Scratch Building Darent in 16mm

[Hobbyhorse]

Simon
Absolutely brilliant. It never ceases to amaze me how skilled some folk are out there!

Jon

Thanks Jon

Simon

 

[Hobbyhorse]

What superb models, fantastic fine scale engineering.

I can understand why some might find the short chimney, cabless variant a bit 'odd'. I don't think the prototype would win many beauty contests. That doesn't stop it being interesting or an accurate model.

Thanks Paul,

I much preferred the open cab, but with weather like in the photo having a cab was useful.


Simon

 

[Hobbyhorse]

I made a start on the list of bits, firstly the mud hole clamps.

Made it 4 parts, backing plate, cover and clamp. And having the full size one was useful.


Straightforward making these with the clamps requiring 2 stage profile milling.



Cutting and drilling the retaining nut.



The next part is the blower pipe elbow that fits on the smokebox.



At our latest group meet up I took along all my plans and photos of the original locos, we had a good couple of hours discussing them, and one suggestion was why not do Darent in it’s original form. I’d never considered that as being 2’ 6” gauge it didn’t fit in with the layout plans, but actually thinking about it perhaps a bit of dual gauge could be interesting.

Towards the end of her life with lots of unnecessary bits removed like brakes.
Photo Glasgow University

Simon

 

[Hobbyhorse]

I’ve not had much time in the workshop recently with lots of other stuff going on, but grabbing the occasional hour the Gauge Frames are done.

With each frame consisting of 21 parts it took a time prepping the individual bits.


These frames are quite chunky as the visible glass is very short, care was needed on Darent keeping sufficient water in the glass, great fun.






Some threaded rods are set into the rear to allow these to be removable, a must really as quite a lot is going on around the back plate.




Simon