Route to a Class 117 DMU in N Gauge

[jamespetts]

A class 121 DTS would certainly be welcome - nothing to stop them from doing both at the same time, of course: the class 122 was, after all, released at around the same time as the 121.

[Grimly Feendish]

Next installment...

 

Here is the end plug added and the roof and joints filled.

 

And here are the DMBS and TC getting ready for priming. The TC ends are masked because I want to keep the factory printing if I can.

 

At this point a couple of things were dawning on me.

 

First, I wasn't happy with the way the etched sides looked. Nothing to do with the etches themselves, everything to do with the way I stuck them on. You can see the huge gap between the etch and the roof. Also the way the etch was stuck to the side was not robust. The cyano could not tolerate any bending of the plastic side. So I removed the sides, rubbed them down again and reapplied, paying more attention to the fit and using a thinner cyano. This resulted in a better fit, but is still not robust. At least now I am careful in handling it and it's surviving so far. I know I have to do something with the roof of the TC too.

Second, on the DBMS I managed to get the roof profile reasonably acurate, but there is an unsightly gap between the two roof sections. I'm hoping that with judicious weathering it might not be too noticeable. You might get an idea from this photo, which shows the roof alongside the body after priming.

 

 

I decided on a different approach for converting the second 121. I would slice off the cab and put on an end plug as before, but would keep the roof in one piece and build up the profile at that end with filler, as shown below.

 

I am much happier with this approach. The two are shown together below.

 

Both have had a few rounds of filling and rubbing down since this shot. I don't have pics for that yet. 

 

I'm sure you have noticed that as it stands, I'll have 2 DMBSs and 0 DMS. Since I struggled with the etched sides I'm tempted to keep it that way. I think I would rather have an incorrect consist than risk the look of me bodging the etched DMS sides on. I am not convinced I can get the joint between the etched sides and the Dapol cab looking decent.

 

Anyhow, that brings us up to date. It'll be a while before I can get back to some modelling, but I'll post when I have something to show.

 

Cheers,

John.

Edited March 27, 2019 by Grimly Feendish

[PaulCheffus]

Hi

 

When I attach etched sides to plastic coaches I tend to use Araldite Rapid as this gives a little flexibility and also allows fine adjustment before it dries.

 

Cheers

 

Paul

[1977joey]

Just found this thread. I very much want an N gauge Class 116 or 117 unit in N, it's been on my wish list for years! Can't believe Bachmann (after it being a most wanted model in N for a good couple of years running) are only doing it in OO so far. I'm also hoping Dapol fill the gap with one of these units. 

 

Looking forward to seeing the progress on this model your doing john....

 

All the best,

Mark 

[Grimly Feendish]

Hi Mark,

 

unfortunately I've had to put this on hold for a while. We moved house and will be moving again in a few weeks,

 

It will be a while until I can get back to modelling

 

Cheers,

 

John.

[montyburns56]

On 08/09/2019 at 06:02, Grimly Feendish said:

Hi Mark,

 

unfortunately I've had to put this on hold for a while. We moved house and will be moving again in a few weeks,

 

It will be a while until I can get back to modelling

 

Cheers,

 

John.

 

So did you ever complete this model? The reason I ask is that I was looking at my own Dapol Class 121 model and I was wondering how much work it would take to turn it into a 117 or a 116. It got me thinking that perhaps some enterprising person could produce some 3D printed pieces that could be used to create or convert a complete unit? 

[Grimly Feendish]

16 minutes ago, montyburns56 said:

 

So did you ever complete this model? The reason I ask is that I was looking at my own Dapol Class 121 model and I was wondering how much work it would take to turn it into a 117 or a 116. It got me thinking that perhaps some enterprising person could produce some 3D printed pieces that could be used to create or convert a complete unit? 

Hi,

 

No, not yet. BUT.... I've recently retired and the honeydo list is getting shorter* so I was thinking about looking at this again. If I do I'll post updates. Also, I've been looking for a reason for investing in a 3D printer... hmm... 

 

*if one ignores the items added to the bottom of the list!

[Robert Shrives]

Hi 

I took 4 121 to create 117 , but 116 with no toilet is easier- a bit   I used two unpowered ones with a lot  of detail cut off to make the TCL  but keep the Dapol underframe I did bit faff with steps on solebars so wrong on all vehicles - I expect a 3D print version to use and swap Dapol parts over would work but models do not come apart easily at this level of modification.  In the end I built multiple section sides using a piece of glazing to get spacing and a thin strip of plasticard just below windows to reinforce once complete front added and a new flat end added - I did the corridor connection with a casting ex MTK , but a farish 101/108 would also do exhausts also castings but later ones done with plastic rod and tube. 

Not for the faint hearted. 

Robert