I've only got things that are on the finishing straight. So I thought I'd start with this one. It's a Rhymney Railway R1 class 0-6-2T from Dragon models. This is not a new build, but a rebuild. Well, I bought the from the guild E&T. This is how it came to me. As you can see it's slightly sad looking. And yes it is bent, it's not the photo. This is as it was after rebuilding. This is where I am now. Sorry about the poor photo of the frames black is not good in artificial light. I'm experimenting by painting the buffer beams first. The body will be finished in BR black.
Very nice Peter, was it a total strip down to correct the body? Nice selection of files you have there
Yes it was shown the blow torch and turned into a kit again. I had to make a new smokebox wrapper, and tank tops. But the rest was pretty good.
What a transformation! I was asked a long while back to rebuild a Connoisseur J50 for a mate. How he had got it so twisted I've no idea as they are such a forgiving kit. Anyway, I just stuck it on an old backing tray and stuck it in the oven at gas 7 and an hour later hey presto a kit again! Wish I had had the forethought to take photos of it before and after! Cheers, Pete.
That new smokebox wrapper had me for a moment Peter...but then I recalled your re rivetting work on a certain other kit which needed TLC and was missing half its rivet marking anyway not to mention making new buffer beams.
Next item that is on the bench is an ex College kits 2P. Again this was purchased with the frames completed, from GOG E&T, nothing done on the body except all the rivets punched out poorly. This then limited which ones could be built. Also all the parts were cut from the fret, with no instructions.... There's been a few changes on the way. The rebuilt frames now have 3 point compensation. The bogie being the point. This way two thirds of the weight is on the drivers, and there is no stability problems. The tender frames are just spring on the centre axle. I knocked up a bit of the motion to fill the gap between the frames. The tender had a new front made and the rear was narrowed to scale width. The castings on the tender were very poor. Some of the axle guards have been rebuilt. Now the body. Where do I start? The cab was to wide and about 2mm to high. The firebox was about 2mm to high. Boiler and smokebox were ok, for height. But were to long. What you see now has a new cab, new firebox and adjusted boiler, smokebox. The rest of it is from the kit. The bogie and backplate are finished, along with the oilers which will all be fitted after painting. Livery will be BR lined black.
Thanks. I can't say I've really enjoyed the build. But it will buy me something nice. Maybe some track components and wheels for my next self build project.
The last loco on the bench at the moment, this is a javelin kit, of a Dean's goods. Lovely kit to build. Just awaiting transfers, which I suppose one day will arrive. But we've only had one letter arrive from the UK since march. I suppose I'll get the wheels in the frames and get it running soon. As with the other 2 locos this will be passed on. Then I'll see what else is about to buy for passing on. Something different I hope, there is a GWR Saint and a 517 still in the cupboard, but I'm a bit board of GW locos. Well that's it for now. I am putting the R1 frames together at the moment so you may get to see those finished soon. If I can get motivated, or a may distract myself and build some baseboards.
I've now got the RR R1 frames wheeled, just need to do the pickups and adjust angle of the motor when fitted in the body. It may need a little bit of boiler removing. But that's not a problem. I was going to post a picture but that is pretty boring. So here's a short video. I must say I was pleased with the way it ran. This was its second short run, and with my old faithful HM Duette. Will be run for a little each way just to bed everything in.
Where I need to find half a day to paint the bodies of two locos, in my odd hours in the evening I did the Dean goods frames. It now runs nicely, again video is of the first real try. Must dig out another controller. The Duette is fine but with no load IST a bit on off at the start, so no gradual build up of speed. I just need to fit the brakes now which are clip on. But will probably need the rods removing, and of course the pickups.
Outstanding workmanship Peter and a pleasure to look at. Thank you very much for posting. I just wish that Geoff Stratford (Javelin) will soon get some more of his excellent kits on the market.
Amazing high standard of work Peter and another cracking little engine about to take to the rails, I really admire those who paint loco frame internals red, you don't always see that done on kit builds. Its that sort of attention to detailing which gets my vote every time. Top class workmanship Peter thanks for sharing your bench projects.
Thanks Paul and Paul. As for red inner frames I don't always. Yes I always want to a couple more Javelin kits. But until one comes up at the right price I'll have to wait.
Unless the Javelin range is sold, I think that's unlikely as I understand that Geoff is looking to fully retire after semi retiring when he sold Gladiator.