I think it's about time that I did another update on what has been going on with my learning experience, Aka - The layout.
So, I alluded a couple of posts ago about a little project. Some months ago now, I managed to come across a little bargain! I have always wanted a Class 31 for the layout but, the going rate for one is just a little too rich for my blood. I would never be able to sneak an expense like that past the wife/accountant who sits on high
.
For me personally, Hornby 31 in full green with a head code box and half yellow ends is the one that I would LOVE to get my hands on. They are rarer than rocking horse doo to find but, keep your eyes peeled, you never know right?
Well, insert what I found here...
Looks like a smashing bit of kit. Okay, no head code box or half yellow ends but, the correct colour scheme and the kind of price I could stomach. A steal really. Sadly, that's where the luck runs out.
I know that you are all already saying it. "Mazak rot". I took the plunge and purchased it right away, I didn't want this one to get away from me, having missed some in the past by meer moments. Once I knew that it was safe, I sent some emails asking for more images and information and took the plunge.
So yes, it has got some mazak rot to one of the buffer beams. The rest of the chassis, on the other hand, appears to be in good shape. This won't probably last forever but, for now, at the price I paid, I am happy.
Upon closer inspection when this arrived we found the damage (that I was aware of) where the expansion of the chassis had pushed on the body and given way at the weakest point which you can see is at the bottom edge of the door. It has twofold, pushed the buffer beam down and the cab upwards, as you can see here.
Whipping it open, I can confirm that the cab popped right back where it should be and hasn't left any lasting bends or twists to the body.
And this is what we had found...
These two small plates that sit over the top of the buffer springs and allows for the light contacts to allocate into had swollen and become brittle, pushing upwards against the body pulling out some screw grubs and a small number of plastic breaks. Nothing that can't be fixed with the body. So, really not too bad. However. The question of what to do with the buffer beam is a headscratcher. I don't want to stress the metal by introducing any heat or excessive pressure to pull it up the 1 or so mill that it has been pushed down by the swelling but, I can't really leave it as it is. I could see about trying to source a 'good' chassis and move all of my hardware over, as this loco runs fantastically well but, they are just as hard to come by. It surprises me that Hornby doesn't actually offer this. They are one of the best for being able to source directly from them, replacement parts.
Some research will have to be done before I make any bold decisions with this one. Thankfully, it is almost exclusively concentrated on one end of the loco. I just got lucky that even though the other end had begun to swell, it hadn't had the pinnacle moment of a break.
Not fully decided on what I am going to do with this one yet. I am probably going to strip it down to the bare chassis and go from there, once I have a bit of time to do this without little people asking what I am doing. And so I can say some naughty words when it inevitably fights me.
Long story short, I have seen examples that are in much more 'crumbly' condition and sadly, these seem to be the points that they like to go (the buffer beams first) but, I paid under a 3rd of what these are going for new or in 'good' condition so, it's well worth a go.
Where there is a will... there's probably a fool like me trying to do something the hard way!?!
Cheers,
Rich