play with some of my creations (no layout of my own again at present!).
     
    As seems to be the case in recent years, my own modelling picks up when I know I've got somewhere to run locomotives (and occasionally stock but not on this occasion) and TINGS was no exception.
     
    So, in eleven days two locomotives went from being raw 3D prints and an unaltered donor chassis into these:
     

     
    Above are my interpretations of Gresley's rebuilt C1 Atlantic 3279 and K2 4659.
     
    3279: uses the Farish Jubilee chassis originally slated for a 'standard' C1 coupled to a Union Mills tender drive and tender assembled from a set of frames from a V2 and an old Farish A3 tender top (suitable cut down). The whole tender has been packed with as much lead as I could fit and amazingly haulage is almost as good as a standard Union Mills tender!
     
    4659: is mounted on a Farish 4MT loco chassis and uses a Farish B1 tender drive with a 3D printed body. The loco body sits a little high at the front and I will be remedying this as and when I have the time and inclination. I've got some Farish B1's to convert into K3's (they've been sitting in their boxes for a couple of years now!) and I might do another K2 using this approach at a later date - the coupled wheelbase of the B1 is spot on for the K2 and just about correct for the K3!
     
    As Julia commented at TINGS, both these locos are too shiny at present but the paint had barely dried by the time they got their first runs! Both have some small bits of finishing work (i.e. line 3279's frames in red) but I'm really quite pleased with how they came out - especially 3279 as this is my first 'proper' attempt at an LNER green livery. Sorry to those who have already seen this video elsewhere but here is 3279 in action on NoEL hauling MikeJ's exquisite 'Queen of Scots' Pullman rake.
     

     
    One locomotive that didn't make it was this:
     

     
    My latest attempt at a standard C1 class Atlantic, I've still got a lot of problems with this and I don't think this latest choice of donor chassis/parts is a going concern... However, I've now got another Farish Jubilee chassis and will have (yet) another go using this sometime in the far flung future!
     
    So what is next? Selling my house! I'm pleased to say that just about everything pertaining to the big 'D' and the ice rink closure is now sorted (the ice rink is scheduled to be refurbished later this year - day job is safe but will be unemployed for a couple of months) but the house has to be sold before the end of the year. At the moment most of my free time has been spent decorating and generally sprucing the place up (with some much appreciated help from my parents - thank you guys!). I'll be moving back home for a few months to regroup before trying to get back on the property ladder nearer to work (I currently commute 40 miles a day and if I no longer need to, I'd rather not!).
     
    All that isn't to say that modelling is completely dead (although earlier this year is really was as my mojo had been completely lost and I was thinking about selling everything). I made a few impulse purchases at TINGS, all second hand or returned stock:
     

     

     
    All of the above will be converted into more appropriate stock for my 1930's LNER leanings (some initial ideas below)...
     
    I also bumped into Hans Starman of N-Stars at TINGS, he presented me with this:
     

     
    This is his end of a project to build an N gauge B2, 'Sir Sam Fay' class locomotive, the chassis is a converted Peco Jubilee while the tender drive is solely Han's work. As with every chassis I've seen from Hans, this one runs like a Swiss watch! Now I've got to complete my end of the bargain and design the body for the loco and tender (and sort out his etches but that's another story!).
     
    I wasn't very well last week so to keep myself going insane I came up with this during some of my better moments:
     

     
    With all the hype surrounding a certain Hornby product at the moment, I don't think anyone will need any explanation as to what this is going to be. The tender is straight off the Farish A1 while the chassis is two Dapol Britannia chassis spliced together and mounted on Dapol B1 wheels (the cylinders are off the B1 as well) - yes, this means the coupled wheelbase is slightly too long but I think this can be disguised with some careful placement of the pony and Cartazzi trucks. I've got some clearance issues to sort out to get the loco chassis free running but I'm encouraged that my latest bout of insanity looks like it might actually work!
     
    Meanwhile what to do with the rest of the A1?
     

     
    This is something I've wanted to do for awhile and I think it'll be something a bit different from the more common A3s and A4s you see running about!
     
    I'm not expecting lightly speed the above anytime soon, other life commitments have to take priority again. I've also got J6 and D49 commissions to squeeze in at some point as well (as well as a commission for another locomotive) so time is really going to be tight for the rest of the year - at least the D49 has a concept chassis made up:
     

     
    So, the end of a lengthy blog entry and in all likelihood the last one for awhile. Good modelling everybody!
  2. Atso
    Hi all,
     
    Well its been a really hectic couple of months with family members and friends in and out of hospital as well as some bumps in the road achieving the dreaded big 'D'. However, I have been able to get some more CAD work done (shame about the modelling in reality) and started on my promised 3MT tender locomotive body. I did also manage to get out to a couple of shows, St. Albans and Ally Pally and was lucky enough to catch up with some friends from here as well as meet some new people!
     
    The problem is that I've run into a few problems with the 3MT as I've found some issues with the drawings I'm using. I'll get these sorted out as more information becomes available but for the time being I've decided to take my frustration out on a different loco. The big question is what is it?
     

  3. Atso
    Finally, time and finances have allowed me to get some more models printed! I now have my revised C1 and N2 models - the D2 was also printed but unfortunately I'd made a mistake converting the file to an STL format which resulted in losing most of the resolution and detail.
     
    So along with the C12 printed earlier I have 3 loco bodies going through the works. The prints have been cleaned up using 400-600 grit wet and dry paper mounted on small blocks of rubber. The usual prime, sand, prime, sand process follows with each print taking around 3 passes to get smooth. I'll admit to cheating occasionally by spraying some Halfords clear lacquer to help even out the finish around some particularly stubborn areas.
     
    First up is the C1.
     

     
    This is using a modified Farish Jubilee chassis for the loco and a Union Mills tender drive for power. Speaking of tenders, this one is not 3D printed but rather the cut and shunt Farish A3 tender that featured in earlier blog entries. While not accurate, it looks the part and will do until I design and print a replacement!
     
    Next is my C12.
     

     
    I'm still deciding what to do about the chassis but at present it sits on top of a cut up Dapol M7 chassis. This is one of the earliest M7's and was never a good runner. I'm thinking about trying to cut my own frames out of PCB much as Missy has done previously. Some Farish B1 driving wheels, bogie and 3MT pony would likely complete the arrangement.
     
    Finally the N2.
     

     

     

     

     
    As you can see this one is largely complete with just a few additional details still to add. I finally settled on hacking the 3MT chassis it get the 0-6-2 wheel arrangement so the coupled wheelbase is incorrect. It's sitting a little high at the rear at the moment but that'll be sorted out soon. I've heard rumors that the 3MT chassis generally isn't a good runner, if this is the case then I must be lucky as it is one of the sweetest running chassis I own!
     
    Both the C12 and N2 are hand lined using a bow pen (including the boiler bands) and I hope to repeat this with the LNER Green C1 in the future. My apparent insanity stops at lettering and numbering, these are Fox Transfers products.
  4. Atso
    It seems that periods between modelling anything are getting longer and longer as of late. Between work and the ongoing personal issues there just hasn't been much time for a great deal else. When time has been available I have experienced a distinct lack of motivation present.
     
    However, the last couple of days have seen a bit of a break in the recent routine and I dragged myself to the computer to get some CAD work done. After a bit of a slow start, I got into the swing of things and as of tonight I have largely finished the loco bodies for a Claud Hamilton and a super heated D2. I hope to use some converted Dapol B1 chassis to power them as the coupled wheelbase between the middle and last driving wheels is spot on and the wheels are fairly close to the correct size - I doubt anyone would truly notice the undersize wheels on a layout once they are partly covered by the splashers!
     

     

     
    In case anyone is interested I've created some 3D pdf files to view the 3D rendering in. Once open simply click on the picture and use the left mouse button to navigate around the rendering and the right mouse button to zoom in and out...
     
    LNER D16 Gresley Loco Body.pdf
     
    LNER D2 Body.pdf
     
    I've still got the tenders to design, the D2 will simply have a tender top that fits the existing Dapol tender chassis (not correct I know but again close enough for me). However, the Claud will require a completely new tender designing from scratch that'll have to include mounting points for the motor and some kind of pickup system. I've been paying close attention recently to JohnBS's thread on building a 2mm Saint class loco. He has 3D printed a basic body which he is detailing and has scratch built the chassis. While I'm still not quite ready to try my hand at a completely scratchbuilt chassis, his thread makes interesting reading and can be found here in case anyone is interested.
     
    Previously I mentioned about my work with the N2 chassis. Having become frustrated with a lack of progress I decided to take the easy(ier) way out and chopped up a Farish 3MT chassis to get the loco up and running quickly - the slightly under scale wheels helped with the clearance problems I had encounted with my original chassis attempt! I had to cut out some of the boiler section to get the body to fit (which resulted in a small hole being created in one of the splashers) so I'll be revisiting this model to make appropriate alterations in the CAD and reprint it. I did decide to line it for some practices though. Not to sure about this but I'll get in some more practice before the new body arrives!
     

     
    Finally, some of you are aware that I have been trying to design an N gauge P2 body. This has been stalled for quite a while as my CAD package seems to have a fit every time I open the file. I'm still thinking about the best way to get this one done but I think whatever I decide I'll be starting from scratch again... A picture below of the model before I encountered file problems.
     

     
    I think that brings me up to date with what has been going on. Hopefully the next entry will appear more rapidly than this one has!
  5. Atso
    Well 2012 wasn't the great year I was hoping it would be. I've now found myself single and managing the household bills that used to be covered by two salaries...
     
    Needless to say that various projects have slipped and my modelling mojo was at an all time low.
     
    Recently though I've started playing with CAD again and recently took delivery of several 3D printed bodies from Shapeways. These consisted of a C1, C12, J50 and N2 all produced in the FUD material.
     




     
    Unfortunately, the C1 has several design flaws which means this body will not be used to fit a modified Dapol B1 chassis (yes I know the wheels are undersized but they fit the splashers better!).
     
    The N2 will make use of a chassis converted from a spare Farish Diesel motor bogie with etched frames to create the correct wheelbase and fitted some spare Farish B1 wheels (which are actually a scale 5'9! - close enough for the N2!). This chassis has actually run but I'm presently looking for a suitable motor that will fit within the confines of the N2 body. For those who are interested I am presently here with this:
     


     
    The N2 body still sits a little high on the chassis but I am hopeful that I can get it within 0.5mm of where is should be (blue tack is to hold the body level for the time being!). Should this conversion prove successful then I have a method to create a new chassis for the C12 as well!
     
    So, what have I finished I hear you ask! Well today I've become the happy owner of a J50/3 and a K3/3. The K3 project was started some time ago but stalled due to problems fitting it onto the planned Farish V2 chassis. Much filing and fitting of new wheels saw potential but I was unable to regain the quartering of the center driving wheels among other problems. Enter Hans Starmans of N-Stars who kindly fettled the chassis as well as building me a scale chassis for the J50. The J50 chassis is a work of art using an 8mm Maxon motor and turned down Minitrix wheels. The only problem is the coupling rods which I had etched. These are too thin and therefore distort very easily. I will have another set etched in a slightly thicker material when time and funds permit.
     
    The K3 is fully lined using a bow pen. While I have successfully lined some repainted teak coaches before this is the first time I have lined a loco and I'm very pleased with the result! Boiler bands were made out of some 0.5mm strips of scotch tape with the red being lined down either side. Both locos still need some coupling hooks and vac pipes but again I'll add these when funds improve.
     
    Anyway enough rambling I'll leave you with some more pictures!
     





  6. Atso

    More 3D Modelling

    By Atso,

    With the K3 body order and due to be delivered any day now I've turned my attention to another locomotive body. This is to be based on the Farish 4F chassis with some minor modifications. Both the models shown have been designed using Isinglass Models drawings and photographic evidence from the RCTS green series of books. I've still got some work to do on the body and the condensing pipes to design but the bulk of the work is now complete - not bad for two days worth of work I think!
     

  7. Atso

    3D Prints start to arrive

    By Atso,

    I arrived home today to find two packages. The first contained an LNER Group Standard Tender printed using SLS - the steel K3 body will take a while longer yet. The second package contained my SLA prints of both the body and tender. For some reason the SLA tender body will not fit onto the Farish chassis while the SLS version fits perfectly (some modest filing needed here). The K3 body is absolutely great! A lovely surface finish which I'll prime sometime tomorrow - The SLS GST has already recieved a coating of primer. Pictures below.
     



  8. Atso

    3D Modelling

    By Atso,

    Following a period of building some loco bodies out of cardboard I've returned to my CAD work and have some models pending from the printers. I am hopeful that I will be able to successfully clean up the resultant prints (having spent a lot of time experimenting getting the best out of my existing prints - as well as making some BIG mistakes as well!). My current work is mainly concentrating on a K3 body which is designed to be a direct fit onto Farish V2 chassis (with rear pony removed!). I have two of these on order - one is being printed in plastic and the other in stainless steal!
     
    One problem with 3D printing is being able to remove the print lines. This is a side effect of the way the items are manufactured layer by layer and preserving small details during clean up is difficult. This is why I have order a print in steal as hopefully the finer details will survive some rougher handling during the clean up operation. I find 3D designing more satisfying that my scratch building efforts and hope that I will be able to create a good enough master to cast from.
     


  9. Atso

    Multiplying Tenders

    By Atso,

    I know it's been awhile since my last post but life the universe (aka wife) and everying have managed to take priority over some real work!
     
    Anyway, I've finished cleaning up the tender body for the K3 and have invested in some silicone rubber and casting resin to attempt to make some copies. I was lucky enough to catch Jon Hall doing a casting demonstration at the St. Albans exhibition a couple of years ago and by and large I have been trying to replicate his techniques. However I have still be having trouble ensuring that my castings a bubble free which has resulted in numerous rejects - although I seem to be getting better quality with each cast.
     
    Not much of an update I know but maybe some pictures of my castings may be of interest to someone.
     


  10. Atso

    Another Day, Another Loco!

    By Atso,

    Well I've managed to just about complete another loco, the C12. This means that only the C1 (the most difficult!) remains.
     
    Actually the C12's chassis is only a temporary solution based around the Dapol 14xx chassis. The 14xx was Dapol's first effort in N gauge and while mine runs reasonably well the wheelbase is a little too far out for my liking and those wheels! Just looking at those wheels remind me of the old Triang TT models! Still to be fair, I think that the N gauge 14xx marked the start of a revolution for British N gauge which has led to the fantastic models we enjoy today - most certainly it was the best detailed N gauge loco available at the time of it's release. (Apologies to any GWR fans who might be offended by the mutilation of my 14xx!).
     
    So having sought advice from Dr Al, the 14xx chassis will eventually make way for a new chassis based around the Farish 3MT. Interestingly the large bogie wheels supplied with the Farish A1 look much closer to the C12's 3'8 leading and trailing wheels than the Peppercorn A1's 3'2 bogie wheels. Are these wheels overscale for the A1? Does it really matter in this scale? Either way initial experiments seem to look promising using these.
     
    Anyway on with some images of the C12...
     

     

     

     
    I'm rather pleased with the quartet of models I've built to date. Therefore I make no apologies for organising one of the famous LNER 'Publicity Shoots' featuring all four locos!
     

     

     
    Ok so they all still require coupling hooks and vac pipes. Also I'm contemplating how insane I really am as I've discovered that I've got a sheet of N gauge bufferbeam decals!
  11. Atso

    What to do with a Dapol B1

    By Atso,

    Hi all, I hope that everyone had a good Christmas!
     
    Just before Christmas UPS delivered my latest consignment from Shapeways, five locomotive bodies. Only one of these was a Christmas present and from me not to me!
     
    For the moment, I'll be concentrating on two of these as two of the others need suitable donor chassis to be identified and my new N2 is identical to the one covered previously.
     
    I've collected several Dapol B1 locos and while these are out of period from my own layout, they were cheap and I've been looking into what I could convert them into.
     
    My initial thoughts were to find a suitable 4-6-0 but this would limit me to the B1 and B17 both of which have been covered rtr.
     
    What about an 2-6-0? Well Dapol doesn't seem to have any locos with 5'8 (or smaller) driving wheels. Also I'm not keen on trying to assemble my own valve gear yet - one day I'll have to bit the bullet on that one!
     
    An 0-6-0? Again, I can't find a suitable loco with the correct wheelbase and 6'2 driving wheels!
     
    So what then...
     
    Well the B1's wheelbase is 7'3, 9' so what about if I lose the front set of driving wheels and move the bogie back? This would leave me with a 4-4-0 wheel arrangement with the drivers spaced at 9' - perfect for some many small pre grouping LNER 4-4-0 types. The Dapol tender will need to be ditched but this shouldn't present too many problems as the motor could be mounted into any other type of tender (or replaced with a smaller motor if required).
     
    So what have I come up with?
     

     
    On the left is a D16/3 'Claud Hamilton' and on the right is a GNR D2. The Claud is part way through it's smoothing process to remove the traces of the printing process while the D2 is untouched other than a quick blast of primer. The Claud has been rewheeled with some spare Dapol A3 driving wheels while the D2 is still sitting on the B2 drivers - the difference between the 6'8 and 6'2 drivers is incredible and just as noticeable when viewed at actual size. The D2 may get a set of large drivers in the future but clearances are quite tight on the rearmost wheelset. I'm not keen on the bogie wheels so these will most likely be replaced on both locos.
     
    My only gaff is that I wanted a green D16/3 and I've just found out the Claud Hamilton was the only one painted green in the period I'm modelling! It may become 8783 which did retain it's green livery but as it wasn't rebuilt until December 1939 it really is pushing it to the limit of the period I'm modelling - rule one would have to apply here. All than being said, lined black is much easier to do than fully lined apple green!
     
    Both need new tenders designing but I'm quite happy with how these are turning out at the moment!
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