South East Queensland Area Group 2021 Challenge

[Sithlord75]

Early recipients and diligent readers of the Newsletter will have seen the South East Queensland Area Group has a Challenge for 2021.  I've refrained from posting about it until now to not pre-empt the posting and delivery but since it is available in the Members Section (which is how I know - the post mightn't come on Sundays but it also don't come that fast Down Under these days). 

 

The rules are below:

 

2021 SEQLAG Challenge – Build a train.

 

1. The train must contain at a minimum 1 locomotive and at least 6 hauled vehicles, unless you decide to model a specialised train, or specific prototype, e.g. brake down train, which has less vehicles. This should have photographic evidence to justify why you did less than 6 vehicles.

 

2. There is no requirement for it to be an “actual” train i.e. no photographic proof is required but it is expected to be plausible (except as noted in rule 1). Basically you can’t do a horse box, a TPO, a Royal Saloon, two POWs and a Queen Mary Brake and say job done!

 

3. All items of rolling stock should be modified in some way, i.e scratch built, kit built or modified RTR (modified could be a complete repaint with added details for example, not just change the wheel sets for 2mm ones).

 

4. 3D printing is considered to be scratch built so long as the builder is also the designer. If using someone else’s design it is a kit.

 

5. Models which were completed prior to 31/12/2020 cannot be included in the train. Models which were started prior to 31/12/2020 may make up no more than 50% of the train (i.e 3 vehicles if doing the minimum can be started prior to 31/12/2020 with the balance being new builds/ modifications for 2021).

 

 

 

 

If you do decide to have a go, please post your efforts here – we’d love to see some inter-Group activity and if other Area Groups decide to get on board, maybe we can select our best entry and compare it with others for a bit of friendly rivalry (NMAG we are looking at you in particular)? I’m sure we could, if necessary, burn something and put it in a little urn for the winner to have!!!

[Sithlord75]

To get things started:

 

 

I need to put some loads in the D53s - although I think a tarped load or two won't hurt.  I'll have to do something about a loco - my plan is to actually challenge myself by building a Coal Tank.  I don't know that mine will be as good as the couple which are on the Coal Tank thread but I can aspire to that kind of greatness.

[richbrummitt]

We should have this challenge every year 

[drduncan]

I think this would be an excellent format for many clubs with a finescale bent or any of the finescale societies to emulate!

Duncan

[DuncanFogg]

Kevin,

 

What a good idea! Brisbane is about 2500 km from here, which makes yours my nearest area group, even if "local" is not quite the right word.

 

I note your rules allow for half the vehicles to have been started before 31/12/2020. How does this work for the locomotive? Assuming I am allowed one that I started before Christmas and is now nearly finished, I have my project underway. The loco started life as a Dean Sidings kit for a GWR 1701 saddle tank, intended for a Farish chassis. This has turned into a case of a model that has included some of the parts in the kit, with other bits scratchbuilt and it all sitting on an Association conversion chassis. Numberplates are awaited. I have about a dozen Masterclass coach kits sitting in my gloat box, so my train may well comprise a number of them.

 

Duncan

[Sithlord75]

1 hour ago, DuncanFogg said:

Kevin,

 

What a good idea! Brisbane is about 2500 km from here, which makes yours my nearest area group, even if "local" is not quite the right word.

 

I note your rules allow for half the vehicles to have been started before 31/12/2020. How does this work for the locomotive? Assuming I am allowed one that I started before Christmas and is now nearly finished, I have my project underway. The loco started life as a Dean Sidings kit for a GWR 1701 saddle tank, intended for a Farish chassis. This has turned into a case of a model that has included some of the parts in the kit, with other bits scratchbuilt and it all sitting on an Association conversion chassis. Numberplates are awaited. I have about a dozen Masterclass coach kits sitting in my gloat box, so my train may well comprise a number of them.

 

Duncan

 

 

 

I'd have to officially ask David as the Convener of the Comp but I'd be happy to say a loco started last year works.

 

Cheers

Kevin

 

[richbrummitt]

1 hour ago, DuncanFogg said:

Kevin,

 

What a good idea! Brisbane is about 2500 km from here, which makes yours my nearest area group, even if "local" is not quite the right word.

 

I note your rules allow for half the vehicles to have been started before 31/12/2020. How does this work for the locomotive? Assuming I am allowed one that I started before Christmas and is now nearly finished, I have my project underway. The loco started life as a Dean Sidings kit for a GWR 1701 saddle tank, intended for a Farish chassis. This has turned into a case of a model that has included some of the parts in the kit, with other bits scratchbuilt and it all sitting on an Association conversion chassis. Numberplates are awaited. I have about a dozen Masterclass coach kits sitting in my gloat box, so my train may well comprise a number of them.

 

Duncan

With a working loco you appear to be ahead of the rest of us. Whatever loco is at the head of my train (it’s not an auto working) it will most likely be any of those that are closest to being finished, so one that was started at least, er, 10 years ago. *hangs head in shame*

[Klaus ojo]

I like your idea having a challenge building a complete 2mm FS train.

 

May I apply for your challenge with an early pre-grouping Bavarian train?

Although I do not belong to your Area Group: the train at least would be south, east and royal.  

 

Loco could be a 0-6-0 like the C III below with outside frame and inside valve gear.

To facilitate constructing I´ll possibly use the 2mmSA chassis for a class 04 shunter.

It will get some suitable opens, box and cattle vans, scratchbuilt and/or modified on 2mmSA chassis.

 

Would you give me a go?

 

Yours

Klaus

 

 

 

[Sithlord75]

3 hours ago, Klaus ojo said:

I like your idea having a challenge building a complete 2mm FS train.

 

May I apply for your challenge with an early pre-grouping Bavarian train?

Although I do not belong to your Area Group: the train at least would be south, east and royal.  

 

Loco could be a 0-6-0 like the C III below with outside frame and inside valve gear.

To facilitate constructing I´ll possibly use the 2mmSA chassis for a class 04 shunter.

It will get some suitable opens, box and cattle vans, scratchbuilt and/or modified on 2mmSA chassis.

 

Would you give me a go?

 

Yours

Klaus

 

 

 

Of course Klaus.  Everyone is welcome to join in - so far there seems to be members interested in Britain and New Zealand already so Germany may as well have a representative!  I'll be interested to see how you build your loco and I am sure I won't be the only one!

[tapdieuk]

After a painting session,  I have assemble part of the van train. 

The gunpowder van is a Dapol van I have turn the wheels down on. Although I might still put it on an etch chassis, the plastic one really looks chunkey compared to the others. The rest are etch kits. 

Does any one know were I can get LNWR transfers? 

 

 

[Sithlord75]

3 hours ago, tapdieuk said:

After a painting session,  I have assemble part of the van train. 

The gunpowder van is a Dapol van I have turn the wheels down on. Although I might still put it on an etch chassis, the plastic one really looks chunkey compared to the others. The rest are etch kits. 

Does any one know were I can get LNWR transfers? 

 

 

Very nice there Will.  

 

As far as LNWR transfers go I ended up doing a home brew lot after seeing the Ghost Toner notes either in the Mag, Newsletter or here somewhere - can't remember which.  I've done some for both those vans - the D33 and D88 so if you can't find anything closer than South East Queensland, get in touch and I'll post some over.

 

 

[richbrummitt]

It’s been a month since anything was added here. The last ZAG I spent most of the session ungluing my fingers using superglue to put the bars in the next vehicle from the rear of my target ensemble. Whilst I was at it I also did the other bodies of the same size (of which more anon) from a box given to me by @Ian Smith in exchange for a fistful of notes more years ago than I care to remember now. 
 

I’ve got the chassis together for it too now. Soldering is much more straightforward than using superglue. In a suitably Australian pose:

 

 

and one the right way up:

 

 

Some axle boxes with springs needed here. I’m going to have a go at printing them based on my previous success of printing OKF axle boxes. In the meantime I need to decide whether the slots in the ends bother me enough to do something about filling them up. They seem to have have got closed up fairly early in life, presumably to keep the line wash off the buffing gear. 

[Sithlord75]

Nice work Richard.  We've our next LAG meeting this coming Saturday and I am hoping to have some photos from it to spur people along.  Thanks for posting.

 

Which of the three GWR Cattle wagons that Ian did is that one?  Looks like the W1 (if that's the large one) of which I too have a couple of bodies.  If so, which chassis have you put under it?  

 

Cheers

Kevin

 

[richbrummitt]

1 minute ago, Sithlord75 said:

Nice work Richard.  We've our next LAG meeting this coming Saturday and I am hoping to have some photos from it to spur people along.  Thanks for posting.

 

Which of the three GWR Cattle wagons that Ian did is that one?  Looks like the W1 (if that's the large one) of which I too have a couple of bodies.  If so, which chassis have you put under it?  

 

Cheers

Kevin

 

This is a W5. I’ve also done a couple as (different) W1. The W2 and W3 are shamefully still in the box. 

[Sithlord75]

10 minutes ago, richbrummitt said:

This is a W5. I’ve also done a couple as (different) W1. The W2 and W3 are shamefully still in the box. 

Oh, I wouldn't worry about things still being in boxes...  

[Ian Morgan]

9 hours ago, richbrummitt said:

The last ZAG I spent most of the session ungluing my fingers using superglue to put the bars in the next vehicle from the rear of my target ensemble.

 

UV cure glue is your friend here. No more gluing of fingers. Add spots of glue to the model, place the wire, take all the time you need to get it in the right position, shine the blue light at it for 4 seconds, Job Done!

 

 

[richbrummitt]

15 hours ago, Sithlord75 said:

Oh, I wouldn't worry about things still being in boxes...  

 

I would like to think I would build my stash before I am in a box but at the current rate...

[2mm Andy]

I believe the appropriate acronym is "SABLE" - stock acquisition beyond life expectancy 

[Ian Morgan]

Sorry to keep banging on about UV cure glue, but I keep finding new uses for it. It works really well for adding headlamp glass on road vehicles.

 

[richbrummitt]

They almost had axle boxes and springs tonight. Rather than solder some of the etched ones I thought I’d have a go at printing some of my OKF axle boxes with springs added. 
 

It will come as no surprise that the close to scale springs are not robust for handling in the elegoo standard grey resin. I printed a dozen and lost half trying to separate the support pins. These looked like the one in the photo missing part of the spring. Some were worse than this. The seventh was fine (I think) but lost on the floor somewhere. I found several etched chairs that I hadn’t noticed previously whilst searching for it. After that I got a few separated in succession using extremely gentle cutting. I don’t know how I would separate these fine parts with any success without the fine saw recommended by @Ian Morgan

 

Some small adjustment of the spring height is required to reduce (hopefully remove) any gap below the solebars. As I said at the beginning “...almost...”. 

 

[Sithlord75]

Some shots of some of the trains being planned and worked on from this mornings' LAG meeting

 

 

My LNER train - comprising of a J50 (body and footplate 3D printed.   I've received the Shop 3 order which had the wheels, bearings, muffs etc so just have to do something about frames and assemble a chassis...) with the GE lowmac, some standard vans, the Association GE cattle wagon (still need to change the G to an N and find the "large" transfers - or draw some), one of my RCH 1907 7 plank PoWs and the Association LNER Toad E.

 

 

View from the other end - all these pictures were taken on @nebnoswal's layout (which is N gauge - sssshhh) "Sturminster Newton".

 

 

The LNWR train has gained a pair of PoWs and... a Coal Tank!!

 

View from the other end - I've a photo of 7709 on the Watford Junction - St Alban's Abbey train hence that number.

 

 

Some other wagons which have been sorted as part of the challenge - the LMS one will apparently need the transfers changed having found some more recent information on it.  The others have appeared on the "Whats on my Workbench" thread so I won't go into the details here.  These will in due course be joined by a couple of other LMS vans and an LMS brake van and hopefully a detailed Union Mills 3F.  I've got a couple of other trains been hatched too but they'll have to wait for another day.

 

Neb had a couple of trains for show and tell too but I'll leave that for him to talk about.  I've another photo of an entry which I'll upload later once I've found where I filed it!  

 

 

Edited May 15, 2021 by Sithlord75
deleted surplus pictures

[nebnoswal]

As already indicated by @Sithlord75, we had my layout, Sturminster Newton, make a slight journey (37km) over the weekend to meet-up with its cousin, Grassington-Thresfield.  This was in preparation for a longer journey, 139km, at the start of next month for the Toowoomba Model Train Show.  The layout is now having a service and check-up by the senior foreman.  This was also our monthly LAG meeting and time for a bit of show and tell.

 

My first entry is a SDJR ballast train.  It will comprise two 10T ballast brake van and six 8T plank open wagons.  I'm still on deciding on the loco, either a Jinty (Bagnal) or a 2F 0-6-0.

 

While I'm happy with the brake van body, the chassis height still needs some tweaking

 

Next, a recent delivery from Shapeways, taking advantage of the recent free postage offer.  A a LMS non-corridor rake, comprising a a Fowler 2-6-4T and D1737, 1736, 1685, 1686 + 1761 coaches.  These are available from recreation21,  @rue_d_etropal.  They are great prints. 

 

The loco requires a Fairburn chassis, which I still need to acquire.

 

The coaches don't come with chassis, but I've drawn and printed a test sample, which appears to do the job.  I've now accepted the challenge from @Sithlord75 and will draw the sitting compartments, but not sure about printing the passengers!

 

Next is my livestock train.  From front to rear, SDJR long horsebox, SDJR Special cattle wagon, SDJR short horsebox, SDJR cattle wagon, LMS Prized cattle wagon and then a MR brake.  Loco will most like be a 3F 0-6-0.

 

For a bit of local flavour, a Victorian Railways (VR) T class, low nose and a Z guard, from VR N scale, VR N scale facebook.  The loco requires a chassis , either a Bachmann S4 of Kato NW2, I have both but need to figure which one works best.  for wagons, I have the possibility of some ALX bogie car carriers and other heavy flat wagons for a military load.

 

There is also some thought in recreating this

Edited May 16, 2021 by nebnoswal
editing

[tapdieuk]

Kevin, the trains look good.  So you have finished a coal tank?

 

Nebnoswal rehearsal S&D trains are great, are the ballast breaks on 3d printed chassis? I stumble over your stl file for the mail van, what 6 wheeled chassis have you used?

 

Will

[nebnoswal]

25 minutes ago, tapdieuk said:

 

Nebnoswal rehearsal S&D trains are great, are the ballast breaks on 3d printed chassis? I stumble over your stl file for the mail van, what 6 wheeled chassis have you used?

 

Will

Yes, the the ballast brakes are on 3D printed chassis, but I've used drop-in W irons from the 2mmFS

For the mail van I'm using the 6 wheel MR brake van chassis, again from the 2mmFS

Edited May 16, 2021 by nebnoswal
editing

[Sithlord75]

37 minutes ago, tapdieuk said:

Kevin, the trains look good.  So you have finished a coal tank?

 

Nebnoswal rehearsal S&D trains are great, are the ballast breaks on 3d printed chassis? I stumble over your stl file for the mail van, what 6 wheeled chassis have you used?

 

Will

No, I haven't finished one - I was offered one which had been built by John Greenwood about 25 years ago for a N Gauge modeller - I haven't actually measured it up, but I wouldn't be surprised to find it is 2mm scale, just running on N gauge wheels.  I suspect I could convert it to 2mm quite easily by changing the wheels over, but in the meantime, without a 9.42mm gauge layout, it isn't important.  

 

Because I've renumbered and lettered it, and will be adding a crew, weathering and so forth it counts under the letter of the rules for the challenge, but I do feel it a bit of a cheat - still, small steps!!!

 

J50 first as it seems to be more straight forward.