Hi
Still struggling for time since taking over the Circular. I have not progressed one jot! I am hoping to see some changes soon so don't give up!
Thanks
Ian

This shows some of the parts for the fully able to be modelled brake gear.

This is showing the tender with some parts - like the tender front just placed on - the folded up tender outside frames.

This view is looking into the coal space showing the curver sandboxes at the front of the tender. Filler caps fit over the holes in the top part yet to be added.

This shows a general view of most of the parts of the tender. Bottom left are the side overlays and the angle iron joining strip to go at the top under the footplate. Tender top toolbox parts are shown but there will also be two other options - one at the rear on the footplate and two on the front of the footplate by the handrails.

And this is a close up of parts for the tender chassis. Fixed, compensated or CSB is catered for without cutting but the usual 6 x 4 mm cutouts can also be done.

I have a lot to play about with and am learning to use my lathe and milling machine to produce parts for masters for casting but I may be asking people to help with this for a reduction in price of the kit or a free one! Any offers as it will take me ages at the rate I am able to work at these things!

More in a few days once my eye has settled and I can get back to my workbench!

Regards

Ian

This picture shows the parts separated and shows the slot that slips over the centre axle. There are other parts to be added to this but, having had a bit more time in hospital today checking my right eye is okay, I am finding it hard to see much tonight so this is as far as the loco chassis is going to get for a couple of days!

These three pictures show what I have managed so far - been far too busy on other things unfortunately!

This is the inside motion that I'm trying to get sorted to just fit over centre axle. One shows the parts on the etch, one shows the parts loosley put together with some of the slidebars etc and the other shows the parts placed over the axle separate from the motion plate and slide bars.

Have also got half the tender assembled and will put up a pic tomorrow.

Not too many stupidities so far! But a bit of redrawing needed!

Cheers

Ian

Last set of etches is mostly the tender.

Right lower the frames etc. Above is the tender footplate toolboxes, the rear toolbox and the injector cover over the firebox for later on in their lives.

Middle is the main frames for the tender with the brakes and linkages, etc.

Above is the springs etc.

Far right lower, the body of the tender and above it the footplate, front, back etc.

Really looking forward to seeing how it all goes together.

Watch this Blog!

Second set of etches for the loco.
Bottom left is all the inside motion parts as described earlier. They are static and slip over the middle axle.
The P4 motion bracket has etched okay on this so will have to investigate why not in EM/OO as similar dimensions.
I have just noticed that PPD have etched the parts again so I do have a full set correct so I can test build in all guages once I have wheels.
Above this is the outside cranks.
Above those are the Stroudley numberplates. Above that the wheel balance weights.
Next right are the loco frames and lower smokebox sides. Compensation parts and also for CSB.
Furthest right is the springs, spring hangers, coupling hooks, reversing lever, cab trim and the safety valve levers.

The etches arrived today! This shows parts for:

Top left boiler, smokebox, firebox, splasher tops, outside frames overlay, footplate overlay.

top right smokebox, boiler and firebox formers and cab, splasher sides, motion plate upper.

Bottom left is the outside frames/footplate unit, buffer beams, cab extra sideplates, sandboxes and linkages, outside hornblocks for outside frame.

bottom right is the coupling rods - jointed with correct knuckle or solid.

Middle left is the Craven numberplates and the works plates.

Middle right the frame spacers for P4, EM and OO. There is a slight problem on this sheet with the motion plate in EM and OO.Firebox lower sides and front.

I have started to design my first etched loco!

This is the Craven Slaughter Standard Goods as in the photo above.

I have just sent the first drawings to the etchers for a trial and hope to get the tests

back in week or so. I am thinking of showing what I'm doing on an RMWeb page as people have

asked me to do that.

It has taken a while to get this far but I have set myself some high standards to attain. I

have included all the under-boiler motion as a rigid unit that fits over the middle axle so there are no cranks actually on the axle etc as such but it looks like there are! It all seems to be okay on the drawings and in my mind so I am waiting with great anticipation for the nickel silver and brass to get to me so that I can see if ideas have worked!

I am now drawing up a similar loco which has a Cudworth coal burning firebox, 8 ft long! A lot of commonality between the two types so this should be quicker.

I have already said to a 7mm modeller that if someone will sponsor the photo tool, I will do the changes necessary for this to be made available in 7mm as well, as etchings only.

I am also working on a Sharp's early loco, as in the Barnam Junction photos. A 4 wheel tender for that and it will include some of the differences for the SER version. That will take another few months though.

Right now, I am trying to get the Summer Brighton Circular ready to be proof read but having had an eye operation recently, this is taking longer than usual.

Then there are masters for patterns for the loco and trying to get the Craven Brake Van and the Stroudley 2nd Saloon coach ready.

Hopefully a little shorter beteen postings when another one of these get done!

Cheers

Ian in Blackpool

What the castings look like

This is a photo of the castings I am recommending in the instructions. The buffers look good, the oil lamps okay but I am not convinced yet by the axleboxes. Do any of you know a source of 7mm axleboxes?? Please let me know. The buffer pads are soldered up from parts provided in the etch. Right, I have been informed from Australia! that I have the wrong set of MetroCam axleboxes! There are 2 types, the CS33 is much nearer what is needed. I have shown the CS28 type, I have now ordered some more but the instructions say the wrong number! If you have bought an etch please order CS33!!!!!

I have been asked about roof fixing. This is my method that was shown to me by Alan Sibley on an industrial diesel, I think, in 4mm. A piece of scrap etch soldered just off the centre-line at the top of the ends. There are three clips, again from scrap etch, along the underside of the roof. Just slide the pre-curved roof into position ensuring the clips locate and slide over the lengthwise piece. It works for me. This, version 2, has bolt fixing holes for body to chassis locating.

Craven 1st Version 2




This is what I have been assembling since it arrived from the etchers yesterday.
This is the second version of the Craven 1st of 1864. This is 7mm and has all the corrections needed from the trial etch and can also be built in the later period as shown here with the continuous upper footboard, as well as the earlier version as shown previously and in the further part of this photo which is the carriage built from the original test etch with the upper and lower footboards.
Everything has worked very well and it is this version that is being sent out. I have some available if people are interested. Full instructions provided but you have to buy your own castings from Prestige and Keykits. I am also working on a card interior kit for this carriage. I'll hopefully get something posted this weekend.
Cheers
Ian