mike morley Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 This came from a box of assorted bits that belonged a modeller who has passed on, so is obviously unable to tell me what it is. The sides and ends are not cast whitemetal. They might etched zinc, although having never seen the stuff before that can be no more than a hunch. It is certainly thicker than any etched metal I've seen before and is backed with what appears to be dark green vinyl (The purpose of which also puzzles me) If the majority of the other stuff in the box is any guide, the previous owner's main interest was the LNWR. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatB Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 Are you sure it's etched? Given that zinc is fairly easy to cast, it couldn't be a homebrew effort of some kind could it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 If it's etched zinc, it's got to be Trevor Charlton who was pretty much synonymous with this medium and LNWR models. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
micknich2003 Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 They are Zinc, I forget who made them, but there were write ups in the Model Press '50's through to '70's. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike morley Posted September 18, 2015 Author Share Posted September 18, 2015 Having had a very close look under a magnifying glass, I'm going to stick with saying its etched. They might be thicker than etched brass or nickel silver, but they are still much thinner than any casting I've ever seen and they are slightly springy, like sheet but unlike castings. Edited to add that although it's thicker than conventional etched brass or nickel silver, it's also rather lighter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norton961 Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 Definitely Trevor Charlton. He used to list a large number of coach sides and in the days when I modelled LNWR I had a number of these. I presume that Trevor no longer lists these ( assuming he is still around). Not sure if it's a 4 or 6 wheeled underframe but London Rd Models can probebly sell you An appropriate under frame. The zinc I think was used as the sheets were used in the printing trade. Phillip Millard did some similar etches but they were only half etched out, so you had to cut out the outline with a fretsaw. I think with changes to printing the zinc sheets are no longer available. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike morley Posted September 18, 2015 Author Share Posted September 18, 2015 I believe Trevor died a few years ago. I'd say from the length it would a four-wheeler. Presumably a full brake intended for branch use? Any ideas re the purpose of the green vinyl backing? And, having never met etched zinc before, how do you use it? Conventional 145 solder and flux? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold farren Posted September 18, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 18, 2015 What's the length? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike morley Posted September 18, 2015 Author Share Posted September 18, 2015 Exactly 100mm Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 .....And, having never met etched zinc before, how do you use it? Conventional 145 solder and flux? Presumably using similar materials to the stuff that funeral directors use when they have to seal zinc-lined coffins. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNWR lives on Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 I have an inkling this is actually a Great Western 4 Wheeler as the ends are curved in, some research required Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold farren Posted September 18, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 18, 2015 100 mm =25ft I thought I would have a quick look in the illustrated history of LNWR coaches. After a quick look I can find only 4 at 25' long d426 pacel van d447or 463 covered carriage truck. W108 fish van. No drawing of any of them. I keep looking in case I missed something Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNWR lives on Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 It is very similar in style too http://www.raymondwalley.com/carriages/gwr/v13.html#.VfwHVdl76uk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold farren Posted September 18, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 18, 2015 That looks lovely coach if only my skills were up to that standard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike morley Posted September 18, 2015 Author Share Posted September 18, 2015 I think the mounting positions are wrong for the Great Western's conventional "G" shaped grab-handles. This is the best close-up me and my camera can manage, but they are just about visible on the inner-edge of the left hand door and suggest a simple staple-shaped handle. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike morley Posted September 18, 2015 Author Share Posted September 18, 2015 Here is a better picture. I took this one the hard way, through the lens of my combination Anglepoise/magnifier. This is what you have to resort to when you have a camera that only turns its Macro on and off when it wants to! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenton Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 And, having never met etched zinc before, how do you use it? Conventional 145 solder and flux?No chance A specialist soldering task: Flux - http://www.superiorflux.com/soldering_flux_for_zinc_metal.html Solder is a problem best is an alloy of Cadmium and Zinc (It is lethal! stuff Cd is very toxic and basically do not use it, fume hoods and that sort of protection) The more usual solder for aluminium may work as well. The problem is that Zinc reacts with just about everything and forms a insoluble protective coating, which then resists the solder from "sticking" at the molecular level. You might get some progress with low melt solder effectively a "gluing" process. But if I were you I would just use Araldite - is it really worth specialist solders and fluxes for one kit? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold farren Posted September 18, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 18, 2015 I thought all soldering is just a glueing process? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamieb Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 Mike I've dug out an old Trevor Charlton price list (Why do I keep these things?) and looked at which 25' coaches he produced.This looks to be the likely candidate http://www.51l.co.uk/images/jpegs/phsmrd529-1.jpg Midland railway Dia529 brake van, now produced by 51L. All the panelling seems to match up etc.Very nice it looks too, I must get one Jamie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike morley Posted September 18, 2015 Author Share Posted September 18, 2015 Kenton - thank you for the warning! Jamie - thank you for the ID, and I'll see you Sunday! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicktoix Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 Having built more Trevor Charlton kits than most, in 4 and 7mm, I have never had any problems soldering them standard lead/tin electrical solder and phosphoric acid flux. Need good heat tho' A look at Lacy's Midland Carriages confirms the diagram. Nick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicktoix Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 Getting the coating off the back so you can solder is the b******r Nick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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