Matt's workbench - current project: back to random modelling

M

matto21

Western Thunderer
MarkR said:
How do you get a copy of "Ribbons" magazine, please?
Click to expand...
I believe its sold out, but you can register interest in further print runs here:

www.lightrailwaystores.co.uk

Ribbons Magazine – Light Railway Stores

'Ribbons - a compendium of creative Railway Modelling' picks up the baton from James’s 'Compendium' and as such it will be a 40 page collection of thoughts and ideas explored through a series of essays - now from a chorus of voices. A safe place to escape the digital monolith, tactile and...
www.lightrailwaystores.co.uk

Matt
 
M

matto21

Western Thunderer
Hello all, happy new year for tomorrow...on a personal level, let's hope it's better than 2025.

I was kindly gifted two Cambrian Herring kits a few weeks back - not really a wagon that fits the area I will [eventually] model, but I do like the short, stumpy look of the prototype.

I've built a few Cambrian engineers wagons over the last 12 - 18 months, although neither the Mermaid or Catfish ended up being built as the manufacturer intended, instead being more of a scratchbuilding aid and this is also along similar lines.

Right from the off I had issues with the chassis/underframe - although moulding it in one-piece is a clever idea, and saves one of the more challenging aspects of any Cambrian kit, it was so blobby and full of flash that I knew I was going to have to try ad improve it...by ignoring it completely and replacing it with a scratchbuilt item. As usual for my wagons, this is a combination of plastic and etched parts - most being adapted from the spares box. The brakes are a good example of this as the prototype has unusual, offset brakegear. I had nothing suitable, so had to chop up some old, spare etches and repurpose them into something approaching the right size - not perfect, but fine from a distance when hidden behind all the other bits. Note - photo part way through construction...

01.jpg

It's the same story with the body - I initially attempted to clean up the flash but the more I removed, the more detail I also sanded off, despite taking as much care as possible - the small size of the hopper doesn't help in this respect. In the end, I just sanded everything smooth and will replace all the ribbing.

02.jpg

And that's the progress so far. Before anyone points it out, I know that Rumney do an etched kit! And, in hindsight, this is probably going to end up being as much, if not more, work as building that kit. But equally, nothing wrong with a bit of the "M" word from time to time!

I originally intended to build two wagons, and have made two underframes...but based on the effort so far, I'll have long run out of enthusiasm doing one!

Matt
 
M

matto21

Western Thunderer
Good morning all,

Bit of a random diversion here...I spent last year trying not to deviate too much from my core interests and largely managed it. However 2026 has started with an urge to indulge myself occasionally.

I've long had a fascination with the Talyllyn Railway - and not necessarily as it is now, magnificent as it is, but in it's original, barely hanging on in there state.

I've wanted to build TR related stock for years but have lacked the motivation, means and research material to do it to a level I'd be happy with. I've finally started with a version of Guards Van 5 - so far this is entirely built from plastic sheet and is to 7mm/0-16.5 scale.

https://flic.kr/p/2rQcsd1

https://flic.kr/p/2rQcseD

I'm building this in 1930's condition, with both duckets - and these will be the next item to be constructed.

Matt
 
paulc

paulc

Western Thunderer
We all need a diversion now and then Matt . I occasionally get fed up making ' train stuff' so usually have a plastic kit or two waiting in the background that has absolutely nothing to do with trains . At the moment is a mk1 landrover kit from Airfix and Boba Fetts spaceship from MPC .
On the workbench though is a 7mm LNWR 19" goods so trains have won out so far .
 
M

matto21

Western Thunderer
Hi all,

No sooner had I got the Guards Van to the stage above, than I noticed that it was too wide. Quite how I manged this when I was using a scaled drawing is anyone's guess - but somehow I did!

A bit of brute force and it was back in pieces, and a bit of rebuilding and it's back to where is was, with the addition of duckets.

10.jpg

I also decided to try my hand at scratchbuilding a TR 2 plank open wagon - for a change, I used stripwood. Currently only balancing on wheels...

01.jpg

Matt
 
Overseer

Overseer

Western Thunderer
matto21 said:
Hi all,

Work is continuing on Talyllyn Van No 5 and it's now standing on it's own wheels:

https://flic.kr/p/2rVt5Rj

I'm now trying to figure out the various brake linkages - a lot of guesswork is involved because I've not been able to find any useful reference material.

Matt
Click to expand...
The van is looking good but before you fit brake gear check the ride height. It looks too high to me. Talyllyn loco buffers were centred at 1'6" above rail level. The brake van and carriages rode very low, the tops of the wheels must have been been nearly touching the floor and the solebars had notches in them for the axleboxes to slide up in to.

I can't help with brake gear because it barely, or doesn't show in photographs. There are certainly no brake blocks outside the wheels.
 
M

matto21

Western Thunderer
Overseer said:
The van is looking good but before you fit brake gear check the ride height. It looks too high to me. Talyllyn loco buffers were centred at 1'6" above rail level. The brake van and carriages rode very low, the tops of the wheels must have been been nearly touching the floor and the solebars had notches in them for the axleboxes to slide up in to.

I can't help with brake gear because it barely, or doesn't show in photographs. There are certainly no brake blocks outside the wheels.
Click to expand...
Morning, thanks for the comments.

You have eagle eyes - fortunately the van is only balancing on it's wheels at the moment for the photograph. Once the wheels are fitted properly, it'll be at the correct ride height!

Matt
 
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AJC

AJC

Western Thunderer
matto21 said:
Morning, thanks for the comments.

You have eagle eyes - fortunately the van is only balancing on it's wheels at the moment for the photograph. Once the wheels are fitted properly, it'll be at the correct ride height!

Matt
Click to expand...

I did wonder whether the wheels were actually centred in their axleboxes, that explains it. Lovely work, as ever.

Adam
 
Overseer

Overseer

Western Thunderer
matto21 said:
Hi all,

Just to confirm that when the wheels are fitted correctly, the van is at a much more realistic ride height. @Overseer, I hope you approve!

View attachment 257511

Matt
Click to expand...
You don't need my approval but it does capture the characteristic low ride height of the Talyllyn passenger stock much better with the wheels fitted where they should be. It will look even better on rails instead of standing on the flanges.
 
M

matto21

Western Thunderer
Hello all,

Modelling motivation has rapidly slowed the last week or so as a result of domestic issues. I have, however, made some progress. Van No 5 is currently paused while I figure out the brake linkages, but I have made a start on Talyllyn [ex-Corris] Guards Van 11.

There is a kit available for this, and I did buy it, but I wasn't totally satisfied and it appeared to be based on the rebuilt van, as opposed to how it appeared in the 1930's. As a result, I used it as the base to scratchbuild my own version.

https://flic.kr/p/2rY8i5R

https://flic.kr/p/2rY2J32

It should have curly spoke wheels, and I don't have any right now - but you get the idea, even though these are too large. The only bit of the kit I used was a section of the moulded roof - to enable me to curve my own.

I've also made some progress on the Herring, seen earlier, although this is a backburner project due to the amount of work involved in fabricating all the bits.

https://flic.kr/p/2rY9eXd

Matt
 
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M

matto21

Western Thunderer
Morning all,

After my last post about the Corris Van, I realised - to my irritation - that once again, my measurements were slightly off and the van was slightly too wide as a result. Initial attempts to dismantle didn't go well!

https://flic.kr/p/2s3XHbp

So I set about rebuilding it from scratch, to the correct dimensions this time! As before, this is all from plastic sheet and various plastic section. The interior is thin balsa sheet that has been painted and weathered. The sides have has the planking simply drawn on in fineliner - a bit crude, but it looks fine with the roof on as it's largely in shadow. The floor is individual strips cut to size and then the whole lot is weathered so it looks a bit worn and weathered. The hand brake is from Slaters with a 4mm scale wheel fitted. There is also a stove - again from Slaters - with a brass tube chimney, not shown in this photo.

https://flic.kr/p/2s3YXDP

Please note that the roof isn't yet fitted properly in these photos so if it looks loose, it's because it is. The footstep has been soldered up from some brass strip and isn't quite finished yet either.

https://flic.kr/p/2s3T5GB

https://flic.kr/p/2s3ZEbm

Still to do: couplings, axleboxes, lamp irons and strapping on the ends. It's getting there though I think.

Matt
 
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