7mm Schools Class Build

Lancastrian

Western Thunderer
OK, another call for help. David Andrews very kindly posted some replacement handrail knobs, but they are not the same as those provided in the kits. I have informed him of this and await a reply, but in the meantime do any knowledgeable folk know where I may be able to source some to the following shape. They are @3mm from the bottom of the base to the centre line of the hole.





Thanks in advance.

Ian
 

Andrew

Active Member
OK, another call for help. David Andrews very kindly posted some replacement handrail knobs, but they are not the same as those provided in the kits. I have informed him of this and await a reply, but in the meantime do any knowledgeable folk know where I may be able to source some to the following shape. They are @3mm from the bottom of the base to the centre line of the hole.





Thanks in advance.

Ian

Hi Ian,

Have a look at Markits Model Railway Products. I bought some very nice handrail knobs from them a while ago and a quick look at his catalogue shows a slightly tapered version with a length of 2.96mm which is very close to your required dimension.

Regards,

Andrew
 

Lancastrian

Western Thunderer
Thank you Andrew.

I've already had a look at the Markits range, but they do not match those provided in the kits. David Andrews is now sending a couple more, slightly different style, which he hopes are the same as those in the kits. If not, then it'll be a case of either replacing all the handrail knobs, on both locomotives, so they match, or, look at turning one to try to match, but with a shim to represent the base.

Ian
 

Lancastrian

Western Thunderer
No progress whatsoever these last few weeks due to suffering a back injury which sees me in constant pain all day. I think another call to 111 is called for later today !

Ian
 

simond

Western Thunderer
Sorry to hear that, I had a similar episode some 21 years back from constantly picking up my then 1-year-old, triggering an earlier injury, which left me on the lounge floor face down for about two weeks, and a further 6 weeks physio and a “Velcro girdle”. Not fun, you have my sympathy.

Simon
 

Lancastrian

Western Thunderer
Hi Simon,

Thank you. This is due to previous injuries in the same area, and was brought on by putting on a sock ! Of course, at present, I am unable to see a physio, and have had a telephone consultation ! Over the phone I have had two doctors, the physio, and my sports massage therapist friend all say it's a slipped disc, but it isn't. I know it is to do with my sacroiliac joint which has impinged on my sciatic nerve. Maybe a girdle is the answer....."Miss Brahms", "Coming Mrs. Slocombe"

Ian
 

simond

Western Thunderer
The thing I used looked like this.

upload_2020-9-13_18-43-47.jpeg

You “did it up” with a Velcro belt, then the two elastic strap things “did it up tighter”.

I’m not sure whether it made “the difference”, though I’m pretty confident that it prevented relapse once I went back to work (Which happened to be in Detroit, not an easy commute from Folkestone!)

I am sure that moving, however much it hurts, is necessary to get everything working again. The physio was VERY good at convincing me of that!

good luck!
Simon
 

Lancastrian

Western Thunderer
Wow, September since I last posted here, just shows how a protruding disc between L4 and L5 can affect how much modelling one can carry out !

Front steps have been made up with some additional work to improve the look.

The etch on the step backing plate is supposed to represent the cover over the cylinder drain pipes.

As can be seen, when offering up the cast pipes attached to the cylinders, the etches aren't large enough.


Out came the parts bin for some brass channel and tube.


Ian
 

Lancastrian

Western Thunderer
Moving on to the boiler, there are covers for the pipes along the sides, but unfortunately, no indication in the kit as to their actual position or measurements to align them. First step, mark the boiler centre line.


The boiler was then marked up for the position of one of the covers using photographs as a guide.


That line was then used to mark the other side, and the other boiler, by marking up a length of slim plastic strip.


The kit provides two lengths of etch to represent the pipe casing, but I wanted to make something more in keeping with the prototype, so it was back to some brass channel section, purchased from Metalsmith Leeds (lankytank), seen here being marked up for cutting.


First cover soldered into place with the cast brass part also in place which is at the cab end of the boiler assembly. The "securing lugs" were cut off the etch parts and attached separately. One issue, was that the boiler bands required slitting so that the brass channel would sit flush with the boiler. This would have had to have been done anyway even if using the kits etched parts.


Photo showing the other side of the boiler assembly.


A completed item with the boiler in place on the rest of the superstructure.


Ian
 

Lancastrian

Western Thunderer
The cast outside steam pipe covers also needed some attention, with about 2mm having to be filed off the rear face to allow the smoke deflectors to sit in the correct place on the running boards.


The smoke deflectors have a square cut out in them which locate in the castings, whereas they are oval shaped on the original.

Smoke deflectors finally in place and soldered to the running boards.


Ian
 

Jack P

Active Member
Fantastic work Ian. Are these being built for you, or are they a commission?
 
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Lancastrian

Western Thunderer
Moving on to more work on the cabs, and there are no holes in the footplate etches for the cab handrails. A little bit of re-purposing of some 4mm parts, circular crankpin "nuts", plus some drilled 1mm brass bar at the top looks more prototypical than a blob of solder.



Ian
 

Lancastrian

Western Thunderer
This is where one of the two is currently at. The whole boiler assembly can be removed, and I think the handrails will hold in place by friction when it's been painted. This will allow easy removal past the smoke deflectors. The safety valves provided in the kit are not correct, so I may resort to some lathe work to sort that out.



Ian
 

Deano747

Western Thunderer
Hi Ian

I'm curious to know how you rate the two kits side by side. I have a DA one in my stash and wanted to hear you thoughts.

Thanks and kind regards, Rob.
 
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