Wright writes.....

[Tony Wright]

2 hours ago, Daniel W said:

It was good to see you again on Saturday, Tony. Thank you for taking a look at my kit built Locos. I was happy with the feedback I got: "Your craftsmanship is good, but your pick-ups are rubbish."

 

Now that I have a couple of Saddle Tank kits to build next, I would like some advice on the subject of rolling boilers and saddle tanks. Will the mouse-mat and broomstick method suffice, or is it worth investing in some rolling bars (if any can be found)?

Good afternoon Daniel,

 

Good to see you, too. 

 

Your pick-ups were 'rubbish'; note how much better your wee 0-6-0T ran after I'd substituted nickel silver wire for the phosphor bronze 'spaghetti' you'd installed. 

 

Your basic building was really encouraging - great, a younger modeller actually making thing; how refreshing.

 

Rolling boilers/tanks? I honestly couldn't do the job myself without rolling bars; not much help, I'm afraid, other than to invite you down here and we'll roll them together. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[Tony Wright]

23 minutes ago, thegreenhowards said:

Good afternoon Tony,

 

I also make most of those substitutions with Isinglass kits. But I’m surprised you feel the need to replace the torpedo vents. I think the Isinglass ones are nicely produced. If you have a pair of Hornby bogies with the original clips on top they clip directly into the ‘polo mint’ bit supplied by Isinglass which saves some time. I also use the Isinglass battery boxes as I think they’re well printed but I can see why you’d want the weight down there.

 

Decals are in the post.

 

Andy

Thanks Andy,

 

That's very kind of you. 

 

I always use cast metal ventilators - I suppose a 'prejudice' from Kirk days, where the plastic ones were hopeless.

 

I dislike clip-fit bogies. Removing Hornby's Gresleys usually results in the removal of any steps as well (even with a small screwdrivers as a lever). I always substitute a 6BA nut and bolt.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[APOLLO]

34 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

Before starting on the Isinglass Gresley TPO, I've done a bit more on my current DJH Britannia build..............

 

 

I'd used it as a demo piece at the Preston Show over the weekend; demonstrating white metal soldering for one thing. 

 

In my zeal, I'd forgotten that the barrel of the iron is the same temperature as the bit, cheerfully melting away the top of the bunker side as I wiggled the bit inside. It's been repaired with low-melt solder and fusewire.

 

It'll become 70010 eventually.

 

To join the other LB Brits..........

 

 

Another DJH kit, started by the late Bob Alderman and completed by me. Ian Rathbone painted it.

 

 

This DJH Brit was built by Mick Peabody, painted by me and then weathered by him (yes, the lamps are gross!). It's ex-Leighford, Stoke and Charwelton. 

 

 

A Hornby one, which, I admit, never gets used. I detailed/renumbered/renamed it, and elder son Tom weathered it. 

 

It really needs a new chimney.

 

 

It does run very well.

 

An ex-Bytham Brit...................

 

 

This is an ex-Hornby ANZAC tender-drive thingy. I wrote about its conversion in BRM; it consisted of a new set of frames (Comet) resulting in loco drive, with a new set of tender frames (also Comet). I gave the nasty tender-drive away. 

 

I repainted/weathered it, and it now runs on Shap (where it's more-appropriate). 

 

Britannias on the ECML north of Peterborough? Yes, on running-in turns or on their way to Donny Plant for shopping. 

 

Superb photos Tony, I especially like th pan shot of Boadicea - Wasn't she an Immingham loco at this time ?

 

I still have my Tri-ang TT 70036 Boadicea from back in 1963 bought by my parents when I passed my 11+ exam. Still runs but no TT layout now.

 

You can never have enough Brits on a layout !!

 

Here is Oliver Cromwell departing Wigan Wallgate under the old "Iron Bridge" (Trainspotters heaven) on an enthusiasts special. 

 

 

And Tornado at Preston, preparing to take the Euston - Barrow in Furness train out, I travelled on this train. 10 Dec 1966. Tornado took the train back home to Wigan, and on to Crewe.

 

 

Taking water at Barrow before turning.

 

 

Soon to be scrapped Metrovick at Barrow. Tornado again blowing off, chomping at the bit !!

 

 

And home to Wigan in style - In a brand new blue & grey Mk2, head out of window most of the way and a Brit in front, chime whistle a blowing !!!!!!!

 

 

Grand days.

 

Brit15

[MikeTrice]

On 07/03/2022 at 16:54, Tony Wright said:

I have a question, and I have really no idea as to the answer. 

 

On some of the Coronation drawings, a 'casing' is shown, completely covering all the underframe detail (with the exception of the dynamo). It's a kind of  'bath' shape, but with a flat base and 'tamba' ends, which fits between the skirts, but is shorter by at least a foot at both ends than the skirts. 

 

Strange but apparently true. It appears to have only been applied to the Restaurant Twins.

 

There is a photo in The London North Eastern Railway In Focus by John Crawley on page 53 showing Articulated "Coronation" coach No 1725 attributed to L Hanson. It is not apparent from that reproduction however examining a photographic version of the image the internal casing can be seen behind the LNER 10'0" Bogie.

[Tony Wright]

10 hours ago, MikeTrice said:

Strange but apparently true. It appears to have only been applied to the Restaurant Twins.

 

There is a photo in The London North Eastern Railway In Focus by John Crawley on page 53 showing Articulated "Coronation" coach No 1725 attributed to L Hanson. It is not apparent from that reproduction however examining a photographic version of the image the internal casing can be seen behind the LNER 10'0" Bogie.

Thanks Mike,

 

If Hornby fits the 'bath' to the Restaurant Twins, it'll be the first time (in my experience) that a model has ever carried this detail. All the others I've seen (Mailcoach, D&S and Golden Age, plus another - Marc Models?) have the underframe gubbins visible (when turned upside down). 

 

Obviously, in BR days it was removed at the same time as the skirting. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[Shed Driver]

11 hours ago, MikeTrice said:

Strange but apparently true. It appears to have only been applied to the Restaurant Twins.

 

There is a photo in The London North Eastern Railway In Focus by John Crawley on page 53 showing Articulated "Coronation" coach No 1725 attributed to L Hanson. It is not apparent from that reproduction however examining a photographic version of the image the internal casing can be seen behind the LNER 10'0" Bogie.

I don't have access to the drawings or photos that you are referring to, but I have always understood that the underframe details looked different due to the pressure ventilation system used on these coaches.

PS I remember from when I helped out at Lochty in the 70's that the underframe on the OBS  was different with large trunking.  Unfortunatly I did not take any photos.

Norman.

Edited March 9, 2022 by Shed Driver
Aditional info

[MikeTrice]

30 minutes ago, Shed Driver said:

I don't have access to the drawings or photos that you are referring to, but I have always understood that the underframe details looked different due to the pressure ventilation system used on these coaches.

PS I remember from when I helped out at Lochty in the 70's that the underframe on the OBS  was different with large trunking.  Unfortunatly I did not take any photos.

Norman.

All Coronation carriages were pressure ventilated so it does not explain why this "bath" (as Tony calls it) was only present on both carriages of the Restaurant Twins. It makes sense from a streamlining point of view but why not all carriages?

[zr2498]

1 hour ago, MikeTrice said:

All Coronation carriages were pressure ventilated so it does not explain why this "bath" (as Tony calls it) was only present on both carriages of the Restaurant Twins. It makes sense from a streamlining point of view but why not all carriages?

Perhaps the baths were designed for and fitted initially, but left off for easier maintenance access?

[Tony Wright]

7 hours ago, MikeTrice said:

All Coronation carriages were pressure ventilated so it does not explain why this "bath" (as Tony calls it) was only present on both carriages of the Restaurant Twins. It makes sense from a streamlining point of view but why not all carriages?

Good afternoon Mike,

 

'Bath' might be a poor description, but it seems to be a complete cover for all the equipment underneath the Kitchen Twins (with the exception of the dynamos). 

 

Why not all the cars, indeed.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[john new]

Perhaps, and only a guess, something fitted under just those cars. Did those twins include a kitchen?  If yes perhaps it was used only with the kitchen fittings/equipment, and therefore the only under gubbins in the whole rake needing such extra protection. As just one possible example of such - were they using gas fed cookers with under-slung gas storage tanks so those were needing protection against both punctures, ash pan droppings and sparks?

 

Edit - just remembered they were electric kitchens so not that , but the point remains - was there something they had others didn't?

 

Edited March 9, 2022 by john new
Extra info added.

[Dunsignalling]

On 08/03/2022 at 17:05, Tony Wright said:

Thanks Andy,

 

That's very kind of you. 

 

I always use cast metal ventilators - I suppose a 'prejudice' from Kirk days, where the plastic ones were hopeless.

 

I dislike clip-fit bogies. Removing Hornby's Gresleys usually results in the removal of any steps as well (even with a small screwdrivers as a lever). I always substitute a 6BA nut and bolt.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

When removing Hornby bogies, I find it safer to use a bigger screwdriver as a lever. My weapon of choice is a traditional-style carpenter's tool with a blade width of about a quarter inch and widening back towards the shaft.

 

John

[Tony Wright]

Every now and then, friends bring something along really interesting..........

 

How about these?

 

 

 

 

All Andy Greening's work. Perhaps he'll explain exactly what they are.

 

All ran well on Little Bytham, though two are wired opposite polarity.

 

I helped Andy erect a set of Jidenco frames during the morning. I think they're nice and square, but knowing the kits.............

 

Thanks for your most-generous donation, Andy.

 

 

[Tony Wright]

'Booting' Andy out shortly after lunch, I then got on with the Isinglass TPO............

 

 

A nice mix of fittings for the underframe.

 

It shouldn't take long to complete now. 

 

Thanks Andy (The Green Howard); the transfers arrived today. 

[uax6]

45 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

Every now and then, friends bring something along really interesting..........

 

How about these?

 

 

The above is a Caley 712. Its an old Wills Finecast body kit. It is built as per instructions, but with some refinements along the way. These include the external vac exhauster pipe along the boiler top and the air pipework that is pinned along the footplate valance (the hangers for this are split pins superglued to the brass rod, and then opened and superglued either side to the footplate valance). Only a few locos had the Westinghouse pump and this pipework. She has the back head from a GBL T9 with a plasticard floor. The chassis is a triang 0-6-0 block, very heavily modified. It has a can motor and flywheel driving through a Branchlines 60:1 two stage slimline gearbox onto the rear axle (the XO4 hump removed and a 8mm hole drilled through the block). The front axle is sprung (using the later Hornby class 08 springs pressing down on top of the axle that has been filed to an oval hole) and then the block between the front and middle axle is filed to resemble a set of frames. She runs nice and slowly, and the sprung front axle seems to help with pick-up too. Note the number 3 on this side is cut through the tank step, I actually found a photo (not of this loco) of one that shows just a set up with the transfer cut around the step!

 

45 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

 

This is a venerable Sutherland kit for a Highland 0-6-4T Straun Banker. This kit is actually still available from Nu-cast Partners (although its not advertised as they haven't re-made the moulds, although the couple I have had recently don't seem to show much deterioration of the moulds). Built as designed, sitting on a another triang chassis, which even has its original XO4 motor (that has just had a neo-magnet fitted which makes a huge difference. The plan is to butcher the chassis like on the 782 above at some point. The rear bogie is a Hornby T9 fitted with replacement wheels, so that I can have all wheel pick-up on it. The bogie is centred on the bunker floor, not on a swing link.

The body is sprayed Halfords Rover Damask Red, and then lined with a bow compass. In fact this is my first ever try of bow pen lining.

 

45 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

 

This a Castle, no not one of those imposter Castles that ran around on some Western Railway, but a proper Castle! Again a DJH kit, built as designed, even down to one of their gearboxes (It was in the box when I bought it secondhand, so it would be rude not to use it!). The biggest change to this kit is the tender, which has had the rear bogie superglued striaght and level to stop the bl**dy tender from wobbling all over the place! I've also fitted a sprung split pin drawbar between the loco and tender. Sprayed with Halfords stain black rattle can and again bow compass lined. I could do with finding a source of Highland loco name transfers that match the HMRS transfers if anyone knows a source please?

 

45 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

All Andy Greening's work. Perhaps he'll explain exactly what they are.

 

All ran well on Little Bytham, though two are wired opposite polarity.

 

I helped Andy erect a set of Jidenco frames during the morning. I think they're nice and square, but knowing the kits.............

 

I fear that kit (a Jones 4-4-0T) is going to be a slow burner! I've read the (scant) instructions again tonight and they seem to mention things that aren't on the etch, and I've noticed that some bits that are, are incorrectly etched too! I'll try and remember to do a photo build if anyone is interested and I may well be asking for help. It might find itself put away in the naughty corner for some time too!

45 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

Thanks for your most-generous donation, Andy.

 

No thank you for taking time to help me, you achieved a set of square frames far quicker than I would!

 

Andy G

[thegreenhowards]

1 hour ago, Tony Wright said:

'Booting' Andy out shortly after lunch, I then got on with the Isinglass TPO............

 

 

A nice mix of fittings for the underframe.

 

It shouldn't take long to complete now. 

 

Thanks Andy (The Green Howard); the transfers arrived today. 

Evening Tony,

 

Looking good - they do go together quickly don’t they! I think you’ll find that the ‘polo mints ‘ need cutting off the thin strands they’re attached to and gluing into the holes in the chassis.

 

Andy

 

 

[Bucoops]

Regarding the bath tubs - I have no idea where I saw it, or if I made it up, but wasn't there some under-floor wine storage in some LNER catering vehicles? Perhaps similar was used on the Coronation sets?

[St Enodoc]

10 hours ago, Bucoops said:

Regarding the bath tubs - I have no idea where I saw it, or if I made it up, but wasn't there some under-floor wine storage in some LNER catering vehicles? Perhaps similar was used on the Coronation sets?

But wouldn't it slosh about too much?

[Tony Wright]

16 hours ago, thegreenhowards said:

Evening Tony,

 

Looking good - they do go together quickly don’t they! I think you’ll find that the ‘polo mints ‘ need cutting off the thin strands they’re attached to and gluing into the holes in the chassis.

 

Andy

 

 

Good afternoon Andy,

 

Many thanks.

 

What I've done is to file down the bolster on the Hornby bogie to give the correct ride height, leaving the 'Polo mints' as they are. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[gr.king]

I remember, years ago, finding some Hornby bogies to be moulded in a tough plastic that is very resistant to filing. The teeth of the file would cut into it if enough force / pressure was applied, but a lot of the filings tended to hang on to the bogie by remaining little shreds of tough plastic rather than falling away onto the bench or into the bin. 

Filing the under-floor mounting bosses on a normal moulded styrene-type body was miles easier.

[Tony Wright]

1 hour ago, gr.king said:

I remember, years ago, finding some Hornby bogies to be moulded in a tough plastic that is very resistant to filing. The teeth of the file would cut into it if enough force / pressure was applied, but a lot of the filings tended to hang on to the bogie by remaining little shreds of tough plastic rather than falling away onto the bench or into the bin. 

Filing the under-floor mounting bosses on a normal moulded styrene-type body was miles easier.

I might well have done better by doing what's suggested by Andy (the Green Howard), but the 6BA screws are securely Araldited in place now, along with the 'Polos'. 

 

The Hornby bogies are hard plastic, indeed. The easiest way I found to reduce the bogies' bolsters' height was to you a Swan Moreton curved blade in a scraping motion. This really shifts the plastic, and any final tidying up can then be achieved by files. 

 

It looks like I've still got a bit more to remove..........

 

 

Even though the buffers line up with my other stock.

 

The conduit running along the solebar on this side was made using 30Amp fusewire, superglued in place. 

 

I have to say, it rides beautifully, particularly after I glued a strip of lead to the interior floor. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 10, 2022 by Tony Wright
to add something

[Tony Wright]

The picture in my post above shows the Isinglass TPO's progress up to lunchtime today.

 

 

The underframe was rattle can-painted with matt black over red primer. 

 

 

After three hours' drying in a warm environment, I masked off the underframe and rattle can-painted the main body with Burgundy Red. There is a little over-spray, which will be tidied up with sable-applied matt black. 

 

The roof was rattle can-painted with matt black as well. 

 

It should be finished by tomorrow! 

 

 

[t-b-g]

1 hour ago, Tony Wright said:

I might well have done better by doing what's suggested by Andy (the Green Howard), but the 6BA screws are securely Araldited in place now, along with the 'Polos'. 

 

The Hornby bogies are hard plastic, indeed. The easiest way I found to reduce the bogies' bolsters' height was to you a Swan Moreton curved blade in a scraping motion. This really shifts the plastic, and any final tidying up can then be achieved by files. 

 

It looks like I've still got a bit more to remove..........

 

 

Even though the buffers line up with my other stock.

 

The conduit running along the solebar on this side was made using 30Amp fusewire, superglued in place. 

 

I have to say, it rides beautifully, particularly after I glued a strip of lead to the interior floor. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Does it sit a bit higher at one end Tony? In the photo, the whole rim on the wheels in the L.H. bogie is visible under the solebar. On the R.H. bogie, the rim looks to go up behind the solebar. On LNER carriages, the top of the wheel rim should not be visible when viewing side on as it should be up behind the solebar. The RH end looks much better in that respect.

 

There does appear to be a rather large gap between the bottom of the solebar and the top of the bogie. I have seen this on many LNER models and it rather spoils the look for me. I wonder if the sideframes of the bogie are too low? It doesn't look as if the axles are in line with the axleboxes as they should be. It could be that removing more material to get the body to sit down further might just be altering the wrong components.

 

 

[Tony Wright]

58 minutes ago, t-b-g said:

 

Does it sit a bit higher at one end Tony? In the photo, the whole rim on the wheels in the L.H. bogie is visible under the solebar. On the R.H. bogie, the rim looks to go up behind the solebar. On LNER carriages, the top of the wheel rim should not be visible when viewing side on as it should be up behind the solebar. The RH end looks much better in that respect.

 

There does appear to be a rather large gap between the bottom of the solebar and the top of the bogie. I have seen this on many LNER models and it rather spoils the look for me. I wonder if the sideframes of the bogie are too low? It doesn't look as if the axles are in line with the axleboxes as they should be. It could be that removing more material to get the body to sit down further might just be altering the wrong components.

 

 

Thanks Tony,

 

The camera and all that.

 

Now it's painted, any discrepancy isn't so noticeable. I might, however, substitute MJT bogies.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[jwealleans]

You should find, Tony, that if you snap the underfloor boss off there are moulded guides to fit an MJT bogie mount.

[westerner]

Something slightly different.

 

The Minerva O gauge Class 14 On my layout Blackney

Before anyone mentions The second reporting number being a number not a letter I have several photos taken in the Forest of a goods/photographers train with the reporting boxes showing Blank 9 0 0 I've assumed that a few days later as it was now a straigt goods train they just rolled down the 8. After all the train only ran twice a week on a one engine in steam branch, hardly any need to show where it was going. there was only one destination on the branch.