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The Brassgoggles Model Making Club (the second non-SP model making thread).

Started by James Harrison, April 28, 2019, 05:13:51 PM

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James Harrison

#1025
June 20, 2025, 04:03:52 PM
Quote from: The Bullet on June 18, 2025, 06:12:25 PMAnother one for overhaul.
This time an old Bilg Starkstrom (mains operated) loco
pre 1925.



Missing the front bogie.

Again, very envious.
Persons intending to travel by open carriage should select a seat with their backs to the engine, by which means they will avoid the ashes emitted therefrom, that in travelling generally, but particularly through the tunnels, prove a great annoyance; the carriage farthest from the engine will in consequence be found the most desirable.

Ceir

#1026
July 13, 2025, 05:11:47 PM
Quote from: The Bullet on June 18, 2025, 06:12:25 PMAnother one for overhaul.
This time an old Bilg Starkstrom (mains operated) loco
pre 1925.



Missing the front bogie.
It does look a bit precarious without the lead truck!
In all fairness, some of those who wander are definitely lost.
Please be patient with me, I am from the 1900s.

The Bullet

#1027
July 14, 2025, 06:59:31 AM Last Edit: July 14, 2025, 07:07:11 AM by The Bullet
We have a runner!

A friend had the right type of wheels and axles in the spares box.
Bogie frame and attachment parts were quite easy to make.
The motor needed a bit of work and a good cleanup.
All that is left to do is to find a matching tender. The present one (maybe of Hornby origin) will have to do until I find one.
I think the moment when the motor is on the bench and starts running for the first time is highly addictive.
I usually let them run in for about half an hour each direction before putting the wheels and cogs in.
When running, only the more intense sparks and the two red lightning bolts tell it apart from a 24V loco.
Bing had these markings on top of the buffer beam or inside the cab, Märklin mostly on top of the smokebox.

Bing had one red lightning bolt to mark 24V locos and two for mains operated (110V) locos.
Märklin had a red lightning bolt for 24V, gold for mains and greeen for 4 to 6 V DC.

Here is a picture together with its 24V sister loco (which is pulling the correct tender)


As my layout can be divided electricly into two sections (main layout and outer loop with the small station) and each section can be switched to 24V AC, 24V DC and "mains" operation, I had the two run side by side.

If brute force does not work....you´re not using enough of it.

James Harrison

#1028
July 15, 2025, 05:05:31 PM
Excellent work!
Persons intending to travel by open carriage should select a seat with their backs to the engine, by which means they will avoid the ashes emitted therefrom, that in travelling generally, but particularly through the tunnels, prove a great annoyance; the carriage farthest from the engine will in consequence be found the most desirable.

Madasasteamfish

#1029
July 28, 2025, 02:41:01 PM
An entirely appropriate level of dedication to the hobby on display here:


http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1BDpmrzd6IM
I made a note in my diary on the way over here. Simply says; "Bugger!"

"DON'T THINK OF IT AS DYING, JUST THINK OF IT AS LEAVING EARLY TO AVOID THE RUSH."

The Bullet

#1030
July 28, 2025, 07:15:19 PM
Next one is back alive.
A rare Märklin S64, also Starkstrom variant.
Bought it as "completely no function".
The 64-type reverser needed a good clean, one wire was broken and another caused a short due to brittle insulation.
I still need to repair one pantograph and replace one handrail.
Pics to follow.
If brute force does not work....you´re not using enough of it.

The Bullet

#1031
August 01, 2025, 07:59:51 AM
As promised:




If brute force does not work....you´re not using enough of it.

James Harrison

#1032
August 01, 2025, 12:51:27 PM
Oh I say. That is *very* nice.
Persons intending to travel by open carriage should select a seat with their backs to the engine, by which means they will avoid the ashes emitted therefrom, that in travelling generally, but particularly through the tunnels, prove a great annoyance; the carriage farthest from the engine will in consequence be found the most desirable.

Caledonian

#1033
August 02, 2025, 11:13:00 PM
love the use of a light colour on the windows and doors and a black rivets on top of the brown, gives it a lot of visual interest :)
it's ALIVE --- and weirdly obsessed with wizards?

James Harrison

#1034
September 07, 2025, 04:38:55 PM
My modelling mojo comes and goes.  It has done for the last five years or so - the house project takes priority and I don't have the time or energy to keep multiple things going at once. 

But now and again it does come back for a little while.



Of late, I've gotten tired of this sitting in pieces on a shelf in silent accusation.  You may remember I bought three of these a few years ago now, started this one and then put it away again awaiting parts.

Well, I've finally gotten the bits I needed and now I'm pressing on with completing this one, hopefully then quickly moving onto its siblings. 

It may look complete, but there's still a few items on the to-do list before I can tick it off:

1 - the roof needs repainting
2 - lots and lots of wire handrails
3 - buffers (those were the bits I was waiting on)
4 - couplings (and I've managed to lose the sleeves they fit in, so that's something else I need to make up)

I'm taking part in an event at Wolverhampton Art Gallery next weekend - a sort of 'meet the makers' thing in connection with the exhibition I've contributed to - I'm hoping to take this one along, with a few other things.  We'll see.
Persons intending to travel by open carriage should select a seat with their backs to the engine, by which means they will avoid the ashes emitted therefrom, that in travelling generally, but particularly through the tunnels, prove a great annoyance; the carriage farthest from the engine will in consequence be found the most desirable.

Madasasteamfish

#1035
September 14, 2025, 08:00:26 PM
Well, after an outing to see Mr Harrison show off his work and generally nerd out with each other I finally found sufficient mojo to actually attack the multitude of kits that I've been acquiring for use on Dukeswood...


First up we have one of my most recent purchases of a W&T whitemetal kit of a steamroller. As things stand I'm conflicted as how exactly I want to use it. Part of me says that it would work nicely as a load on the back a flat wagon/cameo of being loaded (IIRC I have an airfix Scammel tank transporter I could use to have it transitioning to/from) to help with the south/west yorkshire vibe as Fowlers was based at Leeds and both Sheffield and Lincoln had extensive heavy engineering companies producing such vehicles or just have it along with a road mending gang at work.

And we have my ongoing foray into pre-grouping with the 6 wheeled LNWR coach I obtained sometime last year. However this presents another dilemma... Do I paint it in LMS crimson/maroon or add it to my L&YR coaches in LNWR salmon and brown as a prototypical 'roundtoit' job...
I made a note in my diary on the way over here. Simply says; "Bugger!"

"DON'T THINK OF IT AS DYING, JUST THINK OF IT AS LEAVING EARLY TO AVOID THE RUSH."

James Harrison

#1036
September 16, 2025, 05:54:37 PM
I say LNWR plum and spilt/split milk.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPZkZVzflxk
Persons intending to travel by open carriage should select a seat with their backs to the engine, by which means they will avoid the ashes emitted therefrom, that in travelling generally, but particularly through the tunnels, prove a great annoyance; the carriage farthest from the engine will in consequence be found the most desirable.

Madasasteamfish

#1037
September 17, 2025, 04:25:44 PM
Quote from: James Harrison on September 16, 2025, 05:54:37 PMI say LNWR plum and spilt/split milk.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPZkZVzflxk

As tempting as it is, given the complexity of the region (as discussed), I don't think my sanity (or at least what's left of it) or my bank balance (come to think of it) would accommodate incorporating the 5+ pre-grouping companies active in the area between Sheffield and Lincoln (even going back as far as 1910ish gives me the Great Central, the Midland, the Great Eastern, the Great Northern, the L&YR, the LNWR and the Hull & Barnsley).

That said it might be worth me investing in a set of prayer beads and a whip so as I can drive out the temptation....
I made a note in my diary on the way over here. Simply says; "Bugger!"

"DON'T THINK OF IT AS DYING, JUST THINK OF IT AS LEAVING EARLY TO AVOID THE RUSH."

James Harrison

#1038
September 21, 2025, 02:23:29 PM
Last weekend I stepped out of my comfort zone and gave a bit of a talk at an art gallery.  Didn't like it, probably won't be doing it again in the immediate future.  Anyway, took some of my works in progress along by means of illustration;



Which got me thinking to finishing something for once, specifically my 2-4-0 which has been sitting idle since May whilst I think out a solution for the tender problem. 

The tender problem is that the motor block, the frames and the tender tank are held together mostly by one screw and two small lugs.  The lugs however were broken off by some halfwit before I bought the original model, so the rear of the tender a gap opened up as the frames sagged or the tender tank sprung off.



So last weekend the status of the loco was something like this (note - this particular photo was taken after I fixed the issue).

I tried two or three fixes around the themes of adding additional lugs, sanding down lumps of plastic inside the tank, moving wires around so they didn't catch under lugs and even went so far as to consider just drilling through the whole lot and adding another screw or two. 

Eventually I came to the conclusion that the only workmanlike way to fix the problem (and not store other issues up for later) was to glue the motor block into the frame casting.  That way the motor, wheels and frames become one unit and I only have to worry about the tender tank not sitting level (as opposed to the uncertainty of whether it's the tank popping up or the frames dropping down). 

Now, that works quite well and now attention turns to the tank itself. 



By this point I've removed the tank front (I added that myself months ago) because it was catching on the motor cover and causing the tank to pop up.  I've also removed the original flares I'd added (from drinking straws) because I think they're too large and coarse.  And I've rubbed the whole thing over a sheet of sandpaper to remove the green paint (too 'gloopy' for my liking) and the original factory finish. 

So now I have a basic plastic box to start over again from.
Persons intending to travel by open carriage should select a seat with their backs to the engine, by which means they will avoid the ashes emitted therefrom, that in travelling generally, but particularly through the tunnels, prove a great annoyance; the carriage farthest from the engine will in consequence be found the most desirable.

James Harrison

#1039
September 26, 2025, 06:57:53 PM
Well...



I built some new flares from plastic L-section strip with a smear of filler inside the 'L', then added a coal plate to the rear of the coal space.  I saturated a piece of kitchen roll with PVA glue and I stuffed it into the coal space with some dry paper underneath to pack it up (this forms the basis of a coal load that will hide the motor).



Meanwhile at the front end, a bulkhead and floor were fitted.



When the paper was dry I test-fitted the shell to the chassis.  Then started on details at the front - a coal hole door and some cabinets to either side.



Then some toolboxes on top of the tank. 



By this point, I had something looking like this. 

A first attempt at some coal rails using fuse wire and plastic strip proved far too fragile and flimsy.  So I started over again in plastic. 



Step 1: some tiny slivers of 'L' section to act as brackets, then a sliver of square rod to form the posts themselves.  Some 0.64mm diameter rod was then cut and given two 90-degree bends before being glued onto the top of the L-section upstands. 



More tiny lengths of 0.64mm rod then formed packers for the second and third coal rails above.  The top rail then has to curve down into the tender flares.  So I drilled two 0.70mm-diameter holes, one each side, and fed the top rail through that (after it had been cut approximately to length, folded to shape and glued to the posts).  The top rail was then cut to length, the lower rails cut back to meet it, and we're about done. 

In terms of structural work left, there's a bit of a footplate to add to the tender and some lamp irons to the rear platform, but that's about it.  (Just about) ready for the paintshop. 
Persons intending to travel by open carriage should select a seat with their backs to the engine, by which means they will avoid the ashes emitted therefrom, that in travelling generally, but particularly through the tunnels, prove a great annoyance; the carriage farthest from the engine will in consequence be found the most desirable.

James Harrison

#1040
October 04, 2025, 03:46:55 PM
Just to prove that I really was only a few weeks away from finishing it when it stalled....



Here it is.  Painted, lined, coal load added, about 99% complete.  The biggest outstanding tasks are the numbers and lettering, and some handrails on the tender.
Persons intending to travel by open carriage should select a seat with their backs to the engine, by which means they will avoid the ashes emitted therefrom, that in travelling generally, but particularly through the tunnels, prove a great annoyance; the carriage farthest from the engine will in consequence be found the most desirable.

The Bullet

#1041
October 06, 2025, 08:04:16 AM
Repair session last weekend.
Due to the awful weather, the repair queue got shorter.
One old driving trock was completely re-wired and received new batteries.
The Maxitrak Swallow had one shifted return crank, so the whole motion was checked and adjusted.
Quick check of the valve gear on class 55.
Repair of class 216. One of the axle-hung motors was not engaging the cog properly as the fixings hat shifted.

Last Friday I had been invited to test a 5" gauge class 24. Someone intended to sell it and the prospective buyer wanted an independent statement. This was a complete waste of time. (maybe not. Saved someone from buying an expensive doorstop)
First look told everything. The loco had been neglected. Last fore still in the firebox, smokebox full of ash, flues blocked, ashpan full,...
I went on to the technical examination. Hand pump not wirkong, axle pumps not working, steam pump not working. We filled the boiler by hand and tried to fire up but did not even get 1 bar on the clock because regulator and snifting valve were leaking badly. This is where I called the further tests off.

The axle pumps had been moved from the loco to the tender. If you do this on a non ride-on tender you have to link the axles with chains, otherwise the axle will not turn. (no problem on a ride-on tender).
One wheel of that axle had a visible flat. The other wheel did not as it was turning freely on the axle.

And the best part: the seller was not present during the test. He was "not interested", and could not even tell me on a phonecall before the test whether his loco had a steel or copper boiler.
BTW he asked 7500 € for it.

Citing Curly: "Nuff sed!"
If brute force does not work....you´re not using enough of it.

James Harrison

#1042
October 08, 2025, 06:26:44 PM
I think I'm calling this one finished. 









There are a couple other little jobs I'd like to do on it (glazing the cab windows and handrails on the tender footplate) but I can feel the mojo going away again, the itch scratched.  For now.  When I pick things up again, I'll probably be working on another project from the roundtuit pile. 
Persons intending to travel by open carriage should select a seat with their backs to the engine, by which means they will avoid the ashes emitted therefrom, that in travelling generally, but particularly through the tunnels, prove a great annoyance; the carriage farthest from the engine will in consequence be found the most desirable.

James Harrison

#1043
October 12, 2025, 04:45:04 PM
Well...



I've added a crew, and some footplate tools, and glazed the cab side sheets.  I think this one really is finished now. 





That's what I call a proper engine. 
Persons intending to travel by open carriage should select a seat with their backs to the engine, by which means they will avoid the ashes emitted therefrom, that in travelling generally, but particularly through the tunnels, prove a great annoyance; the carriage farthest from the engine will in consequence be found the most desirable.

The Bullet

#1044
October 13, 2025, 02:43:43 PM
Strange things happen.
Returned from shopping last Friday (not railway shopping).
and
someone had left a small Z-gauge layout (beyond repair) and two boxes of stuff in my driveway.
4 locos, not a single wagon and lots of stuff to build a layout.
My own Z-gauge layout was taken apart years ago as the baseboard started warping and breaking.
So I spent Sunday afternoon serciving 4 + 9 locos.
And this may be the start for a new layout....

Watch this space.
If brute force does not work....you´re not using enough of it.

Madasasteamfish

#1045
October 13, 2025, 04:51:59 PM
Quote from: The Bullet on October 13, 2025, 02:43:43 PMStrange things happen.
Returned from shopping last Friday (not railway shopping).
and
someone had left a small Z-gauge layout (beyond repair) and two boxes of stuff in my driveway.
4 locos, not a single wagon and lots of stuff to build a layout.
My own Z-gauge layout was taken apart years ago as the baseboard started warping and breaking.
So I spent Sunday afternoon serciving 4 + 9 locos.
And this may be the start for a new layout....

Watch this space.

Oh how I wish that I could enjoy experiences like that...
I made a note in my diary on the way over here. Simply says; "Bugger!"

"DON'T THINK OF IT AS DYING, JUST THINK OF IT AS LEAVING EARLY TO AVOID THE RUSH."

James Harrison

#1046
October 14, 2025, 07:34:06 AM
Quote from: The Bullet on October 13, 2025, 02:43:43 PMStrange things happen.
Returned from shopping last Friday (not railway shopping).
and
someone had left a small Z-gauge layout (beyond repair) and two boxes of stuff in my driveway.
4 locos, not a single wagon and lots of stuff to build a layout.
My own Z-gauge layout was taken apart years ago as the baseboard started warping and breaking.
So I spent Sunday afternoon serciving 4 + 9 locos.
And this may be the start for a new layout....

Watch this space.

I'm impressed that they knew to put it on your driveway - almost like you're known as the town's train guy. 
Persons intending to travel by open carriage should select a seat with their backs to the engine, by which means they will avoid the ashes emitted therefrom, that in travelling generally, but particularly through the tunnels, prove a great annoyance; the carriage farthest from the engine will in consequence be found the most desirable.

The Bullet

#1047
October 15, 2025, 08:45:59 AM
They know me....
This is not the first time that this happened, hopefully not the last.

Now I am looking for ideas for a layout.

There was an article that I want to take as inspiration where someone had used clever tricks to mask the oval.
If brute force does not work....you´re not using enough of it.

The Bullet

#1048
November 20, 2025, 12:01:13 PM
Finally.
We have come from this:


To this:


Took a while to find a matching tender.

And finally: a green Bowman 234 has arrived:

If brute force does not work....you´re not using enough of it.

Madasasteamfish

#1049
November 20, 2025, 05:44:20 PM
Quote from: The Bullet on November 20, 2025, 12:01:13 PMFinally.
We have come from this:


To this:


Took a while to find a matching tender.

And finally: a green Bowman 234 has arrived:



This does not help me!

I've recently received an offer for some appropriate coaches for Dukeswood and a kit built "LMS Twin" diesel (I reckon it could make a nice shed cameo alongside the LNER Garrett I'm expecting...)

GET BEHIND ME SATAN!
I made a note in my diary on the way over here. Simply says; "Bugger!"

"DON'T THINK OF IT AS DYING, JUST THINK OF IT AS LEAVING EARLY TO AVOID THE RUSH."
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