Skylark loco build

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ge_rik
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Skylark loco build

Post by ge_rik » Wed Oct 06, 2021 11:30 am

As mentioned on the 'What have you been up to...." thread, I've decided to turn my spare Bachmann Lyn motor block into a Kerr Stuart Skylark.

There were quite a few variations on the basic "off the shelf" design and so I've decided to go for that used on the Metropolitan Water Board Railway.
kempston 3.jpg
kempston 3.jpg (62.08 KiB) Viewed 5311 times

As with all my loco builds, I've started with the running plate.
Skylark1.jpg
Skylark1.jpg (173.21 KiB) Viewed 5311 times

I'll get that printed out and see if it needs any further tweaking to fit on the motor block before going any further.

Rik
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Re: Skylark loco build

Post by ge_rik » Wed Oct 06, 2021 1:48 pm

A bit more progress. While I'm waiting for the running plate to print (14.5 hours), I thought I'd crack on with some of the other bits. Normally, I'd do the cab next but this time I thought I'd start with the other end.

Smokebox and its support
Skylark2.jpg
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Skylark3.jpg
Skylark3.jpg (153.78 KiB) Viewed 5296 times
Boiler next, I think

Rik
PS - As you can see. This version of the Skylark had very few rivet or bolt heads - quite a smooth finish.
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Re: Skylark loco build

Post by ge_rik » Wed Oct 06, 2021 1:52 pm

I might have to rename my locos. This one was called Sunbury. I name my steam locos after local villages and I already have one named Bunbury. I think it would be more appropriate to call this one Bunbury

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Re: Skylark loco build

Post by Garethh » Wed Oct 06, 2021 2:20 pm

Looking forward to seeing this progress, I don’t live far from the site of the old water board railway and have always thought it’d make a nice modelling project!

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Re: Skylark loco build

Post by Peter Butler » Wed Oct 06, 2021 2:46 pm

That is a really nice little locomotive to have doing some light work on your line Rik. I was most tempted to buy the PDF Models version when it was introduced but missed out on the special offer. I can't find their website now, are they trading again following the tragic loss of Peter?
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Re: Skylark loco build

Post by -steves- » Wed Oct 06, 2021 3:03 pm

Peter Butler wrote: Wed Oct 06, 2021 2:46 pm That is a really nice little locomotive to have doing some light work on your line Rik. I was most tempted to buy the PDF Models version when it was introduced but missed out on the special offer. I can't find their website now, are they trading again following the tragic loss of Peter?
Yes they are still trading and still doing the Skylark for £120 :thumbup:

https://www.pdf-models.co.uk/product-pa ... rt-skylark
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Re: Skylark loco build

Post by ge_rik » Thu Oct 07, 2021 12:34 pm

Well, the running plate has printed OK.
IMG_2192.JPG
IMG_2192.JPG (1.58 MiB) Viewed 5203 times

The motor block has been lightly butchered:
Before
IMG_2196.JPG
IMG_2196.JPG (1.33 MiB) Viewed 5203 times

And after
IMG_2208.JPG
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The outside frames have been removed (I'll print more appropriate ones later), the tops of the cylinders have been clicked off and the moulding at the back attached with a razor saw to take the running plate - which, I'm pleased to say, is a good, snug fit.
IMG_2205.JPG
IMG_2205.JPG (858.72 KiB) Viewed 5203 times

I can now play around with the cab and boiler parts which might need to be remodelled to accommodate the top of the motor block.

Always a very satisfying feeling when the running plate has been done.

Rik
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Re: Skylark loco build

Post by Peter Butler » Thu Oct 07, 2021 12:59 pm

Excellent start Rik and a sound foundation to support the superstructure too. Looks like a decent surface finish with not too much preparation work required for a good paint finish.
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Re: Skylark loco build

Post by ge_rik » Thu Oct 07, 2021 1:32 pm

Now pressing ahead with the rest of the boiler. My model is a compromise between the proposed design for the MWB locos and what was actually produced. The proposed locos had a longer driving wheelbase (much closer to the Bachmann Lyn dimensions) and the step down in the running plate was further back (which fits the block better). I've decided to keep the larger firebox though, (not on the proposal) as this is quite distinctive.

So, here's the boiler - modified slightly to fit over the motor block
Skylark4.jpg
Skylark4.jpg (77.14 KiB) Viewed 5197 times

And here's the firebox. 3D printing is better at producing curved edges than even my most careful filing and sanding achieved on my plasticard builds. Again, the cut-out is to clear the top of the motor block.
Skylark5.jpg
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Re: Skylark loco build

Post by ge_rik » Thu Oct 07, 2021 1:44 pm

On reflection, I decided to enlarge the cut-out on the firebox to give more room for batteries and other gubbins.
Skylark5a.jpg
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Re: Skylark loco build

Post by ge_rik » Thu Oct 07, 2021 2:11 pm

A bit of cosmetic work on the backhead (stolen and then reworked from my Schull loco)
Skylark5b.jpg
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Re: Skylark loco build

Post by ge_rik » Thu Oct 07, 2021 7:20 pm

Cab sides and front and back now done - and the boiler parts are being printed.
Skylark6a.jpg
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Skylark6b.jpg
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Skylark7a.jpg
Skylark7a.jpg (105.85 KiB) Viewed 5176 times
Skylark7b.jpg
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Re: Skylark loco build

Post by philipy » Fri Oct 08, 2021 5:34 am

Those drawings are most impressive Rik. Every time you post a drawing, I just wish I could get on well with Tinker! :roll:
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Re: Skylark loco build

Post by ge_rik » Fri Oct 08, 2021 9:19 am

Thanks Philip
I supposed my bodgelling background helps. You'll notice on most of the drawings there are tiny flaws where some shapes aren't quite aligned properly. I think most conscientious modellers would keep going back to make minute adjustments until there was perfect alignment. I've learned to live with those small anomalies. I've realised that, with a 0.4mm diameter nozzle, they aren't picked-up during the printing process.

If I was selling the drawings or the models, I might be a bit more assiduous.

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Re: Skylark loco build

Post by philipy » Fri Oct 08, 2021 11:53 am

ge_rik wrote: Fri Oct 08, 2021 9:19 am I might be a bit more assiduous.

I believe you can get an ointment for that now! :lol: :lol:
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Re: Skylark loco build

Post by ge_rik » Fri Oct 08, 2021 1:43 pm

The front end is slowly getting there ......
IMG_2209.JPG
IMG_2209.JPG (851.88 KiB) Viewed 4296 times
.....but the back end less so. They say every day is a school day. I thought I might be able to get away with printing the firebox as a single unit hoping that the inherent stringiness of PETG would enable it to bridge the void beneath the backhead ...... no such luck!
IMG_2210.JPG
IMG_2210.JPG (596.06 KiB) Viewed 4296 times

The strings turned to blobs which caught on the nozzle and pulled it off the bed.

So Plan B. Sliced the firebox into two and print the two parts separately.
Skylark5c.jpg
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Skylark5d.jpg
Skylark5d.jpg (132.56 KiB) Viewed 4296 times

Not wasting the bit I've already printed, though. I'll tidy it up and stick the backhead (which is now printing) to it. Waste not want not..... :lol:

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Re: Skylark loco build

Post by ge_rik » Fri Oct 08, 2021 1:49 pm

Tanks now drawn. After my previous experience, I'm trying to decide on the best orientation to print them. There are overhangs whichever way I turn it. I don't like using supports unless there's absolutely no alternative.
Skylark8a.jpg
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Skylark8b.jpg
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Re: Skylark loco build

Post by ge_rik » Fri Oct 08, 2021 2:39 pm

As a bodgeller, I don't tend to plan ahead and so I tweak and adapt each model as it progresses. In the days when I was doing this in plasticard, I would sometimes have to hack bits off a partially constructed model so the next bit would fit. I've extended that bodgelling approach to 3D drawing and printing.

Now I've drawn the tanks, I've realised I can do away with the lower section of the boiler to provide more uninterrupted room inside for the electrics. So, I've sliced away the lower half of the boiler where it will fit against the tanks. I anticipated that might happen so that's why I've not printed he boiler as yet.
Skylark4b.jpg
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Re: Skylark loco build

Post by ge_rik » Fri Oct 08, 2021 3:04 pm

The drawings don't show the tank fillers and the photos don't help much, other than that they seem to be round. I can't see a handle or hinge so have improvised. As my loco is an amalgamation of what was proposed with what was actually produced, I think I can I'm allowed some artistic licence. Drawn in two parts to overcome the dreaded overhang.
Skylark9.jpg
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Re: Skylark loco build

Post by ge_rik » Fri Oct 08, 2021 3:39 pm

The two parts of the firebox have now been reunited ....
IMG_2214.JPG
IMG_2214.JPG (561.02 KiB) Viewed 4277 times

.... and so the loco is beginning to take shape.
IMG_2217.JPG
IMG_2217.JPG (678.11 KiB) Viewed 4277 times

Rik
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