S7 scratch building

[airnimal]

I have put the other letters on and tried to rule a couple of black lines under and over the beading. Unfortunately this has bleed making the lines uneven. Rather than clean it off now I will wait until it is dry  tomorrow and hopefully correct it. 

 

Still  no shoes ! How hard can it be ? Perhaps being a man, I just don't understand.  

[airnimal]

I have finished the reworking of the container wagon that I bought from my friend.  It has new wheels and brakegear along with new W-irons from my own etchings.  The conversion to S7 was quite straightforward and if need be could, be converted back without to much hassle.  A photographs of the finescale as I acquired it and a S7 one as it is at present. 

[airnimal]

I have now weathered this new container to tone it down,  to a more Victorian working image.  The painting of the lines on the body won't win any prizes for neatness or worry the professional painters. I could have put more writing on it or painted it a different colour but I have other things to think about. The camera doesn't hide any blemishes of which there are plenty. I must admit that I like these containers and I may make some more learning from my mistakes I made on this one. 

 

The shoe story continues !  All 5 pairs have been returned and the very first pair have been reordered again after coming home empty handed from her shopping trip to the Trafford centre.  

Edited August 10, 2023 by airnimal

[airnimal]

 Having got the bug for containers I found a photograph in the North Staffordshire wagon book with a couple in a train.  There isn't a drawing giving dimensions but one is on a wagon that the text gives as a Longbottom which was 16'. So I have taken a stab that the container will be approx 14' 6" or near enough. 

As I have said standards are slipping but with all what is going on I just need something to take my mind off the stress around me. 

I have knock up a basic shell from 80 thou plasticard that is 14' 6" long. I was going to attempt to scribe the planking on like the photograph but decided that it would be easier to overlay the planks from Evergreen strip.  So I made a little cutting jig so the planks would be all at the same angle.

I marked the centre line and cut and glued the first half after putting a light chamfer on the edge. 

  Coming to cut the matching side I find that there is a slight discrepancy lining up the planks ! 

Taking out my digital calipers and measuring the strip it appears that the strip are not all the same width.  

There isn't a lot of difference but just enough to make it awkward to line everything up. 

If I can't resolve this problem I may have to go back to scribbling the planks on by hand. And I thought using Evergreen strip would make life easier.  

[Simond]

That’s annoying.  Could you have a “strip sizer” made from brass that you can check the strip width on before going further?  You could go the whole hog, and fit a scalpel blade to plane the strip to size, but I reckon a bit of sharp glass paper on a piece of glass would do the needful.

 

When did this kind of container traffic start?

 

atb

Simon

Edited August 12, 2023 by Simond

[airnimal]

Simon, I should have measured each strip before glueing any on the side but I have had a lot of faith in believing that the strip of 125 thou was going to be 125 thou. I know I am old enough to know better but.............

These strips measure between 121 thou and 127 thou. It doesn't take long before laying 5 or 6 strips that the problem gets out of hand. I laid a few strips on the second half and then cut a slightly wider plank from sheet to bring it back in line. This hand cut one measured 129 thou but it has made it possible to complete the side. The example I am using is very dirty and worn with very faded lettering which might disguise the odd plank when I come to painting it. When I come  to do the second side I will be more careful to measure each strip and try not to use ones that vary to much from the size they are meant to be.

 

I don't have a date for their introduction but there is a photograph of the furniture store Arighi Bianchi in Macclesfield with several examples in 1882. 

[magmouse]

1 hour ago, airnimal said:

I don't have a date for their introduction but there is a photograph of the furniture store Arighi Bianchi in Macclesfield with several examples in 1882. 

I think the use of containers (‘lift vans’ in the early terminology) started around the 1870s. They seem to have been mainly used for furniture - relatively light for the volume. The availability of suitable yard cranes was presumably a constraint on their use and capacity. It always surprises me that it took the railway companies 50 years to catch on, and introduce both their own containers and a more systematic approach to their operation in the 1920s.

 

There’s a book in this topic, if someone is short of a project…

 

Nick.

[kitpw]

There is a summary of the history of "containerisation" here: 

http://www.conflat.co.uk/con_hist.html

"The origins of containerisation on Britain's Railways can be traced right back to their very beginning - although the idea took more than 100 years to catch on!

In the 1830s the Liverpool & Manchester Railway used "simple rectangular boxes, four to a waggon, ...to convey coal from the Lancashire collieries to Liverpool, where they were transferred to horse-drawn carts by crane" But although there were some advantages, in particular the reduced handling of the cargo, the idea does not appear to have caught on. Even so, by the early 1900s the London & North Western, Lancashire & Yorkshire, and Midland Railway companies were carrying 'box coal' on flat wagons, the coal being destined for use by steamboats.

The original Great Central Railway also played a part in the story of containerisation, being one of only three companies which provided special wagons for the conveyance of 'fish tanks'. The GCR carried considerable fish traffic and the 'fish tanks' were designed to ensure that the fish reached its destination as fresh as possible. As such, the wagons were classified as passenger stock. The other two companies were the Midland and the Great Northern; the latter referred to its containers as 'cod boxes' and some of them lasted into the 1930s.

By the late 19th Century the closed container was with us. Resembling a wooden box van body, but with end doors, these were initially known as 'lift vans' and were privately owned by several furniture removal firms. They were carried both on railway wagons and on flat road trailers drawn by horses or steam tractors.

The 'box coal' is familiar in model form - the 'cod boxes' I've been unable to find, model or prototype.  There was some discussion on RMweb a few years ago about fish traffic but I don't think it covered 'cod boxes' - as a search term on RMweb, it returns no results.

 

 

[Simond]

Well sorted, Mike.

it’s a pretty reasonable assumption that the material should be /do “what it says on the tin”!

 

For t’other side, if you cut the first 7 planks on each side as pairs from the same (7?) strips, then flip one of each over, they have to match - well, “have to” if the strips are consistent along their length.
 

The ones that reach from top to bottom are less critical, though you’ll still need to be careful so they look right when you get to the ends.

 

atb

Simon

[airnimal]

Simon, you are right regarding cutting the strips from the same piece but at the present time my head is full of magic.  There is so much going on around me I am struggling to stay afloat. We only put the house on the market on Thursday and we have had one viewing already. I am under strict orders not to mess anywhere up just in case ........... Plus we are going ourselves to view more house and with the Imminent arrival of the clan from Australia who are staying for 3 weeks which will only add to the fun. Perhaps putting our house on the market at this time wasn't the smartest move but if we don't do it soon we will leave it to late and we will be stuck here forever.  

 

I have managed to get the body to a reasonable state before I start to add the details.  The roof is from a kit of unknown origin which was cut down to size and glued on with Tamiya cemet. The one I used is quite thick and is not suitable for some applications. But I have recently bought another bottle from the same manufacturer but labelled Extra thin cement.  They both come with a built in brush and the thin one is so easy to use I wish I had come across it years ago. I bought them from Whalton's in Altrincham who stock the Evergreen range of plastic.  So now I don't have to wait until I go to exhibitions to source these items. 

 

[airnimal]

The countdown to the wedding begins ! Trying to keep sane amongst the chaos isn't easy but I have managed to escape twice in 2 days. The first day I went to Wakefield to the EM society's show which I enjoyed very much. I managed to meet up which quite a few old friends as well as viewing some top quality modelling.  The second day I went cycling with the gang who are going to Bulgaria in a few weeks time. Another of the gang may be going after a bit of banter about getting to old so there will hopefully be 7 old codgers trying to stave off the ravages of old age. 

 

So little has been achieved in the workshop other than I looked at the L&Y bolster wagon and I ghosted on the floor a witness mark where the bolster would turn.  Just a small improvement that adds to the overall look. 

[airnimal]

Despite all what is going on around me I have managed to paint the last container after modifying the end door. I even tried to letter it with prefix tranfers which I don't get on with. I got the spacing wrong and tried to remove the letters without success.  So it was placed in a tub of Dettol to take it back to bare plastic.

Not being able to spend a lot of time on I opted to give it a quick coat of red primer. I am not sure what I am going to do with it. 

 

The last week has been crazy busy with the family been here and our house on the market. I have found the perfect house for myself but whether it will satisfy the other half I am not so sure. The house sits in the perfect location in front of a canal with a large bright cellar room that would make a fabulous workshop and railway room. But it is so good I bet it will go before we have chance to view it.

The wedding is just around the corner now with all the women rushing around like mad with last minute changes including my better half on her 9th pair of pink shoes. If it takes her 9 pairs of shoes before she finds ones that she likes what chance have I got trying to please her with a house ?

[Johnson044]

I have so much sympathy with you right now, Airnimal! My own (elder) daughter's wedding was extremely stressful- and my younger one is getting married next year and that is starting to loom. Everyday work, failing health, family vehicles, elderly, copiously incontinent dogs and house which seems to be rotting in a wide variety of places and which I have no time to put right are, collectively, bursting my head.

 

It's hard sometimes to count my many blessings.

 

Sometimes when I think of the many, many hours I've put into making models of Victorian locomotives it shocks me and I feel it's all been completely pointless- fiddling whilst Rome burns- and one day when I'm invited to ascend the inclined plane to a better place (or go downbye to a worse one) none of my kids will want any of my models- but I also know that it is sometimes all that keeps me from a straight jacket and a padded cell!

 

I really love the work you do- and greatly admire your patience and precision- please keep up the good work.

 

Thank you - you are truly inspiring!

 

John

[airnimal]

John,  thank you for kind comments, it's much appreciated.  We currently have our 3 daughters and spouses along with our 6 grandchildren staying with us and to say it is chaos would be a understatement.  

4 children under 5 with 2 older ones has made it look as though the house has been hit by terrorists. The whole family went out to the Imperial War Museum in Trafford park before going to the Salford art gallery which was enjoyable but the timing was probably not the best with Untied playing football at home. 

I did manage to get in my workshop for about 10 minutes this evening even though it is doubling as a makeshift bedroom for our eldest grandson.  

 

So to take my mind off the demolition taking place around me I am trying to plan a couple of bolster wagons from the L&Y.  I have got some white metal castings for the axleboxes which are very old and last time I used them I managed to drill through the face of one of them drilling them out to take the long bearings. So rather than risk doing the same again I decided to saw the front face from them and place them on some plastic boxes from Slaters. The W-irons are my own LNWR ones modified by cutting down the outer leg and moving it inwards to the slimmer L&Y profile.  Once soldered over the cuts the correct shape is obtained.  

 

I am happy to report that the wedding has taken place and despite not being party to the planning it went according to plan without any hassle or hiccups.  I will report the full account later when I get my breath back. 

Mike

[airnimal]

The stress of the wedding is now history. The 16th century chapel was very atmospheric and picturesque and the transport was perfect and on time. The reception was held in a purpose built extension to a pub over looking a village green. The weather was kind as well with the sun coming out to enable everyone to have drinks outside. The food was top class and was enjoyed by both friends an relatives and the reception went on until midnight.  Our eldest grandson who is 16 got his exam results on the same day as the wedding and they were brilliant with very high scores in all the ones he took. Our eldest daughter and family have now returned to Swindon giving us a bit more room at home including getting my workshop back that had to double as a makeshift bedroom.  Another very unexpected bonus was the photographer was an ex professional one before becoming a teacher ( the bribe and groom are both teachers ) who just happeneds to model in 4mm scale. So today I made a visit to his house which not far from where the bride and groom live to see his railway.  He has only been modelling for about 4 years but his buildings are 

tremendous. A few snaps taken of some of them that were modelled on local buildings. These are all scratch built. I think I have made a new friend. 

 

[MarcD]

They are stunning.

Marc

[Dave Hunt]

So now I not only have to try to up my game with wagons but with buildings as well!

 

Dave

[Caley Jim]

15 minutes ago, Dave Hunt said:

So now I not only have to try to up my game with wagons but with buildings as well!

And so say all of us!!🤔

 

Jim

[Nick Lawson]

Fascinated to discover McAlmont & Butler's previous career... without  that doubletake I would have missed Allthis and Moore. Superbly done!

[airnimal]

My daughter ( the new bride ) is a teacher at a primary school in a deprived area. Her classroom has been decorated over the holidays by the local authority.  Unfortunately the painters take everything down and paint but don't restore the room as before.  So she has to go in early and put everything back as it was previously with some new editions.  So mum and dad and big sister are going to help again, the same as we did when she first moved there about 5 years ago. The tiny terrorist's are coming with us as well ! 

 

I did manage an hour in the workshop last night and prepared the 8 W-irons ready to make a pair of L&Y bolster wagons. The soldering isn't as neat as I normally do but I don't normally have as many distractions as I do at present.  At least I have a pass out for Saturday to go to Guildex for a respite.

 

[Dave Hunt]

I’ll be at Guildex on Saturday too Mike. See you there.

 

Dave

[MarcD]

See you both there I will be manning the Pre-Grouping Railways stand (33). I'm not expecting hordes of people.

[airnimal]

Well the day at my daughter's school was very busy for the entire 6 hours we were there. Everyone worked really hard to make the 3 classrooms look like a school again. I am extremely proud of of all the girls and I was going to include my wife in that praise until she said that my work wasn't accurate or precise enough. 

You could have knocked me down with a feather. I was putting up boarders up around the many notice boards that litter the classrooms when she said that she had been doing this for over 20 years and mine didn't match up to her standards. If you see me at Guildex on Saturday I may have a crestfallen look on my face.  Words fail me....................

[Simond]

Is she any good at wagons?

[airnimal]

Simon, she has been back peddling ever since she said her cutting remarks. Our 3 daughters have been killing themselves with laughter and I believe this will forever be a family joke. As for her building wagons she has been barred from my workshop for the forseeable future. 

 

Returning to the wagons I have been making the axleboxes retaining straps from offcuts of scrap etch. 

The L&Y have a small curve at the bottom which are being shaped with the help of a pair of pliers with half round and half flat faces. This does bend the metal out of shape but it is easy to restore it to the correct shape after filing the face flat.

 I have chosen these wagons because of there interesting features including a very small wheelbase at 6' and an unusual method of joining them together.  Looking at the drawing it appears to have a pair of metal rods linking them together at opposite corners with safety chains as well. The stanchions are drilled at the top with some small chains to secure any load providing I can make them that small.