halfwit

Thanks.

Buffers and vacuum cylinders are now fitted, I'll post some pictures soon.

As for the brake handles, did I mention swearing?

Paul.

Not dished, flat with a recessed centre, think press stud! So the ball bearing dodge (good idea though, must try it one day) wouldn't have worked in this case anyway, a lamination would give the best result I reckon.

Paul.

Better to make something that includes a few compromises but looks right than to make nothing I reckon.

Keep up the good work.

Paul.

Nice work Robert.

Now lets see some shots of it with the 'lid' off so we can see the chassis, motor, gearbox etc.

I'm not sure when I'll be starting mine, but it will be finished as a contractors engine.

Paul.

Adam, seems like I'm getting my Monarchs and Mammoths mixed up, here's a page on early Monarchs from the same site: http://www.truckspla...odel.php?id=467

Frank, sorry! (If its a tanker or a coke wagon send it my way!)

Snitzl, surely your not contemplating kit building!

Paul.

This page has a couple of intesting photos: http://www.trucksplanet.com/catalog/model.php?id=473

Paul.

Thanks Adam.

I was hopeing that someone would come along with a bit of prototype information, which was part of the reason behind this blog post. I knew that they were an old design and not really suitable for a nationalisation era layout but I didn't know how accurate the kit is (or isn't as the case may be).

The only photo that I can find in my library that comes close to matching is of a 1930 Mammoth, on solid tyres with a tapered, flatter fronted cab that has the lights set above the mudgaurds. Wheels look significantly bigger. (British Lorries 1900-1992 by S.W. Stevens-Stratton).

Still a nice kit though.

Paul.

Thanks. The side strengtheners weren't that difficult really, even though they look tricky to set straight. Etched brass is definetely the best material for this type of wagon I think.

The way you've done the vac piping is the same technique i've used on my resin ones and think they look best doing it this way, the 5 amp wire giving it that perfect ribbed look which is a huge feature on any vac braked wagons.

I'm glad that I'm not the only one who does that then!

Paul.

Lovely smooth finish there, its coming together rather nicely!

I also have a Haff pen, and a compass, but have yet to use it.

Paul.

I was suprised by how easy it was to do Mikkel, and quite therapuetic as well. And it was somehow satisfying to use what would now probably be considered an outdated method.

The photos are actually quite cruel, the pipes look much better 'in the flesh' and will be further improved with a coat of paint.

Paul.

Thanks N.

Digital calipers don't like getting damp either! A good wipe and being left to dry for a few hours usually sorts them out.

Paul.

Given the way the rest of the pipe is exposed, it looks by far the most appropriate way of doing it.

The only way of doing it I reckon! I did spend a lot of time thinking about the best way to make the pipe.

I'm even more impressed, though, to see someone who obviously knows how to use a proper vernier caliper, rather than the new-fangled electronic type...

I can read a micrometer as well! I do have an electronic one, but its buried in the cupboard and I coudn't be bothered to dig it out.

Paul.

Thanks for the comments.

The strengthening 'trays' at the ends need drilling for the vacuum pipe, I'll be doing that today and fitting them. Its a shame they haven't got an etched dimple in for drilling. Then I'll be looking at the vacuum cylinder position and associated pipework before fitting the end braces and ladders.

Juggy - thanks for the link. However, diamond framed bogies were only fitted to the first batch of 84 ICI hoppers, all others were fitted with plate frame bogies including the Summers wagons. The early ICI hoppers had plate frame bogies retro fitted as they became available from scrapped Summers wagons - with plate framed bogies fitted they could carry an extra ton.

Paul.

Thanks. What I haven't mentioned above is that before I fitted the body to the chassis I soldered up the end bracing plates - but more on that next time. Next job is to attach them to the body.

The magnets did indeed work well, and the soldering on the bottom looks a lot better now its been cleaned up.

Paul.

Thanks for the comments.

Michael - build youself one and then decide if you want to do another 9?

N15 - I tend to use the RSU mainly for adding overlays and detail parts,

Snitzl - I rather like hoppers, and there's a few more to come.

Jan - well spotted, they are indeed 1-2-3 blocks (1"x2"x3" ground steel blocks), bought at least 15 years ago when I worked in a machine shop.

Paul.

Lovely work Nick.

Is the roof designed to slot into place rather than be permamently fixed?

Paul.

...I was laughing at myself though: trying to get the length of fishplates just right while the gauge is totally wrong :-)

But on the other hand, when viewed side on the fishplates will be quite noticable whilst the incorrect gauge won't be...

Paul.

Thanks Snitzl.

I still haven't got these painted!

Paul.

Personally I think that compared to the price of a cinema ticket (£7.80 at Stockport for an adult) £8 for a model railway show isn't bad at all when the show is as good as Nottingham.

Paul.

Thanks for the comments.

The strengthening ribs aren't that bad as long as you have a steady hand, steady mind and fine blade in the piercing saw.

Its a shame about the hopper bottom, I would prefer to have made a neater job of it.

Paul.

Langley do a cliff railway, might give you some ideas (scroll down): http://www.langleymodels.co.uk/shop/sh000001.pl?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww.langleymodels.co.uk%2facatalog%2fOnline_Catalogue_OO___HO_Locomotive___Coach_kits_38.html&WD=cliff&PN=Online_Catalogue_OO_Scale_Accessories_F124_to_F171_16.html%23aF161#aF161

Paul.

Michael,

At the top of the page, under the dark blue part, you'll see;

RMWeb - Community Blog - halfwit's Wondrous Wagons! - Roxey Iron Ore Hopper etc.

Click on 'halfwits Wondrous Wagons!'

This should show a list of the entries in this blog.

On the top right hand side click on the 'Follow this blog' box.

That should do the trick, if it doesn't let Andy know!

Paul.

At £36 a kit that would be a very expensive train to recreate Michael!

More work done today Rich, internal dividers now in place.

Paul.

Hi Rich,

The hopper body is being soldered up right now, blog entry to follow later today or tomorrow.

I had to wait until I got a few uninterrupted hours to myself before starting as it could be rather tricky! I find that if I'm distracted or if I rush I'm more likely to make mistakes.

My own kit arrived last week but I haven't opened the parcel yet, I'll get some more done on this one before starting it.

Paul.

To be fair, the kit wasn't designed by Roxey, its from another range of 7mm kits thats been reduced to 4mm.

Paul.