Time to build a railway...but where?

[FWLR]

By the way, thanks for the link to Citadel....

[Sixteen Mills]

Can't remember if you're building the Horsebox at 45mm or 32mm gauge?
The West Claire used spoked wheels that I include in the kits. As you're using steel ones I guess you're on 32mm as I supply Binnie 29mm spoked glass filled nylon for that gauge and blackened steel rimmed wheels for 45mm.
I built one just before Christmas for a customer and sprayed it with Halfords Ford Meadow Green.

[Peter Butler]

Hi Dave and welcome to the Forum. The kit will be made to 32mm gauge and has been fitted with slightly smaller diameter wheels in steel. I like to add weight low down and felt the overall height of the wagon would fit better with my existing stock. It doesn't matter to me whether they are correct for the wagon, I am happy with the overall impression rather than such detail......... my railway!

[Sixteen Mills]

Thanks.
Just have to get used to posting things.
I tried to add a photo, but it rejected it.
I suspect it's too large as it's from my phone and I don't have a resampling adjustment on it unfortunately.

[-steves-]

Thanks.
Just have to get used to posting things.
I tried to add a photo, but it rejected it.
I suspect it's too large as it's from my phone and I don't have a resampling adjustment on it unfortunately.

Hi ya

The reason you could not post a photo was because you were a new user and new users have a very restricted set of rules that they can't and can't do, this is all down to spam accounts. Once you are out of that group after a given number of posts, then you have all the rights of a regular user. Just so you know, you are now out of the new user group so can post to your hearts content with pictures and all. I doubt your picture is bigger than the limit so it might be worth trying again

[Peter Butler]

Thanks for that information Steve, I wasn't aware of the changes.
To get the ball rolling I can add pictures of my most recent build of one of Dave's (Sixteen Mills) kits. I previously mentioned purchase of two and began with details of the Horse Box, although whilst waiting for paints I have already finished the second kit first. This is a Fish Van with upper louvres and external overlays......

IMG_7986.JPG (107.87 KiB) Viewed 3639 times

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After painting the box unit and overlays separately the overall effect looks very neat and tidy.....

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Earlier in the thread I have also shown his Covered Sheep Van and Serpent Brake-Van.
I hope Dave will show more of his range as they are very well constructed.

[Sixteen Mills]

The fish van looks great. A very neat job.
I've been doing some very minor tweaks today to a couple of G3 coaches. Hope to test cut tomorrow.

[FWLR]

Really impressed with the van Peter.

It's worth the time you put into them, you always produce excellent models. I always look forward to more of your work.

[Peter Butler]

Some time ago I scratch-built a pair of small coal wagons but never had a satisfactory way of coupling them. Conventional centre buffers were too big and small chain too difficult to connect. However, Jerry Irwin to the rescue with a new type of coupling he now makes himself......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccMIKsvF5W8&t=11s

I have fitted some to my wagons and I think they look the part and work well.....

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[Andrew]

Those look very good indeed... I could do with something similar for smaller wagons, but with a conventional hook on top, might have to invest in some of these and have a play - thanks Peter!

Andrew.

[philipy]

Interesting Peter, thanks.
What are they made of?
In design terms they look reminiscent of Festiniog couplings, although I'm no expert.

[Andrew]

In design terms they look reminiscent of Festiniog couplings, although I'm no expert.

Nor me, but I think you're right - the ones on the FR 2T slate waggons are like that minus to he central strengthening bit...

Andrew

[Peter Butler]

Interesting Peter, thanks.
What are they made of?

My guess is that they are printed in UV resin..... they are black on the surface but beneath that they seem to be opaque. They show no striations and are ready to be attached to the wagon, although I did file off the paint for better adhesion.

[FWLR]

Those wagon do look so good Peter. I think I will need to go back to Plasticard to make some similar.
It's the wheel sets that are in short supply for me at the moment though.

[Jerry]

Just a a little update on the couplings that Peter has fitted.
I loosley designed them on a Slate Wagon Festiniog image. They were designed to be fitted to my New Slate Wagon that I am at present designing.
I ended up designing 2 types. The one as fitted to Peter's wagon ( as well as glue can also be secured by 2 off 2 mm Alen Bolts / nuts ) and a second that is similar but has no 'buffer bar' and relies on glue bond.
If any others are interested I can do ANY CHANGES required.
I have carried out pull / break tests and the chain parts company with its self at 5 Kg.. see you tube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNbc5FFwlms

They are indeed UV Resin Based. They are not painted, that is the colour of the resin . But when scraped / sanded they have a grey colour.
I will leave it to the experts why the colour is different .. way above my pay grade !!!
After designing them it was suggested that I put them on ebay for others to enjoy..
This I have done.
Any other questions then thru forum or email me direct... Jerry.irwin@homecall.co.uk

[Peter Butler]

Many thanks for the detailed information Jerry, they certainly look good on my small wagons and I am in the market for more..... email to follow!

[ge_rik]

Just a a little update on the couplings that Peter has fitted.
I loosley designed them on a Slate Wagon Festiniog image. They were designed to be fitted to my New Slate Wagon that I am at present designing.
I ended up designing 2 types. The one as fitted to Peter's wagon ( as well as glue can also be secured by 2 off 2 mm Alen Bolts / nuts ) and a second that is similar but has no 'buffer bar' and relies on glue bond.
If any others are interested I can do ANY CHANGES required.
I have carried out pull / break tests and the chain parts company with its self at 5 Kg.. see you tube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNbc5FFwlms

They are indeed UV Resin Based. They are not painted, that is the colour of the resin . But when scraped / sanded they have a grey colour.
I will leave it to the experts why the colour is different .. way above my pay grade !!!
After designing them it was suggested that I put them on ebay for others to enjoy..
This I have done.
Any other questions then thru forum or email me direct... Jerry.irwin@homecall.co.uk

Hi Jerry
Do you want to start a thread in the Suppliers Forum. I've just unlocked it so you and other suppliers can post info about products there.

Rik

[Peter Butler]

Continued from page 165... 'Sixteen Mills' Horsebox kit.
The kit went together without any issues being well designed and cut from MDF. Whenever there is an overlay framework I always paint the parts separately to make it easier and tidier. In this case however, with the exception of the ends, I had to paint frames and other parts which were cut from the same sheet without overlays. It takes longer and needs a steady hand, but the finish is satisfactory.....

IMG_8045.JPG (106.51 KiB) Viewed 3597 times

In addition to the kit as supplied I also fitted metal wheels, Binnie buffers, rivet (coach-bolt) heads, cast brass door handles, company initial lettering and crest, finished off with a clear satin lacquer.....

IMG_8054.JPG (108.5 KiB) Viewed 3597 times

That is another stock item finished and put safely in a box waiting for some sunshine.

[Soar Valley Light]

Hello Peter,

That's yet another superb vehicle. The Sixteen Mills kits appear to be lovely vehicles. Based on your description of the builds I'm tempted. I'm not sure I could make quite such a good job but they look like they would be a pleasure to put together in themselves.

Thanks for the description and the photo's of the finished article.

CFLR Andrew

[Peter Butler]

Since moving away from scratch-building to kits I have experienced many different standards of manufacture, the majority of which have satisfied my 'value for money' quest. 'Sixteen Mills' kits have met that criteria with honours. It is important to look carefully at any kit offered for sale as they don't necessarily conform to a standard 16mm. dimensional expectation. It must be remembered that prototype stock was built for a specific use on any narrow gauge railway, either for carrying goods or taking environmental restrictions into account. The horsebox is based on Irish 3ft. railway stock and modelled in 15mm/ft scale, making it a larger than normal vehicle. On the other hand, some freelance kits are possibly smaller than average, but when stock is based on Ffestiniog Railway items they look perfectly OK together.
Just to show a quite extreme comparison these are two such examples.....

IMG_8047.JPG (98.14 KiB) Viewed 3592 times

As long as these are not used together I have no problem with the size. In fact, when scratch-building I had made a cattle wagon from HIP and when the horsebox is put alongside it they are perfectly matched......

IMG_8044.JPG (99.31 KiB) Viewed 3592 times

Should anyone need clarification about dimensions, Dave at 'Sixteen Mills' is open to discussion and even modification to his kits.