Blog- The Fatadder's Workbench - More work on Class 59s

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Firstly returning to 59004, I mentioned in an earlier blog that for 59104 I had modified my method for constructing the new fuel tank so that it reuses the Bachmann detail for the gauge and filler cap. The end result of this was that I was not strictly happy with the part fitted to 59004 that had scratch built gauges/filler caps. As a result I turned to the Lima moulding that was left over from 59104's original chassis, while this was a bit too wide for the new chassis (by approximately 1mm) the curve radius was an exact match for that of the Bachmann tanks (and I suspect that the Lima moulding is too wide as a result of the flat solebars on the Lima chassis protruding too far at the bottom). So after cutting away all of the excess plastic, a cut was made along the length of the tanks followed by filing to match the width of the Bachmann part. The two parts were then glued together, along with fitting the Bachmann end detail and a plasticard inner end (with clearance for the motor.) It still requires extra detailing (both with the additional pipework to the left and an etch for the square surround to the filler cap)

 

Another area I came across while looking at fuel tank was that the battery boxes were mounted on brackets so there is a gap between them and the solebar. This was modelled as a solid piece of evergreen strip glued to the boxes and then glued to the chassis, (this was then repeated on 59104).

 

Finally I have finished the new air tanks for 59104, again I have slightly improved my method here. Instead of cutting away all of the infill on the twin tank side, i kept a small amount of plastic in the centre (hidden behind the other tanks) which forces the two tanks to stay the correct distance apart. These are now drying, requiring the filler removing tomorrow and fitting.

 

Next I really must get on with those new bogie frames......

 

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