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RedgateModels

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  1. RedgateModels
    Just a quick update, the truss rod, axleboxes, springs and footboard hangers fitted to one side
     

     
    I have hit a bit of a stop now as the truss rod support for the other side was broken - I've contacted Slaters and David is sending me a new casting in exchange for a couple of stamps
     
    I'll find something else to do on it I'm sure while I am waiting for Postman Pat
  2. RedgateModels
    After another couple of sessions we have a rolling chassis (well it would roll if I free off the bearings - a job for when they are removed for chassis painting)
     

     

     
    I'm deviating from the order of things now as I will be making as start on the springs, axleboxes and footboards next. Save the delicate underpinnings until all the heaver engineering is done
     
    The job is much easier with the brake third handy as a reference
  3. RedgateModels
    OK, so as I have hinted in SUs etc I have decided to take a break from the layout to get the second coach built in time for RMweb Live! Last night I spent a productive hour getting the basic frames together.
     

     

     
    This is an old kit I have had for some time - bought second hand off Ian Morton, so the etches are quite tarnished. I will need to clean the parts that are soldered but for now the cyano sticks to tarnished brass just as well as shiny
     
    This kit did not come with the later moulded seats, but I have bought two 7203 sets from Slaters, so it will match the T34 brake third. It's the fiddly suspension units next according to the instructions ......
  4. RedgateModels
    FINALLY I have completed the signalling wire runs on board one. The last to be connected to the 'box were oddly the signals closest to it!
     
    here's a quick snap showing how I have, maybe unconventionally used a pulley wheel on the post of the main signal. I added Woodland Scenics fine cinders to the base of the signals before adding the wire runs by just applying PVA to the base with a brush then sprinkling the cinders over the top. A quick hoover with a hanky over the en of the nozzle cleared up the excess to be re-used again
     

     
    I now need to put boards one and two together to sort out where to start the runs on board two and do it all again! Thankfully the runs are much simpler - just two point rods (with compensators) and some straight wire runs to 4 signal aspects.
     
    I am looking forward to doing some other scenic work though - there's so much to do before RMweb Live!
  5. RedgateModels
    Managed to grab half an hour last night after sorting someone's X04 motor (got to pay for all these signalling components somehow!) The platform fixed stop with shunt ahead subsidiary is now connected to the 'box
     

     
    I made a large wheel up from the MSE etch secured it to a bit of Weatherspoon's coffee stirrer (they are wider then the McDonalds ones) and glued it into a hole cut in the card platform edge. The operating wire was wrapped round the wheel a couple of times and secured with a drop of cyano allowing a short stub of wire to enter under the platform. I then threaded the wire through the pulleys on the platform wall and secured to another pin that will be under the walkway.
     
    Just need to continue the remaining three wires from the walkway to the edge of the board and this section will be done.
     
    EDIT: that close up is very cruel to the edges of the brickwork, I'll see what I can do to improve things though .......
  6. RedgateModels
    Thanks chaps, as no-one offered any kind of therapy following my decision to model the rodding exits from the signal box I found myself ordering cast wire pulleys, 0.11mm stainless wire and another etch of pully wheels etc.
     
    Slow progress mainly due to the fact that the pulley castings are not the best and need to be drilled out to allow the wires through - I am getting through a lot of 0.5mm drills with the brass castings .......
     
    I've done a run of 4 wires from the 'box to the foot crossing and yesterday did the run from the 'box to the ground signal next to the camping coach.
     

     

     

     
    Right, I'm of to place another order for drill bits with Eileen's .........
  7. RedgateModels
    An unexpected reprieve from loft insulation allowed me to get the rodding from the 'box up to the barrow crossing completed
     

     
    I'm pleased with the way the #8 rod dips down to the point crank then continues on to the far end of the double slip, with rod #9 running in front and over the crank
     

     
    Finally a close up of the 'box gubbins
     

  8. RedgateModels
    A coat of varnish or two found it's way onto the coach over the weekend sealing the transfers kindly donated by Larry (Coachmann). So in my world some of the Vintage Trains stock has been sold on to the heritage railway and one FK converted to a camping coach
     
    The remaining Lima coach might end up as W3125 of Riviera Trains and become part of the operating fleet for Fourgig East, although I would rather build a Slater's C10 Clerestory and flog the Lima one on. We shall see.
     
    Anyway here's some snaps
     

     

     

     

     
     
    Still waiting for it's occupants and the eBay seller who did some nice tiny wooden sofas seems to have gone AWOL, but there you go. I would also like to add some Black Cat Tech LED lighting, but he's moving at the moment too, so that will have to wait.
  9. RedgateModels
    I said I wasn't going to do this, the plan WAS to hide the lack of wheels/cranks/wires and rodding exiting the signal box with a wooden walkway so why have I made this over the last few nights?
     

     
    the crank leading to lever 8 is even shown as pulled to match the lever for pete's sake. Have I any idea of the September deadline to get the layout finished!
     
    I need counselling.
  10. RedgateModels
    This week I have mostly been building the "WH Smiths" kiosk from the Scalescenes Station Structures kit. Again enlarged by 175% on my printer to make it O scale.
     

     

     
    As it's O gauge, I have put a bit more into this kit to add relief detail and have popped a cheap eBay figure sitting on a left over doll's house chair.
     
    Not sure his reading matter is suitable for an Ivor the Engine event though
     

     
    also a bit of self promotion, quite proud of that mag cover
     

     
    The roof will be glued in place once the inside is varnished
  11. RedgateModels

    Signals set

    By RedgateModels,

    Last Friday I met Jon Fitness at Langley Mill railway station and collected the signals he's been building for me. So over the weekend I cut six pretty large holes in the baseboards and fitted all eight aspects.
     

     

     
    Only issue is that I miscalculated with the length of servo wires and didn't order enough extension leads. A quick eBay order was placed last night, so hopefully all should be up and running for Mansfield this weekend!
     
    The bases need blending into the scenery, I hope I've saved enough ballast from the removed areas to be able to cover two ground signal bases, the rest are either in cinders or grassed areas so should be easier to disguise
     
    I've also started the barrow crossings at either end of the platform - more coffee stirrers, this time from Weatherspoons as they are longer and wider than McDonalds!
  12. RedgateModels
    Spent some time this weekend sorting out and unpacking in the man cave.
     
    So around the room from left to right we have the workbench and storage
     

     
    Clear area for setting up layout boards for work with layout storage behind
     

     
    Finally tool storage and bookshelves
     

  13. RedgateModels
    Fourgig's name board arrived in the post today
     

     
    It's attached to the centre lighting pelmet by velcro so that it can be swapped for Summat Colliery's when the need arises
     
    The lighting rig supports need a final coat of paint then the wiring can be sorted
  14. RedgateModels
    Found some time over Easter to paint the lighting pelmets, satin black on the outside and gloss white on the inside. A trip to Maplins and 60 quid later I had the LED lighting strips and power supply etc.
     
    I hooked them up one evening just to see how bright they were, blimey!
     

     

     
    Once the paint was dry, they were fitted and tested
     

     
    All that is left to do is finish painting the supports white and do the final wiring
  15. RedgateModels
    I am Christmas crackered but the woodworking is all done for the new lighting rig. I moved on from the last posting by adding the pelmet that for Fourgig East sits to the left of the public
     

     
    You will see that the support is set in 9" from the edge so that the bottom of the legs will not stick out beyond the nominal footprint of the layout - I have had them kicked too many times by neighboring operators to leave it as it was!
    I will have to add some packers to the key points on the underside of the layout to ensure all is level.
     
    Moving swiftly on to the shorter fiddle yard/shed road pelmet for Fourgig, to the right of the "centre" board as the public see it
     

     
    You can see my drive is not exactly level! Again the supports are set in 9" from the edge (nice car ....) The next pic shows the back of the pelmets and the method of dowelling the end ones onto the centre one.
     

     
    Finally I took the time to put further work into the left pelmet to make it so it fits on the right for Summat Collery
     

     
    The photo shows the rig in full "Summat" mode with the support on the left removed as the fiddle yard is non-scenic.
     
    So, just need to get the lights. I'm planning on led as they will be light (ho ho) and very low profile. I also need to have a mammoth painting session and get a sign made for Fourgig and Summat to velcro to the centre section.
     
    Back to work tomorrow for a rest
  17. RedgateModels
    Again, ahead of the Mansfield Show I've finished off the T34 that I built last year. The buffers were oil finished and fitted according to the instructions and two JLTRT screw-link couplings were put together and chemically blackened.
     
    So here we have the first coach for Fourgig ready for the show.
     

     
    It will have to run with a green Lima MKI for Mansfield, it's matching all third will be done in time for RMweb Live! in September ......
  19. RedgateModels
    So here it is again, I've just painted the motor and it blends in pretty well. I still might make some fill panels sometime if the small amount of daylight visible bugs me too much ....
     

     
    Here's the underside showing the "gearbox"
     

     
    I've also refreshed the couplings, a few have commented in the past that the 3 links were out of scale so I had a few links left over from the Ivor build which have been put to good use
     

     
    I did a test run yesterday of just the chassis on a bit of peco track and the Lenx Standard seemed to handle the motor pretty well, runs nice and smooth. Time will tell once it gets used in anger on Fourgig East as to whether a capacitor pack is going to be needed. I have one ready in any case
     
    I've just totted up how much this little chap has cost - not including paint/glue/varnish and the transfers (which I got free from a member) it's cost just over £56. The DCC decoder was also "free" having been donated by my OO gauge class 15 when I sound fitted it. A bargain in anyone's book methinks
  20. RedgateModels
    The Mansfield Show is fast approaching and Ivor needs another engine to play with as well as the sentinel. So the motor I fitted the last time was unscrewed from the mount/gearbox and the bracket unsoldered. The face of the gearbox was made flat and the new larger motor bonded to it.
     
    After a bit of tweaking to get the mesh right we have a pretty smooth running chassis.
     
    I did say this last time.....
     

     
    I need to find a spare decoder as the last one is toast, the magic smoke escaped....
  21. RedgateModels

    DAS is done!

    By RedgateModels,

    Finally the hardstanding area is complete, painted and the goods shed stuck down, that's one big storage box in the recycling bin.
     

     
    Note how the right hand track is not straight through the turnout - I guess this should be classed as a wye - THE advantage of Templot and home made pointwork
     

     

     
    I've also edged the raised polystyrene landforms with thin card (cornflakes packet) and painted them a nice earthy brown. Some sheep have been bought and are in the process of being painted.
     
    Next job is to dig out the cinders where the camping coach steps should go and stick them down. The coach itself will be screwed to it's track just before the Mansfield Show
  24. RedgateModels
    Had a pretty peaceful weekend so in between my Dad's 80th and one of my oldest friends getting wed I managed to get some details done on the Eight.
     
    The tender is done, speaker wired up and installed, coal in the bunker and ladder refitted. Just needs a coat or two of varnish to blend it in with the loco.
     

     
    The Comet lubricators have been fitted and the holes above in the footplate filled with Squadron White. I've also stripped the lining and cabside numbers ready for painting.
     

     
    The cab has been turned into the later variant with the second handrail removed and the plating to the rear cut away. I still have to fabricate the panels behind the driver and fireman's seats.
     

     
    Following a delivery from East Kent models late last week I now have the 8F bogie, this has been fitted with a RR Hornby evening star front bogie wheelset, again bought new, so I now have a spare 8F front wheelset and a 9F bogie without wheels!
     
    So, a few more bits of fabrication to go and then some patch painting and it's more or less there
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