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The Fatadder

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  1. The Fatadder
    The next project for tonight was a start on the first wagon for my cattle rake, following Martin Goodall's articles from MRJ as a guide and using a combination of Coopercraft and Airfix kits.
     
    The plan is for a 6 wagon rake comprised of:
    1 W3 with rebuilt doors (shortened Airfix)
    1 W8 Airfix
    1 12 Airfix
    2 W5 (one with rebuilt doors one with standard) Coopercraft
    1 W1 (coopercraft)
     
    To start with I am going with the W12, followed by the W3
     
    The ends will need to be modified to get the correct pitch on the roof, this will be changed using microstrip and a big file following the Goodall drawing
     
    The chassis follows the usual method, removing the ribs from the floor then slimming down the solebars.
     
    The sides have had the huge hinges from the working doors removed, along with the bar (which will be replaced with wire). The slots in the side were drilled out, my feeling is that I have used too big a diameter of drill and they are now too big a hole. Hopefully painting should reduce this width a tad, but I am thinking about stopping now until I get a smaller drill bit.
     
    As well as drilling out the Airfix slots, I have added the additional third slot drilling along the plank line (this is slightly incorrect as the centre point of the slot is fractionally too low), but it give the affect thats needed.
     
    This all takes an awful lot of time on the preparation of the parts, drilling and tidying up the slots. And will require a lot more to fix all the little bits of damage from removing the hinges etc.

  2. The Fatadder
    Finally its on to the "other" classes for which the fleet doesn't contain enough locos to make up a whole page.  As per the Class 37s and 47s in each case locos are fitted with P4 wheels (Maygib or Ultrascale) and a Lenz Gold decoder, plus etched names where needed.  Photos have all been taken from previous blog posts and are not necessarily in current condition, the intention is that everything will be re-photographed on my photo plank to get a decent image of each loco.  Putting the loco number in the search bar should take you to the appropriate blog posts.
     
    Class 20s
    20302 - DRS - Bachmann Class 20/0 which has been converted to a 20/3 with scratch built fuel tanks, missing bodyside grill added using parts hidden by the fuel tanks, Extreme Etchings window frames and roof grill, my own etch for the WIPACs and of course a full respray. It will need lights fitting to the cab end (I am hoping to reuse the spare nose lighting board from the Bachmann 20/3), I also want to upgrade the WIPACs and exhaust panel to match the newer Bachmann 20/3.

     
     
    20303  - DRS - Bachmann 20/3 with repainted roof, repainted "footplate", nose jumper cable lowered, centre headlight removed, fuel tank gauges added and renumbered.  Minor modification at the nose end (removal of lighting board and associated mounting posts) in order to fit to an original Bachmann 20/0 chassis.  Needs the cab lighting board to be modified to add the marker lights. 

     
    Class 31s
    31452 Minotaur - Fraggonset - Hornby model, I am tempted to modify this with a centre mounted high intensity headlight and respray in either Mainline, Intercity or Regional Railways to run with 31466 as a substitute pair on Virgin XC duties. 

    31466 - EWS - Respray of Hornby BR Blue model, fitted with Extreme Etchings roof grill and Hornby surround.

     
    Class 33s
    33116 Hertfordshire Railtours  - BR Blue - Heljan model with corrected fuel tank, bogies modified with springs recessed back from sideframes, Extreme Etchings roof grill and lower fairing resprayed in Blue.  The photo is a little cruel on the roof grill paint, though its not a perfect match (the roof needs weathering to blend in the different colour of blue.)

     
    33/2 project > currently in Fraggonset but will be repainted as 33202 in Dutch 33202 on Flickr  with the old Shawplan brass roof grill (missing a name plate) and will get upgraded to the Extreme Etchings side grill as well as the roof grill.  This loco is on the to do list for later in the year once I have the parts from Shawplan , photos will follow once it looks less like a pile of parts.
     
    Class 43 HST
    43157 and 43155 in Virgin livery both have been renumbered (adding HMS Penzance and Virgin XC transfers) 43155 still needs etched plates.

     
     
    43007 and 43151 in Intercity, renumbered Hornby powercars as a pair still in GWT service in Intercity livery, 43007 (with guards window) also saw some service with Virgin Cross Country.

    fitted with upside down Kaydees to match with those I have fitted to the mk3s.   I need to look up which I’ve used as there are still two more sets of mk3s in need of coupling.
     
    43168 and 43185 Great Western in GWT Merlin livery, Lima models fitted to current generation Hornby chassis.


    Class 56
    56049 in Transrail Dutch, correctly modelled with different cabs at each end (by Will) then finished, detailed and painted by me.

    I am highly tempted to add a second 56 in Loadhaul which was used by Virgin, mostly because I don’t think I can resist the Cavelex model…
     
    Class 58
    58047 EWS - Heljan model - 58s were not exactly common in my area, the Laira fuel turn being the most likely to have a 58 show up on it.  I have yet to find a photo of 047 on the Laira fuel, but remembering what a pig the other loco was to renumber I am still undecided as to what I will do.

     
    58015 - Mainline Triple Grey - Heljan model which has had the paint on the bodyside grills corrected.  + a renumber (for which it was necessary to respray the cab sides.)

     
     
    Class 59
    59004 Original Foster Yeoman - Lima model that has been fitted to a rebuilt Bachmann Class 66 chassis, I think there is an issue with the exhaust outlet being on the wrong side (which will need to be fixed). P4 but still needs lighting fitting. 

     
    59001 Revised Foster Yeoman - Lima model fitted with new lighting and P4

     
    59104 Hanson- Lima body mounted on rebuilt Bachmann class 66 chassis, roof details have already been modified (although one of the radio pods has got lost).  Loco was repainted in January 99 so just fits into my period, not sure what it’s doing in my area though…
     

    Class 60
    60026 EW&S Hornby Model weathered and converted to P4

     
    60059 Loadhaul - another Hornby model which has been renumbered to a loco that I took a photo of at Didcot in 1998.  Still needs weathering.

     
    _____________
     
    60081 I K Brunel in GWR 150 livery - out of scope for the layout, now transferred to Brent to power the track cleaner.

     
    Class 66
    66001 The plan is to eventually model this from a Hattons model (replacing a previously converted Bachmann model), it will need new horn grills, repositioned lifting eyes and EWS red side grills.
     
    Class 67
    67003 EWS - Lima model detailed with my own etches with a completely rebuilt chassis and a full respray into EWS livery.  It needs some jumper cables adding to the ends, P4
     


     Class 08
    Both are Hornby and have been fitted with Ultrascale wheels.  They both need renumbering to locos suitable for St Blazey  or Laira in 1998.  The grey loco destroyed its rods after throwing the quartering.  The nuts were locktighted in place and sheered off while trying to remove.  It needs new parts either from Ultrascale or a bodge with Gibson bits and a set of Brassmasters rods (which need painting).  All on hold while I decide what the next layout will look like.


     
    Preserved Steam
    Finally a preserved steam loco, intended to use on my VSOE set.  Hornby NRM edition of Flying Scotsman which has been slightly backdated to 1999 condition (removing the smoke deflectors) and given a coat of Klear to improve the finish along with light weathering.  It was originally converted to P4, then back to OO however I’ve lost the original tender wheels and have yet to source replacements
  3. The Fatadder

    GWR Toad pt1

    By The Fatadder,

    Going to need to model a couple of break vans for Cheddar, a topic on which I havent much research yet.
     
    To start with I have an old Bachmann 20t model
     
    The first thing to go were the moulded on hand rails, a pig of a job carefully carving with a new scalple then finishing off with a square ended blade. At the same time I removed the moulded on lamp irons, and the break shoes.
     
    The planed work:
    New sprung W Irons (just need to confirm which type)
    New hand rails, still debating which method to use, draw it up as a flat etch (and hence avoid the issue of fabricating the shape) or to solder up from brass wire. Either way the distinctive mounting brackets will be included on my next etch
    New break gear
    New lamp irons,
    New chimney (from brass tube)
    Shawplan glazing
    A few other details on the end
    I am debating about modelling the door open and including more internal detail. Its my assumption at on a hot summer's day, the guard will be wanting to try and get it as cool as possible in the van, so the window hatch and door would be open.

    Going to try and work out which other break van diagrams can be used on Cheddar. Hopefully I can justify a few more different versions....
  4. The Fatadder

    More Class 67 stuff

    By The Fatadder,

    Assambally has started....
     
    And tbh I probably ought to have waited until the morning as the work wasnt quite as tidy as I would have liked. Still its good to see the final etches on the model.
    I did have a slight problem with some black paint lifting, so I think next time I really must invest in some etch primer!
     
    So far everything has gone to plan with all the components still fitting perfectly, just need to finish the end and roof grill now.....
     
    (on the first photo the glazing dosnt look very flush, this is because it still needs to be removed and remounted slightly further forward. Of course Hornby have used so much glue to hold it in that I am expecting to break it when I remove it.....
     


     
    edit: photos have come out a bit rubbish, will try to take some more in the morning...
     
    Will redo the photos if it gets a bit brighter this afternoon, As for the model it now has added Horn grills just need to get on and finish scratch building the radiators over the weekend so that I can get them fitted and be able to fit the roof grill...
  5. The Fatadder
    Moving on to the clyinders, the initial assembly was very straight forward, although rather let down by the ridiculous amount of filing needed to get the cross head to slide
     
    Once I got the first Half moving I realised that I’ve cut the rod too short. What I don’t understand is that with the crank pin at the furthest point towards the cab, the cross head is 3mm or so off the slide-bars. Everything was assembled as per the instructions so I can’t jnderstand what I’ve done wrong. I will look at my Comet hall tomorrow and see if that gives me an idea
     
    It was at this point I realised the error on the bogie and decided to call it a night

    Showing the cross head extending past the slide bars
     


    A quick test for of the body, the tender needs the green respraying, while the loco needs another coat of green
  6. The Fatadder
    Now that the loco has been fitted with new buffer beam numbers, GWR logos and yellow route indicators. It now just needs some etched plates (and more to the point I need enough locos to make a narrow planet order worth while)
     
    I have two more black locos to do, my saint and hall.

  7. The Fatadder
    Given the heat of the summer, I have next to no interest in doing any soldering. This is a bit of a problem when it comes to the need to finish a few locos that require etched chassis...
     
    As a result, I have decided to bring forward my second 2251 and use the Ultrascales that I was going to use in the etched chassis for 2220.
     
    A quick conversion later and it is now running. However it is not that smooth a runner, and seems to have very poor slow speed control. I suspect the latter is not helped by the poor quality DC controller (and will hopefully improve under DCC fitting.) I have just decided to switch DCC controllers, having recently ended up buying a second hand ZTC 511 (with the intention of upgrading it to the 611 later in the year.)
    After making a small profit on selling my original 511, I've ended up getting this one for about a third what the old one sold for back in the mid 2000s...
     
    Anyway, back to the point, the 511 has a DC capability (which was missing from the Powercab I currently have) and will enable a better test of this locos slow speed control.
     
    More of a concern is the jerky running, there is a bit of slop in the coupling rods (the ultrascale crankpins not being a good fit in Bachmann's holes.) Other than that there is a possibility of a quatering issue (one wheel had slipped on its axle, before I reset it and applied locktight.)
     
    Getting back to the model,
    It has had the BR shed code and smokebox no plate removed, along with the smoke box dart. This will now be replaced with a separate part, along with some evergreen strip for the door bracket. the large amount of flash along the boiler top joint has been carefully carved off, which will now need a touch up to blend in along with a little weathering. (If I can find which box the airbrush's paint cup ended up in when we moved, the plan is for some spraying GW green over the weekend...) It will then be renumbered to 3215
     
    The tender still needs to be rebranded (according to rail UK introduced in December 1947, I'm unsure as to whether this would have been released to traffic with the G W R logo, the new British Railways in GW font or just a plain green tender. For something a bit different I am thinking about going for GWR on one side and British Railways on the other)
     
    Longer term, the loco will eventually get a new chassis from High Level, along with similar body mods as 2220 once that loco is complete and working...
  8. The Fatadder
    Further progress with the ongoing wagon construction, the first 3 wagons are now working models, with the sprung w irons all fitted and tested.
    The ratio 5 plank is riding slightly high relative to the two coopercraft models, which is handy as it is being modelled empty whereas the other two will be fully loaded (to hide the inaccurate floor)
     
    I've also dug out a second Ratio kit that was built up earlier in the year to the basic shell stage, which will now get w irons fitted followed by the break shoes.
     
    Having finally got a copy of Geoff Kent's 4mm wagon pt1, there are lots of photos of suitable prototype wagons to model using the ratio kit. Including very long lived examples with the pre war large G W logo. (I am quite glad to see a fair few survivors of each of the big 4 wagons in early liveries to break up the monotony of the post war liveries
     
     
    Unfortunatly its not all been good progress, the Coopercraft 4 plank has been a nightmare, there was a slight issue with the modified chassis, resulting in the w irons not fitting square. Its now been broken down and will be my first candidate for a full etched chassis. I have also dug out a Ratio GW van, which was originally built with a solid chassis which I now wanted to spring. Unfortunately the solbars had other ideas and split during the attempted modifications, so this will also need a full etched chassis...
    Just need to find a suitable etch now, I am very interested to see how it compares with the current method of thinning solbars to accept the Bill Bedford units.
     
    Having moved house last weekend, this weekend I set up the new modelling workshop (ie bedroom four), taking the opertunity to pack up a few more projects to take back to Chester to work on in the week once the wagons are done.
    This includes my second pair of E116 B Sets and a Bachmann tank wagon for which I am planning to open up the chassis webbing to model a National Benzole tank shown in the 4mm wagon pt 2 (pre war livery with red solebar)
     
    Seeing that Shawplan have now released laserglaze for the E145 B Set, including a special piece for blanking the extra window) I am planning to buy 4 sets next week post payday and hopefully crack on with getting some coaches finished!
     
    One plus with the new room is that I have found space for a small shunting plank/test track on top of a shelf unit. It will work out something like 700mm by 500mm (off the top of my head), with a cassette fiddleyard extending down the back of the workbench. It will have a single 3 way point, short head shunt and sidings. The idea being to test wagons/ locos through pointwork, and be something of a desk toy. I also want to use it as a test bed for scratch building points, and for the point rodding, along with period ballasting (as a test bed for Cheddar)
    Just need to finish the house first before I will find time to start...
  9. The Fatadder
    Onto the second stage of the renumberinf project, as previously mentioned shifting the original logos was a lot harder than expected. Some varnish and weathering will be needed to finish it off.
     
    With the original logos removed it was time to replace with HMRS transfers for the new logos. At this point I realised I had forgotten to remove the buffer beam numbers (so out with the Microsol again...
    While I was at it I also remembered the crest is in a different place on a Great crest Western loco so these also had to be removed.
     
    Once the transfers were all in place on the sides, it was followed by the end numbers. Fortunately the HMRS numbers were very similar to the Hornby printing on the 72xx so the new numbers were nice and easy to fit.
     

    I haven't decided on an identity for the King, so that was left with just a 60 on the buffer beam awaiting the rest once I have some plates. It also still needs all the underside of the footplate painting black to obliterate the rest of the lining
     
    The Hall is now almost finished, the plates (modelmasters) have had the name cut from the base (I wish they would sell them with just the name!). However the numbers had not been painted too well and needed touching up. Can't complain too much given the price in one of their bank holiday sales. The names were glued in place with Evostick (the numbers will be added tomorrow.
     
    Finally the WD, based on advice from Graham Muz I used Southern wagon numbers for the cab side, and LMS small numbers for the buffer beam, which seems to match photos.
     
    In all cases the shininess around the old logos needs a coat of varnish to hide. I have a tin of Phoenix satin in the garage which I am going to test in the morning before spraying. The Hall, 72 and 42 are all ready to go (while the King will have to wait until the lining is removed
     






  10. The Fatadder

    Finney Dean Goods

    By The Fatadder,

    Having picked up the kit today thoughts have now turned to what to model.
     
    The prototype I want to model is going to be a Westbury based machine, for which there is a photo in one of the cheddar books dated 1949. This is an early build loco and would use the narrow footplate parts, fluted rods, however the photo is too grainy to work out which of the two fireboxes needs to be used.
     
    As ever if anyone knows of a good source of photos of this loco please let me know.
     
    I am going to be building the loco with CSB suspension and the full working inside motion (which looking at the parts frankly scares me!)
     
    Construction is not going to start until after I finish building the Collett Goods chassis to make sure my soldering is a good as it could be.
     
     
    Given the number of "spare" parts in the Finney kit, I am seriously considering building a second loco. Looking at the etches it appears that I am going to need a boiler, sub foot plate (along with the headstocks), splashers and of course a chassis.
    The latter is the easy part, modifying the High Level parts from their chassis kit. The rest I am less sure about. One option I am considering is to buy a cheap Airfix shell, cut off the cab, fit the etched top to the footplate, finney cab, and then detail up. I will see how I get on with cutting out accurate parts based on the finney originals.
     
    My intention is to model this second loco as 2462, which according to the 1948 list on railuk was the only Bristol based loco with the wide footplate, unfortunately haven't found a single photo of this one yet. so cant be sure as to what other details it will need.
  11. The Fatadder

    Loco Building

    By The Fatadder,

    Finally got my internet connection fixed,
     
    Lots of work over the past week, covering locos and wagons...
     
    First up 5813, Had another session with a few more detail bits fitting the smaller hand rails. The toolbox on the left hand side needed moving forward, so I cut off the moulding and then filled the gap with plasticard before scratch building a replacement. After which I gave it a quick coat of white primer. This highlighted a couple of issues, in that a lot of rivets are missing on the buffer beams from the removal of the auto working bits.
    I have drawn up a replacement etch which will hopefully be ran soon.
     
    The chassis for this has also finally arrived, The only thing now is to work out the CSB calculations for it......

     
    Next up 2220, not a lot done to this one, other than fitting a Gibson chimney. I have also replaced the top feed, the original turned brass part being saved for a future project and a replacement cast brass Gibson part used instead (given that this one is going to be green).
    Next up (if we get a dry day at the weekend) I will get it primed...
     

     
    Finally 3863
    The tender has been converted to P4, very easy to convert (but it looks like the centre axle needs to be sprung slightly as it is not always fully in contact with the rail.
     
    Moving onto the loco, the Gibson wheels have been blackened with the Carrs liquid (still not certain with the finish, and a lot more cleaning up needed to get them ready for use.) I now have the all important 3mm pins for my wheel press, so once I have the wheels cleaned up I can get it fitted...
    All the wheels are now fitted with Ultrascale balance weights, really good innovation those!
     
    I have also used the Ultrascale dummy frames, following the instructions from MRJ. So the loco chassis is now ready for wheels
     
    I have also removed the remains of the motion bracket, and will now be copying it into AutoCAD in order to make a replacement part on my etch...

  12. The Fatadder
    Moving on from my last post, I have now made a good start on 7723
     
    All the moulded on details have now been removed, along with all logos and numbers. The original handrails were also removed with the intention of replacing with scale handrail knobs and finer wire
     
    Starting with the cab, the roof has had the hatch removed carefully and been replaced with a small piece of 10 thou plasticard cut to size. I have removed the glazing from cab windows, (one popped out nicely the other had lots of glue and cracked in removal) I am thinking about trying to fit Shawplans laser Glaze, depending on how well my experiment fitting open windows works (using a couple of brass surrounds) either way this will of course be post painting.
     
    On the dome I have carefully filed back the 'nipple' to blend it into the profile of the top of the dome. I think I am nearly there with it now, certainly a big improvement over how it came.
     
    Sticking with the top of the tank, I havent done any more yet, but I am getting very close to removing the pipes running to the top feed and replacing with brass rod. It just doesnt look quite right in a n profile instead of being round
    I think looking back to my original photo the bonnet cover looks to be a different colour to the green of the tanks, so it looks like it needs a polished version. In which case I will chop off the moulding and replace with a brass casting.
     
    Moving below the tanks, I have now drilled out the centre of the brackets at the end of the firebox, along with cutting out the injectors from each side. While I was at it I also removed the lower few mm of the top feed pipe to replace with brass linked up to the Gibson injector castings (once they arrive)
     
    The firebox will now be made up from 10 thou plasticard (ensuring it doesnt get in the way of the new motor). I think it makes a big difference, adding another mm of depth under the tanks, along with bringing the injector slightly forward into its correct position. I am really looking forward to getting the castings so that I can see how it all fits together!
     
    The final job is to remove the pipework between the injector and the cab steps (which will be replaced at the same time as fitting the injectors), after which I will be removing the infill above the sandbox filler in the cab steps. Along with probably replacing the pipe that runs along the underside of the footplate
    Finally I need to add the sandbox linkage to the right hand side, rather than copy the left hand in brass rod, I am debating fabricating in flat sheet.

  13. The Fatadder
    One of the planned formations for the layout is a Plymouth - Crew inter-regional set, this will be comprised of GW BCK (Sunshine Stock) GW CK (sunshine), GW BTK (collet bow ended) LMS BTK (period 3), LMS CK (LNWR diag 138) and LMS TK (Bachmann). The formation could also run with a restaurant (for which I should have a choice of a H33, a planned H16 70ft, and an LMS 70ft. See http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/101805-lmsgwr-inter-regional-workings/for more info
     
    The idea is to be able to make models of a couple of different diagrams to provide a bit more interest.
     
     
    After spotting it on eBay for a bargain price I picked up the ratio kit for the ex LNWR diag 138 CK, the build has been very straight forward so far (seen below with the roof placed loosely on the body.). Other than the lack of seats, the kit was a joy to build, with the parts fitting a lot better than the Slatters kit I was building last year (which still sits on my workbench awaiting the roof to be fixed!)
     
    The only issue is the poor bogie design, though a set of Bill Bedfords units will sort that out.
     
    One area I'm not clear on (given I have next to no LMS coach photos) there are a number of recesses of the roof from the old gas lamps. Would these be plated over?
     
    What livery and lining should an old LMS coach like this carry post war just before they were withdrawn? I'm assuming LMS red with black ends, but would it be lined?
  14. The Fatadder
    I've now added most of the transfers to one side of the first wagon. (just needs tops code and number)
     
    The Fox sheet is intended for the 2nd version of the livery carried by these wagons, this has a slightly wider blue band than the 3rd version of the livery that I am doing.
    If the transfers were straight it would be a simple case of cutting them down to size, but of course they aren't.....
     
    _
    I started by trying to fit as intended, but as I suspected the new ribs stop this from working (the Lima rib is more of a / \ patten, whereas mine are square.) I then carefully applied the transfer for the first letter and first rib, then made a cut before the 2nd letter (repeating for the rest). I found this rather difficult to get them straight, so the next one I will try cutting before fitting (a little more tricky as they arnt all the same width.) I have 2 wagons worth of spare transfers (the transfer pack comes with 6 wagons worth) while I would much prefer to keep these for use on future wagons (no doubt I will end up wanting more PTAs at some point!) it does at least give me some spares to expiriment with.
     
    Will have a try at reducing the hight on the next one as well...
     
    As for this one, my plan is to let it dry, then carefully cut a straight line on the top and bottom of the logo at the correct hight, then scrape off the unwanted bit.
     
    I am missing a couple of the small logos (the blue one on the right hand side is the most noticeable)
     
    The final decision I need to make is what to do about tops codes / numbers, the sheet includes transfers for both PTA, JUA and JTA. I assume that JUA/JTA are specific to inners and outer wagons (JTA and JUA respectively) and would be more appropriate for wagons in my era. Saying that, this gallery http://wagons.fotopic.net/c1490381.html shows a couple of PTAs in Yeoman in storage/scrapping in the late 2000s still with PTA branding (the only photos I have seen with JTA branding are a set with all the logos painted out on Martyn's fotopic.)
     
    The numbers are a bit of a pain really, sadly the sheet dosnt come with any made up number sets, but has got the PR 14x done. However looking at photos I havent seen a Foster Yeoman PTA in the 14x number series, they are all numbered in the 26x series (and looking at photos on Paul's fotopic, they were in the 26x series in both previous liveries (including the one the transfers are designed for.) Were any PTAs numbered 140xx / 141xx /142xx ?

  15. The Fatadder
    Finally found a couple of hours today watching the grand prix to do some modelling... (apologies for the naff photos, couldnt find the camera so they are all taken with the phone.)
     
    Started off with some finishing work on 50031, this has now been fitted with the final few details and given a quick coat of grey primer. Still need to add the new lifting lugs (only remembered these once I had finished spraying...) The chassis has been fitted with a set of Ultrascales and a decoder to free up OO wheels & a blanking plate to fit to my current model of 50031 which this more detailed version will be replacing.
    Still aim to paint this loco into large logo late next month...

     

    Next was the Virgin HST rake, having removed a large number of 12mm P4 wheels from my Blue Pullman rake (prior to listing it for sale) I have set to work transfering them into the final 2 coaches of my HST. This was followed by rewheeling the non powered powercar. The latter required the removal of the OO break gear, and drilling out the axle boxes to accept 'standard' 26mm axles. Must get on and buy a load more Kaydees to get the rest of the rake fitted with couplings and make it useable (although of course I dont have anything suitable to run it on...)

     

    With the interesting stuff out the way, it was onto more work preparing models that fall in my sale plans.
     
    Starting with some 37s. the first (37411) was a simple case of needing to revert its chassis back to OO, replacing its wheels with those from 37672. The second loco was my model of 37417, this had its chassis swapped with the OO chassis that was under 37667 (both of which are fitted with the class 60 style buffers).
     
    Finally was a set of Lima NKA 'Super GUVs' A while back I had gone way ott buying up enough RES stock to enable a full rake in both RES and EWS (res with no logos). Having decided now that I am going to focus purely on 1998 its time to get rid of the rest. Of course the big problem with this is that I had long since binned all of the lima bogies (for being well under scale and nothing like the prototype.) This has prompted me to get on and finish the conversion to fit Bachmann bogies.
    this was pretty simple, first a new pivot point needed fitting to support the body the correct hight from the bogie, this was formed from a couple of off cuts of plastic strip glued in line with the lima blocks. A second offcut of plastic was fitted to the underside of the bogie to remove the triangular extension that is used on the Bachmann coach mount (and resulted in too much for aft movement)
    The body was then removed from the chassis, and a 2.5mm bolt was fitted through the bogie into the chassis (with the head under the body) and secured with a nut. The coach was then reassembled and tested against a Bachmann Super BG to ensure the fit was correct. This was repeated on 2 more coaches (with a 4th unable to be finished due to lack of bogies.)
    The rather annoying thing here is that I havent actually finished this work on the coaches I am keeping (mostly because of the issue getting P4 wheels into Bachmann commonwealths...)

  16. The Fatadder
    The latest loco project for Brent is to make a Modified Hall, to that end I have picked up one of the recent Bachmann model at a bargain price to use as a basis.
     
    The first question is which loco to model, for this I am rather torn. As it comes the model is in BR green (weathered) with a Hawksworth tender. The first Modified Hall to be recorded with a Hawksworth tender is 6971 which was built in October 47. (As an aside if I can find the October carriage working / working timetable my intention is to shift the operating period to October 47, which both captures the Mod Hall build and better justifies the number of Hawksworth coaches)
     
    So the work required:
    Re brand the tender to GWR - I am tempted to give a spare Hornby Hawksworth tender a coat of Klear to darken the green and use this given the Bachmann tooling is rather crude. Rebuild the front end with the Brassmasters parts (so it actually looks like a Modified Hall) Rewire the loco to get the decoder into the tender. Renumber / Name. Add GWR lining to the cab and firebox

    The alternative approach is to go for a wartime build loco, in black with plated cabside window and no name. This will need a full respray in black, and require the purchase of a Collett Tender to complete the job.
     
    So far I have made an attempt at removing the lining from the cabsides and replacing with HMRS transfers. The hardest part being the area above the cab window which was barely wide enough to fit the transfer (in fact I cheated and cut off the lower orange line.) This was my first attempt at lining a loco and I am actually quite happy with the result (which will look at lot better with a dusting of weathering to blend it into the cabside. The only problem is that the Bachmann lining is a lot more red (not sure if that is the BR colour, but its similar to the lining on my GWR hall from Bachmann). So the rest of the boiler will need lining as well.
     
    I need to work out how to get the Hornby tender to attach to the Bachmann loco, and get the required bits from Brassmasters to convert the front end.
  17. The Fatadder

    Python - Part 1

    By The Fatadder,

    Last week I bought a job lot of GWR wagon kits from Ebay, containing 5 GWR open wagons of varying diagrams and a Parkside GWR Python.
     
    While I have no photos showing Pythons on the cheddar branch, I'm sure I've read that they were used for parcels traffic. As such having one working in the carriage workings book containing an unspecified parcels van, I figured this little model would offer something a bit different to the standard bogie siphons (that will be out in force on the Strawberry traffic)
     
    The kit appears to be fairly old, the roof being quite a poor fit on the body (surprising for parkside), it also included turned brass buffers which I havent seen on a parkside kit before. The instructions were very basic and have minimal prototype information, typically I havent bought my copies of the Russel books with me to Chester either. As such there may well be areas that need future rectification work. Please let me know if I miss something! The internet has rather let me down for reference photos as well...
     
    As usual I will be using bill bedford sprung w irons, and as such the first job was to remove the ribs from the under side of the floor to clear space for the etch. The other modification was to remove the plastic w irons, and thin down the solebars to half thickness. Thankfully in a spot of very good design, the springs and axle box is a separate moulding (and so thinning the w irons was much quicker than the Fruit D!)
     
    The body was glued together last night, and at the time it fell together in the usual parkside way. However this morning there was a very visable curve inwards on the sides. This was rectified with 2 off cuts of plastic from the spur, cut to the width of the wagon and glued in position. The roof will not be fitted until after painting to allow access for adding weight and glazing.
     
    Once the sides were repaired, the sole bar was added along with the vac cylinder and inner V hangers.
     
    Next step is going to be adding the new w irons, then the break gear and the trusing, though for the latter I am thinking of building from evergreen strip rather than the nylon supplied. (which will hold things up until I next bring bits up from home)
    Glazing looks to be a pain, as it needs to be flush glazed. Given that I will only be having one of these, and each window is a different size I think the best approach will be the tedious method of filing plastic to shape...
     
    Excuse the poor quality photos, taken on a phone with no flash.
     


  18. The Fatadder
    Finally made a start on repowering my Lima Class 73s,
     
    The first batch contains an EWS pair in NSE and Dutch that will always be ran as a double headed pair. along with a SWT rescue loco.
    The second batch will contain one loco in Pullman and one in Mainline that are intended for my VSOE rake.
     
    Because the EWS pair will always run double headed, and the SWT will always run with other powered stock, I have decided that I will only power one bogie (both simplifying the design and reducing cost). The second batch will be AWD (because of the weight demand with the VSOE rake)
     
    Construction:
     
    The first job was the removal of all raised lumps in the inside of the chassis frame, along with the guides below the chassis from the lima motor bogie
    Once the chassis was prepared a large section of 80thou plasticard was glued to the chassis, both strengthening the chassis and providing a base for the motor.
     
    This was followed by the motor mount, again from 80thou. Will have to check the dimensions and post later. this formed a U shape. the motor mount is a small section of 60thou glued below the top of the U, this has a central hole drilled to match the top of the bogie (and fits under a large square in the top of the U to clear the screw.)
     
    Once this was all glued in place the next job was cutting the top of the U to clear the cab door window and to clear the flywheel.
     
    With the motor bogie fitted, I placed the motor in position and glued a further piece of 80thou behind the back of the motor mount (in this case its a Bachmann 25 bogie with a Bachmann 158 motor)
     
    Body wise a Shawplan roof grill was added, and pipework will be added in front of the windows. Steps will be added to the bogies, and full buffer beam detailing. Should Shawplan go and release any new parts, of course they will also be added...
     
    Still to do:
    The underframe. For the time being I have left the Lima box in place. I do plan on adding separate underframe components however given that I have a large number of locos to do Im still trying to decide the best method. At the moment its between drawing them up on CAD and getting them made by Shapeways, or the old school chopping up lima and southern pride components
     
    It also still needs a set of Gibson 13mm wheels, and a lot more weight adding along with all the necessary electrical work. I am still debating about doing separate handrails. Its a job I cant stand doing, and tbh I still expect a new high spec model to appear before I finish the layout that would tempt me with replacement.
     
    The dutch loco needs a full repaint, while the SWT loco needs new nameplates. All three will need some lighting adding, though I will probably just add a single high intensity in the lead loco for the double headed pair, while the SWT loco will probably get a full setup
     
    Somewhere I have an AWD chassis with lights which would be handy if I can find it. May still be at Dagworth's come to think of it...
  19. The Fatadder
    Every so often I get inspired after reading about somone else finishing a white metal kit to dig out this project, and have another look.
     
    The build has now got to the stage of applying filler (lots of it) to rectify the deficiencies of the original castings. As a result this evening I have taken it outside for a coat of primer to show up what remains to be done. Given it will be sprayed black (and that Halfords Satin Black is one of the worst paints I've used for showing up blemishes on the underlying model), I think there are likely to be a fair few coats of primer here!
     
    as can be seen the top of the firebox, and a crack in the boiler top are the priority, along with a little more work on the footplate.
     

     
    Once I am happy with the finish on the boiler top / footplate I will replace the chimney / bonnet cover and add the remaining details before giving it a final coat of primer.
     
    I am having some issues with clearances between the footplate/splashers and the chassis. I think it is as a result of a poor fit of the cast metal lump, as I have a spare Perseverence chassis for a Hall I am tempted to modify this to fit and go for an etched option....
  20. The Fatadder
    This project has been on the go for a rather long time...
     
    It started off with the purchase of a Hornby Clan Line body off ebay a couple of years back, the intention to use it along with an etched chassis to model Clan Line in its preserved condition to add a loco to power my VSOE rake.
    Unfortunately as I found out in the days following buying the body, such a chassis kit didnt exist. A Tender was added about a year later (purchased by mistake for another long term steam project (Tangmere), only to find out that it wasnt the right design but did match Clan Line (still need to buy a new Tender for Tangmere...)
     
    And that was it for a couple of years until I saw a Hornby Merchant Navy chassis listed on the old version of RMWeb, having brought that I set about stripping it down to fit components intended for Tangmere (whos etched chassis is a long long way down the todo list these days), with the loco completely striped down I then realised that the wheels I had for Tangmere have imperial axles and were no use for Clan Line, so other than P4ing the tender and putting most of the chassis bits in a box, not a lot was done.
     
    Cue another years gap until Warley yesterday, Whenever I saw Gibson at a show I either didnt think of Clan Line, or didnt want to waste limited spending money on wheels for a loco I dont really need. However yesterday a combination of some left over spending money, and the desire to work on something a bit different to the usual P4 rewheel jobs saw me finally buy the bits that were required.
     
    Annoyingly I have left the box containing most of the parts for the front & rear 'bits' along with the body and the spring unit for the rear driving wheel back in Devon (thankfully I'm due down there at the weekend so can collect it!) But I was able to get on with the other two driving wheels, these have been fitted with the Hornby gear/bearings and quatered before dropping into the chassis for safe keeping. I have also added the rear driver into its slot for the time being.
     
    The rear non driving axle was removed earlier in the year, and I now have the correct sized wheel to replace it with, this bits going to need more work though as I want to try and get rid of the huge gap above it! half tempted to see if there is some way to spring it as well (maybe a bill bedford unit bodged to fit the available space)
     
    with the front bogie, I'd prefer to replace it with an etched one if I can find one.
     
    I am going to fit a plasticard layer to each side of the main frames to get them to the prototypical width (along with realigning breakgear and the suspension springs.) This does need a little more research to find the old thread that mentioned what size to use...
     
    The tender needs some minor work doing to the top to add the changes made to it in preservation, and will also get a new chassis with some form of compensation/springing
     
    Finally the con rods, again on the lookout for a supplier of something a bit finer to replace the Hornby stuff with, particularly as a few parts have got slightly bent.
     
    Will hopefully bring along a powered chassis to DRAG on monday to give it a bit of a test. I was thinking it would be a good idea to make sure it runs with just the drivers (and maybe the rear trailing axle) to make sure it runs properly before I start messing about trying to rebuild all of the con rods etc.
  21. The Fatadder
    Over the past few weeks I have tried brush painting the roof of the brown sunshine stock third to see how it looks, in terms of time taken and overall finish it was not good enough to roll out on the rest of my coaches so the airbrush will need to be set up.
     
    It is however now almost finished, with the transfers applied to the first side. The class logos and GWR crest are by HMRS, while the orange lining is from Replica. I never thought I would be using up my spare OHLE warning lines, but it just shows why you should always hord transfers!
     
    Now just need to apply the transfers to the other side (once this side is fully dry) and then apply some varnish to Matt down the finish. The roof in particular is far too gloss (despite the fact that it's not gloss paint!)
     
    Speaking of the roof, my intention is to use various greys to get different base colours for roof weathering. In this case it is Intercity Falcon Grey (I also use BR roof grey, railfreight grey, virgin grey and oil track colour grey...)
    In this case it is pretty close to the colour used on Hornby Hawksworth liveried coaches...
     

  22. The Fatadder
    3863 - Hornby conversion
     
    As previously mentioned at the weekend, I have been working on converting 3863 to P4.
    The initial conversion at the weekend showed that the crank pin nuts on the lead axel fouled the crosshead, and that the drive gear was loose on the axle.
     
    I initially attempted to cure the latter with an application of loctight, however it still persisted. I have now stripped it down and attempted to resolve through the application of additional knurling to the axle (attacking with a xuron cutter) which appears to have done the trick.
     
    The lead crank pin nuts were filed down, and the crank pin sleeve reduced to match the rod. Upon refitting it still fouled the plastic mounting bracket that supports the crosshead, so some careful material removal was required (it still needs even more to get a reliable joint!)
     
    Upon reassembly I noticed that the 2nd axle on the right hand side has a the wrong sleeve fitted to the crank pin (which means it now fouls), so another dismantle and reassemble is needed before fitting that part.
     
    Hopefully this will be the final work to get the loco working...

     
    Moving onto 3215, I finally made it to the Yate modelshop on the way home from work today and picked up a pack of HMRS GW loco transfers. So finally 3215's tender has been branded up. Given the loco was delivered right at the point of nationalisation I have decided to put the early British Railways logo in GW typeface on one side of the tender (for something a little different) while sticking with the post war G W R on the other.
    While I was at it the buffer beam numbers were added. So now I just need to get some plates ordered...

  23. The Fatadder
    In order to get on with the finishing touches on the layout I either need PVA (awaiting delivery) or to do woodwork (not exactly possible at 10 at night with two small children in the house.)
    So I am having a play at another long term project that I would like to finish this year, my intention being that by Easter when I can realistically start spraying again I will have this and the TPO ready for painting.
     
    The aim is to model the Paddington to Penzance sleeper circa 1998, as with the TPO part of the logic with this is another then and now comparison with a very long term project to build the same formation in 1947 guise for Brent.
     
    Research on the forum and elsewhere has narrowed down the formation: Monday to Thursday it consisted of a Class 47/8, Mk2D BSO, MK2D TSO (a declasified first), Mk2E FOt, then 3 mk3 sleepers (with a forth added on Fridays) and finally a mk1 BG. Working from a video of a real working from 1998, the plan is to have the mk2s in faded Intercity livery, the first and last mk3 in Intercity and the middle mk3 in Great Western Trains (which has already been finished). http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/47191-great-western-merlin-sleeper/
     
    After giving some thought to modifying Hornby mk2E coaches into the required 2Ds, I have settled to making use of the coaches I already have for the moment at least. (A large box of deconstructed Airfix, Dapol and Hornby 2ds that was purchased for this rake (and a daytime GWT service) a long time ago.
    Eventually I will likely end up replacing them, but for the purposes of the then and now concept (and having a play at 1998 on Brent) the old coaches will do the job.
     
    They will be upgraded to a degree, focusing on the basic shape (the windows / frames I will live with for now). The first task was to remove the roof ribs to get a much fainter line, rubbing down the whole lot with a emery pad. Then the flat sides were attacked with a file to obtain the required tumblehome. The 2E still needs work to convert it into the later design. They now join the remaining two mk3 sleepers in the queue awaiting painting in intercity livery. I am certainly not looking forward to all that masking!
     

    A side on view not exactly the best choice to show off a change to the side profile...
     
    Edit:
    Here is the missing photo of the completed GWT Sleeper
    Untitled by The Fatadder, on Flickr
  24. The Fatadder
    Given the amount of work that needs to be done decorating the house before I get to start work on modifying the garage to get it prepared for the layout, thoughts have turned to an interim project to give me somewhere to run stock in the mean time.
     
    The size of Cheddar prevents it from being built inside, however I do have space for approximation a 12ft by 1ft6 layout along one wall in the forth bedroom.
     
    Conversation with Dave (DeeV) about his automated traversers, has got me thinking about a small end to end project with approximately an 6ft baseboard with a treverser at each end which is sized on the length of a 43xx and a B Set
     
    The idea being that I will be able to sit at the work bench and play trains, without having to keep moving away to operate the treverser.
     
    Sticking with the Cheddar Valley theme, I have been playing with a plan based on a slightly shortened Draycott, adding a second siding below the through line to add a bit more interest. (along with plans for a few more buildings, and potentially adding a signal box)
     
    One thing I would like to try is working point rodding, along with a first attempt at working semaphores.
     
    Feedback on the design is very welcomed
     
     

  25. The Fatadder

    Cattle Vans

    By The Fatadder,

    The current project to grace the workbench is a short rake of cattle wagons, the first 3 wagons will be a pair of Coopercraft W5s and an Airfix kit converted into a W12
     
    The first Coopercraft was built while working away from home a few years ago, in the meantime it has suffered some damage. This was repaired with Evergreen strip, along with replacement wire bars. The latter were fitted by melting into the side with a soldering iron. With the repairs done, the roof could finally be glued into place.
     
    Next up was the W12, again this was started back when I was living in Chester, The sides were converted to the GW patten, while the working door was removed from one side. The other side has been built with the chunky open doors in place, the logic being that it might make for a good photo pose (given I generally only finish one side of a wagon this one can be rotated round for photos only). It will now need to be fitted with etched suspension units before entering the paint shop for a coat of whitewash on the inside before fitting the roof.
     
    I didn’t make much progress on the next one, another Coopercraft kit, which is on the bench ready for building tonight.
     
    Eventually I have another W12 to build along with a W3, both to be converted form the Airfix kit, but that can wait as I have a lot more easy projects to do first.
     

    I have a couple more wagon project to hit the bench soon, finishing off a fruit C, adding handrails to a Bachmann toad, and adding buffers to another batch of wagons
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