Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by **ge_rik** » Mon Jul 13, 2015 9:34 pm

Excellent work, Peter. Really love that crane loco - plenty of character but also very plausible.

Rik

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Sat Jul 18, 2015 9:55 pm

As you might recall, a few weeks (O.K. months) ago, I got caught up in the Zach Bond 'momentum van' project and bought a 'Zecar' to make one myself. well since then other things took priority and it was left behind....... until yesterday!
I started to look at the 'Zecar' with a view to extend the very short wheelbase so I removed the original wheels and cut the axles to receive new flange wheels on the driven wheels and use the other axle to locate the unit into a new frame.

The plasticard side frames are 1.5mm thick and had to be cut around the strengthening stampings on the metal to enable the 32mm gauge to fit.

The wheelbase has been almost doubled and the free axle is now running in brass bearings. Spacers hold the frames rigid and a new body can be attached. I thought long and hard about what to build so the finished item can be used behind my Billie, no matter what the train comprised. I thought a closed van can be used on either goods, passenger or mixed trains so that was the solution.

Due to the mechanics of the 'Zecar' much of it is below floor level and therefore quite visible between the axles. To disguise this I fitted steps which line up with the sliding door on the van body. The whitemetal axleguards are purely cosmetic and have no contact with the axles.

The gears and flywheel are exposed to any debris which might be picked up from the track so I fitted a cover plate to protect it.

Once the box body was made I realised I had made a sound-box which amplified the noise generated by the flywheel so foam padding has been put inside to deaden the noise.

The body has been built to my usual design with scribed planking and plastic moulded bolt heads stuck on all joining plates.

Having followed Zach's thread I was watching the overall weight of my wagon to see how much weight it required to ensure the wheels gripped and did the intended job. His came in at 630g but mine is bigger and weighs exactly 900g with lead sheet added above both axles at floor level.

Tomorrow, weather permitting, I can spray paint and add finish details.

Post by **ge_rik** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 8:12 am

Great idea to make it into a closed van, Peter. As you say, will be at home in a goods, mixed or a passenger train. The Southwold often ran passenger trains with a van for luggage.

Rik

jim@NAL · Post by **jim@NAL** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 8:21 pm

top work peter

Dr. Bond of the DVLR · Post by **Dr. Bond of the DVLR** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 9:57 pm

Top notch! I'll be interested to see how this one performs at 900g. I may consider adding a bit more weight to mine.

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 11:25 pm

The van is complete with paint, weathering and lettering.

This evening saw its fist trial run behind 'Lady Andrea'. My opinion is that it was successful having a major influence on the slow running and control of the locomotive. My line has gentle curves and is level so it's difficult to know whether it would improve performance on inclines etc.
I see alternative drive units are available so I might go for a second try. Overall, well worth the experiment.

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Wed Jul 22, 2015 11:40 pm

Following a very pleasant evening at Cain Howley Structures and running my 'Lady Andrea' on 45mm gauge for a change, I came home with another four buildings.
Two little lineside huts which I have set about painting...

A chimney which will be at the head of my incline when painting is complete...

There is also another building but no action on that one as yet.

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 10:44 pm

So..... here's the Fairlie

No, not that one.... this is one I built many years ago to run on Warley MRC layout, 'Far Twittering'. You might not be able to see clearly as the picture is from a photo print, but even the driver and fireman are conjoined!

No, I mean this Fairlie...

Beautiful, isn't she? Unfortunately she's not mine!
This one is on loan from Cain Howley so I can use the bogies as a template to create ones for my own loco. This is how they should look:

Now I have the correct dimensions and material requirements I can crack on with the build. This has been causing me some concern until now but in conversation it transpired that Cain had one identical so when I collected some more buildings I also managed to borrow this little gem.

Post by **ge_rik** » Sun Aug 02, 2015 7:30 am

As you say, absolutely beautiful and so well engineered. I like the flywheel on the motor. Sometimes wish I could add flywheels to my locos to give them a bit of momentum (or should that be inertia?) - electronics can only achieve so much...

Rik

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Sat Aug 08, 2015 12:07 am

Just one of the (too many) projects I have on the go at the moment is to disguise the end of the line...... this is where the track stops now that the layout has been altered from its original exhibition circuit to a simple station run-round. There was a tunnel mouth at this point where the line continued to the rear of the layout but now is just a wall at the end of my shed!

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I bought a cast tunnel mouth which needed some modification with a 10 inch angle grinder to make it fit the space....

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At this point on my line there is stream which runs adjacent to the tunnel so a new arch had to be put in to accommodate this.....

Thre will be a short intermission now whilst painting takes place!!!!

tegfan railway · Post by **tegfan railway** » Sat Aug 08, 2015 11:05 pm

Just realised after reading your posts and researching Cain Howley that they are only just down the road from me (well 30 mins or so) We live near Swansea and need some buildings to get me going, might get in touch with them and see if I can call in. The buildings that you are working look really good, excellent paint job too!

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Sun Aug 09, 2015 11:38 am

tegfan railway:112547 wrote:Just realised after reading your posts and researching Cain Howley that they are only just down the road from me (well 30 mins or so) We live near Swansea and need some buildings to get me going, might get in touch with them and see if I can call in.

Please let me know when you are in the area so you can drop in and see my railway too. Having travelled so close it would be a shame to miss you.

DickH · Post by **DickH** » Sun Aug 09, 2015 6:17 pm

tegfan railway:112547 wrote:Just realised after reading your posts and researching Cain Howley that they are only just down the road from me (well 30 mins or so) We live near Swansea and need some buildings to get me going, might get in touch with them and see if I can call in. The buildings that you are working look really good, excellent paint job too!

Hi, I also live close to Peter, in between you and Cain in Ammanford and all my buildings haver been custom built by Cain and they are superb and he is a nice guy. You can see my buildings on my page - Finally, construction of the Tycroes Narrow Gauge Railway. Not had time to update my page but all the buildings are now in place and the landscaping has been finished. Like Peter would love to see you if you pass this way on your way to Cain.

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Mon Aug 10, 2015 8:52 pm

More progress on the tunnel entrance.... following the chopping about to make it fit I then had to find a way of blocking off the opening as if it was disused.

Not content with just boarding it up I had to fit a door with padlock, corrugated sheeting and wire mesh, just in case bats were nesting in there (because they are protected you know!)

Barely noticeable is the hand painted sign saying 'Danger, keep out' as it is suffering from poor weather conditions in the area!

Post by **ge_rik** » Mon Aug 10, 2015 9:39 pm

Excellent!

Rik

Soar Valley Light · Post by **Soar Valley Light** » Tue Aug 11, 2015 7:33 pm

Another masterpiece Peter. It looks truly amazing, the bats must be very grateful!

jim@NAL · Post by **jim@NAL** » Tue Aug 11, 2015 8:24 pm

that looks excellent

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Tue Aug 11, 2015 11:20 pm

Thanks guys.... I try my best!
I'm currently working on some new electric locomotives which are causing a few problems with motors and gears but think I have it sorted now.
I hate re-inventing the wheel because I know someone out there has done it all before, but I can't help myself from trying a new idea on an old theme... all will be revealed!

Stewart Gethin · Post by **Stewart Gethin** » Wed Aug 12, 2015 12:12 am

Looks great Peter,

Perhaps if you wish to add even more character to the scene you could put some chains around the sleeper on top of the rail to show that it's a bufferstop of some sort(If that's what it's meant to be)

As I said, your work is really impressive both in scenics and loco department.

Stewart

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Wed Aug 12, 2015 10:35 am

Yes, you are right Stewart, that is what intend to do to the sleeper across the track, given time! Not everyone would notice that so I thought it less urgent than other things.

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Time to build a railway...but where?

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