G3 - Another Neilson

Arty

Western Thunderer
I see hex bolt heads. I think mine will have hex bolt heads, the next one will have coach bolts.
Thanks Geoff
 

Spitfire2865

Western Thunderer
On the photo of the tram without skirts, I can see hex nuts, so Im going to use that as excuse not to flip all the bolts on my headstocks.
Whats interesting is all the exposed thread ends appear to be different lengths, some flush and some proud about half an inch or so.
Would this indicate hardware length was much more random than you could easily manufacture? Would bolts be cropped short if they were too far out? Or peened over the nut to retain it if short enough?
 

geoff_nicholls

Western Thunderer
On the photo of the tram without skirts, I can see hex nuts
The photo is from BR days, the loco is in a sorry state, and the wood packing in the buffer beam has split. It is quite likely that some of the bolts had been replaced in the lifespan of the loco. I guess the odd amounts of bolt sticking out are a result of this.
 

Arty

Western Thunderer
A bit of work on the frames/footplate. Spitfire designed this as a complete assembly, the frames are interlinked with the footplate due to the frame upstands at either end of the footplate, you can see this in the previous picture of the "dry" assembly and it holds together on it's own.

But, being a bit conventional, I favour the separate chassis - body method. So with a bit of adjustment - removing the frame upstands and fixing them to the footplate/bufferbeam assembly, it allows me to achieve that.
neilframes4.jpg
This is a view above the footplate

neilframes5.jpg
And this a view from underneath with the valances soldered in place.

neilframes6.jpg
This has the frames placed on the underside of the footplate.

neilframes7.jpg
Just to show the axleboxes in place - the wheels are undersize Manning Wardle items I happened to have, I've not arranged a mortgage for a set of suitable wheels yet.
I have some fixings to add, and a few mods to the frames - next job.

Richard
 

Spitfire2865

Western Thunderer
Clever modification there Richard.
I had initially intended similar to you but my eagerness with an iron screwed that plan up.
Were you going to spring for Mark Woods Neilson wheels or were you going to go with Slaters?
 

Arty

Western Thunderer
I shall go for the Slaters wheelsets, £46 per axle is ok - I dread to think how much a set of machined Mark Wood wheels would cost.
And I can get a set of Slaters wheels within a couple of days.

I've "race-lightened" the lower front frame stretcher, I feel guilty messing around with your design ;)

framespacer3.jpg
framespacer4.jpg
 

Spitfire2865

Western Thunderer
No worries with lightening that section. A very neat job youve done as well.
The holes were a fruitless attempt at fitting a battery switch and charging plug. But turned out I hadnt the switch for it nor was the placement right.
 

Mike W

Western Thunderer
I shall go for the Slaters wheelsets, £46 per axle is ok - I dread to think how much a set of machined Mark Wood wheels would cost.

Well, Mark lists the castings at £34 per axle. I am sure a Gauge 3 Society member would turn them for you, even if Mark is too busy. My guess is that the final cost might be 15% - 20% more, plus crankpins, but well worth it in my opinion.

Mike
 

Arty

Western Thunderer
The tank !!!!
A strange shape, and the main feature, so I thought I'd better get on with it.
Nickel ends with some brass stretchers, and a top provided the flat bits.

tank3.jpg
tank4.jpg
tank5.jpg

Pretty straightforward so far, but the bendy bits were fun, I've invented a whole volume of new profanities during the process.
I used brass for the sides as it was marginally softer, but still a ********** to form.

tank6.jpg
tank7.jpg
tank8.jpg

I have two sets of Spitfire's laser cut frames/footplate and not suprisingly the next one will have a box tank - even if they didn't build that variety.
 

Arty

Western Thunderer
I’ve been investigating wheelsets, Mark Wood is out of stock of both types of suitable castings.
This version will have the unprototypical Slaters wheels, but they are the correct diameter. And I’ve ordered the “T” section spoke, early Neilson type for the original build from Mark Wood, should be ready April ? and then to Walsall Model Industries for machining
 

Spitfire2865

Western Thunderer
I just realized on the facebook photos, you had put the top flush with the edges, not recessed.
Are you going to add L sections to the top edge?
 

Arty

Western Thunderer
I'll solder a "D" section brass strip around the top edge with a small upstand.
This pic of a Spanish broad gauge Neilson show a mitre joint at the corner of the bead, so that's what I'll do.

tank56.jpg
In fact if you look at the tank top on 229 when it was at Woolwich, it appears flat to the edge ?
tank57.jpg
tank58.jpg
Who knows ?
 
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