Mr Simon's N and 2mm Workbench - pg29> N V1 2-6-2, 2mm L&Y class 23, assorted wagons and stuff

[MrSimon]

Hello everybody!

 

At the weekend I thought I’d get on and finish the L&Y tank, then I couldn’t find the transfers that had been in a safe place since I started the build all those pages ago… so I decided I’d sulked at the Jinty long enough and got it out for a talking to.

 

It felt like the wheels weren’t quartered right when running with the motor, and it ended up bending itself and getting wrapped in the brake gear on the other side (when the crank pin came out)

 

So I stripped it down.  I hadn’t been happy with the motor as it was struggling a little with the wheels; to sort out the rods I had to take them off and the front wheels off to remove the soldered in crank pin…

 

it had 4 new crank pins, I tried to use a new pair of rods on it but the Fencehouses (this one) and the Farish replacement rods were slightly different lengths, which meant I couldn’t.  After quite a lot of fettling I got it properly quartered with the rods adjusted so it runs well - this also meant I didn’t need to swap it for a beefier motor.

 

Ready to go back into the paint shop (but first I’ll check the rod is straight and it’s just a bit of phone lens distortion making it look that shape…)

 

As a shorter project this week I have detailed the back of a cargowagon that became the end of the rake years ago after being dropped.  It had made it to the bench after I discovered it was shorting last time I had the track out.  
 

Somehow the wheels had been pressed too close and the two halves of axle were touching.

 

It was a very simple conversion - brake pipes and dummy coupling from various bit bags (Revolution IWA and Sturgeon, and Dapol steel hood which was reshaped slightly) and a lamp from Modelu.

 

 

I touched up the weathering on the bogies and buffers too but the rest is as I left it before.  It looks like the paint/mixer combo I used has taken the printing off, I’ll try again with acylics before I start on the Revolution ones!

 

Lots to do!

Simon

Edited March 31, 2022 by MrSimon
Added some pictures. Might not be the right ones

[DavidMcKenzie]

Hi Simon,

 

I hope you are keeping well. Interesting stuff as always. Probably sensible to try with acrylics before starting on the nice revolution ones, but that is a nice effect to keep in mind if you ever wanted to do a very aged wagon and just leave a hint of the printing behind. 

 

All the best,

Dave 

[Duncan.]

9 minutes ago, DavidMcKenzie said:

Hi Simon,

 

I hope you are keeping well. Interesting stuff as always. Probably sensible to try with acrylics before starting on the nice revolution ones, but that is a nice effect to keep in mind if you ever wanted to do a very aged wagon and just leave a hint of the printing behind. 

 

All the best,

Dave 

Or Simon, you could spray the Revolution  vans with a good coat of matt or satin varnish allow to dry for 48 hours min. If you use you paint/thinner method, which I think, looks good in your photos above the varnish will protect the printing from washing away

Cheers

Duncan.

[MrSimon]

Thanks both!  

I’ve got a few clean Dapol and Farish ones in the stock boxes so will give see how pre-varnishing works out for me.

 

I’ve reached the point of no return with the class 23 tank… it’s ‘finished’ but clean:

 

 

 

 

 

This is the point I always get to where I say ‘I want it to be quite clean but looking like it’s put in a days work’ and then overdo it.

 

I also need to alter my usual technique slightly because I don’t want to take the rivet transfers off!  My plan is for an ashy running plate, a sooty boiler too and cab roof, and a dirty wash with some Klear.

 

Talking of a dirty wash with Klear, I weathered a second 142:

 

 

It’s looking used but clean which was how the units running round Victoria looked when I lived by the track.  The replacement destination and Northern transfer were done for me by Jo at Steadfast Models!

 

Also from Steadfast Models are markings/graffiti for the Dapol Falcon:

 

 

I’ve got a lot more to do on this, but they’re turned out well.

 

Lots to do!

Simon

Edited March 31, 2022 by MrSimon
Stuck the pictures back in

[MrSimon]

Hello everybody!

 

I think I’m at the right amount of dirt, I think I’ve achieved ‘lightly’ weathered, what do you think?
 

It’s maybe a little grey on the tank top, but I don’t want to go too heavy.  I also need to touch up the rods/chassis and fit couplings and crew.

 

This week I dusted off the 2MT kit with a view to definitely finishing it… 

 

I made the pony trucks and realised I need to use a lathe and order some bits… but it’s back on the radar with the intention of getting it running by Christmas!

 

While not making the 2MT I made this:

 

 

I think it’s the 5th one I’ve made, and I also made (but not photographed) a pair of LMS coach bogies…

 

Lots to do!

Simon

 

Edited March 31, 2022 by MrSimon
Stuck pictures back in

[Duncan.]

Hi Simon,

You requested views on your weathering. I would add brake dust and general dirt to the lower chassis. Do you have access to an air brush?

Cheers

Duncan

[MrSimon]

Thanks Duncan!  
 

I think I still have my old airbrush but I don’t have anywhere to spray (I manage rattle cans under the steps leading down to my flat) - everything except matt black steam engines is done with a brush/powder.   Noted on the brake dust, I’ve got to finish painting the chassis so will include it - I agree: it needs more earthy/rust tones below the body.

 

Cheers

Simon

[MrSimon]

Hello everybody!

 

I’ve had some transfer sessions this weekend (and you know how I feel about that…).  On the first session I managed to finish off two units, with some small details that had been on my mind for a few years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Northern’s!  More specifically the small transfers Northern (as in the Serco/Ned Northern Rail that came before the Arriva Northern Rail) stuck to their trains while the swooshy purple and blue livery was rolled out as a way of making the fleet seem like it was all one big multicoloured company.  Jo at Steadfast created these for me and I couldn’t be happier with them!  
 

The 155 just needs the numbers on the cab front and then it and the 156 can be weathered.  The 142 is now completely finished.

 

The second transfer session was the first side of these:

 

They’re using the Railtec/NGS transfers.  The second side will be slightly different.  

Never did get the rest of that soldering done…

 

Lots to do!

Simon

Edited March 31, 2022 by MrSimon
Stuck the pictures back in

[MrSimon]

Hello everybody,

 

Bit of a longer gap than planned between updates, but it forced me to actually get some stuff done (especially when the weather turned back…)

 

This just needs a bit of fettling on the chassis and then it’s done (couplings and crew then done done).  Here it is posed on @justin1985’s layout after we spent ages turning brass…

 

Brass turned and cut (thank you sir) I could get on starting the parts of 2MT build I was scared of… here are the ends of the pistons tacked on so I could drill the holes for the cross heads.

 

Here’s where I stopped for a rest. Remarkably tricky to form and construct the basic cylinder shape (as a first time doing anything with metal and solder that involved bends that aren’t a 90o angle on a half etched line) but I got a passable cylinder block.

 

Then the other night I fitted these things. There’s a few more things I need to do before moving on to the next step in the instructions, but it’s all made sense so far!

 

It was Ally Pally the other weekend, great to be back. Before starting any of the things I bought I felt I should finish something else… so I did part two of the transfers session on the tipplers:

 

I went for a slightly different version of the livery from the other side (but you’ll never see both sides at once). I’m going to try oil fading or maybe varnish fading before I weather these, then there’ll only be the final 7 left to do!

 

Lots to do!

Simon

[MrSimon]

Hello everybody!

 

A few bits done but I’ve not been very focused - I’ve got to tidy my desk next week so I’ve been in a dither 🫣

 

First up, I gave the underframe of the LYR tank it’s second coat:

 

(excuse the weirdly uplift picture) I think this is all it needs now in terms of dirt - but I will buff the rods a little to bring out the shine on the gun metal.  Just crew to fit and it’s one off the list

 

I had the soldering iron out the the sole purpose of soldering together the rods for the 262 and made this instead.  Once I’ve fitted it to the body and made the bufferbeams it all needs painting

 

Stage one of the painting also happened, at the same time I did the plate wagon and a few other bits.  I decided to do it in black straight off as the a starter for the other bits… we’ll see how that goes.

 

Finally I started the process of finishing and laying that three way point.  There’s still a lot to do, both in terms of finishing the actual piece of track and the massive ammount of ‘gubbins’ that go under the board.  More on this to follow over the summer…

 

Lots to do!

Simon

[MrSimon]

Hello everybody!

 

I’m calling this finished now, it’s got one or two minor jobs left (paint driver, run some dirt over the lamp) but it’s pretty much good to go.  Next time the body’s off I’ll paint the rest of the motor wires.
 

Just need to make a box for it…

 

 

 

It’s a GEM/Lychette Manor white metal body kit with a Nigel Hunt 2mm chassis kit, with handrails by N Brass, rivets by Railtec and transfers by Fox.  Paints are a mix of Halfords Satin Black, Phoenix Bufferbeam Red and Humbrol black, tan and gunmetal.

 

Took a while!

Simon

[MrSimon]

Hello everybody!

 

Very little done, I’ve been on holiday… but when I got back this was waiting:

 

After running in it runs well, looks good, needs a little weathering but that’s for another day.  Took a bit of effort getting into the pantograph car to turn the lights off but nothing impossible!

 

Obviously I had to have a play with it, and other bits but on the table for a change as my legs hurt from holiday too much to be crawling around on the floor…

 

Had a bit of a session!

 

Only bit of modelling is finishing off the yellow gondola wagon from up the page:

 

 

I need to lighten up the two dark patches of outside rust/paint them out with yellow, but I’m happy with the rest

 

Lots to do!

Simon

[shanks522]

Hi Simon, 

 

 you have been busy! All looking very nice indeed! 
 

Graham 

[MrSimon]

Hello everybody!

 

Been quite a while since I updated this… I’ve not done much either so it’s not like we all missed out…

 

The V1/V3 that came back for servicing last year got its turn on the bench (mostly through laziness, not just needing a slot on a busy bench haha).  It had wires to reconnect, I’m not sure what I did but it now runs just as well forwards than in reverse after spending the last few years running bunker first at exhibitions.  
 

I gave it a clean and touched up some bits of paint/weather and noticed this:

 

It seems like the print has been leeching out of the bunker!  I shaved it back on the right (and finished it after taking this) - has anyone else come across this issue with Shapeways prints?  Other than the bufferbeam it’s only had Halfords cans on it…. 
 

I took it up to run at Spalding exhibition and then brought it back as Dad sold the layout and didn’t have use for it to stay on loan (so if anyone needs a short bunker-first parcels train with operator in the south east…)

 

I’d also detailed this for the fast freight…

 

Things have moved on the 2mm front!  Firstly, this is now ready for transfers:

 

I think I’ve even got some (it can wait)

 

Secondly, I got the rods soldered together for the Ivatt 262:

 

In a traditional bout of procrastination I then put them back in their little bag and built a wagon underframe. 
 

And then three more wagon underframes:

 

These will give me something to paint while taking short breaks working from home (much shorter than the time wasted in an office!!)

 

Clockwise we have a BR fitted plate wagon, LMS medfit (which I tried to put on the wrong underframe a few pages back), a LNER 6 plank open, a Midland 5 plank open…

 

I’ve just noticed that at the top of the page I said I’d get the Ivatt running by Christmas… it’s a little far through November to be confident that will happen, but let’s see!

 

Lots to do!

Simon

[Simon D.]

The crystal like issue is quite well known.  Google something like 'shapeways crystal problem'.  It appears to be residual wax used as supports for FUD etc which they don't remove totally.  Their prints need very careful washing: alcohol, heptane, Goo Gone or Simple Green have all got avocates. 

The stuff could be removed with an alcohol swab but this would ruin the paintwork, although it looks spoiled already...

[DavidLong]

A small point. You need to snip the tie bars off the LMS Medfit. It has eight-shoe brakes so the brake force is equalised across both axles. Tie bars are only required on four-shoe vacuum braked wagons.

 

David

[MrSimon]

Great news David - I’d already bent the one on the other side!!  Can that chassis be built as a 4 shoe chassis too?
 

Thanks Simon, It’s only the back of the bunker that seems to have suffered, I’m not sure it will be easy to sand the surface back with handrails, pipes and lamp irons that have been fitted… I’ll leave it a few months and see if the crystals grow back and if they don’t I’ll see what can be done with some Klear…

 

Thanks both

Simon

[DavidLong]

Hi Simon,

 

The LMS built these wagons as fitted (the version that you have built) or unfitted. The latter had only two brake shoes and no tie bars. This is the Morton style brake gear as found on most 16T mineral wagons. The etch to use for this one would be 2-382 in the Association list but miss off the brake shoes on the side with the plain brake lever. In the late 1950s many of these wagons were fitted with vacuum brake gear by BR. You could use the same underframe etch but add brakes on both sides and keep the tie bar. The vacuum cylinder goes on the side that has had the extra set of brake shoes added.

Hope this helps.

 

David

[MrSimon]

Hello everybody!

 

I thought I’d get cracking and have the Ivatt tank finished by Christmas - obviously with the valve gear still to build it won’t be, but it should at least be moving under its own power this week…

 

First I masked all the bearings/holes with blutak and primed the chassis.  I find it easier to give a chassis a primer and base coat before starting to fit wheels as I’m not one for removing wheels etc unless I absolutely have to (and don’t like poking too many coats of paint behind the wheels once they’re fitted…)

 

Next before the wheels but after the painting the gears are fitted on the idler axel (after cleaning the big burrs off) and the gears are run on the drill with some cif to clean off any debris that could affect running… won’t lie, this is my favourite part of building a 2mm chassis

 

And here we are - wheels and gears fitted and 99.9% quartered.  They just need testing under power, but I can’t do that until I’ve built the motor mount.

 

Any engineers should look away now…

 

motor mounted!  That’s the mount that came with the kit, with a bed of plasticard scraps to cradle the smaller motor, with a load-bearing rizla to stop the epoxy sliding out the side while it sets.  I’ve cut the bolts to length (there are 10ba nuts soldered to the etched base in here) and once the loctite has locked the worm to the shaft it’ll be read to bolt the motor on and give it a test.

 

Obviously this all took forever because while I had the soldering iron out for the nuts I made two wagon chassis - I probably could have at least made a start on the valve gear in the time it took…

 

The first and last Mica B I’m making, the handrails are ridiculous (I’ve still got to fit the brake levers)

 

LMS unfitted hifit, where I hope I’ve understood David’s instructions above!  I’m happy with it anyway!!

 

Lots to do!

Simon

[MrSimon]

Hello everybody!

 

It’s been a quiet few weeks but I’ve done some building and painting.  Before Christmas I got the 262 running with just the valve gear left to tackle - I’ve had the soldering iron out since but haven’t felt quite in the mood to do it.

 

Here’s the chassis running with some weight.

 

Over Christmas I picked out stock that had been up with dad for running on his layouts, with the latest layout sold on the stock is slowly for sale too.

 

Here are the bits I picked out plus one or two bits swapped - these will either gradually be re-chassised to 2mm or marshalled into trains I can take with me to help exhibit other peoples layouts…

 

This is the first van to be converted to 2mm.  It has all 4 buffers and none of the bufferbeam has been carved away.  
 

I used the same chassis as the hifit in the post above, I removed the random WB transfer from the door and touched up the paint.

 

This was rewheeled and DGs fitted

 

 

The wagons in the posts above were painted and I had a transfer session, they just been weathering and varnishing

 

Today I did my least favourite 2mm job - soldered the droppers onto DG coupling loops, I’d been saving (/putting off) to do in bulk - with brake vans with couplers fitted I couldn’t put it off any longer… so I made 23 new loops (above) and fitted droppers to another 11 loops that were already fitted to stock.  There are 9 spare loops with droppers!

 

Lots to do, including a new project!

Simon

[MrSimon]

Hello everybody!

 

Its a while since I updated this, mostly through not taking pictures of anything and doing other things… but here’s what I’ve been up to:

 

I weathered all but one of the wagons I’d got part finished, there’s just one now waiting for transfers.

 

I got one of these and weathered it for the stock box - I’m not getting more to make a longer train (and it’s not going 2mm) but it’s an OK wagon - hopefully I’ve managed to disguise the repair to when I found how fragile the brake rod is…)

Got another 2mm conversion on the go, a Fairburn tank (which I thought I had a picture of) - I’m about to start building the valve gear which I’ve had to put off many times.

 

I bought an Isinglass Models steel sided BG kit to try as they’ve started to shrink their range to N.  It clips onto the Dapol Gresley chassis.  I spent quite a bit of time researching and doing testers for ‘teak’.  What I’ve found works starts off as the above (yellow spray over grey primer)

 

Then a thin layer of Vallejo acrylics - I followed Mike Trice’s method but instead of Orange and Earth colour I substituted half of the orange for ‘sunny skin’ to knock back some of the intensity, then a coat of Klear.

 

Next I painted on the grains with a mix of Burnt Umber and Van Dyke Browns thinned with liquin.

 

I swapped the bogies for 2mm ones, which need painting, and it needs glazing , lining out and numbering before weathering.  The look I’m aiming for is BG in general traffic condition a while after last works attention/repaint.  

I’ve got a plan for the footboards!

 

Lots to do

Simon

[MrSimon]

Hello everybody!

 

Quite a quiet summer, filled with plenty of putting stuff off and doing little jobs instead of sitting down and finishing things… but some things have been finished!

 

 

 

I’ve got the unfinished 2mm wagon queue down by quite a chunk.  Top is an NGS/parkside 3 plank open with container, Middle is a pair of LNER opens (these are rewheeled Bachman) and Bottom are three wagons that had been returned from Dad’s layout at Christmas ready for their new life in my 2mm stock box!

 

I managed to get the steel-sided teak effect LNER BG finished. I’m 90% sure both numbers are wrong and I wasn’t sure if I should have painted the LNER out on the side with the BR number (I assumed I should, but I’ve got a picture of my grandad leaning out of a coach that says LMS on well past nationalisation…)

 

I finally got over my nerves and took the chimney and dome off and had a word with the splashers.  Then I filed too much off the new chimney and it’s currently without one while I get an order together… but it’s coming together nicely.

 

The fairburn valvegear is almost finished, I had to send off for a replacement but from Bachman and I just need to fit it all together and see if it runs.

 

I’ve also had some random new arrivals:

I think this will go 2mm, but not yet

 

I don’t know why I bought this… but I like it!

 

A sonic J50 also came for the 2mm queue and 13 gypsum containers which were for Gresby… 

 

Lots to do!

Simon

Edited October 12, 2023 by MrSimon
I pressed the wrong button and the post was just pictures…