Semi-scale BR: The Modernisation Plan

[BertieB]

Thanks. I’d assumed it would be mono — but then some of it was obviously better in colour, so…

[Preseli Chris]

Some lovely work going on there in 3' 11" gauge . Great Stuff . Is there going to be a Bulleid Q1 ugly duckling joining your fleet ?

[BertieB]

They’re not ugly! But thank you.

It’s been on the to-do list for years. My big issue is the wheels. Sticking, say, resin-cast or 3D print (not that I can do that) Bulleid-style ‘wheel-trims’ over the wheels of a long-ish Bachman motorblock could end up with fairly dodgy wheel widths… But I might try it.

[BertieB]

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A Substantial Locomotive With Smoke Deflectors

This is loosely based on the pre-war Southern, Maunsell S15, 4-6-0 goods engine. Dimensions are guessed at and detail is simplified, or ignored if too hard — but you get the general idea, I hope. The style of smoke deflectors, for example, has been altered in the light of my prejudices…

Quite a few items (cab interior, steps, safety valves) will need to be added after painting. It’s on a Bachmann chassis, though now with larger Slaters, leading truck wheels. Battery pack and Micron R/C still to come.

It’ll eventually be painted black, though I quite like it in bright yellow!

[text cut to make it less turgid]

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[ge_rik]

That looks an absolute beauty already.
What's the chassis - yours or a mod from elsewhere?

Rik
Edit: Sorry, just spotted you've already told us ....

[Peter Butler]

I love it, another superb loco for the fleet, although even I would prefer to see it less yellow!

[Phil.P]

Less yellow?
Would that be Stephensons improved Rocket Yellow, perchance?


Phil.P

[Peter Butler]

Less yellow?
Would that be Stephensons improved Rocket Yellow, perchance?


Phil.P

Perhaps it's because I'm surrounded by yellow I feel that way?

[LNR]

As a Victorian I like locos with smoke deflectors as most of our locos ended up with them in later years. Whilst I don't suppose I would run a loco painted yellow, there is something about your model in that colour.
Grant.

[Old Man Aaron]

*Your collection

[Lonsdaler]

I'm constantly amazed by your ability to make standard gauge look right for narrow gauge. Looking forward to seeing it in its final livery (not yellow).

[BertieB]

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There’s a fair bit still to do and it’ll take a while — but it’s not yellow anymore.

[Peter Butler]

Another wonderful model and superb colour choice and finish.
Perhaps the next one could be yellow.... or perhaps not!

[ge_rik]

Excellent!!! If ever I rejig Beeston Market and include some standard gauge track, I could be tempted - though it would probably have to be a small tank loco.

Rik

[BertieB]

That’s very kind, thank you. It’s ’weathered black’. When I’ve plucked up courage, I’m going to have a go at doing it ‘dirty’, which I’ve not really attempted before. Fingers crossed…

[LNR]

I’m going to have a go at doing it ‘dirty’,

Be watching with interest, remember less is often more.
Good Luck
Grant.

[BertieB]

Maiden flight of the S15
A couple of minutes of wintry video recording the first movements of the new loco.

There were a few issues. The annoying knock you hear when the loco’s going forwards turns out to be a connecting rod fouling my masterfully engineered slide-bar support. I’m assuming I’ll be able to fix that. And like my earlier Garratt and Leader, it doesn’t like tight curves too much, either.

Still not done the cab interior, crew (who don’t fit) or weathering. The battery pack didn’t fit the hole in the bottom of the boiler I’d carefully cut for it, so while wrestling with the loco and a cheapo Dremel clone to enlarge it, I snapped off the buffers — now replaced with less attractive, smaller but arguably more appropriate items. Except that to me they now look almost comically too small. I suppose I’ll do them again. This kind of thing always happens, of course. Generally, though, I’m happy with how it looks.

[philipy]

Looks really good and the paint finish is fine, despite your earlier reservations.

[ge_rik]

Looks great. Hope the knocking is an easy fix. You could have chosen some background music to match the beat ......

Rik

[BertieB]

“You could have chosen some background music to match the beat”

Ha! Very droll.
Can’t believe I missed it.