KMCE's Workbench

[Mayner]

The South Eastern does not appear to have had the very low platforms commons on the Cork Line and older parts of the GSWR so coaches with lower footboards may have been un-necessary at least in DSER/GSR/CIE days. The GNR(I) also appear to have fitted (or removed) lower footboards from their 6w and older coaching stock.

[KMCE]

Coaches are back from the paintshop.

First up, 21'6" Metropolitan 4-wheel Third Brake (No. 63), with 28' four comp First (No. 48), and 34' six comp Third (No. 46)

 

Next Up; DSER Horsebox, with 31'5" four comp Third Brake (No. 70), and 34' 1st/Lav/3rd Composite (No.30).

 

Busy Terminus!

 

All are up for lining, numbering, door handles, grab rails and glazing; may consider some passengers if I get the time and inclination.

 

More as time and energy permits......

Ken

[WRENNEIRE]

I know a man who has passengers........

[Patrick Davey]

Beautiful models Ken!!!!

[jhb171achill]

Superb stuff, Ken, absolutely brilliant. Great to see attention given to the more historic aspects of the railways here. With growing interest in the grey'n'green era before the black'n'tan one, maybe the GSR and pre-1925 eras are yet to have their day!

[KMCE]

While I wait for transfers for the coaches, I needed to have some locos to pull them, so set to adding detail to 428.

Handrails, vac pipes, tank fillers, etc all added which help bring the model alive. 

Still some tidying up to do - the dome is not sitting correctly and needs a skirt to finish it. Also there is space under the smokebox that needs to be filled along with the gap at the rear of the cab. 

Little things, but they do take up time to set right and then off to the paintshop for a coat of grey.

 

All for now.

 

Ken

[popeye]

Looking good, once it gets the primer it gives it a very different look.

[David Holman]

A little beauty Ken. Will be great to see it paired with the coaches.

[KMCE]

After some time in the paint shop......

 

And in line with some coaches for perspective.....

 

Still a little bit of tidying up to do, but for now it can sit on the workbench test track.  Still a very slight binding on the drivers, so that will need some fettling to get smooth running. I also need to tweak the receiver frequency as the motor is a little sticky at low speeds. 

Not often we see a pristine steam loco, so some weathering will be needed so it doesn't stick out too much!!

 

All in good time....

Ken

[Flying Snail]

She's a beauty! Lovely looking loco.

[murphaph]

She really is a little beauty. Cracking stuff.

[Tullygrainey]

Beautiful paint finish on the loco Ken. Looks really well and a great lineup of loco plus coaches

[Gabhal Luimnigh]

That's lovely 

[KMCE]

Some additional loco work has been underway recently.  The 428 class loco got a number plate - 431 in this case as it works with designations on my RC controller.  The 423 class kit was finally completed and painted - some tidying up needed, but it has turned out rather well.  This was the MK1 kit which required some mods to fix minor errors.  The original scratchbuilt 423 got a new superstructure courtesy of a MK2 kit spare etch - this corrected some errors from the Mk1 but has been further refined for the Mk3 kit, again minor tweaks, but I prefer to fix the errors as I find it quite annoying when assembling a kit to discover errors that need fixing. 

428 Class with number plate added, but some weathering needed to finish.

 

The new 423 with light weathering - I think a heavier belt with the weathering brush will be needed.

 

Old 423 with new superstructure with the old chassis.  The plan is to paint this in DSER black with lining to go with some DSER stock (about time I hear you cry)!!

 

Finally a quick line up outside the work:

 

All for now...

Ken

[Gabhal Luimnigh]

Yummy 

[David Holman]

Very tasty indeed - quite a line up!

[Tullygrainey]

Wonderful! 

[Mayner]

Those DSER/DWWR 2-4-0T and 2-4-2T locos were really distinctive powerful looking locos with their relatively high pitched large diameter boiler contrasting significantly with other "Southern" tank locos. Although the ex-DSER 2-4-0T and 2-4-2T were considered to be obsolete by the GSR they appeared to be capable locos working South Eastern Suburban passenger services until replaced by diesels. The original DWWR 2-4-2T were rebuilds of the 2-4-0T, its a pity the GSR did not re-build the remaining 3 2-4-0T as 2-4-2T bringing them into line with the rest of the fleet allowing all ex-DSER suburban tanks to work through to Bray and Greystones, the small bunkers apparrently restricted the 2-4-0T to  Amiens St-Dunlaoire workings and Pier Trains

[KMCE]

So, I started this 670 Class loco in Nov 2018 (yes 5 years ago!!) - this one being a real problem child, in every sense; on and off the workbench many times.  Chassis was built twice, brakes probably 3 times, and front splashers, I've lost track.  However in a concerted effort to get it finished, I spent some time recently to try and get it completed.  There are still some issues to be worked on, well quite a few issues, but I'm getting closer. 

 

The 3D printed parts help reduce the workload as those steps proved almost impossible in brass.

Front steps will need some brass reinforcement as they are wandering a little too much, and I think I will need some additional fixings to hold the body down to the footplate at the rear, etc, etc.

 

Getting closer & I'll post more as progress permits

Edited November 8, 2023 by KMCE

[David Holman]

Simple, inside cylinders, straight (ish) footplate - ought to be easy! Until you look more closely that is...

 Not hard to see the challenges, but certainly looking good and well worth the effort.

[KMCE]

So, a quick update on the 670 class.  The problem child has finally grown up and but for a few snags is ready to join the fleet. 

The coat of paint helped to blend in the harsh elements and bring things together.  Still a few elements to tidy up - a bit of filler needed on the steam dome and the numbering needs tidying up.  A touch of paint on the buffer beams would help too.  Not withstanding those bits, it has come together rather well given the problems.  Electrical elements need to be tidied up as well - I had the chips taped to the underside of the roof which worked before, so will probably do that again.  Quite a lump of a locomotive and considerably bigger that the earlier 423 and 428 classes, so easy to see why they ended up with a train of bogey coaches running on the Bray line.

Anyway, enough of that for the moment - I'll get back to it at some point to do the snagging.

Ken

[Galteemore]

Simply spectacular Ken. Iconic GSR loco wonderfully captured. 

[KMCE]

And now for something completely different!

I have been asked by quite a few people if I could develop the 423 Class locomotive for 7mm O-Gauge, and naively said "sure - no problem".  Well it wasn't quite as easy as just scaling the 4mm kit to 7mm and sending off to the etchers.  Metal thickness changes needed some tweaks to dimensions, and even at that some tabs are not lining up - but that's getting ahead of myself.

It took some time to develop the etches as I had no bearings, couplings, etc to properly dimension the chassis etc, and a spat between An Post and Royal Mail meant an order with all those parts got stuck in Dublin for c. 10 Weeks - luckily Slaters sent it by courier the second time and it arrived.  Some frantic work and a push with the etching company (PPD) meant I got the etches before Christmas.  Great - a nice pressie for me!!

Brass fret in one piece - lesson No. 1:  Need to break this down into two.  It measures nearly 300 x 300mm so probably would be better as two frets.  Not the only problem - the etching didn't quite go to plan - the 4 disks to the top RHS should be spectacle rings for the openings in the cab.  Guess I'll just have to use soft brass wire to make them on the prototype.  I will be in touch with PPD regarding this and other errors, as they appear to be issues on their side - when I checked the artwork, it should have etched properly.

Then Nickel Silver fret for the chassis (0.7mm) was in one piece, again a little large at c. 250 x 250mm, however PPD split this over two frets which makes more sense.  Another error is the parts labelled 10, 17 & 18.  10 & 17 make up the reversing lever detail, while 18 should be a ring which helps keep the boiler at the correct external dimensions whilst soldering the seam.  It's the best way I have found to solder a boiler without resorting to wire & clips etc.  Again all good on the artwork, so I'll get in touch with PPD to discuss.  In fairness to them, they have responded very well to issues in the past with other kits, so I don't expect a major fuss.

 

Anyway the purpose of all this is to make a 7mm O-Gauge prototype of the DSER 423 Class loco.

 

First up, chassis parts and spacers.  Faux cylinder heads were etched and the rivets popped out (with a rivet press due to metal thickness) and fixed to the front spacer.  Spacers were folded as necessary, however the spacer on the very left was too wide.  Essentially the kit was scaled up from 4mm (21mm Gauge) and spacers adjusted accordingly, however this one appeared to slip through the process - a quick snip with the shears got it down to size.

The chassis has been developed to take fixed bearings and has no compensation allowed for - I have noted (perhaps incorrectly) that most 7mm modellers prefer to use fixed bearings, so this is the route I have taken.

Some standard brass bearings were fitted to the frames and frame spacers fixed to one side.  Again, another gotcha - due to the metal thickness and the bend, some of the tabs did not line up properly which needed an element of filing to get them right.  This can be amended for the Mk 2 version along with other minor errors.

Using the axles it was possible to solder up the second frame to the spacers and all checked for squareness and flatness - thankfully this came together quite well and didn't require much work.  A small amount of fettling was needed to ensure the axles ran free, but once wheels were on, everything lined up perfectly and all wheels are even on the rails - no rocking!

One thing I am finding is that this is big!  As I was building it, I was convinced (more than once) that I had got the dimensions wrong and oversized everything.  Putting it on the track and comparing to the loco and wagons I have shows it is correct - guess I am tuned to 4mm?

Anyway, all for now.  Next up, faux firebox sides, connecting rods, and brakes to get a finished chassis, but so far, so good.

Ken

[jhb171achill]

This stuff is among the very top “star performers” on this entire forum.

The DWWR / DSER has, despite very unique and interesting locos and rolling stock, and among the most spectacular scenery in Ireland, been inexplicably ignored by modellers over the years. 

Your efforts make this balance up - and with bells and whistles. Great to see so much more. The carriages, too, and wagons, are amazing!

[Tullygrainey]

Wonderful!

[Gabhal Luimnigh]

Different league here, unbelievable artistry

[David Holman]

Oh dear, I seem to be dribbling.

Am guessing you have it for 32mm gauge at the moment? Presumably wider frame spacers would work for 36.75?

 What the above shows is just how much thought and planning has to go into a project like this. All power to you, Ken!

[Northroader]

That’s real talent, putting together an etch for a job like that. Hopefully, it’s a real sweet runner, certainly I’ve found doing compensation on the drivers for this size of loco is a waste of time if it’s built true to start with. I’m guessing you’re allowing the lead axle some “float”, the etch shows a hole rather than a slot, and you’ll need some deflection or the lead axle will rob the drivers of adhesive weight.
your comments on the size of 7mm are interesting, I’m sure once you’ve picked up the finished loco and felt the bulk of it in your hand a few times, you’ll be very disappointed with the 4mm jobs you have for the “feel” they give. Another one joins the club!

Edited December 30, 2023 by Northroader

[KMCE]

Thanks for the comments and likes guys, they are much appreciated.

 

On 29/12/2023 at 2:31 PM, jhb171achill said:

The DWWR / DSER has, been inexplicably ignored by modellers over the years.

Agreed.  Given it was the first railway and third largest railway company on the Island, it does not appear to garner much interest.  Their passenger volumes were huge and freight conveyance included the usual materials, but also copper ore and cut stone materials; there is a fascinating amount of material to cover in the model world.

 

On 29/12/2023 at 9:15 PM, David Holman said:

Am guessing you have it for 32mm gauge at the moment? Presumably wider frame spacers would work for 36.75?

Yes - the plan is to prepare a basic model for 32mm but provide an extra small fret with 36.75 spacers for those that would like them.

 

 

On 30/12/2023 at 2:22 PM, Northroader said:

you’re allowing the lead axle some “float”,

Good point - the holes in the frames are designed to take the bearings accurately and I propose to allow for some movement by fettling of the leading axle bearing which would hopefully provide the necessary float.

 

On with the build.

Brakes, faux firebox sides, and con-rods were added.

Con-rods were sweated together using the bushes provided with the wheels and came together rather well.  Once made up and reamed slightly to ensure a free fit on the bearings they were added to the wheels.  No binding and chassis rolls freely first time - first time for me also, as this work normally involves lots of tweaking to the quartering and con-rod holes to get a good fit, but this time things went well.

Brake hangars and shoes were sweated together using 1mm rod to centre them.  The frames were designed to take 2mm hollow tube with a 1mm inner diameter which took the 1mm rod through the brake hanger.  In this way the brakes are detachable for painting and maintenance.  Brake pull rods were added to set the distances between front and rear brakes and also hold the position relative to the wheels - all in all a fiddly but worthwhile exercise.

Thus ends the work on the rolling chassis.  On with the footplate works....

Springs were in two etches which were sweated together to provide some depth and detail on both sides.  The buffer beams are designed to wrap around to provide buffer depth and soldered in under the footplate with a snug fit to the ends of the frames.  The steps were half etched to allow turning up both the step and ends, and looking at them now, perhaps the step depth could be a little deeper - they look a little thin.  Once steps were fixed, the valances were soldered into the slots in the footplate with the front slots needing some solder to fill the hole - the rear slots will be hidden by the tanks.

 

So completes the Nickel Silver work and we are up to footplate level - onwards with the brass work to provide a body.

All for now.

Ken

 

 

[Tullygrainey]

That is truly elegant. Lovely finish on those rods. They look really solid.

[KMCE]

Moved slightly sidewise on the O-Gauge project. 

This loco, and the GSWR train already in stock, will need something to run / display on, so I decided to put some track together.  A little bit of a shock when I saw the prices of points in O-Gauge, so I figured I already had some track developed for P4 which could be rescaled to O-Gauge.  Simples, right? Well, it took a little more work than that but nothing excessive.  So with some 3D printing and code 124 rail from Hattons it was possible to build a crossover.

Experience with P4 point building helped considerably, however given the limitations of the build plate of the printer, it takes quite some to print out the parts.  That said, this cost a fraction of commercial systems, so worth the effort.

The thought process is to use this track in a simple layout; probably Chapel Station which was located between Macmine Junction and Palace East thus allowing for GSWR and DSER stock to appear in the same station.  A very basic station with a single crossover to serve the goods shed and a headshunt to serve the cattle pens.  A road bridge provides a nice scene block, and both the station and goods shed are still in existence which will help develop the model. 

Well, that's the plan - as things develop I will create a new thread in the layouts section.

All for now.

[Galteemore]

And so it begins. Another falls into the all embracing arms of 7mm. There’s no going back now, Ken ….;) 

stellar work btw…..

[WRENNEIRE]

I know a man with 7mm points..............

[David Holman]

Lovely stuff Ken and done with your usual panache for detail and neatness.

[KMCE]

Some DSER rolling stock to go with the loco.  These are a scaled up version of my 4mm models with some mods to improve the look - a basic scale up version can look a bit chunky.  The 4mm models are designed for 21mm gauge, so some tweaks were required to the axle boxes to take the slaters bearings. 

The 3D printed roof on the cattle wagon was a bit heavy, so I went with a basic model and added a brass roof - I will probably add some fine sandpaper to represent the canvas covered roof.

Slaters sprung 3 link couplings were added - I'm not going to bother with auto de-coulpling as this will be more of a display type layout than operational, so I'm happy with the "great hand in the sky".

I decided to include a more prototypical under frame, albeit tweaked to allow for the 32mm gauge - this helped to reduce the floor thickness and thus printing weight.  The axlebox extensions can be seen with the bearings inserted - no adhesive needed as these are a tight press fit.  The underframe did make the clip on the coupling hook interesting to insert, but I got there.

All in all a nice addition and will need some paint to finish them off, but they stand well with Bob's @Northroader wagons.

Cheers,

Ken