Atlantic's works: Portable layout - Scenic details next

[Atlantic 3279]

A couple of images of the test assembled resin conversion, taken in unsatisfactory light late last evening. The slight variation of the dimensions of castings compared to the masters, induced by such minor things as the top cover not sitting down absolutely flush on the open mould, naturally caused every conceivable difficulty with the assembly process. Following my decision to try the short-cut of "painting first", I really had the salt rubbed into my wounds as part of my punishment. Not only did I have to trim parts to fit whilst trying to preserve paintwork, but that paintwork was still sioft in many places so that handling parts was a nightmare - many checks for paint on fingers before touching the model again! Then of course, the paint was most unhelpful when it came to gluing fittings to the running plate - but I couldn't fit the main ones any earlier - the plate needs to be in place alongside the boiler to set the positions for the parts. That's what you get for rushing! Still most things are not permanently attasched at this stage, and no joints are yet filled and smoothed, but here's the result:

Must go now.

[S.A.C. Martin]

Wow.

EDIT: Now I've got my jaw off the floor, I have to say - utterly convincing. Add the nameplates, weathering, done. Unbelievably good.

[davidwest]

Unbelieveable Graeme - words fail me - stunnning conversion.

[Horsetan]

Now that looks like fun!

[Atlantic 3279]

Now that looks like fun!

You'd have to define "fun" before I could comment .

Apart from adopting the practice of fitting and gluing first, and painting later, in the usual logical order, some of the things that I shall have to sort out before I can claim that the castings are fully fit for use will include these:
1. The cylinder castings - of course.
2. The widened parts of the running plate under the S-curve of the firebox - in the casting they now seem to be a little too wide, even if this was not evident in the master parts. The wide, thin top "lip" to the running plate edge in these positions is therefore not only too prominent but very vulnerable in resin. It will be wise to routinely file a little off the outside edge of the lip prior to assembly.
3. Whilst it may well be okay when assembled, braced as it is by other parts, the long, straight, slim parts of the running plate pieces are a bit too flimsy when the parts are being handled prior to fitting. I may look into the possibility of casting-in lengths of straight, stiff wire to bolster the resin.
4. I need to look at the fit of the flat base of the rear of the smokebox on the top of the chassis block. It appears to me that a little more may need filing off at the very rear of the smokebox base in order to get the whole of the base to sit down flush on the chassis - a layer of daylight is currently showing just behind the saddle. This may also explain the next point....
5. The boiler (and attached splashers) are sitting a little higher compared to the running plate than was the case when the master parts were all in place. This causes the minor annoyance of slight exposure of the splasher tops above the level of the running plate. If the fit of the smokebox doesn't account for this anomaly, I shall have to find out what does!

The esteemed Mr Houlden managed to keep a straight face when he gave the loco a look over today, so that's a bit of good news, on top of the kind comments on here so far. He also reckons that the lining on the cylinders of the A2/3 ought to be deleted, which suits me as it is probably easier to do that than it is to add matching lining to the up-curve of the wrapper above the original Bachmann cylinders. Does anybody have the contrary view that the lining should stay?

[davidwest]

The lining on the cylinders should go. Also the turn in on the top of the tender See the Brm review, is incorrect

https://www.model-railways-live.co.uk/R ... comotives/

bachman got the first batch wrong. I'm waiting for Irish Elegance, as this is correct where as BB and BP were wrong.

[45609]

Hi Graeme,

The A1/1 prototype looks the business. I'm sure you will find a practical and ingenious solution to the small gremlins you've uncovered. Only to be expected with a piece of development work.

Agree 100% with David on the lining. Get rid. For Doncaster unlined cylinders was the norm. Stratford on the other hand would often put lining on the cylinders. I've seen quite a few photos of B1s outshopped from there in MT livery with cylinders lined.

Cheers.....Morgan

[Blink Bonny]

Ay up!

Well done. Graeme. Beats mine into a cocked hat! Good on yer!

[IAK]

Looks very tasty - BRAVO

[Atlantic 3279]

Thanks Ian, and all others.

A2/3, cylinder lining deleted, tender copings changed to green, running plate valances also touched-in with matching green though it barely shows in this picture, if at all. TBH they are a bit patchy anyway - I may have to go over the green again with a bow pen to get strength and even-ness of the colour:

A1/1, no further work done but maybe a better-lit picture with better colour too?

Linking with comments recently made regarding forthcoming RTR products, I was wondering if anybody would mention the Doncaster green A3 that appears in the Hornby calendar. I can't immediately think of any plans for conversion of one, but if they get it "right", I might end up buying one - even though I clearly don't need, and cannot justify, yet more pacifics on my layout.
But where's the long-promised Sandringham, and why on earth are we getting the B1 first when there are already reasonable RTR B1s "to cobble dogs" in the new and used RTR market!?!?!

I've now thoroughly abandoned any hope, after three and a half years, that BRM will publish my work covering the conversions that produced a K1 (from butchered B1 boiler and running plate, plus K3 chassis and cab) and a K3/1 (from spare Bachmann K3 body changed to RHD, scratch brass cab, and spare chopped V3 chassis). To be honest the way I shortened the B1 body in order to preserve rather than to have to replace some of its details was a bit convoluted. Since I can no longer see any point in trying to preserve any form of "exclusivity" for the potential publishers, here are the results anyway:

[S.A.C. Martin]

I say again Graeme - and I can't be alone in this - publish it yourself! I am certain a book on some well thought out, well modelled kit bashes and conversions would do exceedingly well at this time, particularly with the price of kits at an all time high, and the spares still plentiful on the market for many of your conversions.

That K1 looks absolutely exquisite, by the way. The K3/1 is equally exquisite, but you'll appreciate my perchant for the cycling lion I hope.

[Atlantic 3279]

By the way, is it only "grumpy old me" who is getting thoroughly bored with BRM's month after month after month virtually cover-to-cover content of garishly coloured N gauge diesels and DCC obsessed projects (usually how to fit a gizmo into yet another diesel, or how to make layout construction ludicrously expensive by using yet more gizmos)? Distinctly dodgy "train-set" layouts seem to be appearing now too, and are they making a push to dislodge the "narrow gauge monthly" crown from the head of Peco publications? I'm sure a recently retired member of their office staff would never have allowed this situation to develop had he remained on duty.....
No reply so far to similar comments put directly to the BRM office, nor anything to tell me whether I also wasted my time supplying an article covering detailing/correcting the O4 model, and conversions to O4/8 and O1 when the model was highly topical a full year ago.

Anyway, one or two more pictures, including a quick re-visit to the finished O1, now sold and possibly gone forever following the unfortunate demise of the new owner. Some may see related significance of a sort in a couple of the other loco pictures too, sooner or later.

Little Engines D10

Little Engines J11


Improved Lima J50 body on Perseverence running gear

[mick b]

BRM ?? havent bought a copy for over a year for the same reasons. The only one I buy are very occasional Hornby and RM issues.
You may have better luck with your articles with either of them.

Cracking models shame the O1 is still AWOL.

[davidwest]

Ah it seems I'm not alone w.r.t BRM. It's a shame now that Tony W 's retiring too. But i do wish him well

Graeme - http://www.facebook.com/modelrail. about half way down - the B17 delayed it June... Which year I wonder?

Oh well at least I can save to spend on other things.

[2002EarlMarischal]

Great set of photos of a superb variety of models - positively drooling here!