ECC Wheal Imogen / Rosevean Station: the expansion

[The Fatadder]

A small job a lunch today, I ordered transfers for 37671, the dogfish and DMU destinations yesterday lunchtime.  They arrived from @railtec-models in time to make a start at lunch today. 
 

the 37 of course still needs paint, while the dogfish are more involved.  However I did get the custom destinations fitted to the 150 that had been running in this morning.  It’s only a small change but makes a difference. It of course does mean that you need to ensure the units are loaded into the fiddleyard the right way round (with the bridge side being Par and the left hand side Newquay)

Edited April 26, 2023 by The Fatadder

[The Fatadder]

A little progress on the clay TTA sat behind the loader in the previous photos.  By chance tidying up after work I stumbled upon the missing ladder, so the handrails were quickly soldered on and ladders glued in place.   It does still need a set of couplings added after supper.

(along with replacing a missing door open light on the 150)

 

also on the bench a couple of EE class 37 windscreen etches for improving 403/057.  Both will need laserglaze preparing before gluing the etch in place as an overlay as per 510.  If not happy with the end result I can always remove and redo with the full etch.

[The Fatadder]

A little more work this evening, along with adding the destinations to the 153 I have started work on the dogfish rake. 
 

I have 13 Heljan models (I think) all be it the layout will only take 6 or 7 for the moment. A set of Railtec’s dogfish sheet (tops panels, dogfish branding and data panels) and their Mainline logos. 
 

the 3 green wagons were all painted in a dark rust mix inside and out, the others just the insides (more external weathering will follow).  3 Dutch wagons are currently in IPA with the aim of repainting into rust / olive tomorrow night getting me closer to the green / Dutch ratio of the prototype.  Eventually I will get a loadhaul one to finish the set (but I’m in no rush so it can wait unless I see a really cheap example for sale. 
 

All of the wagons need the underframes weathering which will start once all 14 are branded 

Edited April 28, 2023 by The Fatadder

[The Fatadder]

At the Bristol show today I finally got round to getting an old sound decoder reblown to a much more useful Class 37.  After getting home from the show late afternoon the plans for an afternoon’s modelling were

killed off by the fridge deciding to die on us, so it was much later this evening before finally sitting down to start work installing it (and a new cube speaker) into 37670. 
 

This has previously been fitted with my 3d printed underframe tanks, these were designed with speakers in mine (but to the best of my knowledge never actually been used with one.)  The tanks obscure one of the body fixing holes, so this makes for an easy route through the chassis without needing to drill.  Due to a slight oversight on my part the printed fuel tanks don’t include a hole for the speaker wires…..

 

with this in place the loco was tested, but there was no sound…..   first thought was to refit the original speaker (that I knew worked), while unsoldering I spotted a lose wired where it had come apart from the decoder.   This is the second locsound chip I’ve had this happen with, the last one I am pretty sure got killed while I fixed it.   Fortunately my soldering has improved and the broken wire was in the easiest possible

position and was not too hard to relate.   21pin sounds chips are far superior in this regard!

 

With that done  the loco was successfully tested (and clearly loud enough to disturb my wife asleep in the next room.

 

 

 

[The Fatadder]

Completed the rest of the Dogfish over the past few days, including the 3 repaints of the stripped former Dutch wagons into olive /rust  which means the rake now comprises 7 Dutch and 6 rusty olive.   Ideally I’d like to add a fourteenth wagon to the rake in Loadhaul to finish it off (but it’s not urgent)

 

This was followed by some work on 37065 which has now been fitted with Laserglaze cab front windows and body side windows (and Bachmann cab front windows) along with an Extreme Etchings roof grill.   Just need to hard wire the lighting in and it’s ready for service.

After fitting glazing I remembered it still needed varnishing, so bodyside glazing was all removed.  It now has the end transfers added and awaits reassembling. 
The chassis has been fitted with my tail light modification ready to go.

 

speaking of lights, refitted the body to 37670 today after last nights dcc install / taillight mods.  Lights at one end have stopped working, I’m getting sick and tired of the crummy design Bachmann used for the lights with the wiper contacts that keep failing.  I think I will be hard wiring all

of them going forward.

it doesn’t help that I can’t work out how to get aux1 / aux2 to work on the locsound chips in the two 37s

 

Hopefully tomorrows weather will be an improvement on today, seeing as yesterdays painting time was lost due to the fridge shopping and todays due to rain and family commitments.  Really hoping to get the rail grey sprayed on 37671 and the green sprayed on the next GWT47 (maybe the intercity sleepers / RMB as well).  Annoyingly forgot to try and buy a tin of the middle grey yesterday so will be relying on the  Vallejo match.   37671 is the biggest priority as I really want Tre Pol & Pen 

 

 

 

[The Fatadder]

37065 still needs a set of OO wheels swapping back in, so for the moment is just roughly placed on the track.  I don’t have the right lighting boards available for the flush end so it’s had a non high intensity headlight version added with a separate led wired in.   
 

still needs a couple of lamp irons adding before weathering, but is getting there at least. 
 

 

Next on the to do list is going to be weathering the two new clay tigers so they can enter service along with fixing the lighting on 37670.   For the moment I’m just enjoying some class 37 background sound while I work.  (Though I will definitely be buying a replacement speaker for 510 at showcase as the cube in 670

just sounds so much better.  
 

This could get expensive very quickly…..

[The Fatadder]

Lots of painting this morning with Thor gaining a coat of GWT green (finally) along with a mk3 sleeper in for the green to be corrected to the right shade.  37671 is now in rail grey, while the intercity buff has been sprayed on the other two sleepers / mk1 RMB (which all still need stripes, and the grey adding).    The 37 is of course the priority seeing as it’s needed for Showcase….

 

Ive also been trying to get my NRM Flying Scotsman to work.  Another of those locos I’ve never ran, got halfway through rewheeling before deciding it was too difficult and eventually reverting to OO.  The pickups are proving difficult, appearing to have been originally held together with tape!  The contact through the live chassis block is terrible so I think the answer will be threading a second wire through the hole and soldering a direct connection.

 

The model has been back dated to early 1999 condition before the smoke deflectors were added (basically as I remember it).

 

 

photos to follow later once the paint is dry

[The Fatadder]

Photos of todays painting…

 

I don’t think I have the paint for the next layer on the 37 which will cause a bit of a hold up before I can continue.   The 47 however will be much more rapid, with the exception of the Thor nameplates that I forgot to put on last weeks Shawplan order and will have to wait until Showcase.

[The Fatadder]

 

after rewiring the pickups and adding a decoder 4472 is now moving.   Just far enough to discover the valve gear had fallen off on one side and jammed a wheel screwing the quartering .   Once fixed it was tested again and while it ran smoothly it does sound like there is a pick-up catching on a spoke.    Need to sort out the 1999 support coach to go with it 

[Calnefoxile]

12 hours ago, The Fatadder said:

 

after rewiring the pickups and adding a decoder 4472 is now moving.   Just far enough to discover the valve gear had fallen off on one side and jammed a wheel screwing the quartering .   Once fixed it was tested again and while it ran smoothly it does sound like there is a pick-up catching on a spoke.    Need to sort out the 1999 support coach to go with it 

 

More importantly @The Fatadder has it got the authentic Chuff-Chuff noise emanating from the Tender?? 😜😜

 

Regards

 

Neal. 

[The Fatadder]

4 minutes ago, Calnefoxile said:

 

More importantly @The Fatadder has it got the authentic Chuff-Chuff noise emanating from the Tender?? 😜😜

 

Regards

 

Neal. 

I know the real thing has the reputation for being a bit of a money pit, id rather the model not go the same way.....   When it comes to sound, 37s are up first, then it will be Velentia in the HSTs

[The Fatadder]

More Class 37 work, with an Extreme Etchings roof grill fitted to 37670 and 37671.  The first of which also gained a first coat of EWS red.   Brush painted it always comes out a lot more glossy than airbrushing and will need toning down (and the weathering blending in)

 

37672 had the flint grey band sprayed after work

 

47016 has been added to the OO fleet having found a set of Vitrains wheels to convert it back with.

 

The green has been touched up on 47846, which now just needs the ohle stripe painting before I can finish off the transfers and set to work glazing.  I have a set of Laserglaze that was purchased as a trial for one of my other vitrains 47 and never used which will get installed. Looking forward to getting a line up of this with 47813 and 47830 (and all the GWT Hst powercars).

 

 

Finally 56049 has been upgraded with a set of Extreme Etchings grills replacing the Shawplan ones that were fitted previously. Still in two minds as to whether or not I sell this and buy a Cavelex model in Colas to back date.  The thing is, how much of my love of this model isthe modelling that went into this loco that makes me appreciate it rather than the actual engine.

[The Fatadder]

Lots of progress on 37671 which is now ready for glazing.  It’s currently placed on one of my DRS 37 chassis while I sort out a chassis for it.   For a start it will need my print for a fuel tank without step.

 

I also need some glue and glaze to finish off the light lenses.

 

Also progressed this evening is 47846, not happy with the painted cantrail stripe which will need redoing once I have transfers.  Will get the plates for it at Showcase if I remember.

 

I think that 3 GWT 47s is a bit excessive

47830 (Heljan)

47813 (Vi Trains)

 

 

[The Fatadder]

Another 37 converted with the hybrid approach last night, the centre glazing does still need a bit of an adjustment though.   

 

 

[The Fatadder]

Lots of weathering at ExpoEM today, have to say that the Rainbow Railways TUA looks even better weathered.   Can’t wait to get the other two of them.

[James Makin]

Looking good Rich! Lovely selection of green 47s coming together as well! 😎

[The Fatadder]

1 minute ago, James Makin said:

Looking good Rich! Lovely selection of green 47s coming together as well! 😎

Far too many but what can you do….

 

I’m tempted to do the other two and complete the set.  I read recently the RFD 47s didn’t take over the clay until Exeter.  Which means I have two Class 47 that I don’t really have a use for.  Part of me is thinking yet another GWT respray and an Intercity (Virgin) example…..

 

That way I will have a GWT respray of a Heljan, Vi Trains and Bachmann……

 

The Kernow / EFE clay tiger is very disappointing, something always looked a little odd with it.  Today I found out what was wrong, it’s at least 2mm too narrow!  

[James Makin]

Nice, shame about the Rfd 47s, that is definitely one of the challenges of modelling the extremities of the network being the reduced diversity there!
 

Mind you I’d love to do a mini Lostwithiel station & sidings-type plank layout one day, something cute with a level crossing, the old semaphores and oodles of CDAs! I visited in 2002 and it was great fun watching a ‘66’ shunting around!

 

If you ever have any Bachmann 47s you are looking to shift then my fleet roster is always hungry for more..! 

[The Fatadder]

Something based on Lostwithiel is a concept I’ve looked at a couple of times, through having to buy and weather another 30 odd CDA does put me off somewhat.

 

At least there is evidence of this https://flic.kr/p/9uWniQ

 

 

 

[The Fatadder]

Another little job finished off last night was this clay TTA, slightly different to the other tt072f in that it has the bulls horn style grab handles at the top of the ladders rather than proper handrails as per the other two.  It’s also finished in unbranded ECC blue with the paint worn out either side of the walkway.

 

it’s now fitted with couplings (though I did notice putting it on the track that it lacks suspension springs still so will need to get some printed tonight.  

 

The other job was a start on some coupling changes.   I have mentioned before that when the mk1 Wheal Imogen first went out I used a hybrid approach to the couplings.  The logic was that having a loop coupling on both ends of a loco I could run it both ways round (rather than always having the same side pointing forward).  Wagons were then made up into blocks with a hook on the outer ends (along with a handful of strengtheners with hook and loop.  The intention was that operation would not include that much shunting (more arrive, run round depart or arrive split run round depart.)     

 

In practice at Calne I found this was not working to plan, to often ending up trying to join two sets that only had hooks or couple a loco to a wagon that has a loop.

So before showcase I am going through the fleet changing couplings so that all the locos only have a dingham loop on one end (and either a Dingham hook or a Romford screwlink set forward at the other).  The loops that are removed are then getting swapped out with the hooks on the outer wagons so that each wagon block can be shunted properly.  This should eliminate the shunting issues.....

 

Edited May 16, 2023 by The Fatadder

[The Fatadder]

Couplings have now been fitted to 7 of the dogfish (seeing as I think that’s probably one more than the current fiddleyard will take I haven’t bothered fitting them to the other 7 yet).  As these don’t need shunting they will just have a hook on each end and loop/hooks from .45 wire the same as freight takes on Brent.
 

[The Fatadder]

Lots more coupling work this evening, with the two 60s and remaining 37s now converted to the new standard, swapping their dingham with loop with hooks from a polybulk, 2 clay tigers and a CDA.  I think that means that its just a couple of the vans which need sorting now, but most (if not all) the locos are now converted so there are no spare loop couplings left to swap.  I'm glad to have pretty much got this task out the way ready to start the preparation cycle for Showcase.

 

Ive also got the majority of the slurry tanks onto the layout, I cant quite fill the whole layout but its not far off filling the yard (with another silver bullet still in its box and two more Rainbow TUA still to come.)    Much as I would like the other type of silver bullet, I think they only ran in a long bulk set and are much less suitable for the layout.  The TCA type bogie tank on the other hand is a more tempting proposition and would offer something else. 

Edited May 16, 2023 by The Fatadder

[The Fatadder]

The last of the stock that I used at the Calne show has now been updated with the new standard of a Dingham loop at one end, and either a Dingham hook or a screwlink mounted in a Dingham compatible position.  The next step will be checking to ensure all of the tail lights have either been modified to be DCC controlled (or in the case of the 60s isolated).

 

So as a bit of a fleet update in advance of DEMU

Freight

Class 37: 37670, 37671, 37672, 37510, 37403, 37230 and 37057.   Right now I don't see 521 being ready in time given the amount of upgrade work that is required on it, while 671 is certainly a risk due to the fact I wont actually be picking up its OO wheels until the show.

Class 47: 47768 and 47016 (the latter of which will need some weathering in advance of the show)

Class 60: 60026 and 60085

Class 66: 66027

Passenger: 150 and 153, again the 158 will probably miss the show due to delays getting the wheels swapped.  If I get it back to OO in time it will be a quick job getting a decoder fitted.

 

Of which 37057 is without couplings and 37671 needs glazing, couplings and weathering, the latter loco is of course the biggest priority.

 

Stock wise the core clay stock of CDA, CEA, Pollybulks, Clay Tigers, and slurry tanks will of course form the core.  Probably with the Urchin rake and the Dogfish to mix things up a little on the branch line.  I cant see any chance of getting 950001 finished in time given the complexity of its paint job (and the fact I have yet to buy any RTC paints)

[The Fatadder]

@Steadfast I have finally gotten round to fixing the issue you pointed on my Class 66 at Calne and got rid of the balanced maintenance stickers.   I think that now has it fully accurate for 1999

[The Fatadder]

Continuing my attempts to model every type of slurry tank that could possibly have been used at Wheal Imogen, I have for a long time been thinking about a model of one or two of the TC009B TCA/TBA tanks.  Naturally given the success with the TTA family 3d printing in the intended approach.

 

There is a drawing by Len Vass in a 1988 issue of Railway modeller, however as is usual for Len's work its far too narrow.  Much like his drawing of the Clay Tiger which I believe must be the route cause of both the S Kits and Kernow models exhibiting the same error in width!  T here was a good article in DEMU Update issue 78 both on the prototype and scratch building which has filled in a lot of the gaps.  This included the length/width and tank sizes measured from the real thing.   

 

The first step is drawing up a detailed CAD, after which I will investigate further as to how I will actually print it.  There are a couple of potential stumbling blocks.  Given its more than twice the length of the TTA printed so far I have concerns as to how to avoid pressure build up, a hole in the top of the tank may be needed to help let the resin drain out.   On a similar note a lot more of the tank is visible compared with the tanks I have modelled so far.   My usual approach leaves a wide gap in the bottom of the tank to allow resin to escape, this will have to be narrowed by about 15-20mm to about 5mm in width.  This issue in turn causes more difficulties adding the bogie bolts given there is not enough room inside the model to get fingers inside to install them.

The other issue is the size, it "could" be printed at an angle and fit inside the build area.  however Chitubox is estimating a 24 hour print, given the usual error margin this is almost certainly a minimum of 36 hours, maybe even pushing 2 days!   A power cut (or my wife or children unplugging the printer) could ruin the whole thing.   The alternative is to print in two halves, but getting a perfect joint doesnt sound fun...   I really need to get a bigger printer.....

 

Once built it will also need another Stenson walkway (I think I have enough scrap brass left to add the extra length), along with the long hand rails and end latter (the latter I have a Stenson etch already to hand surplus from one of the TTA). 

Edited May 19, 2023 by The Fatadder