Popular Post jwealleans Posted May 9, 2019 Author Popular Post Share Posted May 9, 2019 With the show looming, I've caught up on weathering some of the locos I've accumulated in the three and a half years since Thurston last went out. These have been picked up from different places when on offer, then renamed and renumbered as and when I had time. Of course, given all the GE area RTR which has been released since Thurston, we won't be short of locos, but hopefully these are just that little bit different. 61602, named for Sir Francis. An interesting man, if you haven't happened across him before. I couldn't have a footballer called anything else, really. I grew up with the name plate on the lounge wall. The Hornby Claud is a lovely model. If I didn't have three kitbuilt ones and wasn't almost certain everyone else will be bringing at least one too, I'd have more of them. The F6 is about done, too - crew, coal, fire irons and muck. The tender engines will have to acquire fire irons in the future as I seem to have run out. 25 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse Sim Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 Good Morning Jonathan, in certain videos in youtube of 'The Gresley Beat' and in BRM, I keep seeing these SR ballast hoppers pop up. Did the LNER use them at all, on loan or something? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwealleans Posted May 14, 2019 Author Share Posted May 14, 2019 Morning Jesse, You mean the bogie hoppered ones which evolved into the BR Walrus? No, as far as i know the LNER never had anything like that. I don't recall seeing any on Gresley Beat either, although I'm sure their stock changes. The only ballast hoppers I'm aware of are the ones Hornby did a few years ago. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse Sim Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 18 minutes ago, jwealleans said: Morning Jesse, You mean the bogie hoppered ones which evolved into the BR Walrus? No, as far as i know the LNER never had anything like that. I don't recall seeing any on Gresley Beat either, although I'm sure their stock changes. The only ballast hoppers I'm aware of are the ones Hornby did a few years ago. Yes they’re the ones, I’ve constantly seen it, in YouTube videos and in a BRM issue. I’m confused, because everything else they have running in the media is all LNER stock. Why have 1 train that’s not.... Hornby and Cambrian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse Sim Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 Here it is Jonathan. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 The van's a Southern one as well; might it just be something as simple as someone wanting to give some stock they've built a run-out? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse Sim Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 12 minutes ago, Fat Controller said: The van's a Southern one as well; might it just be something as simple as someone wanting to give some stock they've built a run-out? That’s what I thought, but consistent at exhibitions and also, a photo of the rake featured in a BRM article? Could it be that the Gresley Beat team know of a stock movement of these.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwealleans Posted May 14, 2019 Author Share Posted May 14, 2019 They could have come up from Feltham via the Widened Lines (if they were in gauge) but I haven't heard of the LNER buying ballast from the SR or vice-versa. Shame you didn't mention it before York, I could have asked Cliff. Loaded as well, so it's not as if they're being delivered from a builder. I think Brian's theory is probably not too far wide of the mark. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse Sim Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 5 minutes ago, jwealleans said: They could have come up from Feltham via the Widened Lines (if they were in gauge) but I haven't heard of the LNER buying ballast from the SR or vice-versa. Shame you didn't mention it before York, I could have asked Cliff. Loaded as well, so it's not as if they're being delivered from a builder. I think Brian's theory is probably not too far wide of the mark. I’ve been pondering on it for some time, trying to do my own research. You wouldn’t happen to know anyone that could find out? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwealleans Posted May 14, 2019 Author Share Posted May 14, 2019 The next time I speak to Tom Foster, I'll ask him to ask. He knows some of the Gresley Beat time. Or if I see Cliff or Len at a show, I'll do so myself. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Barry O Posted May 14, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 14, 2019 Would asking Rupert help? I can do that one the cricket is over today.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse Sim Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 I have Tom on Facebook, I might send him a message Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwealleans Posted May 14, 2019 Author Share Posted May 14, 2019 Rupert may know, yes.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwealleans Posted May 14, 2019 Author Share Posted May 14, 2019 Final preparations and finishing off. Because I was very good and cleaned all my wheels on Sunday evening, i had time to complete this bonus wagon last night: A variant of the Conflat A with clasp brakes and one of the UNIT Models containers discussed back upthread. A full 12 months after I said I'd repair it, this wagon from the shunting stock has a full set of buffers again. I was demonstrating weathering on Sunday. That was handy. Finally, although I said I wouldn't do any more, i made up some headcode discs. That also meant removing the overwide Hornby lamp irons on some new locos. 17 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwealleans Posted July 24, 2019 Author Share Posted July 24, 2019 Well, after a long lie down following the show, I'm pleased to say another public appearance is in view. I shall be demonstrating 4mm wagon building at Thirsk this Sunday, in the company of Rob Pulham (7mm wagon building), his very talented wife Chris (Railway Paintings) and Graeme King (splashing resin). Thirsk Town Hall, 10:30 - 16:30. http://www.expo-thirsk.co.uk/ 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post jwealleans Posted July 24, 2019 Author Popular Post Share Posted July 24, 2019 (edited) Well, weeks of inactivity and then two posts in a day. Almost like buses. I've been hanging on awaiting a new product which finally emerged last week. Some months ago - last year sometime, in fact, I conceived of a desire to model A3 2580 Shotover for Grantham. Not only because it's something of a forgotten loco (it worked the up service to 4472's down on the day the non-stop Flying Scotsman first ran and was the first to carry that headboard) but because in our era it was one of two a1/3s to be fitted with an ACFI feed water heater similar to that used on 2001. When I started researching it I found that Al Turner of this parish(look up his Bridge at Remagen layout) had done the very similar device fitted to 2576 The White Knight at more or less the same time. He kindly pointed me to the best drawings available and I began work, using an NRM edition 4472 as a base and scratchbuilding the pump and associated fittings. Al then let me know that he was working on a 3D print, so I stopped work to see what he came up with. Well, it was worth the wait. This is the sort of thing 3D printing should be ideal for - small scale production of components to a far higher level of accuracy and detail than most of us can manage. Here you can see the donor loco and the work I'd already done, along with the parts from the kit and the supplied instructions. I was emailed some revised instructions after the package arrived but I mainly worked from photographs. There is an excellent drawing in O S Nock's The Gresley Pacifics, Isinglass also do a drawing which is less helpful and there are pictures in the RCTS volume, in Yeadon and also online. The kit contains the pump base, the heater itself, the Zenith separator (which goes on the front), the pump (which goes at the back) and the mixer (which sticks out of the smokebox). The boiler clack is also supplied but I'd fitted a Gibson one so I didn't try to remove that. Step one is to remove part of the valve cover to allow the base to fit. Easier than I thought as it's a separate part on the Hornby body. Here the base is being trial fitted. I made up the pipe runs which go behind the pump as they wouldn't be so easy once it was in place. Different photos show the pies fitted slightly differently and I ended up reshaping the one which runs along the boiler. The pump was assembled and stuck to the base then checked again for fit. It was painted off the loco and then stuck in place. By then I'd also decided to use the supplied mixer, adding some Archer rivets to match the photo I was using. A fiddly hour or so was then spent getting the different pipes into place. Again, photos are indispensable and some thought about the order in which to fit doesn't come amiss. Finally it's all blended in and ready for weathering in due course. Al sells these as 'Niu Models' and you can find them on Ebay, on here and on Facebook among other places. If you fancy one of these, it's certainly made the job a whole lot easier and I'm pleased with mine. Edited July 24, 2019 by jwealleans 21 1 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post jwealleans Posted August 11, 2019 Author Popular Post Share Posted August 11, 2019 (edited) I was demonstrating wagon building at Thirsk show a couple of weekends ago. Thirsk is always an enjoyable day out and as a bonus I managed to achieve something as well. These are the Parkside GW open, kit PC81 and a Cambrian LMS D1667 5 plank. No real issues with either although I thought the Parkside one a bit flashy and maybe worn for such a recent kit. It's stopped while I await replacement buffers from Mr Franks and also some angle to replace the plastic tiebars. Expo EM North, I expect. I also acquired these on the day: Again Cambrian, LMS 1 plank to D 1986 (this was already built) and a GW steel open to diagram O30. This has the one piece underframe and honestly took about 30 minutes to assemble. Very nice little kit. Having sat down to number them after the photo I found that the D1986 were all built in 1938 and so had to be bauxite. It's already been repainted. Before the show I also managed to finish this which has been hanging around the bench for far too long. This is an NB bogie bolster (also used as a boplate) built by Hurst Nelson. It started life as a Parkside Quad and is based on the drawing in John Hooper's book. The bogies aren't quite right, but I'm sure I've seen some which are much closer - it's just a matter of remembering where. I managed some paint on the P7 hopper which I applied Mark Tatlow's brake gear to as well. I'm pleased with the end result, once it's loaded and in a train it will blend in very well. Considering that I've used the etches for a kit for which they weren't designed (and which had already been built) I think they stand up very well. This weekend, a bonus due to the weather, I've started preparing for an upcoming Grantham running weekend. This has involved going back to my notes from January when we were last out (Stevenage, for those who were there). I recall that there were more failures and damage than usual and I spent much of yesterday and today working through the list. The Ruston Hornsby shunter had been unreliable at Wakefield and packed up altogether at Stevenage. Fortunately it seems to have been nothing more than crud, but removing it called for removal of the wheelsets to clean out the bearing cups and pinpoints (which serve as pickups). Not what you'd do at a normal wheel clean. It seems to be behaving now which is just as well as it will have to do until Red Leader stops messing about with pink engines and gets on with his promised scratchbuild of the actual machine. C7 706 had been parted from its bogie in a manner which I have not been able to establish. I added a plate to hold the captive nut and resoldered the whole thing in place. You can't tell here, but the bogie pivot is ahead of the front axle because of the restricted clearances around the cylinders. It works very well. The pipe runs on this machine really were that messy at the time, honest. TK 4472 had had several windows punched out and a few commode handles missing as well. The windows have been replaced (glue marks to remove) but I have no .7 brass wire, so the handrail will have to wait. This is an MJT kit built by Dave Scott in the approved MJT manner which does make glazing awkward. BG 4034 is the one from the Leeds set. I cant remember what I established with this vehicle except that it derailed regularly in the fiddle yard and my note said to raise it. It's had about .75 mm added under each bogie and while I was on the rattle it made was also diagnosed - a captive nut had come adrift - and rectified. These are MJT bogies on a paxolin floor in a Kirk body, so it may be that my original height setting was out. I didn't photograph the bent pickups and loose lamp irons I sorted, but I did reattach a brake lever to a grain wagon. I understand this kit is to be retooled and it certainly needs it. Lastly some other jobs which I picked up as I had time: When I acquired my Valour, Mike Edge confirmed that he had built it but there was no plate on it. He kindly made me another which he gave me at York and I've attached it today. I also painted over the Kadee mounting I'd added to the tender chassis. For the record, the loco was built in 1988. Finally I made a start on weathering the two new A1/3s I intend to have running by Spalding. They've both been road tested, so we're safe to go ahead with this now. I'm told that someone came to Ormesby Hall asking for me recently. Unfortunately the lady who spoke to the people concerned didn't think to ask their names so I'm none the wiser. If they are a reader here, I only operate on the first Sunday of each month these days. If anyone is planning a visit which coincides then by all means let me know. All being well I may have something new and exciting to show this week, but please don't all get too worked up. Edited August 11, 2019 by jwealleans 19 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwealleans Posted August 26, 2019 Author Share Posted August 26, 2019 Finally the promised something new now. At S4North in March I was talking to Ian MacDonald along with Jon4470 and Ian asked for any ideas for new kits. Jon came out with the D45 steel BG instantly. We've been looking at it since then and a couple of weeks ago some etches dropped onto the doormat. There have been etches produced for this vehicle before, but they've been unavailable for many years. Steve Banks illustrates his build of those etches here and also provides much invaluable prototype information here. These were built in 1927-8 and were used on principal ECML services up to the War. Ian's etches are for the sides as all the rest can be made up from MJT parts. This is what you need: The sides have recessed strips for the raised beading over the seams to seat into and once the handrails are added you can flood them with solder from the rear. The handrails along the length of the sides are a feature of this and the contemporary teak diagram (113). Ian provides bending jigs on the etch. Construction is straightforward, making the same modifications as I do to all MJT vehicles I build. The main points specific to this vehicle are the ends. As they're also steel panelled, you have to lose the MJT detail and reprofile them to a different shape. It's quite easy to do and very much like the filling and shaping you do to the roof dome. When assembled the model has a quite airy look underneath as there's no trussing on this vehicle. We gave it a test run at the weekend on what would have been their regular prewar working, the Flying Scotsman. There is probably another test build to go through before Ian's happy with it but I'm sure he'll be happy to take expressions of interest and will let everyone know when it becomes available. 10 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon4470 Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 That’s looking good! Jon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon4470 Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 Jonathan What I also meant to say was...thank you to Ian for picking up on the suggestion. I was surprised (and very pleased) when I saw the drawing. This is a vehicle that I’ve been interested in for a while now - it is required for the Northern Belle that I am slowly assembling. Also, thanks are due to you for tolerating me joining the conversation in the first place! Jon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headstock Posted August 27, 2019 Share Posted August 27, 2019 On 26/08/2019 at 08:00, jwealleans said: Finally the promised something new now. At S4North in March I was talking to Ian MacDonald along with Jon4470 and Ian asked for any ideas for new kits. Jon came out with the D45 steel BG instantly. We've been looking at it since then and a couple of weeks ago some etches dropped onto the doormat. There have been etches produced for this vehicle before, but they've been unavailable for many years. Steve Banks illustrates his build of those etches here and also provides much invaluable prototype information here. These were built in 1927-8 and were used on principal ECML services up to the War. Ian's etches are for the sides as all the rest can be made up from MJT parts. This is what you need: The sides have recessed strips for the raised beading over the seams to seat into and once the handrails are added you can flood them with solder from the rear. The handrails along the length of the sides are a feature of this and the contemporary teak diagram (113). Ian provides bending jigs on the etch. Construction is straightforward, making the same modifications as I do to all MJT vehicles I build. The main points specific to this vehicle are the ends. As they're also steel panelled, you have to lose the MJT detail and reprofile them to a different shape. It's quite easy to do and very much like the filling and shaping you do to the roof dome. When assembled the model has a quite airy look underneath as there's no trussing on this vehicle. We gave it a test run at the weekend on what would have been their regular prewar working, the Flying Scotsman. There is probably another test build to go through before Ian's happy with it but I'm sure he'll be happy to take expressions of interest and will let everyone know when it becomes available. Afternoon Jonathan, I would be certainly be interested. I'm not too sure about the raised drop light strip that runs the full length of the body under the cornice. The surround, I think, should be flush on the double doors and there was a hooded ventilator rather than a drop light over the guards door. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwealleans Posted August 27, 2019 Author Share Posted August 27, 2019 (edited) I think I'm going to disagree with you for once, Andrew. I think the raised strip is slightly narrower on the doors, but I still think it's there. The vent hood simply hasn't been soldered on yet. I can't link directly to the picture I've primarily used on Steve Banks' website, but the page is here and the image is the 6th one down, of the vehicle in crimson. Edited August 27, 2019 by jwealleans Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iak Posted August 27, 2019 Share Posted August 27, 2019 Yup, more naughtiness from Mr Macdonald... Time for PM. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headstock Posted August 27, 2019 Share Posted August 27, 2019 2 hours ago, jwealleans said: I think I'm going to disagree with you for once, Andrew. I think the raised strip is slightly narrower on the doors, but I still think it's there. The vent hood simply hasn't been soldered on yet. I can't link directly to the picture I've primarily used on Steve Banks' website, but the page is here and the image is the 6th one down, of the vehicle in crimson. Jonathan, I have a high res of the Banks photo, it shows the door toplights to be different too those on the body sides. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium macgeordie Posted August 27, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 27, 2019 41 minutes ago, Headstock said: Jonathan, I have a high res of the Banks photo, it shows the door toplights to be different too those on the body sides. Hi Andrew If you are allowed to let me have a copy of the photo I will endevour to modify the drawing to suit. Jonathan, lovely job so far, keep me posted on anything else which you think might need a tweak. Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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