Atlantic's works: Portable layout - Scenic details next

[Atlantic 3279]

Not before time, I've at last started some actual modelling work on the masters for the resin rear frames for the W1. The first step was the preparation of suitable masters and a moulding box for the Cartazzi boxes and spring hangers. Although I "borrowed" some ready made Cartazzi/spring mouldings intended for Gresley Pacifics, in order to provide my masters I had to alter these to suit the different frame shape/depth of the W1, and to suit the silicone mould + resin casting processes. I felt that these details would be reproduced more reliably as separate mouldings that can be stuck on to the relatively plain frames. That approach allows for best orientation of the moulds in order to capture the details of the springs and axleboxes, along with (I hope) permitting a one-piece cast resin structure for the whole of the basic rear frame unit.

Prior to tackling that job, partly as a means of testing whether my post-virus mental state was now sufficiently fog-free, and partly because it seemed a simpler and more tempting thing to try first, I did a bit more with that A2/2 test body. The yawning gaps "inboard" in the running plate have been filled with simple strips of plastikard and to save having to heat form plastic, create supports and so on, I've used a trimmed spare Hornby A3 boiler underpan moulding from EKM to fill in the exposed lower parts of the boiler. It all looks a great deal neater and more complete now.

[Atlantic 3279]

The mould for the Cartazzi boxes and springs to suit the W1 is cured and ready for opening up later, but in the meantime, here, at last, after much mucking around with different ideas so as to try to make it fit EITHER the rear of the chassis OR the body moulding (via attachment to the cab floor) is the basic structure for the rear frame master, ready for detailing and cleaning-up. The rectangular patch of frame plate that I've left "thin" just aft of the main bend will receive the spring/axlebox castings, on a thin backing plate of their own. I may, after further thought this morning, also make the rear steps as add-on pieces as this will I belive make them easier to cast, with better results, and depending upon how they are glued-on, potentially quite easy to replace at a later date if heavy handling breaks them. I'll probably cast the pipework that appeared on the right side of these frames (on the rebuilt loco anyway) as an integral part of the main structure but it will be easy to file that off if the urge to build the original W1 arises.

Here's that A2/2 test-bed with voids filled in both the running plate and the boiler bottom. The front section of running plate, after initial simple gluing which did not in the end get it dead level nor give it great strength, is now screwed to the base of the smokebox both at the front of the saddle and almost at the very rear edge of the two resin components. Slight adjustment to the tension on the two screws made it possible to adjust the trim of the running plate until it looks "just so".

My fcough still won't go away

[Mercator II]

Coming along nicely that A2/2, getting tempted myself tp getthe parts from you for my next project

I know how you feel about that cough, I went to Scotland 3 weeks back and came back with a bug, and I cant shift the cough part either

Looking forward to the weekend to seeing Leeds Central, hope all is going to plan

Brian

[Blink Bonny]

Ay up!

This A2/2 is indeed looking good. Just as ungainly as the real thing did!

As for the cough - I'm starting to get rid of mine after 6 WEEKS! Mrs BB is not happy.....

[S.A.C. Martin]

The A2/2 is looking absolutely excellent, as are the W1 frames.

Apologies for lateness of reply - have used the resin washout plugs and intend to post pictures of the results on Friday. They are rather good but only if treated very carefully (and I'm ham fisted, as you'll no doubt see with the pictures!)

Get better soon Graeme.

[Manxman1831]

Looking brilliant there as always. There seems to be a bout of chest infections doing the rounds in the Ol' West Riding. It might have jumped over your way with your cough having gone on for so long. Hope you get sorted out soon.

[Mercator II]

Congrats on the artical in MR November issue, excellently written, slightly tempted to add it to the 'to do' list

And please stop making a good job on that W1, will make mine look worse!!!

see you on Saturday (will be Maiden)

Brian

[60800]

Will you be bringing all your most recent stuff to Caistor? It looks like I might actually make it...

[52D]

Your K1 article has been recieved with thanks in Australia by a keen modeller who has like me a particular interest in 6 of the class.

[manna]

G'Day Gents

Who me, never said a word, we won't get that mag until late Dec, September issue's, are only just reaching our shores

manna

[Atlantic 3279]

Evening Gents. Thanks for the comments once again. Yes, I'll have my latest nick-nacks with me at Caistor, and who knows what style of T-shirt or other garb. Turn left after the entrance, into the "other" room, and head for the orange signs or the annoying cough.

I would have posted a picture of the tarted-up rear frames for the W1 tonight, but I'm having to work from the antique lap-top at present whilst fully scanning the other machine for malware - for the second time in one week. I strongly suspect nasties have sneaked in via the Java software again (third time now, if anybody saw my swiftly censored rant about hackers following the first episode a couple of months ago, and this is notwithstanding a long awaited "secure" new version of the program today), so Java is now in the metaphorical bin, and really ought to joined by the dismembered and burned fragments of the summarily executed authors of all malware.

[52D]

Not you Manna, my mate Bart Rippon author of The Amble Branch and The Alnwick Branch.

[Atlantic 3279]

It looks like I might actually make it...

That reminds me of a line in the lyrics from the "Bat out of Hell" album. Don't end up in the dirt whatever you do! Anything could happen when you have dealings, as your web links indicate, with devianttart.

[Atlantic 3279]

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7475&p=74335#p74335

Leeds Central layout at Caistor exhibition over the weekend just finished.

[S.A.C. Martin]

Resin Washout plugs being applied to the A2/2. A trite fiddly, but the detail is nice and crisp if carefully managed.

Sorry for taking so long to report back Graeme.