A.R.

Hi, You're right, it does look like that. I think in reality there is an ever so slight misalignment but the photo makes it look worse than it is. At normal viewing distance it isn't noticeable. Cheers, Alex

Evening All, SR Class 70 I am glad to say that the Class 70 is now finished! Apart from some possible weathering, everything has been completed. I have taken some ordinary photos and then a couple with filters that I think really add some character to the loco. I look forward to hearing what you think! @Michael EdgeThank you for producing an excellent pantograph kit for this loco - it finishes it off perfectly! Freelance SR 0-4-0 Here is a preview of my next project, a freelance industrial steam loco which I aim to make predominatly out of brass: Cheers, Alex

Hi All, Thanks for the comments! The project is almost complete now, with just numbers left to apply - these have arrived from Railtec and will finish the loco off nicely. I will take some final photos as soon as the numbers are done, but here is a preview of the model in monochrome. Hopefully the full colour photos will follow in the coming days! Cheers, Alex

Class 70 Update Evening All, I have managed to progress the Class 70 considerably over the weekend. Firstly, I changed my mind and instead of 3D printing the above parts, I decided to make them from sctrach - you can see them on the model in the pictures below. Pantograph I started with the pantograph - a really good Judith Edge kit. This was built up on a jig made out of my cutting board and went together well - it was very fiddly but this was mostly down to me having not made one before! You can see the stages of the build here: Well Removal Once I had completed the pantograph, I realised the roof well for the electrical gear was too short. Therefore, I made some small modifications to the roof well and then used filler to re-shape it. Complete I also added the handrails and the model is now virtually complete with only a few final jobs to do before painting can commence. I need to make and fit some light covers, and then file the flanges on the driving bogie wheels - I have done this on the trailing bogie now by way of a big metal file! I look forward to hearing your thoughts! Cheers, Alex

Evening All, Just a quick update. I have now recieved the pantograph kit from Judith Edge kits and ordered some brass handrail knobs. I have also been working on designing various details to be 3D printed and have now sent these off to be printed. Here is the CAD: This detail set includes vents, underframe details, beam details and steps, all of which should help to finish off the model. I should have some time to bring all these bits together over the weekend so keep an eye out for more updates! Also, if anyone has any ideas/suggestions when it comes ot reducing the flanges that would be great! Cheers, Alex

Hi All, Thanks for comments! I can try and do a video of it running at some point in the future @313201! @DCB With regards to the Mk1s, I probably didn't research them enough so no particular reason behind the extended buffers, they were just quite cheap if I remember rightly so I got them and thought they'll do! Also interesting to know that the Maunsell idea wouldn't have worked in reality! I am now working on getting together some details for the Class 70. However, I have realised non of my drills have a wide enough chuck to turn down the flanges (I will need it to run on Code 75 track). Would anyone be able to do this for me if I sent the wheels over, either with a bigger drill or just a small lathe? If you may be able to help, I would be grateful if you could let me know, either on here or by PM! Thanks in advance! Hopefully more to post soon! Cheers, Alex

Hi All, Apologies for not posting recently! Quite a lot has changed with the Class 70 project. As I want to get it completed as soon as possible, I have decided to leave the experimental chassis for now and have instead used Class 40 bogies and bogie frames. I have cut these down to the correct length and then used the external pick-up bars from the 3D printed frames. I have also used the NEM coupling pockets I designed and have fitted these to the Class 40 frames too. The bogies have now been primed and fitted to the body and the loco is fully operational! I now need to start detailing with additions to include horns, other roof details, handrails, external wires, glazing etc. Furthermore, I have decided after much deliberation to use the original green livery with red stripe! The InterCity livery looked amazing and I am tempted to do another Class 70 simply so I can paint it in those colours, but for my future layout I would like one that fits the southern theme! I will keep you all updated! Cheers, Alex

Hi All, I have been thinking about the livery of the Class 70 lately and I have decided upon a rather surprising and un-prototypical colour scheme - InterCity Swallow livery. I have always wanted to give these colours a go as it happens to be one of my favourite liveries, so, I asked @Steadfast (big thanks!) to have a go at adding some colours to my CAD drawings to get an idea of what it would look like! I have to say I am very impressed by the results, and although unrealistic, I am going to go for it as it's a bit of fun, and I can always paint over it in a more accurate green at some point in the future. I look forward to hearing your thoughts (good and bad!) and thanks again to Steadfast's wonderful photoshop skills. Cheers, Alex

Hi All, Thanks for the kind comments! Class 70 I am hoping the wheelsets will fit - they did on the CAD but only when I fit them in reality can I be sure! The motor bogie is certainly an unusual design and is essentially a bit of an experiment to see if I can get a largely 3D printed power bogie to work. The chain drive is also a bit of an experiment so we shall see how it all goes! The loco will indeed be twin bogie drive, but I am focussing on getting one working first before I start the second so any mistakes I make aren't repeated! Southern Region Mk1 Upgrade More work should follow shortly on the Class 70. However, in the meantime, here are some pictures of another side project I have ongoing - the upgrading of some very old Mk1 coaches (mostly Triang). Whilst the modern RTR coaches are exquisite, they are quite expensive and for long rakes that will be going at speed, and think a few rakes of these Triang conversions will do nicely! I have a set of 5 parcels coaches to do next! These Mk1s have been repainted, re-wheeled, had new whitemetal buffers and glazing strips added, details picked out in gold, window signs and numbering added. I have also added scratchbuilt corridor connections and lightly weathered the underframes with powders. I look forward to hearing your thoughts! Cheers, Alex

Evening All, On Saturday morning, I was pleased to receive the final set of prints for the Class 70 project. These have been printed in black resin at a layer height of 0.025mm and I am pleased with how they have turned out. The body shell is in two halves becuase of printer limitations, but as I hope you will see in later photos, this join line is virtually imperceptible after a little work! Here are the parts as received: Firstly, I joined the two body halves and started lightly sanding down the roof to smooth it off. I then added the brass beams down either side, made simpler by the slots in the rear of the buffer beams in the same profile. I then added the sprung buffers (which are quite chunky, but look good on the loco) and the other brass details, such as wipers and piping, to the cab ends - these are just made of brass scraps. I will be adding rivet transfers to the roof, as well as more brass detailing down the sides of the loco. Here are some pictures of the current progress: Finally, I have started to put together the bogies. This has included sanding and painting, fitting the worm wheel, and adding the 1/8th inch bearings to each side ready for the axles. I have also tapped the various holes (M2) so it all bolts together. You can also see the built-in NEM pocket which means a coupling can simply be clipped into place without any work! I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Cheers, Alex

Thanks for confirming! Do you know of any wheel cover etches if my 3D print attempt doesn't work? Cheers, Alex

Evening All, Thanks for the pictures and comments, it's great to see such interest in this project. @Michael Edge Thanks for that, I didn't know they did those. However, my design relies on 1/8th inch axles and I think the Markits/Gibson ones have smaller axles than that - would you be able to confirm that? @Re6/6 Thanks for your kind comments and for posting the great photos of your models, I like how imposing they feel being made out of such thick brass - what livery do you plan to paint them? @number6 Indeed, I too thought the 4-8-0 may have been a navy blue in the painting, and I am actually very tempted to paint it in a similar colour - it is fictional after all! Your models look amazing and I have to agree about the locos being covered in rivets - I spent a lot of time adding them to the CAD! I have been working on a couple of things whilst I wait for the final prints to arrive. Firstly, I have given the test prints a quick coat of paint just to get a feel for how it will look and I think it looks good for a very rough test piece. Secondly, I have drawn a quick version of the thin wheel covers to add the Bulleid-style wheels to ordinary spoked wheels and these are currently being test printed. I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Cheers, Alex

Hi, Thanks @73c, I have read that article before but must have completely missed it so appreciate you mentioning it! My plan is to try and design some BFB wheel plates and 3D print them to mount in spoked driving wheels...I will see how it goes. Cheers, Alex

Hi, Thanks @KeithHC, should hopefully have the final prints soon - some inevitable cleaning up required. The brass beam for the sides, the brass bar for the pivots and some brass tube arrived today so that will be ready to fit to the loco prints upon arrival. I have a quick question - does anyone know of the style of wheel these locos had? Would they have been simple disc wheels, disc wheels with holes, spoked, or even Boxpok patterns? Any help would be great! Cheers, Alex

Hi All, Thanks for your comments! @Corbs I too am interested to see how the Delrin system will work, especially as I am incorporating some 3D printed gears! @KeithHC In the long term, I will likely do the original (simple modifications to the roof shape etc.) but due to the fact I am making this powered on both bogies, it is turning out a little expensive so the second loco will have to wait! I recieved some test prints yesterday and I am really pleased with how these have turned out. They aren't perfect as they were done with older resin and on a lower resolution to allow for a quicker turnaround time. I have made a few tweaks and full final prints are currently underway! I have also ordered some of the brass parts such as the beam for the bottom of the loco and some sprung buffers. Here are some pictures of the prototype loco quickly sprayed in some grey primer: This is the prototype of part of the motorised bogie with the printed worm gear and worm wheel, and some bearings temporarily put in place: I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Cheers, Alex

Hi, Thanks @Michael Edge, I was going to ask if anyone knew of a pantograph kit! Just looked it up and it looks really nice so I will be getting one of those to finish this loco I think...bit of a way off yet though. Cheers, Alex

Hi All, Apologies for the lack of updates on here! Maunsell 4-8-0 The Maunsell 4-8-0 project is currently on hold until High-Level kits gets up and running again; before I progress further, I need to make sure it runs well with the motor and gearbox. This is not a problem as it has allowed me to embark on another project in the meantime... BR Class 70 In keeping with the Sourthern theme, I have been working on a model of the Bulleid-designed CC Class locos (BR Class 70), specifically BR 20003. The models are to be largely 3D-printed, with brass parts where applicable. The CAD work is now largely complete and the first test prints are due to be delivered shortly. I have designed the bogies from scratch and each will have its own motor, be driven via 3D-printed gears and a Delrin chain system, as well as having a flywheel. The model will also feature NEM coupling pcokets. This is a complete experiment but the benefits of CAD means drawings can be altered and re-printed to meet the required specifications. The pictures below should give you an idea of how it will look and I will hopefully have some test prints to show shortly. Thanks @Geoff_E for your kind words and information, much appreciated! I am still mulling over the colour of the Maunsell! With regards to smoke deflectors, thanks for the info, but as I am following the painting posted earlier the thread, I will likely leave them off! I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Cheers, Alex

Evening All, Not much progress on the 4-8-0 recently as I am searching for a motor and gearbox to fit. However, I have completed this luggage van from a Parkside kit and I think it's actually turned out really well! Here it is posed on the photo plank: I am also looking to upgrade some old coaches and will keep you updated on progress! Cheers, Alex

Evening All, Although it may seem progress hasn't been made, I have been doing a few different modelling projects recently. The main one is a photo plank so that I can take some decent pictures of the models I am building! This has been built out of some scrap ply, leftover modelling materials and matchsticks/cocktail sticks - the only thing I bought was the little Ford tractor. I started by cutting out the pieces and building the basic structure out of thin ply. Then I built up the embankment with card, paper mache and plaster. This was then painted, left to dry and scenic material added. The fence is made from matchsticks and some leftove 0.45mm wire, and the signs from cardboard and matchsticks. The bridge is an N gauge Peco girder section cut to size. Track is legacy models 00 gauge bullhead. I couldn't resist taking some photos of 94000 posed, both on its own and with a pullman coach - I have to say I am really pleased with the photo plank and how the model looks on it! Finally, some progress on the 4-8-0 has been made - the valve gear is all finished on both sides and weight has been added. Just need to add detail and wheel weights before thoughts turn to motorising and painting .... I am still unsure as to the colour....any ideas? I look forward to hearing your comments and ideas. Cheers, Alex

Morning All, I have managed to make some progress on the Maunsell 4-8-0 and have fitted the wheel weights and the sprung buffers at the front of the loco. I have begun work on the valve gear for the opposite side too and am expecting a new chimney in the post shortly! I will hopefully be ordering the motor and gearbox soon once I have worked out the best arrangement and gearing. What sort of speeds do you think a loco like this would have been averaging, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts? So here are some of the latest pictures showing the buffers and wheel weights fitted, and a slightly more atmospheric picture in black and white. Cheers, Alex

Hi All, Apologies for the lack of progress and thank you for the lovely comments! Maunsell 4-8-0 I have managed to make some progress on the valve gear over the past few days, well, on the left hand side at least. This does make the loco look more finished than it is as the right hand side has very few details on the body and no valve gear to speak of yet! However, it is slowly getting there and starting to take on the feel of the painting, though I would welcome your thoughts, especially if I have missed something! Here is the chassis as it currently stands, just wheel weights to add to this side before its complete. And with the body on, its starting to come together! Drummond T-14 A few posts ago, I mentioned that I will be starting a fully scratchbuilt project of the Drummond T-14 in brass. This is certainly jumping in at the deep end but I am going to give it a go. I have now secured scans of the original blueprints and am working on digitally stitching them together so that I can start to draw out the various parts I will need. The first aspect of this will be the chassis frames, working upwards. Cheers, Alex

Evening All, Sorry for the lack of updates this week! I am pleased to say, however, the wheels have arrived and I have started to fit them. This required some unforeseen work around the front of the chassis to enable the bogie to swivel smoothly. This turned out to be relatively simple and just required some filing, and a spacer moving back a few mm. Here is the chassis with motion bracket, cylinders and first bits of motion: An overall view: I think it is starting to come together now and I couldn't resist comparing the original painting to the current status of the model. Not too bad.....what do you think? (I appreciate the perspective isn't identical but hopefully it gives a good comparison!) Cheers, Alex

Evening All, Thanks for the comments and advice, always welcome! I thought I would do a quick update of the weekend's progress. The focus has been the details on the left-hand side of the loco, including the clackvalves and handrails etc. I have also riveted the front bufferbeam and this looks much better than the flat surface on the original model. The project has reached the enjoyable stage of building the model back up with details etc, with less sanding and cutting of plastic required! I plan to order the wheels and some details (including a replacement chimney and some sprung buffers) shortly. An overall shot; its starting to come together now! A close up of the various pipework, toolkit and valves! Here you can see all the rivets on the bufferbeam and smokebox; I think they look effective. I have also started to remove the fake coal load. Here you can see the replacement base that will be filled with real coal (hence the fairly rough edges)! I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Cheers, Alex

Evening All, Thanks @Geoff_E for the useful info, I kind of wish I could lengthen the body as you say but I am a bit too far in with the build now! Hopefully it won't be noticeable! It makes sense why they didn't build it, no point being able to pull trains that then clog up the whole network with them not being able to fit sidings! Interesting and useful video Bryan @gz3xzf, thanks for that. This evening I have been working on adding the rivets back onto the smokebox with some success! I had the idea of using small blobs of filler and it seems to work. I agree its not perfect, but it does the job, and is much cheaper than using the Archer's alternatives! Here I have drawn the rough lines of the rivets as a guide: Blobbed on filler: Sprayed and I think they look okay: The rivets look a tad sharp but I can give a very light sand and with a few more layers of paint this sharpeness should be reduced! I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Cheers, Alex

Morning, @BusDriverMan Thanks for your kind comments, the turned brass bits are by no means perfect, there are limitations, but for small details, especially those that will be painted, they work well! I will be fitting the clack valves tonight so will see how they look! I don't think shiny brass looks right in 4mm so will probably paint them brass coloured. I will be also looking at making some vacuum pipes... Hi Bryan @gz3xzf, thanks for your comment. I thought it was unusual as to why the steam pipe is far back so any info you find out please do pass it on as I would be interested to know! I bet the Lord Nelson sounds impressive with 8 beats per revolution! I should be able to update with some more progress this evening. Cheers, Alex