PDF single Fairlie

[Garethep]

After some delays due to the current state of the postal system, my Christmas present arrived today.
First impressions are good and I look forward to building it but will do a proper look over it later.

[ge_rik]

Really interested to follow the build process on this one. Please let us know (with photos) how you progress.

Rik

[Garethep]

Thanks Rik,
Usually terrible at remembering to take photos during the build rather than at the end but I'll make a conscious effort here. It will benefit me too as I'm hoping to pick up some construction tips for my ongoing B-class design and build.

[Peter Butler]

I'll be watching too as I think these kits are good quality models at sensible prices. My own PDF Christmas present arrived early and was hidden away by my wife until the big day! Mine is the Baldwin 50HP petrol tractor, an ugly beast but lots of character and detailing potential.

[SimonWood]

Ooh, another 50HP Baldwin - we will be able to have a proper parade of these at a South West Wales group meeting, I think this will make a third - matching the number of Kerr Stuart 4415s in the group (at least once I finally finish painting my one!) Though we're probably a way off yet matching the number of quarry Hunslets! But I do like seeing these models together.



Looking forward to seeing the Single Fairlie build....

[Garethep]

Thanks all,

I very nearly went for the Baldwin and it's definitely still on the list but the Fairlie just beat it in desirability.

I decided to have a better look over lunch and I remain impressed.



In contrast to the DeWinton I had previously built, it's nice to see the Slaters wheels which should really help the running (they do make up a good chunk of the price of the kit though). Likewise it's good to have metal gearing which should be much more durable than the plastic versions on the smaller locos



The printed parts seem to be of good quality for FDM prints though they will need a lot of elbow grease to get them smooth (I've become spoiled after getting into resin printing ) and the assembly methods have clearly been well thought out...it is interesting to compare this with the way I was planning to build my own printed locos. This kit was clearly designed by a modeller whereas I too often try to design things like an engineer which doesn't always work in smaller scales.



The separate bogie and stepped footplate means the parts are necessarily fairly chunky but not excessively so.



A very rough assembly shows that this will be quite an impressive machine when finished (and before anyone says, I do now realise the cab is on backwards )

My only real complaint is that, once assembled access to the (usefully cavernous) interior will be limited so I may make some mods to allow easier battery changing etc. There is enough space for a fairly decent size LiPo battery which should give very decent run lengths though.

So in summary, this looks like it has the potential to make a lovely model as long as I don't muck it up!

[Peter Butler]

Nice as they are, I will continue any further Baldwin discussion on my own 'Time to build a railway..' thread and let Gareth keep us informed about his Single Fairlie build here. My intention was to promote the PDF brand, (as a satisfied customer), nothing more!

[ge_rik]

Great work so far. Impressed by the quality of the printing. Clearly a better quality printer than mine has been used.

Rik

[TonyW]

Puzzled by the round spectacles on the cab front ... should they not be rectangular?

[Garethep]

Yes they should! I just loosely put everything together and the cab is on back to front...Doh!

[TonyW]

Yes they should! I just loosely put everything together and the cab is on back to front...Doh!

Ah, yes!

[Garethep]

The cab thing (whilst a silly mistake) does hint at the only real issue with this kit so far....mine came without instructions (I assumed a mistake) but I've had it confirmed that there are no written instructions.....there is an online video showing the construction of the power bogie but nothing for the body.....whilst it is generally straightforward there will be doubt be some trial and error figuring out the various fasteners etc.

Ill try and document the build as closely as I can and highlight any traps I find to help anyone who builds one of these in the future.

[MRail]

Yes, we do get there eventually!
[attachment=0]MR200802-001.jpg[/attachment]

[Garethep]

That's a lovely job! I'd be happy if mine was anywhere near that good.

[ge_rik]

Excellent finish on both locos

Rik

[FWLR]

Great photos of those lovely locos Rob.

[Garethep]

After a change of job and far too many other things keeping me busy, I finally dug out the Fairlie from its box to have a go at building it.

When I googled to see if I could find any hints in lieu of instructions, the first hit was this thread which, to be honest, I had forgotten I had started so I've had to go with plan b and figure it out as I go along.....can't believe 3 years has gone by!

Today's progress was just to sort through the main parts, figure out what goes where and make a start at assembly of the main parts.

The fit of the sections is very good with only a little bit of cleanup needed and a clue.of hours had the frames body and half the cab bolted in place. A few of the screws will end up being too visible for my liking so I may end up gluing it together but I want to get it all fitted properly first.



Hopefully progress will be a little quicker now as I've got my garage work bench back sorted and cleared.

[Peter Butler]

Hi Gareth, so pleased to see you back here with us and continuing your Fairlie build. I made the double some time ago and they do make a real statement when running. The bodywork benefits from time spent sanding, filling and sanding again, but well worth the effort.

[ge_rik]

Welcome back, Gareth. Good to see the Fairlie taking shape.

Rik

[Garethep]

Thanks guys,
A bit more progress today, mainly in figuring out which order to do everything. Normally, I like to prime and paint the footplate and can inside then the exterior finish and the cab details gets fitted and painted at the end.....in this case though, having played about for a bit, it became obvious that having the cab removable once the loco is complete wouldn't be straightforward.....as well as bolting to the footplate, the cab front sheet also bolts to the back of the main body section and it isn't possible to reach the screw heads with everything assembled.

As designed, the two cab halves are joined together with a pair of small screws which, while effective, would not be possible to remove after the final paint job without being glaringly obvious in the finished model which would annoy me greatly. Initially I omitted the cab to boiler screws but, the two part design of the footplate, means that the assembly was far too flexible and a gap would open up in front of the cab.

In the end, I've modified the joint of the two cab halves, opening up the hole size so that the two screws act as pins. This allows the two halves to remain accurately located but allows the cab back to be removed after exterior painting without spoiling the finish.




A fair bit of time was spent rubbing down the surfaces and it's almost ready for a coat of primer.



So far I'm still fairly happy with the kit.....the lack of instructions hasn't caused any major issues yet (though I'm very glad there is an instruction video on YouTube for the power bogie!) I'd prefer it if more of the fasteners were countersunk rather than dome headed and I may swap these out later. It's not the most detailed model but, like the other pdf kits I've done in the past, they are fairly cheap and provide a good base to improve upon.

Next big decision is colour.... suggestions welcome!