VRBroadgauge

As part of @Sithlord75 Advent challenge Kev's constructed one of my T vans. This is a VR insulated van with three ice hatches up top. It gets pretty warm down here in oz so these beasties moved a lot of produce. I'm pretty happy with this one and I have a 6 wheel version coming in the next lot of etches. Some of these wagons were "billboard" versions with advertising on the side. Victorian Railways was state government operated so they were unusual. Before you comment, the photo above is of a version that was a 6 wheeler but has the center axle removed and the chassis strengthened.

I believe there's about 30 of these beasties... I plan on taking a class photo over christmas and posting it.

2023 will be the year of the locomotive. I'm willing to have a crack at just about anything. I like the fact that we can build things that haven't been done before - particularly in this country. It's very gratifying. But having said that I'm happy to do things for my pommy friends or if there is a specific need. I had a bloke that I met at an N scale convention ask if I could do a 2FS 2' gauge 0-6-6-0. I didn't say no.... Most challenges accepted.

Apparently this beastie is surprisingly strong. It becomes integral once it's soddered together. Unlike the dreaded 3DP it will stand the test of time. I'm slightly impressed with myself.

Much appreciated for the information. Another question. So the piston rod has an end squared off and is soldered to the center part of the U? I take it that this is lined up by eye and there are no guides on the etch. Is that joint a problem or is it strong enough for future use? I'm just thinking of the design process and trying to make it easy for myself as regards to construction.

Nick, you don't happen to have a picture of the crosshead components before you soddered them together? I'm interested in how that works.

Half etched banding added.

Half etched ends with bolt detailing

Half etched ring with bolt heads.

The WT wagon seated on the chassis. A couple or minor problems with my mathematics but fixable. Much better result than a 3D print. Also has built in weight and will track superbly.

I probably should send up those wheels.

What Kev said. I've got an annoying Beyer Peacock VR T class in bits. Like Simon said I'll hope to get the chassis running. Challenge accepted...

Was the list of jobs a happy accident or advent advantageous?

You were correct in what you said Richard. The 6 wheeler tracks beautifully. I had some dodgy video but it was too big to upload.

Preservation comes in many forms. Great pick up Jerry. Proper track will enhance the scene no end. I'd expect you could probably tweak the track layout slightly (longer points) without too much problem.

Try plywood and foam. If you get the design right it’s strong and lightweight.

Sometimes during the euphoria of designing and building a model you can forget a few fundamentals. For instance, does the model actually go around your track? Up to this point I’ve been doing four wheel stock and some passenger bogies. No problem there. Enter the Z van. This little beastie has six wheels with an axle spacing of 15mm. Shouldn’t be a problem you say. One would think so. But I’m not entirely sure. This is where working out your designs in advance has it’s advantages. I’ve been careful to make the sharpest curves on my proposed layout(s) 600mm (24’). This little piece of kit is a curve of said radius. I’ll be thoroughly testing the Z van and future locomotives to make sure they track properly. I have three more six wheelers nearly completed and ready to send to PPD. I’ll make sure the design works before fabrication.

The engineering is truly superb. Frightening but superb. I'm hoping my 6 wheelers will go around my curves without alteration to the chassis. To be honest I'd like to have a go at articulation. Both wagons and locomotives.... Thanks for the post Nick. It's very useful. Bruce

There was some talk about the join not staying where it should. I guess it's a matter of coming up with a system of anchoring the 3DP or casting to the etch. Kev and I have been talking about such things on a set of riveted passenger cars that we're building. The end car has a compound curved roof and could be quite tricky. Kev has 3DP'd a full train set and we're not really happy with the result. As etching is a better result we're going down that track. I think a bit of testing will determine the best course of action. Bruce

That's about 3 and a half 1200 x 600mm (4' x 2') modules. Add the same again top and bottom and you have a pretty creditable scene. I did a measurement on google earth from the western fence near the station building to the centerline of St Julians Road. I drew a line to scale and then dropped the provided map over and scaled it up. It's pretty close. I'd rather do something to scale if at all possible. Our friend Laurie has a thing about proper radius curves. This is something I share. You really can't beat the original. It's particularly important when the modeled site doesn't exist in the modeled form. I would call this a form of historical preservation which we as modelers can achieve.

Hi Richard. I would suggest finding a location that ticks all your boxes and research it within an inch of it's life and make a design. It took me a long time and many unfinished bits and pieces to realize this. For me I have an overarching concept that I started building bits of. These bits will be assembled later into the overall concept. I have a shed that needs to be prepared for the intended design. I learned early on that lightweight benchwork is your friend. I'm using lightweight plywood and insulation foam as as basis for construction. I've planned my layout off actual locations and am trying to build most of these to scale. Some things work fine - others are tradeoffs. The big thing is the subject. I picked something that meant a lot to me. I enjoy learning about the history and doing the research nearly as much as designing and building. If the subject spins your wheels then the building will follow. There's some pics on my broad gauge thread that show a few of the things I've done and plan to do. They may be of help. Bruce

Back to more pressing issues. Kev has got a little way through a VR Z van (guards van). I’m happy with the results.

Because the result is better and way more resilient. All of my wagons and locomotives are etched. 3DP's have their place but a good etch will trump them every time.

A question Jim. Are you happy with the junction between the 3DP and the etch? I'm about to do something similar with some heavyweight cars. I was told that the it was very difficult to get a satisfactory join between the two that stayed satisfactory. My first thought was to etch the roof but there's a problem with getting the curves right. I also have an end car which has a compound curve. In your experience is there something I should do to make this easier?

And after toweling up the Boers the Colonel would certainly be flush. It works for me.