TimC's 7mm Industrial Workbench - Ixion Fowler

[TimC]

I'm really impressed with your DS88, it does look good. The step by step pics are really interesting, almost tempted to have a go myself, although scratchbuilding a chassis is a bit beyond me.

 

Hi Colin

 

Thanks!

 

Scratchbuilding a chassis isn't that bad if you have built the odd etched brass kit before.  As long as you get things square (this is essential for all chassis construction, and in my experience one of the main reasons why some chassises don't run properly) and you work out a few basic dimensions first - like the ride height so that the distance from the top of the frames to the centre of the axle (and the radius of the wheels you are using) gives the buffers at the correct height or thereabouts when you put the body on the chassis then you'll be fine.  

 

It might not be obvious but the first picture in post #3 above with the chassis frames next to the body - both side frames are still soldered together here.  When you do the frames, you solder two pieces of brass together with 70deg low melt solder, mark out the frames and do your cutting and drilling of axles holes and other holes for the frame spacers/brake rigging etc so both sides of the chassis are exactly the same.  Then when you are done throw them in a kitchen bowl and pour on boiling water to separate the two sides.   On this loco the chassis frames can't been seen as there are false frames as part of the loco body and/or the wheels hide the other parts so they don't have to be neat or even painted really.

 

Its a bit like using an airbrush, potentially a bit scary/daunting at first but once you have had a go you soon find that there isn't too much to worry about.  Brass isn't too expensive so its not the end of the world if it goes wrong, you just knock up another set of frames.  The only bit of specialist kit you need is a stand mounted drill to ensure holes are drilled through at 90 degrees (and you can probably get away without this if you are very careful).  Over the years there have been plenty of chassis construction articles in the modelling press/modelling books.  I suppose I learnt when Iain RIce was at his most prolific so not surprisingly I follow his 'kitchen table engineering' techniques and dodges in my own approach when constructing a chassis and generally with a bit of care it works fine.

 

If you have any specific questions then feel free to send me a message.

[TimC]

So I've been plugging away with the Fowler and thought I'd share a few piccies of where I am currently.

 

 

The base is Railmatch acrylic 'BR Maroon' over a red oxide primer from a Halford's rattle can.  My model was a plain green one and I applied the primer straight on top of the factory finish with no problems.  Weathering the body has mostly been MIG washes with highlights from an artists pencil (off white/ivory).  The cab roof is very much work in progress and once all the loco is back together I'll use weathering powders on the roof and running plate to give a good dusty appearance.  That big dirty patch in the middle of the bonnet is behind the donkey engine (not shown in photo) so would have been more difficult to clean in practice.  On the front of the cab, I replaced the klaxon with a horn as I thought it look more the part.  

 

 

The cab detail and floor got a lick of paint and I think I may have to tone down the cab interior walls a little too as they are a bit too uniform and clean.  The body of my loco came apart quite easily but the internal sandboxes in the cab are difficult to get back into position once you try to put the cab back on.  I chose to cut the sanding pipes and glue the sandboxes back inside the cab - you can't (or can hardly) see the pipes in cab anyway.  I'm not sure what the sanding pipes are made from but they are very tough, a slitting disc would have been a better bet than my Xurcon cutters which now show a mark or two from where I cut mine.  The jack on the footplate is still in need of more work.

 

 

Painting the full depth of the buffer beam red seems to bring out its chunkiness and painting the buffer bases and bodies red brought things together too.  The buffer heads were painted red oxide and black applied with a sponge to give a dappled effect (in the photo the buffer beam and buffers look the same colour but they are not and the contrast is much better in the flesh).  

 

 

I primed and painted the rods and fly crank the same colour as the buffer beams and weathered the whole chassis with Revell No9 Anthracite with plenty of talc mixed in.  This is a great frame weathering mix and the talc gives the impression of built up grime.  Drybrushing was used for picking out details with the odd streak of MIG wash and the wheels got a wipe over of gunmetal from a Tamiya weathering block on a cotton bud.  The shiny section between the wheels is glare on the photo and isn't that evident on the model though I might give that area a dusting of powder in due course.  You can never tell how it is all going to look until the model is re-assembled anyway.  The DCC chip is a Zimo MX645 with sound as fitted by EDM models.

 

So not too far away really, just a few more jobs to do before putting it all back together.

 

[Edit: correct Zimo decoder amended]

[ngtrains.com]

 

 The DCC chip is a Zimo 648 with sound as fitted by EDM models.

 

Close but no cookie.  MX545

[TimC]

Close but no cookie.  MX545

 

Thanks Paul, now amended.

[ngtrains.com]

Now were both at it :-(

 

The correct ID is MX645    it might even have been a MX645R but side cutters soon cured it of being an R  (one with a plug on the end)

[Giles]

Your making a lovely job of that Fowler, Tim. It makes me wish that I'd repainted mine as well!

 

Great stuff!

[81A Oldoak]

Watching with interest.

[TimC]

Finished the Fowler.....

 

At some stage in the future, I think I'll swap the couplings for ones by CPL but for now its ready for action.  I'm not decided what if any of the oil cans/spanners etc I'll add from the detail pack that came with the loco, maybe just the large oil bottle but I'll ponder that one for a bit.

 

 

 

 

The running of the Fowler with the Zimo decoder is superb, as is Paul's sound.  I had it on the rolling road at about 30/128 (DCC throttle steps) and my wife commented 'thats runs nice and slowly', so I reduced it to 5/128 then she said 'that'll be "exciting" to operate.....' as it was barely moving but still rotating smoothly.

 

Next up are a some O14 gauge narrow gauge locos that have been lurking around the edge of the bench then I can finally clear the way for looking at some RC lorries.....

[sleeper]

That is looking really superb, the shade of red is just right as is the slightest degree of sheen on the finish, not flat matt just a tiny sheen. The sponge/paint technique is very convincing too. The coupling links could do with dulling down as the reflection from the buffers is visible. Overall a super little model, well done Tim. 

[Barnaby]

Lovely Fowler finishing Tim with a delicate authentic touch. 

Grrrrrrreat

 

Regards

 

 

Edit spelling

[Jan]

Very nice. You've got talent there, chum. Maybe the windows are a tad clean, though

 

Cheers

 

Jan

[JeffP]

That's lovely modelling.

 

I never did get a response from Ruston about a kit of parts for the 88DS.......

[brianthesnail96]

He's an elusive creature these days, fallen into bad habits so I'm told (WW1 aircraft modelling I believe!).

 

I'll mention it to him next time I speak to him

 

Wouldn't mind one myself but I don't think I could make nearly as good a job of it as Tim has.

[37114]

The fowler is a lovely piece of work Tim, nicely weathered.

[TeVe]

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DSCN2059.JPG

 

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Wow, that is just like the Ruston at UHB  http://jorgenkirsebom.zenfolio.com/p472684874/h146dc2f8#h146dc2f8.

Would like to build one. Any drawing availble.

 

Terje

[TimC]

Wow, that is just like the Ruston at UHB  http://jorgenkirsebom.zenfolio.com/p472684874/h146dc2f8#h146dc2f8.

Would like to build one. Any drawing availble.

 

Terje

 

Terje

 

I see that this is your first post on RMweb, so welcome!.

 

The loco in the link you posted is a 1996 rebuild to 750mm of a NSB standard gauge shunter.  According to this link http://www.railroadforums.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/16434/title/turbodonkey/cat/570),  It was original built by Levahn in Oslo in 1965.

 

I'm afraid I've no idea if there are plans or even a model kit available but its certainly a nice looking loco.

[TeVe]

Yes, I mixed up the Ruston at Mesna Kartonfabrik, paper mill, Lillehammer, with the Levahn at UHB . I took it from my memory, but I should have been more careful as my memory seems to be more and more rusty day by day.

Mesna Kartonfabrik had two shunters, a Ruston build 382828 1955 and a Drewry shunter 03, EX NSB Skd 215. The paper mill was shut down in 1981. After some years the Skd 215 (Drewry) was collected by members of Norsk Jernbaneklubb and is today preserved at Krøderbanen, a Museum railway. They even brought the Ruston ahead and I was in the belief that the Ruston had survived at UHB, had forgotten the Levahn there. An article in a swedish mag said it was preserved but not where. The photo in the swedish mag show a Ruston tractor just like yours. I think the Ruston at Mesna was the only 4 wheel Ruston ever imported to Norway. Other Ruston locomotives here are of 6 wheels types.
http://www.digitaltmuseum.no/011022799022/?query=ruston&pos=11&count=40 as
http://www.digitaltmuseum.no/011013107304/?query=ruston&pos=9&count=40
http://www.digitaltmuseum.no/011013118428/gallery?query=ruston&pos=8&count=40

In my archive I may have further information but have to search for i. I know at least about one article in the mag "På Sporet"

The Skd 215 Drewry  shunter buildt 1949 is preserved at Krøderbahnen, a museum railway running from Vikersund to Krøderen. Even the Levahn plant is shut down many years ago. I visited Levahn a year before they closed the doors. The plant seemed a bit run down at that time so the closing was no surprice.

Models of the Drewry shunter were manufactured by Vulcan Models in 00 and O and in N-scale by Langley Models. In the 1980s I imported, repacked (completed with motor, wheels etc, and sold them with instructions in Norwegian, all three models. I still have models, partly build, in 00 and N scale, but today I regret selling my O-scale model. I am not aware of any model made of the Ruston in O-scale.

You have build a great model. 

 

Terje

[TimC]

Yes, I mixed up the Ruston at Mesna Kartonfabrik, paper mill, Lillehammer, with the Levahn at UHB . I took it from my memory, but I should have been more careful as my memory seems to be more and more rusty day by day.

Mesna Kartonfabrik had two shunters, a Ruston build 382828 1955 and a Drewry shunter 03, EX NSB Skd 215. The paper mill was shut down in 1981. After some years the Skd 215 (Drewry) was collected by members of Norsk Jernbaneklubb and is today preserved at Krøderbanen, a Museum railway. They even brought the Ruston ahead and I was in the belief that the Ruston had survived at UHB, had forgotten the Levahn there. An article in a swedish mag said it was preserved but not where. The photo in the swedish mag show a Ruston tractor just like yours. I think the Ruston at Mesna was the only 4 wheel Ruston ever imported to Norway. Other Ruston locomotives here are of 6 wheels types.

http://www.digitaltmuseum.no/011022799022/?query=ruston&pos=11&count=40 as

http://www.digitaltmuseum.no/011013107304/?query=ruston&pos=9&count=40

http://www.digitaltmuseum.no/011013118428/gallery?query=ruston&pos=8&count=40

In my archive I may have further information but have to search for i. I know at least about one article in the mag "På Sporet"

The Skd 215 Drewry  shunter buildt 1949 is preserved at Krøderbahnen, a museum railway running from Vikersund to Krøderen. Even the Levahn plant is shut down many years ago. I visited Levahn a year before they closed the doors. The plant seemed a bit run down at that time so the closing was no surprice.

Models of the Drewry shunter were manufactured by Vulcan Models in 00 and O and in N-scale by Langley Models. In the 1980s I imported, repacked (completed with motor, wheels etc, and sold them with instructions in Norwegian, all three models. I still have models, partly build, in 00 and N scale, but today I regret selling my O-scale model. I am not aware of any model made of the Ruston in O-scale.

You have build a great model. 

 

Terje

 

Terje

 

The 0-4-0 Ruston in the link looks like a Ruston 165DS, which is the next size up in the Ruston loco range from the 88DS I built.  Judith Edge Kits do a very good kit for the 165DS, its the last kit on this page http://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/catalogue/judithedge, it is available in 4mm and 7mm scale (I think it maybe available in 3mm too).  While I was building my 88DS, Judith Edge Kits also introduced a 4mm model of the 88DS so hopefully before too long they will do a 7mm version too.

 

The 0-6-0 Ruston pictures you linked are of the narrow gauge version of the six wheeled 165DS.  Judith Edge do a kit for the standard gauge version of this loco too so it'll just need a new scratchbuilt chassis with outside cranks.

 

I'm not sure if you are aware of this book but its an excellent source of information about all things Ruston Hornsby, see http://www.plateway.co.uk/booklist/Plateway-Press-New-Publications.html 

 

In time, I fancy doing a 0-4-0 165DS but a later 1960s built one which had a slightly different cab.  Years ago Impetus did a kit for one in 7mm and I always keep my eyes open for a secondhand one....

[Michael Edge]

You don't need to do much to our RH 165 0-6-0DE kit to get the metre gauge version, in fact it was originally designed in 9mm scale for Glenorchy Models in New Zealand to produce this loco, 3'6" gauge named "Orbell".

This was more or less the same as the Norwegian metre gauge example and apart from re-positioned frames and NZ shunter's steps was almost identical to PWM650. RH used the same frame plates for every loco, these still include the cut out under the cab (plated over) where the gearbox would have fitted in  a standard gauge mechanical drive loco.

[TeVe]

Sorry for det delay in replying, but Christmas demands some traveling to visit sons, daughters in law, grandchildren and other relatives.
Back home I tried to dig out the mags, but only found a xerox-copy of the article so not the best photos. The loco on the pages shows the Ruston I had in mind. A four wheel delivered 1955 and finaly scraped 1985 after beeing kept in reserve since October 1980.

Ruston type 88DS
Build #382828 Year 1955.
Delivered November 21st 1955
Scraped November 1985
Total lenght 5045mm
Wheelbase 1765 mm
Wheel dia 914 mm

Is a drawing of this loco published?.

 

 

 

[TimC]

Terje

 

Yes, thats an 88DS.  

 

There is a little book called 'The Ruston 48DS and 88DS Locomotives' by D Hall (he's called 'Ruston' on this forum).  It contains a 1:43 drawing of the 88DS and a lot of other information.  It is available from the link I've posted below but also comes up on eBay now and again and is probably available from other railway bookshops too.  I think Simon Castens had a copy or two the last time I was in his shop http://www.titfield.co.uk/ but I see he is on holiday until 6 January.

 

https://www.mainlineandmaritime.co.uk/railway/railway/standard-gauge/industrial/the-ruston-class-48ds-88ds-locomotives

 

There may well have been a drawing published in the railway modelling press in the past but I'm afraid I don't know where or when.

[brianthesnail96]

I don't know of any proper scale drawings- it's probably a fair assumption that if there were any Dave would know of them, and I believe to design the "kit" of laser cut parts he had to go and measure a real one so I'd guess not unfortunately. I'd be happy to be proved wrong though. 

[TeVe]

hank you, t

Terje

 

Yes, thats an 88DS.  

 

There is a little book called 'The Ruston 48DS and 88DS Locomotives' by D Hall (he's called 'Ruston' on this forum).  It contains a 1:43 drawing of the 88DS and a lot of other information.

 

Thank you for the link, the book is now ordered.  

[TeVe]

 Time will show.

I don't know of any proper scale drawings- it's probably a fair assumption that if there were any Dave would know of them, and I believe to design the "kit" of laser cut parts he had to go and measure a real one so I'd guess not unfortunately. I'd be happy to be proved wrong though. 

I plan to make a model by cnc-milling or cutting the pars with my Craft Robo. 

[TimC]

 Time will show.

I plan to make a model by cnc-milling or cutting the pars with my Craft Robo. 

 

Well, keep us posted as I'm sure we'd like to follow your build.