Steve Beattie Class 15

My Class 15 arrived this morning courtesy of Steve Beattie Developments. I'll post a few pictures up later.

cheers

toto.

 

And here we are .........

nice looking loco very much in common with the look of the class 16. So ...... whats in the box.

Internal cab parts.

white metal bonnet noses and cab roofs.

more white metal bogie parts and lost wax castings.

we are on to the brass etches, bonnets etc.

part of the cab ......

and same again ..........

more etchings for bogies, sub frame, exterior cab etc .......

sub frame parts and grille etches .......

and the last one is more bogie and misc detail.

looks like another potentially nice kit.

cheers

toto

 

Hi York Paul,

There looks to be a reasonably significant amount of slot and tab construction in this which should assist the built hopefully.

 

That's the Plan Pete.

The biggest challenge ( I think ) with the Steve Beattie kits is the bogies. there is a lot of work in them and parts vary between brass, 3D printed and anything else he has chucked in. The main subframes are all brass and the parts of a reasonable size so should be easier to work with. there is plenty space to " get in to " the assemblies. There tends to be three main elements to his builds. The superstructure, the subframe and the bogies. They can be tackled in any order really from what I can see although I think the subframe would be first on my agenda as you can offer the bogies up to it to test for fit etc as you construct them. I could be wrong.

Its amazing that once you have had the chance to view the kits in their constituent parts how they generally follow a theme in terms of how they have been designed. The exception to the rule would appear to be the Class 17 and to an extent the class 15 and 16 which follow the class 17's path. More so the bogies. The 22, 24, 25 and 29 are the other " grouping " to a reasonable degree.

I think familiarisations grows confidence ( to a degree ).

cheers for now

toto

 

Well,

Everyone is building a SBt kit at the moment so after reading Steve's progress on his Class 15 I've decided to have a bash.

Now, I'm aware that these kits are not necessarily for the beginner but what better a time to get " live " advice and assistance than when so many others are on the benches of other builders.

I have in essence, three kits that will be chopped and changed between as my fancy takes me. An on going van kit, a connosueirs nelly kit and the SBt class 15.

I'll hopefully be tackling the with a mixture of RSU soldering techniques and traditional soldering iron techniques. I will also be using a mixture of normal 60/40 solder and various pastes and creams. My idea is to tack pieces into position with the RSU and finish off longer fillets with a 40w Weller iron.

I'll probably be in the shed tonight working out my plan of attack. Initial thoughts are starting on the footplate section and when my motors arrive tackling the bogies next. They do look simpler than the bogies on the Sultzers and the NBL class 21's what is what originally convinced me that I could have a crack at this.

So ..... I'm about to fly in the face of all the great advice I've been given as to what kits to start on as a novice and plunge myself in right up to my orchestra stalls.

Look out Mr Beattie ......... I'll be coming up your arse shortly ....... not literally of course.

Cheers

Toto

 

Steve,

I'm thinking here ..... yes .... not one of my strong points but I take the risk. if when starting this build, and throughout the process, if there are any images taken that particularly captures a build element well, you could always use them in any potential amendments to your instructions .... Should there be the need for any. If the I ages are of good enough quality, they may enhance complement your 3D images. Just a thought.

Cheers

Toto

 

So it looks like I'll finally start this sucker then. It could be heading north to Dundee for the first assault. I'll rake out the kit, motors, gear sets along with the other tools and materials that will be required. The RSU will definitely be part of the kit along with a couple of spare rods.

Grounding unit, magnets, clamps, bending jigs, files, sanding sticks, solders, fluxes, pastes, creams, pliers, knives ........ The list goes on and on. I'd better clear the boot of the car out on Friday night. I'll be needing the space.

 

The van has been under consideration for some time now. now ....... your bus with the seats taken out for storage would be ideal.

 

We'll, made it up to Dundee today albeit a bit later than expected. Made a start on the Class 15 and things generally went quite well and decent progress was made. You'll need to wait for the pictures as they were taken on Dundees camera. He het them up at some point.

Hopefully I'll get a bit more done tomorrow.

Cheers for now

Toto

 

And it's still holding together yet ........ I'm going to have a look at the upper chassis next which is the bit that helps gives the structure a bit framing strength under the main bonnet. Then maybe the cab shell before going onto the bogies and bonnet vents.

It looks ok and is pretty solid. Not too worried about the excess solder on the initial chassis frames as it won't be seen underneath. I will probably clean the worst off.

Cheers

Toto