Semi-scale BR: almost a 2MT

[FWLR]

Excellent build. I love the way it looks in every way. Like Peter and others I suspect, I don't have much knowledge, if any! on what is correct or not. But who cares, if you like it that is all that matters. It's for you after all Bertie.

Like Peter too, I use Dichloromethane solvent, it's quick and easy and it also doesn't have any nasty smell with it that lingers, especially with Anne and her Bronchiectasis.

[BertieB]

FWLR ~ Thanks very much! Obviously, I enjoy doing these things and I can’t be overly concerned with what's accurate or 'correct' (because they’re not) but, I suppose, I do get frustrated with my own unforced errors and silly mistakes. A couple always seem to creep through...

I hadn't been aware of Dichloromethane but as I started typing it into the search engine, all sorts of horrendous hazard warnings appeared! Is this of general concern?

Given that my 'workbench' is really the kitchen table, I guess I should probably leave it alone.

[GTB]

I hadn't been aware of Dichloromethane but as I started typing it into the search engine, all sorts of horrendous hazard warnings appeared! Is this of general concern?

Given that my 'workbench' is really the kitchen table, I guess I should probably leave it alone.

Personally I won't use it as a glue for polystyrene, as there are safer alternatives, but the paint stripper I use now and again contains it. I treat that with respect and only use it outside, or just inside the open garage door if it is raining.

For glueing polystyrene sheet and mouldings I use either MEK, or Limonene. If I have to glue ABS parts I keep a bottle of THF (Tetrahydrofuran), as I can no longer get Plastruct Plastic Weld locally.

All solvents screw around with your body to some extent, usually liver, kidneys or nervous system and some are carcinogens. It depends on how much you use and how well ventilated the work area is kept. DCM (dichloromethane) is on both the IARC and NTP lists of probable human carcinogens for instance, but the solvents I use aren't. As you've done, check the Safety Data Sheet if unsure of the safety issues of a given chemical.

Humans have a lousy sense of smell and just because you can't smell a solvent, doesn't mean it's at a safe level.

Regards,
Graeme

[BertieB]

A few weeks later and it now has a couple of coats of Wilko spraycan black and Humbrol varnish.

And at the risk of arguing the bleedin’ obvious, things look different when you paint them another colour. The removal of the US style white band around the wheels, for example, must have overcome some sort of powerful, optical illusion magic, as the wheels now seem much smaller (they are small, of course).

And perversely, it seemed to me that the initial black satin finish, with full-on, lined, mixed traffic finery, actually emphasised the toy-like proportions. The matt finish has sobered it up a bit perhaps.

The lining, numbers and so on were printed on to white, DIY waterslide decal paper from ‘MrDecalPaper.com’ which, I’m pleased to say, seems to deliver more consistently usable results from my cheapo HP inkjet than other papers I’ve tried. Needed a bit of touching up here and there but not much – edges mostly.

I don’t even attempt weathering but want the sort of crisp, simplified finish (and helpful absence of difficult detail) you might see on architects’ or industrial designers’ models. Hope to achieve it one day.

Unfortunately, I then went and knocked it off the coffee table... Repaired now but the right hand side is slightly skew-whiff. It’s not too obvious but I’ll have to make sure it only goes round the garden clockwise.

The Deltang stuff is yet to be installed (I’ve been advised to use a smaller battery, not 14.4v) and the garden’s in a terrible state, needing a load of work and a few trips to the dump, which I’m not up for doing right now. I suppose it might be a while before l actually get to give it a go. Let’s hope it works!

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Didn't like the original, fifth picture – so I’ve replaced it with a couple of new ones. Even though it looks a bit N-gauge

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[invicta280]

There's something about a well proportioned mogul (or a 2-6-2T). This, like the N class, is a winner.
Looking forward to whatever rolls out of your workshop next.

[BertieB]

Looking forward to whatever rolls out of your workshop next.

Thank you very much! I’ll admit I’ve been plotting: pondering prototypes which would avoid my usual ‘wheel size / motor block / dodgy proportions’ issues. And I’ve got one! And it’s, erm, ‘unconventional’ which is even better. Likely to take quite a while though... Cheers.

[FWLR]

Love it Bertie, that deep matt black as made it even more beautiful.

[Andrew]

She's a beauty! Really captures the spirit of the original, and with some lovely detail - I'm very much looking forward to seeing footage of it running in due course...

Intrigued by the "unconventional" next model too...

All the best,

Andrew

[Lonsdaler]

I saw the pristine 4MT 2-6-0 at the North Norfolk Railway not that long ago and now (along with any of the Bulleids, obviously) it’s on my shortlist for the Most Agreeable Looking Locomotive award.

Ooh. Is that this one?

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I was there in September 2018. Love the beat as it pulled out of Weybourne up the grade towards Kelling. I think your model captures the essence of this really well

[BertieB]

Thanks again for all the kind (and useful) comments.

“Ooh. Is that this one?”

Yes! That’s it.

It (the 4MT) is a fair bit bigger and more powerful than the 2MT (the photographs I referenced making the model) - so Wikipedia tells me - but I like the sensible, modern appearance, ‘family resemblance’ and detailing of both (I know nothing about locomotive design, it’s just the aesthetics). Cool video, thank you.

[Sylvian Tennant]

That's lovey bit of kit.

I have two Aristocraft 0-4-0 switchers of which one will represent a 2ft 9in gauge USA Tank and the other I'm planning to make into a narrow gauge version of the Ivatt 4MT.

[BertieB]

"...a 2ft 9in gauge USA Tank... and a narrow gauge version of the Ivatt 4MT"

Yes please! I look forward to seeing them.

[ge_rik]

Love it Bertie, that deep matt black as made it even more beautiful.

My thoughts exactly. You seem to have achieved just the right balance - not quite matt, not quite satin. Really enhances its appearance. I've tried really hard but I can't detect any skewifferiness.... (The spellchecker doesn't recognise this word but does offer housewifeliness)

Rik

[FWLR]

"housewifeliness' now that's a good word Rik...

[Jimmyb]

skewifferiness; housewifeliness, is there much difference in meaning (ducks quickly)

[BertieB]

Now a challenging and provocative video of it in ‘Videos’: Semi-scale BR: almost the first train of spring 2020, should you fancy it.

[Tom85]

This is really impressive. I'm amazed what people are able to scratchbuild. And I'm sure in some alternative reality, BR operated a network of narrow gauge lines, and built modified versions of the Standard class locos for them... Why not eh? Excellent work

[BertieB]

“...I’m amazed what people are able to scratchbuild”

Thank you very much. It’s built in much the same way as your Bagnall, there’s just a bit more of it.

In no time at all you’ll be pursuing an ever more ambitious building programme, with far more locomotives, rolling stock and the rest, than your railway could ever possibly require... But it’ll be fun - Happy building!

[ge_rik]

skewifferiness; housewifeliness, is there much difference in meaning (ducks quickly)

This sounds like thin ice territory, so I'm steering well clear!

Rik

[Spreeweld]

Lovely model have been watching your youtube channel great stuff keep it up how about an Ivatt 2-6-2t list endless . I just wonder round the world building to bigger engines for my railway I get carried away

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It is so good to see good healthy scratchbuilding !!