Garden Railway Forum

Hi all.
One ducket trying for fit. David.

Dis-heartening episode after all the effort but well worth starting fresh as you would always regret not doing so. Looking wonderful!

They are looking nice coaches. I've been there a few times thinking I can neatly touch up...and I can't. Do I learn? Those new duckets have been a patient build I'm sure it will pay off.

Hi all.
Just finished cutting the 2 new sets of beading. Another 24 rounded corners he he. Because i am planning to fit them after painting and fitting the duckets, i have made them full height.
David.

The amount of time and energy you have spent on this coach is it going to live in a glass cabinet!

Hi Tom.
All my stock is made to be used.
David.

Brave lad, well done so far.

I've not been called lad for a few years. And then some. Lol.
David.

Hi all.
New duckets and beading primed (3 coats) and painted. Next job to paint the cream panels.
David.

Looks like a beautiful finish this time, you should be well pleased with that.

I am peter, but disappointed the first set didn't work out as planned.
David

Hi all
Started to glue the beading on to the duckets this evening. I am using araldite rapid Grant. (Quick drying epoxy).
I am starting on the sharp curve (top) first and letting it dry completely before moving down. Not a quick job i know but if i tried to do it all in one go i know i would get glue everywhere. Probably take another two sessions to complete this one job.
David.

Just noticed how different the colour looks in different light.
David.

Very nice David.
I know what you mean about light source and colours. Artificial light can have some very interesting effects on how our eyes see colours. Paint matching except in daylight can be a nightmare.

David,
Your duckets are a work of art in themselves and again you demonstrate the need for patience, as those overlays must have taken quite some time. Can't wait to see the finished article.

Hi all.
While waiting for paint and glue to cure on the duckets i have made a start on the coach underframe. The two points that stand out to me looking at photos 2 and 3 on page 1 of this thread are the rivets/bolts on the solebars and the fact that the solebars are set in slightly from the ends of the buffer beams. From the makers photo of the coach i have scaled up the relative distances of the four sets of 4 rivets and the pair of single rivets. Following other threads on this forum, there are obviously a few methods members use for adding rivet detail. I have previously done it in a way i have not seen before and have used it this time also.
After cutting two solebars 9mm by 3mm to appropriate length i marked out the relative positions of the rivets with pencil and punched with a steel scriber point. The next job was to drill through with a 1mm drill. Soft dressmakers pins were then cut to approx 3mm in length and superglued into the holes. Completed solebars and buffer beams.
Closeup of rivet detail.

The buffer beams are made as a lamination of 3 pieces of 3mm by 3mm wood which has allowed me to include a 12mm x 3mm slot to take the square shaft of the Slaters chopper couplings that i use. The width of the slot allows the coupling to swing horizontally.

Hi all.
Before glueing the beading i felt it time to attach the First/Third transfers (IP Engineering). In the past i have had to do this after the beading has been applied and the coach sides painted, my Pickering brake for example, but this has proved to be a much easier task. It has been much easier to apply the transfers onto a flat surface than between beading strips.
Transfers applied.
Beading rested in place prior to gluing.

Good to see this wonderful project drawing to an end. Can't wait to see the finished article.
Grant.

Hi Grant.
Thanks for that. Beading to glue on and underframe to finish then its on with fitting out the inside. At the moment i am leaning towards oak or mahogany slatted seats in 3rd class and padded leather in 1st. :-)
D.

Having just discussed slatted seats up in projects, I know that yours will be individual slats with uniform gaps between!. I'm certain the result will be high class.
Grant.