Time to build a railway...but where?

[Peter Butler]

Returning to the 'Lineside Hut' Bug Box,....this is the time to select the carriage type you wish to build, as previously stated, there are either glazed windows or window blanks which can be installed....

IMG_7238.JPG (110.11 KiB) Viewed 5665 times

IMG_7237.JPG (111.28 KiB) Viewed 5665 times

The glazing supplied is amazing, it is precisely cut/moulded into well fitting panels of 2mm and 3mm thickness. The 3mm are the smaller ones which represent fixed glazing, the 2mm ones allow for drop-light frames (supplied) to be fitted, surrounding the glazing and beneath the outer overlay.

IMG_7261.JPG (113.45 KiB) Viewed 5665 times

Final detailing includes buffers and roof lamp-top in whitemetal (looks large to me so replaced with vent).
Completed as per the instructions the finished vehicle looks very nice....

IMG_7264.JPG (100.72 KiB) Viewed 5665 times

IMG_7270.JPG (81.97 KiB) Viewed 5665 times

But...... as shown earlier, the axle-boxes are fixed height with no option included to alter the ride height, which is very low indeed... only 5-6mm above rails. I doubt this would be acceptable in many garden railways as track-side obstructions are usually there to catch the unwary. To increase the ride height I fitted 3mm strips between the axle boxes and the underfloor to lower the wheel-sets.

IMG_7261.JPG (113.45 KiB) Viewed 5665 times

This has brought the coach into line with the others.
Overall I have thoroughly enjoyed building this kit which has proved to be detailed, very well planned in design and construction, made of superior ply material and gives a choice of two types of coach in one kit.
Value for money.... very good indeed and highly recommended.

Edit.... the sequence of pictures appears different to that in my text... some are duplicated and others out of place. Sorry, they are relevant to the post anyway.

[Peter Butler]

The third of my Bug Box kits is from Jeremy Irwin, he has a list of available kits here.... https://www.flickr.com/photos/107486657 ... 8655086333
The Bug Box I bought is the 'Porthole Carriage' which is laser cut in MDF and available with plastic wheels at £ 34.00 or metal wheels at £ 43.00 (plus £4.50 postage) both include ball axle bearings as standard.
The kit comprises a huge array of precisely cut MDF parts and includes a printed sheet of various other kits with links to You-tube video instructions. These are the most useful building tutorials as there is no chance of misinterpreting any written instruction.

IMG_7210.JPG (127.99 KiB) Viewed 5663 times

The first part to construct is the complex chassis which even includes brake-gear, even though it will never be visible! The unit is self contained and fits snugly beneath the seating....

IMG_7219.JPG (102.99 KiB) Viewed 5663 times

IMG_7220.JPG (102.7 KiB) Viewed 5663 times

The ball bearings (included in all of Jerry's kits) ensure the coach rolls with next to no resistance....

IMG_7229.JPG (106.46 KiB) Viewed 5663 times

As can be seen, I always use metal wheels on my stock and find it helps with weight and improved performance.
More to follow....

[FWLR]

Hi Peter.

Looking forward to this build has I haven't been able to get one of Jerry's kits yet, lack of funds is the main reason at the moment. They do have a lot of parts and your description for building them are brilliant to see. Has you say he does have videos on which to find out how to build his kits, I did watch one of them some time ago, but you improve the build with what you find and your experience on builds is next to perfection for me.

[Peter Butler]

The final part of the Jerry Irwin build....
Putting the sides together couldn't be easier or more accurate as there are templates included to ensure everything lines up precisely.

IMG_7283.JPG (96.3 KiB) Viewed 5589 times

I prefer to paint the sides, ends and overlays before assembly, this makes for a tidier finish....

IMG_7285.JPG (87.76 KiB) Viewed 5589 times

The whole thing is 'dry assembled' at this stage with no glue applied, the top is reinforced with another jig (part of which is removed later) to keep everything square....

IMG_7284.JPG (115.46 KiB) Viewed 5589 times

Elastic bands are now used to hold the structure together while superglue is used to lock the parts together.
Following removal of the end jigs, the curved end panels (which are also pre-painted) are glued in place with elastic bands to hold them...

IMG_7292.JPG (103.88 KiB) Viewed 5589 times

I chose to fit side screens using 2.5mm plastic tube (sliced open) with wire mesh slid in the grooves...

IMG_7287.JPG (131.1 KiB) Viewed 5589 times

The roof is assembled with yet more jigs which are simple to use and form an independent and removable roof when finished....

IMG_7301.JPG (100.82 KiB) Viewed 5589 times

IMG_7302.JPG (95.82 KiB) Viewed 5589 times

And finally, the finished coach....

IMG_7303.JPG (110.4 KiB) Viewed 5589 times

IMG_7304.JPG (103.85 KiB) Viewed 5589 times

So, how do I rate this kit?
Just wonderful! I have no issue with the choice of MDF as I never use my stock in wet weather, although I left a piece of the material floating in water for two hours with no appreciable effect. It takes paint far better than ply and gives a far superior finish.
All of the parts are so well cut there is no movement between joints. The cut parts are completely removed from surrounding material. The jigs are included in the kit and make it so much more accurate and easier to assemble. Interior detail is complete right down to planking on the seats and even floorboards with fixing bolt heads visible.
Running characteristics are so much freer and smoother than any other kit, or scratch-build, I have ever made.
Jerry Irwin is certainly the 'Kit-Master' in my opinion, his kits are far superior to any others and extremely good value for money.
It is worth watching one of his videos so you can appreciate the skill and detail he puts into his work. You will become addicted, just like me!

[Peter Butler]

I had an unfortunate experience with the first I.P. Engineering kit which I purchased, it arrived in poor condition and, following conversation with Ivan, instead of a replacement roof which I requested, he sent an entire kit! All credit to Ivan for that, good customer relations in action.
When it arrived I was still building other kits so only glanced at the parts. I noticed there was an MDF roof supplied in this one, so hoped other parts were also upgraded. I am now getting on with the build and am dismayed by the remainder of the kit being identical to the first, in which the very thin curved ends are etched too deeply and are splitting, while the thicker side walls are not cut through from the outer border material. Not a good start.
In fact, the roof, which was the worst part of the original kit is now the best part of the new one.
On the I.P.Engineering site it proudly boasts 'all prototype internal detailing' but the seating has no plank-work engraved at all, and the 'engraved detailing including axleboxes' are as shown below....

IMG_7300.JPG (65.61 KiB) Viewed 5581 times

IMG_7311.JPG (96.07 KiB) Viewed 5581 times

The interior of the side panels are engraved but some of it is now obscured by my method of securing the glazing strips....

IMG_7309.JPG (134.05 KiB) Viewed 5581 times

IMG_7310.JPG (108.89 KiB) Viewed 5581 times

Very little of the side panels will be visible once constructed, however, the seating will be more prominent!
As this is one of the more expensive kits of the type I remain unconvinced of 'value for money' but will continue with the build as before.
I will not be posting more build details on this kit as it has all been said before, however, there will be another Jerry Irwin kit along soon, so watch this space!

[FWLR]

Thank you Peter for a brilliant post on the builds. Jerry Irwins do look good, better after your expert hands on them. The comparison between the two kits was well described and shows that you don't need to pay more for better quality.

Love the way you always paint first, it does look better. When I have painted HGLW kits which are MDF aren't they, I think. They always look slightly rough, even after I smooth them down a bit. I do know from experience though, if you rub them down too much they really start to look like a pan scourer. But then I suppose there is differences in quality of MDF you can buy I think.

[Peter Butler]

Thank you Rod, I'm glad you found the exercise useful, I hope others do too.
From my experience MDF is a better material to give a smooth paint finish, if prepared correctly.... Most important thing is..... don't sand the surface as it will become furry. Spray a primer coat to seal the MDF, which usually absorbs the paint unevenly, so more than one coat is advised. Apply finish coat in light, even coverage, until a uniform finish is achieved.
Plywood almost always leaves grain effect, even after sanding, filling, priming and finishing. The finer the grain the better finish you can get, although not all manufacturers offer it. It is not easy to know in advance about material quality so I hope this report helps.

[Andrew]

Thank you Rod, I'm glad you found the exercise useful, I hope others do too.

I do, thanks Peter!

Those Jerry Irwin kits really do look good - I'm tempted! As I mentioned though, I've got a couple of barely-started IP ones, so I'd better have a look at those first. I'd forgotten, but mine are etched too deeply on the ends too, and the curving method looks much better on JI's... It's little things like that and the need to add detail to the seats, create new inner walls to allow for droplights etc that have put me off, I think - I buy the occasional kit to build as quick treats between scratchbuilds, but it's not so much fun if I end up doing lots of work.

Helpful tips on MDF, thanks. Have you tried MDF Sealer? I think I've got a tin somewhere. I actually quite like a little ply grain showing through - it's overscale, of course, but not too bad once it's sealed and sanded. As long as the grain's going the right way, of course - a pet hate is kits where the grain runs perpendicular to the planking...

You've got a couple more manufacturers to go to complete the set I think - Yatton (http://yattonmodelengineering.co.uk/festiniog.html) and Jurassic (are they still trading? http://www.summerlands-chuffer.co.uk/ju ... 4577586366), although that's going to be an awful lot of Bug Boxes.

Cheers,

Andrew.

[Peter Butler]

Thank you Andrew, I hadn't spotted these two kit suppliers so perhaps they are less well known? The Yatton Engineering coach looks to be of similar construction to the 'Lineside Hut' kit but at £45.00 + £12.00 for postage..... (failed the value for money test there!) I will not be buying one.
Jurassic Models site is dated 2016 so may not still be trading. Unfortunately there are no illustrations included and the price list shows £40.00 (incl. postage) but excluding wheels and bearings. That would still make it over £50.00 in total, so unsure again about value for money?
We all have our favourites I'm sure and we all use them for different purposes but I only set out to compare design of construction, material quality and cost. Ultimately the finish can make or break a model and the manufacturers have no control over that.

[Andrew]

Wow, hadn't spotted the £12 postage charge on the Yatton version - if ever I want some of those, I'll pick 'em up in person, it's only £6 on the train from here!

You're absolutely right that finish is everything - running quality aside, I always reckon I can get away with a lot as long as I can manage a decent paint job...

Cheers,

Andrew.

[Peter Butler]

if ever I want some of those, I'll pick 'em up in person, it's only £6 on the train from here!

I guess you know that Jerry Irwin is near you too..... Filton.

[philipy]

Peter, I've looked several times but I can't find any links to Jerry Irwin products. Does he have a website?

[Peter Butler]

Jerry doesn't have a website but the link below will show his range of kits. Also he gives his email contact for direct sales, cheaper than via ebay, which he occasionally uses for parts etc.....

https://www.flickr.com/photos/107486657 ... 8655086333

He is also a member here on the Forum, so PM's will work too!

[FWLR]

Only just got to read your reply Peter.

Thank you so much for the information. It's one of those things that one tends to do naturally when one thinks they should rub down something to get a smooth finish, but end up making it worse.

You have used plywood before haven't you and found them to be excellent kits. I wonder if the prices ie: pay more for them you tend to get a superior kit, makes all the difference in what you end up with. I myself would never pay the prices some manufacturers charge for their kits, after all, we run them outdoors and no matter how hard you try not to, derailments happen for one reason or another.
Following your advice before has helped me tremendously and I intend to carry on in that respect. Although I have improved some ways you do things that suit me better.

I must also say, I am not the best at builds and my skills are limited, but Anne like what I do, so for me that's what matters.
But the members thoughts are also important because without them, it's a lonely world is garden railways..

[Peter Butler]

. I wonder if the prices ie: pay more for them you tend to get a superior kit,

One of my targets was to discover whether that was the case, and found out that it was not!
The kit with least number of prepared parts and the use of poorer quality material, resulting in less accuracy in assembly due to these two issues, was also the most expensive to buy.

[Andrew]

if ever I want some of those, I'll pick 'em up in person, it's only £6 on the train from here!

I guess you know that Jerry Irwin is near you too..... Filton.

No, I didn't know that! Always nice to support a local business...

I'm very tempted my one of the "porthole" opens, even though I've got an IP one awaiting construction. They look a joy to put together, those jigs are wonderful.

When you get a chance, would you mind running a ruler over it? I'd like to see how it would compare with my existing "Small Birminghams"...

Thanks!

Andrew.

[Peter Butler]

Andrew, dimensions of the 'Porthole' coach are :
Body length.... 166 mm (10ft 4in)
Body height.... 100 mm (6ft 3in)
Overall height from rail 111 mm (6ft 11in)
Body width..... 105mm (6ft 6in)

How does that compare, and with what?

[Andrew]

How does that compare, and with what?

Thanks Peter!

I'm wondering how it compares with my existing, scratchbuilt, bug boxes. They're pretty much to scale I think, but I guess I'm more concerned with whether they'd look right side by side...

I'll get out and measure them later...

Andrew.

[Andrew]

I had a measure, and it looks like Jerry I's ones are a little bigger all round than mine. IP's are too, as I recall, so it's possible I made mine too small, I don't recall where I got the plans from now.

How do a JI and IP one look together, from a size perspective?

Thanks,

Andrew

[Peter Butler]

Andrew, I managed to grab an opportunity during my flexible (non)working at home day to take some pictures for you. What with having to fit in lunch, coffee and dog exercising breaks, I don't know how I find the time!
The IP an JI coaches are so close in size there is really no noticeable difference between them.....

IMG_7314.JPG (108.78 KiB) Viewed 5646 times

IMG_7313.JPG (145.13 KiB) Viewed 5646 times

IMG_7312.JPG (149.13 KiB) Viewed 5646 times

I hope this helps.