TrainMan2001

That helps! Thanks!

Those wagons are very nice! To add another question (sorry), do you scribe the planks yourself? If so, do you have any tips on how to do it? Thanks!

I figured I might as well update this thread. I recently obtained a lot of crucial measurements of the original Gauge 1 Thomas, and, after looking at the production references more, I realized why I was so frustrated in trying to do an accurate Thomas model. The Bachmann model is a scale foot too wide and has a boiler that's too big in diameter. The original model had a boiler that was 44.4mm in diameter, which I believe scales to 17.8mm, and the Bachmann boiler is 18.5mm, even wider than I originally thought. So I've been spending a bit of time away from the project, and started a new one, which is here: I feel like building in larger scales is somewhat easier, and I have been considering doing a Gauge 1 Thomas at some point as well. Another thing is that I was able to get measurements for the wheel diameter (without the flange) and it's 41.5mm, somewhere around 16.5mm in 4mm scale. I'm not sure that wheels of that diameter with 16 spokes exist, so that's another thing that makes me want to do an actual replica, since those wheels are available, even if it's not the easiest to find. So that's where I stand on the project today. It's closed for now, but in future, I may revisit it, and I feel that if I have a physical replica, it'll be easier for me to scale down at some point. Hopefully you'll like my other project, though. I think I finally found my stride! -TM2001 EDIT: So I guess it's possible to be a rivet counter even when there are no rivets to count. What would that be called?

Here's the current state of the coach side: I got all of the panelling and beading completed, and filed the windows to be flush with the beading, like in the show. Here's another, slightly earlier picture showing the effect of the beading: I just need to cover some of the window cutouts as per the show's model, and it'll be ready for filling and sanding! Then I'll just need to do it all again, but mirrored! -TM2001

Hello Everyone! I've been a bit quiet recently, but I have a new project now! I'll be building the Breakdown Train, starting with the Works Unit coach, which featured in Thomas and the Breakdown Train. (Screenshot from TTTE Wikia) I have begun by drawing out one side and one end of the model, using reference photos taken during the 3rd Series. The model is being made with 1mm thick polystyrene sheet, with 1mm strips being used for the beading, which will placed side by side to the correct thickness: 3mm for most, but 2mm by the windows and blanked windows. 1mm is a bit thick for the beading (it 0.75mm looks better, but it was all my hobby shop had. I have a plan to get it to 0.75mm, however. I do have to sink the blanked windows in a bit, which I have already done to the smallest window. I also have been drawing out plans to do models of Thomas and Stepney as well. Thomas might be a side project whenever I have to wait for glue to dry on the coach, but Stepney will probably be a while. I also don't expect that I'll finish these before I leave, but at least they'll be started for my return! I feel like this will be a pretty fun project, overall! It'll be nice to have my own replicas of what I grew up watching on TV! Thanks for reading! -TM2001

Wow, these look very nice! Is there any chance of them being shrunken to OO/N Gauge?

Man, Thomas is really trying to get back at Percy! I wonder what he did this time? In all seriousness though, that all looks really good! I can't wait to see how it turns out!

"Dump him in the sea, he'll eventually find his way back."

So Thomas is getting back at Percy for scaring him?

That looks really great, Chris!

Thank you! That helps a lot!

Hi, I'm normally an OO modeller, but am looking at the potential for a layout done in N. I read the 2mm Scale Association standards and beginners page, and they said that RTR N gauge is like the OO scale of 2mm (which they compared to EM). The confusing thing is that they say that 2mm and the RTR stuff is to different scales, being 1:152 and 1:148 respectively. My question is that, if I were to do buildings in 2mm and kept more to the RTR standards for track and trains, would it look jarring? I think I've seen a few pictures of people using RTR stock with their layouts on here, and I can't really tell, but the Association makes it seem like it's a really big difference. Thanks for any opinions you can provide.

I agree! That looks really good!

Thank you!

Hi Jack, Those buffers look awesome! If I may ask, where did you get them from?

Tony, If I may, I'd like to add my thoughts about the "it can be done," though from a much younger point of view (meaning I grew up with Thomas & Friends and one (maybe two) railway series book, Thomas the Tank Engine, fittingly enough). For the longest time, I wanted to recreate what I had seen in the show, which meant I felt I would need dozens of locomotives to achieve what I wanted, however, being a kid, I had never actually been able to afford all of them. Over the last year, I figured out all of the different errors on my Bachmann Thomas, and upon discovering RMweb, I felt encouraged to set about correcting them. Now I'm pretty much at the point where I've decided I'll scratchbuild him to a length to suit the Comet Terrier chassis (which, once I'm paid, I should be able to afford that and the other pieces necessary to make a well running (hopefully) chassis. I intend to make it as realistic as possible (though following Reginald Payne's illustrations for length, rather than the E2's real length, hence the Terrier chassis). However, the point I really wanted to bring up was that I am only on my first locomotive, and after that, I haven't any idea what I'll do. I'm only 18, but I feel as though one locomotive is enough at this point. I am going to scratchbuild and build some kits of wagons and coaches, but other than that and a branchline style layout I think I'll be satisfied. So I guess what I'm trying to say is that a lot of people seem to need to collect hundreds of locos and other things to feel like the hobby is fulfilling, but I now feel like a few well-detailed and realistic (other than faces (on real engines too)) engines and a single track line (whether specifically a real place or not is to be determined) done as realistically as possible in the pre-grouping or early grouping period would be quite fulfilling to me. So I guess what I'm saying is that it's possible to fulfill a dream in the hobby at any point, of course allowing time to learn and to build everything. Sorry that that ended up so rambly and with a ton of parenthesis, but I hope that makes some sense.

I have been eyeing a Comet Terrier chassis for a project I've been working on, and I've downloaded the instrustion sheet to read about it before potential buying. I noticed that it suggests the use of Hornblocks for a sprung chassis, so I'm wondering about the benefits of a sprung chassis vs a rigid chassis with bearings. Thanks for any help you can provide!

I think that looks great! Are you going to add a load, or leave it empty?

Today I worked a little bit more on the running plate for Thomas. I first began working on making the holes for the wheels (since I'm now doing a Railway Series style Thomas, I'm thinking of going back to the larger wheels), but what I had glued together pretty much broke apart in my hand, which was frustrating. I decided that maybe 3d modeling (and exporting to ShapeWays) might be easier, but after watching tutorial videos, it seemed like it would be even more trouble, so I eventually decided to persevere. I then watched a video about boiling plasticard to make it easier to form into curves, and I began my first experiment with it, which seems to have been successful (I'll find out when I actually am able to glue it to the running plate). I also decided to try again with cutting holes for the wheels, and it's going much better this time, even if it's a little rough at the moment (like usual). I also was able to take apart my broken James, and I'm thinking of using his splashers for Thomas, since if I were to make James, I would start completely from scratch. I am also eyeing James' chimney for a potential way to make a more accurate version (to Payne's illustrations) of Thomas' chimney, however I am also thinking of somehow doing a 3d model of it (and the dome) so that I can get a brass (or at least, fine detailed plastic) one from ShapeWays. However, I feel like the video tutorial that ShapeWays did for 3d modelling was kind of useless for this application, since the demo was about making (2d-like designs) jewelry. Does anyone know how something that's really 3d could be done? If not, that's alright, because I can still try to do the first option. Here are the pictures:

Having thought long and hard about it, I have realized that working inside valve gear would probably be over the top, considering it likely wouldn't be seen from underneath, and on top, the splashers, tanks, and smokebox would be in the way. That said, does anyone know (or have pictures) of what representations of inside motion look like on kit-built and RTR locomotive's?

Well, that depends on how careful you are with them in handling. Yes, bits can always be broken off, but they can also not be broken off. I find that it's a good thing to "learn the model" so to speak, so that you don't break it so easily. Owning some detailed American locomotives with boxes that don't make sense for them, I do just that. In terms of motors and running, maybe a good rule of thumb would be to always anticipate (and prepare for) a potential failure? The Reverend Awdry has written about that sort of thing, and that was around 60 years ago. Surely we could do the same?

I got the curve in the running plate to match on both sides, which was the most important thing (to me), before getting it put together. I also made a start on the cab windows, which are based on Reginald Payne's illustrations. I glued the sides together temporarily to drill the holes for the window. It's rough at the moment, but it will be worked on more. And here's a picture showing what it looks like now (kind of).

I was able to get some files, and a new snap-blade knife, which cuts a lot better than my old one (an X-acto knife). Because of that, I was able to start making a new running plate for Thomas (based on the one Dalby gave him in the books) because it seemed more realistic than the TV-style one. A real locomotive actually had the same type of running plate. I think it was Arthur Keen, which I think worked in a steelworks (there's a picture in the RTR bridging thread). I still have a lot of work to do on the running plate, but I am pretty happy with how it's turning out.

But you didn't save yourself from counting...

That looks great, Tom! What type of rivets do you use?