Micks 4mm LNER Models

[mick b]

Hi
I have used a normal paper bellows connector on the Jubilee coaches, thats near enough for me.
Re the Sentinel the wheelbase is a per the Nu Cast Bogie castings @ 27mm.

cheers

mick

[M Gair]

Thanks Mick B,

I have just priced the Black Beetle Motor bogie for Sentinel Railcar, will buy one at the next major Exhibition here in Melbourne in March next year. A$90 apx £50.

With the Silver Jubilee set, there is always a compromise somewhere. But it comes down to what you are happy with.

regards
Mark

[mick b]

The Jubilee sets will not be permantly coupled together therfore not viable to add any other type of connector ?? I cannot see any viable way modelling rubber side sheets unless the sets never goes around a curve!!. More than interested in any suggestions

More progress with the TPO. This shows how I paint my Teak effect using Precision Teak Cream Base and slightly thinned Weathered Teak Paints

Twin Dynamo underframe

[richard]

I used the same approach with Precision paints for the teak effect on my N scale Full Brake, following Precision's own instructions. I was most impressed with my own effort
Usually "teak" the reputation of being difficult to do, but in reality was easy to apply and mistakes (ie. unevenness or grain in the wrong direction) were easy to fix.

If anyone is shying away from a teak finish, then I'd recommend this approach.

Richard

[mick b]

Some ongoing projects

TPO

NB J37
This is a old kit which has had a new motor & gearbox, coupling rods and oil lubricator drives chassis awaits weathering after running in.

more pics to follow

[mick b]

Hornby A3 NRM version renamed/renumbered as Salmon Trout

[mick b]

Lastly two D&S NBR 16ton Mineral Wagons
I used a photo in the current MRJ magazine as a painting guide post war 1946 condition

Pre 1937 Livery as photo in Tatlows original LNER Wagon Book

Mick

[Atlantic 3279]

Working lubricator drives eh? Very nice. That motor in the J37 looks like quite a skinny can. What dia. is it and how does she pull on an incline with a good load?

[mick b]

Hi
Its a Mashima 1020 my prefered motor and very good its at the running in stage at present. My layout is flat so cant comment on incline pulling power !! The oil drives were on the kit as supplied on a very weak/thin etch .A unusual chassis as its whitemetal block with a nickel silver etch overlay !! well it is at least 20 years old and ideas have changed somewhat!!
The only problem is that there is virtually no sideplay even in OO . I might end up cutting down the centre to get some space and regluing together, I will see how it is on curves first before such drastic action

Mick

[Alpineman]

Mick B
Would it be feasible to use the TPO sides with a Hornby coach body/underframe? I fancy having a go with soldered brass construction, but a whole coach might be a bit ambitious for a first attempt, not to say expensive if it all goes wrong. The TPO looks like a good option, since there aren't any windows or interior to do. Are the 247 sides like Comet ones, i.e. etched in different layers? Thanks.

Alpineman

[Atlantic 3279]

I apoligize for sticking my nose in, but this may help: Yes, you can use etched Gresley sides as replacements for (though not necessarily as overlays for) sides on Hornby "LNER" coaches. Tony Wright showed how to do this to the latest, fancy, correct length, expensive Hornby teaks in an issue of BRM, and I later added an article on how to do a similar thing but starting from the old-style, much cheaper, 57 foot "LNER-esque" coaches that Hornby used to make. The latter involves lengthening or shortening of roof and floor depending upon whether you are building 61' 6" or 52' stock. Either method of course will give you bow-ends and domed roof ends, and use of the old style cheapo coaches leaves you a lot of underframe details to change if want a perfect result. If you want flat ends you could of course try something similar starting from flat ended RTR coaches, if height of side and profile of roof are acceptable.
If the idea appeals, I can dig out references to the appropriate issues of BRM.

[Alpineman]

Atlantic 3279
Thanks for your input. I didn't realise you were the same person who wrote the article about improving the old style Gresleys. I read both your and Tony Wright's articles at the time, and they were at the back of mind - hence my question! I thought TW's article, involving the potential wrecking of an expensive coach if you got it wrong, looked a bit risky unless you were quite a skilled modeller already. In any case, his method was partly intended to correct the faulty coach end profile, which didn't really offend me too much, given the otherwise high quality of the models.

However, your method seemed to be a good way of getting reqsonable looking coaches at a lower cost than the upgraded Hornby teaks. However, you referred in the article to the diagrams for the different carriage types to which I don't have access. Therefore, I wasn't sure quite what alterations were the right ones to make, other than correcting the length.

Your article seemed to suggest that it is necessary to cut the coaches up into sections and reposition doors and windows in some instances, but without knowing what or where, I didn't tackle it in the end. However, a complete one-piece side, like the TPO, would avoid the risk of jumbling up the sections incorrectly. I realise that the coach underframmes would need extending, but your method deals with that problem, and I thought I could copy the underframe details from the retooled coaches using plastic strip etc.

What do you think?

Alpineman

[Atlantic 3279]

Sounds good to me Alpineman*. You never discover all that's involved in a job until you have a go, but there will be a solution to any unforseen snags if you go carefully enough, pausing for thought when unsure. Post up pictures of your progress on here and I'm sure you'll get plenty of advice, wanted or not! Or send me a PM and I'll try to advise "privately" if desired.

Good luck and happy new year.

*Is that a Sunbeam?

Sorry for digressing within your thread Mick.

[Atso]

*Is that a Sunbeam?

Sorry for digressing within your thread Mick.

I'm a B and midget man myself!

Sorry Mick! BTW the TPO looks great! Good to see another Gresley pacific in original livery too - not enough of those about!

[mick b]

Hi
Personally I wouldnt bother using a Hornby base. The old ones are awful, wrong length poor bogies etc etc.
Definatly not the latest Hornby type which has had a lot of criticsm re the sides tumblehome or lack off. Personally I can live with that and I think they are superb, the coaches are now in the region of £40 a time as well. Far too expensive to chop up .I managed to get some via ebay for about £20 each a while ago , they now go for double or more than that . I presume they are scarce at the moment ? The price also reflects that they cant be as bad as some people think either .
The TPO is different to the normal Gresley corridor stock its narrower @ 8ft 6inches wide has a flat not domed roof and the Corridor gangways are offset to one side and are the ends are flat as well.
I used a MJT floorpan etc. The sides are in multiple pieces to allow for the centre lip and on the net sides the doors al inset. I wouldnt recomend them for a begineer.
How about a normal Gresley Corridor Full Brake similar in appearance as small toplights and doors only they have a domed roof and curve ends with centre corridor connectors. Comet and MJT do the sides and other parts to fit.
Graeme no problem glad the thread is being looked at. I have never seen the Coach articles either and they would also be of interest to me

cheers and a Happy New Year to all

Mick