Scalefour Forum

Hi Jim,

That brings back childhood memories of dingy towpaths and run down smoky surroundings. It always seemed a bit sinister to me. A lovely (if that's the right word in the circumstances) job. Look forward to more.

It is with regret that the Committee has decided to cancel Scaleforum this year. The situation with regards to availability of accommodation and the ability to find somewhere to eat, whether our exhibitors would feel comfortable in attending and whether visitors would feel the same were factors in t...

Hi James, I found that it wasn't easy to part the top of the body from the bottom and I didn't want to push it! There is some lead sheet in the hopper bottom but not enough. When we get the new chassis we'll be losing that. I think I'll look at drilling into the base of the body to add lead sheet wh...

Hi David, The last line of your posting sums it up nicely. We only learn from these warts and all postings such as yours. I for one am grateful that you shared your problem with us all especially as it shows that these things can happen to any of us regardless of talent. Whilst its a bit of a "...

In the absence of any chance for us to meet for the foreseeable future, I thought it was about time that I posted some pictures of the first batch of Grain wagons that I have been working on for the layout. I have been meaning to do this for some time but never seem to have got around to it until no...

I thought that now would be the best time to tackle the tank itself. I put the weight in the tank when I built the LMS 2000 gallon version and can't see any reason not to do the same here. I decided to roll the lead sheet so that it would be a good fit inside the tank and hence give me a better glue...

B+ and A. I'll take that Terry. Thanks. I started off tonight by fitting the end tank support stays. These are simply 0.45mm. n/s wire threaded through the tank supports and down into previously drilled holes in the chassis overlays. There was a little mis-alignment in one or two which was easily fi...

As mentioned yesterday, some gentle filing and shaping has taken place and the shape of the casting has been restored. I also needed to simulate the bolts that hold the end stays in place as these had been lost when the damage took place. After drilling through with a 0.5mm. drill at the correct ang...

Hi Terry and Will, Yes, I did think of building the damage up with white metal but I haven't worked with it for some time, apart from tidying and fixing castings, and thought discretion might be the better part of valour in this instance, especially given the nature of the casting. I don't think tha...

I had a change of heart as to the next jobs to do. I fitted the end castings, of which more later, the buffers and solebar corner plates. This was all straightforward stuff and needs no real explanation from me but if you do have any questions then just ask. After that it was time to fit the running...

Hi Paul,

That's an excellent finish. Did you use enamel paint for the Midland grey? I ask because some of these washes don't like acrylic.

John.

Hi Dave,

We are currently looking at what we can do. Its unlikely that the AGM will take place as scheduled but we will inform the membership as soon as a decision has been reached.

John.

Hi Ken, Many thanks for your very generous offer to help financially but we couldn't possibly take anyone's money without giving something in return. We do appreciate such supportive comments and suggestions so thanks again. I would add that I entirely echo David's comments on supporting our traders...

As many of you will know, the Committee took the position that Scalefour North would go ahead this year unless the event was cancelled by the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School or that Government advice changed from what it was when our decision was made. That situation has now been reached with today's...

No Mike, not stupid at all. You have to cut small gaps in the brake linkages in order to get the wheels in and out. Its a bit of a shame to have to do it but there's no other way. I'll cover it in due course.

John.

More progress. This photo shows the chassis with its brake gear almost complete now. DSCN0119.JPG Looking along the length of the wagon. Note how the main linkage angles off to the left just after the centre axle and then angles back to the centre line again. I'm not sure whether I have overdone the...

Hi David,

That doesn't look bad at all and if you've built three then you're one and a half ahead of me! Thanks for showing it.

John.

Tufnol! That's the word that wouldn't come to me. Thanks John. Hi Jeremy, the answer is that its really a horses for courses situation. You can use the resistance iron for things like adding the overlays to the brake yokes and attaching them to the brake shoes but I prefer a normal iron for jobs lik...

Having said that I would cover the attachment of the solebars to the chassis this time, it seems that there wasn't very much to say about such a straightforward task that would be of benefit or particular interest, so I went ahead and soldered them in place. The next phase of construction involves f...

Firstly, an update on yesterday's posting. In order to continue the build, I needed to find the tank strap securing brackets and they were being elusive. In the course of finding them, I came across a little bag with some spring stops in it. There was also a note from Justin Newitt saying that I was...

Once again, I can't believe how long it has been since I last posted. Most of the intervening period has been taken up building wagons for our Area Group layout, North Elmham. Anyway, I rather belatedly thought that an account of my build of a Geen/Rumney GWR O57 milk tank wagon might provide some i...

Hi David,

That looks very nice indeed. A lovely reproduction of such a typical Stour Valley building. Looking forward to seeing how it progresses.

John.

I thought I would take the opportunity to thank Terry and his team for organising what was for me, one of the best Scaleforums that I can remember. I had a thoroughly good weekend. I managed to get around the show and see far more than I usually do and a great part of my enjoyment came from all the ...

Hi Gordon,

My Impetus 16" needs a strip down and general servicing. I used Sharnan wheels when I built it but I'm a little concerned that if I damage one of them when removing them I might have a problem replaving them. Does Gibbo do a suitable replacement?

John.

Hi Pete, Well done. That does indeed work very smoothly. I didn't get a chance to come and have a proper look at Wells but you're making steady progress which is good to see. Your 1P (I hope that's right, I'm not all that up on Midland engines I'm sorry to say) looks good and also runs nicely. All t...