54A diesel workbench

FiftyFourA

Western Thunderer
It is with some trepidation that I am starting this thread because of the company that I am now in.

I picked up one of Mr W's kits at Telford over the weekend, a class 24, and it is the fault of some of you lot on WT that I have developed a 'soft spot' for those nasty pilot scheme diesels that displaced my beloved steam locomotives, and which, at the time, we studiously ignored. The fact that I have modelled 1970s blue boxes for a number of years is neither here nor there.

Anyway, I am now going to build a class 24, no 5100, one of the Darlington built batch delivered new to Gateshead shed, in it's original condition.

Firstly I have had to wash the plastic bits in soap and water.
100_0880.JPG

While these were drying I got on with altering the fuel tanks on a a Heljan 37 I have.
100_0893.JPG 100_0895.JPG

I also got a few of the JLTRT class 37 brake levers to upgrade both of mine - thanks Laurie. Shame Heljan are NOT going to fit those off the class 55 onto the new class 37.

Anyway, back to the thread. By now the plastic bits were dry to I tried a dry run ...

100_0896.JPG
Hmmm ...

I resisted the temptation to just run some Loctite into the joints and away we go. I am impressed by the flash (lack of) and the general fit of the body.

Next job is to paint the bulkheads etc and decide how to fix the lights as the control desk is pretty close to the cab front. Anyone out there any experience of fitting DCC lights to said loco or ideas they could share?

The big decision is the drive. I spoke to Steph about a central motor driving each bogie via a u/j and shaft arrangement and to Mr ABC about his driving bogie and cheaper delrin drive mech. That will have to wait until I have some space on my 'flexible friend' or win the Lottery :)) ... because I also bought Heljan class 25 of the same period (green with a small yellow end from our friends at Blackpool), but that's another story.

Again, slightly off-thread but about pilot scheme diesels, I saw/handled the pre-production class 15 at Telford and can only say WOW ... and for £375!!! I do not 'do' that area but it is so good I think Ill buy one anyway!

Now, should I open the Easy-Build class 101 I also bought at Telford, oops, I wasn't supposed to mention that. No, I think a coffee then off to bed and work on the layout tomorrow.

Peter
 

mickoo

Western Thunderer
It is with some trepidation that I am starting this thread because of the company that I am now in.
Peter
I think you'll be perfectly fine, if you have any problems, just post a photo and I'm sure within a short while you'll have more than enough advice :thumbs:

Nice choice, I did look at the 25/3 on Pete's stand and was nearly tempted but I've so much else to do the plastic stayed cool :cool:

MD
 

Mr Grumpy

Western Thunderer
Hi Peter.
Both my Hymek an class 22 were (are) very straight forward to build. However, I have found the glazing frustrating on both, no two windows which should be the same size are! With a bit of care and patience they do fit ok. Also it may just be bad luck, but my cabs have taken a bit of faffing, filing and filling to fit. Of course, it could also be that I'm a major contributor to these niggles!:oops:
The Hymek has turned out to be a lovely model, just waiting for transfers and numbers. The 22 is coming on a little slower, due to sorting the fitting of the ABC power bogie.
Once all the castings are painted and cut off the sprues, it should be plain sailing! Good luck, I will keep watching your progress!
 
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Healey Mills

Western Thunderer
Hi Peter,

The class 24 looks like a great model. Take your time with it and don't get too carried away with the Loctite :D

As several have said here, if you need help just post piccies. I'm sure there are enough people to give you advice should you need it.

I shall be watching your thread closely ;)

Cheers
Lee
 

FiftyFourA

Western Thunderer
Thanks for the messages guys, its appreciated.

I hope no-one expects fast progress - apart from the other things I have to work on this winter (2 DJH J27s, the class 37 mentioned and a replacement chassis for a worn out J21 and a new layout in the woodworking stage), it will be a couple of months before I can afford any running gear.

One thing someone may be able to help with and that is the colour of the inside of the cabs. From a dim and distant memory I 'think' it is some kind of light grey/cream but I am not sure (age and alcohol have taken their toll). I have seen a few of you have painted cabs so what colours do you use?

Well, two things - mention is made of someone who does transfers for cab insides, can anyone tell me does does them please?

Peter
 

Mr Grumpy

Western Thunderer
Hi Peter,
I use Railmatch 333 diesel cab grey.
The transfers are made by @Pugsley, I think primarily for the class 37.
You will find him on this site :)
In regards to your eventual motorisation, I would recommend having a chat with Brian at ABC in relation to his motor bogie.
Both of mine (one each for the Hymek and 22) are smooth and quiet running and add a nice chunk of weight where it's needed !
 

FiftyFourA

Western Thunderer
Thank you for the info on the paint and transfers.

I have spoken with Brian at ABC and the choice is coming down to either the motor bogie or his delrin set; it is swinging to the motor bogie but price is a factor so its a bit more thought.

Peter
 

Healey Mills

Western Thunderer
Hi Peter,

Something to consider when making your choice of gearbox is how much weight you need your loco to pull. If it is not a lot, or even primarily used light engine then the cheaper option of the Diesel Gearbox with the Canon motor will be just fine.

I have used this combination in my class 40's and for approx 200GBP (2 x gearboxes & motors) they run quite happily.

Cheers
Lee
 

Steph Dale

Western Thunderer
Peter,
I might just add that we (Finney7) do a ball-raced fold-up gearbox that can be used with delrin chain drive available in 13:1, 20:1, 26:1 and 40:1 that can be used with the excellent Canon 1833.
Details here for the planning template: http://finney7.co.uk/downloads/F7_mkits_planning_template_v0,2.pdf
And here for example instructions: http://finney7.co.uk/downloads/F7 instructions for Mkits v0,1.pdf
We can also provide ball-races if you want to use them in place of the plain bearings supplied (the bogie inner frame needs reaming out to 5/16")

Sorry for the plug - if you feel it's unwarranted I'll happily delete the post...

Steph
 

Yorkshire Dave

Western Thunderer
It's amazing how grubby they were in 1965.

This is one of my Dad's from 1961-2 at Godstone.

Correction - I've checked my dad's negatives and it is actually Folkestone Central therefore dates the photograph to pre July 1962 as there is no 3rd rail.

Godstone 01.jpg
 
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DougT

Western Thunderer
By no means am I an expert on cl24's but I thought they were delivered with a grey stripe running along the bottom of the cab as per D5069 above? This one has a thin grey strip at waist level around the cab front. It's really quite distinctive.
 

Steph Dale

Western Thunderer
I think the waist stripe was only carried by D5000, the split radiator grille is certainly correct for one of the first pilot scheme locos.

Steph
 

Heather Kay

Western Thunderer
By no means am I an expert on cl24's but I thought they were delivered with a grey stripe running along the bottom of the cab as per D5069 above? This one has a thin grey strip at waist level around the cab front. It's really quite distinctive.

I stand to be corrected, but that photo should be of D5000, first of the pilot scheme locos. It was the only one to carry the thin waist stripe.
 
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