Caley Jim Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 Not as Wee-as-Wee-Jim Jim? 2Mil is not usually the smallest scale at Model rail. 2 years ago there was the Forth Bridge full size in 'T' scale! Jim 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinnylinny Posted January 22, 2019 Author Share Posted January 22, 2019 (edited) This is dangerously post-grouping - so much so that it in fact comes under the heading of Nationalisation(!) but I don't have a Workbench thread, so here you go.My battery for my camera-fitted DMU has arrived. It's been fitted over my lunch break, and seems to work. I've managed to get all the wiring, antenna and battery above window level so they can't be seen. All that's visible of the system is the front camera and the missing cab windscreens. I'll probably refit the two side windows, and figure out how to glaze the front one without fogging the camera's view of the line ahead as the moulded plastic seems to do. Oh, and it's a club night tonight... More to follow, hopefully!It still feels weird plugging a USB cable into a model train! [Edit: I'll try to take a video of a passing pre-grouping train to make it up to you all!] Edited January 22, 2019 by Skinnylinny 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinnylinny Posted January 22, 2019 Author Share Posted January 22, 2019 I'm not having a good time with this one either - the camera is running quite happily when plugged into power, but the battery is refusing to charge, so it switches off as soon as I unplug it. Obviously this means I can't run it on the layout taking video. I'll need to take it all apart (again) and have another go. I'm currently suspecting a problem with either the battery connections or the charging circuitry.I am really hoping I can get this working in time for the Glasgow show in the second half of next month. We'll see. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devo63 Posted January 22, 2019 Share Posted January 22, 2019 , and figure out how to glaze the front one without fogging the camera's view of the line ahead as the moulded plastic seems to do. Have you thought about using glass microscope slide cover slips. I used them to glaze a few BSL coach kits back in the 80's and they are still very clear. They are available in a selection of different sizes from 10mm x 10mm upwards to about 30mm x 25mm in boxes of about 100. For cutting I just draw my dear old mothers diamond ring across the surface and snap off the bits that I don't require. Speaking from experience you have to watch your fingers as the thin glass has VERY sharp edges. It goes without saying that you should also wear some form of eye protection when snapping the glass. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinnylinny Posted January 22, 2019 Author Share Posted January 22, 2019 That's definitely a thought - I'll have to have a word with a friend of mine who's in the bio/chem trade. I feel like a box of 100 for one window might be pushing it a bit. Thanks! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinnylinny Posted January 28, 2019 Author Share Posted January 28, 2019 Well, that was a bad idea - some of the wires inside the DMU came detached, and I naively thought I could reattach them to the circuit board in place. Bad idea! There is now a melted patch of the roof, and the board won't power up any more. *sigh* The nice people at Bachmann do have some bodyshells for sale, but I'll have to wait until payday, and the bodyshells are enough that it might be cheaper to simply buy another complete unit. At least now I (theoretically) know how to put this whole thing together, but it's several months' modelling budget and I need to decide if this is really that important a project. Worst case, I could put it in a GWR autocoach, but I'd prefer it in something that would actually believably run on the club layouts at exhibitions. On the pre-grouping front, I've been getting out some of Ian MacCormac's lovely Marsh Umber lining transfers, and continued working on Gary's I3. This is, I believe, a Wills model, and I'm sure Gary can answer any questions on the build. My role has been solely in painting on the dark chocolate surrounds, touching in a few bits of paint here and there, and applying the transfers. I'm really impressed with the transfers - they apply beautifully, and make an otherwise awkward pre-grouping livery possible with relative ease. My only complaint is directed at Mr. D. E. Marsh: "Was it really necessary to line so many parts of the locos? Cab fronts? Frame extensions? Running plates? All of these and more are included in the transfer sheet, so at least replicating them is possible now! One side down, work begins on the other side! 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trade Member BlueLightning Posted January 28, 2019 Trade Member Share Posted January 28, 2019 It is indeed a wills kit, and in fact it is the first kit I ever built!! It is so good to see it looking so nice! Doesn't even seem like the same loco!!! I can't wait to see it up close (but don't rush LOL) Gary 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Corbs Posted January 29, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 29, 2019 Sorry about the DMU, Linny We've all been there. I've lost count of the amount of soldering iron gouges I'd had to fill in... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Annie Posted January 29, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 29, 2019 Well, that was a bad idea - some of the wires inside the DMU came detached, and I naively thought I could reattach them to the circuit board in place. Bad idea! There is now a melted patch of the roof, and the board won't power up any more. *sigh* The nice people at Bachmann do have some bodyshells for sale, but I'll have to wait until payday, and the bodyshells are enough that it might be cheaper to simply buy another complete unit. At least now I (theoretically) know how to put this whole thing together, but it's several months' modelling budget and I need to decide if this is really that important a project. Worst case, I could put it in a GWR autocoach, but I'd prefer it in something that would actually believably run on the club layouts at exhibitions. Melty.jpg Could the roof damage be filled and sanded back Linny? or is the distortion worse than it looks in the photo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sem34090 Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 (edited) Just a thought, Linny, but would it be possible to fit the camera into an NBR (If they had them?) or at least LNER/BR(E)/BR(NE)/BR(Sc) motor trailer? I don't know enough about the stock to know of its origin I'm afraid, but I know the locos to be NBR Class Ms (LNER C15s) and they seem to be push-pull workings. I'm just thinking that it might be possible to utilise your specialist skills to get the coach made out of card ready to take the camera gear? Perhaps easier than modifying an existing model? Edited January 29, 2019 by sem34090 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinnylinny Posted January 29, 2019 Author Share Posted January 29, 2019 Could the roof damage be filled and sanded back Linny? or is the distortion worse than it looks in the photo. Unfortunately a fair amount of the body has warped along the cantrail - I'll take it to the club tomorrow to have a look with folks, but I don't hold out much hope. Just a thought, Linny, but would it be possible to fit the camera into an NBR (If they had them?) or at least LNER/BR(E)/BR(NE)/BR(Sc) motor trailer? I don't know enough about the stock to know of its origin I'm afraid, but I know the locos to be NBR Class Ms (LNER C15s) and they seem to be push-pull workings. I'm just thinking that it might be possible to utilise your specialist skills to get the coach made out of card ready to take the camera gear? Perhaps easier than modifying an existing model? Those certainly look interesting, although unfortunately they'd only run on one of our two 4mm scale layouts, as Newcastleton is on the Waverley route, and to the best of my knowledge didn't have such workings (though I stand to be corrected!). Possibly useful for Glendevon though, although they'd spend half their time running backwards! They have the look of Gresley coaches, so LNER rather than NB, but an interesting possibility. The thing with these DMUs is that they got everywhere! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinnylinny Posted February 2, 2019 Author Share Posted February 2, 2019 Well, a few days away from RMWeb have given me some time to do some actual modelling. I've coaled a few tenders and bunkers with real coal, meaning they look a lot better. In the process I also discovered that watered-dwon PVA glue will find any tiny gaps in your model to flow through - note the small bead of glue escaping from beneath the bunker on the H class below! However, pondering wagons, I couldn't decide whether to go for permanently-loaded wagons, or to make an attempt at removable loads. I like the idea of loose coal, sand and ballast... but I don't like the idea of getting it off the layout when an inevitable derailment happens! Given the variety of pre-grouping designs (as opposed to, say, a nice, uniform rake of BR 16 tonners!) each wagon will need its own load (or possibly two or three depending on what it's carrying on any given day). So, using some scrap MDF leftover from laser cutting (never throw anything out!) I made a base to fit inside the two Scottish wagons above. This was then painted black, and a piece of cling film was put into the wagon, before pressing the wooden base in until its legs rested on the floor. Next, coal was sprinkled on top of the wooden base, carefully formed to a slight heap in the centre, and diluted PVA (50/50 with water, plus one drop of washing up liquid) was pipetted onto the load. After leaving for six hours to dry, I tried to remove one load, only to find it hadn't set yet and dumped crushed coal and runny PVA all over my workbench. I swore, then repeated the assembly instructions with a new base, and left it for 24 hours instead, before pulling on the cling film to lift the load out of the wagon. This time I was presented with a much more solid load. Pulling off the cling film from the load was simple enough, with a few small straggly bits of film around the edges needing removal with tweezers. Voilà! A removable load. Final (and most important) step - label the bottom of the load with the wagon it fits! I am planning on fitting a steel paperclip or similar to allow me to use a magnet to remove the load. 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Andy Hayter Posted February 2, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 2, 2019 It may be too late for the ones you have done, but if you install one of the cheap magnets below the cardboard base, you can easily extract your loads using a second magnet on a BBQ skewer. Saves having to turn wagons upside down. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinnylinny Posted February 2, 2019 Author Share Posted February 2, 2019 (edited) Yup, that's the idea with the paperclip - unlike a magnet in the load, I won't need to worry about polarities. The last thing I want is to have the unloading tool repel my loads! Edited February 2, 2019 by Skinnylinny 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caley Jim Posted February 2, 2019 Share Posted February 2, 2019 That photo of the 'Newbattle' wagon just goes to show what a pigs ear they made of the end door hinges! They should be round hoops that go right round the heavy cross member and are attached to the door on the inside. Jim 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinnylinny Posted February 2, 2019 Author Share Posted February 2, 2019 Indeed! It's definitely on my list of "things to do to the Oxford wagons", which includes laser-cutting some crown and washer plates, and completely repainting the NB one into a shade somewhat darker and less green. On closer inspection, I also need to find the missing brake lever! 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinnylinny Posted February 4, 2019 Author Share Posted February 4, 2019 Well, the muse has finally struck again. Two one-and-a-half hour train journeys to visit the other half in Milngavie, and I've finally felt the urge to do some laser designs. I don't know if this one will become a kit, but it was the simplest looking LBSC brake van in the book. A Billinton 10 ton goods brake, SR Diag. 1568. This should give me a complete LBSC goods train. It looks like I might get a chance to do a test cut this evening (although still not enough time available on the laser cutter to re-enter production, unfortunately. Vaguely positive noises are being made by those in the know... we'll have to wait and see). I don't even have any wheels or bearings with me, and I still need to figure out how to do the chimney and brake standards, not to mention the brake gear... 8 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinnylinny Posted February 4, 2019 Author Share Posted February 4, 2019 Well, that's not bad for a first attempt... 11 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Edwardian Posted February 4, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 4, 2019 Brilliant. I do need to order a couple of your 8-ton vans. Did the SE open make it into production? And this, yes, I should beg for a couple of these. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Annie Posted February 4, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 4, 2019 Not bad? - it's brilliant. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinnylinny Posted February 4, 2019 Author Share Posted February 4, 2019 Thank you both! The brake van was done as a weekend project, and rounds off an LBSC goods train. From what I can divine, the LBSC didn't have many coal wagons post-Stroudley - I get the impression that there were either loco coal wagons or coal was carried in PO wagons. My Illustrated History of Southern Wagons - Volume One: LBSCR and minor companies suggests that the LB&SCR owned only 425 mineral wagons between 1898 and the grouping. The SE open is in progress, and an SE van has also been scanned and a start made on both of those. I'm pondering if I can manage an SER outside-framed brake van too, though this will wait until the two wagons are complete. The LBSC brake van was done as a weekend project, as it was a fairly simple design, to dip my toe back into the lasering waters, so to speak. I still can't really do production runs yet, but I can just about manage to cut out one bodyshell in a night before I have to catch the last bus home. This means if I am fairly confident, I can get most of a design done before cutting anything. Hopefully what this means is I will have a bit more of a range by the time the laser becomes usable again. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinnylinny Posted February 5, 2019 Author Share Posted February 5, 2019 The brake van is now in grey, just wants some of the glue blobs around the mouldings tidying up. Depending on how they react to treatment with a sharp scalpel, I might re-cut and build another one, using thin superglue to hold the mouldings down. That being said, it has certainly buoyed my mood! Now, time for bed! 6 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinnylinny Posted February 6, 2019 Author Share Posted February 6, 2019 Not much to add, apart from one more photo, this time of all three laser-cut LBSC wagons, in a train together. Please forgive the lack of a roof on the brake van, I'll be fitting one soon! It was really nice to see the whole train finally tantalisingly close to completion. Mighty oaks from little acorns grow. Watch this space. 6 1 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sem34090 Posted February 6, 2019 Share Posted February 6, 2019 Very nice - very nice indeed! 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Edwardian Posted February 6, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 6, 2019 8 hours ago, Skinnylinny said: Not much to add, apart from one more photo, this time of all three laser-cut LBSC wagons, in a train together. Please forgive the lack of a roof on the brake van, I'll be fitting one soon! It was really nice to see the whole train finally tantalisingly close to completion. Mighty oaks from little acorns grow. Watch this space. Wonderful. I quite forgot you had an open. I must put in an order for these wagons, assuming you have them available? So convincing, but their finescale looks do make the loco look positively toy-like in comparison! It's made me think again about the Dapol/Hornby Terrier. I have one of these and the temptation remains to make something of it. Just remove the vacuum exhaust pipe and vac stands from the Terrier. Oh and cut back the smoke box and add a wing plate. Oh and remove the sandboxes beneath the valance. And add steam condensing pipes. Amend the lettering to include an ampersand. It'll then look quite like A1 662 c.1909. But then you'd probably need a balloon trailer, not a goods train. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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