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Mark's Workbench: back in the village again!


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While I'm waiting for the fine copper wire to arrive, I thought I'd try to progress my small fleet of Cambrian Railways wagons. To this end, a second Cambrian Models kit of the Cambrian Railways ("Confused? You will be!") 4-plank Open has been put together. Or rather, it's followed the format of the S&DJR D299s and D305s, in using the kit sides and ends with a scratchbuilt underframe.

 

In addition to this are a couple of 3D-prints from @Quarryscapes Coastline Models, which are a 2-plank fixed side open and a 3-plank fixed side open. To go with the former is a Coastline early style underframe with wooden brake blocks - the brake lever on the print has to be seen to be believed - the photographs don't do it justice:

http://IMG-1517.jpg

 

http://IMG-1518.jpg

 

The 3D-printed wagons have had a good wash in hot soapy water and joined the kit-built bodies for a coat of my favoured interior wood base colour:

http://IMG-1521.jpg

They'll all need a bit of a clean up around the tops of the sides where the paint has bled under the masking tape, after which the prints will have an exterior coat and the kits will have their external details added.

 

Some transfers have been ordered from the Welsh Railways Research Circle Transfer Sales, so all I need is to do select a suitable light grey for the livery!

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

Edited by 2996 Victor
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Good to see some of Alan's Cambrian prints. They look good and without the normal compromise of a Shapeways print in the texture. I assume it's the "Smoothest" material (I forget what it used to be called). Has the quality of their prints improved recently I wonder?

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3 hours ago, Mikkel said:

Good to see some of Alan's Cambrian prints. They look good and without the normal compromise of a Shapeways print in the texture. I assume it's the "Smoothest" material (I forget what it used to be called). Has the quality of their prints improved recently I wonder?

 

Hi Mikkel,

 

yes, the Coastline prints are splendid! There is a slight surface texture on them, but its scarcely detectable, and externally runs with the grain of the side sheets. All in all, I can highly recommend them. I'm also using Alan's Cambrian buffer and axlebox/spring prints on these and the Cambrian Models kits, and they're also extremely nice.

 

As to whether the quality of Shapeways' prints has improved, I couldn't say. I've had a few prints in the past from other sources that were most disappointing - I suppose I could buy another of the ones I was disappointed with to make the comparison (the manufacturer in question has a number of models I would otherwise have snapped up, but haven't), so it might be a useful exercise.

 

All the best,

 

Mark

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Having had a couple of hours to myself last evening, I thought I'd try to get the Coastline Models Cambrian Railways 2-plank fixed side as near to complete as possible.

 

As mentioned above, the Coastline parts are nicely designed, and printed in Smoothest Fine Detail Plastic they're well-detailed. However, I did have a few minor issues, which were probably of my own making, and Sir Isaac Newton was also partly to blame, but which nevertheless resulted in considerable swearing!

 

To fit the solebars to the underside of the floor required a little filing of their ends until they fitted snugly between the headstocks. The transverse ribs on the underside of the floor also needed a slight trim at their ends, and I lightly scraped the insides of the solebars where they meet those ribs. I lightly filed the tops of the solebars as well, as they were sitting slightly proud of the headstocks.

 

The journal holes in the axleboxes were sized nicely for the axles, but without bearings the solebar/axleguard parts took on a decidedly knock-kneed appearance. Conversely, with brass pin-point bearings fitted, they were rather bow-legged. Trying to hold together two sets of solebar/axleguard parts, four bearings and two wheelsets resulted in swearing, especially when gravity took over! Perhaps different bearings would have given a better result, but my solution was to drill out the holes to ensure they were deep enough, and then countersink them until the flanges on the bearings were flush with the surrounding axleguards. By doing this, I achieved the desired verticality.

 

Here, I've drilled out the journal holes and countersunk them:

http://IMG-1552.jpg

Looks dreadful, doesn't it? At least its not visible!

 

One solebar/axleguard part glued to the floor:

http://IMG-1554.jpg

I used Zap medium cyano for this, and allowed plenty of time for it to cure before moving on.

 

The bearings are in their pockets:

http://IMG-1557.jpg

After fighting to hold the whole lot together with the wheels fitted (more swearing, more gravity!), I glued the bearings in place!

 

In my experience, 3D-printed parts are quite brittle. So, not being sure how flexible the axleguards would be, I elected to fit the wheelsets at this stage, even though they'd be trapped in place:

http://IMG-1566.jpg

I prefer to have the wheels removable to ease painting, but I'll just have to be a bit more careful! I'd also fitted the brake gear when I took this photo. Its a nice print and fits perfectly between the wheels. From what I've seen in photographs of this style of wagon, no safety loops were fitted!

 

Unfortunately, it was then that I noticed the corner of one of the headstocks was missing in action:

http://IMG-1570.jpg

I suspect it may have been from when I dropped the wagon body.....

 

Finally, a couple of shots of the nearly-completed wagon:

http://IMG-1563.jpg

http://IMG-1579.jpg

I need to repair the damaged headstock, but all-in-all not too bad for a couple of hours effort!

 

For buffers, I've got some of @Guy Rixon's 3D-printed LNWR Self-contained buffers on order from Shapeways, as these are the closest I could spot to the type of S/C buffers found on some Cambrian Railways wagons;  the MJT S/C buffer heads arrived this morning. I'm not sure yet whether I'll be able to spring them as the solebars obscure about one third of the diameter of the buffer sockets in the headstocks.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

Edited by 2996 Victor
Duff speelin an gramar
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Looks good and with a real apperance of mass and weight. The colour is different now, another coat of primer?

 

I agree about Sir Isaac Newton, he has much to answer for :)

 

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19 hours ago, 2996 Victor said:

I'm not sure yet whether I'll be able to spring them as the solebars obscure about one third of the diameter of the buffer sockets in the headstocks.

 

Before solebar assembly, go at the ends of the inside face with a round or half-round file. This usually provides enough room for spring buffer tails to move unimpeded:

 

solebar-recess-for-buffer-taiils.png.758cce3ce6a0cefef1afc7ead9736a94.png

 

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7 hours ago, Miss Prism said:

 

Before solebar assembly, go at the ends of the inside face with a round or half-round file. This usually provides enough room for spring buffer tails to move unimpeded:

 

solebar-recess-for-buffer-taiils.png.758cce3ce6a0cefef1afc7ead9736a94.png

 

 

Yes, I should have thought of that! Next time..... :)

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14 hours ago, Mikkel said:

Looks good and with a real apperance of mass and weight. The colour is different now, another coat of primer?

 

I agree about Sir Isaac Newton, he has much to answer for :)

 

 

It does look the part, but it's actually really light! Only the interior and underframe parts have had any paint, so it could be that seen through the translucent plastic, or just the dreadful light!

 

An array of grey paints have arrived today, so I just need to decide on which one looks the most suitable. I'm thinking of finishing this wagon the pre-1899 Cambrian livery, which was allegedly slightly darker than the later shade of grey, with only the running number on the ends and LOAD 7 TONS in small block letters on the wagon sides at bottom left. Ironwork was black, of course.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

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On 09/01/2020 at 10:26, 2996 Victor said:

For buffers, I've got some of @Guy Rixon's 3D-printed LNWR Self-contained buffers on order from Shapeways, as these are the closest I could spot to the type of S/C buffers found on some Cambrian Railways wagons;  the MJT S/C buffer heads arrived this morning. I'm not sure yet whether I'll be able to spring them as the solebars obscure about one third of the diameter of the buffer sockets in the headstocks.

You have 2.0mm depth of spigot to accommodate within and behind the headstock, and the headstock depth is likely to be about 1.6mm. If you carefully file 0.5mm off the depth of the spigot you should be OK. The bore for the spring extends slightly into the spigot but only very slightly. If the solebars are only blocking 1/3 of the 2mm opening, then there should still be space for the buffer tail. I suggest assembling the buffers before fitting to the wagon.

1858496393_ScreenShot2020-01-11at11_51_05.png.a5ced29b1372a748b3be4aa91bade18f.png

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8 hours ago, Guy Rixon said:

You have 2.0mm depth of spigot to accommodate within and behind the headstock, and the headstock depth is likely to be about 1.6mm. If you carefully file 0.5mm off the depth of the spigot you should be OK. The bore for the spring extends slightly into the spigot but only very slightly. If the solebars are only blocking 1/3 of the 2mm opening, then there should still be space for the buffer tail. I suggest assembling the buffers before fitting to the wagon.

1858496393_ScreenShot2020-01-11at11_51_05.png.a5ced29b1372a748b3be4aa91bade18f.png

 

Many thanks, Guy, for the extra info - it sounds like it should fit alright, and the reference photograph I have shows packing blocks behind the buffers which should also help.

 

Best regards,

 

Mark

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Following the arrival of the various shades of grey paint (which didn't quite number fifty!) I've sprayed a test panel, which has helped me to decide on which shade I want to use for which Railway company's wagons.

 

However, I'm not certain that the shade I had intended for the Cambrian Railways pre-1899 livery for the 2-plank fixed side wagon is quite dark enough, so the jury is still out on that one.

 

Also arriving yesterday were some Cambrian Railways transfers from the Welsh Railways Research Circle, which look very nice indeed. But I shall have to find a small, block lettering number "7" for the loading legend on the same two-planker.

 

That same wagon has had a piece of Evergreen styrene strip let into its damaged headstock, and with the 0.125mm copper wire being delivered, the S&DJR D299s and D305s have had their door safety chains added. Photographs to follow.....

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

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Just a quick update, hopefully not too wordy!

 

The Coastline Models Cambrian Railways 2-plank fixed side with its prosthetic headstock:

http://IMG-1613.jpg

This has been trimmed and filed to size now, and hopefully the buffer base will cover the join so I won't need to fill it!

 

The D299s' and D305s' with their door safety chains:

http://IMG-1604.jpg

http://IMG-1606.jpg

http://IMG-1611.jpg

http://IMG-1609.jpg

I'm really quite chuffed with these!

 

The D299s and D305s have also had their exterior grey applied, and one of each has had the ironwork picked out in Tamiya Iron Grey:

http://IMG-1620.jpg

http://IMG-1616.jpg

http://IMG-1622.jpg

The only thing is that I'm a bit disappointed with my picking out of the ironwork - a combination of ever-lengthening eyesight and a slight less steady hand than in days of yore. A bit of touching up will be needed, after which some light weathering will hopefully disguise the duff bits!

 

Cheers for now!

 

Mark

 

Edited by 2996 Victor
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Over the weekend, I also managed to make some progress on one of my Cambrian Railways 4-plank opens, with some detailing done to the solebars and the brake gear added:

http://IMG-1638.jpg

Having got used to the double vee-hangers on the D299s and D305s, a single vee-hanger external without any other support seems a bit lacking in robustness.....I'm finding it difficult to track down to track down any photos for reference, so any pointers would be appreciated! Etched axleguards are my usual MJT (the straight keep plates have been snipped off to be replaced by curved ones), the frets also supplying the solebar details, and the axleboxes/springs are @Quarryscapes excellent Cambrian Railways Grease Axlebox 3D-prints.

 

I also appear to be running out of wheels.....

 

That'll be it for a while, as I'm away from home until the weekend :cry:

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

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That MJT etch must be one of the most useful products on the market. I always have some extras, makes me feel safe and calm :D

 

Can't help with a reference photo I'm afraid.

 

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Its been a while since my last post, and there's been a little progress on my current raft of wagon builds.

 

The Coastline Models 3D-printed Cambrian Railways 2-plank fixed side has made the most progress:

http://IMG-1762.jpg

In line with its pre-1899 livery, its had its numbers added to the ends and load capacity to the bottom-left of its sides - the latter is a little on the large side, really - and the remainder of the ironwork picked out in my favoured Tamiya Iron Grey. The interior woodwork has been tinted to hopefully look more like individual wooden planks, using thin washes of acrylic mixed to give a murky brown-grey, the depth of colour being built up be successive washes on the separate planks to give the variation.

 

I've also done the other wagons currently on the bench. Starting with one of the Cambrian 4-plank opens, this one will also be in pre-1899 livery:

http://IMG-1763.jpg

 

The Cambrian 3-plank fixed side, to be in post-1899 livery and yet to receive its underpinnings:

http://IMG-1765.jpg

 

And one of the S&DJR foursome - they all have just an indication of the top-most plank tinted as they'll be loaded:

http://IMG-1766.jpg

 

And a group photo:

http://IMG-1760.jpg

 

They'll all be weathered externally and internally, using my favoured powders, before having a sealing coat of matt clear lacquer, hopefully soon!

 

All the best,

 

Mark

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I've managed to make a little progress during the last week while I've been between jobs (slightly hampered by the arrival last weekend of a silver tabby kitten rejoicing in the name of Daisy) in that I've managed to apply lettering to the two S&DJR D299 5-plank opens and one of the D305 3-plank drop-sides. Unfortunately, the latter wagon remains incomplete as I've run out of the Highbridge-style script "Tare" wording and associated numbers :( Annoyingly, there are only enough sets on the HMRS sheet for three wagons, so another sheet is on order..... I've also lettered one of my Cambrian Railways 4-plank opens in the same pre-1899 livery as the 2-plank fixed sided open.

 

Once I've weathered these few, I'll post some pictures.

 

All the best,

 

Mark

 

EDIT

If anyone wants the rest of the HMRS transfer sheet let me know. Its the 4mm/1ft scale "LMS English Pre-Grouping Goods Vehicle Insignia (except LNWR)" sheet, Pressfix style. Apart from the S&D lettering, I've only used the Midland "ED"s and "ENGINEERING DEPT"s.

Edited by 2996 Victor
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Here are some photos of the current wagons, following an attack from the weathering powders. First up are the S&DJR D299 5-plank opens:

 

http://IMG-1839.jpg

http://IMG-1840.jpg

http://IMG-1838.jpg

 

and then the pre-1899 livery Cambrian 4-plank and 2-plank opens:

http://IMG-1851.jpg

http://IMG-1850.jpg

http://IMG-1849.jpg

 

They're nearly all still awaiting their brake levers, which will hopefully be addressed soon, and I'm pondering suitable loads.

 

Cheers for now,

 

Mark

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Hi Mikkel,

 

Thank you! I was thinking probably lime, possibly limestone, as there are quite a few quarries within the S&D's sphere of influence. I'm not sure whether a full load of crushed limestone would be within the wagon's carrying capacity, I suspect not. So perhaps I need to do a bit of research and some calculations!

 

Best regards,

 

Mark

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Referring to Bob Essery's Midland Wagons Volume 1, the Midland D299 5-plank open has the following internal dimensions:

 

14'6-1/4" x 7'0-1/4" x 2'10-1/4", which gives a volume of 290.978cu.ft.

 

Limestone aggregate having a nominal size of 3" has a density of 140lbs/cu.ft. Therefore, if the volume of a D299 were to be filled with 3" limestone, the total weight would be 18.186tons. Somewhat overloaded, methinks! Unfortunately, lime in powdered form has a density of 208.509lbs/cu.ft, which would give a weight of 27.086tons. Even worse!

 

Flour, on the other hand, has a density of 37lbs/cu.ft, amounting to 4.806tons, so I suspect S&DJR No.980 has been carrying flour recently.....

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

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Unable to help myself, over the weekend I started a couple more wagons.....

 

http://IMG-1856.jpg

 

On the left is a CooperCraft GWR Diagram O2 7-plank open. I've left the floor "as-is". i.e. too high, as it will either be loaded or sheeted so it won't show! I'm using the kit solebars as they're nice mouldings, although I've removed the moulded axleguards and brake hangers as I'll replace them in my usual way with MJT etched axleguards and Bill Bedford's 3D-printed axlebox/spring assemblies.
On the right is another Cambrian Railways 4-plank open. This is another one based on the Cambrian Models kit, using their sides/ends and some of the brake gear, but with a scratchbuilt underframe. Its very similar to the previous one, although it'll be finished in the post-1899 light grey with "CAM (feathers) RYS" livery. It might even gain a sheet support.....

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Thinking ahead to several planned rolling stock projects, I've been trying to discover what the axleboxes, both grease and oil, used by the Oldbury Railway Carriage & Wagon Co looked like: I'm interested in vehicles that they built between 1890 and 1910.

 

Images seem surprisingly thin on the ground, i.e. non-existent, and the only thing I've managed to turn up so far was right here on RMWeb in Ruston's thread on building a tank wagon, which includes a drawing: https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/50429-home-office-1901-cylindrical-tank-wagon-scratchbuild/&tab=comments#comment-586487 The axleboxes shown on the drawing are rounded, and the apparent lids suggst they are grease.

 

I've had a look at the HMRS website for drawings and photographs, and there may be just what I'm looking for under their MetroCammell files, but its pot luck unless you have prior knowledge. A single photo would be enough just to give a measure of reasonable likelihood for my projects, so if anyone can suggest possible sources of information, I'd be glad to hear from them!

 

All the best,

 

Mark

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