Another G3 brake van

Jon Nazareth

Western Thunderer
Main body panels scribed using a scraperboard gadget, which when held at an angle makes a good representation of the plank top- edge chamfering. It nicely takes a sliver of plastic away at each stroke without putting too much stress on the sheet.
A pleasing interlude now, building up the outside framing. I'll leave it there tonight, let it harden, and clean up the joints tomorrow.
But couldn't resist a quick assemblage.View attachment 25718

That looks fabulous, Jamie.
Jon
 

Jon Nazareth

Western Thunderer
Some progress with the brake gear. I need to make wooden brake blocks now, but wonder whether anyone might know whether the grain had to be aligned in a certain way - would horizontal be preferred? Or vertical; angled? Or didn't it matter in practice?
Any help appreciated, thank you.
View attachment 26272View attachment 26273
Jamie
I turn up my wooden brake blocks from Box. Cut a slice from a 'branch' and set it up in the lathe, bore out the middle with a taper to suit the size of wheel and also turn to thickness. Remove from the lathe, make up a template of the block and draw around then cut out with a jewellers saw. Admittedly it is end grain but box has such a fine grain that it doesn't really show and turns beautifully. Your brake linkage is brilliant and puts mine to shame. Are the links silver soldered or soft soldered?

Jon
 

jamiepage

Western Thunderer
Jon,
Thank you very much.
I like your idea about turning up brake blocks from Box and will give it a try next time. Thanks for that.
Brake linkage. The hangers, both the strap that carries the blocks and the part it is suspended from, were one piece items cut from 2.5mm thick brass sheet on the pantograph. (Cut out 'on their side' as it were, to incorporate the pivot points).
Once cut and drilled, the 'protrusions' were filed back as appropriate to fit together as pivots or hinges.
Wood blocks were araldited in place on the hangers then both drilled to accept 'mounting bolts' which give a little more support.
The push rods were fabricated and I suspect soldered with 188 solder paste.
Jamie
 

jamiepage

Western Thunderer
Thanks Arty. I have used them a while back for some Egyptian cotton but there's clearly a lot more good stuff available from them.
 

Jon Nazareth

Western Thunderer
Arty
Thanks for that tip. I've looked at them as well and they have some interesting items which definitely need adding to the box under the bench.

Jon
 

Arty

Western Thunderer
It's the only place I could find to supply bronze thimbles to terminate wire rope. Specifically to restrain the tank on the wooden framed tank wagon that I still haven't finished.:(
 

Jon Nazareth

Western Thunderer
Jamie

The axle boxes on this brake van intrigue me. Could you please tell me, how do you make them up? It looks as if they could be in at least three pieces.

Jon
 

jamiepage

Western Thunderer
Jon,
The functional 'boxes were milled from one length of square section brass (as a stick of four), complete with slides for the axleguards and drilled for axles, but essentially simple rectangular shapes.
They protruded outwards only enough to do their job and to allow thick plasticard shaped front plates, incorporating the angled top piece with lid detail, to be eventually stuck on the front to complete the job.
The whole lot was covered with thick paint.
Functional coil springs act between the brass 'boxes and axleguards, the leaf springs being entirely cosmetic.
Hope that helps,
Jamie
 

Jon Nazareth

Western Thunderer
Jamie
Yes, that is perfect. I have fixed etches, with the company name, on the front of boxes before and they did look quite good but your approach is different again.

Jon
 

jamiepage

Western Thunderer
Jon,
It was taken from a boxed set of three seated 1:22.5 figures from Preiser .
Their reference is 45064.
I modified the hat to attempt a representation of a MSWJR guard's uniform but otherwise left as is.
Jamie
 
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