The Chronicles of Canary Sidings - the Tale of an Untidy Workbench
- Thread starter Herb Garden
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- 4mm scale em gauge ger pre-grouping
Herb Garden
Western Thunderer
Rob,
Best place to start is GERS journal 82 (available as digital download from GERS). This details the history of both the diagram 62 and it's predecessor. Also lner wagons vol 1 has a drawing in it which is very helpful
As to the conversion allowance me take you on a virtual tour of the vehicle. The central band has been removed as the GER roof was only in 3 pieces not 4. Also on the RCH type the roof comes over the top of the door whereas the GER one the top of the door is flush with the roofline not under it so a bit of reprofiling is required.
On the far side the brake gear has been removed and scratch built steps added. The axel boxes have been sanded back and some plate added to represent the style these vans had
On the other side the brake lever and has been replaced with one that fits behind the steps and the GER ratchet brake added. These were parts left over from another kit but I've found a piercing saw blade works just as well.
Other things are new buffers, coupling hooks some decent auto couplings and replacement wheels.
As to transfers all that is available is the pow sides ones of which I have a slowly diminishing stock of. These certainly don't cover all the types of lettering that the GER had but if combined with standard alphabets the complex livery can be archived. If you want to see a fantastic example of one look no further than @Liver & Fry 's workbench thread
I hope that helps?
NHY 581
Western Thunderer
Herb Garden
Western Thunderer
Another Oxford van joins the operational fleet today. This time a Diagram 72. What's the difference between that and the 47 you ask? Well in scale terms it's 1mm given that the Oxford van is technically 0.5mm too short for a 47 and 0.5mm too long for a 72 I use them to represent both types...
This one's an out of the box offering with the brake gear corrected and ratchet brake added. Converted to EM with inside compensation which is over kill
This one has been nicely weathered but I do seem to have dropped some water on it at some point.... Eeeek....
Sadly the livery on the OOTB variety isn't great. The ends are too light, the roof is too grey and the sole bar should not be black. All correctable however. Heres the comparison.
This one's an out of the box offering with the brake gear corrected and ratchet brake added. Converted to EM with inside compensation which is over kill
This one has been nicely weathered but I do seem to have dropped some water on it at some point.... Eeeek....
Sadly the livery on the OOTB variety isn't great. The ends are too light, the roof is too grey and the sole bar should not be black. All correctable however. Heres the comparison.
Herb Garden
Western Thunderer
So all this talk of rapido GER opens makes my range of kits a bit obsolete. Or does it?
Well if you are looking for a quick fit then a Herb Garden GER Diagram 17 is not the way to go but as a kit I find them very satisfying to build.
The reason for the post is that I've just fitted the couplings to the prototype so after months of waiting, maybe that's years, it's now in operational service.
I've got five more of the prototype batch left to make and then will look at making these kits available to general consumption. But I doubt there will be many takers apart from me. However the artwork is nearly done for the diagram 16 and it's undigramed predecessor so watch this space. Also there's the option with this kit of adding some Extra parts and being able to build a couple of other tyres not covered by rapido.... All is not lost....
Also rule one of the GER goods train.... You don't ever have enough open wagons
Well if you are looking for a quick fit then a Herb Garden GER Diagram 17 is not the way to go but as a kit I find them very satisfying to build.
The reason for the post is that I've just fitted the couplings to the prototype so after months of waiting, maybe that's years, it's now in operational service.
I've got five more of the prototype batch left to make and then will look at making these kits available to general consumption. But I doubt there will be many takers apart from me. However the artwork is nearly done for the diagram 16 and it's undigramed predecessor so watch this space. Also there's the option with this kit of adding some Extra parts and being able to build a couple of other tyres not covered by rapido.... All is not lost....
Also rule one of the GER goods train.... You don't ever have enough open wagons
James Spooner
Western Thunderer
That looks good George. I have mine still on the shelf looking at me reproachfully; maybe I should get one down and progress it…
Nigel
Liver & Fry
Western Thunderer
I've got 4 that I've started and once the M&GN brakevan is done this week, I'm planning to finish them (by New Year? We'll see...)
- James
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Herb Garden
Western Thunderer
It's hard enough in EM admittedly let alone broad gauge!
Herb Garden
Western Thunderer
So here's the first of the wagons I completed the weekend just gone
A GER diagram 68 3 plank open with drop sides and drop ends. Made from the high quality D&S kit. Yep another kit I've devalued. But kits are for building not for hoarding
I'm one of those strange people who really enjoys white metal soldering so as you can imagine I really enjoyed building this one. It helps that the kit is rather well designed.
The 68s were converted from Diagram 18 drop side wagons to also have drop ends in 1917 to support the carrying of horse drawn wagons for military traffic so I'm looking for suggestions for an appropriate load. Something light though, I try and weight my wagon fleet so they are are all consistently around 40g, although white metal vans prove an interesting challenge, and this wagon was allready pretty much near the 40g mark when built.
The other challenge is that this size of wagon needs the medium size GE lettering .... Which isn't on the POW sides sheet.... So this one might have to be lettered by hand.... Oh what fun....
A GER diagram 68 3 plank open with drop sides and drop ends. Made from the high quality D&S kit. Yep another kit I've devalued. But kits are for building not for hoarding
I'm one of those strange people who really enjoys white metal soldering so as you can imagine I really enjoyed building this one. It helps that the kit is rather well designed.
The 68s were converted from Diagram 18 drop side wagons to also have drop ends in 1917 to support the carrying of horse drawn wagons for military traffic so I'm looking for suggestions for an appropriate load. Something light though, I try and weight my wagon fleet so they are are all consistently around 40g, although white metal vans prove an interesting challenge, and this wagon was allready pretty much near the 40g mark when built.
The other challenge is that this size of wagon needs the medium size GE lettering .... Which isn't on the POW sides sheet.... So this one might have to be lettered by hand.... Oh what fun....
James Spooner
Western Thunderer
George,
You certainly haven’t devalued that kit with your excellent standard of build; lovely work!
Nigel
Herb Garden
Western Thunderer
Right,
Back from this week's trip to Aberdeen. What a lovely city. Was made to feel very welcome by all the locals so thank you!
Taking the train up there was a wonderful journey also.
So this is the second of the two wagons finished last weekend and the last before I move on to something a bit different
A D&S GER diagram 31 loco coal wagon (another devalued kit). Nothing special about this one it's just a good useful wagon. But a really nice kit to build
Back from this week's trip to Aberdeen. What a lovely city. Was made to feel very welcome by all the locals so thank you!
Taking the train up there was a wonderful journey also.
So this is the second of the two wagons finished last weekend and the last before I move on to something a bit different
A D&S GER diagram 31 loco coal wagon (another devalued kit). Nothing special about this one it's just a good useful wagon. But a really nice kit to build
Herb Garden
Western Thunderer
Right we are now up to date... So here's the current project.
One of my good friends detests the generic ranges of coaches that have appeared in recent years. I think the problem we have in modelling sometimes is highly accurate locomotives hauling generic rolling stock through unbelievable landscapes. However these generic coaches are very well engineered so I've been looking for an opportunity to try and use one.
These etches are from the old Peter K range more scratch aid than kit build really as there is no chassis at all. That's where the generic coach comes it. It's the perfect length, height and wheelbase to suit the etch body.
The etch itself is of a GER bread van. These were past Thier best coaches that were converted to fruit vans for the east Anglia - London traffic. By removing the seats and blanking off the windows and installing shelves you had a ready made fitted vehicle for NPC stock(the GER called this Misc stock). These were later used for supplies traffic for the troops during the first world war earning the nickname bread vans.
The etches are based on #X71 A diagram 402 5 compartment 3rd built in the Adams era as #807. In 1912 this was converted to a fruit van. The challenge here is that every converted vehicle was a bit different so this one will be a model of X71.
A lot of the initial work is sanding the body down to take the etched sides.
And the chassis!
It's a really easy thing to convert to EM.
And it's even better that Hornby included a Westinghouse cylinder on the underside!
The plan is to build body and chassis separately an then rely on the Hornby clip features to mate the two together. Will it work? Watch this space!
One of my good friends detests the generic ranges of coaches that have appeared in recent years. I think the problem we have in modelling sometimes is highly accurate locomotives hauling generic rolling stock through unbelievable landscapes. However these generic coaches are very well engineered so I've been looking for an opportunity to try and use one.
These etches are from the old Peter K range more scratch aid than kit build really as there is no chassis at all. That's where the generic coach comes it. It's the perfect length, height and wheelbase to suit the etch body.
The etch itself is of a GER bread van. These were past Thier best coaches that were converted to fruit vans for the east Anglia - London traffic. By removing the seats and blanking off the windows and installing shelves you had a ready made fitted vehicle for NPC stock(the GER called this Misc stock). These were later used for supplies traffic for the troops during the first world war earning the nickname bread vans.
The etches are based on #X71 A diagram 402 5 compartment 3rd built in the Adams era as #807. In 1912 this was converted to a fruit van. The challenge here is that every converted vehicle was a bit different so this one will be a model of X71.
A lot of the initial work is sanding the body down to take the etched sides.
And the chassis!
It's a really easy thing to convert to EM.
And it's even better that Hornby included a Westinghouse cylinder on the underside!
The plan is to build body and chassis separately an then rely on the Hornby clip features to mate the two together. Will it work? Watch this space!
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Herb Garden
Western Thunderer
Yet another cold! Seriously!
Anyway between feeling sniffly I've been able to build up the solder bars and footsteps. Some scrap from the etches providing the link between upper and lower
Just balanced in place for now
Anyway between feeling sniffly I've been able to build up the solder bars and footsteps. Some scrap from the etches providing the link between upper and lower
Just balanced in place for now
Herb Garden
Western Thunderer
Bedridden for the best part of a week... That sucks!
Anyway in the last day I've been able to make some progress on the bread/fruit van
There's a lot of laminating involved.
Solder paint and RSU later....
Flat pack
Body modified so you can see through the vents
And glued inside the brass sides
And posed on the chassis. Couple of snags in the fact it's riding slightly too high and the plastic chassis has a slight twist in it so not all wheels are on the Track it might mean that it's best to install a compensation unit just to ensure better running but all the same great progress.
Anyway in the last day I've been able to make some progress on the bread/fruit van
There's a lot of laminating involved.
Solder paint and RSU later....
Flat pack
Body modified so you can see through the vents
And glued inside the brass sides
And posed on the chassis. Couple of snags in the fact it's riding slightly too high and the plastic chassis has a slight twist in it so not all wheels are on the Track it might mean that it's best to install a compensation unit just to ensure better running but all the same great progress.
Herb Garden
Western Thunderer
So I'm off for the first time to Sheffield tomorrow. For work but really looking forward to exploring another new city....
In the meantime a project that I'm very much enjoying moves steadily onwards
So I've taken the plunge and glued everything together. The ends have been filled between the etch and the Hornby body and the buffer beams bulked out rather than being wafer thin.
I've sorted out the issues with ride height and done some work on the chassis
The Hornby brakes have been upgraded with a bit of rigging and a compensation unit added
It's been a lovely thing to work on so far. Next job is a roof and some buffers.
In the meantime a project that I'm very much enjoying moves steadily onwards
So I've taken the plunge and glued everything together. The ends have been filled between the etch and the Hornby body and the buffer beams bulked out rather than being wafer thin.
I've sorted out the issues with ride height and done some work on the chassis
The Hornby brakes have been upgraded with a bit of rigging and a compensation unit added
It's been a lovely thing to work on so far. Next job is a roof and some buffers.
Herb Garden
Western Thunderer
It's now got a roof
i suppose there are some benefits to having to get up for an early start....
i suppose there are some benefits to having to get up for an early start....
Herb Garden
Western Thunderer
So it's Christmas Eve!
And work has progressed on the Bread Van. Namely buffer and a bit of detail on the roof.
Whilst I work out the various final details that need adding I've started working on something else but very related.
Until recently I've always seen myself as a loco modeller but I found great joy in wagons recently and now the coaching stock bug has hit me hard.
That's good as Skeetsmere needs coaching stock!
Heres the chassis of the first one posed with the bread van.
Merry Christmas All!
And work has progressed on the Bread Van. Namely buffer and a bit of detail on the roof.
Whilst I work out the various final details that need adding I've started working on something else but very related.
Until recently I've always seen myself as a loco modeller but I found great joy in wagons recently and now the coaching stock bug has hit me hard.
That's good as Skeetsmere needs coaching stock!
Heres the chassis of the first one posed with the bread van.
Merry Christmas All!
Herb Garden
Western Thunderer
Well that's almost a wrap on 2024.
Firstly there's been a bit of progress since Christmas.
After a visit to a friend's the workbench has been tidied out of sheer embarrassment....
Much better.
We now have 3 27ft coach chassis.
And the diagram 402 3rd class is coming together.
Keen to have a variety of stock in this rake I've stated filling up the top mouldings to back date this Worsdell coach to a Bromley built item.
Finally I've started making up the DCC circuits for 407 & 510 and realised that the capacitor is way way too big.
So what to 2025? Well Skeetsmere is provisionally booked to go to workshop wise in October and possibly Workington in November and currently it looks like some empty space with track. So with the stock growing the focus will move to buildings and landscaping the rest of the layout. The good news is baring a few faults the layout works really well so that will help for the new year.
So 2025 will be a combination of layout and completing the various bits of stock for it.... Like this poor buckjumper that needs completing. But also hopefully there may be the chance to share some of the designs from what is down the other end of the branch from Skeetsmere, the odd guitar restoration project, new kits from Herb Garden models and possibly more adventures in 2mm scale? Who knows? But the one thing I've learnt in modelling is to go with the flow a little.
Wishing you all a very happy new year from the Canary Sidings works!
Firstly there's been a bit of progress since Christmas.
After a visit to a friend's the workbench has been tidied out of sheer embarrassment....
Much better.
We now have 3 27ft coach chassis.
And the diagram 402 3rd class is coming together.
Keen to have a variety of stock in this rake I've stated filling up the top mouldings to back date this Worsdell coach to a Bromley built item.
Finally I've started making up the DCC circuits for 407 & 510 and realised that the capacitor is way way too big.
So what to 2025? Well Skeetsmere is provisionally booked to go to workshop wise in October and possibly Workington in November and currently it looks like some empty space with track. So with the stock growing the focus will move to buildings and landscaping the rest of the layout. The good news is baring a few faults the layout works really well so that will help for the new year.
So 2025 will be a combination of layout and completing the various bits of stock for it.... Like this poor buckjumper that needs completing. But also hopefully there may be the chance to share some of the designs from what is down the other end of the branch from Skeetsmere, the odd guitar restoration project, new kits from Herb Garden models and possibly more adventures in 2mm scale? Who knows? But the one thing I've learnt in modelling is to go with the flow a little.
Wishing you all a very happy new year from the Canary Sidings works!