Basic brass locomotive etchs

[jhb171achill]

Yes.

Predicted usage and potential of the Achill, Clifden and Killala lines was way, way more optimistic than even the busiest times each of them ever was.

Investigation of the history of all three shows that the neighbouring MGWR was highly unenthusiastic about them from the earliest suggestions, as the MGWR was well aware they would never break even, let alone turn a profit.

And unfortunately they were right!

In terms of a layout, sticking strictly to the prototype, virtually all stations in all lines would be hard to fit in most people’s attics. In terms of Achill, Newport without viaduct and long western-side cattle sidings, would be as doable as any, while a slimmed-down Achill is doable. Drop one or two of the sidings even, and it becomes a compact enough terminus.

Mulrany could make a compact enough station too - the hotel building is far enough away to ignore, though there’s less operational interest in it, especially since in later days trains crossed at Newport, not Mulrany.

Then theres the planned, but never built, one-platform halt and fish siding at Tonragee - think of a red-brick Dunsandle.

After the line closed, one of these locos ran on the Ballina branch for a while. Another put in a guest appearance at Loughrea, and two were moved to Athlone. During this time, the Athlone-Portarlington branch train was occasionally hauled by one.

 

 

 

Edited November 27 by jhb171achill

[Colin R]

One thing about 3D printing is that you would need to make sure you can fit a 21mm gauge chassis under it. The other thing would also be to try and consider what  Bachman / Hornby chassis you can use under the print and just how accurate you want to be.

Something else to think about would be of course to print a scale 3D print chassis block and take the bits from an above donor chassis.

[Horsetan]

1 hour ago, jhb171achill said:

Yes.

Predicted usage and potential of the Achill, Clifden and Killala lines was way, way more optimistic than even the busiest times each of them ever was.

Investigation of the history of all three shows that the neighbouring MGWR was highly unenthusiastic about them from the earliest suggestions, as the MGWR was well aware they would never break even, let alone turn a profit....

As has been said elsewhere on this Forum, it seems to be a very Irish thing to support all these things....so long as someone else is paying for it!

The viaduct at Newport is what would make any model of the place - without it, a Newport layout might well become nondescript.

Edited November 27 by Horsetan

[Mayner]

1 hour ago, Horsetan said:

As has been said elsewhere on this Forum, it seems to be a very Irish thing to support all these things....so long as someone else is paying for it!

The viaduct at Newport is what would make any model of the place - without it, a Newport layout might well become nondescript.

I think it was Michael McGowan author of the Hard Road to the Klondike a returning emigrant commented that the Donegal natives who built the Burtonport Extension slipped up badly by completing the line quickly and not 'making the job last'.  

The building of lines to remote parts of the West gave a short economic boost during their construction, but no long term economic benefit to the districts they served, as soon as they were able a large part of the population had to emigrate in order to survive and send back money to support the people that remained behind.

 

Edited November 27 by Mayner

[jhb171achill]

1 hour ago, Mayner said:

I think it was Michael McGowan author of the Hard Road to the Klondike a returning emigrant commented that the Donegal natives who built the Burtonport Extension slipped up badly by completing the line quickly and not 'making the job last'.  

The building of lines to remote parts of the West gave a short economic boost during their construction, but no long term economic benefit to the districts they served, as soon as they were able a large part of the population had to emigrate in order to survive and send back money to support the people that remained behind.

 

Indeed; it was said that the only benefit they brought to some places was that they made it easier to get to an emigrant port.........

3 hours ago, Colin R said:

One thing about 3D printing is that you would need to make sure you can fit a 21mm gauge chassis under it. The other thing would also be to try and consider what  Bachman / Hornby chassis you can use under the print and just how accurate you want to be.

Something else to think about would be of course to print a scale 3D print chassis block and take the bits from an above donor chassis.

I wonder what 4.4.0 chassis might suit? Any thoughts / ideas?

[Mayner]

4 hours ago, Colin R said:

One thing about 3D printing is that you would need to make sure you can fit a 21mm gauge chassis under it. The other thing would also be to try and consider what  Bachman / Hornby chassis you can use under the print and just how accurate you want to be.

Something else to think about would be of course to print a scale 3D print chassis block and take the bits from an above donor chassis.

Richard Ellis once produced a 3D printed GNR JT 2-4-2T complete with 3D printed chassis on the Shapeways platform, it was intended that the builder source their wheels, gearbox and motor from a supplier like Markits or Alan Gibson than attempt to take the bits from a proprietary RTR chassis.

Having assembled several 21mm gauge locos I think 3D printing or injection molded plastic would be a non-runner for a 21mm gauge loco body due to the nature of the material it would be extremely difficult to achieve adequate running clearances for 21mm wheel sets within the splashers and valences.  Suppliers like Brassmasters supply replacement etched splashers for modellers intending to re-gauge Bachmann LMS 4F and 3F 0-6-0s from OO to EM or S4. 

I assembled a number of SSM J15s 0-6-0s and GNR 4-4-0s to 21mm gauge with EM profile wheels and found splasher/crankpin clearances quite tight, it would probably be necessary to reduce the gauge to 20.2mm if you use the wider RP25 110 wheels used in the majority of current rtr chassis.

A 3D printed Irish steam outline loco and chassis should be doable in OO the main challenge would be finding a printer (person or machine) capable of printing to a similar tolerance to plastic injection moulding or die casting.

[jhb171achill]

I have sent off a relevant email, so we'll see what the reply is re a brass kit!

[Colin R]

If you have contacted Allen, he tends to reply the following morning if he can.

 

Regards

Colin R

[jhb171achill]

Right, folks, we’ve info.

Allen can do an etch for an Achill D16 for around £70 / €85.

It would take only a few weeks once adequate drawings were sourced. I will investigate this.

Once I’ve done that, we can talk about money and definite orders.

Perhaps if people email or PM me to say they’re definitely in?

If this works, a MGWR six-wheeler could be next?

(jhb171@gmail.com)

[GSR 800]

As per email, I am in

[jhb171achill]

6 minutes ago, GSR 800 said:

As per email, I am in

You're on the list, Harry! So we've two now. 4 to go if this is to grow wheels and run.

[Galteemore]

Roger @alphagraphix may be of some help: he certainly got as far as designing enough of a D16 to do a few 7mm scale etches, which @David Holman used to produce his lovely Wolf Dog. I imagine it will need to be an etched chassis - rather than RTR adaption. Having rods and chassis designed and etched together would help reliable running.. 

Edited November 29 by Galteemore

[jhb171achill]

We’ll see how it goes; we’re up to four orders now….

[Colin R]

Make it 5.

[GSR 800]

1 hour ago, Galteemore said:

Roger @alphagraphix may be of some help: he certainly got as far as designing enough of a D16 to do a few 7mm scale etches, which @David Holman used to produce his lovely Wolf Dog. I imagine it will need to be an etched chassis - rather than RTR adaption. Having rods and chassis designed and etched together would help reliable running.. 

Currently looking at rtr possibilities for the A and C mgwr 4-4-0s and there's the significant issue of there basically being nothing with 6'3 drivers or smaller anyway, so it'll need to be an alternative. 

Edited November 29 by GSR 800

[jhb171achill]

3 hours ago, Colin R said:

Make it 5.

Just one to go now!

Anyone?

[James Regan]

I’ll take No. 6 an Achill bogie in 4mm and a J5 down the road. Thanks!