robertc

Attn Chris, this is my method of making the rear bogie fit. I made up some trapezoid cross pieces from scrap 60 thou styrene to fit top and bottom when the tangs of the two castings just touched. I glued them with epoxy after roughing up the surfaces. Next day I cut and filed the end back to enable it to fit. Drilled and taped for a 3mm bolt. I will put a spring under to enable it to take some weight and will put the rear cross piece in at a later stage when I do the final tidying up.. regards Bob

Now it is down to the trailing bogie. regards Bob

I'll have to save up my pennies Chris. Maybe they can offer a discount for an unpowered version... big grin :>) regards Bob

One day in the future I will probably cash in my existing O gauge to buy such a brass offering Chris. Either 3813 or 3830. It can sit in a glass case in the lounge room or perhaps by then my room in the nursing home. :>) Of course a similar quality offering in gauge one that did not require my having to sell the house might be even more tempting. regards Bob

You and a lot of others will be happy. Well that is news, I thought they had been delivered long ago. Thanks Marty, but I have had the Data Sheet since the 1970's. regards Bob

Here is a test assembly of the basic tender construction. Coupler pocket filed and coupler attached. I don't think the modified bogies are very noticeable now it is painted. regards Bob

I have been riveting the tender Also started lowering the overall height. I replaced the 36" wheels with 32 1/2" ones, removed some of the spacers between stretcher and body cross member and am in the process of filing away the tops of the sideframes to allow movement again. I will be about one mm too high after this, which will look a lot better.

Tender bogies.

Perhaps next time I'll tell them my name is Windsor ...or perhaps even Waterman might elicit a response. :>) The alternative is to start with Col Shepherd blanks and reprofile, open out the holes, insulate and make axles. A job I'd prefer to avoid. That V cut does make it more difficult for sure with the 59 chassis. I altered my tender bogies with new stretchers to be flexible as per Col Shepherd's method. As a rough measurement the bottom of the frame sits about 5mm too high. It might also be worth considering taking a mm off the top of the bogies as an alternative to 1/4" scale ones to allow the chassis to come down lower. That plus the smaller wheels might just give enough to make it look OK. regards Bob

Chris you had the same non response from Slaters re these wheels as I did. Piss poor customer service! If they did not want to, or could not, they at least should have answered queries. I wonder if everyone gets treated that way ? Yes, the tender is too high. I think the answer is smaller wheels and some 1/4" scale bogies. I used the services of a machine shop to mill my chassis. A tip - have them mill a slot wider than you think you need as you may have to adjust the position of the bearing block for the wheels to clear the cylinders once they are raised. regards Bob

This kit uses Col Shepherd brass bearing blocks and other parts Marty. You will find Col Shepherd parts in many of the other offerings of the era. The bronze boilers were either loved or loathed depending whether the owner preferred to solder everything. While I am sure it will assemble into a useful engine, it is more assisted scratchbuilding than what would be classed a kit for the last 40 years. I doubt many new buyers would be happy with this standard of product, it is typical of the offerings from O gauge house, Col Shepherd etc. The only difference to the 40's era products is the use in some instances of urethane instead of brass or metal castings, some would argue that as a backward step. What would be good is if the common castings from many of the old ranges such as domes, chimneys, headlights etc were taken over and continued to be offered. It is not hard to make the flat bits on the kitchen table but having access to cast fat bits means not needing a workshop. It would also help if new manufacturers of local prototype kits did the same. Meanwhile, I need Slaters to do a 38 class driver.... I'll continue to dream. :>) regards Bob

Did some assembly of the 59 class tonight. regards Bob

Before I went outside I had another shunting layout in the garage. Here are some pics of the layout being built. The Atlas F9 and a piece of commercial track were a temporary abberation, rest is code 100 track and scratch stock. Now a set of sidings for the great outdoors. regards Bob Comerford

Good work Chris, shows that O gauge is possible in a small area if you are prepared to forego a loop of track. Layouts going back to Trainsville and now with Arakoola can put potential convertees off due to their sheer size. regards Bob

Congrats on the contest wins Chris, bad luck on the flu though. I have managed a few hours running in between wind squalls and rain. I would have liked to have attended the convention but such things are out of reach for an indeterminate amount of time at the moment. regards Bob

Trouble is I would like another 3 CPH's to go behind the one I built Chris. The good thing is they cost less than $100 to make, The down side; it took me 18 years to finish the first one. :>) regards Bob

Fifty thou allen key. Nearest guitar shop should have them. regards Bob

You might want to consider another carpet colour other than black Chris. It shows up every speck of dust. regards Bob

I look forward to seeing progress Chris. regards Bob

Sometimes train services have to be suspended even here. We don't all live on the Gold Coast or at Bondi. :>) regards Bob

Thanks, good photos. regards Bob

Thanks Chris for the photos of the exhibition. After calls from friends saying how poor it was this year and feeling not so bad, your photos have me now wishing I had been able to go. :>( Was the Sydney suburban scene the latest Geoff Small layout? Looks good! The small British OO shunting plank looks like it might have been used as a U-drive... was that the case? regards

From this distance the 45 looks the part Chris :>) No 51 went to the SMR for a while as their number 21 so an M class tank on a coal line is not totally fictional. regards Bob

Nice work Chris. The candy 45 makes me drool however :>) regards Bob

Your shunter should be well pleased Chris.