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Shark Attack!

 

A short story on how to get your revenge on Jaws.

 

Having built too many standard Cambrian Sharks to retain my sanity, this started out as a simple exercise to improve the model and bring it into the 21st Century. Little did I realise the amount of work that this would entail!

 

The recipe for success(hopefully):-

 

1 Cambrian Shark Kit. (Note 1)

2 Wheels to suit standard you model in.

3 Assorted plain plastic strip and sheet.

4 Assorted sizes steel handrail wire.

5 Buffers to suit your chosen prototype.

6 Decals/Transfers to your chosen prototype.

7 The usual assortment of modellers tools.

 

A copy of Alan Monk's guide from DEMU - 'Wagonry 101’ (Note 2)

 

Additional ingrediants may be required! (Your favourite drink to hand may be a good start)

 

OK, the most difficult aspect of any conversion is getting started.

To aid you in this you need to decide which of the current variants of Shark you are going to model.

This will be influenced by the period and location or area you are modelling.

 

Having decided on your prototype, get as many photos of it as you can. Not just in its current state, but in its various guises over the years. The reasons for this will become clearer as you progress with the modelling.

 

As your photos will show, Sharks have been subject to a lot of modifications over the years.

I'm not going to quote chunks of info from 'The Bible' for the Shark. Just tell you to go out and, if you don't buy the book, at least borrow a copy! (Note 3)

 

So, pause for reading and refreshment over – It’s bback to work…..

 

Have you decided on a Shark that is planked, or one that is plated, either with steel or ply?

 

First thing is to check your photos, notice any differences between the kit and the photos?

 

No? Look again, there are usually several differences.

 

A word of warning though - It can be hard to tell the difference between the plywood repannelled and steel replated Sharks. Some tell tale signs do show though!

 

Look closely at the plating, are there tell-tale weld tacks at the edges?

If the answer is Yes - Its a steel replate one.

 

Are there rows of indentations where the screws are put through the plywood to the body frame?

 

If the answer is Yes - Its a plywood repanneled one.

 

This can make a big difference in how you decide to tackle the job in hand.

 

 

So before you start, a quick examination of the Cambrian kit parts comparing them to the real thing is essential.

 

First of all, check the ends.

 

Do the photos show the same ends as on the Kit?

There are three different types of end that I have found.

 

1 Original, with planking.

2 Replated, with plywood.

3 Replated with steel.

 

Do the photos show the same planking above the veranda openings as on the kit?

There are two different planking arrangments.

 

1 Two planks, wide to top, narrow to bottom.

2 Single plank.

 

Do the photos have the same bracing around the balcony as on the kit?

There are at least three different types of bracing on the ends.

 

1 Angle Bracing as on the kit.

2 No angle bracing, no other bracing on crosspiece and central roof support.

3 No angle bracing, inverted T section bracing on crosspiece and centre roof support.

4 No angle bracing, simple metal plate bracing on crosspiece under centre roof support, this can be different lengths.

 

Do the photos have Vacuum Brake Pipes, Air Brake Pipes or both?

There are at least five variations for position and shape for Vacuum Pipes.

The variations for Air Brake Pipe Shark, gives you even more possibilities.

How about Sharks with Dual Brakes?

That adds another few variations to keep you checking!

 

1 Original shape and position vacuum pipe, left hand side of coupling.

2 Original shape, reversed and right hand side of coupling

3 High level 'cranked', central position vacuum pipe.

4 Headstock level vacuum pipe.

5 Headstock level 'cranked' vacuum pipe.

6 Original shape and position vacuum pipe, air pipe to right of coupling on headstcok.

7 High level 'cranked', central position vacuum pipe, air pipe to right of coupling on headstock

8 Headstock level vacuum pipe, air pipe to right of coupling on headstock.

9 Headstock level 'cranked' vacuum pipe, air pipe to right of coupling on headstock.

10 Air pipes only.

 

Do the photos have the same buffers as on the kit?

There are two different types of buffer on the Shark.

 

1 Original.

2 Oleo Hydraulic 18" Buffers.

 

Do the photos show the same lamp iron arrangement as on the kit?

Probably not! There are at least four variations in lamp iron number and position.

 

1 Original.

2 Single, left or right in original position.

3 Double, wider apart than original position.

4 Double, narrower than original position.

 

Do the photos show the same couplings as on the kit?

There are two varieties of coupling used on the Sharks.

 

1 Screw Couplings

2 Instanter Couplings.

 

On to the roof!

 

Do the photos show the roof, is it the same as the kit?

There are several varieties on the Sharks.

 

1 Rainstrips and chinmey as on the kit roof.

2 Rainstrips as on kit the kit roof, square patch covering old chimney position.

3 Long straight rainstrips from veranda ending just past doorway, chimney as on the kit roof.

4 Long straight rainstrips from veranda ending just past doorway, square patch covering old chimney position.

5 Short straight rainstrips, only over the doorways, chimney as on the kit roof.

6 Short straight rainstrips, only over the doorways, square patch covering old chimney position.

7 Reroofed/refelted, any of above rainstrip variations, no chimney, no patch.

 

Now for the sides!

 

Do the photos show the same sides as on the Kit?

There are several different versions of the sides.

 

1 Original, with planking.

2 Replated, with plywood.

3 Replated with steel.

4 Partial replating with plywood.

5 Partial replating with Steel.

 

See - Not all wagons are the same!

 

Some further info to get you started!

 

On CENet - Yahoo! group we have been collaborating to try and produce a list of known repanelled/replated Sharks.

 

So far the list is as below:-

 

DB993668 - Both veranda ends, LHS veranda side 1/2 panelled - vertical.

DB993706 - Both veranda ends.

DB993714 - Both veranda ends.

DB993727 - RHS veranda side @ stove end.

DB993742 - Veranda end @ stove end 1/2 panelled - vertical.***

DB993748 - All over except doors.

DB993753 - Veranda ends and sides, both ends.

DB993768 - Veranda end and RHS veranda side @ Stove end.

DB993771 - Both veranda ends 1/2 panelled - horizontal.

DB993784 - Both veranda ends.

DB993791 - Veranda end and RHS veranda side @ Non stove end.

DB993807 - Veranda ends and sides, both ends.

DB993819 - Both veranda ends.

DB993826 - All over except doors.

DB993826 - Sides, TBC.

DB993829 - Cabin Sides

DB993836 - Veranda ends and sides, both ends.*

DB993839 - Half panelled veranda side @ stove end.

DB993842 - All over except doors.

DB993843 - Both veranda ends.

DB993859 - Veranda ends and sides, both ends.

DB993882 - All over except doors.

DB993895 - Both veranda ends and veranda side @ stove end.**

DB993902 - Both veranda ends.

DB993902 - Both veranda ends, lower cab body both sides - horizontal.

DB993928 - Both veranda ends, sides @ non stove end.

DB993933 - Veranda end @ stove end.

DB993796 - Both veranda ends and sides.

 

 

* May have been done since preservation

** May now have both veranda ends and all veranda sides done.

*** Very crudely done!

 

If you know any more - Tell us about them......

 

Photo sources and references

 

Paul Bartlett - http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/

 

Martyn Read – http://ukrailwaypics.smugmug.com/

 

Gareth Bayer – Wagons on the Web - http://www.garethbayer.co.uk/wotw/

 

 

Note 1 – It is possible to use the Hornby Shark as a basis. The same work is required but is a lot harder to carry out.

 

Note 2 – Available to DEMU Members via the DEMU Forum.

 

Note 3 - British Railways Brake Vans and Ballast Ploughs - Eric Gent - HMRS Publications - ISBN 0-902835-16-5

 

Hope you enjoyed the story and it inspires you to have a go at a 'Shark of your own'.

 

Do tell us about it if you do.....

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post-10242-0-33564900-1314560637_thumb.jpg

 

This is my humble try at a shark... ...although it is a Hornby model undergoing an EM conversion... The rear of the W irons required a decent hacking, the brake rigging was re-located and the whole thing is being weathered. The model was sold as 'weathered'... ...but to me it looked like it had been left outside the paint shop from new for a couple of weeks to collect a bit of light dust!

 

 

Regards

 

Stu

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Shark Attack!

If you know any more - Tell us about them......

 

Phil

 

I sent you a CD a couple of years ago of Shark pics that will fill a few gaps ... if you still have it you have permission to share on here as long as copyright is credited to me .. if not still in your possesion then I will upload them to my Smugmug account.

 

Mark

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  • RMweb Gold

 

Phil

 

I sent you a CD a couple of years ago of Shark pics that will fill a few gaps ... if you still have it you have permission to share on here as long as copyright is credited to me .. if not still in your possesion then I will upload them to my Smugmug account.

 

Mark

Hi Mark,

 

I was trying to avoid loading this with lots of pictures!

 

Yes - I still have the photo cd and will be adding/filling in the gaps as I go.

 

Now that I have time to model - this should be fairly quickly accomplished.

 

I intend to post real and model photos as things develop.

 

Thanks

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Phil,

 

For those who may not have access to the sources quoted, there have also been a few Shark articles in the magazines over the years. From my collection I've found;

 

Model Railway Constructor Feb1986 Paul Bartlett.

British Railway Modelling Aug 1998 John Emerson, 7mm build of the RJH kit.

Railway Modeller Jun 1990 Nigel Burkin, adapting the Cambrian kit.

 

Anyhow, here are a couple of Hornby Sharks I've had a go at, both re-gauged to EM;

 

post-9877-0-17676500-1314744144_thumb.jpg

Mod's to this one are, Oleo Buffers, Roller Bearing axleboxes, end lamp irons moved, low vacuum pipe and an open veranda door.

 

post-9877-0-07903900-1314744292_thumb.jpg

This one has had its sepatate rainstrips replaced with a one-piece one from 10thou microstrip. Also a couple of verana doors opened up as well. The doors are from a redundant Cambrian kit. The question is, what did I do with the rest of the kit? More on that little pearl later ;)

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  • RMweb Gold

Hi Mark,

 

I think I said at the time...

 

The more pictures - the easier it is to make an accurate model!

 

Thanks for some more useful photos....

 

Will try and remember to take some photos of models on Mikes Layout at Ayr Exhibition!

 

Thanks

 

ps - Thanks for the continued supprt - It's much appreciated.

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  • 2 months later...
  • RMweb Gold

Hi Phil,

 

The devil is in the detail!

 

Each of the Sharks in the photos you have is different.

 

First - EWS livery, no rainstrips, covered chimney hole, Air fitted, unbraked.

Second - Loadhaul livery, 2 piece rainstips (BOTH ANGLED SAME), covered chimney hole, partial sheet material ends and sides with additional end bracing, Air fitted, unbraked.

Third - Dutch livery, 2 rainstrips (Opposite angle), covered chimney hole, lookoout ducket removed, looks like end is sheet material, Air fitted, unbraked.

Fourth - EWS livery, 3 piece rainstrips, covered chimney hole, partial sheet material sides and ends, Air fitted, unbraked. In addition appears to have replacement or replacement supports for the end further away!

 

All in all...

 

An interesting quartet!

 

Unable to tell if the flat sheeting is ply or metal.

 

Thanks

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  • RMweb Premium

Hi,

 

A few more for the list!

Think thats all i got for Sharks!

Only other van pics i've got are of an RAR with 'Sunvisors' at each end, not sure if its unusual, but it caught my eye enough to model it at some point!

 

Cheers,

Phil.

post-4971-0-96317500-1321133644_thumb.jpg

post-4971-0-59993200-1321133702_thumb.jpg

post-4971-0-13864200-1321133770_thumb.jpg

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I wish I'd seen this thread before I started building my Shark! Thankfully I was building a model of one in 'preserved' condition so I could check out the real thing. I'll have to take some photos of it.

 

Regarding the 'real things', there are a couple of these parked up at Doncaster Wood Yard, I was sure I had some photos but can't find them anywhere...

 

Never mind, here is DB993826, Whitemoor, 27th October 2009:

post-9324-0-48967900-1321135364_thumb.jpg

 

Hope this is helpful to someone. Can't believe these contraptions are still in service, they must be just about the oldest design of rolling stock on the network!

 

 

Cheers,

 

Will

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SHARK WITH BROKEN TEETH P8160019post-11150-0-37817100-1321276200_thumb.jpgTHIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU PLOUGH BALLAST THROUGH A SET OF POINTS.DB993875 Photographed inside the shed at KFRPS yard at Kirkland

 

SHARK WITH BROKEN TEETH P8160019post-11150-0-37817100-1321276200_thumb.jpgTHIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU PLOUGH BALLAST THROUGH A SET OF POINTS.DB993875 Photographed inside the shed at KFRPS yard at Kirkland

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  • RMweb Gold

Hi all,

 

That last pair of photos would certainly give you a different looking Shark!

 

DB993875 is one of the Sharks I wanted a look at to see what had been done to it.

 

ie repaired/replaced planking/panels with a view to trying to tie down a date for the repairs.

 

However, I've been told that all this changed since it became a preserved Shark.

 

Can Lochty no more confirm this?

 

Thanks

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  • RMweb Premium

Hi,

 

Took a few close-ups of the loadhaul shark in the first batch of pics, unfortunately it was a bit too far away for the point-n-shoot camera i had with me, so they are'nt too good, but they may help someone. Does it look as though the centre section is clad in ply but the outer sections are clad in steel?

 

Cheers,

Phil.

post-4971-0-84239900-1321655401_thumb.jpg

post-4971-0-37449500-1321655443_thumb.jpg

post-4971-0-67952600-1321655470_thumb.jpg

post-4971-0-32723700-1321655476_thumb.jpg

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  • RMweb Gold

Hi,

 

Took a few close-ups of the loadhaul shark in the first batch of pics, unfortunately it was a bit too far away for the point-n-shoot camera i had with me, so they are'nt too good, but they may help someone. Does it look as though the centre section is clad in ply but the outer sections are clad in steel?

 

Cheers,

Phil.

Hi Phil,

 

Your comments about steel/ply confirm my own findings.

 

For Ply - I look for rows of screw heads that have sunk into the ply.

 

For steel/metal - I look for rows of flush rivet heads or proud screw heads.

 

Thanks

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  • 2 years later...
  • 6 years later...
On 31/08/2011 at 00:02, Boscarne said:

Phil,

 

For those who may not have access to the sources quoted, there have also been a few Shark articles in the magazines over the years. From my collection I've found;

 

Model Railway Constructor Feb1986 Paul Bartlett.

British Railway Modelling Aug 1998 John Emerson, 7mm build of the RJH kit.

Railway Modeller Jun 1990 Nigel Burkin, adapting the Cambrian kit.

 

Anyhow, here are a couple of Hornby Sharks I've had a go at, both re-gauged to EM;

 

post-9877-0-17676500-1314744144_thumb.jpg

Mod's to this one are, Oleo Buffers, Roller Bearing axleboxes, end lamp irons moved, low vacuum pipe and an open veranda door.

 

post-9877-0-07903900-1314744292_thumb.jpg

This one has had its sepatate rainstrips replaced with a one-piece one from 10thou microstrip. Also a couple of verana doors opened up as well. The doors are from a redundant Cambrian kit. The question is, what did I do with the rest of the kit? More on that little pearl later ;)

Hello,

 

I've just found this thread again for a read through as I have a couple of Sharks on the go.

 

I like the look of the weathering on the olive green van, can you remember what technique you used for it as you've captured the look of ingrained dirt and work livery to good effect there.

 

Cheers,

 

Wayne

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10 hours ago, Wayne 37901 said:

Hello,

 

I've just found this thread again for a read through as I have a couple of Sharks on the go.

 

Cheers,

 

Wayne

 

Your resurrection of this thread has just helped me find it. I am waiting on a couple of 3D prints to do a pair of 7mm ones so this will be invaluable!!

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  • 1 year later...

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