46256 Posted February 26, 2023 Author Share Posted February 26, 2023 Second chassis wheeled and free running. The wm castings for the cylinders temporarily in place 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manna Posted February 26, 2023 Share Posted February 26, 2023 G'Day Folks Big innit............not really a shunter ! manna 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46256 Posted February 26, 2023 Author Share Posted February 26, 2023 Gday Manna Certainly is… 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46256 Posted February 27, 2023 Author Share Posted February 27, 2023 (edited) Further work on two of the cylinders adding the slide bars and rear valves. The kit comes with alternative cross heads, wm or brass. I’ve chosen the brass ones. I’ve temporarily fitted connecting rod and cross head just to evaluate if any trimming needs to be done to the piston rod…slight trim required. I will use it to do the remaining three. Edited February 27, 2023 by 46256 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46256 Posted March 1, 2023 Author Share Posted March 1, 2023 Road runner Gear boxes, have arrived from High level. The first one made up and 1219 motor fitted. The assembly now installed in first chassis and tested for smooth running. 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46256 Posted March 2, 2023 Author Share Posted March 2, 2023 Chassis with pick ups added now tootling around the layout under power. There is plenty of sideplay in front and rear axles so no problems staying on my track. 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46256 Posted March 3, 2023 Author Share Posted March 3, 2023 (edited) The second Chassis fitted with pick ups and tested on my layout. It s wired to go backwards as the first one goes forwards. I note that the kit allows for electrical isolation, when the two chassis eventually pivot on the main body assembly. The first chassis has had the wheels removed, to allow painting of the chassis sides. I didn’t think it would be possible to do this if the white metal brakes were added. These will be added at the same time as the cylinders. One set of valve gear made up, three more to go. I’m in a quandary however, continue with the chassis, motion etc or , make up the front water tank, to check how motor fits. The rear coal/ oil tank assembly has two oval holes in the brass bases to allow motor to fit through. This will have to be replicated on the front base assembly. Edited March 3, 2023 by 46256 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46256 Posted March 6, 2023 Author Share Posted March 6, 2023 Having achieved two free running chassis, had to remove wheels to paint frames. The wheels restored, white metal brakes now added, in addition the two pony trucks with wheel inserts. Balance weights added to driving wheels, and the two assemblies tested on layout. Of course initially neither ran as well as when first put together. One issue, I found that I had too allow sideplay on the crank pin nuts , on the rear axles. Too tight and they caused a tight spot on my curves. Trial and error resolved this. The next job the cylinders and motion, finally adding sandpipes. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46256 Posted March 6, 2023 Author Share Posted March 6, 2023 Photos of the work described, just added new cylinder drain pipes replacing the inaccurate white metal ones supplied with kit. 6 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46256 Posted March 6, 2023 Author Share Posted March 6, 2023 First chassis virtually complete with motion added. Boiler and front water tank posed for effect. Manna is right this is a big locomotive, I dread to think what the fireman experienced trying to keep this in steam prior to oil firing. 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manna Posted March 6, 2023 Share Posted March 6, 2023 G'Day Folks I can remember walking around 'Our' narrow gauge Garratts. they were huge. As you can see below, the engine is longer than the train. manna 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Tomlinson Posted March 7, 2023 Share Posted March 7, 2023 16 hours ago, 46256 said: First chassis virtually complete with motion added. Boiler and front water tank posed for effect. Manna is right this is a big locomotive, I dread to think what the fireman experienced trying to keep this in steam prior to oil firing. This is looking like the fastest Garratt build ever!! Apparently, or so I have read, the issue of firing whilst the loco was at Mexborough, was dealt with by failing the loco on shed at every opportunity. One can see why! John. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46256 Posted March 7, 2023 Author Share Posted March 7, 2023 John I believe in its oil firing days the crew deliberately let the smoke drift over a nearby golf club …used by some of the better off brummies….their views to BR made sure it’s tenure at Bromsgrove was short lived. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46256 Posted March 7, 2023 Author Share Posted March 7, 2023 (edited) Second chassis now completed with cylinders , motion etc, in place. I’m looking forward to attempting the superstructure, will make a change from valve gear rivets and brass pins! The high level 1219 motors by the way are really superb in this locomotive. Edited March 7, 2023 by 46256 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46256 Posted March 8, 2023 Author Share Posted March 8, 2023 With chassis virtually complete, I’ve started work on the front water tank. The kit makes no provision for a second motor in this structure. I have therefore had to remove metal from the baseplate to accommodate. Bits in place to check clearances before soldering. The side view shows how little the motor intrudes into the daylight between the tank sides. I think it acceptable given the extra motor now in place. 10 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46256 Posted March 9, 2023 Author Share Posted March 9, 2023 (edited) Just finished the water tank assembly. I realised last night I hadn’t fixed in the underside of the tank. Fortunately I was able to remove the tank top and then add the missing piece. This piece had to have a segment removed to allow the second motor. Lots of detail added. I think the side steps are a little too forward will change tomorrow. Front pony truck temporarily removed, this allows fixing screw between chassis and tank top. Edited March 9, 2023 by 46256 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46256 Posted March 9, 2023 Author Share Posted March 9, 2023 Primer added and first coat of gloss black. I always use gloss for initial cover to allow good adhesion of the transfers when added. I then weather / varnish at tge end 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46256 Posted March 10, 2023 Author Share Posted March 10, 2023 Coal/ oil tank taking shape. The top when added, needs to be adapted, by the addition of filling cap, and what appear to be vents to replicate its oil firing days 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46256 Posted March 10, 2023 Author Share Posted March 10, 2023 My interpretation of the top of the oil tank, boiler again posed for effect 7 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46256 Posted March 12, 2023 Author Share Posted March 12, 2023 (edited) Finished the oil tank. No provision was made for the supports clearly seen on tank sides. I’ve fashioned these from brass wire shaped by dremel. I’ve now built a number of garratts, your effectively building three locomotives. It is nice to have a challenge though. It didn’t help that I’ve lost the smokebox door casting. You can gather from the background to my photos my workbench is anything but organised. John R points out I shall probably find it months from now whilst engaged in another project. I have in the meantime made by own, brass rim with rivet detail and fortunately a correct sized LNER smokebox door from my spares. Edited March 12, 2023 by 46256 6 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46256 Posted March 13, 2023 Author Share Posted March 13, 2023 Well working on the main body. The instructions are very poor….basically fit 106 to 107 etc. It would help if the parts were numbered, either on the fret or on a diagram. The next stage is always interesting when building a garratt. Having two working chassis, now with painted superstructure…ensuring they pivot when attached to the central body….more soon 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46256 Posted March 14, 2023 Author Share Posted March 14, 2023 (edited) Always an interesting moment in a garratt build. The three sections running….or not around your corners. The weight was added to replicate the yet to be finished body, without it the unequal balance meant the front chassis derailed. The sandboxes had to be removed from front chassis, for now I hadn’t allowed sufficient clearance , the rear live insulated wheel touched the box whilst negotiating, my corners. It hadn’t previously, but the extra load made the difference. All trial and error, as ever when making any locomotive I have to enable it to go on my layout with its, the layouts, idiosyncrasies . Edited March 14, 2023 by 46256 6 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46256 Posted March 14, 2023 Author Share Posted March 14, 2023 (edited) Well that running session pointed out some matters that needed addressing. The whitemetal ashpan needed some metal removed. The brass valances also..ever so slightly but all in all given what a big complex loco it is very pleased. I had a bit of good luck, I found in my magazine stash, a May 2021 Steam World with colour photos of the beast, shown here with my reference work by Essery and Toms. Edited March 14, 2023 by 46256 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46256 Posted March 15, 2023 Author Share Posted March 15, 2023 (edited) You may have noticed on one of my chassis ( rear one by Water Orton East jct box) the eccentric rod and expansion link were not correctly in position as they should be when rotating. The expansion link being pulled too high in the rotation. I had made up the four sets of motion….only, you’ve guessed, it losing one of this assembly, again somewhere in the chaos of my loft. I have various bits of motion in spares. I measured the eccentric rod which should be 17 mm . I managed to produce one , rivet it to the expansion link and add it to the final chassis. On running it a few times, and noticing, it didn’t quite align as it should. I re checked the assembly. I had made it 15 mm! I removed it, and recreated one, to the correct measurements, now added and all good. The joy of our hobby. I will photo the comparison Edited March 15, 2023 by 46256 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46256 Posted March 15, 2023 Author Share Posted March 15, 2023 Boiler and cab in place, firebox backplate to be added , side boiler valances , outer pipework…getting there 6 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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