RMweb Gold PhilH Posted April 14, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 14, 2012 I know this is model engineering but thought that some might be interested. So... Some 15 years ago I bought a set of drawings for a rebuilt 5" gauge Merchant Navy. I duly started to fabricate some of the smaller items, some brackets, frame stretchers etc. I soon had the sinking feeling that, although a reasonably skilled and equipped model engineer it was probably a step too far for me - especially when I looked at the boiler drawing, 31" long, 6" dia. parallel part, then the cone, then a huge firebox...gulp! Today, following a heads up from a fellow RMwebber (you know who you are, thank you so much again) I undertook the long drive from Hedge End to near Grantham and back to purchase this kit of parts from the estate of a prematurely deceased model engineer. I just can't begin to describe the quality of what I brought home with me - the guy was a genius. He obviously drew everything out in CAD then had the thicker parts (including the main, tender and bogie frames) laser cut, all brackets etc. have tabs and slots for easy assembly, with the thinner parts etched in nickel silver. I have bags and boxes of bits, dozens of sheets of n/s etchings, oh - and a professionally built boiler! This is all copper and weighs the best part of 35kgs. The real tragedy is that what was in this highly skilled engineer's brain has also died with him, plus his obvious design and fabrication skills. For instance rather than buy castings for the 3 cylinders and the wheels he has had flame cut all the bits to fabricate them - unfortunately I have to try and work out what was in his mind on how to build them. I'm not sure whether I have the time left to finish this model - I just hope that I can add value to it to somewhere near the standard so far, so that when I pop my clogs someone else will be able to take it over and end up with a darn fine machine. Anyway a couple of (bad) photos to illustrate: Some of the bits (tin of mandarins for size comparison) Some of the superbly fabricated brackets The exquisite Bissel truck frame Some of the etch sheets Finally, just loads of stuff! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffalo Posted April 14, 2012 Share Posted April 14, 2012 What a fabulous collection of bits. This could be the longest running kit build yet on RMweb. I do hope you're going to keep us updated on progress? Nick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chubber Posted April 14, 2012 Share Posted April 14, 2012 'Wow' doesn't come near it! Those hornplates are like jewellery. Whose a lucky boy, then? Doug Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
-missy- Posted April 14, 2012 Share Posted April 14, 2012 Hi Phil I agree with Nick, what an absolutely fantastic project you have there. I would love to have the oppertunity to tackle such a brilliant project like that and I wish you all the best with it. If you need any help then please give me a shout... Missy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redkiterail Posted April 14, 2012 Share Posted April 14, 2012 Phil in the latest engineering in miniature magazine there is a article on how on to fabricate cylinders. HTH Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev_Lewis Posted April 14, 2012 Share Posted April 14, 2012 *picks his jaw up from the floor* That is an amazing set of parts Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PhilH Posted April 14, 2012 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 14, 2012 Phil in the latest engineering in miniature magazine there is a article on how on to fabricate cylinders. HTH Thanks for that, I'll have a look at it. As I work on the 12"/ft things on the MHR, and have been fairly intimate with two full size Merchant Navies so far I'm fairly well up on what bit should chuff when the other bit goes ssssss, it's just going to be trying to work out which bit is which of the many hundred in the bag marked 'cylinders'! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Worsdell forever Posted April 14, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 14, 2012 This is the benchmark Phil, good luck! Ellerman Lines (and it's a lot more advanced than this now.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Pannier Tank Posted April 14, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 14, 2012 I know this is model engineering but thought that some might be interested. So... Too right we are interested, I would dearly love to have a 5" Gauge Pannier or Jinty, wishful thinking! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mswjr Posted April 14, 2012 Share Posted April 14, 2012 Hi, Phil Lucky man. Im mainly a 5 inch gauge man built about 7 in my time and a traction engine,their are a few blokes on here including myself who will give advice if you need it,A Merchant navy sure is a fine machine.But i do hope you no how much work there is in one you can tell the wife cuz you will be living in the workshop, keep us posted on how you get on. Garry mswjr Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
N15class Posted April 14, 2012 Share Posted April 14, 2012 Looks like you had better get the screwdriver at the ready.Lovely set of parts. You must of been smilling all the way home. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dajt Posted April 14, 2012 Share Posted April 14, 2012 Fantastic purchase! Those parts do look beautifully made. As you say he's done a fine job making fabrications look like castings. Regards, David. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scots region Posted April 15, 2012 Share Posted April 15, 2012 I will be following this and taking notes Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Welly Posted April 15, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 15, 2012 What an exquisite one-off kit! I'm looking forward to following progress with it - take your time! My work colleague is into model engineering - I shall direct his attention to this thread! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PhilH Posted April 15, 2012 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 15, 2012 When I make progress I shall post a few photos, but I do anticipate that this project could possibly take the rest of my natural, and then still not be finished. As has been pointed out although the bits I have been fortunate enough to acquire will take years off the build it is still a hugely complicated machine in 5" gauge. Having let my model engineering skills lapse somewhat during my ongoing 12" / ft locomotive restoration dalliance I will have to get back into the swing of it for a start. Just sorting out all the bits and pieces will take a few months! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted April 15, 2012 Share Posted April 15, 2012 ..... to purchase this kit of parts from the estate of a prematurely deceased model engineer. I just can't begin to describe the quality of what I brought home with me - the guy was a genius. He obviously drew everything out in CAD then had the thicker parts (including the main, tender and bogie frames) laser cut, all brackets etc. have tabs and slots for easy assembly, with the thinner parts etched in nickel silver. I have bags and boxes of bits, dozens of sheets of n/s etchings, oh - and a professionally built boiler! This is all copper and weighs the best part of 35kgs. The real tragedy is that what was in this highly skilled engineer's brain has also died with him, plus his obvious design and fabrication skills. For instance rather than buy castings for the 3 cylinders and the wheels he has had flame cut all the bits to fabricate them - unfortunately I have to try and work out what was in his mind on how to build them...... Who was the late engineer? Perhaps mention of his name here might alert those who knew him and the way in which he thought? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PhilH Posted April 15, 2012 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 15, 2012 Who was the late engineer? Perhaps mention of his name here might alert those who knew him and the way in which he thought? I didn't enquire - the transaction was handled by a third party on behalf of his estate. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgeT Posted April 15, 2012 Share Posted April 15, 2012 Hi Phil, Thought my bullied was big, keeping an eye on this one great stuff, good luck............ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PhilH Posted April 18, 2012 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 18, 2012 As I alluded to above part of the tragedy of this project originator's passing is the fount of knowledge that has passed with him. Apparently he left no hard notes or drawings of the project, everything was on his computer which no one can now access. This has left many puzzles to be solved as he patently wanted to construct the loco with the minimum of castings. A case in point are the wheels - sheets of beautiful n/s etchings of various thicknesses, different one for the front and rear faces of the BFBs, various size 'webs' which are clearly meant (and half etched) to be folded, all meant to end up as a wheel constructed as per the original (remember some of the later locos, I think it was the later ones, had wheels made up by welding together the various bits) The problem is I have absolutely no idea at the moment what was in his head regarding them, so it will take a deal of thought to come up with a method of fabricating them. Some photos of just a few of the different etched sheets: Till the next time.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryn Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 I just got a cold shiver down my spine looking at that. I know the word is over used these days, but this is truly AWESOME Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debs. Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 I`m so envious, and VERY much looking forward to watching progress with this project! 8) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PhilH Posted April 18, 2012 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 18, 2012 One thought has just come into my mind - I have easy access to the MHR's 35005 'Canadian Pacific' which is currently in Eastleigh Loco works awaiting restoration - perhaps an examination of the wheels on that thing will give give me a clue. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold farren Posted April 18, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 18, 2012 do the ecthings have the compony's name on them? as they may have been done by cad and may still have the cad file which may be of some use to you Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PhilH Posted April 18, 2012 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 18, 2012 It looks like more than one company was involved - I forgot to add there are some laser cut bits for the wheels as well! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 As I alluded to above part of the tragedy of this project originator's passing is the fount of knowledge that has passed with him. Apparently he left no hard notes or drawings of the project, everything was on his computer which no one can now access. .... Not even a security expert? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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