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RedgateModels

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  1. 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 ....
  2. RedgateModels
    Well I am steadily gathering parts together. Big thanks to Lord Flashheart for donating TWO spare drive bogies - I now have loads of possibilities should I need more traction
     
    I've also taken delivery of some A1 Models air horns and some lovely sprung buffers from NMRS-Models.
     
    The cleaning up of the bodyshell is continuing and I'm thinking of how to attach the roof now that the fixing holes have been filled in - I would prefer to retain the removable roof rather than bond it in place as attaching the bogies and cab gazing etc would be much harder if it was glued down. The plan is to have a tab and slot arrangement at one end then have a screw at the other with access via a new hole in the bogie. I know I'll have a panel join where one does not exist on the real thing but a compromise I'm happy with.
     

     
    Still trying to source a suitable roof fan and grille, just not sure if I can get a 38mm one at the moment ......
  3. 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
  4. RedgateModels
    I have another 8F to do a sound fitting so I thought i'd show how I fit the excellent ABS-230 speaker in the tender
     
    First remove the weight and prise off the plastic supports. using a razor saw cut down the rear weight fixing pillar flush. Drill some holes in front and behind the centre wheels. Cement in two small fillets of 1mm plastikard to seal the bottom of what will be the output chamber for the speaker - a couple of nicks in the corners will allow the pickup wires to pass through.
     

     
    Using two layers of 1mm plastikard build up a framework
     

     
    then cut a baffle/top with a nice big hole. Note slot for the rear tender top mounting cut to match where the old weight finished
     

     
    Bond in place
     

     
    fit speaker using "black tak"
     

     
    some more black tak around the inner edge of the tender top seals and prevents vibration
     
    Feed two fine black wires through to the loco for the speaker connections and Robert is your Mother's brother
  5. 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
  6. RedgateModels
    FInally got the tender pickups done. Used a whole length of EE's 0.35mm phosphor bronze wire to give me these fancy springy coiled backscratchers
     

     
    They are soldered to two bus bars made from double sided copper clad PCB material (thanks JZ for the offcuts with your sleeper panels!) These were low melt soldered to the chassis frame on the underside then the pickup springs soldered to the top.
     

     
    Took a lot of fiddling and repositioning to get them right, you can't see it but the ends where they come into contact with the back of the flanges are doubled over then cranked ever so slightly so that the curved end where the wire bends over is all that touches the wheel. This reduces the friction to a minimum.
     
    They still make a bit of a racket when the body is on. Will experiment with foam etc to stop the body resonating and acting as a sound chamber
  7. RedgateModels
    George's train set whilst operational had it's issues. The main one was the need for the S bends on the centre board.
     

     
    This was because the layout was originally just two 4 x 2 ft boards with an oval across the corners to maximise the run length. When the centre board was added by Santa it had to have the curves to make everything join up.
     

     
    All those curves meant that my APT-E would not run and even the baseboard joints on curves gave the occasional derailment. So ahead of this years Mansfield Show (March 2nd and 3rd 2019 :Shameless Plug: ) I decided to strip it and start again.
     
    A new plan was drawn up, still with the 2 or 3 board concept. Traditional roundy roundy to keep kids happy at the show and a nice bit if shunting in the station/shed area as requested by George.
     

     
    So over Christmas the track was lifted and baseboards painted a nice flat green. I had already bought the track needed at Warley and Wycrail. Track-Shack supplied the Gaugemaster underlay.
     
    First the two outer boards were laid and wired up
     

     
    Didn't take him long to move in LOL
     
    I'm now working on the centre board, slow progress but if I do a bit each evening it will be done soon
     

     
    Track ends at the joints are soldered to brass screws - lesson learnt from the first version where I used PCB - the centre board is not perfectly aligned in height, so the ability to fine tune the rail height with the screws has worked well so far 🙂
     

     
    Wiring is DCC with the track feeds passed from one board to the next using the toggle clamps - just like Fourgig East
  8. 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
  9. 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
     

  10. 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
     

  11. RedgateModels
    Way back in the mists of time (2007) I built my first BR Standard "neverwazza" the 8F 2-8-0 that was in the 1956 build programme but never made it into metal
     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=8690&hilit=+93xxx
     
    It has run successfully on Summat Colliery ever since and always provokes a reaction when folks clock the number and count the wheels etc. However, it's tender drive makes it tricky to add sound to and as the only remaining tender drive loco in the operating fleet it's days were numbered.
     
    So, on to MKII - I had a spare loco drive 8F chassis, bought some Railroad 9F cylinders and valve gear. Bringing them together gave this:
     

     
    The original plan was to make a new loco and tender chassis and use the original bodyshells - quick job. However last night I spotted a Bachmann 73xxx body on eBay, so I bought it. The 5MT was always the better option as the boiler matches the weight diagram for the Standard Eight - it would also make better sense in the "standard" scheme of things to use an existing boiler/cab/running plate
     
    So, now I'm making a complete new loco, do I sell the original or keep it for posterity?
     
    UPDATE:
     
    Here's the chassis with one side of the valve gear attached
     

     
    The location point should be right where the gear shaft is on the 8F chassis! I drilled a small hole just ahead of the bearing slot and shaped the stub of the plastic "weighshaft" to fit. Then I softened it with Plastic Magic and bent the whole thing into position - it's remarkably rigid, just got the other side to do then that's the chassis more or less done.
  12. 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 .........
  13. RedgateModels
    Attention now has moved from the chassis to the body. I've filled in the section of "missing" false chassis ahead of the cylinders with plasticard and fashioned the front sandboxes in the same way as the chassis mounted ones.
     

     
    I had hoped to pick up some 0.5mm piano wire from Squires at Wycrail, but they hadn't taken any. I'll have to wait until the next order to either them or Eileen's to make the front sand pipes.
     
    Waft of grey primer soon to see how good the moulding is and how much more work is required before I start adding all the small detail.
  14. RedgateModels
    So at last the lighting rig and supports are complete, here's a couple of snaps of it in Fourgig East mode:
     

     

     
    and here's it for Summat Colliery - must get a new sign made!
     

     

     
    The shelves at the back were made from some off-cuts of UPC cladding I had lying around (as you do)
     
    So then as it was sunny etc I decided to get the static grass out and detail up the shed area
     

     

     

     
    Finally a shot of the shed/fiddle yard board in place
     

  15. 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
  16. RedgateModels

    Fiddly, very Fiddly

    By RedgateModels,


    General
    And so to the steam pipe to the cab from the dome for Yellow Peril.
    After studying two photos it is clear that there is some form of steam cock with a handwheel connected to lagged piping coming from the dome.
     

     
    So 1mm wire, drilled 0.4mm on the end with 0.3mm wire soldered in, then the smallest hand wheel from an 00 mse point rodding set sweated on. The handwheel is a 4 spoke not three like the real thing but hopefully I will be forgiven that ....
     

     
    Optivisor to the max lol
     
    Next is to file a flat in the side of the 1mm wire and drill a 0.5mm hole to take the 0.45mm rodding to the cab. A bit of shaping and it should be ready to fit 🙂
  17. 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
  18. RedgateModels
    I'm please to say the rodding on the first and most complicated board is done. Aided by my new toy - an LED head torch. I now have light wherever I look
     
    A few snaps of the completed rodding including the cross rods to the double slip and the first set of compensators
     

     

     
    I've removed the chance of the cross rods shorting out the track by copying a bit of prototypical trackwork and added an insulator between the rails - a small rectangle of double sided PCB that the rod halves are soldered to. A couple of cut down single stools supports the rods between the rails too
     
    Finally a long shot of the track as it stands today
     

     
    I have some signal wire posts and wire on order with MSE/Wizard Models which will be added at a later date. PH Designs 3 point security fencing is next to be added to the rear of this board, complete with barb wire topped gates for controlled entry to the signal box car park.
  19. 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
  21. RedgateModels

    Setbacks and Progress

    By RedgateModels,


    General
    OK, safe to say my first attempt at the steam pipework for Yellow Peril didn't go to plan last night!
     
    drilled the 0.5mm hole (only one broken drill) and soldered the 0.45mm wire in place. Started forming the copper wire to shape and the thing snapped where the 0.5mm hole was drilled 🙁
     
    I've started again this time shaping the 1mm wire first but didn't have the heart to start fitting a new handwheel to the end.
     
    So, I cut back the side ladder instead and glued the ends to the handrail with Glue N Glaze
     

     
    Holes need filling and then mix up some yellow to match, doesn't have to be perfect as it's going to be weathered when finished
     
    I'll update when I can draw up the strength to fit the new handwheel etc
  22. RedgateModels
    After some more surgery with the razor saw (not a lot left of the original tanks now!)and some internal supports cemented in which were cut from sections of the Dapol floor, the body and chassis are finally joined to my satisfaction
     

     
    The body is held in place really well with the "handrail" clip but I will re-use the nose end screws as a bit of belt and braces.
     
    So, a bit of filling, fitting of the roof horns and the bodyside grilles and it's ready for a coat of primer.
     
    I've started on the Lima body for DP1 #2
  23. 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.
  24. 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 ......
  25. RedgateModels
    The Dart Castings crew turned up this morning, handy that, as last night I finished the weathering. Here's a snap taken in my new 30 quid photo booth with my trusty X-10 Mini cameraphone
     

     
    Just got to paint the crew and stick em in and it's done. Now for that article for MR .........
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