Modelling Awdry's Sodor - Standard and Narrow Gauge

[Tom F]

On 08/06/2020 at 12:21, A Murphy said:

looks great,

 

best wishes,

 

Alastair M

 

Thanks Alastair!

 

A little mod to Duncan, addition of a No. 6 on the saddle. Bunker number plate is on order with narrow planet.



My plan for the weekend, is to start stripping Skarloey down. First stage will be stripping the paint from the body and cab (I'll be using dettol), before starting work using the Narrow Planet detailing kit.

Any advice and tips would be welcome. 

 

 

[clecklewyke]

Hi Tom, I’ve just found this topic and it’s absolutely marvellous. Wonderful little models. I speak as one whose best friend was one David Farquhar, who learned most of railway basics from Rev Awdry, who has just re-read Railway Adventure for the umpteenth time and who worked as a deviationist on th Festiniog Railway for many years.

 

I’m glad to see you are being so creative and hope things are o.k. for you in this mad time.

 

Best wishes,

 

Ian

Edited June 14, 2020 by clecklewyke
To correct my iPad’s idiosyncratic spelling

[Tom F]

On 13/06/2020 at 09:34, clecklewyke said:

Hi Tom, I’ve just found this topic and it’s absolutely marvellous. Wonderful little models. I speak as one whose best friend was one David Farquhar, who learned most of railway basics from Rev Awdry, who has just re-read Railway Adventure for the umpteenth time and who worked as a deviationist on th Festiniog Railway for many years.

 

I’m glad to see you are being so creative and hope things are o.k. for you in this mad time.

 

Best wishes,

 

Ian

Lovely to hear from you Ian! Yes we are doing ok thanks. I'm currently re listening to my audio book of Railway Adventure. I'm also enjoying delving into Martin Fuller's superb 'Talyllyn and Corris Locomotives Vol 1-3.

I have just made a start on Skarloey which originally started life as the Bachmann 009 Skarloey. I believe the model was commissioned by Bachman specifically to do Skarloey. The commission specified it couldn't be used to represent any other loco (aka Talyllyn). However the detail is impressive to the point that makes me believe Bachmann purposefully detailed it this way so modellers could convert it to an accurate Talyllyn. Granted my model is the fictional Skarloey, but for all intents and purposes, it will be as detailed as a model of Talyllyn.

 

 

This model will represent Skarloey circa 1945-1952. In the books Skarloey was only steamed in dire circumstances during this period, which is only marginally better than the real Talyllyn.

The model as I say, is a fairly accurate to Talyllyn in it's current condition. However, this is post 1958 rebuild (post 1959 for Skarloey) so a number of details will require changing, which I will document over the coming weeks.

[Tom F]

Running plate now cut away/modified to resembled No. 1 pre rebuild.

 

 

 

I've also removed the bulk of the rivets from the rear as they represent the new build cab. Thought I would make the effort and go off early photos making up new ones using my stash of 'archers rivets'.

[AdeMoore]

Looking good Tom, what do you use to strip the paint off?

 Cheers 

Ade

[Tom F]

8 minutes ago, AdeMoore said:

Looking good Tom, what do you use to strip the paint off?

 Cheers 

Ade

Cheers Ade, I used dettol which worked well!

Some advice though.....use gloves!

[AdeMoore]

Dettol that is a new one on me, thanks for the tip and the advisory use of gloves!

 Cheers 

[Corbs]

Think I'll be copying you on the running board chopping, Tom! I'm looking for a similar period of operation on my SR. 

[Tom F]

Incorrect coal load now removed, ready to be covered by a piece of plasticard.

Not a job I fancy doing again .....oh wait I will because they made the same mistake on Rheneas!

[Aire Head]

On 14/06/2020 at 23:36, AdeMoore said:

Dettol that is a new one on me, thanks for the tip and the advisory use of gloves!

 Cheers 

 

Be careful with some plastics and dettol.

 

When I did some old Bachmann minerals it made the plastic soft on some of them and some suffered a minor loss of detail.

 

The chassis was the main part which didn't like soaking in the dettol.

 

Also avoid using water to clean the dettol and paint off as it can go gunky.

[Tom F]

1 hour ago, Aire Head said:

 

Be careful with some plastics and dettol.

 

When I did some old Bachmann minerals it made the plastic soft on some of them and some suffered a minor loss of detail.

 

The chassis was the main part which didn't like soaking in the dettol.

 

Also avoid using water to clean the dettol and paint off as it can go gunky.

I only went this method as I knew others had without any problems on a Bachmann Skarloey.

 

I also cleaned off with water without any issue. Older plastics being an issue maybe?

Edited June 16, 2020 by Hawin Dooiey

[Aire Head]

2 hours ago, Hawin Dooiey said:

I only went this method as I knew others had without any problems on a Bachmann Skarloey.

 

I also cleaned off with water without any issue. Older plastics being an issue maybe?

 

Perhaps so, it's definitely a good method and I still use it just more cautiously these days.

 

Love the thread by the way!

Edited June 16, 2020 by Aire Head

[Tom F]

With the incorrect coal load removed from the driver's side, I've now added a piece of plasticard to the top of the reverser housing. There were gaps around the edges, so I added squadron putty last night.

 

Tonight I've cleaned it up with a variety of tools at my disposal (in this case files, sanding sticks, burnishing brush and the humble cocktail stock). I'm really chuffed so far.
 

 

[AdeMoore]

Those cocktail stocks are the bees knees! ..

Leg pulling aside the model is looking mighty fine.

Cheers.

Ade

[Tom F]

I noticed this when I initially tested my Bachmann Skarloey. I wondered if it was the motion binding but didn’t worry too much as I’m using NP motion.

 

The loco sort of just starts... it was fine when it’s running and going slow, however that initial slow start wasn’t happening. I could hear the motor humming before it initially starts, like something is binding.

 

Sadly it appears that it’s the motor.

I’ve ordered two spare motors from Bachmann US, but rather disappointing. I’ve heard I’m not the only one to have had this issue.

[AlfaZagato]

I think mine might do the same.   I remember having to double-head with my Heljan M-W.   Almost had a whole good-running engine at that point.

[Tom F]

Cab strip added as was present on the real No. 1 prior to it's 1957/8 rebuild.

Possibly add the rivets later today or tomorrow.

 

 

[NeilHB]

Lovely work on No.1 Tom - looks very good so far. 

[Tom F]

2 hours ago, NeilHB said:

Lovely work on No.1 Tom - looks very good so far. 

Cheers Neil!

That's enough for tonight....nearly cross eyed!

[TrainMan2001]

That looks great, Tom! What type of rivets do you use?

[AdeMoore]

Decent that Tom, do those archers rivets come off at a correct spacing or do you have to apply them one at a time?

Not actually seen them are they self adhesive?

No. 1 is coming along lovely.

 Cheers 

Ade

[Tom F]

8 hours ago, AdeMoore said:

Decent that Tom, do those archers rivets come off at a correct spacing or do you have to apply them one at a time?

Not actually seen them are they self adhesive?

No. 1 is coming along lovely.

 Cheers 

Ade

Thanks Ade!

They come on a sheet with varying positions to each other.

The large rivets that I have added on the edges of the lower cab, I had to do individually to match the photographs.

[Tom F]

Cab fully riveted. Couple of coats of Klear to just seal the ‘archer rivets’ in place. Just a lamp iron to fit to the rear and then a coat of primer.

 

[Tom F]

A touch more work on No. 1

Running plate strip added as per Talyllyn (or in my case, Skarloey) pre 1957 rebuild.
 

[A Murphy]

Coming along very nicely Tom.

 

Alastair