clarkea1

Think I might try masking and high-build primer first - the steps are probably less than 5 thou so I think a combination of primer and rubbing down will do the job. Will try it first anyway! On some if it (tops of cab, hatches on top of bonnet) I have been able to get access with a needle file to smooth things off. The sides are much smoother than they look - normal primer and a quick rub down (prob with a glass fibre brush to try to preserve details) should see them acceptably smooth for painting. As a material, this seems far superior to FUD. Feels much more stable - I was worried the body would be fragile based on experience with FUD but I'm much more confident now I've actually been able to handle it. I thought long and hard about the orientation - but as Bill suggests, this was the best way round I could come up with!

Well I've now received it!!! Overall I'm pleased, particularly with details liked the bodyside grills and panels as shown in the second picture. I do have some reservations - the model has been printed so that the "slices" of the rapid prototype are horizontal, i.e. parallel to the ground. This gives some noticeable stepping around the bonnet top. Preliminary experiments suggest this can be filed out, although access is a little difficult to some places. However, I am, all in all, pleased. I'm tempted to try a couple of layers of primer and a rub down before I worry too much about striations and imperfections in the surface. I must say I think the quality of the print is far better than Shapeways FUD, which was my other option for this model. Will post further photos when I have started the finishing process on the bodyshell. Other than that, there's plenty of detail to be added - e.g. handrails, cab details etc. Cheers Alastair

Thanks - interesting to know I could have gone a bit finer on some of the details!

That's very nice - how "fine" are the louvres on the bonnet sides?

Fascinating yes - also infuriating! When researching the locos I've come to the conclusion no two are exactly alike! Plus they're so old now the ones still working have had quite a few modifications. Trouble is I fear this is all leading me down a slippery slope towards some kind of BSC Margam-based layout......

Hi all, This is my first project in the rapid prototyping world (for models at least, have long used it for various engineering projects at work). It's a model of one of these: http://www.rmweb.co....49057_thumb.jpg The prototype 515hp diesel electric shunter was built in various batches by the Brush-Bagnall alliance - the story is that Port Talbot steelworks wanted to order more of the Alco shunters they had already obtained from America, but were prevented by Government policies at the time (how times change.....) and has to procure something from the UK. Hence these beasts! They are rather large, certainly outside normal UK mainline loading gauge. I've been fascinated by these locomotives ever since I worked at Port Talbot for a year and used to regularly see (and hear and feel) one of these rumbling past my office window. They were ordered in a number of batches, starting in 1953 with numbers 901-3, and also have received various modifications over the years. For example, a number were re-engined with Rolls-Royce DV8-T (v configuration) engines in the late 1970's, which resulted in the "lean to" style extensions to the engine casings as seen in this photo: http://farm8.staticf...27d42583c_z.jpg Also, the above photo of 903 shows it riding on the early-style bogies, whilst later batches had the style shown on 951 (below) and on the first photo http://www.flickr.co...N08/6370700667/ The model has been largely complete for a couple of years, but work kind of got in the way of finishing the details. It's been done in Solidworks, mainly as I use this at work and can (in my own time) get away with "homers". However, I've finally managed to finish it and found myself with enough cash in the bank to order one...... In the past I've experimented with variuous of the Shapeways materials, but have decided to try this in Prime Gray from iMaterialise. The quality seems far far better, and should cope with the details (fingers crosssed). The rest of the model is fairly straightforward - the bogies are a pair of Black Beetles, and the sideframes I envisage Rapid Prototyping assuming the body goes well. The bogies will attach to a brass strip subframe which will sit in a recess in the body. I have also left a large hole to stuff with lead! The cab will be flush-glazed in the hope of disguising the (necessarily due to min thickness requirements) over-thick cabsides. The roof I have left off so I can detail the interior. So now I just have to wait a few weeks for iMaterialise to do their thing...... If it works, I will modify the CAD to produce one of the re-engined locos sitting on the newer bogies. Might also try one of the Alco's, or even one of the newer "Trojan" locos which have recently been built for Port Talbot. I hope this is of interest to some. Cheers Alastair

Adam, Many thanks - that one didn't come up when I trawled the net for pics. Very useful as it shows the opposite side to the other two photos I had found. Am starting to think the lack of photos is a good excuse for a family day out to the BRC at Quainton Cheers Alastair

I'm hoping someone can help me out with a photo request. I'm building one of the Roxey Planet locomotive kits, which makes up quite a nice representation of the Hibberd Planet as preseved at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre. I've found a couple of pics on the internet of this particular loco - the best is here http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/de/Hibberd_040DM_2102.jpg It shows some of the details which I'll be adding, but I could really do with a few more snaps. Does anyone have any that they'd be prepared to share - particularly showing the other side of the loco? Many thanks Alastair

Ian, I did have to shave the ribs off the back of the W-irons to get the wheels to fit! I didn't get lucky - I've done about 8 or so now too and have had to do this on each one. Regards Alastair

Mike, The Bachmann 16 tonners are a very easy conversion to EM. I covered it on my blog I'm told you don't even need to go to the stage of moving the brakegear outwards like I did - they'll just bend out slightly to give enough clearance. Other than that, they are a nice little model and a very easy way to assemble a train of 16T wagons. That said, the Parkside kits are also relatively easy to put together and offer more modelling input. Horses for courses I guess! Alastair

Excellent news - thank you!!! That'll be more damage to the credit card I expect then

Do the MR team have any information as to axle diameter and if there's width between the axleboxes to allow conversion to EM/P4 Cheers Alastair

I knew I had seen a colour picture somewhere!!! http://i53.tinypic.com/1zz2qon.jpg Its from Corby, but clearly shows the sort of colours these wagons ended up.

I think, but can't say I'm 100% certain, that the white stains on the ladle are some form of limewash, used to prevent hot slag sticking? Alastair

Paul, That would certainly make sense!! Arthur may even have told me that a few years ago (assuming it's the Arthur I'm thinking of) but you tend to forget these things! I will have a look for some colour photos. I think that most of what I have are black and white prints of the photos on the link that Robert sent to you, but I will have a rummage in the archives and see if there is anything relevant. I'm fairly certain I have some colour photos of some small hot metal ladles (also from Stanton Ironworks) which might at least give you some guidance as to colours and weathering. Thanks for the kind comments on the wagon - I'm just pleased they're available again now via Robert! I shall be following this with interest Regards Alastair

Very impressive build so far (and having designed the original Clarke Kits version of this I have a bit of a vested interest in seeing how this goes together!). I think there was a chain either side. I was puzzled when I was researching these wagons for the kit as to what they were for. They may have been something to do with scotching the wagons when tipping - the wagon furthest from the loco would be scotched to prevent it moving during tipping operations. Possibly the scotch blocks would be attached to this chain? I must admit I didn't ever figure out why! But it was clearly visible on photos so I included it in the kit! At least no-one can tell you there's something missing this way!!! Regards Alastair

Looking very very nice Adam. Bit of filth and that'll look stunning

Terry, They're well worth it - all the quartering is done for you so it's the easiest conversion you could imagine - not really more complex than a disc-wheeled diesel conversion (just don't accidentally shift the quartering, not that I've learnt the hard way or anything....) Just picked mine up from my parents house (they're in all day, I never am so much easier to get it posted there) and am very very impressed. It's a very nicely made conversion pack - really looks like a good piece of engineering. Anyhow, I'll report back once I've converted the loco, but would recommend it based on previous use of Ultrascale bits. I dare say you could do similar things with the Gibson class 14 wheel too (although not sure the axle diameters are right for a completely straightforward drop in), but at £30 I went for the Ultrascales. Cheers Al

Simon, Not sure about Judith Edge themselves - do they offer Beetles with their kits? However, Charlie at DC kits can (as he's done with James) supply the kits complete with Beetles to your spec. Alternatively, Branchlines or Motorbogies.com could get you a P4 Beetle to go with the kit. Regards Alastair

Looking good James. I hope you keep us up to date with progress. It's a great feeling when you start putting a kit together, particularly when it's something as interesting as this!!! I think Charlie must have just had a batch of Black Beetles in - my Steelman Royale has just turned up, complete with EM beetle!! Interestingly, I'm short of a set of buffers as well - I'm sure a quick bell to Charlie will sort things. Anyhow, I'll be watching this with interest Alastair

That's loooking really nice! Just wish my kit would hurry up and arrive now - I'm looking forward to building this one. It is going MOD green when you paint it? Alastair

We're back!!!! Just thought I'd post an update on a few things. Industrial 3F This is now finished, bar the weathering, and had a good running in session on Saturday at the EMGS members day. At home, my embryonic industrial layout has no more than a 4ft run at the moment - this will get a bit longer once there are fiddle yards attached but for now that's it, so you can imagine how difficult it is to run things in. The solution would be a rolling road, but I'm trying to avoid spending too much at the moment. So I took it along to the EMGS members day/AGM in Chippenham on Saturday, and gave it a good half hour in each direction. This has really sorted the running to a lovely smooth crawl - one of the fellow attendees thought it had a replacement chassis with a Portescap or something! I wouldn't go that far but would suggest a bit of running in for poor runners before anyone panics - I guess as a mechanical engineer I should know these things anyway but it's interesting how rarely we follow our own advice! Workinton Bogie Opens One has now been fully painted and weathered - I'm going to take some photos as I do the remaining two and put together a blog on the matter. I don't claim to be any good at weathering, but I'm quite pleased with how it has turned out. Ravenscraig scrap wagon and other experiments in Rapid Prototyping It's sat on the shelf looking at me funny.... I really should finish this off! You may remember it was an experiment in using rapid prototyping technology for modelmaking. Broadly successful but, like all experiments, there are things I'd do differently next time! Speaking of next time, the CAD for the BSC Port Talbot Brush Bagnall loco is also nearly finished - I've got an issue with the front steps at the moment which is driving me mad but other than that it's ready to go. I'm probably going to try a different rapid prototyping method - namely stereolithography (SLA) - for this loco as it offers a better surface finish and the chance to incorporate more detail than the FDM method used by Shapeways for the Ravenscraig wagon body test piece. Watch this space.... I've also acquired some drawings for the Alco Bo-Bo's which used to run at Port Talbot, so I think one of those may be on the way next. Bachmann Class 20 No, I can't think of a reason to have one on a 1970's steelworks layout (unless I can think of an excuse for one to venture into the works from the exchange sidings - no? Me neither....). But I've always liked the Class 20's and saw one on offer in my local shop and couldn't say no. Another £11 for new wheelsets from Alan Gibson and I've got a beautifully smooth EM gauge loco. I'm very impressed by this model - just needs a spot of renumbering, a few extra details, screw couplings and bit of weathering. I like projects like this one - it was converted in about 3 hours including extending the pickups etc. So, there we have it - that's where things are at the moment. I'll put some pics up in the next few days. Cheers Alastair

It gets better than that! Subsequent postings on the Ultrascale website: From: David (Ultrascale) - 19 Feb 2010 (david@...) We have now started on the conversion for the Heljan Class 14. It will take longer to complete as we have decided to produce a new wheel specially for this model, this wheel will include moulded balance weights, so there will be no need for the modeller to add these after the conversion has been fitted. Also, if you would like one for you model, send us an email stating the gauge required and once the conversion is complete we run all the requested ones off in one go to reduce the lead time on it. and From: David (Ultrascale) - 22 Feb 2010 (david@...) We are currently thinking of adding the option of steel tyres for this conversion. However, this will depend on if there is enough call for this option. Therefore, please add this to your email of interest for this conversion, should steel tyres be something that you would like. I know before from correspondance with Ultrascale that they were originally planning to use an "almost right" wheel in their range, but this is great news that we're now going to be getting a new, correct, wheel with balance weights. I'd urge anyone who is likely to want a set of these to fire an email off to Ultrascale as soon as possible indicating their interest. Cheers Alastair

Liking the new layout! Will be good to finally see Wheal Elizabeth in the flesh on Saturday.

I did pose this question to Ultrascale and got a non-committal respose. Last I heard they were going to check some measurements on one of the prototypes at the Nene Valley Railway and see if they had a suitable wheel in the range on which to base a conversion. They also pointed out that they could only do a conversion set if they could get hold of a model to measure up (yet didn't want to borrow mine in case it was damaged). So perhaphs if people would like to see an Ultrascale conversion they need to drop Brian Rodgers an email to see if a few more enquiries helps! Personally, I suspec the Gibson approach would work just as well, although I need to measure up the wheels themselves - you might get away with longer axles on the same wheels in EM (barbaric I know but they look quite fine so it's an option). EDIT - I've just read the previous posts and it appears merely pulling them out to the correct b-b dimension for EM may be an option. Alastair