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KMCE

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1 hour ago, KMCE said:

Meanwhile,

Our good friends Shepherd & Beesley also mentioned in passing that given the rise in gas lighting to the coaches in 1895, a means of conveying gas around the network was needed.  Two old wagons Nos. 131 and 242 (cattle wagons, I think) were stripped and their chassis used to carry tanks for the gas.  It appears these were long lived and 131 operated on the network up to 1959.

No drawings, or even full photos were available, so with a bit of research through loads of photos, it was possible to get some partials which allowed a wagon be built.  The cattle chassis would most likely have been short, so I went for a wagon length of 14"  which dictated the size of the gas tank. 

 

523251604_GasModel1.thumb.jpg.fa260a5f012e826f3ab7498cf03339f1.jpg

 

636592032_GasModel2.thumb.jpg.5dc9244b7a7521e713cd9bded59000f1.jpg

 

1750632994_GasModel3.thumb.jpg.a4d3a9609299432b9b4f6df37f9bfdfc.jpg

I cannot claim it to be historically correct, however given the severe dearth of information available, I think this is a reasonable representation.  

The tank is not fixed at the moment as the whole lot needs a good clean prior to painting.  Once it's all painted I most likely will glue it together and blend the elements together with some weathering.

 

Nice little wagon and a good way to pass a rather dull Saturday.

 

Ken

The van is certainly spot on, and the wagon looks good too. As for the tanker, I agree that it's likely to have had a short chassis, and what you've made is very convincing indeed.

Even if no actual hard and fast accurate drawing is to hand, things like this were often built almost ad hoc, as one-offs, so it's as good as any and certainly looks convincing.

Excellent stuff as always.

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To my shame, I must admit that this is the first time I've noticed this thread.

Really terrific, skilled work Ken. To say "Well done" doesn't start to give you the credit due. Thanks for posting the photos of the locos and rolling stock in native brass - I have always thought it showed off a model really well. When I had a Class AL built from the Northstar kit recently, I particularly asked the modeller to photograph it for me in brass, before painting it - a bit like the "real" railway works who photographed their locos in "Workshop Grey".

Great to see the DSER modelled - i'm only aware of one other person doing it - and I'm about to send him the link! 

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On 4/28/2019 at 12:49 AM, leslie10646 said:

Great to see the DSER modelled - i'm only aware of one other person doing it - and I'm about to send him the link! 

I would be very interested to touch base with this individual to discuss all things model DSER!!

Ken

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  • 1 month later...

Been a while - the real job is getting in the way!!

 

Painting and weathering of the newer wagons underway at the moment.  A story of a few step forward followed by a few steps back, however I'm getting there.  Amazing what a bit of weathering can cover up!!

822357979_PaintedWagons2.thumb.jpg.4069ed1f4eb128ac13c2606b462fe2a6.jpg

 

Painting of 495 is ongoing at the moment also, and that will need quite a bit of work.  I'll fill in the details in the 495 post in Irish Models.

 

347142989_PaintedWagons3.thumb.jpg.6e27eb7deeb7b0e14f3201fca9e8b995.jpg

Brake van, gas wagon, vehicle wagon (already done) open wagon and the DSER covered wagon coming along nicely.  Gas wagon may be a little light in colour?

Brake van needs more work as running boards and buffers to be painted, glazing to be added and roof needs a lot more work.  Open wagon took a bit of a battering during painting losing the brake levers brackets & one brake shoe.  Brass to white metal connections are rather fragile - I'll use superglue at this stage to effect repairs.

 

8378444_PaintedWagons1.thumb.jpg.786983c1c9f9eb09db7171d86321c589.jpg

Coming along rather nicely.  

More as time permits.

Ken

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13 minutes ago, murrayec said:

OOOh! do I see some rods! in there Ken?

Yes indeed - early days but it does look good.  It's the Wills point rodding kit plus extension pack.

I'll post more details in the layout section.

Ken

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As mentioned in the layout section for Wicklow South, I intend to use the two footbridges to enclose the scene.  The main footbridge over the platforms and a smaller one spanning the single line further south from the station.

 

DSER constructed very similar footbridges along their network and for quite a few they were integrated with the signal box - meant only one stairs rather than two, so a certain element of fiscal efficiency.

977299318_WicklowFootbridge.thumb.jpg.88866a601be151bc574bdd8f11c813bd.jpg

Prototype take recently.

 

Rather that make the sides by soldering individual pieces together, I decided to draw up a plan for the base side in CAD & use the mill to cut out.  It also made it easier to drill the uprights for the horizontal rods which will be much more accurate using CNC than by hand.

1509483233_FootbridgeCNCCutting.thumb.jpg.6cb83ad145512240dd35bdfe0c3ab849.jpg

 

 

The sides were cleaned up and t-section added top and bottom which soldered joints on the inside.

11868426_FootbridgeTSection1.thumb.jpg.0c96db565cd8e6690575e4f13d9ebe95.jpg

 

Front side was kept clean with some rivets added.

1407272400_FootbridgeTSection2.thumb.jpg.cfdc54c9c8a4a9ab92ad67432f211d4f.jpg

 

 

The uprights were a little fiddlier as threading through 6 no. 0.5mm brass rods took a some time being sure not to deform the uprights.

1860473878_FootbridgeVerticalsRodsAssembly.thumb.jpg.9ab6efab476a9a4a4646e4336bc7168f.jpg

 

It was worth the effort, as when uprights were soldered into position top & bottom, we ended up with this, which is starting to look good.

1342124577_FootbridgeSideComplete.thumb.jpg.e9e0ba1a076b838851e65c65e09506da.jpg

Alas, I stopped too short with the rods as I was thinking the last section tucks into the signal box - it doesn't, so I'll have to amend that bit before ti gets to the model.

 

More as time permits.

 

Ken

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So,

Corrected the problem with stopping short with the rods, they now run to the end.  A floor added and back section connected.  

1377952315_CompetePlatformBridge1.thumb.jpg.4636a8b48dbbe789f7fa84aea4dc8563.jpg

1490780438_CompetePlatformBridge2.thumb.jpg.811ead2296a72afc8aa28f2db3fc5f8b.jpg

The DSER bridges have an interesting support which runs clear of the underside and then turn up at an angle to the top rail.  Adds a nice touch.

822246002_CompetePlatformBridge3.thumb.jpg.08abbc9cc2c112aaaf314f3a026389df.jpg

Trial positioning with some timber blocks for now.  I haven't detailed the back cut - a few lines on the backscene will probably suffice.

Back scene for this area will be prototype photos (hopefully).

 

Got to work on the footbridge at the other end.  This is the same structure as the platform bridge, so I'm not going to go through the construction details.

780485861_CompleteFootbridge1.thumb.jpg.0a781a3542c1f565a1195b342ccacbe1.jpg

A quick shot with 495 and a few wagons to set the scene!!

1767195275_CompleteFootbridge2.thumb.jpg.7e564901c256858567a4a2dc148224b9.jpg

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  • 3 months later...

Time to come back to the workbench after some work on the layout.

 

Our good friends Shepherd & Beesley also had a rather nice photo in their book of the DSER armoured train from 1923. 

The loco was based on thier 2-4-2T, a wagon for troops front & rear,  based on the 13"6" Covered wagon, and a flat wagon again front and rear.

1499409654_ArmouredTrain2-4-2-Clear.thumb.jpg.9c5d9fb19d9c9ff8a37e367e73e376f8.jpg

 

Image courtesy of Shepherd & Beesley 

There is some really good info on the Railway protection repair and maintenance corps which goes through the history of measures taken to protect the network here which has some really good photos on the armoured trains, including this one.  

 

Anyway - to the Model:

I had a drawing for the 2-4-2T, and so by using the chassis and dveloping a bodyshell, I was able to create a cut file for the CNC.

Body is in 0.35, which I feel is probably a little light and needs stiffening.  The cut files included tabs to provide some stiffening and eases soldering, however I'm not convinced it's enough.

I started with the cab area.423298623_PartCab2.thumb.jpg.e2191271ab38c2d261321b63e60cfe9d.jpg

Grooves on the tabs were a little too deep, so some broke away cleanly and others cut all the way through, but held at each end ( I can already see Eoin shaking his head slowly & sighing 😉)  I'll get that sorted for the next cutting project!

 

I didn't take may photos as I was building, as I tend to get focused on what I'm doing and forget.  So photos of the nearly completed body.

621173554_Body2.thumb.jpg.4a3b57f5507f4ef3e33190c0a4b85f81.jpg

 

1219516173_Body3.thumb.jpg.10418664b2d19c7dff8a0ddba6665021.jpg

A chimney and piece of brass pipe for the safety valves is all that's needed to complete the body. 

It's rather simple construction, and given the simple slab sided body, riveting detail is really needed to provide some level of visual interest.

 

Chasssi was cut out from 0.5mm and is in the process of tidying up ready for assembly. 

1912746843_ChassisParts1.thumb.jpg.dd2650d1b1cd407ef2b6f3e4fda3e49d.jpg

 

All for now.  More as time permits.

Ken

Edited by KMCE
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Progress on the Chassis.

 

Con rods were cut out and sweated together.  2050762073_ConRods.thumb.jpg.39edd85920defb1c010fc595f928cff1.jpg

Top complete - bottom needs tidying up.

 

Chassis was assembled using con rods to set bearing distances. 

778338607_ChassisAssembly1.thumb.jpg.aef1f565f1af35c8ef24b983cb7b1f47.jpg

 

Pony & Trailing truck assembled, axles cut and wheels on.  Compensated beam for front axles, while traling truck is stablised by some 0.5mm PB wire.

1909375167_ChassisAssembly2.thumb.jpg.df1e6ce420a2eee56e3f33d9dd6a2a47.jpg

 

Chassis on track and seems to perform well.   However. there is very little space for movement by the trucks and I'm thinking there may be shorts where the leading & trailing wheels touch the chassis.  A small set in the chassis may provide a little more clearance.  I'll monitor this when I put on the pickups.

276314624_ChassisAssembly3.thumb.jpg.5d4c8ca6813c60f44570ef9442a93c34.jpg

 

Quick shot with the body on get to a feel for the overall look.

1726818956_BodyonChassis.thumb.jpg.fe48c2cf0ed697d0bcb05d3a94295bda.jpg 

Starting to come together.

Ken

 

Edited by KMCE
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As noted in my last post the chassis was a bit tight for the pony and trailing bogies, so  a revised chassis was designed and cut.  I felt the trailing bogie was too far back, so this was also adjusted to accommodate - adding a little to the rear & taking a bit from the front to balance.  A combined 1mm set was introduced into the chassis (0.5mm per side) to allow the bogies move a little more - the grooves aiding the set points.

 

885148479_ChassisAssemblyRevised2.thumb.jpg.8ba1d1f71846116ae735de12c0d98d2a.jpg

 

While I was at it, I decided to add some detail such as cylinder head details, which is lost on the model, but hey, what the hell...

1514051674_ChassisAssemblyRevised1.thumb.jpg.b114f2adcf847257e2a8f288c33ce050.jpg

The set is just visible which is good, as I didn't want it to be too obvious.  Chassis runs through points & curves much better now and with washers on the main axles keeps the chassis straight & should reduce any sparks!!

 

Footplate was built up with angle, buffer beams added, and some nice Slaters GWR sprung buffers which are nicely tapered and a good match for the original.

584626927_BodyonChassis1.thumb.jpg.8009b5e4233e796cc490c9587bc0a571.jpg

Body fixing points need a little fettling to get get the body to sit down properly.  Chimney is just siting on and a bit wonky, but that will be sorted.  Cylinder detail is just barely visible, but does look good I think.

 

364417393_LocoCoveredWagon2.thumb.jpg.81df2d0abc0b37850d91bd93bb106af6.jpg

1597550029_LocoCoveredWagon1.thumb.jpg.2b158ce2143ea04e1a6bd0b3cf36472f.jpg

Couple of quick shots with the covered wagon which it ran with to set the scene!

 

I think the body needs some stiffining as there are some wavy lines which I'm not entirely hapy with.  I think the 0.35mm is a bit light - the other loco bodies I have built have been 0.5mm and sit that bit straighter.  I'm open to comments from others here who have more experience in the 0.35mm to give some insight.

 

Some more work on the chassis needed; add the crankpins & con rods, motor, gearbox and pickups needed to get it running. Brakes & steps needed to finish it off, but getting there.

 

Ken

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  • 2 months later...

Been quiet for the last while, but got some work done.

The loco body was sanded and leveled to sit better on the chassis, side steps andded and coupling rods fixed in place.  Gearbox and motor housing are also installed ready for pickups.  

1614655994_BodyonChassis2.thumb.jpg.119647e902b68e895c8d419cf2876cee.jpg

Cover on the safety valves needs to be bigger so that will need to be re-done with brass tube.  Smoke stack and steam dome were turned down and tidied up with the lathe,

 

Moved on to the flat wagon and sketched up a kit to cut on the mill.  While I was at it, I included some brake shoes for the loco, as I forgot to include them in the loco cut.  This will allow me to proceed with the loco build later.

1875710319_FlatWagonpostCut.thumb.jpg.7a76adbd0f069fef1316b51118cd857b.jpg

This cut is for the two wagons as it made sense to cut the two at the same time.

 

This was a tricky little wagon, as it's not quite flat.  There are raised & curved upstands located in the centre of the wagon, so I allowed a cut-out in the sides to take these upstands, which were flared at the top, turned in and corners shaped with solder.  From what I can see from the few photos I have seen is that they are only on the sides, turn in slightly, but do not cross the floor of the wagon.  Kinda hard to explain, but this grainy photo may help...

1453653489_FlatWagonOverheadview.thumb.jpg.aedb815b914980bb99dbc360d0d8995d.jpg

 

So, have got to the rolling chassis stage with brakes, axle boxes, springs & hook to be added.

1402701734_FlatWagonComplete1.thumb.jpg.e1246d816ef7bdd3095a591eae02df13.jpg

694139510_FlatWagonComplete2.thumb.jpg.8c1e72403f4899a51d54397b24fd63d1.jpg

Bit of tidy up of the solder to be done & add the white metal parts to finish.  Then rinse & repeat for the second one!

I'll make up some odd work tools & parts as a load to finish them out later.

 

View of the loco, wagon & the box van stepping in as a sub for the troop wagon to get a feel for how it is coming together.

206681593_FlatWagononTrain.thumb.jpg.3f7b99771fe754849da60785bb6da93c.jpg

 

More as time permits!

Ken

Edited by KMCE
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My understanding is that the flat wagon was to carry repair tools and materials to fix any sabotage on the line.

As to the upstands, they are quite unusual & I dont know the answer;  perhaps they are to provide some means of stopping material falling off whilst providing repair crews quick access during repairs? 

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 3 months later...

Been a while since I last posted.  Been working on a 305mm/ft project which has taken up quite a bit of time!

Back to modelling recently.  I debated whether to build moulds and cast the sides for the wagon, or just cut an solder, and as I'm very low on mould material I went for the cut & solder method.

Wondering now if I should gone the other way given the time needed to add all the posts to the wagons.

 

Anyway, wagons mostly complete.  Ran out of axleboxes, springs & brake gear, so two wagons got further than the others.

 

Still plent of detailing to be done when parts arrive, but it's starting to look like a train now. 

As the train will only run as a complete unit, I may opt for the 3-link coupling which will look more prototypical.

 

840399527_ArmouredTrainFrontQuarter1.thumb.jpg.e587eee2d842c7912b12f3dc7b01414e.jpg

1389160823_ArmouredTrainOverhead1.thumb.jpg.88bfaa9838beeeea702892fe39385a33.jpg

 

More, once parts arrive.....

Ken

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Hi Ken,

I've just been asking about a gas tank that appears on a couple of photos at Sligo over on my thread about Sligo station and was pointed here.

The tank wagon in question is different to yours but I would guess similar in size, what diameter did you establish the tank to be?

Thanks in advance.

Angus

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Angus,

Hopefully this will help?

1036637672_DSER-GasWagonModel.thumb.jpg.7be0d5beadc1915e145555f2771a691f.jpg

You can always shorten the tank, or lengthen the wagon and add in the headboards & strapping you were referring to in your post in Layouts.

My timber supports are probably a little too big on the model, however it seems to work, so I'm happy to leave it.

 

Regards,

Ken

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A little more work on the loco over the weekend.

Brakes needed to be added as well as sand pipes.  Brakes were fashioned in such a way as to be removable - the top pins sit into the cross tubes in the chassis allowing removal for maintenance / painting.

1242451992_ATLoco-Brakes2.thumb.jpg.561dc85280e52ee39ec0b7aca112079d.jpg

 

One thing that is noticiable ginen the cut-outs in the chassis is the lack of firebox.  This is particularly evident on the 423 loco I built, so I decided to put in a fire box detail to fill the gap, so to speak.

Perhaps it was a little OTT, as when the body goes back on, you really have to get low down to see the detail.  The steps also cover over the front brakes - ah well, at least I know they are there!!  At leas the sand pipes are visible.

341491280_ATLoco-SideView.thumb.jpg.19ab63594f399b1577c68d29bafa2634.jpg

 

Motor and pick ups were added and it now runs.  Pick ups are above the chassis as there is loads of room given the size of the body, and this helps to keep the underside somewhat tidy.

I'll park this for now until additional parts arrive to finish the detailing on the wagons, but before I go, some photos of the train extant.

541308891_CoveredWagon-FQ.thumb.jpg.ec4c7e0c495e7af6ca62d8ddf55663dd.jpg

1942964023_AT-HeadOn.thumb.jpg.a852c59bc87191250e03d97928c653f9.jpg

All for now.

Ken

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  • 2 months later...

So, finally made it to the paint shop.  Have to confess, painting is not my favourite part of this hobby.  Having said that, I think the results are not too bad.

Wagons got W-irons replaced with SSM compensated units as I could not seem to get the wagon to sit level with the  RCH units from Scalefour shop.  These units will also not take 14mm wheesl, while the SSM can with a little bit of tweaking on the compensated axle.

Springs, axle boxes, brakes and sprung coupling hooks added to finsh the wagons.  Loco got vacuum pipes and sprung coupling hook.  The intention is to run this as a complete train, so three link couplings used to look closer to the prototype.

267802016_TrainFromAbove-Painted1.thumb.jpg.c387fa1ee2fd8a14fb7f89e1e8134f71.jpg

1157378575_TrainFromFront-Painted1.thumb.jpg.fd07a8ea6fbb3274abf73489563b3412.jpg

1676949845_TrainFromAbove-Painted2.thumb.jpg.7784d009d3ed440b129fa5c22d89c37c.jpg

957031511_TrainFromAbove-Painted3.thumb.jpg.9781684f233a83e4d3a28069d210e8e3.jpg

156082251_TrainFromFront-Painted2.thumb.jpg.73011190a758ce3e782c5e90c1499406.jpg

Weathering needed to soften the shapr look of the paint and blend the elements to a whole.

Some construction materials needed for the flat wagons to complete the working look.

 

Overall, I'm very pleased with how it is coming together.

Nearly there.

 

More as time permits.

Ken

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