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RedgateModels

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  1. RedgateModels
    Well havn't I been busy whilst the forum was down. The Lima/Crafstman DP1 is finished and ready to find a new home
     
     

     
     
    To confirm the spec:
     
    Lima Deltic Craftsman conversion kit (minus etched whiskers and side stripes)
    Fox waterslide whiskers and sidestripes (the ones with the black edging)
    SE Finecast flushglaze with cab door windows using Humbrol Clearfix
    Paint: Humbrol Deltic Blue and grey primer protected with Krylon Matte Coat
     
    Pretty pleased with this one, if I can maintain the standard of finish on the Dapol/Bachmann one I should have a good model to confuse a few punters at shows
     
     
    For sale ad in classifieds here, I will haggle EDIT: now sold to traction of this parish
  2. RedgateModels
    As the title says, a quick update on this weekend's progress. Chassis has been modified so it sits inside the Dapol body. I intend to keep as much of the original fuel tanks and weight as possible so more shaping etc is required to get the body sides fitting correctly.
     

     
    Once the chassis frames are done I'll sort out some fixing lugs inside the body so that the original screw fixings can be used. After that I need to find some way of holding the body sides to the chassis as they tend to bow out at the moment. Superglue will be a last resort
  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
    A commission one this, for our local vicar and follows on from the Golden Arrow Crosti 9F that I did for him. The loco was in a very sorry state, it had not been put together very well, although the finish was not bad. Quite a lot of the original detail parts were never fitted (blower tunnel etc) and It had suffered at the hands of someone else who had attempted to add weight and get it to run on trainset curves.
     
    So the brief was to make it look and run as well as my Golden Arrow 71000.
     
    Into the Superstrip it went and it promptly fell apart. The tender needs less work, just a refinish really so lets concentrate on the loco. Here's how it stands at the moment
     

     
    The intention is to solder the boiler to the firebox and then firebox to cab using the running plate as a guide. Still undecided about soldering the boiler assembly to the footplate, they bolt together by design, but it might be a more robust loco if it was all soldered.
     
    I have an old Crownline Brit detailing pack that I robbed some parts from for my 71000 build - there is a blower tunnel in there at least plus some other detailing parts that will be added in due course.
     
    Once the body is done and primed I'll switch to the chassis (which is a mess!)
  5. RedgateModels
    OK, a couple of hours with the low melt solder has seen the Duke back in one (heavy) lump. I soldered the boiler assembly to the footplate in the end and have filled the gaps around the cab etc with solder. The Crownline detailing kit has been raided for the blower and tunnel as well as the top feeds and pipework.
     

     
    Just got the pipework around the cab/firebox are to sort now. Will use one of the Crownline castings to represent the blower valve and make the rest up from copper wire. The injector feed valves will be my usual wire insulation with a tiny hole drilled in for the operating rod.
     
    Shouldn't be long before a good clean up and primer
  6. RedgateModels
    So the Duke is back on it's chassis for the first fit with it's new Golden Arrow rear pony. I have had to move some of the under cab pipework to clear the pony swing bit it's not looking too bad. The front bogie is also attached with a new bracket - this had to be shorter than the one from the current kit again suggesting that the earlier 71000s were made too short!
     

     
    Note I've fabricated the tender drawbar as per the DJH instructions but have not set the length. I'll attach the tender body first and check clearances on R2 curves before finally setting the cab to tender gap. Still not sure if there is enough front bogie clearance for R2 but we shall see .....
     
    I've also received another set of GWR lining transfers from the HMRS - so nothing should hold me back once the chassis is sorted - apart from finding the time
  7. RedgateModels
    What can I say apart from URG!
     

     
    The owner is well known for his love of spray oil having quite an extensive collection of Hornby Dublo. I am trying to wean him off it for the sake of his modern locos and their plastic parts .....
     
    A full strip is in order methinks
  8. RedgateModels
    So, the rebuild of the DJH Duke of Gloucester is moving forward slowly. It has emerged from the paint shop with it's BR Green (late) paint airbrushed over the base satin black.
     

     
    Green is Phoenix Precision P101 thinned to approx 50% with cellulose thinners. Three light coats over two days and now it's resting until next week in a drawer.
     
    Some areas of black to touch up where masking failed or was impractical to do. Once the detail painting is done then I'll move on to the lining
  9. RedgateModels
    This was quite satisfying. Most of the external pipework for the firebox end was either missing, mullered or just plain wrong, so armed with my trusty copper stripped from bell wire and some bits from the Crownline detailing kit I have ended up with this
     

     

     
    So to the next problem - no backhead was present on the model, so half an hour with a spare Hornby Evening Star bodyshell and a razor saw we have a passable representation of a backhead
     

     
    Not much else to do now before paint - handrails to refit and one front footstep has come adrift (again!). The loco came with aftermarket sprung buffers, but they were round. So I've filled the bufferbeam holes with W/M solder and re-drilled smaller to take some Bachmann oval sprung buffers.
     
    The tender body has already received a few coats of primer and awaits the loco body
  10. 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.
  11. RedgateModels
    Final few shots of the DJH Duke before it goes back to it's owner ready for Xmas day
     

     

     

     

     
    Pretty pleased with the finish and the Narrow Planet plates look as good as ever. That's the workbench cleared (nearly) ready for the two Golden Arrow Crosti 9Fs to be finished in the new year
  12. RedgateModels
    Well, after much faffing around with various prototypes I have the final design for the functioning (the ones powered by the turnout motor) tie bars.
     
    Basically one independent bar for each switch linked underneath by a springy brass wire allowing some sideways movement as the bars move towards each other as the switches throw.
     

     
    I have cranked the wire clear of the end of one of the bars to allow for the drive pin from the motor. The bars are secured to the switch blades by the bent dressmaker's pin method, you can see the pin heads set into the back of the bars.
     
    Right, Ambis cosmetic bars next
  13. RedgateModels
    Not much to show really since the last update - although a lot of thought and planning has been done
     
    here's the Caprotti gear with plasticard slivers epoxied to the backs of the lubricator castings. These will fit into the slots in the cast lubricator mounts on the chassis. The rear mounting points will be bonded to the already fabricated rear bracket.
     

     
    The seconds shot shows the Hornby cylinders modified with the GA castings. The tops of the cylinders were cut away with razor saw and then the castings trimmed up to fit and again epoxied into place.
     

     
    I will drill holes in the rear faces of the castings to accept the two rods from the caprotti gear which will give a nice reliable 3 point fixing for the gear which will still allow for removal for painting and servicing.
     
    The firebox sides below the footplate have also been glued in place and the front running plate next to the buffer beam has been filed back to the correct angle. The casting as supplied still retains the Britannia arrangement.
     
    Should be at least together and running for Saturday
  14. RedgateModels
    Yes,
     
    I've finally got round to finishing the lining on the Duke of Gloucester - prompted by Narrow Planet sending me the proof for the plates which have now been paid for and will be away at the etchers soon.
     
    As soon as the plates are painted and in place the whole loco will be varnished then I can get it back together for an ex-works photo shoot. It will probably get a "2 weeks into service" weathering after that.
     
    I also have a DJH example in for refurbish, well, rebuild chassis wise I've also ordered a set of plates for this one too.
     
    Will be good to compare the two side by side sometime to see if it's true about the DJH boiler being too short
  15. RedgateModels
    I know it's me just being picky, but the cast pipework provided in the kit for the LHS of the firebox just was not good enough for me. So I took a mold off the Comet Exhaust Ejector valve from my 2-8-0 build and cast one in resin. Pipework completed from a good photo of a late fifties DoG with remnants of an old Comet detailing pack and some stripped bell wire gave this:
     

     
    The RHS is not so troublesome, although I'll end up enhancing that too with more bits of wire no doubt
  16. RedgateModels
    And here's the RHS firebox pipework.
     

     
    Note the extra bits in copper where I've enhanced the kit whitemetal and where the castings were too short or had missing bits.
     
    The lower casting proved too narrow to fit around the extended firebox/ashpan and was cut and approx 5mm of extra piping soldered into the two pipes leading from the injector that head rearwards. You can still see the join just to the rear of the pip that runs up to the steam manifold.
     
    Handrails next and them I will turn my attention to the cab.
  17. RedgateModels
    I'm in two minds with the trackplan. At the "dead end" of the station area I currently have a very short 1:4 point to maximise the length of loco that can clear the switch blades and run round the train. This has resulted in an ugly curved section with a pretty tight radius between the point and the double slip as the slip is based on 1:6 diamonds. If I replace the 1:4 with a 1:6 and make the section between the point and slip straight it looks much better, but I'll only ever be able to fit an 0-4-0 or maybe just an 0-6-0 tank into the "headshunt".
     
    Here's the plan with the 1:4 point, note kink between point and slip
     

     
    and here's the plan with the 1:6 point - nice transition between slip and point
     

     
    So, do I knock a hole in the sidescene and have say a 12" bolt on single track "fiddle yard" and have the prettier track arrangement? I'd have to hide the exit with trees or somesuch scenic device, or maybe resite the signal box to the other side of the tracks.
     
    Or is it just too contrived and would make the layout more awkward to fit into exhibition plans with an extra foot being needed just for a sticky out bit of track???
  18. RedgateModels
    Thanks to all on here and the Templot Club for advice, some of which was ignored but hey, it's all good.
     
    The solution is somewhat of a compromise as is often the case and I have gone all round the houses to arrive at the obvious.
     
    here's the current plan:
     

     
    I have gone with a GWR 9ft heel #6 turnout which gives 10" of total track length from switch tips to the 11 ft marker, take an inch off for a half buffer and I will still have enough room for the largest "home" loco on the layout which will be a 57xx tank. Keen eyes will notice that I have extended the layout by a foot to the right, but this is for the future should I decide to accommodate larger locos.
     
    I think I got a bit distracted by trying to make the release as long as possible with the existing baseboards for locos I might never own (class 3 tank etc) and compromising the track design in the process. Glad I have seen sense and replaced the #4 with a #6 turnout.
     
    I will make the scenic area easily extendable so that any extension will be fully scenic - maybe a church spire covering the backscene join?
  19. RedgateModels
    Sad to say but the final bit of detailing for the 2-8-2 has defeated me.
     
    The 2-8-2 will not have lubricator/slide support brackets. The lubricators will be glued to the bodyshell and so lubricator linkages will not be featured either.
     
    I just don't have the time/patience/skills to fabricate these brackets from scratch, the tolerances involved getting it all to fit are too tight for my rough and ready try it and see approach.
     
    The good news is that the painting can start as soon as I've took a load of photos to show the loco with all the modifications etc on show.
     
    The fact that this loco should have been completed last year and that I'm about to order a Duke of Gloucester kit from Golden Arrow has also focussed my attention on finishing this project.
  21. 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
  22. RedgateModels

    Fiddle Tracks Made

    By RedgateModels,

    The fiddle yard board is coming along nicely after a few dry Friday afternoons. Last night I soldered up approx 3 yards of track and tonight I hope to get the remaining little bits made and get it all fixed down. The photo below gives you the idea though
     

     
    Once laid and wired up the lot will get a coat of black paint then it's onto the shed scene at the front - the inspection pit is already fitted
  23. RedgateModels

    Fiddle Yard Wiring

    By RedgateModels,

    After a very pleasant afternoon at the Huddersfield Railway Modellers Open Day I got home and started wiring up!
     

     
    I've gone for simple and chained the tracks on the surface - well it is all going to be painted black.....
     
    Just got the deck to wire up then connect all the bits underneath
  24. RedgateModels
    Well, it all went pretty well at the Member's Day, quite a lot of work was put in filing the point blades especially on the double slip, my excuse is that they were my first ever point blades and I erred on the side of caution when filing them initially.
     
    Anyway, even the Lima power bogied Sentinel ran through in all directions by the time we were finished.
     
    One TT300 is going back to John at Bromsgrove Models as it was noticeably weaker in one direction, on at least two points and even when operated in free air.
     
    Following some discussion and not a little winding up by Mr Harvey I have sat down and thought about the fiddle yard. I have pinched two inches from the scenic area and dropped in a traverser with fixed end bits for loco storage/run-round.
     
    here's my comic
     

     
    I have extended the width of the board to 3' 3" which should fit the boot of my car. I am going to make a cardboard mock up first to make sure If not, the plans will have the change.
     
    Now where's that roll of parcel tape ....
  25. RedgateModels
    More progress on the fiddle yard. It's all wired up and tonight I cleaned off the black paint from the rails and then soldered the buffer stop to the end of the engine shed road - spilling half a bottle of flux all over the board during the process! Hope it doesn't attack the ply!
     
    couple of snaps, first the fiddle yard
     

     
    and the public side, before the buffer stop and flux were applied!
     

     
    Next I need to add the concrete apron/floor to the engine shed. The card for this is laminating overnight then will be stuck to the scalescenes print before being cut to shape. I'm going to use McDonalds coffee stirrers as wooden edging between the outside rails and the concrete apron.
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