Can you tell what it is yet?

 

Just started to add all the rivets on the framing. More in a while!

What I have been up to whilst battling with a nasty bout of Tinnitus - Craven 153 and Cudworth Goods

 Having had a few months of really awful racket in my head that really affected thought processes etc, I started a few weeks ago to manage a bit of time on the 3D graphics. It started with a half hour at a time and has gradually increased to about two hours before I just have to stop and do something completely different.

In March  showed the Slaughter Goods in 7mm, a trial etch and 3D resin printed parts. I am hoping to be able to start the trial etch assembly soon - Tinnitus really doesn't help here - so I realised in the meantime that the wheelbase was the same for some of the other 'Standard' Goods. One of which had a Cudworth coal burning firebox - eight foot long!!

This is a first go at a 4mm scale print, it works in 7mm also!

I have been looking at all the parts and thought this was probably too many and the split for the tender should be like the loco.

I have yet to adjust these drawings as I went on to the Craven single 153/4. This has now been drawn in Stroudley condition with lots of parts already on the body leaving the handrails and lamp irons to be added. 

This is the 4mm and 7mm scale versions. They are two part prints for the body in one piece and outside frames with footplate as the other, for both the loco and tender. 

I have to adjust the tender drawing to print the top piece curving down at the front as per the Cudworth Goods tender. The drawing is correct, there seems to be some error in the slicing file that I cannot resolve so am about to remove that bit and redraw it in a different way. I have split them so that the springs are with the footplate and lower part. The upper print has all the parts for the body apart from the reverser which would need to be glued on to the cab floor.

I still intend to get the Craven version to be available also.

This is the photo of the 7mm Craven version as I built it at the start of the pandemic. The smokebox is different, along with a few other things. I intend to print this in the same style but with provision for the face of the driving wheel splasher to be etched.

So, some thoughts from you all please. Should I continue with the 3D printed, almost everything as one piece but split in a way that suits painting OR would you prefer to have an etched kit with a few parts in the 3D resin as I have developed above?

The chassis would need to be etched, as per the 153 photo showing the two part prints. 

Cheers, Ian

4mm Inside Motion parts for Slaughter Goods

 I finally got the Slaughter Goods inside motion drawn in a way that they will print consistently. There are four parts; left hand (a) and right hand (b) slidebars, which have the ram pump on their outer side; the valves (c) in the centre with their eccentric rods and links and connection to the underside of the boiler; and the lifting links and weighshaft (d) and weight that attaches to the front of the motion plate. The lifting links on this loco attached to the top of the eccentrics quadrants.

This shows the four parts in roughly their correct orientation, the valve rods should be slightly lower and the eccentrics slightly higher.

These are b, c, d and a from the top.

You can, hopefully, see that the right hand crank drive is above the axle with the driveshaft towards the rear of the slidebars and the left hand crank drive is in front of the axle with the driveshaft nearer the front of the slidebars. The eccentrics are also in differing positions so the quadrants are slightly out of alignment when viewed from the side. The weighshaft has the bearings on the shaft and these can be affixed to the front of the motion plate. The assembly should be able to be fitted from the top and bottom of a running chassis. The parts could be glued together and then attached to the insides of the frames using the pump valves and the cranks and eccentrics can rest on top of the axle.

Very difficult to photograph!

£10 a set including UK postage. 

7mm Craven Slaughter Standard Goods being developed

 I think many of you know I am designing and making more in 7mm scale nowadays and have been wanting to re-scale the 4mm Craven Slaughter Standard Goods for a while.

Here is a photo of the etches and some of the 3D resin parts for the 7mm version.

There are still a few parts of the 3D designing to do. One major part that I was unhappy with was the dome, safety valves and levers unit. I have now redesigned this to be made up of four parts as follows.

I have just pushed these parts together for a photograph, no glue yet. I am a great deal happier with this aspect now.

So, now for a test build and write the instructions.

I am awaiting some wheels for the loco so will start on the tender and probably publish it on RMWeb with a few shots here also.

Cheers, Ian

Hornby 4 wheeler accessorising

 

Foot board and guards lower footboard

Footboard for non-brake vehicles

Hornby have provided us with brilliant renditions of near Stroudley carriages that are let down by, in my eyes, two main things: the grab handles and the footboards.

I have designed and printed these two types of footboards to be a quick super glue addition. 

One piece printed footboards for non-brake vehicles; £4 a set. One piece footboards for brake vehicles with lower footboard; £6 a set.

See later about grab handles. Roxey are available.

I have also designed a 4 wheel sprung underframe etch that fits the Hornby carriages beautifully, along with 3D printed 6 foot or 7 foot axlebox spring units and buffer sets, either one piece or two. A short length of spring wire is needed to operate the springing units.

The etch plus EITHER 6 foot OR 7 foot 3D printed axlebox and spring units with a set of one piece buffers is £12. Two part buffers instead of the one piece for an extra £2 or £4 a set if ordered separately.

3D printed Guards lower footboard set £3 if ordered with a chassis etch or £6 if separate.

I have also drawn up 9 spoke wheel centres - these are fitted to MGW P4 wheel tyres as shown, the first attempt to the right and the current, slimmer type, to the left. I haven't been able to try these on Alan Gibson wheelsets yet as I haven't got any! A set of four 3D printed centres for £4, you provide the tyres and axles.

The 3D printed grab handles are shown on the Hornby 1st class carriage above which is sitting on one of my etched chassis. These grab handles have either a base printed at 45 or 90 degrees, suitable for whichever situation, as required. They just superglue into position, very easily, if you have a small pair of tweezers to hold them! These are a pig to get printed so I would only be persuaded to sell these if people twist both my arms. Roxey's etched brass ones are available.

Postage would need to be extra for all the above. £2.50 minimum as they would need to be large letter postal rate due to the thickness of parts.

I intend to get some other Hornby carriages accessorised in the next few days so this blog will be updated when there are some other photos to show.

Cheers, Ian

Gauge O Guild Virtual Model Railway Show

 

Yours truly with a bit of Brighton content! Looking at how to design in 3D, a chimney for Grosvenor and then all about the 3D printer and how it prints the chimney and what is required to make the print useable. I will post Youtube links on here after the event. Cheers Ian

Carriage Smoking transfers

 I will print two styles in 4mm and 7mm.

£5 per sheet for 4mm and £8 per sheet for 7mm. Postage to UK included.

and the photo below is of the actual transfer, I have reversed the whole thing so it can be put on the inside of the 'glass' as a transfer. Quite difficult to photograph! Cheers, Ian

Just tried applying some of these and because they are on the inside, I have also just put these onto a piece of clear plastic along with some other bits for the saloon carriage windows I drew at the same time, about a year ago, when I was trying to get things printed and failed. These are now printed with the Ghost white toner on the HP LaserjetPro M254dw that I purchased so as to be able to move things on. They seem to work nicely. I have used Microsol to bed them in a bit but didn't really see any difference from plain tap water.

The sheets above are 4mm, the examples on the clear plastic sheet are a mixture of 4mm and 7mm scale. The Smoking Carriage was used on the long window thirds of the Stroudley 4 wheelers in case anyone was wondering!

The ones at the bottom were when I learnt about the reversing of the print!

Cheers Ian

Renamed and renumbered 7mm Dapol Terrier

 Just been trying out the names and etched plates to rename and renumber a Dapol 7mm Terrier that had been Brighton with the gold medal lettering. I used a curved scalpel blade, very gently, to scrape away the wording and name off the existing tank side and removed the plastic numberplate by just putting the tip of the blade under it and twisting very slightly.

I then applied a very thin coat of Vallejo 70.510 gloss varnish using a broad brush and waited for it to dry - about 20 minutes.

Next was applying the white underprint layer, to ensure there is white in the final name and to allow the coloured toner to show as if printing on white paper - which is what the printer is designed to do.

The next time I do this, I shall experiment with Microsol or Microfix decal solutions to see if the edge of the transfer can be softened further. I will also try another type of gloss varnish to see if it makes the carrier film disappear better. The white was allowed to dry - again about 20 minutes. I did the other side whilst waiting and filed and smoothed the tabs off and painted the etched plates a dark blue and used a black sharpie marker to put the lettering in before a rub over with abrasive paper to leave them as per the photo below.

Then another thin coat of the gloss varnish over the white to seal that, let it dry before then applying the coloured part of the name. Another thin coat over the dried coloured name and a tiny drop of superglue for the etched number and works plate and I am ready to reassemble the parts for the photo. I am correcting the position of the cab gauges and a few other detail improvements also. I will post a photo when I have completed all those, later.

The lighting that the photo is taken in really affects how the IEG looks doesn't it!

I can supply any 7mm name for a Terrier as well as the etched plates as shown here and below. £25 including postage. (as of Sept 2024)

Above are the names just printed on white paper with the etched number and works plate alongside. I do have another for 36 Bramley if anyone wants one by the way. 

Now that I have got the names sorted for 7mm I am going to start development work on the Stroudley lining and lettering for 4mm, which I know a few people are waiting for! The number and works plates are all available already, as they are for any 4mm loco with numberplates and the works plates for the I3 class are also available as per the October 2019 post 

Cheers Ian

Loco and tender transfers for Stroudley Passenger Lining, in 7mm scale presently

 I have been drawing more Transfers for the last week.

For the loco lining, I am doing each loco separately at the moment with a few spare bits on each sheet, going through all the EB Models offerings and some others I need also. So far I have the G Class, D and E tank locos, Stroudley inside and outside frame tenders and Stroudley lining for the large Craven tender completed.

I am drawing over scans of etches so they are designed to fit.

 

The photos show the E1 back left, D1 back right and G to the front of the top photo and the bottom photo shows the Stroudley inside frame, large Craven tenders and Stroudley outside frame from left to right.

I have Richmond class, Belgravia class, 18/21 and Dieppe and Grosvenor scanned. The Richmond will include some extras to fit the B1 from Albion or it may be a completely different sheet depending on what I can fit on, and there will be an E4 and E5 that I still need to scan.

I will also do a Terrier and anything new so that they can be completed.

About a third of the names have now been sorted, and I will be doing them all and printing to order for those to go out with the lining. Same two layer application. I haven't printed any of those yet.

I will also be offering a 'finishing service' of lining, name and etched number/work plates, when the etchers have got back to their normal two to three week turnaround rather than the eight it is taking at the moment. 

I have not yet set any prices but am trying to keep it to something like £12 per loco or tender. I will also need to get the 4mm versions drawn up - I shall make the white and red lines a little thicker than scale thickness otherwise I don't think they will show at all. The white or red lines on the main loco body lining is 0.073mm thick in 7mm and can be seen okay but if that reduces to 4mm scale, the line will be only 0.042mm thick which is pushing the technology a bit too far I fear. I shall put some experiments up on here to see what others think.

Comments always welcome.

Cheers, Ian

Carriage Transfers in 7mm, 4mm and 2mm scale and 4mm scale Springs for scratchbuilders

I have ben asked a few times over the years to provide an etch of 4mm scale springs that could be used by scratchbuilders. Well, I did draw them and get them etched and promptly forgot all about them.
Chris Cox reminded me last week and I found the etches underneath everything else!

There are two styles, I have called them Craven and Stroudley. Slightly different shapes.
Fives different sizes: 2'6", 3'0", 3'6", 3'9" and 4'0".
£24 the sheet incl postage. Only a couple available but I can get more if demand is high.

Carriage transfers:

I bought a laser printer and a white toner. This is a £200 printer, it doesn't have the position repeatability of a £12,500 machine so for the colours to show up on a dark background, the transfers are put on in two layers. A white layer under a coloured one. Waterslide.

White goes on first onto a gloss surface, and then the colour over the top after an intermediate thin coat of gloss varnish, with a final coat overall. It seems to be working but is twice the job.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2133&v=nAWpCZ26IdU&feature=emb_logo  takes you to Gary’s live stream a while back, look at 35 mins in to see the SECR carriage transfers using the same system on some I did for him.

This shows the 4mm SECR carriage transfers in the two sheets, white and coloured. £10 incl postage. Next to them is a 2mm scale SECR Carriage transfers sheet that was printed by Wessex Transfers at the same time as the Loco Umber ones. These are just one layer and work as they are. £8 incl postage.

The LB&SCR transfers for Carriages are shown next.

These show the Stroudley era transfers in 7mm and 4mm in the white and coloured layers. These are £10 for 7mm and £8 for 4mm both incl postage.

This shows the equivalent for Billinton. 7mm and 4mm. Priced the same as the Stroudley ones.

This final photo shows the 2mm scale LB&SCR Carriage and Wagon transfers. These were printed at the same time as the Umber loco transfers and are all one layer. £8 for the Carriage and £6 for the wagon sheets, both incl of postage.

I am still working on Stroudley loco lining, the names also. An update on the names should be soon.

Cheers for now,

Ian

3D printed resin parts for the E B Models 7mm Stroudley rebuilds of Ex-Craven Singles 2-2-2 Dieppe Class

The following photo shows the other 3D parts I have been designing and printing recently. These are for the Stroudley rebuild of the 1864 Robert Stephenson Singles, page 110 of Bradley vol 1, known sometimes as the Dieppe class. Dieppe was different to the others in that the safety valves and levers were removed from the dome to the firebox, and also there were different front splashers, axleboxes on leading and trailing wheel and clack valves. I have tried to ensure that all the differences from Dieppe, shown in the well known photos of Drayton and Portsmouth,  are provided for in these 3D resin printed fittings.

If you think something is missing or needs changing, please do contact me and I will do my best to correct it.

The Dieppe parts are to the left of this photo and additional parts where necessary for the others are to the far right.

The Craven tender parts were already illustrated back in March along with the parts for Belgravia.

Thanks for looking,

Cheers, Ian

Other 3D printed resin parts for E B Models 7mm loco and tender etches

I have only managed the photos at the mo.

Richmond class loco first.

This shows the two types of brake cylinders, the smokebox lubricator, cab roof, backhead and left and right cab boxes with the reversing wheel and mechanism; as well as all the usual parts for  a Stroudley loco.

I have also been asked to do an E1 cab interior for someone, the front cab boxes were in his kit, I could add these if requested. £27 including postage.

For tenders, I have now completed both the inside frame and outside frame Stroudley tender parts. 

The Inside frame tender first, includes the coal door knob, the water valves that are in the coal space that need either the left or right hand lever removing, the water tap under the coal door,  the tank top oil boxes, the brake cylinder under the front footplate, the wood planking either side with the oil bottle and irons rest, the grab handles and the brakes that won't conduct electricity so can be placed very near the wheel tyres as well as all the usual parts.

The outside frame Stroudley tender has the dome either for Grosvenor or other locos, the water taps either side of the coal door, a brake column with a hole for a bent wire handle as well as the other parts.

If anyone can see anything missing from the sets please do contact me and I will add them.

I have also been seeing if a complete loco may be possible with an initial design here , but that will have to wait for a larger printer, but there is much going on in the background!

Cheers, Ian

EB Models sets of 7mm scale 3D resin prints for Locos

I have been working on completing 3D printed fittings kits for the existing 7mm etches in the E B Models range so that they can be sold as a complete set of etches, 3D printed fittings and instructions.

This is currently the case with the 4mm Slaughter Goods loco and tender.

The parts have been designed and printed and I am compiling these ready for sale.
I present the 3D prints for Stroudley's 18/21 tank engine first.

The above shows the 3D pictures from 3D design software and below is a photo of the 3D resin printed parts in the same orientation.

As I get others organised, I shall add them here. I have completed the design and printing for:
the Craven single Dieppe and others; Belgravia class; Richmond D3 class; the 18/21 tank as above; Craven tenders; Stroudley Outside frame tender; Stroudley Inside Frame tender.

I shall hopefully get these on here during the next couple of days.

All are available for purchase through  E B Models. The price will be as per the E B Models website which is currently £60 for a set for a loco, £50 for a set for a tender with a £5 reduction if the etches are ordered together with the fittings for a loco and tender. All plus postage. See the website for the latest prices, E B Models website.

Hope all are well and the modelling has been going well. Cheers Ian

Wheels for the 4mm Slaughter Goods

https://www.phoenix-paints.co.uk/products/sharman-wheels/4mm-steam-locomotive-driving-wheels/4mm-plain-steam-locomotive-driving-wheels/sw-s204

Just seen this in the last few days and a set arrived today. Just like Mike used to make!

Also, Phil has used a High Level Roadrunner+ gearbox with a D2 extender and a new style1015 motor.
Cheers Ian

Getting ready for paint and transfers

Finally got around to filling the join in the boiler, fitted a couple of other small parts and designed the lining, numbers and cartouche for the transfer for the side sheet. Cheers Ian

Accomodating 'finescale' wheels meant a complete rethink on the boiler!

The loco body is almost ready for paint but it has gone through many changes since last week! I started to realise that with a model, I could design in the necessary clearances for the closer together than scale wheels which necessitated creating a cut-out in the rear of the smokebox for the front splasher, and in the boiler side and the firebox front for the driving wheel splasher. I realised this would be easier if the boiler was also in resin so, in this 7mm model, I redrew it all and made it in two parts with the joint being mid-way, just under the dome in this photo. For the 4mm version, I will be able to print this all in one piece. I may also print the splasher top and have an inset etch for the front.

Anyway, starting to get the detail on all this and will need to think of paint soon! The twirly cartouch around the number also needs drawing and printing. Oh, lots to keep me going yet!!

Cheers, Ian

On its wheels!

A bit of a battle with bearing hole sizes has ensued. When I designed it, I had bearings from Roxey which are 6.3mm outside diameter and now I have some from Markits that are 7mm! I only just left enough metal in the design to be able to accommodate these luckily as they aren't there in real life, just outside bearings which on the model are dummy ones. Anyway, it matches the tender for height so all going well. More soldering now and then a bit of cutting of boiler and firebox to accommodate 'finescale' wheels and then I can hopefully get the 3D parts glued on and put some paint on it. Happy Easter!

With a boiler, it looks more like a loco!

153 continues, start of the loco body etc

Another day, another bit done!
So, I realised I needed to design and print a lot of parts for the loco before I could finish this, so that's what I have been doing, whilst starting to solder some parts together. Here are the front buffers and bufferbeam, smokebox, smokebox cylinder lubricator, weird thing at the rear of the chimney(anybody know what it might be?), the chimney, clack valves, dome, salter spring, axleboxes, springs, whistle, firebox with backhead, safety valve both inner and outer, the main part of the footplate and outside frames soldered together, the top of the motion plate soldered, then the front splasher, driving splasher, cab front and sidesheets. I have a boiler to roll also and managed to get the brackets to fit the cab front to and a couple of handwheels onto the firebox top as well as the sight glass, regulator handle, and firebox door etc onto the backhead all part of the same print. I have started the chassis also and am trying to get all the soldering sorted before gluing on all the prints. Oh, and a photo of what I am trying to make!
Cheers Ian

153 next and trying to get other bits completed ready for paint.

Well, with a bit of extra time on my hands, I have started the 7mm test etch assembly for Cravens 153. Page 71 of Bradley Vol 1 if you want to take a gander.
I didn't manage to get the 7mm Slaughter Goods to the etchers so I am doing what I do have.
3D printing is also just for my bits at the mo as I am almost out of IPA to clean the resin prints with, wish it was the beer as I can still get that!
So I drew the tender parts in 3D after assembling the etched parts I will include in the revision of the etches.

I also added the 3D resin parts to some type 8 and 9 carriages

Now I need to think about their interiors then paint and finish with transfers which I have printed using the new laser printer and some decal paper. Simon has reported back on the first set I printed for Blatchington and he has used them okay.

So then I spent the day designing the smokebox with all its rivet heads! That took a bit of head scratching to get them on the wrapper but now sorted. Also, the chimney base is quite a crude style, a flat part curved around the smokebox wrapper with a nice shape coming out! Why do I pick these difficult things!

Anyway, rather a bit more to do so will get on with it! Bye for now!