Motive power for Camden Shed

[Brocp]

Looks brilliant Iain! Next up must be a green one though

[92220]

Yes, I have 46239 (Chester) ready to convert, and a body from 46251 which will become 46250 (Lichfield) - not a class member that I’ve seen modelled all that often, but a regular.  Both will be in green.

 

This one above is actually 46244 not 46245 (London).  My mistake in typing, but I will definitely do London at some point.  

 

Iain

[Pannier Tank]

3 minutes ago, 92220 said:

This one above is actually 46244 not 46245 (London).  My mistake in typing, but I will definitely do London at some point.  

 

 

Saving the best till last!

 

Camden wouldn't be complete without 46245.

[92220]

5 minutes ago, Pannier Tank said:

 

Saving the best till last!

 

Camden wouldn't be complete without 46245.

 

I hope it won’t be the last!  But definitely wouldn’t be Camden without 46245.

 

Iain

[MacDuff999]

Well Iain, really enjoyed reading through your thread, which I have only recently discovered. Your project is a real 'tour de force', both in terms of the scale of the location you are modelling, and of the task of producing a locomotive stud which - both numerically, and in terms of variety -  will do justice to such an iconic shed in its steam years. I vividly recall a number of the locos you have modelled (or plan to), on frequent visits to the old Manchester London Road station in the later 1950's - either on down Euston expresses, or on running-in turns from Crewe works. Great days. I'm hoping to have a go at a Royal Scot some time soon, although I am still a relative novice at loco building. What gauge is the brass in the Comet chassis kits? I have tried one of their N2 n/s chassis kits before, and found the frame etches tended to bend a bit too easily. As my project is based on the Edinburgh ex-Caley shed Dalry Road (64C), I have 2 Hornby Black 5's to detail/weather, and a 'Crab', but am also tempted by the Caley Coaches class '812' kit, but it's a bit daunting with all that brass to work on! It's a toss-up between that and a Rails of Sheffield RTR version, although that is initially at least, more expensive. Hope you will continue with your thread, when your life becomes a bit more settled after the move.    

[92220]

On 05/01/2020 at 15:52, MacDuff999 said:

Well Iain, really enjoyed reading through your thread, which I have only recently discovered. Your project is a real 'tour de force', both in terms of the scale of the location you are modelling, and of the task of producing a locomotive stud which - both numerically, and in terms of variety -  will do justice to such an iconic shed in its steam years. I vividly recall a number of the locos you have modelled (or plan to), on frequent visits to the old Manchester London Road station in the later 1950's - either on down Euston expresses, or on running-in turns from Crewe works. Great days. I'm hoping to have a go at a Royal Scot some time soon, although I am still a relative novice at loco building. What gauge is the brass in the Comet chassis kits? I have tried one of their N2 n/s chassis kits before, and found the frame etches tended to bend a bit too easily. As my project is based on the Edinburgh ex-Caley shed Dalry Road (64C), I have 2 Hornby Black 5's to detail/weather, and a 'Crab', but am also tempted by the Caley Coaches class '812' kit, but it's a bit daunting with all that brass to work on! It's a toss-up between that and a Rails of Sheffield RTR version, although that is initially at least, more expensive. Hope you will continue with your thread, when your life becomes a bit more settled after the move.    

Thank you and apologies for not replying.

 

Most of the Comet chassis I’ve done have been nickel silver.  Only the older ones are brass.  Not sure what thickness but they are not very thick, certainly a lot lighter than the DJH ones.  When I next do one, I will put the digital micrometer across the frames.

 

 

Just to whet the appetite, a few locos out of their boxes but not yet running.

 

 

The storage sidings taking shape.  Quite something to fill!

 

Iain

[92220]

Perhaps like many, the lockdown has provided an opportunity to get a few things done.  I’ve posted an update on the main layout thread showing the completed fiddle yard, 3 benches and under layout storage completed.   I’ve also begun to complete a few carriages - which I’ll post as well - and to progress 3 locos.

 

Another Black 5.  Why not?

 

 

 

I’ll be honest - I got really quite frustrated with this one.  The last DJH one I built went together much more easily than this one.  Every single part needed fettling, or more than fettling.  In some cases, considerable adjustment.  I used a Mitsumi motor which didn’t mesh with the Comet gearbox properly, despite adjustment.  So I had to build another box and use another motor. The pickups were a pain in the wotsit.  At one point, I decided that I wasn’t going to waste a decent set of bespoke Markits wheels on it and I would use some Romfords instead.

This one will be 45299.  Unless someone tells me otherwise, it seems to fit the photo below, from Rod Steele’s book.  If it is not appropriate to post this, I’ll remove it.  

 

Completed except for cab interior and couplings  (which will go in/on after painting).  Before cleaning, in case someone looks at it in abject horror.  

 

 

46244 finally went to the paint shop.  It’s in process.

 

 

 

 

 

In the background of one of the photos you can also see the Comet Scot 46145 which is coming along too.  A bumper order from Fox has arrived so I will proceed with care.

 

wishing everyone well.

Iain

 

 

 

Edited April 26, 2020 by 92220

[Gibbo675]

On 03/02/2019 at 23:34, 92220 said:

Hi Baz

I haven’t, no.  Might try it in the future, thanks for the suggestion.

If I did it with this Coronation body, I guess I’d weld in a plastic partition to contain it?

How dense is it?  It’s a battle to get enough weight in a Hornby Coronation.  

Iain

 

On 04/02/2019 at 15:10, RonnieS said:

Where would one buy Woods Metal? I read of it's use as ballast in an ancient MRN.

It's density is about 9.7 (lead is  about 11.4)

Hi Chaps,

 

If you are looking for a super dense material then tungsten carbide tip inserts for machine tooling are the very thing at 15.63 g/cm. You may be able to place the tips where needed and fix them in place by pouring woods metal around them. If you can find a friendly machine shop you might get used ones for free, buying new ones would be an expensive endeavour.

 

Gibbo.

[92220]

Thanks Gibbo.  Interesting.

 

I think for the moment I can get enough lead sheet glued into a Hornby body and Comet frames.  46244 on test will easily pull away with 16 on in the fiddle yard with no slip so with any luck we will be ok.  But a very useful suggestion, thank you.

 

Iain

 

 

[Gibbo675]

1 hour ago, 92220 said:

Thanks Gibbo.  Interesting.

 

I think for the moment I can get enough lead sheet glued into a Hornby body and Comet frames.  46244 on test will easily pull away with 16 on in the fiddle yard with no slip so with any luck we will be ok.  But a very useful suggestion, thank you.

 

Iain

 

 

Hi Iain,

 

Forgot to mention to those that may not know they are both extremely hard and tough and so trimming them to fit is pretty much out of the question !

 

Gibbo.

[92220]

Getting closer......

 

 

Lining is coming on bit by bit.  Modelmaster - the yellow lines inside the black are a little wide if I’m honest, but clean enough and after the edges are touched in with some satin black, I’m hoping it will be ok.  Also that it won’t need excessive weathering to disguise it.  It runs well and pulls tree stumps out so I’d like to make a decent job of it.
 

I may make a late change to it though.  Any guesses?

 

Iain

[mark axlecounter]

Hi Ian hope you are keeping safe. 
you can never have to many black 5’s. 

I have been building a comet chassis for a Hornby body and that has been a swine of a job. It was stuttering so I replaced wheels motor gearbox and it turned out it was the chip lesson learnt. 
 

keep safe 

Mark T

[92220]

Thanks Mark.   You too.

 

I agree about a whole fleet of Black 5s.  This one has been a bit of a swine tbh.  It’s still not all that smooth and despite careful measuring and trimming, plus films of araldite, it still seems to short the front bogie occasionally, so it’s not gone for painting yet.

 

Comet frames under a modified and detailed Hornby body makes for a very decent Black 5 I think.

 

But I’m all red right now!

 

Iain

[mark axlecounter]

I was red last week building these 3 made from the Dapol coach kits. 
keep up the photos they are superb. 
 

Mark 

[mark axlecounter]

I was red last week building these 3 made from the Dapol coach kits. 
keep up the photos they are superb. 
 

Mark 

[mark axlecounter]

Sorry Ian don’t know why it’s put it on here twice 

[46256]

Iain I think a Duchess would look good in any colour....but BR maroon ...my favourite livery for these superb machines. My moniker by the way is more my esteem for the loco that bore  his name rather than any pretension on my part as to being the great man. In hindsight I should have opted for 46235. 

A real tonic seeing your work during these interesting times.

 

Best wishes Brian

[92220]

Nearly finished the long-running build and paint of this one:

 

 

Step by step

 

 

 

46244 has become

 

 

Late change of identity for a couple of reasons.  Firstly 46245 is more crucial to Camden than 46244, being a long time resident whereas the King was only an occasional visitor after 1958.  Secondly, when you make ex LMS locos in BR, livery, you don’t have an oversupply of 4s on the HMRS sheets! 
 

So London it is

 

Iain

[92220]

Having to break up the post into two

 

 

 

 

Just the final touches to go.

 

It is pretty surefooted.  
 

This is with 19 on, 6 of which are full metal kits, and no slipping.  

 

It’s by no means a representative train, just hanging a load of carriages off the back of it to see what happened.  I’ll never run anything this long - 15 would be an absolute max I think.
 

Iain

 

 

 

[mark axlecounter]

4 hours ago, 92220 said:

Nearly finished the long-running build and paint of this one:

 

 

Step by step

 

 

 

46244 has become

 

 

Late change of identity for a couple of reasons.  Firstly 46245 is more crucial to Camden than 46244, being a long time resident whereas the King was only an occasional visitor after 1958.  Secondly, when you make ex LMS locos in BR, livery, you don’t have an oversupply of 4s on the HMRS sheets! 
 

So London it is

 

Iain

I know how you feel about the 4s I have a load of hmrs sheets but 4 less 

 

keep up the good work buddy 

[mark axlecounter]

4 hours ago, 92220 said:

Nearly finished the long-running build and paint of this one:

 

 

Step by step

 

 

 

46244 has become

 

 

Late change of identity for a couple of reasons.  Firstly 46245 is more crucial to Camden than 46244, being a long time resident whereas the King was only an occasional visitor after 1958.  Secondly, when you make ex LMS locos in BR, livery, you don’t have an oversupply of 4s on the HMRS sheets! 
 

So London it is

 

Iain

I know how you feel about the 4s I have a load of hmrs sheets but 4 less 

 

keep up the good work buddy 

[Pannier Tank]

On 19/05/2020 at 07:56, 92220 said:

Late change of identity for a couple of reasons.  Firstly 46245 is more crucial to Camden than 46244, being a long time resident whereas the King was only an occasional visitor after 1958.  

 

A good decision, nice to see my favourite engine on Camden Shed.

[92220]

I remember from a couple of years or more ago, you mentioning that.  One of my favourites too, and apparently it was one of the very best of the class.  It was always going to be part of the stable but it made sense to do so earlier rather than later.

 

Now it is ready for weathering, coal, crew etc:

 

 

 

I’ve also got quite a lot further with the Comet Scot:

 

The Scot on test pulled away with 13 on and no extra lead yet so it should be fine.  The mechanicals are so much better than a Hornby one, although the body, painting and lining are not as neat.

 

46145 wasn’t a regular at Camden but it has great significance for me and I have a photo from 1959 so I’m pleased to be able to include it.  

 

The Fox lining on both locos is a bit garish and thick but I hope will tone down somewhat with weathering. Overall I am quite happy with them both.
 

Iain

[millerhillboy]

Iain

 Smashing work, and impressive power outputs as well. Load 13 willdo you will it not

 

 Regarding the fox lining, would I be correct in saying the loco is still in the gloss required to apply decals? Do you tend to seal your locos after applying decals and before weathering?

 I'd suggest a coat of something, I use a satin finish before weathering to seal the decals and take the tone down a notch. That's before even considering whatever weathering is to be applied.

 FWIW I use games workshop citadel munitorum aerosol, used to be called purity seal I think. Not matt but not gloss either, just a nice sheen IMO.

[92220]

 

17 hours ago, millerhillboy said:

Iain

 Smashing work, and impressive power outputs as well. Load 13 willdo you will it not

 

 Regarding the fox lining, would I be correct in saying the loco is still in the gloss required to apply decals? Do you tend to seal your locos after applying decals and before weathering?

 I'd suggest a coat of something, I use a satin finish before weathering to seal the decals and take the tone down a notch. That's before even considering whatever weathering is to be applied.

 FWIW I use games workshop citadel munitorum aerosol, used to be called purity seal I think. Not matt but not gloss either, just a nice sheen IMO.

Thanks, very kind.  

 

The paint is gloss from the can and it does, mainly, settle smoothly and well with a real depth rather than a superficial gloss.  I use Johnson’s Klear to seal transfers and then weather over the top.  I know there is a lot of debate about finish - whether paint or varnish is gloss, satin or matt for example, but I think you can get to the end result in different ways.  I am happy with the gloss base which enables the transfers to stick, and that gloss then gets covered with matt weathering.  This Brassmastered Hornby Scot was Kleared so very glossy, and then weathered:

 

 

 

Your work is simply excellent and yet half the size of mine! 

 

Iain