Scalefour Forum

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...

Thanks to all for your replies. There's certainly enough to keep me going there! Steve, Your current project looks very interesting and I look forward with interest to seeing how it progresses. Good luck with it. John, I am looking for something to load some wagons with and to provide some ground co...

I am looking for a source of very fine sand for some wagon loads. I have used some fine sand from one of Norfolk's finest beaches but, despite sifting, it looks overscale to me and we can't have that now, can we? Any suggestions will be most welcome.

John.

Following on from my query concerning the Slaters MR cattle wagon, does anyone know how long the W1/W5 GWR cattle wagons, as per the Coopercraft kit, lasted in service?

John.

That is rather nice Gordon. Modelling East Anglia makes it a bit of a challenge to justify one but I'm sure it will sell well if the number of ballast trains I see on layouts is anything to go by. Good luck with it.

John.

Wonderful stuff Robin, very Cathedral-like.

John.

Oh Gordon, you're a very naughty boy. . I'll speak to you about that at RailWells.

John.