7mm On Heather's Workbench - the answer to life, the universe and…

Dog Star

Western Thunderer
Heather,

What does the kit provide for the vacuum cylinder and for the brackets to support the cross-shaft?

The cross-shaft seems to be missing from this photo, the support brackets can be seen towards the LH end of the frame (look for the group of large bolts between the life guard and the sandbox).
 

Dave Bowden

Western Thunderer
Hi Heather here's the other three photos I took at the same time as the one already posted.
IMG_6665.jpg
This was displayed on the running plate, you may get something from it.
IMG_6666.jpg

The final photos quality is not very good I'm afraid!
IMG_6663.jpg

Dave
 

Dave Bowden

Western Thunderer
Heather I also have a GA drawing in GWRJ no.68 this shows side and plan elevations but not an end elevation. The magazine asks if anyone has one to contact them. This for the 42XX on Lots 225,233 Swindon drawing 63847.

I can either scan it or photographic it.

Dave
 

Heather Kay

Western Thunderer
Hi Dave! Thanks for those. I have a copy of the frame drawing, which has been useful for unpicking the brake rigging in principle. I think some of the other photos you've already shared earlier in the thread.
 

SimonT

Western Thunderer
Heather,
neither of mine have injectors as all the photos I have seen show just the overflow pipe coming out just in front of the rear brake arm and then going to somewhere around the bottom step; the 72Xx will get this arrangement too. The JLTRT instructions show injectors behind the step but I have only seen that set up on the 56XX.

The 72XX kit arrangement for the brake shaft is a "to be improved" as it just consists of a piece of the frame dropping down with a half etch line for the bearing. The super detail pack has two very nice casting to do the improving. The instructions suggest using some .063 NS wire for the shaft which to me is several clubs too light. I'll measure the GA later to see what it should be.
Simon
 

Heather Kay

Western Thunderer
That would be most helpful Simon. Thank you!

image.jpeg

One down, one to go. While surfacing for a breather, here's the brake arrangements for Graham so far.

image.jpeg
 

Dog Star

Western Thunderer
... here's the brake arrangements for Graham so far.
Well, um, yes. Not quite like the prototype unless there is a half-etch fold line in the support bracket at the bottom of the frame plate, see the link is this earlier post.

Heather, have you got two more lengths of pull rod to join the cross-shaft to the brake beam for the trailing axle? There ought to be a pull-rod which is adjustable in length, possibly a round rod with a turnbuckle.

Graham
 

Heather Kay

Western Thunderer
Heather, have you got two more lengths of pull rod to join the cross-shaft to the brake beam for the trailing axle? There ought to be a pull-rod which is adjustable in length, possibly a round rod with a turnbuckle.

The short answer is "no". There is nothing left on the etches to use. I don't plan to actually join the weigh shaft and linkage to the brake pull rods so the latter remain removable. I know there's the big shaft across, connected to the cylinder and the handbrake. What I want to do is fabricate something believable for the area.

I might check the parts list to see if I should have a weigh shaft casting.
 

Dog Star

Western Thunderer
The 72XX kit arrangement for the brake shaft is a "to be improved"... The instructions suggest using some .063 NS wire for the shaft which to me is several clubs too light.
Too true, recollection is that the shaft is between 4" and 6" diameter so roughly 0.1 to 0.14" - that looks like a club and half at least.
 
Last edited:

SimonT

Western Thunderer
Heather,
I traced this off the digitised GA. The shaft measures 2.6mm which to me looks rather like 4 1/2" in old money. One of my 42Xx has the plate version of the brake shaft bracket and one has the proper casting. No one has commented about the plate version!42XX Brake Shaft.jpg
The plan shows the link between arm on the brake shaft and the first of the lever links on the brake rodding. The tube is a turnbuckle for adjusting the length on the real thing. The casting in the JLTRT detail pack is more complicated, goodness knows why.
Hope this helps
Simon
 

Heather Kay

Western Thunderer
Having successfully put off the injectors by working out they aren't actually visible, I've been putting off doing the brake gear because I wanted to tick a couple of other items off the final list.

So, couplings are done, and they are blackened now. I fitted the balance weights. Each one of the etched weights needed adjusting to fit the wheels, which strikes me they might have been intended for a larger diameter… Still, they're on now, and have a first coat of paint. While I was there I blackened up parts of the motion and fitted the proper crankpin nuts on the rear drivers.

image.jpeg

A spot of detail painting and buffing round the backhead. I think that leaves the brake gear, sanding pipes and the injector drain pipes to complete the build phase. I ought to select a crew, and get in some fire irons. I'll add the latter to my shopping list for Sunday at Bristol.

I've grown quite fond of this brute. The 2-8-0Ts have a definite purposeful air about them. Those fancy-pants express locos are fine, and the fussy 2-6-2s are okay, but you know a 2-8-0T means business.
 

Scale7JB

Western Thunderer
It makes perfect sense that the injectors would be between the frames.

On our prairie, the injectors are behind the steps, but then there aren't any wheels there so room for the injectors..

JB.
 

Osgood

Western Thunderer
…..I've grown quite fond of this brute. The 2-8-0Ts have a definite purposeful air about them. Those fancy-pants express locos are fine, and the fussy 2-6-2s are okay, but you know a 2-8-0T means business.

Surprisingly not much in book form on these, although this has recently been delivered and is proving to be an informative read:

Maidment.jpg
 

Heather Kay

Western Thunderer
I have thumbed through a copy of that book. I agree it's an excellent volume, but I felt it didn't add much to my current research material. I'll put it on my Christmas and birthday lists, I think! :thumbs:
 

Osgood

Western Thunderer
Yes, I had an Amazon Xmas gift voucher looking to fulfil a purpose in life! It is more of a visual feast and a 'primer' than the technical treatise I might have been hoping for - I can see it would be of little help in answering the multitude of arrangement issues you have encountered on this build!

Edit: Upon reading more of this book - far from being a mere primer it is proving to be a very informative 'life and times' history with some lovely anecdotes, especially the one from a fireman of an ex GCR ROD whose driver "spent his life worrying about water"! Highly recommended.
 
Last edited:

Heather Kay

Western Thunderer
Okay, another chore ticked off.

image.jpeg

With the aid of some 1.2mm brass wire, some brass tube and a spot or two of careful soldering, that's the injectors fitted.

The tube is fitted to the ends of the pipes coming down from the inside of the frames. It allows the outer pipework to be clipped in place but still be carefully pinged out so the body comes away from the chassis.

image.jpeg

I am content with that. Now, back to the brake work...
 

Heather Kay

Western Thunderer
A couple of likely lads have been found for the loco.

image.jpeg

The fireman is obviously well up on his tasks as he's found time for a cuppa. The driver seems pensive, caught between changing gear and grabbing the regulator.

image.jpeg

image.jpeg

The fireman is from Heroes of the Footplate, the driver from Stadden.
 
Top