Guest Ohmisterporter2 Posted February 5, 2019 Share Posted February 5, 2019 Stunning work as usual, Nick. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickd Posted February 6, 2019 Author Share Posted February 6, 2019 ...and so on to the cradle. The platform etch is nothing like the real platform on 138. The frames (and their overlays) are actually quite accurate although the fold lines half etched into them are in the wrong place, also therefore the half etched lines in the bottom of the footplate are also wrong. I chatted online with a SAR modeller in Australia who offered to send some correct pattern chequer plate etched overlay for the top of the platform, so I decided to use etch upside down and modify it. The half etched lines would be hidden by the chequer plate overlay. I laminated the side frames and cut new fold lines in them in the correct place. There was very little in the way of cradle frame stretchers in the kit and, like most garratts, they're on view! The kit etch for the footplate is too narrow on the inside. It extends too far towards the boiler and hides the fact that the kit has nothing between the frames. Below is a kind of step by step potter through everything I had to scratchbuild to make a decent representation of the cradle. (A bit annoying when you've spent a fair bit on a kit, but hey-ho it's fun...) And lastly a bit of detail is attached. If you look very closely at the top pic on this post you'll see that the reversing rod linkage is half etched onto the frame plate. What were they thinking? We're not having that! More details next............... 4 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickd Posted February 7, 2019 Author Share Posted February 7, 2019 ...Quick update 2 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickd Posted February 13, 2019 Author Share Posted February 13, 2019 (edited) ....I finally got round to finishing the plumbing for the injectors on the sides of the cradle and turned my attention to the brakes. I spent a day making small components for the brake system. I copied a picture of a garratt stripped down at Dinas and the 3rd pic is where I ended up. As you do, when flicking through lots of pics of 138 in action, I realised the original pic I had copied was of 87 and it had been modified and fitted with what looks like modern air brakes. To my dismay all the pics I was looking at of 138 had good old fashioned vacuum brakes. The next day I dismantled it all and rearranged it in the correct combinations for my chosen prototype, D'oh. How the days fly by. So here's the proper set up, brake system and hand brake mechanism. The brake cylinders are modified Griffin castings I think. The assembly has now been cleaned up by scrubbing it with Viakal, some say I should do this step BEFORE taking pictures. Next I amuse myself by making air tanks from tube and plate and it takes hours, instead of the minutes it would have taken to make them from solid if I had a lathe......... Edited February 13, 2019 by nickd 3 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickd Posted February 18, 2019 Author Share Posted February 18, 2019 ....a quick update, I made some vacuum reservoir tanks (thanks Paul!) from brass tube and sheet. It did take a while, but not as long as the fixing straps and saddles to mount them. Antway I'm on holiday at the moment so can't post any pictures of them, but you can see them suspended under the cradle in these pictures I took last week. Had a bit of trouble parking at Skaill Beach today. Next, loads of pipework...... 5 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium DLT Posted February 18, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 18, 2019 Lovely work Nick. I was once asked if I would build one of these kits, I'm glad I said no! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted February 18, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 18, 2019 15 minutes ago, DLT said: Lovely work Nick. I was once asked if I would build one of these kits, I'm glad I said no! But you built K1 instead do I think you’d have coped Very nice Nick, I thought it was a nice model when it came out from a distance until you and Paul pointed out the flaws! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickd Posted February 18, 2019 Author Share Posted February 18, 2019 Oh the kit isn't so bad. It builds up into a reasonable representation of a member of the NGG16 class. The problem is the N16s are all different and have been rebuild extensively down their lifetimes, so the kit is designed as a compromise. I made the job a lot harder for myself by choosing the version least like the design of the kit. The chassis, wheels and motion are a bit scant, probably acceptable in 4 mm but not really in 7 mm, but the body etchings are good. It proved to be good inspiration. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickd Posted February 28, 2019 Author Share Posted February 28, 2019 .....Back in the workshop. I have added the vacuum tanks, some delay valves and the pipework to the brake system. Just a bit more to add when the boiler is fitted up. The tanks were made from tube and plate! Attention turned to the cab. The cab etching is nearly correct (!) but did need a few holes and vents filling that were in the wrong place. The strapping and cab window sliders were added and it was folded up. More cab and footplate next....... 4 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickd Posted March 1, 2019 Author Share Posted March 1, 2019 Does anyone have a picture of the cab interior of 87, 138, 143 or similar? I'd like a bit more info about what the controls look like and how they're arranged. And what's in the rear of the cab. Thanks Nick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickd Posted March 6, 2019 Author Share Posted March 6, 2019 ....moving on, the kit has very little in the way of cab interior parts, so I sent a shopping list off to Laurie Griffin. While we await a bag of goodies, and with Brexitcast on the BBC Sounds app, I decided to fix some chequer plate to the footplate. A very helpful Aussie bloke called Brian Millar contacted me through Messenger. He offered some etches for sandboxes and oil tanks. He also offered to make some chequer plate etches as I had discovered that the footplate of 138 isn't plain, a week later they arrived from Queensland. Massive thanks Brian. Also about half way down the overlays change pattern from old fashioned diamond to a modern chequer pattern and Brian had taken care of that too. Here's the cradle with the cab fitted up. If you look carefully you can see where the pattern changes, here: Still waiting for cab castings I made up the sand boxes, oil tanks, lubricators and lamps for the front panels. Also the fromt deck has more Chequer plate. Next some tedious lube pipe activity.......... 4 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickd Posted March 8, 2019 Author Share Posted March 8, 2019 ...tedious pipework update. How the hours pass by... 8 7 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickd Posted March 13, 2019 Author Share Posted March 13, 2019 ....I have caught up the bunker end of the garratt model, and all was well with that. I have also made the linkage from the lever attached to the expansion link pivot on the lubricator side of each unit to the lubricator operating arm below the footplate. In this way it will gently reciprocate. At this stage both units are complete and ready for paint, so on to the cab. The backhead was made taller, by soldering on a strip of scrap whitemetal, and thicker by soldering a strip of brass round the perimeter. Some improvements were made to the firehole door. The cab roof on 138 is wooden with a canvas skin. I made the model roof from 0.2 mm brass sheet so I could get the compound curves made easily. Guttering was added, a sliding sunshine roof and some lifting eyes. The underside of the roof was covered in venir to represent the planking. I think it worked out well as the planking strengthened the paper thin brass and the roof now fits nicely like a box lid. Next I think I'll have a go at a the boiler/smokebox and firebox. I suspect I'll be scratchbuilding....... 3 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickd Posted March 13, 2019 Author Share Posted March 13, 2019 Sorry just upgraded my Flickr account and all the pics have become massive. Will sort for next post... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
John K Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 2 hours ago, nickd said: Sorry just upgraded my Flickr account and all the pics have become massive. Will sort for next post... The big pics are brilliant Nick. I love the super detailed view. John 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barclay Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 Nick I have to say, having just completed a Backwoods industrial Garratt in 4mm scale, that I am so impressed by the quality of your workmanship and your attention to detail. Interesting that you have had to chuck a fair few parts away too ! Looking forward to the next instalment. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted March 14, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 14, 2019 Yes for build photos big is great 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickd Posted March 14, 2019 Author Share Posted March 14, 2019 Yup Barclay got loads of parts left if anyone wants them. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickd Posted March 14, 2019 Author Share Posted March 14, 2019 ....well a big push to finish the thing. I thought the boiler was pants for a variety of reasons. The smokebox was ok, so I fabricated a new boiler and firebox and grafted them together. Can I see the finishing line?........ 7 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickd Posted March 22, 2019 Author Share Posted March 22, 2019 ....well where are we up to? Since making the boiler attention turned to the smokebox support. The boiler was temporarily soldered to the cradle and the support plates cut and fitted. The steam pipe covers required the use of a paper template and were a bit of a faff to make! The next logical step was to make the ashpan. It's made from rectangles of nickel-silver soldered into a box with a tunnel for the brake rigging. And here's part of the damper operating mechanism. Finally a package arrived today with some windows and beading parts, and here they are on the cab side. Big thanks Mick D. Here's a picture of the thing at the close of play today. Eagle eyed watchers will spot that the chimney has been reprofiled to match WHR specifications. Next we decorate the boiler....... 5 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickd Posted March 29, 2019 Author Share Posted March 29, 2019 ...lots of pipework this week.....and other bits and pieces too. Basically the inside of the cab is done. The boiler has been fitted with bands, chimney, dome etc., washout plugs and mudhole covers. Wash out plugs are 4 mm scale wagon axle bearings, drilled and fitted with 1 mm square rod. The cab has had a lot of work. All the fittings were scratchbuilt, except the control panel and hand wheels were etched for me by Brian Millar in Queensland. Cheers Brian. The pipe work is added pipe by pipe, it's a bit tedious but looks well when done. I have just got to finish the vacuum ejector and the blower pipe...I think. The water gauges have been modified with perspex rod and the floor of the cab has been planked. Next, I finish the bl***y thing......... 2 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickd Posted March 29, 2019 Author Share Posted March 29, 2019 ...close of play today... Forgot to put on ashpan..... 4 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickd Posted March 30, 2019 Author Share Posted March 30, 2019 .....it's done, so time for the 'topping off ceremony!' 6 1 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickd Posted April 1, 2019 Author Share Posted April 1, 2019 ....I have fitted most of the detachable parts to the model and here it is sitting happily on the front and hind units. I did add some extra pipework in between the units and cradle as the area looked a bit bare. 4 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted April 1, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 1, 2019 Very nice indeed Nick. Do you coat the copper pipework for painting or remove some of it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now