Time to build a railway...but where?
- Peter Butler
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
The carriage wagon is now repainted in the original colours and lightly weathered to look as though it has done some work. The Brougham is attached using the rings I fitted to the sides of the wagon, similar to the ones on Spooner's original, and ropes around the axles as we discussed previously. I have also modified the shafts, which are now one unit instead of just two separate shafts. They are now connected by a rear cross beam and diagonal bracing where they fix to the fifth wheel and front axle assembly. They might still not be correct but certainly look better....
This looks so much better than the first incarnation, which was based on a standard gauge prototype. It makes it more suitable for the limited clearance which was available on the Ffestiniog Railway, but has now shown up the difference in height when placed against the horsebox.
You can see what is coming next ......
This looks so much better than the first incarnation, which was based on a standard gauge prototype. It makes it more suitable for the limited clearance which was available on the Ffestiniog Railway, but has now shown up the difference in height when placed against the horsebox.
You can see what is coming next ......
The best things in life are free.... so why am I doing this?
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
That looks very nice Peter!
Trevor
Trevor
- Peter Butler
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Thank you Trevor, well worth the effort I think.
As for the horsebox, it is a Sixteen Mills, West Clare Railways horsebox kit, so is probably on the large side from the start? The dimensions are stated as being 160mm high, which when placed against some of my stock does look tall. Horses do need headroom so I accepted that at the start, but now the contrast with the Brougham carriage is too much to live with.....
The soleplate has laser-cut axle boxes as a single component so has had to be separated, cut down and re-attached using a joining piece. The springs have been salvaged and stuck back separately. Overall the height has been reduced to 145mm, which is much more pleasing.....
As for the horsebox, it is a Sixteen Mills, West Clare Railways horsebox kit, so is probably on the large side from the start? The dimensions are stated as being 160mm high, which when placed against some of my stock does look tall. Horses do need headroom so I accepted that at the start, but now the contrast with the Brougham carriage is too much to live with.....
The soleplate has laser-cut axle boxes as a single component so has had to be separated, cut down and re-attached using a joining piece. The springs have been salvaged and stuck back separately. Overall the height has been reduced to 145mm, which is much more pleasing.....
The best things in life are free.... so why am I doing this?
- Old Man Aaron
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Aye, that looks much better now that you mention it. Dropping ride height can be tricky, I'm impressed you got 15mm out of it.
Regards,
Aaron - Scum Class Works
Aaron - Scum Class Works
- Peter Butler
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
'Every little helps' as the saying goes, so having been given three, 3D printed, Jerry cans I needed to find a suitable place to install them. Recently I have been making little modifications to some existing rolling stock to add small detail to enhance their appearance, so I looked for something suitable.
These are the Jerry cans.....
And here they are alongside a stationary engine, recently restored to its former glory and being transferred to the BURPS museum collection for display.....
A minor change, but entirely in keeping.
These are the Jerry cans.....
And here they are alongside a stationary engine, recently restored to its former glory and being transferred to the BURPS museum collection for display.....
A minor change, but entirely in keeping.
The best things in life are free.... so why am I doing this?
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
That wagon load looks just right - I particularly like the chains... You may have just inspired my to improve a few of my own loads, a perfect winter project...
Cheers,
Andrew.
Cheers,
Andrew.
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
That looks very nice
Trevor
Trevor
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
I can't believe it has been a month since I last posted on this thread, I haven't done much, but this is what I'm working on at present.
Inspired by Andrew in his (WH) WHR thread, I thought I might add the Ffestiniog Railway Hearse Van to my collection. This is the Timpdon Models kit, and very nice it is too! Well cut and detailed, and plenty of instructions (just as Andrew has already explained), it went together quickly. I found the deep cuts between planking were reluctant to accept paint but after several light spray coats it eventually works.
I sprayed the flat sides and the overlays separately before attaching just to make sure the paint didn't pool in the corners and this has worked well. ....
More to follow......
Inspired by Andrew in his (WH) WHR thread, I thought I might add the Ffestiniog Railway Hearse Van to my collection. This is the Timpdon Models kit, and very nice it is too! Well cut and detailed, and plenty of instructions (just as Andrew has already explained), it went together quickly. I found the deep cuts between planking were reluctant to accept paint but after several light spray coats it eventually works.
I sprayed the flat sides and the overlays separately before attaching just to make sure the paint didn't pool in the corners and this has worked well. ....
More to follow......
The best things in life are free.... so why am I doing this?
- Peter Butler
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Meanwhile.... I have started to build the incomplete IP Engineering carriage kit which I bought on ebay from a private seller. All I had were the sides, seats, and a few unidentifiable bits, but no instructions.
I thought it looked too long for my line so I cut a section out of both ends and glued it back together making four, rather than six compartments. The seats provided looked very basic and rather clumsy so I made up some spare ones previously bought from The Lineside Hut. New exterior overlays were cut for me by a very helpful friend and I made an interior skin from card to support the window glazing (supplied).... More of this to follow too!
I thought it looked too long for my line so I cut a section out of both ends and glued it back together making four, rather than six compartments. The seats provided looked very basic and rather clumsy so I made up some spare ones previously bought from The Lineside Hut. New exterior overlays were cut for me by a very helpful friend and I made an interior skin from card to support the window glazing (supplied).... More of this to follow too!
The best things in life are free.... so why am I doing this?
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Thanks for the progress report Peter, it's nice to see what everyone's up to. I really like what you're doing with the IP kit.
The hearse kit is good, isn't it? I had the same problem with spraying into the etched planking detail but it wasn't too much of an issue because I brush-painted the top coats. As I recall, the first coat of (acrylic) black was pretty watery, with a little washing up liquid added to help it run into the gaps.
Incidentally, I was a bit concerned when I first added the wheels, because they wouldn't turn freely at all, but the advice in the instructions worked fine. I just opened out the holes a fraction with some sandparer wrapped around a dowel, then reassembled and it ran beautifully. Actually, although I say that, I've not tested it yet - the goods train I ran at the weekend seemed too frivilous to include a hearse, somehow!
All the best,
Andrew.
The hearse kit is good, isn't it? I had the same problem with spraying into the etched planking detail but it wasn't too much of an issue because I brush-painted the top coats. As I recall, the first coat of (acrylic) black was pretty watery, with a little washing up liquid added to help it run into the gaps.
Incidentally, I was a bit concerned when I first added the wheels, because they wouldn't turn freely at all, but the advice in the instructions worked fine. I just opened out the holes a fraction with some sandparer wrapped around a dowel, then reassembled and it ran beautifully. Actually, although I say that, I've not tested it yet - the goods train I ran at the weekend seemed too frivilous to include a hearse, somehow!
All the best,
Andrew.
- Peter Butler
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Andrew, I haven't fitted the wheels yet as I intend to replace the Binnie ones with metal IP wheels of the same diameter. This will add some weight low down and I plan to put a little lead flashing between the frames too. Pictures to follow.
The best things in life are free.... so why am I doing this?
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Yes I did that - having first discounted the option of adding weight by building a lead-lined coffin to go inside...Peter Butler wrote: ↑Thu Nov 18, 2021 12:53 pm I plan to put a little lead flashing between the frames too.
- Peter Butler
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Andrew wrote: ↑Thu Nov 18, 2021 1:30 pmYes I did that - having first discounted the option of adding weight by building a lead-lined coffin to go inside...Peter Butler wrote: ↑Thu Nov 18, 2021 12:53 pm I plan to put a little lead flashing between the frames too.
I should have thought of that one, and made the doors open too!
The best things in life are free.... so why am I doing this?
- Peter Butler
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
The hearse is now complete but not had its ex-works picture taken yet. Meanwhile, just a comparison shot of seating from different suppliers.....
The one on the left came with the incomplete IP kit and it took a while for me to work out what they were without instructions, simple slot-together sections.... Doh!!!!
The others are from various Lineside Hut kits and are much more detailed. I chose the middle ones for the IP coach kit, although I had to shorten them to fit, probably because of the extra thickness of the side-wall panelling.
No pictures of the interior yet, but this is the exterior before glazing....
The one on the left came with the incomplete IP kit and it took a while for me to work out what they were without instructions, simple slot-together sections.... Doh!!!!
The others are from various Lineside Hut kits and are much more detailed. I chose the middle ones for the IP coach kit, although I had to shorten them to fit, probably because of the extra thickness of the side-wall panelling.
No pictures of the interior yet, but this is the exterior before glazing....
The best things in life are free.... so why am I doing this?
- Peter Butler
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
The hearse is complete, as mentioned above, and sited on the railway for its photo session. I am pleased with it, particularly with the added detailing of corner strapping and bolt heads, thanks must go to Andrew for making me aware of those. The metal wheels have made it more stable on the track along with a strip of lead flashing between the frames, it now runs very smoothly....
Somewhere in the early pages of this thread I probably mentioned my existing hearse, which I scratch-built about forty years ago. This one however was my impression of an upmarket Victorian style hearse, complete with vicar, mourning widow and daughter, also floral tributes on the roof.....
Somewhere in the early pages of this thread I probably mentioned my existing hearse, which I scratch-built about forty years ago. This one however was my impression of an upmarket Victorian style hearse, complete with vicar, mourning widow and daughter, also floral tributes on the roof.....
The best things in life are free.... so why am I doing this?
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
I think your version has a lot more style, Peter. Let's just say the Ffestiniog van is somewhat utilitarian....
Rik
Rik
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Certainly the FR one is basic but shows dignity and respect. My version definitely shows a class divide and would be out of reach for the workforce of a quarrying community. Early railways were very much like that though, so I feel justified in having it on the line.
The best things in life are free.... so why am I doing this?
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Were the brass finials supplied with the kit or did you make or adapt them?
Rik
Rik
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
The brass finials were supplied with the FR kit and I quote from Andrew's own experience with his kit build ....
''- the turned brass "urns" for the corners of the roof are superb, my favourite part of the kit...''
The ones on my own Victorian style hearse are cast brass, which were made by a friend who was a jeweller in Birmingham.
''- the turned brass "urns" for the corners of the roof are superb, my favourite part of the kit...''
The ones on my own Victorian style hearse are cast brass, which were made by a friend who was a jeweller in Birmingham.
The best things in life are free.... so why am I doing this?
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Both hearses look splendid Peter - I particularly like the steps enabling flowers to be added to the roof of the "posh" one.
In one of the darker recesses of my mind, my imagination is now conjuring up scenarios after which both hearses could be used in the same train, mostly involving tragic inspection visits to mines in which both owner and miners meet a sticky end... Ever the (garden) railwaymen, the next task my brain sets itself to is to consider the rest of the rake, with accommodation for upper and lower class mourners. I really need to get out more...
Cheers,
Andrew.
In one of the darker recesses of my mind, my imagination is now conjuring up scenarios after which both hearses could be used in the same train, mostly involving tragic inspection visits to mines in which both owner and miners meet a sticky end... Ever the (garden) railwaymen, the next task my brain sets itself to is to consider the rest of the rake, with accommodation for upper and lower class mourners. I really need to get out more...
Cheers,
Andrew.
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