Workbench Update - J50 nearing completion

Atso · Post by **Atso** » Wed May 07, 2008 10:23 am

Hi guys,

After almost two years, I've finally gotten around to detailing my A1 conversation as 4470, Great Northern. Work done included removing the dome and replacing with a round one, and moving the reversing rod and outside steam pipe to the right hand side of the loco. At present only one side has been completed and I've still got to do the tender. Apologies for the poor quality pic - this was taken on my phone.

Atso · Post by **Atso** » Thu May 08, 2008 11:35 am

...and the other side, just the tender to do...

Atso · Post by **Atso** » Sun May 11, 2008 8:44 pm

Hi guys,

Just thought I'd share a picture of another item on my workbench.

Atso · Post by **Atso** » Tue May 13, 2008 8:00 pm

Hi guys,

Just about finished my R1 (minus cab steps and tansfers) and thought I'd post some pics. Theres a couple of bits wrong, such as having its original boiler and boiler fittings but I'm happy with it.

wehf100 · Post by **wehf100** » Tue May 13, 2008 10:08 pm

nice! I did actually have to look it up on the encyclopedia to see what the heck a R1 was....but... there you go. It'll look good lettered. My only suggestion would be to add the reversing lever from strip- it seems quite prominent in the pics and I think it would add a bit of 'bussy-ness' to that whole rather awkward (on the prototype- not you model!!) area infront of the tanks.

I was thinking today about N gauge locos for a LNER layout- If you have access to a union mills B12 body and Robinson tender- it strikes me it would make a passable B2 'Sir Sam Fay' with the addition of continuous splashers and belpaire firebox. A few got onto secondary passenger turns on LNER metals once their deficiencies as express engines became apparent. Pity I can't justify one!

Atso · Post by **Atso** » Tue May 13, 2008 10:15 pm

Hi Will,

Thanks for the comments, I missed the reversing level! How did I do that? Thanks for pointing it out...

I've been thinking about a B12 to B2 conversion too. The resulting model would be around a foot or so too short and the wheelbase would be wrong (incidently it's the coupled wheelbase same as the V2) but would likely capture the character of the orginal well. I'm currently debating the merits of going down this route verses scratch building - considering how long the R1 conversion took (two evenings) I'm leaning towards the B12 conversion at present...

Hows the USA loco?

Atso · Post by **Atso** » Thu May 15, 2008 10:36 pm

Right, as far as a B2 'Sam fay' is concerned, I think I'm going to scratchbuild one sometime. I'm thinking of trying to cast a few as an experiment for batch producing some other locos that I require more than one of. Has anyone had any experience with casting?

wehf100 · Post by **wehf100** » Fri May 16, 2008 1:53 pm

short answer no! but you can put me down for one when you do find someone! Would the chap at Union Mills give you advice? Perhaps the resin route may work (and be a bit easier) if tender drive was the way of powerng and weight over loco driving wheels wasnt so much of an issue?

Or maybe you would prefer a B5....I prefer my Robinson locos with the separate splashers- but I think I may belong to a very small minority there though!

Need any reference materials-give us an email with requests. I have books of photos of these locos coming out of my ears so may be able to help with something. I think Isinglass do the drawings, and I am pretty certain they haven't appeared in the modelling press ever.

Atso · Post by **Atso** » Fri May 16, 2008 6:42 pm

Thanks for the offer Will

Found a company, CMA moldform, who specialise in resin and metal casting. Can't get a quote without having a master first so I'm considering what would be a good choice for trying this out.

At present, I'm leaning more towards a J50 (straight plug onto a Farish pannier chassis and I would like a few myself) and maybe try a B2 once I've got some more confidence. Of course, all this depends on cost and if I can make (and have enough time!) a good enough master to be worth casting.

Bill Bedford · Post by **Bill Bedford** » Fri May 16, 2008 7:03 pm

Atso wrote:Thanks for the offer Will

Found a company, CMA moldform, who specialise in resin and metal casting. Can't get a quote without having a master first so I'm considering what would be a good choice for trying this out.

Remember you will have to take a batch of about 50. That's the approximate like of the mould and CMA will incorporate the mould cost into the total price.

Atso · Post by **Atso** » Fri May 16, 2008 9:05 pm

Thanks Bill,

Hmmm, could I shift 45 of them??? Have you used CMA or a similar company to cast components for your kits?

Atso · Post by **Atso** » Sat May 17, 2008 10:00 pm

Hi guys,

Just been playing around with a mock up for a J50 - pic of it in its very basic form below. Any comments greatfully received.

Atso · Post by **Atso** » Sun May 18, 2008 10:03 am

..and some more...

Frazmataz · Post by **Frazmataz** » Sun May 18, 2008 12:50 pm

I say go for it

It looks convincing already!

Atso · Post by **Atso** » Sun May 18, 2008 9:57 pm

Thanks Bass!

Got a bit further with these today, added the outer layers of plastic card as well as some boiler fittings but still got beading to add. As this is my mockup/study model, I'm using commercially available parts for the boiler fittings - for the actual master I guess I'd have to make these myself.

The LNER Encyclopedia

Workbench Update - J50 nearing completion

Gresley's first express - in N gauge