Dave Holt

I've made some further progress with my PenBits sprung bogies for the Class 40. The modified Bachmann drive gears have been fitted to the new Gibson axles and the pony truck frames have had the axle bushes opened out to 2.4 mm ( from 2 mm) to accept the extended axles that I recovered from my part-completed Lima Class 40. Here are the three driving and pony truck axle (for the second bogie) The gears have been drilled out by a friend to be a good push fit on the axles, but I applied a smear of Loctite Bush Retainer, as a precaution. The pony truck axle has been reduced to 2 mm diameter in the centre to make sure it clears the truck retaining wire: Next, the first bogie with the wheel sets and springs fitted. I'm pleased to report that it pushes along very freely, so all that hacking about of the gear train, which caused some trepidation, appears to have been successful. Mind you, testing under power will be the key. Regarding power, the kit instructions describe a pick up system using shorted out wheels on opposite sides of the two bogies, but I don't really fancy trying to solder wire to the wheel rims (seems like a recipe for melted wheel centres to me) so I'm going to fit conventional wiper pick ups. Two pick up mounting bus-bars have been attached to copper clad pads to facilitate the pick up wires (still to be made and fitted). These bus-bars have to be in two parts because of the articulated inner chassis, hence the blue insulated wire loops connecting the two sections. There will also be a further jumper wire on each side to take the power up to the bogie mounting piece. From there, the original Bachmann arrangement connects to the loco circuit board via sprung contacts: The second bogie has now been assembled to the same stage, so they have been fitted to the loco for trial pushing through some point work, prior to fitting the pick-ups. Here are three shots of it at the yard throat on the layout. After an initial derailment, possible due to not having all the wheels properly on the rails, it has pushed successfully through the double slip and even round the extremely tight connection to the mill siding. It wouldn't be expected to go round there during operation. No excuses not to move on to the pick-ups now and then test under power. Dave. Dave.

The other thing that intrigues me is the support arrangement for the sand traps. In the upper frame (LH side?), the short LH support has a backing plate against the frame plate whereas none of the others has one. I also wonder why the support legs on the two frames are different lengths? Dave.

Very effective scenics, in my view. The first photo makes me think of the orchards at various NT properties I visit and the strawberry patches look most convincing. Looking forward to seeing further progress. Dave.

I'm doing this, set in the 1950's (but under a different name), in P4. Track laid, station, goods shed and coal chutes done, but no mill, as yet. I post on my blog "Delph" on this site. Dave.

John, Looks and sounds like tedious, repetitive work. I'm sure the end result will be worth it, though. Shed's looking good so far. Dave.

Work on the sprung chassis for the Class 40 has progressed with the PenBits etched brass kit assembled and work on modifying the Bachmann drive units and bogie frames started. The PenBits chassis went together perfectly, with virtually no adjustments required other than minor filing to get various sliding parts to give a nice fit. This was mentioned in the very comprehensive assembly instructions available on the PenBits web site, so came as no surprise. I didn't bother trying to download or print off seventy-odd pages but just browsed on line as I worked - fortunately, my computer is right next to the work bench. Although I've stated that the chassis is sprung, it's actually a mix of springing and compensation, with pairs of axles sprung using guitar string wires which are able to pivot in their mountings for the primary (on bogie) suspension and the bogies resting against secondary spring wires under the bogie mounts, again able to rock in the fore-aft direction. It all sounds rather complicated but actually goes together nicely with a bit of care and by being methodical, also being careful not to mix parts up between the two bogie assemblies. Having done all the soldered parts, I had to move on to the modifications needed to marry them to the Bachmann parts. That's where the deep breath came in. It's quite daunting to have to start chopping up the workings of a £200 r-t-r model, knowing that there's no going back or manufaturer's warranty available. The following photos show aspects of this recent work. First, the Bachnamm drive train has to be dismantled and sawn into two pieces, with a sliver removed to allow articulation between the axles. This shows the result with the gears re-fitted to the larger piece and the bass transmission linking box in the background. The remaining gears are inserted into the brass housing and the two sections re-connected by the final gear and its pin. Also visible is the bogie mounting with part of the Bachmann bogie mounting arrangement glued into the top. The articulated drive train was then dropped into the etched bogie chassis just to check nothing was catching on something else. When the springs are in place, the plastic drive train will be held further up inside the brass chassis. Next the bogie mounting was dropped over the bogie, again to check for clearances/clashes. Once the secondary springs are in, the mounting will sit higher up, giving even more clearance. So far, everything appears to fit as it should with nothing catching or binding. I can't really do much more with the trial assembly till I've put the driven wheel sets together. The Bachmann axles have to be taken apart to release the drive gears and these then have to be bored out to fit the full width 2 mm axles. A friend who does clock and watch making has very kindly offered to do this on one of his small lathes, so they are with him just now. The trial assembly has allowed me to have some ideas about pick-up arrangements. Clearances require removal of the existing Bachmann phosphour-bronze strips. The PenBits instructions are based on shorting out the wheels on one side of each bogie but I don't fancy that and need to find suitable positions for conventional wiper pick-ups. The final bit of work has been to start to get the plastic outer bogie frames ready to fit to the PenBits mountings. This entails cutting out the various cross struts and the base of the moulding and removing the coupling mount. The inner end strut has to be removed after gluing the frames to the brass mounting assembly. I've also cut out the holes where the extended axles of the front truck poke through. Suitable axles have been sourced from the part finished Lima conversion, mentioned below. I'm rather disappointed by the Bachmann frame mouldings and some of the jumper cable details, which are way over scale. Years ago, I part finished Lima Class 40 in P4 and, to be honest, the bogie detail is far superior and much crisper. I'd also put on all the hoses, pipes, front bearers and even the AJ couplings, so I intend to try to reclaim and re-use some of these parts. The photo below illustrated the Lima and Bachmann frames (the Bachmann is neared the camera, so looks larger, but they're both the same size!). I broke one of the cab steps off the other Bachmann and these are much better than the Lima, being separate mouldings, but I'm not sure we've progressed much in the twenty years or so separating these products. Dave.

Ray, Looking very nice in primer and, as Western Star says, a very neat construction, aided no doubt by it being a well produced kit in the first place. As a 4 mm modeller, I'm quite envious of these superb 7 mm products. I notice that there are three sets of slots visible inside the bunker. I imagine these are intended for the internal stiffening ribs. Have you omitted these because you intend a full coal load and they won't be visible on the finished model or are they not included in the kit? Dave.

Looks like one of those jobs where failing to grow a third arm is a disadvantage. we all have moments like that. Well done for persevering and getting there in the end. I've been eagerly following this thread and thoroughly enjoy seeing the build progress. However, I haven't commented before because I didn't feel I had anything to contribute, not because I'm not enjoying reading it or don't find it fascinating. I'm sure there are lots of others out there who feel the same. Please do keep on posting your progress, including the loco, in due course. Dave.

Hi David. You're making good progress and it must be very satisfying to be able to pass trains, now as shown in your video. Is the ultimate aim to go right round the room or will there be two dead-end fiddle yards? Just a thought. When passing trains on a single track line, it is normal for the train arriving second (the E4) to depart first, due to the way the token machines work. Best wishes for further progress with the layout. Dave.

It's been a little while since my last entry about the BR Standard Class 2 2-6-2 tank. This has now been painted and lined and is in the process of being weathered by my good friend David Clarke. Whilst this is underway, I've been doing a few slightly different things, for me, anyway. First, I've assembled a Lanakshire Models tender sprung chassis and fitted it to a Brassmasters outer frames and footplate unit to go under a Bachmann ex-LMS Fowler 3500 gallon tender, destined for a Crab. Secondly, I've fitted injectors and associated pipework to a part built (by someone else) ex-LMS Stanier 8F. This is a Hornby body on a Comet chassis. I also finished off and fitted the front pony truck, which has a sprung axle and fixed rubbing plates, as per the prototype. Having completed this work, I decided to start my own next project which is a fully sprung Penbits chassis for the Bachmann EE Type 4 (Class 40) diesel. So far, I've assembled the two bogie frames, complete with the axle carriers, and the front truck frames. The kit is fairly complex but very well thought out and produced. Everything has fitted well with no adjustments except to get smooth movement of the bearings in their frame slots. Of course, with two bogies to build, everything is doubled up compared with a steam loco chassis, so I'm trying to progress both, one step at a time, and trying not to mix up the bits between them! Here are the two bogie frames and pony trucks, set out in their correct relative positions. One of them has the bearing carriers located in the frame slots which, unusually, open to the top of the frame sides. and the other without. Dave.

Hi David. Yes, I very much enjoy seeing the progress with your layout. As Western Star says, the trackwork looks very neat and flowing and you seem to be making good progress. In the bottom photo, is the left hand point just a trap at the end of the lay-by or does it extend further towards the yawning gap? Keep up the good work. Dave.

Looking very much like a Jubilee and coming along so quickly. I do think, though, that the support arrangements for the ejector exhaust pipe and the hand rail above, are not quite right. The three supports on the boiler barrel are flat, open cradles, as modelled. There is a narrow ring support (rather like an over-sized handrail stanchion) directly below the hand rail stanchion on the firebox and there was no pipe flange near this support. The three hand rail supports on the barrel should be conventional stanchions, with ball ends at the rail. Hope I'm not being too picky. Dave.

Looks like the brake blocks are also missing? Dave.

The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway have started to replace brass/bronze (some with white metal) bearings in coupling and connecting rods and valve gear rods with a plastic material. They claim it is easier to machine and is better wearing and requires less lubrication than the metallic bearings traditionally used. Apparently, the material is well established on steam locos in South Africa. I expect it's quite a special grade of plastic but it does show that even bearings don't have to be metal. Hope your chassis goes well. Dave.

Just been re-watching the 1962 Railway Roundabout disc which includes footage of the SLS special train from Bala to Blaenau. From Areneg to Traws it was shot from the footplate of the leading pannier tank including passing through Cwm Prysor halt. The station nameboard had gone, just leaving the posts. I've seen photos and film of that train before but had forgotten about the on-board footage on this disc. Lovely new shots of your layout. I'm keenly following developments. Dave.

You're certainly going to have to dull your platform edge down drastically to match that last photo. I'm really enjoying reading about your project and love the way you're capturing the sparse, bleak atmosphere of the prototype. I drove over the site last Friday on my way to the FR Victorian weekend and it looked just as bleak. Dave.

Jim. I'm sorry if I caused you a lot of extra work, but do I think the end result is well worth it. This model seems to be turning out to be a scratch build with aid(?) of some of the kit components. Probably not what you expected? Dave.

Jim. Looking at photos of the prototype, it looks as if the bottom of the smokebox was slightly below the level of the foot plate, roughly level with the top steps at the front. It might just be the angle of your photos, but it looks like the smokebox is well above the foot plate? The weight diagram shows the centre-line of the smokebox as 8' - 7.5" above rail level. Not sure how easy this is to check on the model. Dave.

John. I've only just noticed the natty little smoke hoods over the entrance to the shed. I take it they were a feature of some GWR sheds? Dave.

It certainly is coming along nicely, as you say. The transformation from bare boards with track to the scene you are creating is most impressive and gives me hope for my layout, although I have a lot to learn to achieve your level of results. Dave.

David. Yes, your pick-up goods reverses through the double slip very smoothly, despite the various underframe arrangements. I think it goes to show that if your track is to a high standard, short wheel-base four wheeled P4 stock will work without suspension. You sound, rightly, very pleased with the result. Encouragement to press on. Dave.

Very impressive, Robin. Does each road to/near/past the turntable have a specific purpose or are they all just general storage? Dave.

John. The shed is coming along nicely. It's going to be quite a large structure when completed and will considerably alter the available viewing angles for your rather elegant bridge. All part of the overall plan, I expect. Are you including the level of internal roof detail Mr Whittle has done on Barrow Road shed? Dave.

David. Glad to hear that you're getting back into it. The new track certainly is giving some idea of the scale of the layout. I must say, with the Templot track layout burned into the cork underlay, you have to look twice to see that the track isn't there yet. With no particular knowledge on the subject, I agree with the general feeling that the brick wall would have had much less or no lichen back in steam days. Dave.

David. A nice selection of wagons, very well finished. I take it the pre-grouping vehicles lasted into the BR era or do these serve some other purpose? Dave.