A Quiet Sunday

[LNR]

BTW have you added the lamps or do they come with the models?

They came with the models Rik, and you've reminded me that the ones on the tourer weren't glued on and are sitting on the bench.

An advantage of my time frame is that there was still many horse drawn vehicles around, so as I had van bodies and two pairs of plastic spoked wheels some research revealed a bakers cart with a very similar style. It required a pair of smaller diameter wheels for the fore carriage so these were fretted out of ply, spokes rounded and steel tyres made and fitted to all four. A timber reach frame with fore and aft semi elliptic leaves (working shackles) at the rear, a fifth wheel at the front with transverse double elliptics, removeable shafts carved from bamboo gave me a platform to build a body chassis with footboard and brakes.

Bakers Cart Log 006.jpg (61.36 KiB) Viewed 5095 times

An underneath view showing the reach frame and rear spring axle set-up.

Bakers Cart Log 004.jpg (72.89 KiB) Viewed 5095 times

Front view of the fore carriage, fifth wheel and springs.

Bakers Cart Log 005.jpg (67.37 KiB) Viewed 5095 times

Body fitted, hand brake assembled, plastic wheel to rear.(temporary pin!)
Next choosing a suitable horse (Schleich Hanoverian Stallion) the making of harness could begin. I still have a few pieces of real harness hanging in the workshop, bit of a soft spot with me. Collar, bridle and bit, reins, trace and breaching straps were made out of very thin leather being rubbed with glycerine to make it subtle. Hames, buckles and hame hooks from wire completed the outfit.

Bakers Cart Log 008.jpg (56.35 KiB) Viewed 5095 times

Horse with all the gear laid out. Traces not cut to length yet.
Some paint, decals and the completed Bakers cart before a light weathering.

bakers Cart Log 016.jpg (53.53 KiB) Viewed 5095 times

Bakers Cart Log 017.jpg (62.04 KiB) Viewed 5095 times

Grant.

[DG]

wow Grant. As previously mentioned I don't know what people will say as they have already used up all the superlatives. So we will have to make some up. This is stunninglyfabulous and tremenduful. Where do you start on something like the steel tyres?

Thanks for sharing , inspiring.

Dave

[LNR]

Thank you Dave.
For the tyres, just a matter of measuring wheel circumference, add a smidgen (Blacksmithing term) then cut steel strip and beat into a circle on redgum block (I don't have bending rolls) and silver solder the ends together. Beat it again over steel round, check size (hopefully only having to subtract not add) then press on. I run them on concrete vigorously to give a nice matt steel look.
Grant

[tom_tom_go]

I think Grant should be granted the title Lord model maker of GRF.

[philipy]

Thank you Dave.
For the tyres, just a matter of measuring wheel circumference, add a smidgen (Blacksmithing term) then cut steel strip and beat into a circle on redgum block (I don't have bending rolls) and silver solder the ends together. Beat it again over steel round, check size (hopefully only having to subtract not add) then press on. I run them on concrete vigorously to give a nice matt steel look.
Grant

Sounds easy... bet it isn't!!

Beautiful job though, Grant.

[bazzer42]

Stunning. Museum quality modelling there.

All hail Lord Modelmaker of GRF!

[Lonsdaler]

Grant,
That is a masterpiece. You are a modeller of extraordinary talents. From the ironwork through to the harness - simply stunning.

[markoteal]

(I'm speechless!)

[Peter Butler]

Well, it's OK I suppose.........

Gotcha!

We have been pulled up before for laying praise on with a trowel, but in this case it is certainly justified... I have nothing but praise for anyone who can produce such magnificent work, particularly as Grant has proved, on any object tackled. Every item on the LNR is a masterpiece in its own right and the title of 'Lord Model Maker of GRF' should be bestowed and attached to Grant's posts in place of 'Trainee Driver'.

[ge_rik]

Love them. Truly inspirational. I echo all the plaudits shared so far.

Rik

[Soar Valley Light]

(I'm speechless!)

[LNR]

You guys are making it very difficult to come on here this morning.
Firstly I'm gratified, appreciative and embarrassed by the comments from everyone.
Secondly I'm more than happy being a "trainee driver" as there is still much to be learned from this forum. As long as people are amused, inspired, or just happy to read the things I waffle on about here, that is more than enough satisfaction for me. Being in the company of many other modellers helps to give me enthusiasm for the next project.
Besides, I haven't finished waffling on about vehicles on the LNR yet!
Grant.

[LNR]

So, next we have a little more horsepower. The dray was built before the Bakers cart, and in order to do the harness,
I used black and brown wire, which unfortunately looks like, well, wire. I hadn't tried the leather with glycerine at this
stage, and wanted reins etc. to sit where I put them. Once again wheels of ply, steel tyres, no springs on these working
drays, only the bend in the seat board.

Horse & Dray 7.JPG (57.76 KiB) Viewed 5016 times

It wouldn't be a dray in Australia without a Cosco Fertilizer bag hung underneath on the axle for the horses nosebag.

Horse & Dray 8.JPG (60.52 KiB) Viewed 5016 times

This next one is not for close ups. Its origins are obvious. I measured up a Fowler B6 and found the Wilesco pretty close in
all except width if I remember. Disguised with road tyres, flywheel cover, water tank, scale steering wheel, tow hitches
front and back and a suitable canopy along with loosing the blue colour it might pass at a distance.

Fowler B6 Road Loco.JPG (68.48 KiB) Viewed 5016 times

The Fordson has been covered before, much molded on detail removed, to be replaced with separate items, wiring, control
rods, steering wheel, crank handle, and a paint and chip job.

My Fordson Model F Weathered 4.jpg (43.37 KiB) Viewed 5016 times

With guards as they mostly were in Australia, as the guards were to provide some safety when the tractor reared up on its
hind wheels on striking hard ground with a plough. Unlike England our topsoil is measured in inches, not feet.

No Guards 2.JPG (46.92 KiB) Viewed 5016 times

Without guards, it appears much smaller, being 1/16th. scale it should be.
Only one to go.
Grant.

[invicta280]

Fabulous modelling Grant (as always)!

[tom_tom_go]

You carry on Grant, you cannot learn anything from me!

[LNR]

Last one.
This came about from reading an MOD requirement for an articulated twin axle suspension for trucks.
On finding patent drawings and following it through I was missing something. I started building, and finally found the
missing action of the puzzle. Thornycroft used this suspension, plenty of info on the web re measurements etc. so the pics. tell the story.

Th'croft A5 RSW Model 005A.jpg (33.89 KiB) Viewed 5772 times

Chassis, steering, front axle ( a piece of brass track) rear diffs and axles set up with tyres machined from plumbing grommets.

Th'croft A5 RSW Model 007A.jpg (30.68 KiB) Viewed 5772 times

Close up of the steering box, drag link etc.

Th'croft A5 RSW Model 008A.jpg (39.24 KiB) Viewed 5772 times

Rear view showing the patent suspension, upper and lower spring sets brake drums prop shafts and the all important gimbals (the missing link)

Th'croft A5 RSW Model 009A.jpg (34.86 KiB) Viewed 5772 times

I actually achieved slightly more articulation than the patent called for as this pic. shows. each axle had to be capable of moving through so
many degrees ( 18deg. I think)with out affecting the other axle.

Th'croft A5 RSW Model 021A.jpg (40.25 KiB) Viewed 5772 times

on with body work, starting to look like a truck, hopefully a 1927 Thornycroft A5 RSW (rigid six wheeler)

Th'croft A5 RSW Model 025B.jpg (40.19 KiB) Viewed 5772 times

Building the large winch that the army fitted when these were used as gun tractors (became the Tartar) it's front and rear capable.

Th'croft A5 RSW Model 042.jpg (58.52 KiB) Viewed 5772 times

Jumping ahead in time frame,( my railway) those conversant with these things will know that the body is straight off a WW2 Scammel .
Crane works, full recovery gear, snatch blocks, slings, ground spades, anchors, rigid tow pole and pintle hook all carried in the lockers
or stowed on board.

Th'croft A5 RSW Model 044.jpg (40.73 KiB) Viewed 5772 times

Not finished, but then I never finish anything, and it's a bit dirtier these days.
Grant.

[pandsrowe]

Wow that is a magnificent project in it's own right, never mind all the other aspects of your railway. You clearly must have at least 36 hours available in each day in your part of the world. Would you please expand on your intriguing statement that you turn your tyres from plumbing grommets, suitable tyres have always been a real problem for most model vehicle builders.

[LNR]

Hi Phil,

suitable tyres have always been a real problem for most model vehicle builders.

And have been for me too.
Talking to a friend at the GSSU who was into tether cars, said he turned wheels up from grommets, said he'd bring some in next day. I got six and needed an extra one for the spare and thought I'd seen something similar at Clark Rubber. So that's where I obtained one that machined the same as the other six. I can't tell you what they're intended for, just that they are rigid enough to machine like machinable rubber. I even found I could polish the surface. From memory they were about 100mm diam. x 12mm thick and had a hole of about 25mm. An advantage of tyres for that period is they were pretty basic shape wise (many trucks were using solid tyres still) so just a matter of machining the two diameters, putting grooves in and parting off. The sipes went in afterwards by hand with a Dremel with a diamond tipped cut-off wheel.
Grant.

[ge_rik]

Stunning, simply stunning!

Rik

[IrishPeter]

Wow! As in - WOW!!!

Peter in Va