Baz's bodging and bashing .... back to ex LMS Coaches

[Barry O]

no, being made in Singapore had nothing to do with it. I have two of these - they were old kits. One I built many years ago and put the other aside. I decided to get a few things finished  over Christmas...this was the next kit on the pile....

 

next up .. some coach interiors then palvan kits to be built....

 

Baz

[Barry O]

But if you want to see how these can be turned into really nice wagons look at the Worseter thread in the layout section. Killibegs has done a proper job on his ones!

 

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/82059-worseter-update/page-33&do=findComment&comment=2918595

 

baz

[Fat Controller]

Lummy! Where did the Autumn go??

 

Well, as it is Christmas I have found time to do some modelling

 

First up....a Parkside Grampus kit.

 

grampus.JPG

 

building this reminded me how bad a (very) few Parkside kits were. Some items didn't fit, other (ie the sides) are already bowing....

 

I will get couplings and numbers etc on this today.

 

 

 

Baz

To be fair, this looks as though it was one of the early versions of the Grampus, dating back to the 1970s. The model was remastered about ten years ago, and issued as a vac-fitted one.

[Barry O]

yes this is the non vac fitted one.. I did say it was an old kit....

[St Enodoc]

To be fair, this looks as though it was one of the early versions of the Grampus, dating back to the 1970s. The model was remastered about ten years ago, and issued as a vac-fitted one.

 

yes this is the non vac fitted one.. I did say it was an old kit....

Mine was probably bought in about 2000 so it is likely that it was one of the old kits too. I didn't know about the remaster.

[griffgriff]

Regarding the Grampus.

 

I wonder if you can get the body of the vac fitted kit separately? Parkside certainly used to offer this. The new body mated with a tasty etched chassis does make for a pleasing model. It’s not just the dimensional issues but the crispness of the moulding.

 

Griff

[Barry O]

probably just as easy to buy a new kit and add the chassis as shown in the link shown in 27 above...

 

Baz

[griffgriff]

probably just as easy to buy a new kit and add the chassis as shown in the link shown in 27 above...

 

Baz

The separate sprues were signicantly cheaper than the kit as a whole... very keenly priced in fact.

 

Griff

[Barry O]

Not sure if PECO will sell separate bits but you never know. I don't need any more.

 

More work on various bits done,

 

 

the suburban is coming on, interior fitted, roof details added, couplings fitted. Just need some warmth to spray it..

probably unlined BT Crimson

 

 

Fish van needs weathering

 

 

but otherwise complete.

 

Baz

[Barry O]

A few more coaches

 

first up an LMS First Class dining car to Diagram 1810

 

(Comet sides, bits from all over for the rest!)

 

and the other side

 

may end up in BR Crimson and Cream for a change.

 

A long time ago I was sold (for the grand sum of £3) a part (and badly) put together Comet Period II dining car.

I was going to leave this one but it isn't the same as the one above. It is a LMS Period II Composite dining car to Diagram 1811

 

 

and the other side

 

 

this may end up in LMS simple livery.

 

and to go with the flow of Period II stock a Vestibule Third to D1807

 

to appear in BR Maroon livery

 

Baz

Edited January 5, 2018 by Barry O

[Barry O]

You may have noticed a representation of a Stones ventilator in the last coach (Pd II Vestibuled third)

These are an etching from Nicktoix. It needs a bit more work before they will be fitted post painting. If I turn this into one of this diagram of coaches built post 1932 it will need to have less Stones ventilators and more covered vents.....perhaps I will just build one of the earlier batch.

Baz

Edited January 6, 2018 by Barry O

[Barry O]

it has been warm and dry (at last!) so a bit more work done on the coaches I started before going to teh Antipodes for 8 weeks earlier this year

 

Suburban needs door handles and the roof needs finishing

 

 

The Open Third needs teh Stones ventilators fitting then the roof can be finished and finish painted. Handrails for steps at coach ends to be fitted

 

 

and the Unclassified Period II Kitchen diner needs the Stones ventilators fitting then the roof needs to be fixed and the odd bit of roof detail finished

 

 

More coaches in the pipeline..

 

Baz

 

 

[St Enodoc]

it has been warm and dry (at last!) so a bit more work done on the coaches I started before going to teh Antipodes for 8 weeks earlier this year

 

Suburban needs door handles and the roof needs finishing

 

Stanier Pd II 3rd suburban.JPG

 

The Open Third needs teh Stones ventilators fitting then the roof can be finished and finish painted. Handrails for steps at coach ends to be fitted

 

Stanier Pd II TO.JPG

 

and the Unclassified Period II Kitchen diner needs the Stones ventilators fitting then the roof needs to be fixed and the odd bit of roof detail finished

 

Stanier Pd II RU.JPG

 

More coaches in the pipeline..

 

Baz

Judging by the couplings, I guess the first one is 00 and the other two EM?

[Barry O]

They are all OO. I use Kaydees for inner coaches in rakes as it means I can swap the restaurant/kitchens in a fiddle yard by lifting the vehicle straight out of the rake. Started doing this with Gresleys and Mk1s. I know the LMS didn't use buckeyes but it made sense to use them.

 

Baz

[Barry O]

Finally finished the RFK

 

 

very nice coach .. goes well with several other 12 wheel dining cars I seem to have accumulated over the years...

 

 

Baz

 

[Barry O]

Been busy cricket umpiring all summer but my last outdoors game was last week so.... more coaches to build.

 

I have 3 Period III Third Opens painted awaiting underframes etc but I want to get some more coaches painted so that I can finish these over the Autumn/Winter.

 

But first some back ground. There are standard tools and bits and bats I use to build coaches. I use a couple of books for information, sizes, roof vent locations etc.

 

Both are very handy and I advise anyone interested in LMS coaches to buy a copy if you can. They are:

 

and the Essery and Jenkinson LMS Coaches book

 

 

I also invested in a Coffman right angle clamp. (Branchlines sell them) Ideal for getting sides and ends square to weld together.

 

I use cast whitemetal coach ends - these are 247 developments

 

 

I have a selection of etched coach sides from Comet, 247 (no longer available) and some others passed on to me from a deceased coach builder - these are in heavier gauge brass but are all ex LMS coach sides.

 

Borrowing a set of rolling bars aids with making a tumblehome I first of add any internal grab rails (seen on the corridor side of the coach). I drill holes in the sides to allow a brass handrail (made up of a piece of brass rod bent to fit) to be soldered in place.

 

 

I then solder in place the door handles (I bought a lot of turned brass ones years ago..doubt if we will see the likes again) and door grab rails (from brass rod).

 

Using flux and solder I solder the whitemetal ends to the brass sides.. held square by the Coffmann Clamp. The coach below is a 62ft long Period II coach which will go with one of the 50ft Kitchen Cars

 

 

So far in this batch we have 2 LMS Period II coaches and one 62ft RFO

 

 

They will be fitted to some Comet underframes (I have used these, 247 development brass underframe "plates", Printed circuit board, etc

 

 

some bits and bobs..

 

 

the whitemetal items are 247/Comet

 

next up...putting the floor together

 

Baz

Edited September 24, 2018 by Barry O

[31A]

Hi Baz,

 

I had some nice turned brass door handles like that, in a packet labelled 'Blacksmith Models'.  As you say, I doubt if we'll see them again and my supply is now down to 2 which would be OK for a horse box if I were to ever make one, but I recently bought some very similar ones from the 51L range from Wizard Models:

 

https://www.wizardmodels.ltd/shop/carriage/carriage-door-handles-t-shaped-uc046/

 

I like the look of the Coffman clamp, it looks very solid.  Does it act as a heat sink when soldering?

[Barry O]

Hi Steve

 

no the Clamp has heat resistant ?neoprene? face pads.

 

It is a bit fiddly to get everything lined up but it has eased the pain of welding sides and ends together square somewhat  a lot.

 

I will check out the Wizard site for the door handles. These were one of my "bulk" buys along with loads of castings etc...

 

Baz

[31A]

Hi Steve

 

no the Clamp has heat resistant ?neoprene? face pads.

 

It is a bit fiddly to get everything lined up but it has eased the pain of welding sides and ends together square somewhat  a lot.

 

I will check out the Wizard site for the door handles. These were one of my "bulk" buys along with loads of castings etc...

 

Baz

 

 

Thanks Baz, I will try and remember to have a look at the clamps if I go to Warley.  Can't be as fiddly as trying to balance the bits between loose pieces of wood and blistered fingertips, which is what I seem to end up doing at the moment!

[Barry O]

no photos yet but one chassis is in hand...This one is a Comet one.. I used to use PCB but have lost my supplier of precut pcb floor strips - ie Eileens Emporium.

 

I have also use thick plasticard and one Westdale coach has a hardboard floor.

 

Baz

 

 

[Nig H]

Been busy cricket umpiring all summer but my last outdoors game was last week so.... more coaches to build.

 

 

 

 

 

So far in this batch we have 2 LMS Period II coaches and one 62ft RFO

 

three coaches.jpg

 

They will be fitted to some Comet underframes (I have used these, 247 development brass underframe "plates", Printed circuit board, etc

 

Baz

Hi,

 

Aren't they a 65' RFO, a period 2 60' open and a period 1 57' open? Anyway, you've made a fantastic job of them and I'm looking forward to seeing more finished.

 

Nig H

[Barry O]

Hi,

 

Aren't they a 65' RFO, a period 2 60' open and a period 1 57' open? Anyway, you've made a fantastic job of them and I'm looking forward to seeing more finished.

 

Nig H

Yes you are correct although the TOs are being built as one of the Restaurant Unclassified lots. They had the same bodywork just slightly different interiors...

 

Just trying to finish the three D1999 TOs. One chassis almost finished, two more to go...all roof vents fitted then bogies and interiors to do.

 

Watch this space.

 

Baz

[Barry O]

A bit of progress on coaches

 

Paul Price mentioned he had a lot of things on the go at the same time... well so do I and the coach building programme is coming off second best at the moment

 

but

 

 

A diagram 1999 PD III Open Third is nearest completion.. needs the underframe painting after door steps are added, then an interior to make and fit.

 

 

Comet underframes, 247/Comet castings and a pair of Bachmann LMS bogies.

 

two others await underframes

 

 

Then the 65' RUO 

 

next up the RU Period I

 

 

picture later

 

All have a roof cut to fit, some with details, some await them..then underframes, corridor connections, interiors are required

 

Baz

 

 

 

[Barry O]

Finally managed to nearly finish the trio of D1999 TOs... (just noticed I haven't got the roof on correctly on one, 2 need couplings and 1 needs a set of corridor connectors).

 

 

 

 

 

Hopefully the other 3 coaches will follow on soon.. but first to repair the signals for Chapel-en-le-Frith  ( these are being motorised but have had a bit of a bashing at some point.)

 

 

Baz

[Barry O]

I tried to do a "quicky" coach using 247 sides and an Airfix Chassis

 

 

It ends up as an ex LMS CK but I still need to rework the underframe to be less toy like..just as quick for me to "kit" build coaches...

 

Baz