Garden Railway Forum

Hi George.
That is starting to look lovely.
David.

A few more photos to show current progress. I'm not happy with how the front 'yellow' lights are looking but have a plan to tidy them up. Everything else is looking good though I think! Does anyone have any suggestions for what to use for vacuum pipes?

Vacuum pipes - Both following methods involve electrical shrink wrap. Either obtain a compression spring of the right diameter (soap pumps are a good source), cut to length and insert bent brass rod for shape and locating, then shrink the wrap over the spring.....or,,,,, use suitably sized long chipboard screw, bend to shape and cut to length (removing as much of the shank and tapered end as possible. again encapsulate in shrink wrap, of appropriate size, and heat.

You can also buy a length of tension spring material, 3 mm OD should do it, available from model engineer suppliers and Ebay. Cut to length add some brass rod/wood dowel in the ends to locate to buffer beam. Dean Goods do some nice high resolution 3D printed items, for L&B stock, about the right size, although you would have to remove the stand pipes. Resurgam and Bowaters may sell you the items they use. Max

Edit - I have just noticed the "vacuum" pipe on this loco looks like a plain silver hose in some shots, not the usual ribbed type. so a bit of 3 mm neoprene tube painted up should do. Then again.........It appears to have been fitted with both types.

You can see my method of making vacuum pipes here https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... &start=135, just scroll to halfway down the page. Apologies for the photobucket branding...

It's probably not as accurate as some methods, but it's quick, cheap and easy!

Your model's coming along beautifully, by the way - an attractive model of an attractive loco...

Andrew.

I wrapped the front light fittings with some plasticard. Once I’ve drilled out the holes for the LEDs I might give it one last coat of yellow.

That's really improved the light mounts George. The yellow looks 'solid' enough in the picture. Does it need another coat? Good stuff. Looking forward to the inaugural run.

Yes that really sets the light off nicely.

It’s going to look terrific.

It’s been a while since I posted - life has the unfortunate habit of getting in the way of things you’d rather be spending time on!

The model is now atheistically complete bar fitting of some Brandbright vacuum pipes. When I got to fitting the window frames I realised one set, the aluminium ones, were missing from the kit. Peter was very quick to send out some replacements so great service there. The plates are from light railway stores - they took four months or so to arrive but I’m pretty happy with the quality. https://www.lightrailwaystores.co.uk/pr ... 423?_pos=1

I have all the electric components now so that will be the next job!

Now that does look smart!

Rik

Looking very good, indeed.

I had initial doubts about this kit but you have transformed it into a thing of beauty.. congratulations.