jazz

C Class is now well under way.  Still some detailing to complete.  I hate this stage prior to polishing them up prior to washing and priming.  I'll be glad when the weather bucks up too as there are quite a few awaiting the priming stage.

Class C chassis is built.  Very nice kit so far.

Now it's onwards with the next build.  This being the Javelin SECR 'C' class.  The tender was quite easy to build. It does need some cleaning up though.

just built this Javelin timber wagon kit whilst I waited for the replacement Watford tank chimney.   It's joining the queue for priming.  Now on with the tank loco.

Watford Tank No 2 loco now well under way. (This is a London Road Models kit as opposed to the Taff Vale Models.)  This one has a brass tube for the boiler and some of the castings are not  as good. Replacement chimney casting is under way,

It's looking pretty grotty at present and will need a good clean up. And a bit of work to get it as good as the Taff Vale model

Spent the past week constructing this Springside 94xx.  Not a kit for the inexperienced I may add, especially if one assembles it with solder.  (very little super glue was used) A large number of white metal casting are very thin and extremely easy to melt.  I managed to make some holes in the body parts.  Easy  to repair though, by filling with low melt solder and file smooth.

Still a fair bit to do as yet.

After a very nice break in Bournemouth I've now almost finished the 2nd 8F I have just got the valve gear to finish the valve, a little touching in on the chassis and it's done.

1 hour ago, Fastdax said:

 

Hi Ken,

 

It looks like you're doing the usual thing of lightly springing the centre axles, but is the leading axle compensated with a central pivot?

(I'm about to start a DJH 9F and trying to decide the best way to do compensation/springing/whatever ...

 

Duncan

Hi Duncan.  The driving axle is rigid, the centre two sprung up and down, the leading axle is sprung downwards only. (I'm not a fan of compensation on driving axles or any axles really, preferring to spring axles.)  I have only a maximum  travel of 1mm in both directions and .5mm in the downwards only travel.  That is plenty for well laid track.

On 17/11/2022 at 06:03, david.hill64 said:

Ken,

 

We now pack threaded crankpin bushes with these kits to help overcome the clearance issues.

 

Regards

 

David

Thanks David. That saves the builder having to tap the bushes.  I must say I like the countersunk leading bushes design. That saves a great deal of space where it's needed most.👍

Benn struggling to get the chassis running due to the very tight clearances.  I think it might be OK now. I cannot do any more on it now until it's been painted. I hope it will be OK then.

Onwards now with the 8F chassis.  Not a straight forward build due to very tight spaces and tighter clearances.  In fact no side play at all on the leading axle.  All running smoothly now though.

The second 8F is now underway starting as usual with the tender. (I've built so many of these they now cause me no problems having learned a number of ways to make it easier. Not following the build sequence in the instructions helps tremendously in that.)

The frames cross members are a right fiddly pain to insert especially by the water pickup shut but well worth the effort I think.

Here it is ready priming after a wash of course.

Here is an 8F, Gladiator kit, which was part built. (I was asked to complete it.)  It's in a pretty grotty state and I will clean it up shortly.

The next on the WB is another 8F that has not been started.

Hi again. After a very pleasant week in Bristol, Bath, Wells and a couple of others,  I got the 7F boxed off at the w/end.  All went well on that kit.

Looks just perfect with some muck on it👍

The 7F loco chassis is now under way. No problems so far.

At last made some progress on the LMS 7F 'Austin' kit.  The usual Gladiator kit, going together very well.

Just noticed the top front step requires resoldering.  (Didn't notice that until I saw the photo)

Brake van is now primed and ready for the off.  Next on the WB will be the Gladiator LMS 7F.  That will be fun after the brake van I think.

The past few days I've been building this Connoisseur Models Pocket Money BR brake van kit. A nice kit to build with loads of rather fiddly etches to fit. Although big Jim says it's not a perfect replica it looks OK to me.

J25 is now ready for the off.  There is very little room for the fall plate, so I decided to fit a very narrow fixed one. The drop down one would not be practical I think.  Even the narrow one required a small cut out to miss the tender brake standard.  

Well, that's pretty much the body done. I still have to fabricate a fall plate though.

Almost completed the body now. Just a few tweakes here and there to get it right.

Onwards now with the body.  All going nicely.