Atlantic's works: Portable layout - Scenic details next

[Atlantic 3279]

Here's a glimpse of something I'm trying out for a proposed new project. I'm not going to spill the beans completely about what may be going on with this one, although a number of you will be able to make a fairly accurate guess. I won't describe it all blow-by-blow either, as I may be busy on other fronts during the summer weather and I'd rather concentrate where possible on actually advancing the project. These parts of different locos, from different makers, manufactured a good forty years apart, fit together better than I could ever have hoped:

16/2/12 As I am now obliged to either "pay up" for a "premium account", or selectively reduce my pictures hosted on imageshack, or just let them wipe off all of the older ones at the end of this month, I have now deleted all of the other pictures showing the development and assembly of my "prototype" A2/3 conversion which led to the production of my resin parts for speedy and economical repetition of this conversion. I've left in some pictures of the finished result, and I can if necessary still supply resin parts and fully colour-illustrated instructions for anybody wanting to convert a Bachmann A2 to the Thompson Pacific

[Atso]

Look good Graham, interesting to see how Triang/Hornby got the A3 boiler pretty spot on. I seem to recall you using this type of boiler for your V2.

I have my suspicions on what you are creating but I'll allow you your moment of suspense and PM'ed you my thoughts instead of posting openly here.

[52D]

Can i have a P(1) please bob.

[James Brodie]

Don't think it's an A1 or A10 as they were right hand drive??
Jim Brodie

[davidwest]

One of Thompsons an A2/3 or A1/1?

[S.A.C. Martin]

As I said via PM, it really looks the part to me. Closer inspection of the photographs today - the Triang Scotsman was much better than I thought for proportions and shape, despite its age.

Overall, looking the part at the cab end very early on!

[Atlantic 3279]

If the true nature of this project is still a mystery to some, and is causing "killer suspense", then I may be able to provide some further clues shortly, as I think the next challenge for me is to construct a satsfactory new front section of running plate. Once I reveal that, things should become fairly obvious.

[Atlantic 3279]

After scratching my aching head regarding the design of the front end running plate for the project loco today I ended up having to go and lie down for a few minutes. Obviously my anti-insanity pills alone are not effective. When I came back to the job it occurred to me that there was a further check on fitting that I needed to carry out at the rear end before addressing the front anyway, so I did that instead.

Having already relieved metal from the outside faces of two raised locating bosses on the running plate, in order to get the longer firebox and new cab to locate, I was rather annoyed when I proceeded to try the chassis back in place, only to find more of the same trouble. The lateral slot for the floating rear wheelset is formed in a raised section of chassis block whose ends foul the lower edges of the firebox through aperatures in the bosses that I had previously cut back! The amount of metal that has to be filed from the ends of that slot structure comes perilously close to breaking through it, although it is (fortunately) well supported in other places.
Here's the view with the chassis in, showing bright metal where I have filed clearances, and also revealing the fearsome looking combination of angles and rebates on the back of the original firebox moulding. I was immensely relieved to find that my chunk of Triang Scotsman missed all of the awkward parts of that moulding!

Here we are with the cab actually on. The other areas and features of the loco revealed in these two views probably give the game away regarding the planned identity now. Flat fronted cab, big firebox, no splashers, non-corridor rivetted tender.....

[mick b]

A Straight Deal perhaps

[Atlantic 3279]

That is to be my steady aim throughout this project. I hope to be airborne with delight upon its completion.

I've sorted out what I expected to be the most challenging aspect of the shape of the front running plate now. It was in fact more difficult in the imagination than it was to execute - once I applied an un-distracted mind and a bit of time to the job. Pictures and added detailing will follow some time......

[mick b]

Mind you dont trip over a Herringbone

[Atlantic 3279]

By the way, I do realise that for this project the LNER/BR transitional livery and a diagram 118 boiler don't go together. Changes will be made before completion, and the owner plans a full repaint.

[Atlantic 3279]

Scribing, snapping, "rolling" (see following explanation) and folding of (originally) a single strip of 10 thou' brass sheet along with some soldered-on additions of 3/64 square brass bar last night produced the basics of the front running plate extension. I formed the curve with fingers over the shank of a 9mm HSS drill bit. The lower angle of the square step in the plate snapped when I was trying to form the adjacent reverse angle, so I re-united the parts with a piece of pre-formed brass angle below. I thought I had checked every aspect of shape and dimension "to death" against the Isinglass drawing and the original model as I had worked. A while after finishing the work to this point, I realised that I hadn't done a final check of width versus the existing model. Natuarally, my new piece is still a shade too wide / / so I will have to take the valance off at one side, file down to exact width, and then re-attach the valance before I move on.
Oh, the joys of scratchbuilding pieces to match...

While we seem to be dealing with puns and obscure references, do you think I will be able to ride this particular finished thoroughbred up one of the Bernese Alps?

[Atlantic 3279]

I missed this one earlier. I hope I won't share Dante's experiences in the course of this project

Running plate extension is now the right width at least. Alteration for once proved to be a trouble free task. Time now to add the remainder of the valances, a buffer beam, top front arcs of the frames (with lifting holes), cover for middle cylinder and valve, plus a suitable saddle for the smokebox. I must remember to provide a means of attaching the recycled Bachmann footsteps, and a means of making a strong joint with the old running plate once that is cropped back.

[Atlantic 3279]

A bit more done to the new front running plate. Now that there is a complte strong basic unit in soldered metal, I'll probably add other cosmetic features in quickly and easily shaped plastikard. If all goes according to plan the glued joints between dissimilar materials won't matter a jot in the final analysis.

When I started studying the drawing in readiness for adding that cover for the midddle cylinder between the frame fronts, I realised that the plating between the frames should be a scale inch or two lower than most of the "outboard" areas of this piece of running plate. Owing to my chosen method of construction that is impossible to model, but the offending area will be under the smokebox and between the deflectors, so only we pedants will ever worry about it.......
The underside now. Adding the front sections of valance, which had to have both a correct smooth curve and a sharp angular bend in them, took a bit of time last night. I also reminded myself of how quickly it is possible to put down a piece of thin brass when you find yourself soldering on one face of it whilst inadvertantly supporting the same area of the opposite face with your finger