Atlantic's works: Portable layout - Scenic details next

[Blink Bonny]

Ay up!

I use Romford crank pins on Gibson wheels. Drill the hole out undersize and they will cut their own thread in the soft plastic off the wheel centre. Be quick with the iron and all is well.

I have to say, I could never get on with the Gibson pins. Just me.

[earlswood nob]

G'day all
I also have absorbed the Gibson quartering methodology.
Approx three years ago I bought a DJH Raven A2 at auction, coupled with a SEFinecast K3 and spare chassis. The Raven came with Romford wheels, but the K3 came with Gibsons. The spare chassis came with none, but I got the lot for £140(plus 15% commission), which pleased me. I was going to ditch the Gibsons and use Markits, but Markits are now so expensive that I am thinking of using the Gibsons.

When I moved twelve years ago I ditched a Hamblings wheel press as I couldn't see any further use for it. This goes to show that you should never throw anything away, it might come in useful some day.

Markits are now doing a 7'0 wheel, but at £5.50 each, one has to question if they are really necessary.

I like the look of the D6, which would go nicely with a D9, D10, and D11, but they are a bit scarce.

Thanks for the tips, Atlantic, useful methods as usual.

Earlswood Nob

[Atlantic 3279]

I was tempted to just use familiar Markits pins in the Gibson wheels too Nige. I only hesitated as I wasn't sure if the brass thread woulsd stay tight in the plastic boss in service. If you've had trouble free experience with this method then I thin I might try that in future too, not soldering retainers on until absolutely sure that everything is finished and running sweetly. A length of wire insulation on the pin while still building is more than adequate. In defence of the fiddlier Gibson pins, the screw threads do allow you still to dismantle and reassemble AFTER cutting pins down very short to clear rods at the front of the unit, and you can't do that with standard Markits pins as you'd be forced to fix the retainers in place to keep the coupling rods on. Okay, you can use the Markits deluxe pins instead, at a price, but for that front fixing the Gibson pins may have advantages, and they seem to screw up tight without the need for any loctite either. Against that however I can't yet see a low-tech way to create a fully countersunk front rod fixing on the Gibson pins if the clearances are desperately tight. The much longer Markits pins would however have been better for the middle wheels, as I couldn't put enough spacers on the short Gibson pins to bring the con-rods out truly parallel to the centre line of the engine.

[davidwest]

That a2/2 is seriously good. Will a full build be described in subsequent instructions?

[Manxman1831]

Did Markits take over the entire Romford range in the end?

[S.A.C. Martin]

Always reassuring to see somebody else managing to get the parts to fit and work. It doesn't hurt too badly once you're brave enough to get started, does it? Loco looking nice so far Simon.

Thanks very much Graeme. It's been one of the most enjoyable builds I've done for a while. Every so often when I get a bit of time off work, another bit gets added and it edges closer to completion. I've just finished adding the running plate, smokebox and front section to the apple green A1/1 over the last day, so both A1/1s are starting to look a bit more complete.

I think the best thing about these conversions is that anyone could do them really, with a bit of practice. When you throw in the simpler Bachmann V2 valve gear too, it makes a decent model representation of a class more attainable to someone without the full set of skillsets needed for a truly outstanding model (borne out somewhat by the various conversions we've seen on this forum and elsewhere using your parts).

[Atlantic 3279]

Did Markits take over the entire Romford range in the end?

The lot as far as I know, though I doubt if there are any of the wheel paterns that featured under the Romford name still in today's range. Driving wheels are all individual pattern now, not just a choice of diameters and basic styles, with consequently higher tooling costs and individual prices.

[2512silverfox]

Gibson wheels and Romford crankpins - I think it was Tony Wright who started that method some ten or more years ago. Have used it since with great success. Rather pay for Gibson wheels than the inflated Markits prices!

[Horsetan]

..... inflated Markits prices!

Doubtless to be inflated further......

[S.A.C. Martin]

Last picture from me for a while Graeme, I promise! Frames now attached and on the final straight to completion, more or less. Minor jobs to do now.

[davidwest]

Quite impressive SAC...

[auldreekie]

Hope and encouragement received with gratitude....

(Skill-building still in progress...)

auldreekie

[Atlantic 3279]

"GN3 - The EM Version" passed its running trials on its new home teritory in basic form, so I've been able to get on with the remaining detailing. It now stands complete save for final spots of filler, patch painting, transfers and nameplates. I've added the missing front frames and the front steps on some sturdy metal backings, played about with the front of the bogie to get rid of the dust shields and double guard irons, attempting to give it a Thompson look instead, fabricated up Morgan's front brake gear arrangement and added the rigging, made up and fitted the reverse rod too, added some DMR A3 etched balance weights to the coupled wheels (noting the offset positions carefully in photos), trimmed the remaining long crankpins, secured the nuts, added hinged cab doors and hinged the fall-plate too (merely because it snapped off following too much adjustment of its awkward fixed angle on the original metal tabs) with the bonus that it can now be kept out of the way when coupling up the tender. The one thing I may just re-visit before I paint is the front of the bogie, which may get trimmed back just a touch more to ensure that it cannot possibly catch the steps when the loco takes a curve.
I'll still offer parts to those who want them of course, but I'll be doing no more builds of GN after this one, unless somebody wants to seriously stuff my pockets with gold. Here we are so far:

[Blink Bonny]

Ay up!

I used a Johnson Half Cab as my "Guinea Pig." The Markits pins are simply screwed into the plastic which is "grippy" enough to retain it. It has now done 3 exhibitions as a main pilot engine on two different layouts and I have never had any trouble with it. After that, I went for Gibsons as a matter of choice. The price helps a lot!

Since then I've done 2 0-4-4Ts and a Pug like this. Pity is I have a small stock of Romfords to use up! Ho hum...

The Patriot will have Sharman wheels. I'll report on them....

[S.A.C. Martin]

Looking fantastic Graeme. Has reminded me I need to fit steps and a few other bits and bobs!