Cookie's Workbench - 7/8ths Alan Keef K40

Steve Cook

Flying Squad
...It really is just lovely, you really need to make some "balladeuse"(?) coaches to go with it.
I have a plan and information in an old Continental Modeller if you are interested:)
Simon
PS Green is definitely the right colour for this loco, it looks so splendidly Jouef, but only in a good way you understand...
Thanks Simon :thumbs:
Yes please to the plan and information on the coaches, even one would look rather splendid. I have a feeling I have one in kit form on 1/32 in the stock pile - probably somewhere safe... :)

If you're short of wine, I regularly produce stuff that's undrinkable even before you put it in a container.
I've just got back from a family trip to France, where I picked up the latest issue of "Voie Libre", which has a review of the Decauville loco. They were also a bit désappointé. They seem to think if you fit radio control you could regulate its running and alleviate the problem.
It is a lovely looking model.

Thanks for the summary from Voie Libre Geoff. Fitting RC isn't going to deal with the lack of running time, but I suppose its possible to compensate from the slightly cyclical performance you get - its sets off at a nice pace, then as the steam gets used up, the pressure drops, the engine slows almost to a stop, then it ramps back up again as the pressure builds. One can stop that to a certain extent by running the burner at a higher rate to counter the steam usage, but the roar is ridiculous at that point. I think a few more running in turns are required to settle it down, then I shall start with inserting a diffuser into the flue tube to slow the speed of the air / flame down and try and get more heat transferred into the water for a given gas setting.

That's a lovely little loco and the wagons are coming along nicely. I've been reading through enjoying it quite a bit and then came up against your driver... and all I could think of was a certain black night... "T'is but a scratch".
Thanks Tom. I had to watch that scene on Youtube now you've mentioned it "Its just a flesh wound" :))
 

JimG

Western Thunderer
Steve,

Is it possible to notch up the valve gear to reduce steam consumption? Firstly, is it physically possible to notch up (I can't see the reversing lever setup in your pictures) and if it is, will the loco run with increased cut-off?

Jim.
 

Steve Cook

Flying Squad
Hi Jim
No, unfortunately its not possible to notch up, the reverser only has three positions - forward, neutral and reverse.
Steve
 

Steve Cook

Flying Squad
Thanks for that Neil - downloaded and reviewed for inspiration.
There are some very nice things there indeed, I'm quite taken with the steel wheels and Gable bottom wagon (similar in concept to the one in this months NG&IR).
Steve
 

Steve Cook

Flying Squad
The driver is looking a little happier with his lot, now his head and arms have been glued in place :)

AD10 le driver glued together.jpg

A bit of neatening up to do around the shoulders and neck joint but he looks OK to me. Best of all though, he holds onto the cab back plate when assuming the position

AD11 Le driver in position.jpg

I need to get his twin to the same stage, but facing the other way so they can both be painted together.
Steve
 

geoff_nicholls

Western Thunderer
Just a thought, how long and tall is this loco? the other lot are running a 'cakebox' challenge, to produce a diorama that fits into an 8" x 8" x6" cakebox.
And they don't mind if the floor is 8" by 6"
 

Steve Cook

Flying Squad
Its even better in the flesh than the photos JB :)

Some more progress on the tanker train, various bits glued on and a spot of painting.

AD12 wagon progress.jpg

AD13 wagon progress.jpg

Not sure what type of tank is s going on the last flat at the moment, its too narrow for Overseer's suggestion unfortunately. I decided just to paint it and then decide - saves cutting in around a tank base :) The barrel carrier is glued to the wagon and the barrels have been primed ready for a coat of rust before I try the hairspray weathering technique again.

Steve
 

Steve Cook

Flying Squad
"Alright, we'll call it a draw"

The second driver figure for the Decauville had a bit of 'Black Knight' afternoon today.

ADD1 Driver flesh wound.jpg

After a lot of filing and some pinning through the joints, he went back together OK.

ADD2 Glued and pinned together.jpg

I've got him leaning forwards at the waist, with a bit of a slant on to the right. Due to the material removed from the top of his legs and around the arms, he's a bit shorter and a wee bit thinner across the shoulders than his doppleganger but I don't think its that noticeable unless the two of them are side by side.

I reckon he looks just as relaxed going cab forwards as he does when going chimney first :)

ADD3 In cab.jpg

ADD4 In cab.jpg

I'll give the glue 24 hours to cure completely, then I can start adding filler to bulk out and blend in a few areas.

In terms of the Decauville itself, I had a letter from Accucraft yesterday saying a new under floor gas tank will be made available, along with a replacement burner. I've put my name down for both as I think they will definitely enhance the engine and actually take it to what it should have been in the first place. I'm sure drilling a hole in the cab floor will be a little nerve racking, but a longer run time means its got to be worth it. The offer is there to send the engine back to Accucraft for them to do the work but I quite like the idea of getting the instructions and being a bit more flexible with pipe routing to keep the cab floor clear for the chaps.

Steve
 
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