RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted February 23, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 23, 2019 40 minutes ago, Dave Holt said: The Black Beetle wheels look interesting. Do they run nice and true? I've certainly never heard a bad word said against them, Dave. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted February 23, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 23, 2019 Nick, did you ever find the answer to your ventilator question, by the way? I've had a look in the Gould book, but couldn't find any obvious reference to this, unfortunately. To be honest, I wouldn't worry too much, I'm sure some vehicles retained their ventilators until the bitter end. I'm certain that most folk looking at the train passing on the layout won't know or notice and fewer still will care. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Re6/6 Posted February 23, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 23, 2019 (edited) 7 hours ago, Dave Holt said: I admire your patience to build a batch of similar stock in parallel. The Black Beetle wheels look interesting. Do they run nice and true? Dave. Indeed they do Dave. We have standardized on them for all coaching stock on Balcombe. A friend, who turns down his own wheels, said that the interface between flange and tread is 'softer', thus giving smooth performance. I use nothing else these days. The only issue is that they are only supplied as plain disc wheels. No 'wobbly or untrue' wheels with them! They are now supplied in stainless steel and are double insulated. They are available from Brian Osborne of Branchlines. sales@branchlines.com. Edited February 23, 2019 by Re6/6 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Brinkly Posted February 23, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 23, 2019 9 hours ago, Dave Holt said: I admire your patience to build a batch of similar stock in parallel. The Black Beetle wheels look interesting. Do they run nice and true? Dave. Hi Dave, As Tim and John have said, they seem to be true and smooth: a good improvement on Alan Gibson wheels, but not quite as expensive as Ultrascale coach wheels. I paid £66 for 30 axles in 2014, so £2.20 or so per set. The original CCT stubbornly refuses to come off the track, even at very high speed - scale 150+mph! Thanks for your interest. Nick. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Brinkly Posted February 23, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 23, 2019 5 hours ago, Captain Kernow said: Nick, did you ever find the answer to your ventilator question, by the way? I've had a look in the Gould book, but couldn't find any obvious reference to this, unfortunately. To be honest, I wouldn't worry too much, I'm sure some vehicles retained their ventilators until the bitter end. I'm certain that most folk looking at the train passing on the layout won't know or notice and fewer still will care. Hi Tim, Thanks for your reply. I haven't; although, in photographs a lot of the CCTs seemed to have lost them by the 1970s. In the steam era some have them and some didn't, so I will take your advice and not worry! Some will have them and a couple won't. Regards, Nick. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Brinkly Posted February 23, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 23, 2019 (edited) Greeetings, Thank you for the comments and likes everyone, it is always good to generate discussion! Today, the original CCT was joined by a trio of newer examples. The chassis are now nearly complete, with vacuum clyinders and final bits of underframe wire to fit. Then the steps and brake levers will need fitting. Finally, vacuum pipes and couplings will get them to a pre-painting stage of completion. In the end, I did fit the rear handrails, as they looked a little flat. A good hour was spent retrospectively fitting them, so around 15 minutes per wagon. I think this was a good decision: I think I would have kicked myself for not doing it. All have now received this treatment; although, the one van in the foreground didn't have grab handles when photographed earlier this evening. Four running vans. A pleasing stage to reach! The internal partition. Chassis nearing completion: don't worry, I haven't forgotten to remove the plastic Vs and brake parts! Hopefully I'll get them finished off tomorrow. Kind regards, Nick. Edited April 22, 2019 by Brinkly Typo 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianusa Posted February 23, 2019 Share Posted February 23, 2019 Amazing! I don't know how you do it with all those fiddly bits and pieces. I'm content to open a box and put whatever on the track and call it a day! Brian. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Brinkly Posted February 23, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 23, 2019 19 minutes ago, brianusa said: Amazing! I don't know how you do it with all those fiddly bits and pieces. I'm content to open a box and put whatever on the track and call it a day! Brian. Hi Brian, Thanks for your comment. I must admit, I have to be in the right frame of mind before tackling some really fiddly jobs! Once this lot are complete, I'll start plodding through some of the nearly finished wagons I have. I'm looking forward to painting, numbering and weathering some stock soon. Regards, Nick. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Brinkly Posted April 13, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 13, 2019 Greetings, With Scaleforum rapidly approaching, I've made it a bit of a priority to finish off (bar painting) my fleet of 4-wheel vans and wagons. Over the years, I've part-built numerous items and never finished them. Generally, this has been down to a particular part not being to hand. Before the holiday, I made a shopping list of required parts, ordering axle boxes from Rumney Models, buffers from Lanarkshire Model Supplies and 1mm L shaped brass for tiebars from Eileen's Emporium. Over the years, I've found that Masokits sprung w-irons - paired with Ultrascale wheels and Exactoscale bearings - produce the best running, especially when long trains require shunting over tight pointwork. Most of these wagons have had extensive testing on DRAGs test track and more recently have seen service on Balcombe. I have had success with ridged wagons on TT2, but sprung wagons just have that little extra 'give'. Some wagons have sprung buffers. My plan is to create a set of 15 wagons for pick-up goods workings on Balcombe, all of which will have sprung buffers to help with shunting. Below what I have been working on! First up, the ex LMS cattle vans! Now they just require painting, numbering and weathering. All are slightly different: variations in axle boxes and roofing planks. Four ex GWR vans. A Ratio Mogo van with Parkside solebars and brake parts. Next up is a Bachmann Fruit van: this is a bit of an Irishman's shovel. It has Parkside solebars, Craig Welsh brake parts, Masokits W-Irons and Rumney models axle boxes. The last two are both Ratio kits. One fitted GWR van, the other unfitted. Both have etched brake gear: some Craig Welsh and Bill Bedford. Three ex LMS open wagons. One Airfix kit and a pair of Cambrian. Three ex LMS vans by Cambrian. One final ex LMS van by Cambrian. The four vans need handles and the open wagons require door springs. When painted, I'll go into each wagon's diagram in more detail. More in a bit. 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Brinkly Posted April 13, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 13, 2019 Next batch... A pair of insulated BR vans. One Bachmann, the other Parkside. A pair of BR fruit vans, again by Parkside. A trio of BR meat vans. A trio of BR planked vans Another pair of BR plywood vans. A pair of Bachmann ex SR vans. Any comments are most welcome! Regards, Nick. 14 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post Brinkly Posted April 13, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted April 13, 2019 Last one for now. This van has a huge amount of sentimental attachment. It was started, but never finished, by my late grandfather in 1994-5. I was 8 at the time and can remember him saying "I'll finish that later." Sadly, he never did. The last few years of his life were dogged with health issues, but at the age of 95 it was quite remarkable that he was even able to model at all! He built the body, I built the chassis. I've based the van on one photographed at North Road in 1959. I've fitted BR platefront axle boxes as per the photo and will try and replicate the weathering. I hope your please it is finished grandpa! Its only taken us 25 years!! Kind regards, Nick. 17 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Brinkly Posted April 16, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 16, 2019 Thank you for all the 'likes' everyone, it is always encouraging! Unfortunately, the weather hasn't been great so far this week, so painting will have to wait a while. Before moving onto 'new' projects, I've been plodding on with some older items of stock. Years ago, I weathered this Bachmann BR Shock-absorbing Ventilated Van (Diagram 1/209). I used Tamiya paint for the roof and I think Games Workshop washes if memory serves me. It isn't the best weathering job in the world, but it is getting there. I need to dry brush the chassis and use some powders on it, but for a first go it isn't a total disaster! One thing I have done is add CCTs BL99 Wagon Chalking transfers and Hollar Models BOCM Animal Feeds labels. I think it adds a little more character to the wagon. Out of interest, has anyone else experienced Bachmann buffers becoming pitted? Any comments are most welcome. Best wishes, Nick. 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Brinkly Posted April 16, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 16, 2019 Carrying on with wagon work, this is a semi-scratch build BR Shock-absorbing van based on Diagram 1/209 built at Darlington 1956/7. When I started this, a couple of days ago, I was unaware of the the Red Panda kit of a similar diagram. This wagon has been built using Parkside BR van ends and doors, with 20thou styrene sheet and 5thou overlays. Rivets are by Archers. I've learnt a huge amount building this, really what not to do next time! Parkside ends being cut down. Body under construction - uprights were made from Evergreen 101 & 102 strip. Rivets and chalk board. The sides had a gentle sand before the rivets were applied. The body was primed using Games Workshop Citadel Mechanicus Standard Grey Primer. I prefer this to Halfords primers, it seems gentler to me. I might be wrong of course! I'm quite pleased with the result, it isn't perfect, but it is unique! A small dent arrived on the bottom corner on one side, this was due to 2-part epoxy glue pulling it in as it dried, a real pain - how not to do it! Any comments are most welcome. Kind regards, Nick 12 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Taz Posted April 16, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 16, 2019 Just caught up with this. Excellent modelling Nick. It’ll be good to see these rattling around with buffers at last 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Brinkly Posted April 16, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 16, 2019 44 minutes ago, Taz said: Just caught up with this. Excellent modelling Nick. It’ll be good to see these rattling around with buffers at last Thanks mate. I even made the internal partitions for the stock boxes today!! I'm on a roll. Regards, Nick. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Brinkly Posted April 17, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 17, 2019 Hello everyone, Thank you again for the likes. This afternoon, the sun came out! As a result, a rake of covered vans and open merchandise wagons have received a coat of primer. One van (the insulated meat van) received a coat of Citadel Skull White primer (Games Workshop). Four have been primed using Halford's Red Oxide primer and the rest painted in Citadel Mechanicus Standard Grey primer. My plan is to paint the covered vans using enamels and the trio of open wagons in acrylics. I get on well with both mediums. As a kid, I used to paint my models using Humbrol acrylics: I image this was due to a lack of odor and ease of thinning. Any comments are most welcome. Kind regards, Nick 7 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Regularity Posted April 17, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 17, 2019 37 minutes ago, Brinkly said: I image this was due to a lack of odor and ease of thinning. Well, we were all thinner and less smelly once, I suppose. Quote Any comments are most welcome. Except, maybe, my glib humour? 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Brinkly Posted April 17, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 17, 2019 4 hours ago, Regularity said: Well, we were all thinner and less smelly once, I suppose. Except, maybe, my glib humour? Always welcome Simon! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Brinkly Posted April 17, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 17, 2019 Today has been a productive day: the ShocVan is all but complete. I am rather pleased with the result. I'll need to fashion a roof at some point, fit a tie bar then paint, but I'm pleased with my first attempt. So much so, that I've decided to build a GWR designed version (built by BR) of the same thing! It doesn't look too bad next to the Bachmann model. Best wishes, Nick. 7 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Brinkly Posted April 18, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 18, 2019 A little bit more progress was made today on four of the vans. I brush painted these wagons years ago. These wagons can trace their ancestory back to some very old Parkside kits, which were purchased from the Bring and Buy stand at Scaleforum. If memory severs me, one of the last held at Leatherhead, 2011 rings a bell. The two planked vans were built by BR at Wolverton in the early 1950s and the fruit vans were build at Darlington. Humbrol 133 was used on the plank vans and Precision paints P127 on the fruit vans. I used Fox Transfers on all four vans, applied with the help of Micro Set & Sol. Before Scaleforum, I'll weather them up and fit the sprung buffer heads. Regards, Nick. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Mikkel Posted April 18, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 18, 2019 Quite an assembly/restoration line you've got going Nick. Nice to see all the variations appearing. And the priming season has begun I see - i.e. what non-modellers call spring . 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianusa Posted April 18, 2019 Share Posted April 18, 2019 A nice collection of vans, Nick. Will look good in Horrabridge yard! Brian. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Brinkly Posted April 20, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 20, 2019 Thanks gents, I've enjoyed doing it. I think bar 2 David Geen SR cattle wagons and the CCTs, I think almost every part-built item of stock has now been completed. Once I've had chance to run the CCTs on our local group's test track, I'll complete them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Brinkly Posted April 20, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 20, 2019 Today has seen the near completion of the GWR design (built by BR) ShocVan. It isn't perfect, but I'm pleased with the result. It is nice to know I have two unique pieces of stock on my layout. Potentially, a GWR plywood van is the next item of stock I intend to scratch build; however, that won't be for a while. That's all for now! Regards, Nick. 6 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted April 21, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 21, 2019 On 16/04/2019 at 19:57, Brinkly said: Carrying on with wagon work, this is a semi-scratch build BR Shock-absorbing van based on Diagram 1/209 built at Darlington 1956/7. When I started this, a couple of days ago, I was unaware of the the Red Panda kit of a similar diagram. This wagon has been built using Parkside BR van ends and doors, with 20thou styrene sheet and 5thou overlays. Rivets are by Archers. I've learnt a huge amount building this, really what not to do next time! That really is very good work, Nick. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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