Mucky Duck

As Brassmasters don't do a replacement bogie for a Black 5 I bought a Comet one, plus wheels – not sure if they're Comet's own or Comet gets

them from Alan Gibson. This combination makes the biggest difference to the model. The kit allows one to make a OO, EM or P4 bogie.

Luckily for me, the OO version is just cut from the fret in one piece and folded over… simples!

The stretcher box section is reinforced with solder. I made a really scruffy job of this on account of a. not having soldered since 1976 b. having

too large a tip on my soldering iron c. using so-called fluxless solder… yeah, right!!!

I decided not to risk messing up the sideframe overlays so I put the soldering iron away and glued them instead, as I did the wire at either end

of the sideframes, which came from a medium-sized safety pin!

Hornby's bogie looks an absolute monster compared with Comet's almost delicate frame. The hornways needed only a slight brush with a file

to get the axles in freely, with wire threaded through holes in the centre box section to retain them. Now ready for testing.

Hmmm… Comet's swing link wasn't long enough and the wheels didn't fall correctly within the arches!!! So I had to bash Hornby's bogie and

use the one from that. Comet suggests several ways to spring the bogie and I chose the simplest, as is my nature.

There still seems a fair amount of daylight showing… with these flanges maybe I could have got away with filing only to the P4 line on

the frames… and I've just noticed a bend in one of the connecting rods!

The Comet fret is a thicker gauge than that of Brassmasters. Different purposes, I know but I couldn't put as sharp a kink as I'd like in the

front guard irons. You can also see how I buckled both frame overlays at their narrowest point, mentioned in the earlier section.

I haven't tested the bogie in anger yet but it at least looks so much better than Hornby's effort!

The remainder of Brassmasters body add-ons will be tackled next…

Thanks for the link Larry… just got it!

Bernard, yes, changing those axle boxes was a bit of a grind, literally, but I thought I'd have a go seeing as they came with the kit.

At normal exhibition viewing distances I'd say that it's probably not worth it but I'd like this loco to stand up to the close scrutiny

of a macro lens and until I give the new bits a coat of matt black I can't really answer that.

26power, I still haven't received my issue of MRJ… grrr! If it's the Stanier (rather than the Fowler) version, the 8F's will be the

same 4000 gallon tender. As I mentioned earlier, I'm not up for going the Comet route just yet but I have a few Black 5s and 8Fs

that I'll want to modify eventually so definitely in the future. In the meantime, I think I might just have a stab at getting rid of that

valance… having removed the tender top, it looks a tough one, but do-able!

I'll investigate Coachmann's front buffer height suggestion too… it sounds interesting.

Ryan

Thanks John for the heads up on Artisan 100… I really should have twigged that it was a username!

Ahem… moving swiftly on to the loco, I suspect that it's an older model than the 'swapped' tender as the handrail knobs were much

bigger… so out they came, along with the smokebox door handle, soon to be followed by the lamp irons and the little grab handles

by the works plates – the steps will stay though. The old buffer beam is also sliced off very carefully with a new scalpel. It's

surprising how chunky all the detailing appears through a macro lens… look at the size of those rivets at the top of the smokebox

and how thick the frames and the base of the chimney are!

The centre panel beneath the smokebox is something else Hornby has got completely wrong – it should be indented with a pipe

on the left (just visible in the ptotoype image) and something that I discovered only once I'd applied all the new detailing…

well, you live and learn!

As Brassmasters didn't have any buffers in stock when I bought the kit, I carefully cut out and kept the Hornby ones…

… and after attaching the new etched buffer beam and enlarging the buffer locating holes, I glued them back into position. This is not strictly

necessary as you may find the Hornby buffer beam is quite passable and the etched overlay is really meant to replace the un-riveted version.

Still, for the little time it took, it was worth it in my eyes. Also visible here are the frame overlays, which were easier to add with body attached.

There are two ways to attach the dummy frame overlays and motion bracket – in one piece or snap each at one of the joins and do them in

two parts. I chose the latter… try as I might I could not winkle them into position in one piece whilst getting the motion bracket lined up and

attached to the slidebars. Looking at the photo it's difficult to see how I could have achieved it one piece and the motion bracket is easier done

with the body off, unlike the frames, which fit nicely against the inner side of cylinder and can rest against the underside of the body whilst the

glue sets.

Word of warning: To accommodate various wheels from OO to P4, there are two half-etched arc lines on the reverse of the fret for you to file

to. I cannot stress highly enough how close to the action you need to secure the frames in a vice while you do this, filing quite gently and just

a little at a time. Like a silly sausage, I managed to buckle not one but BOTH frames, luckily not enough prevent getting them roughly back

into line. I'm slowly realising that patience is one of the greatest virtues required for this hobby.

The relief valves are glued (or soldered) to cylinder covers which in turn are simply glued to the cylinder fronts (the rivets need punching

through beforehand). The drain cocks require just a couple of drilled holes and a dot of glue. Hornby's Black 5 cylinders have the lower inner

quarter missing and sources have suggested filling them but I've left them (for the time being at least) as I don't think they're visible enough.

Dave, I googled Artisan 100 and couldn't find anything… or have I missed something?

Pinkmouse, thanks for the link and your Comet tender really does look great – there's something about a brass model – I feel it's almost a shame

to paint over it! However, apart from finances at the mo, I'm taking things one step at a time and I'll probably tackle a full tender kit when I've

sorted this 'upgrade' one way or another and I feel confident enough with my skills. I'll see how I get on with folding and soldering the Comet bogie!

Interesting to note on reading Tim Shackleton's MRJ article again, he makes no mention of the footplate angle but does confess to being 'not one to

look too closely at models – with my limited skills, I daren't'.

.......I once referred to it as like gold-plating a plastic spoon.

Thank you Larry – and I do love the analogy – but I spend hours poring over images of the loco then someone points out a fault that is so

bl**din' obvious I do wonder if I wasn't seeing the wood for the trees! I really don't know whether to laff me socks off or cry!

As the photo shows, Bachmann has made a much better job of it with the Jubilee. I could try to remove the offending moulding by prising

off the springs, giving me some room to play with but the insurmountable problem is that the tender's front steps are part of the whole

horrid moulding.

Think I'll have to raid another Black 5 for its tender frame and start again or see if I can get a Bachmann spare. Either way, a serious

rethink is in order.

Anyway, Stuart, thanks for your filling-in tips and Mark, I've already progressed quite a way with the loco so will post some more pics

very soon.

I've had a Brassmasters detailing kit for a Hornby Black 5 lying around for a couple of years now so decided it was time to put it to use and to

have another diversion from the layout itself, for a while. The kit is beautifully etched from nickel-silver with many other parts cast in white

metal and lost wax brass. In addition, a Comet etched front bogie and wheels will complete the upgrade.

Maybe it's me but good colour shots of Newton Heath locos prior to 1968 seem to be a bit thin on the ground. After researching I found a

suitable prototype, no. 44890 but it meant that I had to 'split' two Hornby models to get the combination of a riveted tender with the prototype

loco's top feed position.

I wouldn't describe myself as a rivet counter but I am quite particular about models looking just right and although Hornby's Black 5 captures

the prototype's form very accurately, there are some detail aspects that I feel the need to modify, bearing in mind that my layout will only ever

be photographed, not exhibited – and what terrible secrets a macro lens can reveal!

I am not an expert on loco parts. To help, Brassmasters numbered them in the text but strangely, not on the images of the parts. I worked out

most of them straightaway but the array lamp irons of different lengths, the injectors and gravity lubricators took some time despite referring

to images on the website.

Apart from Brassmasters own instructions, I referred to MRJ 138 in which Tim Shackleton modified a Hornby Black 5 'on a budget' and the

BRM Right Track 4, Detailing and Improving RTR dvd, where Tony Wright used a Brassmasters kit on the same model. I must admit that it

was the latter that really spurred me into action… there's nothing quite like seeing someone actually do it to help overcome ones own reluctance

to dive in for the very first time.

We all want different things from our modelling and I'm sure that some will be wondering why go to all the bother if it's still 00 gauge! I guess

only when I've finished will I know if it was worth it. I hope I don't ramble on too much. If anyone sees any gaffs along the way, please feel free

to put me straight!

Tender

After separating tender top from base, I removed the tender platform with a sharp scalpel to enable thinning-out of all visible inner sides. The

bunker had been permanently coaled by its previous owner so I've left it to be 'brimmed' – eventually, after weathering – to hide the incorrect

internal shape.

The water filler was sliced off from tender platform. I want to model it open and I'm still thinking about a suitable method of modelling this.

With the edges thinned, plasticard 'ledges' fill the gaps as the tender platform is now a loose fit when it is glued back into position.

Thinned… and some! Maybe I should have started on the tender frames first until I got the hang of using the router – it took less than a couple

of minutes to 'remove the sizable chunk on the right… B***ER! If anyone has any suggestions of how to to remedy this please let me know.

Moulded lamp irons and tender steps removed and holes drilled for replacements. Another 'slip' marks the back… it takes time to get used to

working under a magnifying glass with a power tool!

Angle iron strip and lifting lugs mostly disguise butchery beneath. Brassmasters front bulkhead overlay had to be trimmed around the

permanent coal and a hole was cut through the Hornby tender bulkhead.

Battle-scarred Hornby frames. They have been thinned and the feeble springs and axle boxes removed with brutal router. Strange, you'd

imagine that the RTR details would always be over-scale rather than under!

Brassmasters' own springs and axle boxes do look better but I have to say that the moulding on Hornby's plastic spring leaves is finer than the

replacement white metal ones. Home-made fire iron tunnel entrance just about visible.

Large pic blelow; The tender frame's rear steps, which had been glued on by previous owner, had to be thinned to clear the new springs but I

would have done that anyway. At the back, etched steps, buffer steps, lamp irons (wonky one to correct!) and white metal vacuum pipes added.

The guard irons were fashioned from spare etch fret as the Brassmasters version (smaller pic) is compromised for Hornby's giant coupling.

That's it for now. Tender is awaiting Smiths or Exactoscale screw-link coupling, etched works plates a few more mods at the front end.

Not forgetting some scars to be filled but next I will make a start on the loco… and will also attempt to take some better photos!

Summertime...

 

I love this layout and just checked out the new additions to your gallery.

Can you please tell me about the Rosebay Willowherb, did you make it or buy it?

Cheers

Ryan

Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest

There's also a nice-looking kit from Metalsmith which I find quite tasty!

 

http://www.metalsmit...ngturntable.htm

 

Dave.

Very nice find indeed, Dave! Not cheap but they certainly look the business.

The sublime Suzanne Vega on BBC R2

I listened to her lovely Solitude Standing LP for the first time in ages only yesterday! She is very relaxing.

Right now, trying not to listen to the cacophony of passing ambulances and police cars… and the local dogs that seem

to howl for ever when they hear sirens!

OMD - Orchestral Manoevres in the Dark.

Still fond of this debut album after 30 years.

 

Dave.

Thanks for reminding me Dave. I must get that again… no idea what happened to my original copy! Great sleeve too.

The Sensational Alex Harvey Band… and they were pretty sensational!

http://www.youtube.c...feature=related

RAFA OUT!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jun/03/rafael-benitez-leaves-liverpool

I thought at the beginning of last season that there would have been too much dependence on Torres and Gerrard…

how did it all go so horribly wrong?

Hi Gordon,

This is the first tme that I've caught up with your progress on the latest incarnation of RMweb – and it's very inspiring,

your trackwork is looking superb. Some time ago I saw your thread on your trials with ballasting – now you obviously have it sussed!

I haven't even finished my first small layout, yet yours is making me dream of that 'monster' project in the distant future…

a day when I hope that Templot will also be available for my Mac without having to run Windows on it!

I shall continue to view with pleasure.

Ryan

Now I'm absolutely positively negative.

Even as a blue Manc, I do feel for Burnley. My first footie match was at Turf Moor back in 1972, if I remember rightly. The score was a more respectable 1-0 to City then. Although it's looking a bit of a lost cause now, I do hope Burnley stay up.

Well, I've been stewing on this 'lack of class' comment over the past 24hours or so while Man City and in particular Garry Cooke have tried to defend the manner of Mark Hughes's sacking ??“ and it sucks! It takes an awful lot to destroy the soul of a club ??“ and Man City has a big soul ??“ but this little weasel Cook appears to be trying his very hardest. The sordid episode just makes my skin crawl and the sooner the club gets rid of him and distances itself from him, the better. Personally, I don't think that Hughes was quite the man for the job but that doesn't account for some really ??“ and I yes, I concede ??“ shoddy, classless behaviour. I do feel a little ashamed to be a Man City fan right now.

Football, the beautiful game??¦ the ugly business!

I'll be hearing next that Mark Hughes is being sacked. Being sixth in the league and in the Carling cup semi isn't good enough.Like Chelsea they [the club] lack class....

Like Chelsea, it (the club) lacks class? I'm getting a bit cheesed-off with comments like this. Manchester City is a great club with sound heritage. Whilst not having the same success that its red neighbours have deservedly enjoyed in the recent past ??“ and having to endure that club's obsession with the Sky Blue's failure to win a trophy ??“ Man City fans are as loyal as you will ever find and until last season it was many fans' 'second club'.

OK, the Shiniwatra saga was not too savoury but that's in the past but it still didn't prevent the club from being well-liked, maybe because it was still not a genuine threat. Man City has suddenly become the most hated in the league because a very rich company decided to pump a ridiculous amount of money into it in order to challenge the very dull and monotonous quadropoly the Premiership has endured for far too long. The problem lies with football itself so unless the rules are changed for all, the phenomenon (which I'd rather didn't exist) will continue. As for those pointing the finger at clubs like Man City for bringing too much money to the game, would they desert their own beloved club should it be purchased by a similarly rich buyer? I think not.

Furthermore, I'm not happy about Mark Hughes being sacked before being given a fair chance but again this is a modern football problem, not a phenomenon restricted to the richest teams. Unfortunately, instant gratification counts in all walks of life these days and you can bet that now even a manager of Fergie's stature wouldn't get the generous length of time he was allowed in the past to develop his team into winners.