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RedgateModels

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Blog Entries posted by RedgateModels

  1. RedgateModels
    So this build has come to an end (almost) I must say I've enjoyed this trip into GWR land, something I don't normally do. First time with a Bob Moore lining pen too. Anyway, jobs left to do are blacken the buffers and fit them properly and fit some 3-links.
     

     

     

     

     

     

     
    So, that's it until the next one - an All Third to match, need to order seating from Slaters before I start that one though. Camping Coach next methinks ......
  2. RedgateModels
    I've been making a few postings over the forum over the last few days asking for help with horn sounds etc for the class 15 and thanks to the preservation society's voutube channel I have managed to capture and chop around using Audacity to give me a couple of horn sounds. These were added to a standard ESU 16 cylinder diesel project.
     
    I know that it will not sound anything like the real thing, apart from the fact it's a disesel but hey, until the real thing is restoreed to running this is the best I can expect.
     
    Because of the transient nature of this sound project I was reluctant to hard wire the decoder so I substituted a spare 8 pin socket left over from my Crosti 9F project to the unpowered bogie instead of the Lenz Standard decoder that was there previously.
     
    The standard speaker would not fit between the fuel tanks and the bogie towers so a spare ESU twin speaker was fitted to the chip. Chip and speaker were black tacked to the underside of the loco roof and the decoder plugged into the socket. Pretty tidy job, and I can remove the decoder and plug in a different one at any time now
     
    Here's a few pics:
     

     

     

     
    I'll post a vid tonight to youtube for you all to pick holes in
     
    UPDATE:
     
    and here it is
     

  3. RedgateModels

    Details, details ....

    By RedgateModels,

    Ahead of the Wycrail Show I have been adding more details to the layout. First off I've made some flower tubs from the cardboard tubes you get round the business end of a new spark plug cut in half and painted white. The flowers are from www.themodeltreeshop.com and come ready to "plant" - a bead of PVA run round the inside of the tube and the flowers just popped in
     

     

     
    Next that very nice man Jon Fitness sent me a spare length of ladder which duly painted sits very well against the yard lamp. An S&D Models "painter and decorator" will sit atop this ladder soon
     

     
    An order for another £30's worth of figures has been placed with S&D, so expect more detailing updates soon!
  4. RedgateModels

    DCC Shelf!

    By RedgateModels,

    Those of you who were at the RMweb Live event and took a peek behind the layout would have seen the lash-up that was the control panel/programming track. I realized VERY late that I needed my OO rolling road/NCE power panel for the DCC demo
     

     
    so I cobbled something together from an old ice cream tub and a bit of old kitchen kick board. I had a spare panel and autoSW for the programming track. A short length of Peco flexi completed the arrangement and it all worked well at the show.
     
    This could not continue though so I set about planning something more permanent and it occurred to me that if I could make some multi gauge track I could fit the panel and autoSW to the uPVC shelf at the rear of the layout - this is common to all my layouts so would also work for Summat Colliery etc.
     
    Plastic Magic worked well with the Peco sleepers and I ended up with this
     

     
    Much neater and I now don't need to lug the rolling road "block" with me to shows - space is a premium in the Scooby especially with Fourgig
     
    Keen eyes will note that the OO track is offset so that there is also a 9mm track should I ever go mad and do an N gauge layout In all seriousness if anyone needs an N gauge programming track at a show I have one as well as OO and O
  5. RedgateModels
    Quick snap of '023 in an almost state of readiness for the paint shop.
     

     
    Just got the undercab footstep to fabricate - I've ordered some Evergreen 1.5mm angle which should arrive next week. The fiddly bits have served as a good practice for the other one I am building for a member and '023 will wait in this condition until I have worked the commission one up to a similar point.
     
    The plan is to deliver both to Dave Roome at the Doncaster Show for weathering, so I'd better get my finger out
  6. RedgateModels
    Progress over Christmas
    The main body is painted, just need to add handrails and buffers etc. Cab roofs are stripped of details and are waiting for new roof vents and air horns.
     

     
    Main progress has been the bogies, pickups added and wired up so it now moves under its own power!
     
    Wheelslip is a big issue but once I've added a couple of pounds of lead it should be fine
     

     

  7. RedgateModels
    After what seems an age I have a working MERG DCO6 block cutout pcb up and running. The previous versions I have put together and are successfully working on Summat Colliery used my own etched PCBs but this one is using Trevor Stockhill's "stealth black" pcb - double sided, plated through holes, gold flashed and black solder resist.
     

     
    There are however a couple of problems with version A of this PCB - there is a resistor missing from the remote shutdown input circuitry and the legend for the MOSFETS U1 and U2 show them fitted the wrong way round.
     
    I don't use the remote shutdown (you can see that the terminal block is not even there on the left of the PCB) but the MOSFETS had to be reversed to get the PCB up and running.
     
    The final stages of testing of this design will be to make sure it works with Hornby DCC systems. I'm planning to send it to traction of this parish for tests. Once this is completed it should not be long until this circuit is made available as a full blown MERG kit
  8. RedgateModels
    Took a snap last night of the S9 with it's sister T34 brake coach.
     

     
    it's 95% complete and ready for RMweb Live!
     
    I've still got to make and fit the step end handrails and the couplings are just hooks at the moment, I will complete the JLTRT screw links before Wycrail, honest .......
  9. RedgateModels
    These chaps started to look smart last night - Dart Castings finest "leaning out" figures
     

     
    I've got their boots to do and then a good dirty wash before installation. I think I will need to build small platforms for them to stand on as the doors of the Sentinel seem quite high. Hope they look ok once installed
  10. RedgateModels
    The wife, kids and mother-in-law left at 10am today for Great Yarmouth. Not set to return until sometime on Friday, so the whole house is my workshop
     
    The left hand board as the public view the layout had it's external woodwork painted black (saves you a job Pete ) and left out in the sun. It's now sitting in the living room annex on two of the layout legs hardening off.
     
    The centre board was the focus of today's efforts. Duly set up in the middle of the living room on it's legs, complete with lighting rig etc
     

     
    I've been at it all day, but the point rodding is complete (hooray!)
     

     

     
    Including a facing point lock on the point immediately after the fiddle yard, that no one can see as it's hidden behind the goods shed! I hope you're happy now Mr Skipsey
     

     
    Signal wires tomorrow and hopefully the black paint too!
     
    Oh and I've also fitted the PH Designs fencing as you can see
     
    EDIT:
     
    now the sun has gone down a good test of the LED lighting
     

     
    Pretty pleased with that
     
    and finally, one of my favorite views showing the subtle curves of the goods shed/engine shed turnout - this is why i use Templot
     

  11. RedgateModels
    One thing that has been evident from operating my O guage layout Fourgig East at shows is that my makeshift uncoupling hook for 3-link couplings is a bit, well, poor, and I only have one of them so operators have to share!
     
    Having seen 3 Link of this parish's "key idea" ( http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/50279-o-gauge-auto-couplings/&do=findComment&comment=579380) I thought I'd have a go. I first made a plastic mock-up with 1mm sheet and a bit of tube that I squirreled away ages ago. This proved the concept so I went all out in brass to arrive at this:
     

     
    The fancy end is the "3 Link key"
     

     
    You will see that I have cranked the end so that hopefully I can get in from above when trains are in the station etc ....
     
    The other is a normal hook for those who prefer it (a hook still works better with screw links in my experience)
     

     
    A bit of heat shrink makes for a handle and we are away. I have enough spare material to make another, so next time out with Fourgig will be uncoupling heaven (yeah right!)
  12. RedgateModels
    Roof is now done and glued in place so now my attention has turned to the next challenge - the bogies. I'd decided to use the Dapol bogie sides as the original Bachmann ones on the donor chassis were the wrong type. So armed with my mighty Swann Morton #10 the BM bogies were reduced to this
     

     
    the brake gear etc actually just pops out being secured to the frame by pins etc. Then these bits were removed from the DP1 bogie sides
     

     
    and the bogie cemented up using the correct ends. The NEM pocket on the remains of the BM bogie frame needed trimming back a bit and the hole opening out in the front of the DP1 frame and hey presto
     

     
    One hybrid bogie with functioning NEM pocket ready for painting. Only issue is that the wheels don't line up correctly with the bearing locations on the sideframes, but I think the prototypical appearance of the bogie is more important and once painted up I hope this will not be too noticable.
     
     
    Now for the underframe ........
  13. RedgateModels
    So my modelling fest is about at an end - for tomorrow I must tidy up!
     
    However I am very pleased with the results and the magnitude of my efforts over the last three days. A few tweaks here or there, but Fourgig is about ready for RMweb Live!
     
    Here's a few snaps
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  15. RedgateModels
    Big thanks to Paul Chetter, a parcel arrived this morning with a Zimo sound chip and a selection of speakers to try to see which sounds best in the Hymek. Liking the look of the big round one to go under the fan 🙂
     

     
    Also cab roofs are getting there, vents are in place, just need the airhorns then I can get them painted
     

     
    EDIT: Cab roofs fitted out and painted, couldn't resist adding the pipework to the horns ....
     

  16. RedgateModels

    A Shed Load of Card

    By RedgateModels,

    Over the last few lunchtimes I've been busy with some free card and the Scalescenes Goods Shed kit, again the OO kit blown up to O gauge on the printer.
     
    Here's how it stands at the moment, with mug to give an idea of scale
     

     
    rafters are glued to the card and are drying under a box of paperwork (knew there was a use for it )
     
    There's a lot more corrugated card in this one than I normally use, and the main walls have been made a lot thicker than designed to give a bit more rigidity.
     
    Must print off the track plan again to make sure it fits!
  17. RedgateModels
    Pretty pleased with this wagon now it's painted and got it's numbers etc. A couple of coats of PP satin varnish have been airbrushed on and it's ready for service on the yet to be completed Fourgig East.
     

     
    I think some coal will be added and maybe a quick waft over the underframe with some sleeper grime to give it that used in preservation look. I'll do this when the airbrush is out to tone down the track, so this will be a bit of a wait!
     
    Now to find a box big enough to store it in ...
  18. RedgateModels
    Seems to be the time for painting this week, thanks to all the advice from Buckjumper (on here and in his mag article) the O gauge Pug body is prepped for primer. I bought some "Bar Keepers Friend" from Amazon (other internet retailers available) and with a cheapo kids electric toothbrush (spiderman) and some work with scrapers, fibreglass brush and wet-or-dry stuck to coffee stirrers we have this:
     

     
    Next step a few coats of primer, then see if any filling etc needs doing. I'll get some filler at the BRM Show this weekend at Doncaster.
  19. RedgateModels
    So, the little coach has made another step towards completion. All the HMRS transfers have been applied and the end strapping has been painted black.
     

     

     
    Some pipework to attend to, all the brasswork (handles etc) to add then it should be ready for varnish
  20. RedgateModels
    All ready for use on Fourgig East at this weekend's Mansfield Show the pug now sits in it's BR black livery. Transfers are HMRS pressfix and my usual several coats of Precision satin varnish.
     

     
    Windows have been glazed using Deluxe Materials Glue 'n' Glaze, used it for the first time since buying it at the BRM show Doncaster and am very happy with the result, works way better than Humbrol ClearFix which is now in the bin
     
    It will have a light "preserved" weathering at some point and I have a crew to paint and fit for it. but there you have it, a long journey but worth it methinks
  21. RedgateModels
    This is how it's going to sit for a while now. I will be starting on the chassis next. Just ordered (amongst other things ) a correct pattern pony from Chris at Golden Arrow to replace the Triang Britannia one that this loco carried when I received it
     
    Once the chassis is sorted I'll make sure the two bits fit together before continuing with the painting.
  22. RedgateModels
    Well, I wimped out on using the lining pen and resorted to HMRS sheet 22 - I will find time to practice with the pen sometime, but didn't want to delay this build any longer and I had a spare used sheet lying around ...
     

     
    Buffer beam red next then out with the satin varnish
  23. RedgateModels
    Thought it was time for an update.
     
    I've lowered the loco on it's bogies by removing material from the bogie pivot - the thickness of two washers, so about 1.5 to 2mm. These washers sit inside under the shoulder screw to compensate.
     
    JLTRT couplings have been assembled, just need to chemically blacken them and get them fitted
     

     
    Green stripe has been airbrushed on using Humbrol 36 and electrical tape for a nice clean masked edge - a trick #1 son picked up from his Nerf gun modding
     

     

     
    The Paul Chetter sound chip is fitted with a nice big 42mm speaker under the fan. I went to town with the wiring, deciding to make a little pcb with screw terminals for the bogie and speaker wires and the two 4700uF stay alive capacitors
     

     
    That's about all for now, once I have the marker lights from Peter Lloyd (your are a star!) I'll get them fitted with 2mm tower LEDS and then I can get the warning panel painted. I have plates etc from Severn Mill to add too.
     
    EDIT:
     
    Here's the modified bogie pivots with the two washers used to take up the slack under the shoulder of the screws
     

  24. RedgateModels
    So,
     
    I've started making my second Golden Arrow Crosti 9F, this time this one's for me - a loco drive version using the latest Hornby Railroad 9F chassis. The intention is to sell off my existing tender drive version that although having given stirling service on Summat Colliery since day one, is, after all, tender drive.
     
    To complicate matters the Railroad tender chassis will not do as it's too long at the front and lacking in the details that the current Britannia tender has. Although I have a couple of these tender chassis is stock of course the drawbar arrangements are completely different between the two locos.
     
    Out came the hacksaw and after a lot of fiddly filing I have carved a slot in the 9F chassis to allow the drawbar to sit on a longish 8BA screw threaded through the original 9F drawbar fixing hole
     

     
    here's it with the tender chassis offered up
     

     
    Eagle eyes will spot a large black thing fixed to the tender, yep - a big speaker to go with the Zimo MX645 loaded with Paul Chetter's multidrive 9F sounds. I have removed the pickup wires from the tender connector and soldered the speaker to it. I will fit an X9606 Britannia wiring harness to the loco to complete the speaker feed.
     

     
    The 8 pin socket and associated wiring has been removed and the MX645 will be hard wired to the loco and the biggest Stay Alive capacitor I can fit in will be used to ensure uninterrupted sound now that the tender pickups have been lost.
  25. RedgateModels

    Fencing

    By RedgateModels,

    A quick snap of the PH Designs fencing installed. I intend to fashion a padlock and chain to dangle from one of the gates and maybe a cat creeping through the open gate?
     

     
    The Network Rail van is a very cut down modelrailwayscenery.com delivery van with the logo changed in Acrobat. It's not fixed in place yet as I'm waiting until the station buildings are in place for final positioning.
     
    Next steps will be adding some undergrowth and blending in of the scenics. Must order the platform fencing
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