Converting a Bachmann L&Y tank to GW or Barry Railway J class

[Penrhos1920]

I've been eyeing up the Bachmann L&Y tank as a donor for a conversion to a tankie of one of my favourite railways. So much so that I've bought an LMS version of the Bachmann model and the 3D printed parts arrived from Shapeways yesterday. I've had it printed in High Definition Acrylic rather than Frosted Ultra Detail which I've previously used. It cost slightly more, but the improvement in quality is amazing; flat surfaces are smooth, curved surfaces barely have any stepping and small details are as good or maybe better. The down side is that there are lots of places where the model is attached to supports during printing and these leave small pips which need to be sanded smooth. Shapeways will do this but I've seen photos where the sanding has scratched the surrounding area so I chose to do it myself.

 

 

 

 

 

The roof is the only disappointment as it has printed rather warped. But that is the only disappointment. The poor fit of the cab to the tank top is because I haven't removed all to the support pips from the bottom of the cab sides yet.

 

To fit the new parts a couple of alterations to the Bachmann parts are required. The new bunker is narrower than the L&Y bunker, so the mazak footplate needs to be narrowed.

 

 

The new tanks are taller and the moulding along each side of the boiler needs to be cut off with a sharp pair of edge cutters.

 

 

The detail of HDA is amazing, as shown by this 0.3mm holes around the cab windows.

 

 

The rear of the bunker was tacky after I had cut off all of the supports, but left overnight it has dried, but picked up a bit of dust, and is fine now.

 

 

Although there is diagonal 'hatching' on the flat surfaces it is so fine that I can't feel it when I run my finger over it. As the loco will be paint in BR maroon I think I need a red primer first. The question is who sells a red primer that is suitable for acrylic plastic?

Edited June 26, 2017 by Penrhos1920

[Knuckles]

Not sure on your paint question. Loco looking good though. I tried HDA out and it didn't work out for me. Would be nice to offer things in it yet warpage and rejections seem often.

[Mikkel]

A very interesting project Penrhos, always good to see the Barry Rwy live on!

 

Also very useful to see a succesful example of an HDA print close up, there seem to be very mixed experiences with this. 

[Penrhos1920]

Not sure on your paint question. Loco looking good though. I tried HDA out and it didn't work out for me. Would be nice to offer things in it yet warpage and rejections seem often.

A very interesting project Penrhos, always good to see the Barry Rwy live on!

 

Also very useful to see a succesful example of an HDA print close up, there seem to be very mixed experiences with this.

 

The more I look at the model the more disappointed I am. As it turns out almost every surface has warped. I sent Shapeways a picture of the roof which has flattened over a couple of days and as a result I've had a refund., but because the exchange rate has dropped it only works out as a partial refund.

 

I'm now thinking about trying imaterialise and what I think is their equivalent, Standard Resin? Seems odd to call your best product 'Standard '? Alternatively there is always FUD!!

 

[Atso]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but did you ever try out the iMaterialise print?

 

Also, how thick did you make the walls on this model (which does look very impressive), particularly the roof?

[Penrhos1920]

In the end I went back to the old faithful; Shapeways FUD. But due to a lack of mojo they've sat on the shelf for a few months.  Anyway I got them out the other night, cleaned them and  done a little bit of filing to make them fit.  I deliberately made the hook at the front of the tanks that hooks under the footplate bigger so it would pass the Shapeways thickness criteria:

 

 

The smokebox front was also drawn over sized so it can be filed to fit:

 

 

All the parts are now primed with Vallejo which comes in German red brown, spot on for going under maroon.  So tomorrow we'll have a look and see if any further sanding is required.

[Knuckles]

Looking good, I forgot about this build. Nice to see it still going ahead.

[Penrhos1920]

As slow as a heavy iron ore train plodding up the Rhymney valley so this project continues.

 

Last night I spent forever bending wire for the window bars. I'm glad I have got a Bill Bedford bending jig.

 

[Knuckles]

I need to bend bars for my E2 models but so far have not been bothered!

[Penrhos1920]

I’ve actually got around to fitting a decoder into no.97.  Eventually I will be fitting sound so I didn’t want to fill the smokebox with a stay alive.  The only other space for the stay alive is the bunker next to the chip.  But with the Bachmann decoder mount taking a third of the potential space in the bunker there just isn’t enough space.  So I’ve had to cut off the metal standoffs and remove the circuit board.  Now there is space for a Zimo mx622 and dcc concepts stay alive.

 

 

Fitting the bunker to the footplate is a nightmare.  On the L&Y tank there are screws into the bunker.  I’ve put lugs in the bunker corners for nuts and bolts, but actually holding the nut in place?  Well that takes tiny fingers or a specially bent piece of metal to hold it.  Fortunately the nut ( 10 BA) flat is tight against the side which stops it rotating.

 

 

so we’re now ready for the final trip to the paint shop when we get a few sunny days.

[88C]

Looking good, nice to see a Barry loco. Don’t forget that Derek Mundy does some Barry crest transfers.

 

Now you have the engine what are your plans for coaches?
 

Brian

[Penrhos1920]

12 hours ago, 88C said:

 

Now you have the engine what are your plans for coaches?
 

Brian

 

I fancy a Marble Arch set!   And definitely the Pay Clerk’s van.

[88C]

You will need a C class as well.

 

Brian