Black Notley - BR Eastern

[Hal Nail]

Paul,

 

Responding to your post on another thread really but thought it better to comment here. I left work with a package about 18 months ago. I have a fair way to retirement but hadn't been enjoying work for a long, long time so wanted a break - obviously I hadnt factored in covid at that point!

 

I found having time to cook meant I ate better and cheaper, I made and sold most of my stash of kits - and one way or another got by and  worked out what it actually costs to live when you have to be careful.

 

I have now picked up a 2 day a week job on far less than I would have dreamed of working before but means I break even every month (with no frills admittedly). My perspective has totally changed.

 

What I'm trying to say is you might find getting through that year or two you didnt expect to fund can be slightly easier than you imagine.

Edited November 12, 2020 by Hal Nail

[pwr]

Thanks Hal

 

I know this is the right decision and looking forward to it. Like you I may try to find some part time work eventually just to keep paying for those big diesels!

 

Paul R

[pwr]

My cheap pack of people from China turned up

 

 

Not the best quality and very little differentiation for the same figures. However for £12 or so they will do and the seated ones will be good for coaches.

 

Bit of touching up and enhancement but all good.

 

Paul R

[pwr]

Bit frustrated today. I finished soldering the framework under the deck but I have now come up against some etched parts that are not covered by the instructions.

 

 

There are castings for the container fixing points and I thought these had something to do with those but there are not enough etches for every fixing point. 

 

I have had to stop work until I can figure out what they are and in the meantime I have e-mailed Peter at PRMRP to see if he can shed any light. I now he has built his own set so I am hoping he can tell me.

 

I also need to work out how to mount the fixed couplings which on my set are not fixed as I am using MagClic couplings which I intend to mount sideways. I'll need to put some additional brass over the holes that are designed for the bolts that hold the bar in place. I think the way forward is to use a small piece of wire through the mounts which passes through the coupling bar. Its more difficult to describe that it will be to see so I'll post a picture once I have solved it.

 

Nothing else to report currently

 

Paul R

[pwr]

Very quick response from Peter at PRMRP. These bits are not required for the kit and are actually the corner knuckles for a standard ISO container. The others you can't see in the earlier picture are slightly different. 

 

So now I will glue the container spigots to the deck once I have sorted out the coupling arrangement. Once the wagon is finished I am  going to build a container before I start the next set. I have worked out how I am going to do that but not sure if this will be a 20ft or 30ft version to start.  I have been looking at 1960's era containers as many of the names that were around;und then have ling since disappeared.

 

Paul R

[pwr]

Just took delivery of these from White Rose.

 

I've got 6 and they should make it easier to get the layout up. I don't have enough to support all boards so another purchase may be in the offing at some point next year. I think another 2 pairs might be needed. Having in built legs that are fairly spindly does nothing for the stability of the total set up let alone being easy to move around and erect. It will also let me have servos under the layout for signal operation as well as the Dapol operating mechanism

 

I need to modify them as two of the boards are at at a lower level and I forgot that when I ordered them - doh! I should have had 4 of them with the height differential bit that goes on the top but I can modify them with a block of wood I can bolt on through the holes that are there.

 

These are very good quality items that on the face of it will do a  great job.

 

 

In other news I have the container mounting points glued on to the flat and will post an update on that later.  Not much more to do now.

 

Paul R

[pwr]

So these photos show the container mounting points glued to the main frames.

 

In reality they should have a hole in the top for the spigot to raise up through and there should be handles at the base of each spigot but I think the casting process probably would be difficult so I may fit these from brass rod. 

 

I think these need to be flat as I expect it was anticipated that the container would cover the mounting but I plan to have some gaps in my consist so might need to think about how to depict this. The container design I have in my head should allow them to be mounted using these spigots but it depends on the scale length I have. In the early days the 30ft container was quite common, now its all 20ft or 40/45ft.  I haven't checked the measurements of the fixing points so I hope they match the prototype.

 

 

 

 

I need to work out the pipe runs on these wagons before I fit the air reservoir 

 

Paul R

 

[pwr]

So even though I haven't quite finished the Freightliner flat I have made a start on a couple of containers. The boxes you can get from commercial sources are too modern (and too expensive) as I am trying to portray a 1960's early 1970's set although frankly you could load it with any container. Early container design was different and the initial Freightliner boxes were non standard fork lift or crane load with no ISO mounts. I am not building those but the ISO compliant boxes, a sample of which they have at the NRM. I have some pictures but as I don't own the copyright I am unable to place here.

 

So this shows the frame of the 30ft version - not commonly seen these days its all 40ft or 20ft boxes. As its almost as quick to build 2, I am also doing a 20ft box.

 

 

Once I have the 20ft frame done the next stage will be the floors. Anyone who thinks these are simple boxes is mistaken!!!!

 

In other news Paul Leadley has practically finished printing my APT-E bogies. I have some pictures but just need his permission to load or it will have to wait until they turn up. They look pretty impressive. I've dug out my 7mm drawings and started a search for long length plastikard sheets which 4D can supply in various lengths. and thicknesses at reasonable prices.

 

I can't believe its been over 30 years since I first got copies of plans from the NRM with a view to building one in 4mm only to find 25 years later there was an RTR model!!! since then of course I have moved up to 7mm and I was beginning to think I would never achieve this aim as the bogies would be beyond me. However that's now been overcome and I will be able to make a start in the New Year in parallel with other projects.

 

My settlement deal for redundancy has been signed by the company and I am due to be served notice today with a 30th April 2021 finish date.  I can't wait! 

 

All for now with updates to follow soon

 

Paul R

[apt-e]

Hi Paul,

Please feel free to post any photos I have sent you.  Glad I could help out and cannot wait to see the old girl in O gauge.

 

Regards

 

Paul

Leadleykits

[pwr]

As per Paul's posting above I have his permission to post his photos here of the APT-E bogies. So here we go

 

 

This is the E1 Motor bogie - there are two of these on the prototype. My plan is to power these using 4mm scale Portescap motor gearboxes as the axle size is the same for a 7mm coach wheel. The unit here is fitted with DMU motor bogie wheels which may not be the same that said but until I take delivery I wont know. The intention was to fit two per bogie or 4 for the whole train. Not sure how fast they will be but on Notley they would not need to be that fast. However following my redundancy and post COVID I want to join the local model railway club and O Gauge group so I can use the test tracks. Speed then be an issue so its a bit trial and error.

 

This is the E1T bogie

 

 

The bar running across the top of the bogie is the Swinging Arm from which the train is articulated and tilted. The bogies fitted to the e-train for its main line debut were of a different design and were only used fir one run, the design being changed while it was in derby works during the period of the ASLEF strike.  The bogies did however run under the POP train.

 

The rest of the pictures show the completed bogies and what is effectively a kit of parts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I should get these parts in the next few days and will have a look at ordering wheels.

 

I am very grateful for Paul Leadley' s help in producing these.  

 

All for now and in the meantime work on the containers proceeds apace

 

 

 

Paul R

Edited December 2, 2020 by pwr

[woodyfox]

1 hour ago, pwr said:

As per Paul's posting above I have his permission to post his photos here of the APT-E bogies. So here we go

 

 

This is the E1 Motor bogie - there are two of these on the prototype. My plan is to power these using 4mm scale Portescap motor gearboxes as the axle size is the same for a 7mm coach wheel. The unit here is fitted with DMU motor bogie wheels which may not be the same that said but until I take delivery I wont know. The intention was to fit two per bogie or 4 for the whole train. Not sure how fast they will be but on Notley they would not need to be that fast. However following my redundancy and post COVID I want to join the local model railway club and O Gauge group so I can use the test tracks. Speed then be an issue so its a bit trial and error.

 

This is the E1T bogie

 

 

The bar running across the top of the bogie is the Swinging Arm from which the train is articulated and tilted. The bogies fitted to the e-train for its main line debut were of a different design and were only used fir one run, the design being changed while it was in derby works during the period of the ASLEF strike.  The bogies did however run under the POP train.

 

The rest of the pictures show the completed bogies and what is effectively a kit of parts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I should get these parts in the next few days and will have a look at ordering wheels.

 

I am very grateful for Paul Leadley' s help in producing these.  

 

All for now and in the meantime work on the containers proceeds apace

 

 

 

Paul R

Have you thought about tilt? I know it's early days, but the bogie pivot points will probably be a critical part of it i would imagine? 

Nice parts and an excellent project! 

[pwr]

HI Woodyfox

 

Yes I have thought about tilt but I haven't yet thought about how this is going to work. There are some options:

 

1. Tilt ramps - similar to those Hornby employed on its APT-P in which the curvature of the track and the movement of the bogie forces the body out an angle. The problem with this is that it tilts at whatever speed you run and will settle at that point if stopped on a  curve. Not an option really.

2. Passive tilt. This would involve having the bodies pivot on a point at roof level at each of the ends and the increasing speed would in theory (if suitably weighted) cause the body to tilt outward at higher speeds on a  curve. The problem here is that the E Train is articulated and has a joint module between the coaches. I suspect the tilt would to work well because of friction at the car joints and stiffness of the cars.

3. Active Tilt whereby the tilt is actively powered up. Given the actual speed (as opposed to scale speed) is relatively low there is no way you could rely on centrifugal force to instigate a small electric motor to activate tilt (even if I could understand the mechanics of getting it to work. Do they make miniature accelerometers?). It might be possible to have manual tilt using RC or DCC control. I don't do DCC either. I am still thinking this through 

 

if anyone has any ideas let me know!

 

Paul R

[woodyfox]

Mmm. I would start with a ball bearing in a tube at roof level above the coach ends rolling side to side with curves. It would have to move contrary to centro-fugal forces. But i'm no engineer!! 

Good luck with it! 

[pwr]

Well the bogies haven't turned up yet. Seems that the small print on a guaranteed delivery by 1pm means 9pm. However 24 hours later and I am still waiting although I can see from tracking information that its been received at our local office. Just what part of guarantee don't the post office understand.

 

I have also asked Paul Leadley if he can supply me with a kit for a 7mm POP train which is an excuse to order a class 17 as this alongside a Peak was common motive power.

 

My thinking is that as the Braintree branch was used to test the Roadrailer  before the Dunmow section was lifted, it was conceivable that it could have been used for other tests. Well that's my excuse. POP  would be a great small train. Its initial configuration was  the two POP articulated vehicles and two Mk1's.  I reckon I can get that on Notley.

 

And at some point I am going to build a RoadRailer set.

 

Good job I am being made redundant

 

Paul R

[pwr]

They've arrived!

 

 

Wheels on order and when they get here I will start experimenting with powering the motor bogies!

 

The quality is far better than I expected. Absolutely packed with detail. 

If anyone needs specialist stuff like this contact Paul Leadley - leadleykits@gmail.com

 

Watch this space

 

Paul R

 

 

[Andrew P]

Are they built yet?

 

Hat Coat, in the car and GONE.

[pwr]

Ha Ha Andy

 

No I am waiting on wheels! But the containers are coming on!

 

Paul R

Edited December 4, 2020 by pwr
text added

[pwr]

Progress on Containers

 

 

The above is the 30ft version with the floor in

 

 

This is the 20ft version which is slightly more advanced. I wanted to make one of each sort to see how these come out. I've run out of 60 thou square strip so I have had to order some in as we no longer have a local model shop.

 

I had enough to complete the side sheet mounts for the 20ft so I can progress with that.

 

As far as the wagons go I have not touched these since fitting mounting points for the MagClic couplers. I think I will leave the castings until I can get a better understanding of where they fit and where the pipe runs go.  So I will seek to crack on with the first outer wagon. Still to work out the best way to fit these to the wagon so they don't fall off. magnets looking a favoured option.

 

I'll keep the updates coming. Wheels still not arrived for APT!

 

Paul R

[Andrew P]

Amazing work Paul.

[pwr]

12 hours ago, Andrew P said:

Amazing work Paul.

Thanks Andy

 

I am hoping to get the sides on the boxes by the weekend and crack on with the next wagon before Christmas

 

Paul R

[pwr]

Well not quite as advanced as I hoped but progress is being made.

 

 

 

In fact I have made more progress on these than the photos show as all the sides and ends are now on.

 

I've now finished up for Christmas so I hope to crack on to one of the outers before Christmas. I won't bore you all with pictures similar to what's here already but I will show the differences in the wagons.

 

Paul R

[pwr]

Well Santa came and I did very well.

 

This first shot shows my 08 bringing in the new Warwell wagon and Hybar from Witham into the loop.

 

 

Very impressive wagon these and I didn't know tis version was dual braked.

 

 

 

The Hybar was bought by my daughter and I seem to have suffered  Dapol's dreadful quality control again as it has a missing buffer. I'll have to get on to Rails of Sheffield and find out what they want to do about it.

 

 

 

Also from Rails of Sheffield and acquired second hand by my wife was this excellent Brawa refrigerated van. I got this because I want to rebrand it Interfrigo - I couldn't find that model on the well now auction site but they do come up from time to time. The reason being is that even in steam days an intertrigo wagon was attached to a passenger train off Braintree. So far I have not been able to ascertain what the traffic was, where it came from and where it was going other than an assumption it came to the UK via the Harwich Train Ferry.  There are pictures if it in ne of the Frank Church albums in being a J15 and on another occasion an F5.  Lovely model.

 

 

 

 

A few new Oxford vehicles were added to the stock and a new book!

 

I also got the other two wagons for my 5 car Freightliner flat.

 

So very pleased with this year's haul.

 

All for now

 

Paul R

[Andrew P]

Wow, Paul, some nice gear there mate, the Warwell's are particularly nice, and I like that Bells, Van, such a shame about the missing Buffer from the Dapol High Bar.

[pwr]

 

Thanks Andy

 

I've sent an e-mail to Rails but I don't expect to get a response until later in the week. They don't actually have any current stock so they won't be able to send a replacement which will be interesting. I believe my consumer rights allow me to insist on a repair or replacement so that will be fun to work through.

 

Paul R

[Hal Nail]

3 hours ago, pwr said:

 

Thanks Andy

 

I've sent an e-mail to Rails but I don't expect to get a response until later in the week. They don't actually have any current stock so they won't be able to send a replacement which will be interesting. I believe my consumer rights allow me to insist on a repair or replacement so that will be fun to work through.

 

Paul R

I bought a 16T mineral wagon off them the other day which arrived with the wheels on one axle free to slide along it. Totally useless like that. They offered a full refund but couldn't replace it.