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ullypug

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Blog Entries posted by ullypug

  1. 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.

  2. 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

  3. ullypug
    OK, so things haven't progressed as far or as fast as I'd hoped. I blame the distractions of the Collett Goods and one or two other diversions.
    Still, a rare day off today after a weekend up North has allowed me a little time at the work bench.
    4 months on from the last blog post and all that's happened on Cheddar is another board now has power.
    It does have 4 point motors and now includes the catch point I forgot to install the first time round protecting the up line from the stone sidings at Cheddar West. It also has the Axbridge end crossover.
    A couple of videos have been embedded below.
    I couldn't find a prairie under the debris that is the modelling room so a blue Hymek deputised on this occasion.
    The next board has the single slip and in theory marks the half way point of the layout wiring.
    It may not be all that thrilling but it is mildly satisfying!
     


  4. 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!

  5. 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.

  6. 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...

  7. 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!

  8. 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!

  9. ullypug

    Cheddar- Five Ways Bridge

    By ullypug,

    With the second board now wired and working, I've been building Five Ways bridge this week.
    I'm now sold on the 'Green World Stuff' embossed ABS sheet for the correct stone type and I've been trying to faithfully recreate the prototype bridge, which still stands today. I've had to make a couple of guesstimates in respect of dimensions but otherwise it's a close enough representation to my eyes anyway. I dragged an assorted collection of stock to gauge clearances (and to have another play!).
    With the bridge in I've started to think about terra forming in this area so have been consulting the OS Maps. Five Ways Farm sits just alongside the bridge to the right of the video and should make a nice scenic feature, along with its very large apple orchard behind the raised siding.
    I know this will mean nothing if you don't know the area but I can see how I want it to look in my mind at least!

  10. ullypug

    First move under power

    By ullypug,

    Afternoon
    I've been wiring. I'd forgotten how long it takes and just how many mistakes you can make along the way!
    But on the plus side, I now have the first board powered up and working. The only track left to build is the run off to the (as yet unconstructed fiddle yard). It's on DC at the moment but wire sized and installed for eventual DCC.
    The water works siding is in and you can see the prairie shuffling back and forwards on the attached video. I'm not turning the board over yet to photograph as it's all a bit untidy. I do admire those that produce beautifully neat wiring looms. I don't ever seem to manage it.
    There's a bridge to add along with a stone loading point on this board in the foreground (in mock up at least) before I work back towards the station, wiring each board in turn. Still, at least I can start to play trains!
     

  11. ullypug
    Evening all
    after a summer recess and the always wonderful Wells exhibition, the modelling season is well and truly back with us and I'm looking forward to the annual pilgrimage to Scaleforum next weekend.
    After one or two distractions (more of that later) and by way of a release from the travails with my Lima 55xx, I've returned to the track building on Cheddar. The good news is I'm on the last board now and fiddle yard notwithstanding, have built the (hopefully) final turnout. You can see progress in the photo below. The siding to the right in the distance leads to the Water Works siding, the line next right is a siding leading to McAlpine's loading point towards the camera and Cheddar west GF. The next line left is the bi-directional running line and the rising line furthest left is the headshunt/stone loading siding on the down side.
    I'm going to leave a short length incomplete at the baseboard edge so I can run a length of track through once I've built the fiddle yards.
    I'm hoping I can start the lovely task of wiring the thing over the winter. It's going to be DCC/DC convertible but I'm not sure what to use as plugs/sockets for the main track bus. Anyone got any suggestions?
    If it was just DC I'd use D plugs but I've never wired for DCC before so I might need to have a little trial first.
  12. 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!)

  13. 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.

  14. ullypug

    June 2016 update

    By ullypug,

    I've had a bit of success with my quest for Mendip Stone.
    I've found a Spanish supplier that does, what I think anyway, is a reasonable representation of Mendip Limestone.
    http://www.greenstuffworld.com/en/textured-sheets/155-abs-plasticard-smooth-rock-wall-sheet-a4.html
    I'd ordered some previously and finally got round to having a play with it, once I realised that the present incarnation of the 45xx chassis wasn't going anywhere (literally). More of that later.
    So rather than cut the chassis into lots of little pieces, I've had a go a re-doing the overbridge at the Wells end of the station with its curved abutment walls. I think this is it!
    I've added coping stones from 80 thou plasticard and have got to the point where I can finally put this board to one side with a 'tick'.
    So that then set me thinking about the storage system I'm going to need to start to be able to put these boards somewhere.
    So I've had a go at making side packing pieces which will ultimately be clamped together with toggle up/over catches.
  15. ullypug

    May 2016 update

    By ullypug,

    Morning all
    just a bit of an update on Cheddar.
    I hadn't realised it's been 3 months since I last updated, but then progress has slowed a bit (mainly as a result of other distractions!), but in between making track for a friend's layout and tinkering away with the prairie I've stuck the odd bit of track down for the 7th board.
    You can see in the picture what I mean; the line on the left is the stone loading siding which rose up towards the bridge. I think ultimately I'll need one of the High Level fly shunter wagons to replicate the gravity shunting on this siding. The middle track is the main bi-directional running line whilst the one on the right is the siding which ran up to the McAlpine stone loading point and Cheddar West Ground Frame up towards Axbridge.
    The eagle eyed of you will spot a pen line setting out what will be the Bristol Waterworks siding, the turnout for which will be on the next board, but will end up on this one. I'm going to squeeze things around here a little bit so I can represent some of the waterworks buildings (eventually).
    So one more board to do scenic wise anyway before I think about the next bit - roundy roundy seems to be the way to take this (after suggestions from the potential operators - I didn't say 'revolt'...).
    In the meantime, I think I'm going to need to think about the storage options for this - some form of stacking arrangement seems sensible.
  16. 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.

  17. 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

  18. 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.
     

  19. 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.
     

  20. 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.

  21. 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!
  22. 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.

  23. ullypug

    February 2016 update

    By ullypug,

    Afternoon all
    Not much to report this month. We had a great time at the Southampton show and I ended up coming away with another delightful little loco from CSP. More of that anon.
    Having had a bit of a break from Cheddar, it has been good to crack on with some more of the track work and I can see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel, scenic section at least, now that the Axbridge end crossover is done. Whisper it quietly but that only leaves the water works siding turnout... Once again it's time to change the boards round and replace the completed one with the next. Two to go.
    Four of the boards are up in the garage and in my mind it's starting to look a lot like Cheddar. Or is that Christmas?
    Inbetween bits drying, I've also dug out some long term residents of the to-do pile. Nowhere near the standards set by others of this parish I admit, but enjoyable none the less.
    The PMV is out of the box Bachmann and just rewheeled. The Ratio toad will be diag AA20 I think and the
    Parkside conflat is being converted to an ex GW diagram (I hope). The latter two are sprung.
  24. ullypug

    January 2016 update

    By ullypug,

    Evening all
    not much by way of an update as my Christmas project, pannier 5757 hasn't quite been finished and I'm off to Southampton this weekend with one of my other layouts.
    The next board beckons and as usual, ply trackbed and laminate flooring underlay have been applied. This board has the main Axbridge end cross over/end loop and the entry into the down yard. It also sees the start of the Callow Hill quarry stone loading siding which rose away towards the Five Ways bridge. Not entirely sure why but I think it was to aid gravity shunting of the siding which had a covered loading bay.
    There'll only be one more turnout to build after this and two more boards to do. Most of that will be plain track so the end is in sight, albeit still a long way away! In the meantime I've been cutting sleepers and punching the occasional rivet. Now if I could just find my cutting broaches...
     
    I've been transferring 'completed' (they're not) boards to the garage and you can see three of them in this picture, together with the remaining two stacked at the end.
  25. ullypug

    Exhibitions

    By ullypug,

    Afternoon
    Hadn't realised I've not posted an update since March. How time flies.
    Clevedon has a few shows this year, starting with the Southampton exhibition this weekend.
    Thereafter it'll be at
    York - Easter
    Epsom & Ewell - April
    Oop North - September (provisionally)
     
    Also, rather excitingly I can confirm a one off event on Sun 22 Oct 2017 (next year) when both Clevedon and Weston will appear at the same time. This will be the 100th anniversary of the WCPR's opening of the extension to Portishead and the WCPR group have decided to put a show on in Portshead to commemorate the event. It will be a light railway bonanza with a number of Colonel Stephens layouts in a variety of scales. More details will follow as they're finalised. Logistically it's going to be a challenge having two layouts operating at the same but it is for a special event. At this stage I'm not planning on repeating the exercise.
    As to Clevedon itself, fitter Hill's cottage is nearing completion and I've planted some trees behind the PW sheds. Photos attached with a temporary back scene. Everything seems to be where I left it and I'm looking forward to having a play next weekend. Do pop by and say hello if you're passing.

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