It doesn't seem that long ago but its almost 7 months later, I'm now nearly at the point of finishing all the locomotives started in this thread. I've been slowly working through each build taking time off from other projects. These are quite big engines and with space being at a premium it hasn't always been convenient to get them out.
First up we have 'Marcus' the blue loco from ebay or what used to be 'Marcus'. This was a trial attempt at producing an outside framed loco which after some cursing has been successfully converted into an Irish 3 ft gauge 4-4-0. The body was carefully sanded and then modified to allow an LGB otto chassis to be installed at the back. The cylinders were removed and placed at the front with a scratch built bogie slung underneath. I was going to buy GRS cranks but opted to construct my own using brass, odds from the scrap box and the original LGB crank pins. The frames are dummy built using 1,5mm plasticard.
I've been able to carefully weight the loco and after some test running it will enter the paint shop for nameplates and lining. This will be done using narrow planet custom plates and fox transfers 13mm BR lining packs.
The next project that needed finishing was the 0-4-0 tank I started using an IP Engineering motor and two wheels sets. After some thinking I opted for a freelance wing tank design which would be battery operated. The batteries and motor are located in the boiler which are accessed by opening the smoke box door. The operating switch is located on the firebox by the regulator and although obscured it is easy to operate. Most of the locomotive is made from 1.5mm plastcard with rivet detail and gauges from Cambrian models and the safety valves from GRS specialists. The livery is quite bright but this will be toned down with a light weathering.
This is by far the most advanced scratch build I've ever undertaken, having built everything bar the motor, wheels, battery and switch. To my suprise evreything runs really well so I'll definitely employ these techniques on other builds. Unfortunately the loco is very small for current stock so I'll be building a small weed killing train for it to pull.
Third on the list was the reason for starting the thread, this being my first 15mm scratch build. Unfortunately I had some huge problems with the paint which blistered on the boiler and tanks. Having left it for the best part of 6 months I sanded everything back, resprayed the damaged parts and lined with fox transfers. This time everything was fine, althoughSome how or other I scratched quite deeply the cab rear and although touched up I think a light sand maybe in order. I still need to add couplings, touch up some areas, lightly weather and add nameplates which are on order but all in all after the mini disaster its beginning to look the part.
Last is my Norwegian 2-4-0 which has just been rebuilt after a nasty fall. Having painted, lined and weathered the locomotive I left it on a cupboard in a warm room to harden. This seemed like the ideal place but I hadn't accounted for the effects of a warm environment on a small wooden tool box placed behind. The tool box had been acquired from a damp garage, it was I thought ideal for storing model making equipment and would look lovely once rewaxed and cleaned. I place this on top of the cupboard behind the loco to dry out before I restored it. Due to the wood shrinking the front fell forward knocking the 2-4-0 6feet onto the floor. This broke the chimney and small details which wasn't so bad but the front chassis frames snapped and distorted. After some head scratching I was able to re glue everything back together and insert brass bar to straighten the distorted sections. Although it is hard to notice the cab and boiler have been knocked off line which is sadly impossible to repair. I have kept a plan of all the parts so one day I can always make a replacement body.
And to finish I've included a shot of all four locomotives on what qualifies for my garden railway at the moment. I hope by the end of next month to have lined the 4-4-0 and attached name and works plates
Best
Tim