Furness 21 Class (K2)

[Knuckles]

Greetings.

Many of you know I have been working hard on the SCC project where you can buy some loco kits and bits if they appeal.
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=4577

As a few asked me to make a video showing how to build an SCC kit I have decided it will be a good idea. I know quite a few who have never built a traditional etched kit and so I see these as a good way to ease you into them. For experienced locomotive kit builders, building an SCC loco kit will be a peace of cake as the chassis are printed square (albeit not readily sprung) thus removing a lot of the pitfalls that can come by not having a square chassis.

The following VLOG will be to some a lesson in egg sucking. I have a rubber one in the 'fridge if you want more practice, honest.

For others you may cringe, either due to the methods or materials employed. This is perfectly fine, we can skin cats in different ways and you are free to disagree. You may also think why am I teaching these things when others may do a better and more experienced job? Good question and fair point.

Answer -
A) - I was asked to.
B) - It may help to alleviate fears newcomers have in building either my own or someone else's loco kit. If this scares people away then what chance they got doing a full blown etched job?
C) - Well, I don't see many others doing it, I do have a few DVD's on the subject but that is it. There are some others nocking about though.
D) - It may give you a good idea what I was on about in terms of tutorials in video form, albeit a bit crude in production values.

Many of the information contained herein will also be applicable to traditional etched chassis and loco' building in general but for obvious reasons it will be lacking in certain information and demonstration. I will be showing how I build a High Level Kits Road Runner + gearbox though so there will be some soldering and such like shown.

Unlike usual blog presentations I do on these and other forums this particular thread will predominantly be video based.

The video will be building a K2 and two different bodies are used, the real K2 and also a freelance variant for my own purposes.

So with that part 1 and two are below. Hope you like them and please ask questions if you have them as I'll do my best to answer them.


Part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lgx2_q3bfbo

Part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfDiz6s ... e=youtu.be

Part 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHvixjHb3Rw

Part 4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoB9Sx0sPvQ

Part 5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzdw968 ... e=youtu.be

Part 6

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B43ugCO ... e=youtu.be

More to follow.

[Philip Hall]

Knuckles,

I must say you have put a lot of effort into these videos (and your creations) and you are to be applauded for your efforts. The subjects are not for me but if they were southern related I would be very tempted. Your finished Furness 4-4-0 looks very nice indeed, clean and square which is so difficult to achieve if you are a beginner.

If anything of what you have done encourages folk to get into building an engine for themselves you will have done the hobby a service. Your running examples work very well and I think that it cannot be beyond those more experienced to build in suspension if they feel the need. Interesting that your 4-4-0 handles a three carriage train so a bit of extra weight might help those of us who want to lug more around.

Keep up the good work.

Philip

[Knuckles]

Thanks philip.

The K2 can probably pull more than in the video but truth is Davey had what I think were first radius curves and so filming could only be done on the straights. I have 2nd radius and bigger curves on my test tracks at home so I can test things properly but since I blew my 00 layout up in favour of a P4 one, filming on a 00 layout can't be done here. A different motor or set up would no doubt improve things also.

You say only southern related stuff interests you fully.
Could I tempt you with the E2's? They are Southern related.

The video's hopefully will help people get into kit building more. If as a result of watching they build one of my kits great, if they decide to build one of your kits (whoever 'your' is) great. Too many people have turned this hobby into a collection hobby rather than a construction one and as we keep reading in model railway magazines it is feared the skills are dying off.

I myself was scared of doing etched construction at some point so I know exactly what goes through people's minds. Tony Wright and the now sadly discontinued Right Track DVD series started me off brilliantly. These kits are much less involved than traditional kits and although I appreciate fully that this to some is an off put I know for others it is exactly what they need to get them started before they move on to harder things.

So to that end I see the kits at heart as starter kits that can be taken as far as you want to. If you can build a traditional etched kit you'll breeze through an SCC kit. If you can build an SCC kit then from a beginners perspective you just need to build upon soldering and get a square chassis. The gearbox construction video will show soldering anyway.

After the series I might do one on normal etched construction. I have a lot to learn here myself so others may be better to do it but I may. Time will tell.

Thanks for the comment, if you have any suggestions to improve things other than my sometimes monotone voice I'm all ears. I am thinking of setting another camera up so I can also in effect talk to viewers.

[Philip Hall]

Sorry, the E2 is not for me since I am a South Western man, early 1950s west of Exeter to be precise, although I stray into GW and BR standards when I think no one is looking!

Philip

[Knuckles]

Sorry, the E2 is not for me since I am a South Western man, early 1950s west of Exeter to be precise, although I stray into GW and BR standards when I think no one is looking!

Philip

Hehe, no worries. I think most of us are like that. It's ok locking yourself to a specific railway company or district but if you can inject a bit of freedom in there so much the better.

I'm planning a junction layout that will provide just the excuse I need to run quite a few railway companies without it seeming too out of place.

[Knuckles]

Oky doky, part 4 now ready for viewing..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoB9Sx0sPvQ

Hope it is of use or at least interesting.

[dal-t]

Very interesting/informative/entertaining as usual, Knuckles, but could you please, please, please stop using a scapel as a pointer? Every time I see you waving it around near your fingers it brings back memories of each and every slice I've ever taken out of mine through careless cutting, scraping or just grabbing, before it finally penetrated (sic!) that the blades are very sharp, and skin is very thin, and I really do not like the colour of the stuff that pours out when the two come into contact!

[Knuckles]

Lol, sure!

I'll use a pointy sharp file instead.


I do have a pack of plasters next to my desk for immediate aid. I've also lost count the amount of times I have prematurely gave engines an unexpected scarlet livery, but you live and (never) learn!

I'm not too keen on Exacto type blades as I find they keep moving even if it is twisted up tight. Maybe it is because I use el cheapo nock offs.

These Swan Morton scalpel blades are my preference as they (when new and fresh) cut almost anything. Fingers are good.

[Knuckles]

Part 5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzdw968 ... e=youtu.be

&

Part 6

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B43ugCO ... e=youtu.be

[Knuckles]

Part 7
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDqQsJD ... e=youtu.be

& Part 8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPxBmy3BtAk


& Part 9
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yNzxUSzok4

[Knuckles]

Part 10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cKVMbwTqRQ

[Knuckles]

Seems this thread isn't generating much interest! Oh well, will keep posting the updates anyway. May help one day.

Part 11 at last!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-A98Nay9DFA

[Knuckles]

Part 12, Chassis Completion.

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

Now for the body mainly, this is the stage where things start to look more like the intended machine!

[Knuckles]

Part 13

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCc_916kwj0

[Knuckles]

Part 14
Final in the series. This shows the completion of the Freelance Variant body rather than the real thing but I'll get around to doing it in FUD or FXD at some point. Will also get some more pictures done when the time is right.

What the series has shown is a very simple way to build a loco kit as a fixed axle set, some ways of doing things and some not so good ways of doing things. Since getting a GW Models wheel press and puller life has been so much easier and accurate, but that is documented in the series too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UXQpx5NuCw


This is the original Furness K2 I built (You have seen it before I know) using the smaller boss head coupling rods and the smaller 3' bogie types, all as the cheaper and less crisp WSF material.



And this is the completion of the V3 Freelance Variant built in the video series, also a WSF print but with the bigger coupling rod bosses and using the 3' 6" bogies.



As these were fixed axle 00 builds the next ones I'll be experimenting with to find a suitable compensation or springing method for P4.
I've recently ordered one of my new Furness J1's so it'll be interesting to see where this leads.