Auto Trailer Build

So the coach is nearly finish. It's certainly running and runs very nicely in both directions (phew!).
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I do have a couple of problems - the electrical one mentioned above and also the finish on the roof is not great. I brush painted it with Railmatch GWR Roof White - I have used Phoenix Precision in the past. Five coats and it still looked streaky, but perhaps passable, so I went ahead a varnished it with Humbrol Satin - that has only made it worse. I think I will have to sand it down and spray it.

Also I feel that it needs something more suitable to pull it - I've always liked the Pannier tanks and have just acquired a piko 0-6-0 chassis. I am seriously considering building a Pannieresque out of the same Obeche wood - I'm not so good with plasticard and don't enjoy working with it as much...
 
jimmielx said:
Also I feel that it needs something more suitable to pull it - I've always liked the Pannier tanks and have just acquired a piko 0-6-0 chassis. I am seriously considering building a Pannieresque out of the same Obeche wood - I'm not so good with plasticard and don't enjoy working with it as much...
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I just love this coach James. Lots of curves on a Pannier tank though...wouldn't it be easier to make it from brass?
 
Thanks Philip!
Brass - Yikes! My confidence level in working with brass is approximately zero! How do you even cut it??!
I'm kind of thinking that pannier tanks don't have too many curves - the main four around the tanks could be made from quarter round bead...
 
James - I know I've said it before, but what a fantastic build. That night shot with it lit up is excellent. Top job sir well done.

(Dont' worry mate, my modelling tools are staying put, I've got too much unfinished stuff on the go to hang them up for good).
 
jimmielx said:
Thanks Philip!
Brass - Yikes! My confidence level in working with brass is approximately zero! How do you even cut it??!
I'm kind of thinking that pannier tanks don't have too many curves - the main four around the tanks could be made from quarter round bead...
Click to expand...
Well I mainly use the old Minicraft version of one of these http://www.proxxon-direct.com/acatalog/Scroll_Saw_DS_230_E.html but you can of course use hand tools if you want to. In some ways easier than wood because you do not have grain to worry about.
 
Hi James,
I am now totally confused here. (Quite easy for me actually).
I thought this was a self powered coach running on a power bogie. ?
Or is it made to be hauled by the loco and the power in the coach is for a decoder that works the lighting system ?

take care
Don W
 
Hi Don

Ah, yes, this is indeed just a push-pull coach, so just like the prototype it is hauled or propelled by a loco - it doesn't go anywhere on it's own. The decoder is just to run the lights.

That said a few years ago I did make a model after a GWR Diesel Railcar - with the same sort of concept of just taking the prototype as as inspiration for the model for my narrow gauge line. A picture of it appears in my avatar (the little picture to the left of this post). It remains the most reliable (ie has quite literally never stalled/derailed/run anything other than faultlessly) and frequently used loco on my line. I'm sure I posted about a while back, but that must have been on the old forum as I can't find it on here. Anyway, that is basically a self-propelled coach. It uses two USA Trains Power bogies, these work a treat and are readily available (GRS usually have them in stock for example). The problem with most power bogies is that they are quite tall - for my railcar the floor inside is artificially raised above each bogie - though you'd never know unless you looked closely through the windows. I've see an Aristo Power bogie online which looks to have a lower profile - never seen one in the flesh though.

This site http://www.g-bits.co.uk/DieselChass...pics of the railcar. I hope that helps!
 
railwayman198 said:
Well I mainly use the old Minicraft version of one of these http://www.proxxon-direct.com/acatalog/Scroll_Saw_DS_230_E.html but you can of course use hand tools if you want to. In some ways easier than wood because you do not have grain to worry about.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that link Philip. I have been eyeing one of those up for cutting shapes in wood - I hadn't clocked that it would handle brass too...
By the way I enjoyed bringing the Railcar to a Dunn's River open day a couple of years ago, hopefully the Auto Trailer will make it to the next one!
 
3Valve said:
(Dont' worry mate, my modelling tools are staying put, I've got too much unfinished stuff on the go to hang them up for good).
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Phew!;)
 
Many Thanks again James.
I think your avatar must have set off something in my brain.
I remember seeing a picture of the Diesel Railcar somewhere and I must have mixed it up with this superb model of the Auto Trailer, (I'm sure I will be ok after a lie down in a dark room).
I should finish work this week and will be able to spend more time looking at this project soon.
Thanks again for all your help and information.

take care
Don W
 
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