Atlantic's works: Portable layout update

[Woodcock29]

Hi Graeme

Both locos looking terrific. I've still not got around to finishing the work I started on my O2/3. However, I'm going to find new expansion links out of my spares box and replace those on the Heljan model - in the process I'll be able to correctly rivet the eccentric rod to the extension that comes from the base of the expansion link - I'm yet to fathom why Heljan designed the eccentric rod with the near right angle extension at the leading end? I'm also intending to move the radius rods outwards and reduce the 'elbowness' of the return cranks.

May I also suggest you remove the circle of rivets on the smokebox door that shouldn't be there. I'm also thinking of fitting new Spencer double action buffers to mine - I don't like the plastic heads on those provided.

Have received my set of Heljan O2/3 spares for other projects like the O1.

Regards

Woodcock29

[Atlantic 3279]

I agree that the smokebox door rivets probably ought to come off. I did intend to fit new, better expansion links and may still do so at a later date, but given that the return crank is possibly only glued to the back of the hex head crankpin screw with no form of physical key or lock, I decided to leave the return crank / eccentric rod alone as far as possible at this stage. I couldn't resist trying a little bit of gentle straightening though.....

[earlswood nob]

Good morning all

I never tire looking at the conversion/improvement of RTR locos.

There must be a reason why the eccentric rod has the right angled extension, but I cannot think of one.

It isn't a cheap solution, but I plan to use the Comet (Wizard) V2 valve gear on my Nucast O2/2. The coupling rods left over can be used as replacement for the Kay's examples in the B2 on the roundtuit shelf.

Earlswood nob

[Atlantic 3279]

Andrew can relax now, the smokebox door is de-pimpled.

[Atlantic 3279]

Resin casting of long promised parts continues as and when precious time allows.

This weekend I'm off to another Grantham layout practice / troubleshooting weekend.

My P1, maligned for inability to cope with some particular piece of Grantham's pointwork, has been to see its lawyer even though I urged it to wait until we've done a further track test. I have two other locos wishing to apply for track testing this weekend too.

Grime aside, I've finished messing about with the Heljan O2:

The works painter has done his best in the available time with this oddity but hasn't been able to finish the lining out.

[drmditch]

Magnificent, and (in my eyes at least) entirely credible.

[manna]

G'day Gents

I like it, a cross between a K2 and a C1, I think that would have worked.

manna

[Atso]

Hi Graeme,

Love the O2 and the might have been. The 2-6-2 wheelbase is different to the V3 tank engine, what kind of surgery did you perform on the chassis?

[Atlantic 3279]

The most careful marking out I could manage, then a small pilot hole from each side, followed by a 6mm drill, and some annoying corrective filing created the new third axleway. I won't tell you about the other corrective measures I had to take as they would even more wildly horrify anybody whose methods get anywhere close to proper engineering....

It works.

[earlswood nob]

Afternoon all

I like the 2-6-2 conversion to double slide bars, but I can't deduce how you made the short coupling rods for the rear two driving wheels.

The V1/3 was 7'3+9'0, but yours look like 7'3+6'3, and I can't see the join.

Earlswood nob

[Atlantic 3279]

There's a joint mid way along the rod with a strip of nickel silver soldered to the inside face of the joined rod. Paint hides it well on this side, less so on the other.

[Woodcock29]

Hi Graeme

I expect you realise you are now quite close to making 3279 - all you need to do is shorten another version of the prairie's body and fine tune the cab plus and use an Atlantic chassis - you appear to have mostly sorted the cylinders and valve gear that would be needed. Looks like you'll beat me to making a model of 3279!

Andrew

[earlswood nob]

Good morning all

I'd like to see 3279 in its final (1938) form with the high footplate large cab etc. Building one was my first dream when I retired and got back into modelling (perhaps I should say moved on from rough kit building).

I also think that 3279 was an interesting loco when running with four cylinders, a medium level footplate, and outside valve gear (I can't spell Walschaerts).

I have a couple of Kay's C1 kits put aside, one for the 3279, and the other for the booster fitted 4419. The big problem is the chassis as the Kay's bogie is far too short, but it won't clear the driving wheels if replaced with one of the correct length.

I am kicking around the idea of fixing the rear bogie axle to the chassis and fitting a pony truck for the front bogie axle to become a sort of 2-6-2.

Earlswood nob

[Manxman1831]

Hi Earlswood Nob,
Be careful with the Keyser chassis. My dad built one of their C1's many years ago, and it was fraught with difficulty. With the 'correct' leading bogie, the rear wheelset caught the chassis frames on even gentle curves, while the 'wrong' bogie stuck the leading wheelset hard under the bufferbeam. His solution was to chop a good portion of the mainframes to accommodate the proper bogie and make sure it was flexible enough elsewhere for Hornby curves.

[earlswood nob]

Thanks Manxman

Another modeller confirms my opinion of the Kay's chassis. I made a scratch chassis for the C1 that I built in standard form.

We better not hijack Atlantic3279's thread too much.

Earlswood nob