John57sharp
Western Thunderer
Look in the part now. 2nd side went together better with experience?
John
John
Wantage Tramway No.5
- Thread starter spikey faz
- Start date
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
Yes, definitely easier on the second side.
Just started cutting out the motion plates and and also been cleaning up brake parts. Pictures to follow in due course.
Apologies for slow progress - currently redecorating our bathroom which apparently is more important than building engines. So I'm told!
Mike
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
Trial fit of brakes
And embryonic motion plates. In the MRJ construction articles Laurie Griffin does say these are probably the most awkward parts to make. I think he might be right as I keep looking at the 2 pieces of metal and willing them to transform themselves into something resembling motion plates rather than actually getting on and making them.
Please note the construction measurements. The finished parts may not end up these sizes!
Mike
And embryonic motion plates. In the MRJ construction articles Laurie Griffin does say these are probably the most awkward parts to make. I think he might be right as I keep looking at the 2 pieces of metal and willing them to transform themselves into something resembling motion plates rather than actually getting on and making them.
Please note the construction measurements. The finished parts may not end up these sizes!
Mike
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
What is immediately apparent is that the brake hangers are too high! Curses!! 
I think some incremental errors have crept in which will mean re-drilling the holes for the brake hangers a bit lower. If it's ok I'd rather not reveal how far my initial measurement must have been out by. 
Actually it's not the end of the world, but in the words of quite a few of my old school teachers: 'must do better'.
Mike
I think some incremental errors have crept in which will mean re-drilling the holes for the brake hangers a bit lower. If it's ok I'd rather not reveal how far my initial measurement must have been out by. Actually it's not the end of the world, but in the words of quite a few of my old school teachers: 'must do better'. Mike
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
I'm struggling a bit at the moment with my soldering. I'm at that stage where soldering one bit on results in another bit falling off. The picture below shows where I'm trying to attach some detail parts to the front of the cylinders.
Apart from showing up more of my agricultural modelmaking skills (the extra holes will be filled in due course!) it hopefully also shows my attempt to solder on the cylinder draincocks. My small iron just cannot get enough heat in and whilst my big iron does generate enough heat it causes other parts to shift/fall off. I've read up a bit about resistance soldering. Could this be the solution? Please feel free to let me have your thoughts.
Mike
Apart from showing up more of my agricultural modelmaking skills (the extra holes will be filled in due course!) it hopefully also shows my attempt to solder on the cylinder draincocks. My small iron just cannot get enough heat in and whilst my big iron does generate enough heat it causes other parts to shift/fall off. I've read up a bit about resistance soldering. Could this be the solution? Please feel free to let me have your thoughts.
Mike
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John57sharp
Western Thunderer
Mike have you tried using lower temp solder for the drain cocks?
John
John
simond
Western Thunderer
I love resistance soldering, and with a sharp electrode, it is possible to put just enough heat into a job to make a joint, without melting everything else, but it takes a little practice, and low temp solder, as John suggests, is probably a simpler approach.
I’d not be without my resistance box though!
atb
Simon
I’d not be without my resistance box though!
atb
Simon
michael080
Western Thunderer
Absolutely true. I even managed to burn my finger yesterday which resulted in a third degree burn only 2mm in diameter.
Michael
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
I think I might well use some low melt solder but it's not as strong, which is why I've been trying to avoid using it up to now. I think the main issue is that the rest of the cylinder assembly is acting as a heat-sink.
In other news: my motion plate measurements appear to have been a little bit out! I've been mocking one up from plastikard to try and get the dimensions.
Mike
In other news: my motion plate measurements appear to have been a little bit out! I've been mocking one up from plastikard to try and get the dimensions.
Mike
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
To be fair the MRJ parts are fine. Any errors are purely down to me. At least I won't have a box of left over bits though (I hope!).
Mike
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
Decided to bite the bullet and get on with motion plates. First one went ok but for some reason I broke two blades fretting out the second one.
I also managed to solder some bits on to the cylinder covers without the rest of the loco coming unsoldered. Woo hoo!
Mike
I also managed to solder some bits on to the cylinder covers without the rest of the loco coming unsoldered. Woo hoo!
Mike
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
I've got a couple more little parts to add to the cylinders (steam chest?) and I've noticed that there should also be two valve spindles (at least I think that's what they are) which aren't provided in the MRJ parts. Does anyone have suggestions where I can get these? I suppose I could try making them, but ready-made is easier.
In other news I spent ages making the actuating arm for the steam brake cylinder. It looks a bit naff and I've just found the proper part in the MRJ castings!!
Just as well some of my other hobbies include hifi, record collecting and whisky.
Time to relax to some Miles Davis.
Mike
In other news I spent ages making the actuating arm for the steam brake cylinder. It looks a bit naff and I've just found the proper part in the MRJ castings!!
Just as well some of my other hobbies include hifi, record collecting and whisky.
Time to relax to some Miles Davis.Mike
Ian Matthews
Member
Hello Everyone, I have just returned to Western Thunder after a number of years working away. I wanted to congratulate you on building the MRJ-inspired Wantage Tramway No.5. I built the same loco back in 2006 after similarly having the MRJ castings pack for a while in my 'to-do' drawer. I found the project reasonably straight forward other than self-inflicted issues around a fitting SWD DCC module, speaker and LED.
I'll look forward to following this project - it'll bring back great memories!
Heres a short YouTube video of my version 'Persephone' in action:
Here are some images taken at the time:
I'll look forward to following this project - it'll bring back great memories!
Heres a short YouTube video of my version 'Persephone' in action:
Here are some images taken at the time:
Attachments
Ian Matthews
Member
I used the foil capping from a red wine bottle. It came flat black in colour, and was very easy to fold into shape...
Ian Matthews
Member
It seems very strange to see ‘Jane’ resplendent in maroon. I liveried my own version of No.5 in BR coach maroon in 2006 much to the horror and dismay of fellow modelers and Wantage Tramway officianados... I’m gratified that the museum saw fit to follow my leadWhat no Crimson King.....
!
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
Hi Ian
I think I found one of two of the pictures you took while doing a Google search for info on No.5. This is however the first I've seen them with the others and also the video. Fantastic! Really inspirational for me. I've got to see this project through to the end.
I've got a few bottles of wine to experiment on with lead foil.
I'm still not sure about colour, but erring towards green at the moment. I'm only building the loco, not the Wantage Tramway. No.5 has simply been sold to the Findon Limeworks and I guess they fancied a change of colour.
Mike
I think I found one of two of the pictures you took while doing a Google search for info on No.5. This is however the first I've seen them with the others and also the video. Fantastic! Really inspirational for me. I've got to see this project through to the end.
I've got a few bottles of wine to experiment on with lead foil.
I'm still not sure about colour, but erring towards green at the moment. I'm only building the loco, not the Wantage Tramway. No.5 has simply been sold to the Findon Limeworks and I guess they fancied a change of colour.
Mike
Ian Matthews
Member
Hi Mike, I’m pleased my version of No.5 giving you more impetus to keep with the project. My version was finescale, so I didn’t have the challenges you will be having to deal with in S7. If I recall, getting the valve rods to work without binding took some time to fettle and ensure reliable running. My loco is Escap RG4 powered, and while very smooth in operation, doesn’t have a great deal of torque, so any valve gear issues were cruelly exposed. The video shows the slow running capabilities quite well. I do have other images in higher resolution, happy to share if you think they may help. I can recommend fitting DCC - the Loksound V3 chip fits inside the well tank perfectly!Hi Ian
I think I found one of two of the pictures you took while doing a Google search for info on No.5. This is however the first I've seen them with the others and also the video. Fantastic! Really inspirational for me. I've got to see this project through to the end.
I've got a few bottles of wine to experiment on with lead foil.
I'm still not sure about colour, but erring towards green at the moment. I'm only building the loco, not the Wantage Tramway. No.5 has simply been sold to the Findon Limeworks and I guess they fancied a change of colour.
Mike
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
Hi Ian
I'd be pleased to see any hi-res images you have of your model.
I'll be using a Mashima motor with a Branchlines gearbox. It's not perhaps as high tech as a Portescap, but I've used this combination before and it works well for me. Still not sure about whether my nerves will stand doing working inside motion though!
I suppose I should investigate DCC in due course. I've got a heavily reworked Ixion Hudswell Clarke which is designed to accommodate DCC, so that could be worth looking at.
I'm currently working from home due the Covid19 lockdown and I have to resist going off to do a bit of modelling whilst working!
Mike
I'd be pleased to see any hi-res images you have of your model.
I'll be using a Mashima motor with a Branchlines gearbox. It's not perhaps as high tech as a Portescap, but I've used this combination before and it works well for me. Still not sure about whether my nerves will stand doing working inside motion though!
I suppose I should investigate DCC in due course. I've got a heavily reworked Ixion Hudswell Clarke which is designed to accommodate DCC, so that could be worth looking at.
I'm currently working from home due the Covid19 lockdown and I have to resist going off to do a bit of modelling whilst working!
Mike
Ian Matthews
Member
Hi Mike,
You’re very welcome to the images and a PDF celebrating ‘Jane’s’ 125th birthday. Rather than clog up Western Thunder with image files etc., do you want to contact me outside of the group? imatts047@googlemail.com I’ll make the images available either by email or Cloud access.
Here in NZ the Covid-19 outbreak is all but over. We have just gone to Level 2, which means back to the office for me on Monday. The good news is shops and restaurants are open, and I can get a half-decent haircut!
We’re looking on at the UK from NZ and wondering what on earth is going on? It looks like the UK is going to be stuck with severe restrictions on movement for a while yet.
Ian
You’re very welcome to the images and a PDF celebrating ‘Jane’s’ 125th birthday. Rather than clog up Western Thunder with image files etc., do you want to contact me outside of the group? imatts047@googlemail.com I’ll make the images available either by email or Cloud access.
Here in NZ the Covid-19 outbreak is all but over. We have just gone to Level 2, which means back to the office for me on Monday. The good news is shops and restaurants are open, and I can get a half-decent haircut!
We’re looking on at the UK from NZ and wondering what on earth is going on? It looks like the UK is going to be stuck with severe restrictions on movement for a while yet.Ian