Hello from SteveB

[SteveB]

Hi Everyone

I’ve been a member of the forum for over a year now and I’ve recently done a couple of posts but I’ve just realised that I haven’t introduced myself, which is probably a bit rude.

My name is Steve Baldock, I’m in my early 60’s and I’ve chosen to dabble in S7. I’ve never really done any railway modelling before, although I’ve been interested in steam for as long as I can remember. My interest in model railways probably started as a result of seeing one of Ivo Peters films about the Somerset and Dorset. I just thought it was remarkable to see a 9f pulling three coaches as part of a routine schedule.

I chose S7 because I was starting afresh and didn’t have any baggage with any existing ‘O’ Gauge models. I thought it was a good idea at the time. I still do really, but there has been a few times when I’ve questioned my sanity. I’ve previously made much larger models and so one of the things I’ve struggled with is how to deal with such small components, especially, like most people of my age, my eyesight seems to be deteriorating with each passing year. How on earth people handle 2mm scale is totally beyond me.

I’ve found this forum to be an absolute godsend, particularly when a fairly detailed build has been described. Although I do make a large number of mistakes, learning what other people have done has I’m sure, prevented me from making even more.

I’ve finished one loco now, an MOK 2-6-4T. I started with this because following Adrian’s thread gave me a bit of confidence. I’ve now nearly finished another MOK kit, this time an 8F, and I’ve been following David’s thread which has also proved to be very useful.

My next loco, is I hope, going to be a std4 2-6-0 with a BR2 tender (yet another MOK!!). This isn’t going to be an easy conversion to S7, so I intend to put quite a few posts on here so I can hopefully get a bit of guidance from all of you.

If you’ve got a general interest in steam and engineering then you might want to have a look at two other steam related things I’m involved with. Both websites have videos, that if you have time, you may find of interest.

www.steamtractionworld.co.uk
www.hiresteam.com

The steam cars featured on the last link are quite interesting. They were quite advanced when they were first made. In 1909 the Stanley Model R was capable of 60 mph and used superheated steam at 600psi. In fact Stanley, held until recently, the land speed record for a steam car, (or any other steam powered vehicle for that matter) going nearly 127mph in 1906!

Regards

Steve

 

[Heather Kay]

Even though you've been here a while, welcome aboard, Steve!

 

[Ressaldar]

Hi Steve,

welcome and I'm looking forward to your build thread for the MOK Mogul.

regards

Mike

 

[adrian]

Welcome aboard and thanks for posting.

My next loco, is I hope, going to be a std4 2-6-0 with a BR2 tender (yet another MOK!!)

I'd be interested to see how you get on with this - again it's another one suitable for Tewkesbury so I might consider one myself.

The steam cars featured on the last link are quite interesting. They were quite advanced when they were first made. In 1909 the Stanley Model R was capable of 60 mph and used superheated steam at 600psi.

Definitely of interest. When I was living down in Rutland we lived near the Stapleford Miniature Railway so helped out on various occasions. At one of the Steam Rally's they hold Lady Gretton was running a Stanley Steamer she owned. A fascinating vehicle, I also have in interest in Sentinels and their experiment with the Doble cars again interesting from an engineering point of view, a near instantaneous (< 1 minute) start from cold etc. Thanks for posting.

 

[adrian]

one of the things I’ve struggled with is how to deal with such small components, especially, like most people of my age, my eyesight seems to be deteriorating with each passing year. How on earth people handle 2mm scale is totally beyond me.

Sorry - I meant to reply to this as well. To be honest I haven't found 2mmFS any harder in this respect than 7mm, it requires a slightly different attitude and in some respects actually easier. I've found the size of the components in both scales are often physically similar its just in 7mm the little bit of brass might be a toolbox but in 2mm it's a coal bunker! Also after 4 days of cleaning a 7mm Siphon F then the hour required to clean a 2mm wagon is a lot less onerous. Obviously a lot less detail is required in 2mm and a little dab of paint can give a good impression of detail.

 

[SteveB]

Thanks for the welcome. Adrian's comments are interesting regarding 2mm scale but I think I'll stick with 7mm at least for the time being. I think one of the hardest things to do is actually to give something new and unfamiliar a try. Often when I eventually decide to have a go, its often not as bad as I was expecting. There are times however that I wish I'd given something a bit more thought before proceeding. I guess its all about experience.

One of the things that has surprised me is how far a small casting or etch can be propelled across my workshop as it 'pings' out from my tweezers and how much time I spend hunting for it. Often, I only come across it when I'm looking for something else. There are some things I still haven't found.

Regards

Steve

 

[SteveB]

When I was living down in Rutland we lived near the Stapleford Miniature Railway so helped out on various occasions.

Hi Adrian

I used to go to Stapleford Steam Show, perhaps we’ve met? It was around 2008, I didn’t have the steam car then but I used to steam my engine that ran on tracks but it’s not a railway loco!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=In3N54bfuhE

I’ve still got the model, although it doesn’t get used much these days.

Regards

Steve

 

[oldravendale]

Oh, how we all recognise the ping of small parts across the workshop.

In many cases I think these go in to another dimension and sometimes end up in someone elses workshop entirely. On the infrequent occasions when I do a deep clean of my own workshop I usually end up with one or two parts I simply don't recognise.

And, BTW, a welcome from me as well.

Brian

 

[Mr Grumpy]

Hi Adrian

I used to go to Stapleford Steam Show, perhaps we’ve met? It was around 2008, I didn’t have the steam car then but I used to steam my engine that ran on tracks but it’s not a railway loco!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=In3N54bfuhE

I’ve still got the model, although it doesn’t get used much these days.

Regards

Steve

Hi Steve,
That is a brilliant machine...who's smoke generator did you use..
Ps. My wife always complains she sees more of my bottom than she would like when she enters my workshop as I probably spend more time under the bench than sitting at it
PPs... just browsed your website the models are exquisite! Any thoughts towards a nice little pannier tank??

 

[JimG]

Ps. My wife always complains she sees more of my bottom than she would like when she enters my workshop as I probably spend more time under the bench than sitting at it

My late wife was part finder-in-chief. She had the patience of Job and had a high rate of success. Her ear was attuned to the rising level of cursing as yours truly lost something. Now I give in gracefully and accept the loss immediately after the ping and either buy or make another, when the missing piece then turns up. At the moment I'm debating on purchasing another set of digital calipers since I've lost mine somewhere in the house. But a month of searching hasn't found them. I suspect that I will have to succumb to buying another set and then become the owner of two sets.

Jim.

 

[Dan Randall]

Oh, how we all recognise the ping of small parts across the workshop.

In many cases I think these go in to another dimension and sometimes end up in someone elses workshop entirely.

Thanks Brian - that did make me chuckle!

I once lost a tiny component from a Malcolm Mitchell 4mm scale "Mogul" I was building - I found it several years later inside a cupboard in the adjacent room!

This was back in the days when I had a full head of hair and I deduced that the errant part had lodged itself in the "Bryan Ferry" hairstyle I sported at the time. Unable to find the missing part in the carpet, I resorted to rummaging around in said cupboard, in search of some etch offcuts, with which to fabricate a new part. The missing part, being ridiculously small, obviously fell from my barnet, unseen and unheard. What are the chances eh?


Regards

Dan

 

[oldravendale]

.....well, I suppose some may consider that another dimension......

B

 

[Heather Kay]

I've had quite large components disappear into another dimension, and they've never returned. It's been 25 years and I'm still waiting!

 

[SteveB]

Its nice to know I’m not alone.

I think a thread should be started dealing with workshop humour. There certainly seems a lot of it about. I can’t work out what’s funnier, the thought of Richards wife complaining about his bottom or the piece being lodged in Dans ‘Bryan Ferry’ hairstyle.

I daren’t have the hoover out in my workshop, just in case I hoover up something I haven’t found yet. Well that’s my excuse.

I’ve also been known to spend ten minutes looking for something that’s actually in my hand. Bring on the chaps in the white coats.


Regards


Steve

 

[Dog Star]

I think a thread should be started dealing with workshop humour. There certainly seems a lot of it about. Bring on the chaps in the white coats.

Do not bother with the "white coats", they are going to be rolling in the aisles laughing at the humour (or lack of it).

Now if we had a sub forum for workshop gaffs jokes then maybe the FS can decide or pontificate on the annual WT award for comedy track / soldering / 'put-your-own-task-here' event to be held just after 31st March.

 

[adrian]

Now if we had a sub forum for workshop gaffs jokes then maybe the FS can decide or pontificate on the annual WT award for comedy track / soldering / 'put-your-own-task-here' event to be held just after 31st March.

What and destroy our hard won reputation as a soulless and humourless forum?

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

event to be held just after 31st March.

And before 2nd April?

I daren’t have the hoover out in my workshop, just in case I hoover up something I haven’t found yet.

Perhaps if you do a complete kit of an unknown prototype will appear in the hoover bag .

 

[adrian]

I used to go to Stapleford Steam Show, perhaps we’ve met? It was around 2008, I didn’t have the steam car then but I used to steam my engine that ran on tracks but it’s not a railway loco!

I was there a bit earlier than that, this was 2003.


or even earlier circa 1984/85, that was when the railway used to run up to the house. I'm propping up the tree, Bob Moore (lining pen!) is sat down working on the cylinder and his son David sat in the loco, and in the Niagra above.