Time to build a railway...but where?

[Andrew]

That's looking great, and such a quirky loco! I love the cab - but I'm not sure I could cope with the aesthetics of those huge chimneys, which were presumably to prevent sparks attracting the attention of the enemy at night?

[Peter Butler]

I agree the chimneys are huge and not my usual preferred style, however, they are part of the quirky character of the locomotive so it wouldn't look right with any other.
Meanwhile... back to the Baldwin Petrol Tractor, which is now finished following delivery of the replacement worm and gear from PDF Models. I think the issue was due to the lack of clearance in the gearbox, which I have now altered.
Here she is having her official photograph on the layout....

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Some interesting facts about the Pechot-Bourdon designed locomotive. The French Army had 52 examples built between 1888 and 1906 but during the Great War, when motive power was in short supply, 280 were ordered from Baldwin. The first 100 locomotives were delivered just two months later. It takes longer than that to get a plumber out these days!

More pictures to follow shortly.

[Andrew]

That looks great!

And yes, it was astonishing the speed with which they turned stuff out back then. 100 locos in two months??! Amazing...

[Old Man Aaron]

100 locos in two months??! Amazing...

And shipped across the Atlantic. Hard to believe - I'd conject only made possible by some palm-greasing from the French..


Baldwin looks great! Don't see many without the searchlight-style headlight - nothing wrong with that, just a nice change.

[FWLR]

Thats a really nice looking loco Peter, it is looking so proud and ready for work.

[ge_rik]

A beautiful sight.

Rik

[Peter Butler]

Baldwin looks great! Don't see many without the searchlight-style headlight

I have succumbed to the call to fit a headlight but avoided the obvious. So, a quick rummage through my 'come-in-useful-one-day' collection has turned up a suitable candidate. A much modified unit from a USA steam loco (?) is now fitted to the front of my Baldwin Tractor, and not in the usual place high on the radiator. I have seen videos of other similar locomotives with the headlight placed in this location, so feel justified....

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[FWLR]

I'am not to sure about that, but if you like it Peter that's great. It's your build and Rule 1 overrides any views that anyone else has about it mate.

I do like the loco and maybe one day I will get to see it live.....You never can say never Peter.

[Peter Butler]

Thanks to Andrew my Baldwin Petrol Tractor is now furnished with vac pipes. Following the description, by Andrew, on the fitting and use of such articles, and the need to comply with safety regulations on (some) present day preservation lines, I felt it necessary to fit them....

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While I'm in the mood, the same applied to my other Baldwin.....

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Of the other twenty two I made since yesterday, four more have been retro-fitted to two other locos. Andrew's method is so quick and easy but makes such a difference to the general appearance, I think. Thank you Andrew.
I will try to carry on until all are done and then move onto coach stock.

[Old Man Aaron]

The US headlight seems fitting for a Baldwin.

Incidentally, I'll be modelling common sugar mill practice with a pair of tiny, ill-proportioned lamps for my Baldwin, representing junkyard-salvaged 1920s/30s automotive headlights.

All black suits the your Bi-Kettle quite well, too.

[Peter Butler]

All black suits the your Bi-Kettle quite well

Thanks Aaron, with two grey locos recently joining my fleet I thought a change would be in order, and a colour would not be appropriate.

[Peter Butler]

In the instruction sheets supplied with the Pechot Bourdon (my Baldwin) is a reference to the twin bogies being available as separate units, sold as a pair. Initially I saw no mention of them on the 'Boot Lane' site so contacted, and ordered a pair, which have now arrived and will be the power bogies for my new scratch-build.
They are both powered with 3-6v motors (supplied) and are ample for light trains. I see they are now listed and can highly recommend them....

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They are mainly 3D printed with acrylic frames and are screwed together with all bolts and fixings supplied....

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The Binnie wheels have inserts to hold the crankpin and counterbalance weight which are easily set in place in the jaws of a vice.
A copy of the build instructions are available at... www.bootlane.org.uk/instructions

[FWLR]

Interesting...

[Peter Butler]

During my visit to the garden railway show at Llanfair Caereinion on Saturday I met Rod (FWLR), Dave Mills (Sixteen Mills), Phil P (RC Trains) and introduced myself to the nice people at Boot Lane Works stand. It is always nice to meet people who would otherwise be anonymous on the 'net. The display of Boot Lane locomotives tempted me (it doesn't take much!) and I managed to bring home another of their wonderful products... 'St. Crispin', which is based upon the Corris Railway No 4 built by Kerr Stuart and Co, 1921. The kit also includes alternative parts to build Talyllyn Railway 'Edward Thomas', as rebuilt at Pendre and in current running condition on the Talyllyn Railway.
As yet I am undecided which version to build so that will be a future project.... watch this space!
In the meantime I will continue to source parts to scratch-build the Baby Garratt, which will be mounted on the power bogies shown above (supplied by Boot Lane Works).
First though I will be working on my Kerr Stuart 'Wren' from PDF Models....

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[Peter Butler]

After an 'error' massage the previous post has been duplicated... perhaps a mod. can delete one please?

[philipy]

Done, Peter.

[FWLR]

It was great meeting you Peter and sorry that we had to leave early because of Anne not feeling that good. I also meet Phil P and had great chat with him, luckily I was the first in to the show and had enough time to spend with him before everyone else came in and swamped him.

Your'e going to be busy I can see, can't wait to see what you decide to build from the Boot Lane Works kit. Maybe you should have bought two kits...

[Peter Butler]

can't wait to see what you decide to build from the Boot Lane Works kit. Maybe you should have bought two kits...

With the much improved print quality and satisfaction of building a well designed locomotive I wouldn't count that option out Rod.

[Peter Butler]

A start has been made on my PDF Wren loco and I am spending time trying to make the smoothest possible surface to paint, just as I have done on my previous PDF kits. I don't know whether there has been a change of material but I find the grooves are more pronounced and the plastic harder, making the sanding almost
impossible to give a satisfactory finish. This is unexpected and a real shame as I have had such good results in the past.
I am going to try two methods of approach to resolve this... the first is to spend more time sanding and spraying with filler primer, the second will be to use filler putty for the first time, so can anyone please recommend the best product to use?

[ge_rik]

I've used Squadron White putty for many years but it uses a rather nasty substance as its main constituent
https://www.cottage-craft.co.uk/product ... ts_id=1142

I've recently been using Deluxe Perfect Plastic Putty which is water based and far less toxic.
https://deluxematerials.co.uk/collectio ... stic-putty

Rik