Time to build a railway...but where?

[ge_rik]

If Phil's ok with it, we could meet at his stand at an allotted time.

Rik

[Peter Butler]

If Phil's ok with it, we could meet at his stand at an allotted time.

Rik

It's a couple of hours drive for me but I hope to be there before 11am. and stay for a few hours before visiting the W&L.

[Lonsdaler]

Thanks for your comment Phil, I'm pleased you approve.

The gold leaf has no self adhesive properties other than static, which can be a real nightmare! Traditionally it was applied to a surface prepared with Gold Size, although what it consisted of I have no idea. When searching for it on-line I eventually discovered the modern equivalent, which is 'Metal Leaf Size'. Looking like the colour and consistency of milk it is described as 'Acrylic Adhesive'.

It is sparingly applied and allowed to become clear with low tack. It then has a working window of up to 48 hours. The leaf is so fine it will adhere to anything! The trick is to draw the leaf slowly and carefully with a small plastic rectangle (provided) towards the workpiece and the static will pull the leaf in place. A soft brush can be used to ensure the recesses are covered too. Once the piece has fully set it can be burnished.

From the beginning I decided there would be no overhead restrictions on my line. Loading gauge is therefore not a problem at home but may be elsewhere? The organ possibly looks tall because it has a low base. In fact it is only 15mm taller than my Garratt and probably equal to my double deck tram?

Phil P is kindly supplying a suitable, pre-wired, Rx and full sound system for me to install and I hope to have it finished to take to Llanfair where I might be able to run it on one of the layouts there?.... That is sure to annoy someone!

Thanks for the insight to working with gold leaf - something I have often wondered about. I can't envisage a use for it with anything I'm working on, but who knows?
I may get to Llanfair, so will look forward to seeing it in action. I know you don't 'do video' but if ever you run it with others around, maybe we will get a foretaste.

[gilfachphil]

I have had good results with gilding cream, which is probably much easier to use than gold leaf,

Phil

[Phil.P]

If Phil's ok with it, we could meet at his stand at an allotted time.

Rik

This sounds like a plan is coming together?

I will probably be admiring it from the corner of my eye, but will see if I can despatch Jane to record it 'in song'?
I need to get on top of things, as I have 4472 to get ready, and a 'shed-load' of other things to sort out!

Phil.P

[Lonsdaler]

I have had good results with gilding cream, which is probably much easier to use than gold leaf,

Phil

I've not heard of that at all. Time to flex my (not g**gle) search engine.

[gilfachphil]

Liberon make a range of colours of gilding cream, other brands are available. I have a tube of something called ‘Goldfinger’,

Phil

[Peter Butler]

'Goldfinger' is very good for touching up slight damage to picture frames and other ornaments, although not stable on ceramics or other glazed surfaces. I used it throughout my picture framing career. It is also available in silver.

[Peter Butler]

Although I recently posted pictures and description of my Fairground Organ build, I had by-passed another of my road to rail conversions.
Attached are a couple of images showing the 'before' view of the donor vehicle's chassis and, despite it appearing to show a perspective difference in wheel gauge, it is in fact dual gauge as built!

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Can you guess what it is yet?.... I'm looking at you, Drew!

[Preseli Chris]

Peter.
That's an easy one. Its a BMW Isetta. The four wheeled version . What is intriguing is how will you fit a motor gearbox into a very small space . You must have a mini motor setup ,or the car is the Isetta Tardis variant.

Chtis

[Peter Butler]

Too easy Chris, must try harder!
It is a very small vehicle to fit everything in but I have managed to put a standard 6v motor and gearbox driving the front wheels and five AAA batteries at the rear underneath the engine cover. It looks tidy but I can only fit a driver figure by major surgery to his lower parts so he straddles the motor. So far I haven't done so, and with the tinted windows it is less important, but will get done soon....

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Being a die-cast model it is quite heavy so runs very smoothly with Phil P's R/C installed.

[Phil.P]

I suppose it depends on how you look at it...
Whether it is a 'more gauge', or a 'less-gauge' conversion?

I'll shut the door, on the way out..

Phil.P

[Preseli Chris]

WOW .

[FWLR]

I suppose it depends on how you look at it...
Whether it is a 'more gauge', or a 'less-gauge' conversion?

I'll shut the door, on the way out..

Phil.P

Hi Phil,

Have you received my PM’s

[ge_rik]

Another great conversion, Peter.
A pity the motor shaft doesn't extend out of the top of the motor - you could give the driver a rotating hat ....

Rik

[Peter Butler]

A pity the motor shaft doesn't extend out of the top of the motor - you could give the driver a rotating hat ....

Rik

Dear oh dear Rik, I would never be thought of as a serious modeller again!

[Phil.P]

Hi Phil,

Have you received my PM’s

Yes Rod, and have replied..
I will take this to email.

Phil.P

[Peter Butler]

Big fan of funny little cars myself, especially Messerschmitts... (Try making one of those into a railcar! )

Never realised they built things without wings. Old and weird, just how I like a car.

Whilst browsing for something else I stumbled upon this comment from dudeface and Aaron. I had completely forgotten about it, despite reading, and usually commenting, on all your messages.

The reason I'm replying after all this time (Feb 2024) is because I have recently completed my latest build and was about to add it to my thread anyway.
What a coincidence....

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The original is a three wheeler, as shown on the original picture, so the rear end is too narrow to take the 32mm wheel gauge. To accommodate this I had to take an angle grinder to the side of the die-cast model and add extended wheel arches (quartered round top from cosmetic bottle) which don't look at all out of place.
Driven by a tiny motor with axles either side through a built-in reduction gearbox. Rechargeable batteries, RC Trains Rx, 2 way switch and charge point. And why not???

Do you think it's time I sought professional help?

[FWLR]

Well I think it looks brilliant Peter. You have somehow brought it to life onto a 16mm garden railway that for me doesn't look out of place.

[GTB]

The original is a three wheeler, as shown on the original picture, so the rear end is too narrow to take the 32mm wheel gauge.

Do you think it's time I sought professional help?

Neat work on the rear end conversion. No idea if anyone does a diecast model, but the real contraption came in a 4 wheel 'sports' version as well. It was the hoon's version, with a 2 cylinder motor and about the same horsepower as a ride-on mower (20hp).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FMR_Tg500

Not sure what use professional help would be, most shrinks and trick-cyclists are as mad as their patients.

Graeme