West End Workbench

[jwealleans]

A short update; much of the week has been spent detailing the coach which is now largely complete. I had hoped to get it to primer tonight, but there wasn't enough time. I messed up a roof vent hole, so that's to do, there are corridor connectors to make - curiously, they're not in the kit - and on this vehicle I need to make the pneumatic steps which allowed passengers to alight at the ground level halts the parsimonious GER provided.

[Atlantic 3279]

Just a quick glance at that coach suggests to me that you've invested a fair amount of time (and money) in it.

I've still not made it to Ormesby, have I? Yet another "season" draws to a close.

[jwealleans]

Thank you, Graeme. Like any kit, the more time you invest the better the result although up to now I've only been sticking together the parts provided. It costs the same as a Hornby teak corridor coach - although I've scoured Hattons' leaflets in vain for any of these on special offer. Besides, the hours of fun I get out of building it make the cost much more reasonable.

[notascoobie]

I've still not made it to Ormesby, have I? Yet another "season" draws to a close.

Good morning,

I made it to Ormesby last week and met up with Jonathon. It's well worth a visit so you need to try a bit harder.

Regards,

Vernon

[jwealleans]

Far be it from me to mention that Vernon lives much further away....


... and it was raining....

[notascoobie]

... and it was raining....

I don't think that "raining" does it justice! Have they reopened the A1M yet?

[jwealleans]

Opened it? Last I heard they were still looking for it.

[Atlantic 3279]

Well I have had a bit of a cough - I can get a note from my wife to confirm it if necessary.

[jwealleans]

You've got until the end of the month to redeem yourself - or any Monday evening even out of season. Any regular readers who would like to visit on a Monday only need to contact me - you don't have to share with the public and you even get tea and biscuits.

[notascoobie]

You've got until the end of the month to redeem yourself - or any Monday evening even out of season. Any regular readers who would like to visit on a Monday only need to contact me - you don't have to share with the public and you even get tea and biscuits.

Posh biscuits at that

[jwealleans]

I was working away this week so didn't get any time on the coach until last night. Steps were the main aim and they are now fitted. They could be a bit finer, but they're a bit vulnerable and so I went for robustness over finesse. Ultimately these are club models and so may not always get the care in handling and operating that my own do.





Thanks to Owd Sweedy for the drawing on this forum which was my blueprint. Dimensions were worked out by eye from that and photos. The edges of the thicker strips used for the sides are chamfered down to lose some of the thickness. The handrail runs up through a slot in the footboard and is just plugged into the hole beside the door. This has to be removed before the body comes off - I wonder how long before I forget and irretrievably bend or snap one of them?

[jwealleans]

Coaches, coaches... I've got the brake 3rd painted and it will now dry for a few days while I catch the other one up to it. The colour I use (Precision Track Dirt, after a recommendation by Larry Goddard) is a pleasing shade of brown, but I have had reactions between it and the Games Workshop varnish I use. This time I intend to let it cure a while before bringing them together to see if that helps.





As you can see I haven't managed to pull the handrails off those steps as yet... The Composite which makes up the other of the pair has had the interior partitions attached to the floor and suitably reprofiled so the body can be taken off and on.

One or two parcels arrived this week so I have been able to finish off some stalled projects. GN gunpowder van is now about ready for painting (when the buffers have been straightened). MJT rocking W iron and some home made brake gear from the bits box have sorted it out.



In the same packet some LMS coach buffers also from Mr. T were all that was needed for this Lima GUV.



The idea came from Larry G's thread over on RMWeb and he can explain what was done much better than me. Included here because there are a few in the Ian C Allen photos of the GE section. This one will run on Thurston initially but ultimately will end up in the milk train planned for Wickham Market. It's a very easy job and the basic bodies can be picked up at shows for not very much.

Finally these came from Scotland yesterday:



There's not too much you can do to improve the Hornby B1 but Dave Bradwell's dome and chimney do make a difference; I refer you again to Larry G's RMweb thread here. I've had mine to bits to strip out all the DCC gubbins: call me old fashioned but I like my locos to run without having to find and plug in the tender when I'm fiddling with them. It seems to have survived that OK. The future 61059 which has arrived from its owner can be seen trembling in the background.

[Atlantic 3279]

Definitely better boiler fittings.

[mick b]

Jonathan
RE Games Workshop Varnish.
I always seal all paints after drying time.I seal with a coat of Vallejo gloss varnish aerosol (allow 24 hours drying) prior to finishing in Games Workshop Satin varnish. I have never found a better final finish!.

Excellent work as always.

[jwealleans]

Cheers for that tip, Mick - I'll be looking for a can of that during my stroll down town this lunchtime.

Had a couple of good nights at the bench and got almost all the soldering complete on the composite. Bit of tweaking and tidying and she's off to the paintshop. The roof is only placed for the photograph - that will be the next job, this evening I expect.