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DIW

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  1. DIW
    I am most grateful to all the readers who took the trouble to respond to my previous blog entry, 'Is anybody reading any of this?'. Thank you all......I have some answers to the questions you posed (Further down the page, indicated by a sub-heading).
     
    To readers who have not previously stumbled upon this blog, I would suggest that you read the comments to the aforementioned previous entry, in order to make sense of the rest of this missive!
     
    Some general questions now. Anyone who has not been following me before, were you attracted to read this by the blog entry heading or the general blog heading? I am beginning to think that the forum layout, which puts the entry heading on the Forum front page, will attract readers to blogs by virtue of the blogs having eye-catching titles to the individual entries. All well and good for budding authors of headlines, but I didn't think that the forum was about that.
     
    To all readers - do you think that the best way for me to get feedback is to ask direct questions?
     
    Does anyone have a comment to make on the concept of the above question?
     
    (Note that I have tried to appeal both to folk who like a simple answer to a closed question and to folk who like to respond with a discussion to an open question)
     
    I was pleased to see that several comments indicated that the commenters have similar opinions to me regarding the accessibility of a blog to commenters compared to the old threads.
     
    4REP
     
    OK, now I'll get on with the 4REP stuff.
     
    First of all, several commenters responded on the shoebeams.
     
    Russ (4630), Mike (Meld) have both picked up on the double shoe on the 4REP beam. There is a good detailed picture on page 79 of 'First Generation Southern EMUs' by Kevin Robertson. But there is a further issue with the beams I bought. Mike's comment from further back mentioned:
     
    P 358 Shoebeams & Support brackets & dampers for B4/B5 sideframes (white metal) (pr) 1.75
    P 358a Shoebeams & Support brackets & dampers for B4/B5 sideframes (white metal) (4 Car Set) 4.50
     
    I would draw your attention to the prices. It would look as if P358a would have sufficient beams for my 4REP
    (let's not worry about the shoes for the moment) so that is what I bought. But (there's always a 'but') it contains four beams, while the 4REP needs 8 (1 per bogie for each DMSO). Looking at the other contemporary Southern electrics, four is sufficient. So here is a tip for the builders of 4VEPs, 4CIGs etc - buy two packs of P358 and save yourself a pound.
     
    Now, Natalie had a question regarding the buffet coach. I had to look up the source of what I built! The sides in the kit, as far as I can tell, allows the modeller to make either type of 4REP. The windows (and seating) in the source carriages were rebuilt to suit the 4REP requirement. The kitchen areas inside were the places where the detail lies.
    Page 66 of 'The Southern Electric Story' by Michael H.C. Baker has the 4REP Buffet interior from an ex diag 24 Restaurant, and page 105 of 'Slam Doors on the Southern' by Michael Welch has the 4REP Buffer interior from an ex diag 23 Restaurant Unclassified. I chose to build mine as the latter, simply because the picture is in colour and thus I had the interior decor available. Without that picture I would have done all the curtains orange. (That reminds me, I still haven't done the curtains).
     
    PaulN, my 3H is a DC kits model. I envy you for having a SP version to make. I was though going to scratchbuild one, so the DC Kits version is still much easier than the route I was going to take at first!
     
    Oakaleigh Doke, there are loads of pictures showing virtually all of the build earlier in the blog. Of course I realise that it is not necessarily obvious that they are there; but I've already had my whinge regarding the blog format so I'll leave it.
     
     
     
    That's enough from me for now, and I must say thank you all for reading this.
     
    Dave
  2. DIW
    Anybody out there?
     
    I have no idea if it is worth my while bothering with this. At least with the old site, I could see the number of reads changing, and there were some helpful hints for me in the comments. (Mike's earlier comments on RMweb 4 were a continuation of his wisdom from RMweb 3 thread).
     
    There is a problem with the shoebeams which arrived recently. I could tell what I have found, but I don't have reason to believe that it matters to anyone else, so I'll keep the information to myself.
     
    Dave
  3. DIW

    This is here because....

    By DIW,

    When the end was nigh for the previous RMweb, I wrote that there would be some new pictures of the 4REP when the new site is up and running. I thought that I should start the new thread (OK the blog) just to let you know that I haven't forgotten. The new site could be said to be up and jogging at the moment, not quite running..... When the pictures are sorted out, I'll transfer/copy the old thread over, and then add the continuation. No point doing so yet while the much appreciated Andy Y is still suping up the site!
     
    In the meantime, I get to learn blogging (can I use that word?)
     
    Dave
  4. DIW
    Southern Pride 4REP
     
    by DIW
     
    original page on Old RMweb
    __________________________________________
     
    ??? posted on Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:43 pm
     
    Now that I've finished the Teddyland Loco for my mountain layout ~(see separate thread for SPB No.16), I can make a start on my 4REP.
     
    The roof details are fitted, and the chasses are started:
     

     

     
    More to come hopefully as progress is made.
     
    Dave
     
    EDIT - 'Workbench' removed from topic title
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by 47406 on Wed Jan 07, 2009 11:53 am
     
    Looking forward to seeing how this progresses
     
    I've built quite a few SP mk.1s & TPOs (yeah, they're mk.1s too...), but still keep contemplating the idea of a 4-TC somewhere in the future... not exactly the same, but close... Your thread might be the decider for me as to where a whole month's budget goes
     
    -dylan
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by jim s-w on Wed Jan 07, 2009 12:10 pm
     
    Hiya
     
    A few tips re the southern pride Mk1 - the bogie centers are out and it really makes a difference to the look if they are corrected. Also if you are doing a blue and grey unit the stick on window frames are a big improvement too
     
    HTH
     
    Jim
     

    __________________________________________
     
    ??? posted on Thu Jan 08, 2009 6:43 pm
     
    Re: post from 47406,
     
    Hi Dylan,
     
    Thanks for your interest, I'll keep the thread updated if it will help you to decide. No doubt Jim S-W's comments will have added a bit to the mix!
     
    I already have built a 4TC, from a MTK kit on Mainline underframes and bogies, with Replica Railways interiors cut up to suit. The 4TC is so far only painted in white primer - I may yet decide to forgo the intended blue and grey livery and paint it in Metropolitan maroon (as per the preserved set I last saw at Ruislip depot a couple of years ago).
     
    Dave
    __________________________________________
     
    ??? posted on Thu Jan 08, 2009 7:06 pm
     
    Re: post from Jim S-W,
     
    Hi Jim,
     
    Many thanks for your comments. I have measured the chassis and the bogie centres are 186mm, which corresponds to the 46' 6" in my copy of Keith Parkin's book 'British Railways Mark I coaches'. I note that the chasses are stamped, 'Southern Pride Models Series 3'. Do you think that the folk at Southern Pride have addressed the bogie centres dimension with this version, or perhaps should I use a different reference book for these details?
     
    I like the window frames which you have shown in your photo. The version I am making is indeed the blue/grey. I had a look at the Southern Pride site this lunchtime, but only found frames listed for Mark II, Mark III and Pullmans. Do I need to look harder for Mark I, or are one of the other types suitable?
     
    I was taken by the catenary in your photo. I had a look at your contributions on the catenary thread, and followed the links. I'll send you a PM on that topic later on - I'll not clutter up this thread with it!
     
    Dave
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by jim s-w on Thu Jan 08, 2009 7:50 pm
     
    Hi Dave
     
    My mk1's are pretty old so there is a very good chance they are have been changed. If they match the Parkin book then they are correct on yours. It would be very much like Southern Pride to improve their products as they go along. They have always been very good at that sort of customer service.
     
    The Mk1 windows are specifically for the mk1 coaches. I have to admist I dont really use the site, tending to just email SP when I want something.
     
    Cheers
     
    Jim
     
    PS - Feel free to clutter up my own workbench thread if you like!
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by The Fatadder on Thu Jan 08, 2009 7:55 pm
     


    DIW wrote:
    Re: post from Jim S-W,
    I like the window frames which you have shown in your photo. The version I am making is indeed the blue/grey. I had a look at the Southern Pride site this lunchtime, but only found frames listed for Mark II, Mark III and Pullmans. Do I need to look harder for Mark I, or are one of the other types suitable?
    Dave
    They are on there somewhere, but I remember when I brought some that they were a real pain to find! They do 2 versions, one designed for their kits like the ones Jim used, and one with just the outer frame suitable for fitting to Bachmann mk1s
    __________________________________________
     
    ??? posted on Thu May 21, 2009 7:49 pm
     
    It has been a long while since I posted an update, so here we go......
     
    A fair amount of experimentation with moving the relevent materials around the house showed that in fact the bathroom wouldn't tile itself, contrary to all my hopes and expectations. Accordingly a pause to all 4REP progress ensued while the aforementioned house modelling took place. Any 'proper' modelling time was spent in getting SGK bahn ready for showing.
     
    So, all that out of the way, I have managed to complete the underframes.
     

     
    The underframes, all completed and painted.
     
    My original intention was to place two motor bogies within one of the Driving Motor Seconds. However with the possibility of them intruding into the seating, I changed to have one in the brake compartment of the trailer brake first and the other in the buffet. I'll devise some way of wiring them together in order to provide effective dual pick-ups.
     

     
    Motor in the brake compartment.
     

     
    Trailer brake first on its bogies.
     

     
    Interior fitted into the trailer brake first. Look - the motor fits under the floor!
     

     
    Roof sitting on the carriage.
     
    The roofs have been given a coat of white primer so that the top coat will 'take' to the plastic roof and whitemetal fittings.
     
    The trailer braker first still needs to have its door fittings and the corridor connectors installed.
     
    It seems that the next progress will also be a while coming. I have had some bits of brass arrive which means that I can carry
    on with the Krattigen funicular track rollers. When I get to another impasse with that I can always come back to the 4REP.
     
    Edit - correct underframe photo inserted
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by PaulRhB on Sat Jul 11, 2009 10:09 pm
     
    Hi Dave
    I've just aquired a 4TC and while the it all looks good in the box are there any useful snippets of info that I need to know before diving in? Does the roof and chassis plastic take glue and paint ok? What did you use for the interior in yours?
     
    Paul
    __________________________________________
     
    ??? posted on Fri Aug 21, 2009 7:09 pm
     
    Hi Paul,
     
    I have just had a look at this thread and seen your posting - sorry for the long time to reply.
     
    I used the interior kit produced by Southern Pride themselves - kit number S95. You will need some additional plasticard for the floor and the partitions.
     
    For gluing the whitmetal details to the roof I used clear contact adhesive (Uhu, Cementit and Wilko All-Purpose all seem to be fine). For the underframe, the under floor details and the sides to floor , Mek-Pak and Plastic Magic have been used. I always have some Butanone or Plastic Weld on standby in case of 'plastic difficulties'!
     
    The roof was painted first with white primer - the car stuff. That has been followed by matt grey enamel sprayed on by airbrush. It has given a good finish, but it is rather prone to being scratched off, even after several coats. I'll give it a go with some grey primer when I have got the next can under way. I'll report back on that.
     
    The underframes and under floor equipment was airbrush sprayed with matt black enamel. That has stood up well to the knocks - much better than the roofs.
     
    I found that drilling the holes in the sides for the door handles and grab handles takes a great deal of care. The sides are quite thick, and I have broken several small drills across the eight sides in the kit - but they're all done now.
     
    I have just got back to the kit, and am starting on the DMSs.
     
    I found that the cast corridor connector for mounting on the cab ends seems to be not quite as tall as it appears in the photos of the real thing. The photos show the bottom to be approximately level with the bottom of the cab front, and the top of the route number panel to be approximately level with the top of the cab windows. I have therefore cut the corridor connector casting across its width, and fixed them to the cab ends such that the wondow tops and the bottoms of the castings align as in the photos. While I type this, the Milliput which fills the gap is curing. I'll take some pictures when it has cured and been cleaned up.
     
    Regards,
     
    Dave
    __________________________________________
     
    ??? posted on Sat Sep 12, 2009 4:57 pm
     
    As noted in my previous post, I have taken some pictures of the cab ends:
     

     
    Here are the cab ends with the corridor connectors lengthened. The gap has been filled with Milliput.
     

     
    The cab ends have been painted with primer - ordinary white spray primer.
     

     
    The cab ends have been painted yellow, with some dirt added in the nooks and crannies. Still need to fit the wipers.
     
    Dave
    __________________________________________
     
    ??? posted on Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:28 am
     
    Postings of further progress on this thread are being held in abeyance - when the new site is open to all of us I will try to copy this thread to it, and then post the latest progress.
     
    In the meantime, does anyone know who makes the correct shoebeams for this kit? There are none in the box! I had a set of NNK shoebeams in the spares box, but they are of the older, longer type. A search on the Southern Pride site yesterday evening didn't prove fruitful, was I not looking in the right areas?
     
    Cheers,
     
    Dave
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by meld on Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:58 am
     


    DIW wrote:
    Postings of further progress on this thread are being held in abeyance - when the new site is open to all of us I will try to copy this thread to it, and then post the latest progress.
     
    In the meantime, does anyone know who makes the correct shoebeams for this kit? There are none in the box! I had a set of NNK shoebeams in the spares box, but they are of the older, longer type. A search on the Southern Pride site yesterday evening didn't prove fruitful, was I not looking in the right areas?
     
    Cheers,
     
    Dave
    Dave, if you can find them, the Shoe Beam ( aka height limiting bar ) from the Hornby Networker would probably ideal as they are of the narrow/Thin style ... or a piece of square brass might be another way to go?
     
    HTH
     
    Mike
    __________________________________________
     
    ??? posted on Thu Oct 08, 2009 11:45 am
     
    Mike,
     
    Thanks for your help. I'll have to haunt the spares traders at the next exhibitions 'til I find some.
     
    cheers,
     
    Dave
    __________________________________________
  6. DIW
    Here are the pictures I promised a while back:
     

    These are the Driver Motor Second Opens. I have now noticed that no.91 needs the roof fitted down properly
     
     

    Here is the corridor brake first
     
     

    This is the Restaurant
     
     

    Here are the Restaurant and the Brake First joined together.
     
     
    I have fitted the Mk 1 widow frames as suggested by Jim S-W a while back. They went on to the Restaurant and the Brake First easily, but the windows in the DMSOs were not quite so high, so I needed to reduce the height of the frames.
     
    One other tip with the window frames - on the Restaurant and the Brake First, don't fit the frames until the Red and Yellow stripe has been painted along the top edge of the sides. I found that the window frames got in the way of the masking tape, and thus made the line painting a bit more awkward than it needed to be.
     
    More to come when the shoebeams are fitted!
  7. DIW
    The 4REP build is completed. I have placed it in the 'Kitbuilding and Scratchbuilding' part of the forum, at the link below:
     
    http://www.rmweb.co....e__gopid__27783
     
    I don't think that I will bother to be blogging here any more.
     
    Dave
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