Dublo Coach sides - Romford Motor Bogie - 4-4-2

[Captain Slough]

in case it were of interest to others, this is what the clockwork mech from a 1950s Triang C/W 0-6-0 looks like.  Thought I'd photograph it before packaging up.

 

Fully reversible and the spring is HOOGE! This same mechanism was shipped in both a steam saddle tank and a 350hp shunter bodyshell. It is unrelated to the Trackmaster 0-6-2 clockwork mechanism acquired by Triang a few years earlier - I just tried fitting it in my Trackmaster N2 bodyshell and it doesnt fit. Too high a profile.

[SR71]

The 4-4-2 needs some drilling and tapping as the next stage. Too cold and dark in the workshop for that at the moment.

 

So I've been working on the computer for the EMU. Results of today's labours;

 

The blue won't be there in the end. It's just a vibrant colour to remind me to finish it before the final version.

[Il Grifone]

On 11/01/2024 at 18:47, Captain Slough said:

in case it were of interest to others, this is what the clockwork mech from a 1950s Triang C/W 0-6-0 looks like.  Thought I'd photograph it before packaging up.

 

Fully reversible and the spring is HOOGE! This same mechanism was shipped in both a steam saddle tank and a 350hp shunter bodyshell. It is unrelated to the Trackmaster 0-6-2 clockwork mechanism acquired by Triang a few years earlier - I just tried fitting it in my Trackmaster N2 bodyshell and it doesnt fit. Too high a profile.

 

Both models were stretched upwards to make space for the spring. However, unlike the N2, they are reversible.

[SR71]

I've been working on more custom sides for the last few weeks. Finishing off some older stuff and trying something new. Today I've got together a test sheet for printing;

 

 

With that done next weekend I intend to go back to the 4-4-2 and see if I can make it a runner soon.

[SR71]

Well I didn't get onto the tank but I did some testing. Before that I set to cleaning track. Tedious but necessary removing 70 years worth of grime.

 

 

But then it would have been rude not to clip it together.

 

 

Load testing went ok but it was clear I will need to add some lead if I'm going to do a dummy unit to run with the powered one. 1 coach was fine, two ok, and three was too much.

 

[SR71]

Pick-up ready to go on after the screw hole is reamed out.

 

[TinTracks]

16 hours ago, SR71 said:

Pick-up ready to go on after the screw hole is reamed out.

 Hi @SR71 Lovely neat pickup there. Is it for your 4-4-2T project?

 May I ask what you used for the domes at each end.? They seem to be a bit smaller and neater than the drawing pins I use.

 Thanks, Regards, Rich.

[SR71]

Thanks @TinTracks

 

They are drawing pins found in a draw. And yes they are for the 4-4-2. I got some paxolin at the weekend so my next job is to mount the pick up. I hope to have it running by the end of April - we shall see!

 

Limited progress since the last post, and nothing photo worthy, but I was out at a show at the weekend running a layout;

 

[SR71]

@cypherman

I have an answer for you! I opened out the chassis hole slightly to match some brass tube I had. I then reemed and tapped the tube before gluing it in. In reality I needed some thicker tube as this ended up being more of a helicoil but we will see how it holds up.

 

Edited April 2 by SR71

[SR71]

Pickup mount done;

 

Tang holds it in place;

 

Ignore the tape. It's protecting the bottom bearing.

[SR71]

2 HAL roofs;

 

Now soaking in paint stripper.

[cypherman]

On 02/04/2024 at 11:11, SR71 said:

@cypherman

I have an answer for you! I opened out the chassis hole slightly to match some brass tube I had. I then reemed and tapped the tube before gluing it in. In reality I needed some thicker tube as this ended up being more of a helicoil but we will see how it holds up.

 

Hi SR71,

Thanks for the info.

[SR71]

After blowing all week the wind finally dropped at the same time as the chassis was ready for final test assembly.

 

 

Halfords satan black as ever does a cracking job. Touch dry in 15mins and blends in with HD original paint very well. But now, as it's not raining for once, progress will have to stop while I do some work in the garden.

[SR71]

And I came to realise the springing in the HAL motor mount was the floor flexing so it now has had a doubler plate soldered in.

 

 

I've also been cleaning everything on the 4-4-2 ready to be assembled.

Edited April 7 by SR71

[SR71]

I've not posted much in a while but I have been slowly progressing.  There just hasn't been much to show in a picture. As of yesterday though I have some sides! (And ends)

 

 

Just need to finish some roofs now.

Edited May 21 by SR71

[SR71]

After consideration over night I've redone the HAL front end. It looked ok in the flat but on the coach end it became very bug eyed. Hopefully I'll have the new ones in a couple of days and can do a comparison.

[SR71]

Well I now have the replacement ends and they look much better. Only a small dimensional change but so much better overall. I will post pictures later.

 

While I was waiting I got on with the Grisley Pullman. It's come together so fast I still need to fettle a chassis for it but I couldn't resist putting it together for some pictures in the sun.

 

Edited May 25 by SR71
Autoincorrect

[SR71]

Weather this week wasn't conducive to getting a good picture. Under tube lights at the club tonight.

 

 

Nothing fallen off so far!

[SR71]

Plan was always to do a dummy unit eventually. Mood took me to crack on with the roofs this morning.

 

[SR71]

Waking up at 4:30am has it's benefits (and it's down sides- starting to feel like I have crossed the Atlantic) and I have had a productive day.

 

Roofs primed this morning and this afternoon spent assembling the 4-4-2 chassis.

 

 

Once I'd sorted out the dead short it just needed some adjustment on the pick up. But it now runs, a great relief!

[SR71]

Pick up being obstinate this evening. Reverse curves and now points (fine yesterday) proving to be an issue. Currently the plan is judicious application of a file as I think I'm getting electickery jumping the gap pick up to wheel.

[SR71]

Not sure I'll have any photo updates today, if I do I will be adding them later, although more likely I'll be watching the Senior TT (9pm ITV4).

 

The 2 HAL +2 roofs got their top coat this morning... and I messed it up. One is flattened back for re-priming and the other will be sanded after BTCC race 2.

 

The I3 (4-4-2) pick up got better with filing but still needs further adjustment. For now I've primed the body to identify where needs more sanding. I'm also thinking of doing some more Pullman's. We shall see!

[SR71]

Not bad for a first coat but clearly there are areas still needing attention before final prime/paint can happen.

 

[SR71]

Sanding down well underway but a thought experiment before I get to a point with more pictures.

 

I picked up most of a HD castle without wheels. What could it be made into? I know the GWR were big on modularisation but I don't know well enough what else has a castle boiler.

[TinTracks]

20 hours ago, SR71 said:

I picked up most of a HD castle without wheels. What could it be made into?

 Hi. This is only a vague memory but I seem to recall that Gary Hall did an excellent Castle to Saint or Star ?? conversion years ago. Haven't had time to do much looking but he's got a you tube channel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iO4k6d9bxSY  . These days Gary has gone over to TT but if you scroll down his vids a few years back there's lots of Dublo.

 Cheers, Rich

Edited Saturday at 11:46 by TinTracks