Atlantic's works: Portable layout - Scenic details next

[2002EarlMarischal]

OK, OK, ha ha ha!

I'd blame spell check if I could!

Let he who has maid no smelling pistakes carst the first stown!

[S.A.C. Martin]

But we shouldn't laugh at others experiencing vowel trouble......

Or needing reading glasses - I read that originally as bowel trouble

[60800]

There's a safety poster at school that says 'Horseplay can kill'

I think you can guess what I misread it as

EDIT: update on my fiddle yard and turntable coming soon on my workbench thread and more A4 liveries in my drawing line to be brought out today

[45609]

Ah Bowel trouble......a consonant problem for some.....

[Atlantic 3279]

Returning to the less amusing subject of LNER modelling: Has anybody else had a really good look at the shapes and heights of the curved top edges of the transverse plates of Hornby's "new type non-corridor" (i.e. 1928 pattern with beading) 8-wheeled tender? Am I alone in thinking that (certainly for most post 1948 tenders, including the one behind Great Northern) the curves arch much too high, and give the wrong "look" as if all were formed to a single radius, including most of the curved copings. I think the exposed plates between the copings should be much flatter (though not flat of course) giving a definite "three centre round" end profile.

[All thumbs]

Returning to the less amusing subject of LNER modelling: Has anybody else had a really good look at the shapes and heights of the curved top edges of the transverse plates of Hornby's "new type non-corridor" (i.e. 1928 pattern with beading) 8-wheeled tender? Am I alone in thinking that (certainly for most post 1948 tenders, including the one behind Great Northern) the curves arch much too high, and give the wrong "look" as if all were formed to a single radius, including most of the curved copings. I think the exposed plates between the copings should be much flatter (though not flat of course) giving a definite "three centre round" end profile.

I just happen to have the relevant Isinglass drawing (#335) to hand. According to this, there wasn't a change to the height of the 1928 NT tender but there was to the streamlined variant attached to A3s from 1948. The reduction was to the front canopy which was reduced by 7.625" from 12' 8.625" to 12' 1". The three radii shown (from side sheet to centre) are 7.25", 3' 3.875" and 14' 8". The streamlined non-corridor tenders attached to the A4s were never cut down.

Does this help?

[Atlantic 3279]

Thanks AT. That's interesting, as the Isinglass for GN shows the radius of the main middle section of the arc as 7' 10", for all three plates, giving them a height to crest above rail level of 12' 1". Compared even to these figures the Hornby tender is about 1.5mm too high at the middle of the rear coal plate and the rear sheet, but oddly enough I now notice that it is about right on the front plate. If the curve radius were as flat as 14' 8" then the Hornby rendition would be evn further out.

"So what? It's only 1.5mm" some might say, but I reckon it makes a big difference to the look of the tender, especially from the rear, where its narrow tank does quite enough to make it look tall and slim without an extra "crown" at the top.

[Atlantic 3279]

Having spent valuable modelling time lately either earning a living, casting resin parts, or researching / planning / sketching in preparation for other modelling projects, I thought it was about time I got back to some practical steps towards finishing the A1/1 pilot project. As Guilplates had sent me a little package about a week ago, I began by spending quite some time with piercing saw and files cutting out name and number plates for Great Northern - two sets in fact, so that I'm all "ready to go" on a second loco for a mate of mine. I'll time that particular job. I refuse to even attempt to cut out the tiny oval shedplates. I know I'm a defender of "traditional" methods, but for me the "traditional" (i.e. not even partially cut-out) style of 4mm scale Guilplates presents the strongest possible case for modernisation of manufacturing methods. The "etched out" and just barely tabbed in type, to which I am accustomed, from 247, are MILES easier to use. But then I did want plates with crests on them....
While I was at it, I also made up a new reverse reach rod from some N/S offcut material, and then fitted my new toys to the loco, reinstating the Hornby grate lever too.

I've grasped the nettle and altered the heights of the rear two plates of the tender too. In the view on the left below, the height is as per the original. You may see a faint pencil arc near the top too. This was as near to 32mm radius as I could get, struck from a centre just below the top lip of the buffer beam straight above the coupling hook. I adjusted the radius to met the copings, which I did not want to alter. Following the pencil arc, I filed a curve that completely cut out the original beading right up to the top edges of the coping plates. I then reinstated the beading by bonding a strip of 0.020" black plastikard into the gap between the copings. The lowered rear plate is show on the right.

[Horsetan]

There's a safety poster at school that says 'Horseplay can kill'....

Believe me, I've died on stage before.

[All thumbs]

Thanks AT. That's interesting, as the Isinglass for GN shows the radius of the main middle section of the arc as 7' 10", for all three plates, giving them a height to crest above rail level of 12' 1". Compared even to these figures the Hornby tender is about 1.5mm too high at the middle of the rear coal plate and the rear sheet, but oddly enough I now notice that it is about right on the front plate. If the curve radius were as flat as 14' 8" then the Hornby rendition would be evn further out.

"So what? It's only 1.5mm" some might say, but I reckon it makes a big difference to the look of the tender, especially from the rear, where its narrow tank does quite enough to make it look tall and slim without an extra "crown" at the top.

Ignoring the streamlined non-corridor tender, the Hornby rendition of the 1928 NT is, as you say, adrift of the Isinglass drawing. The three plates are 12' 1" above rail height, 7' 10.375" above solebar, 7' 0.125" side height, 8' 0.5" over tank, 8' 1.75" over beading, with a radius of 7' 10" from side to crest. I have a loose Hornby shell - putting the Vernier to it gives readings of 32mm across the tank (about right) but 33mm from base to crest - as you say about 1.5mm out.

[S.A.C. Martin]

Great Northern looks absolutely stunning Graeme. I don't think it's overestimating the build to suggest this might well be the most accurate A1/1 model in this scale either.

I am looking forward to building my own one as the pilot 60113 looks to have been a great success.

[IAK]

Go on mon...
Right a book about it all
Stunning work and attention to detail - bravo

[davidwest]

It really is taking shape. I envy your skills.

[Blink Bonny]

Ay up!

Modelmaster did the plates I used on my 4470. Pre-cut and available with (Post 1950) or without (1946-1950) in black, red or blue.

[Atlantic 3279]

I would have loved to avoid the chore of cutting out, and had I been able to "see before buying" the later style of MJE crested plates I might have been tempted to buy, but I'd been told by a fellow modeller that the MJE typeface left a lot to be desired.
I won't buy the Guilplates variety again though, unless either it is absolutely essential, or somebody is going to pay me very handsomely for the time spent cutting them out! Just go and reassure your wallet that it was not being referred to in this case BB .