Jon4470 Posted February 25, 2019 Author Share Posted February 25, 2019 Just a few photos that I took this evening of the A2. The chassis has battleship grade frames and the motor is v noisy! The tender needs some plating behind the coal rails and finally anotherview of the body. The front footsteps seem to have been added more recently - the solder is shiny- and they foul the slide bars. I think they’ll have be moved out a mm or so. I may also file the steps back a bit as well because they look too wide/ deep to me. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon4470 Posted March 2, 2019 Author Share Posted March 2, 2019 Well it has taken since June last year to get there but, finally, I think I can declare the hopper wagon finished! I still have to fit couplings and I’ve now noticed that a couple of “ rollers” on the coal doors have fallen off but overall I’m pleased with this as a first attempt at a scratchbuilt wagon. Jon 2 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jessy1692 Posted March 2, 2019 Share Posted March 2, 2019 Looks great, them rivet decals look fantastic when painted. Top job! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon4470 Posted March 2, 2019 Author Share Posted March 2, 2019 Thanks James - glad you like it. The rivet transfers are effective and put a bit of relief into, what would otherwise, be plain sides. They’re easy enough to apply....just need to do it when in the right mood. If not, then there is a risk of throwing the whole model across the room in frustration Jon 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jessy1692 Posted March 2, 2019 Share Posted March 2, 2019 I can imagine! Worth the effort though, only problem now is youll have to build another one! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon4470 Posted March 4, 2019 Author Share Posted March 4, 2019 That’s true - I need two hopper wagons. I also need two tank wagons and the curious loco coal wagon (bogie at one end and fixed axle at the other). All completed by Spencer and Barber. At the rate I’m going that’ll take a few years! I plan to start on the tank wagons next. I would have started yesterday but I then discovered that I didn’t have any brass channel of the required size. so instead, I had a good tidy up of the modelling room. A bit more to do on that front but it does look better for it. Jon 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon4470 Posted March 19, 2019 Author Share Posted March 19, 2019 Before I had a chance to buy some brass channel I found myself starting one of these: Now that the modelling area is relatively tidy I was able to do a little bit every night and now, two and a half weeks later, I have this: I’m pleased with this rate of progress and I’ve enjoyed putting this kit together - everything fits as it should. ( The boiler is just resting in place at the moment). With any luck 2-3 weeks should see this one completed, which is very fast for me! It will also mean that I have completed it about 1 year after buying the gearbox, motor and wheels! Iave now bought some brass channel, after a visit to York a couple of weekends ago, so I should be able to start the Gas Works tank wagons next.......or maybe the Raven A2 detailing or maybe....... This weekend, just gone, I also made up some more beams for the layout boards. That will get me a chance to put together two boards and create an area of 8ft by 2 ft. That should give me most of what I need for the Gas Works coal drops and mainline sidings.....maybe I’ll actually have a bit of layout soon! Jon 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon4470 Posted April 9, 2019 Author Share Posted April 9, 2019 I thought it was about time for an update. I have continued to work on the J77.....but it isn’t complete yet. I always forget how long the final stages take! For instance, tonight, my entire modelling time was taken with getting the holes in the coupling rods opened up to the correct diameter. However, that was worth the effort when I saw the power applied and the wheels turned....no binding....in either direction! This is doubly amazing because they are Alan Gibson wheels I.e. with no quartering. There is a bit more fettling for the chassis, and also I need to fit pick ups, so it operates under it’s own steam ( so to speak). Then onwards to finish the body details. I was at Scalefour North on Sunday. Really like that show and some impressive layouts on display. Managed to get lots of bits from the trade support....but stayed quite disciplined....I even had a shopping list with me! On top of that I met a few people ( unplanned) and had a good natter. Next show in my calendar is York which is a big show but still manages to cater for the kit builders as well. Jon 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon4470 Posted April 21, 2019 Author Share Posted April 21, 2019 Still working on the J 77 - not much progress to show at the moment. The chassis is working and I just need to spend a few hours fitting the details to the body - one important detail being the chimney which, I think, really makes a loco look like a loco. Modelling has been slowed down this weekend by the weather though. We’ve been for a couple of lovely walks locally and then I started some 12” to the foot walling. It went from something like this (left hand side of drive): To this(right hand side of drive): Apologies to any genuine bricklayers - but I’m pleased with it so far! I also appear to have replicated the Gresley “S” footplate curve - must be sub-conscious! off to the York show tomorrow- nice and early to avoid the heat. Jon 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jessy1692 Posted April 22, 2019 Share Posted April 22, 2019 Nice brick work! Im also off yo yourk today, hoping it will be faily quiet with the nice weather and the last day Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon4470 Posted April 22, 2019 Author Share Posted April 22, 2019 8 hours ago, jessy1692 said: Nice brick work! Im also off yo yourk today, hoping it will be faily quiet with the nice weather and the last day Hope you enjoyed York! I thought that it was busy but not too crowded. I was told that Saturday was very busy - Sunday less so. Good mix of layouts - and I do like dock/ wharf layouts - of which there were a few. Was very disciplined with the purchases - 2 pots of paint and some drill bits. Jon 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jessy1692 Posted April 22, 2019 Share Posted April 22, 2019 Cheers Jon, yes it was a very good show, seemed a lot of N guage this year, my favouite being Millsbridge, nice and faded and atmospheric, surprising N guage usually isnt my thing. Having said that the standard of layouts accross the board was extremely high, very enjoyable, if a tad warm afternoon. Got plenty of bits for me to crack on now, may even re join DEMU.. Just need some modelling time! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon4470 Posted May 28, 2019 Author Share Posted May 28, 2019 Over a month since the last posting and the J77........isn’t completed! To be honest I hit a block and lost the impetus to move forward. I managed to prepare all the bits and pieces that need to be fitted but, all the while, I knew there was a problem to be addressed. So tonight I sat down to solve it. The problem was that the loco ran nicely as a chassis. Also good with the body resting on the chassis. BUT when I bolted the chassis to the body...nothing. Clearly a short, so a few weeks ago I had added some insulating plastic and, hey presto, it worked ....until the last turn of the front fixing bolt. It ran slowly or not at all.....like it was being braked - or maybe shorting out. Tonight then, I sat down and worked logically through the problem. Rear bolt tight, front bolt one turn away from tight...turn a bit more and nothing. Initially I thought that it might be the pickup wipers (located on the top of the wheels) but these were free to move....not shorting then. Look harder.....the bottom of the (cosmetic) front wheel springs protruded into the front splasher.....far enough to just touch the front wheels. Out came the Xuron cutters and some files. 10 minutes later chassis on, both bolts tightened, chassis running properly. I’m now happy with the result. Hopefully mojo restored a bit and I can now progress all the finishing details. Jon 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium AdeMoore Posted May 28, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 28, 2019 Result that Jon. All steam ahead now! Cheers 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon4470 Posted June 1, 2019 Author Share Posted June 1, 2019 The photo below shows the current “state of play”. All the prep work is done - hand rail holes opened up, chimney, dome etc fettled, and so on. I have just fitted the buffers, next will be the front hand rails - aiming to get the soldering completed before gluing things like the chimney. Soon on be ready for the paint shop.....I hope. Jon 5 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon4470 Posted June 2, 2019 Author Share Posted June 2, 2019 I’ve made time over the weekend to do some modelling - a number of small - 30 minute-sessions. I think I’ve now finished all the soldering prior to fitting boiler bands ( which will be from insulation tape). It might not look much different to the last photo but I’ve added footsteps, front lamp iron, front handrail, four tank brackets, two washout plugs and a brake standard. Also prepared are the smokebox door and handle and the sandboxes with their operating rods. I’ve made some good progress and I’m pleased with the results. Now I must resist the urge to rush! There is still some cleaning up to do before the boiler bands go on. (I really want to get the chimney and dome on soon.....that’s what makes it look like a steam locomotive. Jon 2 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon4470 Posted June 9, 2019 Author Share Posted June 9, 2019 (edited) The J77 is finished..... at last! It feels like this has gone on for a long time but, actually, by my standards this is a quick build - 3 months. The last jobs were to glue on the chimney, safety valve cover and dome...oh and glue lead strip into the bunker and boiler. Next job will be to clean it thoroughly - which includes removal of surplus glue. Then time for the painting. I apologise for the poor quality photo.....I must sort out some better lighting in the modelling room. Jon Edited July 20, 2023 by Jon4470 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium AdeMoore Posted June 9, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 9, 2019 Nice work Jon, can I ask what glue you use for the dome etc? Cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon4470 Posted June 9, 2019 Author Share Posted June 9, 2019 43 minutes ago, AdeMoore said: Nice work Jon, can I ask what glue you use for the dome etc? Cheers Thanks. I use 2 part epoxy resin glues for major components like the dome, chimney etc. (I buy whatever is cheapest at B&Q... in this case it was Araldite 5 minute epoxy). I also use superglue for some detail fittings. On this loco the rivet strips on the footplate steps were superglued on. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jessy1692 Posted June 9, 2019 Share Posted June 9, 2019 Very nice Jon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium AdeMoore Posted June 11, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 11, 2019 On 09/06/2019 at 22:55, Jon4470 said: Thanks. I use 2 part epoxy resin glues for major components like the dome, chimney etc. (I buy whatever is cheapest at B&Q... in this case it was Araldite 5 minute epoxy). I also use superglue for some detail fittings. On this loco the rivet strips on the footplate steps were superglued on. Cheers Jon valuable info. For me to use in the future. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon4470 Posted June 15, 2019 Author Share Posted June 15, 2019 (edited) Now in primer. The primer has highlighted some gaps and glue overspill...mainly around the base of the boiler fittings. Next job is to tidy these up. Edited July 20, 2023 by Jon4470 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon4470 Posted June 16, 2019 Author Share Posted June 16, 2019 (edited) Now a rhapsody in black! These digital photos really show show up the blemishes...in the metal I think it looks better. I’ll have to look very closely with a critical eye to see if I need to sand back and re- coat. In any case I’ll leave well alone for a day or two for the paint to harden. Then varnish, then transfers... which will brighten it up a bit! Jon Edited July 20, 2023 by Jon4470 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium AdeMoore Posted June 16, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 16, 2019 Nice that. Is it air brush or rattle can Jon? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon4470 Posted June 16, 2019 Author Share Posted June 16, 2019 Hi Ade I use Halfords satin black rattle can for the main body colour. I normally brush paint the buffer beams but this time I decided to use the airbrush. I think the results were worth the effort.....the effort is because I had to give the airbrush a real big clean after it refused to paint! Serves me right for not using it regularly and not thoroughly cleaning it last time. Jon 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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