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ullypug

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  1. ullypug

    57xx Part 2

    By ullypug,

    With the weather pretty awful down here in Somerset (though nowhere near as bad as it is in some parts of the country I grant you), I've just had to retire to the modelling bench and make a bit of progress with the 57xx.
    5757 has reached working chassis stage and it's always a relief when things work. I put it down to Chris' design but this is the third kit I've built and the third which has run straight away without the need for tweaking/swearing/reassembly etc. I did quarter this one by eye though so maybe I'm also getting better at it too!
    After having pondered how I was going to do the pickups, I did what I usually do which is cut the springs off behind the wheels and use the gap to fit the 0.3mm brass wire pickups. That may offend some people but 1) it works and 2) you can't really see the springs anyway. If you can you just need to move further away. Once again I've fitted the brake gear convinced that something somewhere is going to short out and being pleasantly surprised when it doesn't. I should really know better by now...
     
    Bodywork detailing is almost there. I was hoping I'd be able to send the loco to the paint shop but I see I have a few handrails to tweak and I now need to get some replacement water tank vents (which snapped off) as well as a backhead and a crew. Chris' clever gearbox design means there's space to fit these (didn't think of that at the time). Never mind. Gibson buffers, smokebox dart and sanding gear from RJ Models have all been used. I've used oversized Smiths coupling hooks since this model will almost certainly be used for passenger haulage/3 link shunting as opposed to AJ's. I do need to work out how I'm going to fit some form of bolt at the front to fix the body/chassis.
     
    The body will be finished in unlined black with an early BR emblem. That'll have to wait until I've got the remaining bits fitted. Couldn't resist posing it in the yard for a photo though!

  2. ullypug
    Alas it seems that the 21st century has finally caught up with this little part of Cornwall and the works will be closing on the weekend of 12/13 March after the Nailsea show. The wharfinger, Mr Ebeneezer Blugwort is confident that the works will be sold as a going concern and job losses will be kept to a minimum.
    An enthusiasts special will be run on the afternoon of Sunday 13 March. It is thought that a single brake van will suffice as there are not expected to be that many to worry about.
    After 35 shows, it's time to move on. Come and say hello (or goodbye if you prefer) if you're passing.

  3. ullypug
    I've managed to get the Bachman 45xx ready in time for Wheal Elizabeth's final show under my stewardship this weekend at Nailsea. It's been finished off as a St Blazey engine 4552 in unlined black. Blackening the wheels and fitting balance weights makes such a difference. The engine should be running under correct lamp codes too, though I haven't had time to weather it yet.


    The only trouble is that 4552 never went anywhere near Somerset so will have to be renumbered before it can run on Cheddar. I've photos of 4573 and 4539 on the line so it'll have to be one of those.
     
    I've long had the philosophy that I don't buy anything new until I've built or sold something in the modelling cupboard (under the tinking table), usually starting with the oldest thing, or longest resident first.
    This is where it gets interesting. The next thing in the line is my ancient Lima 4575 from the early 1980's. I think I bought this at Monk Bar model shop in York. I would have been around 11-12. I know there are serious anomalies with the body but I have copies of the MRC and Railway Modeller articles and this is a hugely sentimental piece of my childhood. My super detailing skills and weathering have clearly improved in the last 35 years, which is a good thing.
    Chassis will be Comet and I fancy springing with CSB's. How much of the original will be left mind you...
    I do have a Mitchell 4575 etched brass kit waiting in the cupboard but they're much newer in comparison.


    And besides, there's a Replica Collett Goods waiting in the queue before that!
  4. ullypug
    Had a really good weekend at the Nailsea show running Wheal Elizabeth for the last time under my stewardship.
    Ran a good selection of trains and spent most of this afternoon finishing off where it all started, with the more modern clay trains. Usually we don't get the time to run as much of them as we'd like, so it was really nice to make some time today.
    Geof kindly make a selection of head boards for the various works shunters, Minion, Jamie and Treffry.
    The last train was a single brake van hauled by the blue class 08 shunter on a trip working from St Blazey.
    All in all I've done 35 shows and its been a very enjoyable experience. Wheal Elizabeth was built for the DEMU S4Soc challenge in 2008 and the concept was always a non determinate place and time, which would allow a selection of trains and periods. Extending the layout from its original terminus to through running almost certainly extended the shelf life, making it more interesting to operate and giving me the excuse to build some more stock. There are certainly things I'd do differently next time, the cassettes were the source of most of the derailments and I won't use them again in P4.
    Thankfully I can't really recall any terrible shows. A couple of things broke, but we didn't have any major calamities along the way.
    So thanks to Geof who's helped with virtually all the shows and one or two others along the way.
    Anyway, here for the last time are a selection of photos from today.
    I'm sure the new owner will break cover shortly.

  5. ullypug

    Wookey

    By ullypug,

    Well hello there.
    Haven't blogged in a few weeks, due primarily to me exhibiting at Nailsea, then York and Cheltenham on consecutive weekends with all the preparation that goes with it. Still, a very good time was had by all.
    It's also rather weird not having Lizzy around any more as I find myself without an operable p4 layout.
    In the meantime I've been building some track for a friend who's planning to build a model of Wookey on the Cheddar Valley line. We've compressed things a bit, straightened out the siding into the paper mill and taken the other end of the goods loop 'off scene' but the final plan is fairly representative of the prototype and will give operating potential.
    The track work is a mixture of ply and plastic chairs with the odd rivet here and there. Plain track will use whatever I can find in the track box! I've had to make sure I use the EM jigs and gauges though. As usual I've laid it on laminate flooring underlay. The ply under that will be laid on extruded foam I believe. Not far off now...
    Anyway, here are some photos.
     

  6. ullypug
    Having taken my old Lima prairie apart, I've now made a start on the modifications. The recent series of articles in Great Western Journal include the works drawings for the 55xx tanks which have proved invaluable. First, the bottom 1.5mm was cut off from the base of the tank and the various fixing screw spigots removed from inside the body. Then, I've carefully cut away the firebox as its the wrong shape. Whilst I was at it I removed the safety valve bonnet, tank fillers and vents. The latter appear to have been located in one of two locations, depending on the batch/lot in question.
    Then I've made up the carcass of the new firebox from 80 thou plasticard. This will be filed to shape once the solvent has set, it's just loose in the photo below. I'm going to allow a few days for this to happen so in the meantime I've tidied up the body a bit so I can now give it a coat of model strip whilst I'm waiting.
    The cab and the rest of the body don't appear to be too bad, dimension wise. I'll need to something about the smokebox saddle and I'm not fully convinced about the door yet, but all in all this is promising to bit a nice bit of nostalgic fun!
    The chassis will be Comet and sprung using the Brassmasters sprung horn-blocks system, in case anyone's interested.
     

  7. ullypug
    Evening all. Haven't put an update on here for a while as I've been out and about at the odd exhibition and finishing off some track work for a friends layout. But I have been slowly making progress on the prairie.
    The body's actually quite good I've come to think although there's a fair bit of cutting and carving required.
    The new firebox has been formed from the plasticard carcass made from 80 thou and I've added the bands and lifting covers from a mixture of plasticard and white metal parts. This seemed to take a while but I got there eventually.
    I've fitted a GWR short safety valve dome bought from Branchlines and a Gibson chimney. The motion bracket plate's been cut down and refitted and the buffers cut off in anticipation of new Gibson ones being fitted. The body's had a soaking in Modelstrip to remove the layers of paint I must have added about 30 years ago.
    I've cut the smokebox door off as it wasn't on square. Hopefully I can acquire a new one, maybe from South East Finecast at Expo EM. I've cut the smokebox saddle down ready for the final reassembly.
    I've turned my attention to the Comet chassis by having a good long look at it! First observation was that there's a hole missing behind the rear wheel, so that's been added. Gearbox is sorted (High Level) as is the motor, both from the box of useful leftover bits which means I don't have to buy another one for the time being.
    Edit grammar

  8. ullypug
    Whilst I was waiting for ExpoEM to come around, so I could buy some body fittings, I turned my attention to the Comet chassis. Ive used the Brassmasters sprung hornblocks and I have to say I've been very impressed with them so far.
    The chassis is being built pretty much straight as per the instructions and I've got to the stage where I've got the rods on and am turning my attention to the motion. For some reason the motion / slide bar brackets don't appear to be the same width as the slide bars so I've concocted a support piece from scrap etch which will, I hope, be fairly unobtrusive once the body is on.
    As with any outside motion in P4, there's going to be fag papers in terms of clearances but I've thinned down the front crank pin nut, coupling rod etc. Let's see how we get on!
    The gearbox is High Level (what else would it be) and I will use a motor from the Mashima range, which if the stories doing the rounds at Expo are true, may not be around for much longer as Mr Mashima is retiring.
    I've readied the body for the next stage: I acquired a smoke box door and backhead from South East Finecast and I'll return to the body shortly. You can see the blanking piece on the front of the smoke box. You might be able to see the false floor for the cab.
    In between all of this I've put a bit more track down for Cheddar but I'll put those photos in a separate blog.

  9. ullypug
    A lot has happened since the last blog entry. In modelling terms, most of it has been a right pain in the backside. I used to think I'd got this chassis building lark sussed, but the prairie has been one tough cookie. On the plus side, my expletive vocabulary and ability to use them has increased tenfold.
    At the end of the last entry, I was struggling to get the chassis to run true and I'd come to the conclusion that the rods weren't the same as the wheel centres. I'd tried to pin the wheels after quartering them but that lot ended up in the reject bin.
    So I bought a Chassis Pro jig and some Gibson universal rods and started again. I was reassured that the chassis and hornblocks were perfectly square (must have done something right there) so I persevered with the Brassmasters sprung hornblocks and duly made up the rods to match. After I'd replaced my soldering iron first of course because that died the day the chassis jig arrived. Sheesh. New wheels duly arrived but could I get it to run. Could I hell. After many, many, many hours I tracked it down to quartering. All sorted. Then when cutting off the front crank pin I somehow overheated everything and the pin moved and reset itself thus no longer matching the crank pin throw of the other wheels and no longer matching the precious wheel centres. Thankfully one of the previous wheels was reclaimed and fettled. Success.
    After many more hours I've finally got something that just about works. Unfortunately the connecting rods are just fouling the slide bars but I think I can sort that by off setting the slide bars half a millimetre or so. Annoying because I'd forgotten this dodge until I'd finished assembling the cylinder arrangement in the first place and wondered if I'd need it later... In P4 there are fag papers in terms of clearances anyway so every little helps.
    So, the pony trucks have been fitted and everything plonked on a bit of track to see how things will look. The body work has had a few fittings added but I'll wait until I get the chassis built before I return to the body.
    I will get there and it will be worth it. And I will always remember what I had to do to get a 35 year old model to run again. Thankfully I won't have to do it again.

  10. ullypug
    Glad to report progress with the prairie at long last, to the point where it's progressed to the final painting stage.
    The last bits and pieces have been added and the chassis now runs smoothly. Thank goodness!
    Cylinders have been painted and the wheels and motion blackened. Think that'll need another coat though and I'll give the chassis a light dusting of grime too. I need to get some screw link couplings at Wells in a couple of weeks, along with a loco crew.
    Both the prairie and the 57xx bodies have been given a few coats of black enamel, followed by a couple of coats of dullcote. A few layers of Klear before transfers, more Klear and then weathering. Still undecided whether to remove most of the gunk back or leave as is. Anyway, it's the final stretch now.
    Feeling happier!
    Edit. A couple more photos added with some tweaks (thanks Adam!)

  11. ullypug
    After my 7mm interlude (never again), I'm returning to 4mm and the next loco for Cheddar.
    True to my mantra, this is the oldest thing in the modelling cupboard, namely converting a 35 year old Replica Railways model of the 2251 Collett Goods to P4.
    The body is accurate according to the sources I have and the underpinnings are one of the rather splendid High Level chassis kits. In a fit of madness, I'm going to spring using CSB's.
    There's a good article on the CLAG website about springing a High Level chassis kit for the pannier and I'm largely following it, though the two chassis have subtle differences.
    The frames have been marked out and drilled for anchors (Markits WD handrail knobs) using a CSB plot off the CLAG website and the High Level jig, though I've had to extend the fore and aft anchor points to miss spacers, or other chassis components. You can just see a line on the inside of the chassis which denotes where the CSB will be.
    So far I've soldered the frames together. The eagle eyed will notice a number of modifications to the front 3 chassis spacers. These will allow the CSB wire to pass along the sides of the chassis. I'll take some more photos when the handrail knobs have been soldered in. It'll make more sense then!
    Pleased to see it fits the body quite nicely.

  12. ullypug
    I've been making good progress with the Collett Goods chassis.
    The coupling rods were made up using my Avonside Chassis2 jig for the first time in anger. It's an impressive bit of kit.
    I've made up the High Level hornblocks and tags (normal for the rear two axles, space savers for the front axle to allow space for the slide bars) and fitted the handrail knobs as the anchor points. I amended the 3rd anchor point to improve weight distribution as per comments in the last entry. I assembled everything in a trial fit using brass and everything seemed to work nicely.
    Once I was happy with that I then drilled into the underside of each hornblock and soldered a 0.45mm brass wire between it and the rear of the springs. These were then cut through near the ends so that they rise and fall with the hornblock and more importantly, it means that I can drop all the hornblocks out for wheel assembly and if required future maintenance.
    Lastly I've set up the slide bars and dummy inside valve gear as per the instructions (you can see why you need space savers on the front axles) and it's now sitting on the workbench having had a thorough scrub clean.
    Adapting the chassis kit for CSB's hasn't been too much hassle I'm pleased to say.
    Looking forward to finishing off the chassis and getting it running!

  13. ullypug
    A return to the Collett goods has seen the wheels on and quartered, the motor and gearbox fitted and the brake gear added. Test leads have been fitted to the motor and I'm pleased to say the wheels go round.
    Just the matter of pick ups to add now.
    The body had been trial fitted and all seems to be fine and the CSB's work well.
    Whilst the epoxy was going off for the copper clad for the pick ups I turned my attention to the tender, again building with CSB's. High Level have designed this to be sprung so it's just a matter of following the instructions. It's a bit fiddly as everything's that bit smaller being 2mm axles but I got there in the end.
    Whilst I was taking the pictures I set up a rake of engineers wagons I've acquired in EM so these will need converting and repainting at some point since they are far too rusty/red at the moment

  14. ullypug
    As a break from layout building type stuff (wiring mostly), I decided to turf a kit out of the modelling cupboard that has been there for a while. It's the 'Steam and Things' kit for the Weston Clevedon and Portishead Rilway Drewry Railcar. I'm building it for the WCPR group, having done the Fordson tractor for them a couple of years back.
    As you may know I've scratchbuilt one of these in EM for my two WCPR layouts so I'm quite familiar with the prototype.
    I have to be honest here and confess I don't like building stuff in 7mm. It freaks me out a bit. None of my tools work. At least this has 1/8th" axles so I can use my reamer!
    The kit describes itself as more of a scratch aid kit of parts and I'm not finding it the easiest thing to build. So far this week we've got the body built and more or less complete. The sides have been reinforced with strips of scrap etch to keep the tops and bottoms straight and there's been quite a bit of edge seam soldering. Steps are done and just need attaching to the (presently) quite rudimentary chassis. Thankfully I've got some photos so can add all the brakes and control rods which are missing from the kit, along with quite a few other bits and pieces.
    And before anyone says anything, yes the wheels were only 2ft in diameter.
    Hopefully this won't take much longer to do as I'm itching to get back to 4mm!

  15. ullypug
    Compliments of the season to one and all. I hope you had a good Christmas. I'm in that post Christmas pre New Year lull, when I'm generally full to the point of bursting and ready to slope off to the modelling bench after spending enough quality time with the relatives.
    Unfortunately my 7mm penance continues, but thankfully to the point of painting. Just glazing and transfers to do, along with some form of brake gear representation. The kit doesn't include anything in this department so I'll be making something up out of plastic and brass. I have a motor and gearbox ready to install, then I can get back to my preferred scale!

  16. ullypug
    Happy New Year to you all. I'm not sure how long we're all supposed to keep saying that but as its my first blog of 2019, I will.
    This time of year is always slightly frugal when it comes to modelling as both the Mrs and myself have birthdays in the first half of the month and being the big 5-0 we spent last weekend in Barcelona, which was nice.
    Anyhow, the Ivatt chassis has been wired, a substantial amount of lead glued into the body and pick ups added. Happily, it trundles quite satisfactorily up and down the test track. I've sprung the two pony trucks and added centring springs from guitar wire. I've added some crude representations of the control springs from 8BA studding. The steps and sandboxes have been fixed and I've started on the body work detailing. The smokebox dart and lubricators are from Comet. I've started on the plethora of oiling/ lubricating pipes and we'll see how far I get before I reach my 'that'll do' point. Probably not as far as you would Dave!
    Balance weights still to add and I'm going to need a pair of injectors, but as my cousin’s ruby wedding next weekend in Wakefield conveniently coincides with the Pontefract show, I'll have a rummage through the Wizard models stand. The loco is going to be 41245, as I've a few photos of it on the Cheddar valley line.
    I couldn't resist putting a Hornby Collett coach alongside to check the buffer height (splendidly bang on). Not far to go now!

  17. ullypug
    And that's that. Happy to say it's finished and ready to go off to the WCPR group.
    It's a funny thing but I really haven't enjoyed building this as much as I do 4mm!
    But what to do next? It should really be my Replica Collett goods as it's the oldest thing in the kit cupboard, but I was given a couple of books for Christmas, one of which has some photos of the PDSWJR. Maybe a slight deviation from Cheddar? Or maybe one of the 'round tuit' projects that's been kicking around the furthest corners of the work bench? Decisions, decisions...

  18. ullypug
    Just a quick update for today.
    I started to thin down the Replica tender side frames and didn't get very far before I realised it was going to take far too long and had no guarantee of success. Indeed I soon put the files down and resorted to a disc cutter in the mini drill. This only confirmed my doubts about successfully thinning down to the stipulated thickness of 0.7mm.
    So that got put to one side and I decided to make a new set of frames from 20thou nickel silver.
    I sweated two layers together then traced out the outline of the existing plastic frames. A bit of elbow grease and a piercing saw duly combined to fret out a rough outline which was then tidied up with files.
    Thankfully I had some spare spring and axle box castings in a Mitchell tender kit so these were attached with low melt solder, having first tinned with 145 deg. Slots were fretted out for the wheels in the base and we're more or less there. I've some fettling to do but the wheels are about ready to go in.

  19. ullypug
    Evening all
    after a very inspiring but tiring day at Scalefour North yesterday, I found time to make a little progress on the Collett Goods today.
    The tender chassis is virtually complete and just needs the vacuum tank adding before its ready for the paint shop.
    The loco chassis now has pick ups too (36gauge phosphor bronze mostly hidden behind the steps) and bus bars with the final connection to the motor now in. I'm pleased that the CSB's are working well, even on the rear driven axle.
    I managed to pick up a belpaire backhead from 247 Developments so I can now concentrate on the loco body detailing; I'm not going to do much because strangely I want to keep the essence of the Replica original, so it'll just be a smokebox dart, brass handrails and a loco crew.
    Just debating what paint finish to give it...

  20. ullypug
    Now that the evenings are getting longer and the weather a little warmer, I actually have a chance to get the airbrush going. I've quite a few jobs in the queue.
    The PDSWJR brake van is ongoing (more details to follow in another blog) but the Collett goods had got to the point where painting could commence.
    The chassis were under coated in etched primer and given a coat of satin black from a rattle can.
    The body was sprayed with railmatch BR (W) green from a pot which is almost as old as the engine itself.
    After a few coats of Johnsons Klear, lining was applied from an equally ancient set of HMRS transfers. I did add the boiler bands but wasn't happy so they've been taken back off.
    Cab side and smoke box plates were from Model Masters. Lastly a good spray of weathering gunk was applied which I may yet take back off, though I always wanted 2277 to be fairly mucky and the boiler bands may just clinch it. I've a Finney 2251 to do at some point. That may be cleaner...
    Still to do are the cab crew and tender buffers. I see I have a lamp iron missing off the front of the loco. Ah well. The engine and tender chassis will also have a weathering spray with a tad more tan for the brake dust. I mustn't forget to reattach the tender brake gear after going to the trouble of making it all.
    Given where I started from, I'm quite pleased that the engine hides its origins quite well in my eyes anyway and that's what matters!

  21. ullypug

    China House Quay

    By ullypug,

    Just a note in case you're interested.
    I've started a thread in the Cameo Layout Challenge section of my entry, China House Quay.
    This is set in the Sutton Harbour area of Plymouth.
    More detail here
    China House Quay
     

  22. ullypug
    I've been off work, staying the week with the family up on the North Yorkshire Moors. I managed to sneak a small modelling box of bits and pieces in the car 'in case of rainy days' etc. In-between chasing real trains and trips out, I've been busy at the kitchen table.
    The prototype in question is a PD&SWJR brake van, purely because I do have a soft spot for light railways and I recently acquired the Southern Railway wagons book with a drawing of it.
    I've also got one of Roger Slade's CSP kits for A S Harris (the line's 0-6-0 tank) because I saw it on his stand and liked it.
    So with a collection of Evergreen sheet and section, I've spent some evenings cutting, glueing, filing and assembling it to resemble the drawings as closely as I can.
    I've sprung with Bill Bedford's W irons and added coupling hooks from Ambis. Brake gear is modified Cambrian off on odd sprue I had lurking about. Handrails are 0.3mm brass wire. Individual bolt/rivets are small cubes of plastic rod.
    I've not fitted buffers as I didn't bring the right size drill bit and there are still lamp brackets, foot boards and a brake wheel to fit, along with a vacuum cylinder and the roof of course. Oh, and some more details, chimney, 3 links, pipes... The list goes on!
    Livery is red apparently and I'm not sure how I'll do the lettering. HMRS transfers possibly.
    And I've noticed the end vertical handrail stantions are not quite right. They'll have to be re-done at some point.
    And there we are for the time being. Home tomorrow via the York show.
    Just need a layout to run it on now!

  23. ullypug
    So whilst I was waiting for the family to get up this morning (they didn't), I spent some time adding all the remaining bits and pieces to the brake van.
    Annoyingly, I don't have any of the right pattern axle boxes but I'm sure I'll find something suitable on the 51l stand at Bristol in a couple of weeks.
    Just 3 links to add, along with the stove chimney on the roof (which isn't fixed down in the photo) and it'll be ready for painting. I'm quite happy with the week's work!

  24. ullypug
    Haven't really achieved much of late, more kind of working on bits and pieces when I've time.
    The brake van has been painted and lettered. I'll give it a little weathering before it enters service and must put the stove chimney on and find a suitable guard to stand on the veranda.
    The ECC wagon has turned out nicely, once I'd scraped all the old glue off and rebuilt it on a Craig Welsh underframe. In my youth, I'd managed to put the end door on upside down. It's only taken 35 years to correct!
    Other wagons on the tinking table are an ABS LMS 5 plank and a Coopercraft V4 van. Lurking in the background is a Starfish, an open C and a couple of Private Owners. Some more Coopercraft opens didn't make it into the picture.
    Otherwise it's on with the wiring of the next Cheddar board which is really slow progress. I may post a picture in that blog.

  25. ullypug
    In advance of the EMGS skills day at Kidderminster next weekend (hope the snow thaws), I've been finishing off a number of projects. They're all in P4 by the way.
    I'm doing a demo about the various springing systems for wagons that I've used/or not.
     
    First up is the Craig Welsh chassis for a RCH under frame. These are sold by the Scalefour society and fold up in a single unit. I really like them. I've posted pictures before and this sits under an ECC body I originally built (badly) 35 years ago. I've since detailed the sole bars with crown plates etc. The originals didn't survive the dismantling process.

    Next is one of Justin's rather spiffing Rumney Models wagon chassis kits, in this case for the 21T hopper. I probably should have started with an easier one, but I already had the Parkside body assembled in another frenzy of poor model making, hence it needed a new chassis. These kits are really good and I've a fair few more waiting to be built. They are an exercise in origami, but well thought through and if you take it steady, don't present any problems. The instructions are fairly comprehensive! The standard BR hopper did find its way on to the Cheddar branch for loading quarried stone.

    Then there's something a bit different, namely the Prickley Pear system. This is a hybrid between sprung and compensation. Both w irons rock but are retained by a wire at the outer edge which springs off a central evergreen square plastic section. The cosmetic springs were fixed to the w iron leaving a space under the sole bar to allow movement.

    The Toad has one of the Morgan chassis kits marketed by the Scalefour society and has adjustable w irons both laterally and at one end, vertically. Personally I think it's a bit over engineered. It's a lot of effort to avoid springing out the W irons when inserting the wheels. I've never had any issues with this on any of the other systems I've used, so for me anyway it's solving a problem (which it does well) that doesn't bother me. The instructions were very comprehensive too and the range covers just about every sort of GW wagon you could wish for,

    Then there's the masokits sprung chassis kits which form into pre-determined lengths around a chassis spine. The springs are thin steel strip. I didn't actually build the chassis bit but I have put it under the coal wagon.

    Lastly there's the Bill Bedford system, marketed now by Eileens amongst others. I must confess it's the standard system I use and get on well with.

    Not shown is standard rocking W iron compensation, which I will have on the demo stand and lastly, uncompensated. For every one who tells you springing and compensation is an essential, there are plenty of others who make do without quite happily.
    At the end of the day it's a personal choice. A bit like choosing the best auto coupling system...
     
    My personal choice? Bill Bedford W irons, Rumney Models and Craig Welsh chassis kits. They work for me. The others work fine, but building them hasn't persuaded me to change.
     
    edit for typo/grammar
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