Garden Railway Forum

Primer does show up a lot of dodgy detail that you didn't realise was there so it remains to be seen if it's worth it, but with that proviso I say keep the louvres.

I think they will do.

Jim they look great nice job on the doors.

Looks absolutely cracking, Jim! You are really cheering up a vehicle I had dismissed as a toy a long time ago.

Peter in Va

Thanks for the kind words. There is a lot to go into this to make it look the part. As I mentioned at the beginning there is an easy way and a hard way to convert one of the these.

If I can find one, I will change the trailing bogie for another Big Big part as this is the only bit I am not really happy with.

Nearly done on the body work, then its on to the electrics. 3 AA batteries should fit underneath and a Deltang RX will get stuffed under there as well. LED's fore and aft, plus lighting in side the body.

Jim I'm looking forward to seeing the electrics fitted and working mate.

Excellent Jim.

Just a thought, they might look better if the body mouldings were cotinued across the door? Possibly just the lower one?

Those doors look like they belong there from the beginning. Great work!

Well done Jim, the door looks just the part there and perhaps a couple of steps beneath would finish it off nicely?

There will be steps, but I haven't worked out if they will inset or proud. Like wise the moulding will continue over the doors. The bottom will be straight but I have not decided on the upper two, they may sweep downwards and join in a manner similar to the noses. The other thought is that they form into a lozenge shape.

Something like this.



Sorry for the 'fag packet' (well rolling paper) diagram, but you get the gist.

The second design looks like the lining on the side of DELTIC to me.

Not wishing to denigate your skills Jim, but those look very nice but horribly complicated curves to duplicate and keep even. It would be a cryin shame to end up spoiling what you've already achieved. I'd say the KISS princple applies here (Keep It Simple S.....)

Those doors look good. I have to agree with Philip that curves won't be easy. Perhaps a dry run on some scrap first. Although sometimes it is nice to push ourselves because when it works....

If you make a guidance for the curves to help you get the shape even on all corners, I think it must be possible to get it right. But I think a normal straight line would look better. You already have the bent shape on the front and back of the engine.

Jim the steps will be tricky to replicate but I'm sure you will do a great job no matter which design you decide to go for.

I think I would go for straight, however the drop curves are easy if you have a cheap plastic compass-cutter. This are available from Olfa, Rolson and some own brands (one page google search prices £3.xx to £6.xx).

I am sure expensive metal versions are better but I rarely use them so bought the cheap plastic type, but when I do need them I really appreciate even the plastic Olfa one I have. There is a knack to using them.

If you try to cut too deeply it twists and distorts the arc. But using shallow cuts I produced the same shape in 1mm ply for the front-trim for my observation coach. The same in thin platicard should be a doddle if it copes with the weft-and-warp of the ply. In fact I just remembered I did one in plasticard for a lining template for the observation coach trim.

Some sized lozenges can be produced quickly in thin plastic card by making a rectangle then using a paper-punch to nibble a quarter circle off each corner of the rectangle. I used this to produce “cast iron” maker’s plates for a plastic card water-tank for the RLR running shed

Thanks for the suggestions. The doors have been filled again and so are now drying but I have managed to have a bash at the steps.

Admire you determination Jimbo, I would of shelved this one by now!

It has been tempting on many occasions.

Nice steps - how do they line up with your platform heights?