Dukedog Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Now that "Steam on the Cambrian" is up and running and just needs some extra bits of detailing adding to it, it's time to consider what I am going to do next.Regular readers of this forum will already know that as well as having a "fetish" for all things Cambrian I also have a yearning to build 7mm scale narrow gauge stuff.Having already built a few locos and some stock I'm going to need something to run them on.I've been having a play about with "Anyrail" track drawing software and came up with a few ideas, most of which ended up in the laptops re cycle bin!However one design seems to have survived the delete button and that is this one.The name I came up with for this project was "Ashwood End" being the name of a long gone 0 gauge layout of Stourbridge Model Railway Society. Ashwood being a district right on the edge of the local green belt on the West Midlands / Staffordshire border This could all change of course as nothing is yet set in stone. I want to try and avoid the Cliche of Welsh narrow gauge but, it could still happen.It is proposed to build this new layout on 2 5ft x 18ins boards set at right angles. The fiddle yard being to the left rear on the above plan. Most traffic on the line would have been Sand and gravel from the local sand quarries. The layout is set in recent times where it has been assumed that the line has been taken over by the preservationists and is running a regular tourist passenger service as well as the lines own works traffic.So there you have it! Just need to get some materials and then I can make a start with some wood butchering!More on this as progress (if any) is made and there is something to show.Cheers Frank Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
definate maybe Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 If it matches the quality of SOTC it will be well worth following! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dukedog Posted October 6, 2013 Author Share Posted October 6, 2013 Of course this new project is going to need locomotives and stock. Most if not all of which will be scratch built, either on home made or RTR chassis. All the locos and stock are going to be "Freelance" narrow gauge, the main reason for being so is that if it ever makes the exhibition circuit the rivet counters and pedants can't turn round and say "That's not right!" I only have myself to please at the moment. Here for your perusal and nit picking pleasure are a few examples of locomotives and stock built so far. A 0-4-0 Diesel shunter to be Named No3 MERLIN and a van. The loco runs on a Hornby "Smokey Joe" chassis and the Van is built on a standard Dapol PO wagon chassis. This picture shows the same diesel shunter as above alongside a modified Bachmann Junior 0-4-0 loco "Gregg" Hope you like! More soon Frank Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dukedog Posted October 10, 2013 Author Share Posted October 10, 2013 Some more locomotive and rolling stock piccies for you delight and titillation! MERLIN painted and awaiting name plates and weathering. KATHLEEN (named after Mrs DD) awaiting name plates. This freelance model is a 0-4-2T using one of the South African Bagnal locomotives as inspiration. It uses most of a Hornby "smokey joe" 0-4-0 chassis with outside cranks and rear pony truck added. More loco and stock pictures soon until I start the layout propper. Cheers Frank Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dukedog Posted October 29, 2013 Author Share Posted October 29, 2013 Still no progress on the layout itself I'm afraid and not likely in the very near future. However work continues on building locomotives and stock for the project. Here's the latest progress on Loco No4 "George" a 0-4-0 tender loco. Believe it or not this loco started life as a Hornby "Caledonian" Pug! although there isn't much left of it. It now boasts Romford drivers with outside fly cranks and a load of other detailing some of which still has to be added. All the brass bits are scratch built cut from 15 thou brass sheet. The view from the driver's side. The tender now has a coat of grey primer. and the brass has been cut and shaped for the cab roof. More on this and other work on my 7mm narrow gauge project soon. Frank Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Donw Posted October 31, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 31, 2013 Some lovely models there Frank. Don Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dukedog Posted November 12, 2013 Author Share Posted November 12, 2013 A layout needs track (obviously) for the locos and stock to run on, so, i spent a couple of afternoons last week knocking up a couple of turnouts. I used the traditional copper clad sleepers type of construction using scrap Peco code 75 flat bottomed rail except for the right hand point where I used bull head rail for the switch blades. I was a bit cheeky though because I down loaded some H0/00 point templates from the Peco web site, printed them out and used them as a guide to building, adjusting the size and spacing of the sleepers accordingly.I also reduced the gap at the crossing slightly to improve running. Bit of a cheat really but it works! These are the first narrow gauge points I have made and I'm quite happy with them. Stock seems to run through ok with no wobbles or derailments so that will do for me! Only another 4 points of various types left to do so got some work for the next week or two! Cheers Frank Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dukedog Posted November 13, 2013 Author Share Posted November 13, 2013 Still waiting for timber and plywood supplies at the "right" price so no wood butchering yet and doubtful if any wood butchering will get done this side of Christmas. However that doesn't mean i can't think and plan ahead a little bit. Now, i'm no artist and never will be but, I spent about half an hour just sketching this picture to give some sort of impression as to what Ashwood end will look. Not the best picture as it was drawn in pencil then photographed with my Canon C12. Not all the detail is shown, just enough to give an overall impression that's all. The eagle eyed may note that an extra curved point and siding has been added to the original plan shown previously.the addition is a short siding to bring coal and fuel to the factory boiler house. I intend to start construction on some of the buildings shortly so watch this space for progress. Cheers Frank Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixteen 12by 10s Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 Hi Frank Just noticed this thread, its a bit of a change from all that is Cambrian, but looks like a fun project. Now, Ashwood end, that name rings a bell Gary Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dukedog Posted November 20, 2013 Author Share Posted November 20, 2013 Latest item of narrow gauge stock just come off the work bench.(Still needs transfers to finish) Locomotive fuel (Diesel) tank wagon based on one that was used on the FFestiniog Railway when the steamers were oil fired. The model is built on an old Hornby 00 gauge long wheelbase 4 wheeled chassis. The elliptical shape of the tank was a bit awkward. In the end I used 25mm copper pipe squeezed in a vice and then bonded 10thou plasticard to it. The ends were filled with milliput and filed/sanded to shape. Moving on, scratch built ladders, grab rails, Hand rails, Tank fillers, brake gear and outlet pipe and valves made and fitted. A blast of Halfords grey primer completes this stage. Finished apart from Transfers which I need to make myself because none available from the usual manufacturers. Painted in Halfords Satin matt black with valves and roller bearing axle boxes painted and discharge hose made from fuse wire on the running plate. Bachmann couplings as per all my narrow gauge stock are also fitted. Not bad for 2 afternoon workbench sessions! Cheers Frank Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ess1uk Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 great work Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Donw Posted November 21, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 21, 2013 Thank look terriffic Frank. There a lot of freedom in freelance modelling when done well it is quite believeable I could imagine coming across that rusting away somewhere before preservation. Don Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dukedog Posted December 10, 2013 Author Share Posted December 10, 2013 Another 7mm scale narrow gauge project rolls off the production line at "Dukedog Towers" workbench. This little 0-4-0 Tender loco is now complete apart from name plates and crew, nameplates will be ordered from Narrow Planet along with plates for some of my other locos very shortly. I have decided to call this one GEORGE after one of my great grand children, other locos past and present will also be named after family members as appropriate. Anyway without further waffle here's a couple of pictures.. Still no progress on the actual layout I'm afraid, waiting now for next spring and decent weather to get outside and do the wood butchering! Still, there are plenty of workshop projects to do over the winter so watch this space! Cheers Frank Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ess1uk Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 what a great looking little loco Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dukedog Posted December 27, 2013 Author Share Posted December 27, 2013 My narrow gauge loco fleet as of the end of this year 2013. I'll try and post the rolling stock fleet soon!CheersFrank Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hartleymartin Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 How do you add the outside cranks to the "Smokey Joe" chassis? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dukedog Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share Posted February 23, 2014 How do you add the outside cranks to the "Smokey Joe" chassis? Not easy! I ended up making new axles 1/8 diameter, Then fitting brass bushes in the frames. If you keep the original Hornby motor and gears you need to bush out the gear centre as the Hornby axles are 5/32 dia. Quartering can be a pain too! but worth it in the end. Cheers Frank Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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