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RedgateModels

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Blog Entries posted by RedgateModels

  1. RedgateModels
    Quick update from yesterday's progress:
     
    Bogies have met the razor saw and the front section that carries the coupling have been removed. A strip of plastikard replicating the rib at the other end for strength.
     

     

     
    Pickups next and a 10mm hole for access to the new roof fixings in the undriven one.
     
    I've also cemented in small sections to the body sides where the switches used to be and cleaned, lubed and test run the original power bogie - noisy by modern standards but at the speeds it will be running on Fourgig it should be fine.
     
    Hope to get the body ready for a first coat of primer over the weekend
  2. RedgateModels
    One thing I have been doing over the summer is making #2 son's first layout. Quite refreshing bunging down set track!
     
    It started as a 1st and 2nd rad loop set across the corners of two 2x4 boards using my now familiar dowels and toggle clamps. Power transferred from one board to another via the clamps.
     
    Santa is bringing him a centre board with turntable and engine shed
     

     

     
    So he can still have the simple 2 boards for a quick play or all three on a weekend (and Dad has a test track at last lol)
  3. RedgateModels
    Been a while but here's the start of another budget loco build for Fourgig East - A Triang Big Big Hymek.
     
    I bought a pretty good example for £39 from eBay and the process of converting it to a running O gauge loco has started.
     

     
    First off the raised lettering on the side has been scraped off and the moulded handrails removed. I've also filled in the fixing holes on the roof and fixed a crack. The switch assembly has been removed ahead of filling in the body sides.
     
    The plan is to retain all of the below solebar items, including the bogies and motor. Thanks to Lord Flasheart I have a spare drive bogie on the way too which should help traction, although on my little layout pulling heavy loads will not be needed with this loco!
     
    I have replaced the wheels with Slaters 7125 ones - at 3'7" they are technically too small, but are bigger than the original Triang plastic ones - a good compromise. I may even drill the four holes as per prototype, but they are not that noticeable on the real thing.
     

     
    You will see that I have used the Slaters bearings on the undriven wheels - I drilled through 2.5mm from the outside and then pressed the bearings in from the inside. It's a tight fit to get the axles in, but with care it is possible. A bit of filler sorted the holes. Next step is to remove the front parts of the bogies where the coupling attached and add some bracing at the new front edge and then pickups.
  4. RedgateModels
    While I wait for the new year to start the Mikado I am pottering around with the first of two DP1s on the bench. Over the years I have amassed a quantity of conversion kits/bits etc for DELTIC and now find I have enough for TWO!
    The first is for me - Dapol body with A1 grilles etc, Fox transfers and plates, SE Finecast flushglaze and a Bachmann Deltic chassis. The idea is to produce a good loco but 1/3 of the price of an NRM one.
     
    The Second loco will be a Craftsman conversion kit applied to a Lima Deltic which will be destined for the classifieds/eBay once finished.
     
    So, for the Dapol one. The body sides and nose ends have had all their raised detail (chevrons, stripes, representations of plates etc) removed and grills cut out ready to take the A1 etched versions. The bits are now cemented together and ready for the roof to be fettled and fitted.
     

    oh how cruel are these close-ups!
     

     
    Next installment - roof
  5. 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!)
  6. RedgateModels
    So I finally got it finished
     

     
    Pretty pleased with the finish, could be better but having the drill press made the machining of the case loads easier One thing I would do different, and this goes out to anyone else who is contemplating building one of these bits of kit is that the LEDs are mounted on the track side of the pcb. This makes them very prone to being caught during subsequent handling and wiring up which cracks the pcb track!
     
    I should have drilled a couple more holes in the pcb, threaded the LED legs through to the component side then back down the "proper" holes for soldering. An alternative would be to "pot" the area where the legs are soldered to the tracks with epoxy. Anyway, I used a bit of offcut resistor leg to make a new "track" from the LED leg, messy, but it works!
     
    I will use the box in anger at the Mansfield Show on the 7th & 8th March to set the signals on Fourgig East - I have a loose servo to fix on one signal and I'm sure it will need adjustment once this is done
  7. RedgateModels

    Servoset II

    By RedgateModels,

    The signals on Fourgig East are driven by MERG servo driver boards that for now are set-up using a laptop and the appropriate software. However lugging an ancient laptop (it still has a 3.5" floppy drive!) around just in case I need to adjust a signal was bugging me so I spent some Christmas money on a MERG kit 76A Servoset II.
     
    SWMBO also arranged for Santa to bring me a nice new shiny drill press (pillar drill to the masses) so the two were brought together last night for a pleasant hour with drills. Most of the machining is now done and it all fitted together first time - A product of the excellent instructions and good tools methinks
     

     

     

     
    Just got the LED holes to open out and then I can fire up the soldering iron
  8. RedgateModels
    OK, the decision seems to have been made. The Airfix kit and Bachmann tender appeared yesterday and last night I offered up various bits of kit to the chassis and boiler.
     
    There is a difference in mould quality, I had hoped that by using an original airfix kit the plastic might be crisper than the Dapol kit, oh well.
     
    A few issues to consider:
    The motor is wider than the outside dimensions of the firebox lower/ashpan
    The nice painted backhead does not fit the airfix footplate - and the airfix backhead includes part of the cab wall anyway
    I either need to cut the bottom of the smokebox off to set it into the footplate, or cut the footplate with a curved front to accept the smokebox as is. If I cut the smokebox the, frankly silly tubeplate detail behind the door will have to go.

    I've also printed out the Beattie drawings for the 3MT and 4MT to compare, and Beattie not withstanding there are some obvious differences between the two apart from the boilers
    The footplate narrows above the cylinders much more on the class 3 than the 4 - filing needed, bye bye rivet detail ....
    The sloped section of footplating at the front is further back on the 3MT - this will have to be ignored.
    The blower tunnel is shorter and the control valve is more to the front on the 3MT with consequentially different pipe runs
    The frame cutaway for the ashpan is deeper on the 4MT - not a problem as I will have to fabricate dummy sides to cover the motor etc once the Airfix bits are hacked off to get the footplate over the motor

    Next step is to get some photos of the RHS of a class 3, as I need to confirm pipe runs/injectors etc. The plan is to use the Airfix injector lump at the moment, shouldn't look too bad once painted black ....
  9. 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!
  10. 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
  11. RedgateModels

    Lighting the Way

    By RedgateModels,

    Whilst arranging the figures on the platform at the weekend it occurred to me that something was missing - lamps! An order was placed for five S&D Models GWR gas lamp kits with stems. I also ordered a stem extension to convert one to a yard lamp for the Goods Shed area.
     
    So here's the lamps all built up waiting for the paint shop. I hope to get these ready to plant when I set up at the Ricoh for RMweb Live!
     

     
    I've also made up some station/camping coach safety notices that will again be made ready to plant once set up on the 12th
     

  12. 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 .......
  13. RedgateModels
    OK, here's where the O gauge on a budget goes right out of the window. If you were doing this at home dear reader you could use cheaper imported figures and paint them up but this is an exhibition layout and I have a very tight deadline!
     
    approx 100 quid spent on Preiser figures but the layout is starting to come to life
     

     

     

     

     
    The camping coach is now illuminated too. I really must get on with that coach .....
     

  15. 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
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  16. 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
     

  17. RedgateModels
    Now that the l;eft hand board has all it's rodding and wires in place I've put it to one side and put the centre board on the legs in the workshop. Today I have soldered up the PH Designs security fencing for the rear of the layout, just need some sun to spray it grey!
     

     
    I've also coaled up the coal staithes, pretty pleased with this. looks most convincing
     

     
    I have all this week off work to get the basics nailed ahead of RMweb Live! - I'm going to be fed up of train sets by Friday ......
  18. RedgateModels
    As promised, the GWR coach brown was applied by my trusty 6 quid airbrush - which is now stripped down and it's vital parts soaking in thinners
     

     
    That's all for a few days whilst the paint hardens, next step will be to flood the cream into the panels
  19. RedgateModels
    Luggage racks now have their netting - strips of carefully cut up mozzy netting bought off eBay. I have enough netting to do the racks from the entire Slater's production until the end of time
     

     

     
    AND FINALLY - the door ventilators are fixed and I've also cemented the top plastikard strip in place. I hope to start drilling and tapping said strip tonight to take the roof lamps which will hold the roof in place.
     
    I'll be getting that paint out before you know it
  20. RedgateModels
    Interior almost done. I've painted the seats, fitted them to that partitions, soldered up the luggage rack brackets and fitted them, printed out some railway type posters on sticky labels and painted the mirrors with silver paint.
     

     

     
    just got to add the netting then I can get on with the exterior fittings ahead of the masking off and paint!
     
    Still not fitted those door ventilators ....
  21. RedgateModels
    Last night I refitted the wheels and made up and fitted the brake pull rods.
     

     
    I can't remember if I did this on the Brake Third, but all the linkages on the pull rods are pinned and would pivot if the vacuum cylinder moved! Just a lick of paint and they are done
     
    Today I spent my lunch hour cutting ten sets of seats out of their sprues ready for assembly and tonight I got the basic bodyshell together as far as the floor. Here's a snap of the body after gluing still sitting in my nifty magnetic corner clamps
     

     
    Must not forget to glue in the ventilators above the doors ....
  22. RedgateModels
    The target for the weekend was to get the chassis painted and that was achieved, eventually ......
     
    here's the chassis all cleaned and prepped for primer
     

     
    So, Sunday morning after the storms the sun came out and so did the paint - far too early as it was way too humid still and the primer went on like talcum powder. After an hour in Superstrip and another good go with the Cillit Bang! I was back to stage one ...
     
    Fortunately mid afternoon a breeze was evident and the pool of water on the patio table disappeared. Another go with the primer on some scrap etch - all good
     
    The sun was warm and the primer drying almost before it touched the metal and so we soon had a nice all grey chassis
     

     
    Followed rapidly by a satin black coating
     

     
    Next steps are to refit the wheels and fabricate/fit the brake pull rods. The buffers will be oil finished and then fitted which will see the chassis ready for the the body
  23. RedgateModels
    It was far too flippin' hot to work in the loft/workshop/man cave today, so this evening I decamped to the patio to get the last three footboards folded up for the Slater's coach
     

     
    And jolly successful it was too, all folded up, but I ran out of light before the axlebox cut-aways were filed in the final lower board. A job for tomrrow
  24. RedgateModels
    It's finished! All detailing added and I've even risked my own hands with an airbrush to give it a basic weathering ahead of the Peterborough BRM show
     
    Here's a few snaps
     

     

     

     

     
    Pretty pleased, just got to clean the wheels and sort out the chuff frequency on the sound chip. Note cut down Bachmann coupling to allow for the vac pipe on the front buffer beam.
     
    The original 93000 will be prepared for sale at the show (or after). I will be including a copy of the Hornby mag that it appeared in and a copy of the original weight drawing along with the loco, so if anyone fancies a complete one off for their BR Standards collection, come and see me on Summat Colliery at the show. Offers around £200.
  25. RedgateModels
    Well, a huge thanks to David at Slater's as a package with a replacement sprue was waiting for me when I got home - I only posted off the stamps yesterday, so he must have trusted me
     
    So the truss rod, support, axleboxes, springs and footboard hangers fitted tonight on the other side
     

     
    also here's a shot of the gas cylinder and vacuum cylinder work from last night
     

     
    buffer shanks and footboards next, then finish off the delicate bits underneath before (hopefully) a coat of paint at the weekend .....
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