jackson Sharp > Leek & Manifold coach bash

[Mossala Hill]

Bob,
No, I didn't try a stronger spring, the replacement of the dummy coal load was mainly for cosmetic reasons, although I had hoped it might have some effect on the front truck too; it didn't. I made the front sprung plunger after discussion with David Mees who had worked with Roundhouse to develop the rear springing and who was surprised to learn that they weren't being fitted at the front as well.

Most of my point springs are either the Peco over centre ones or, where they are required to be permanently biased in one direction at the return and passing loops I've used springs from old floppy discs. The unsprung front truck coped well with these but I have one large radius AMS point that needs a stronger spring to return reliably and this is where the front truck would occasionally ride up over the point blade. It all works very reliably now.

Rob

 

[bobg]

I have one double change point at the top loop and that requires a bit more push than the std Peco. Otherwise mine are either trailed or powered. The rear pony-truck on Excelsior is very light and gives no trouble, even leading (reverse).

Those floppy springs I've found slacken off, and need replacing every couple of seasons (I still have a few left).

 

[musket the dog]

Great bash Had been eyeing up my Jackson Sharps with the idea of doing the same thing, nice to see how somebody skilled would go about it before I make a start

 

[ge_rik]

Great bash Had been eyeing up my Jackson Sharps with the idea of doing the same thing, nice to how somebody skilled would go about before I make a start

Thanks Ricky
Not sure about the 'skilled' tag though. I'm more of a muddler than a modeller - but thanks for the compliment.
Rik

 

[ge_rik]

Taking longer than expected but the first coach is more or less finished.


The underframes have now been riveted and the balcony rails have been properly fixed.


Ended-up using the dolls` house railing as they were the nearest I could find to the original fancy scrolling.

Probably add some rivet detail to the buffer beams and still got to add an interior - but will do that once the other two coaches are finished. These are now well under way - another open and a brake composite.


The aim is to get these finished over Christmas - alarmed at how quickly this is approaching....

Rik

 

[gregh]

Looking great Rik. Those handrails are a nice find.
Are you fitting lights?

 

[ge_rik]

Looking great Rik. Those handrails are a nice find.
Are you fitting lights?

Thanks Greg
Borrowed the idea for the handrails from a fellow modeller but they look very much the part.
I got a set of warm white 'micro' Christmas lights which are a lot smaller with finer wiring than the more usual lights. There' s a string of 20 so for £4 I should be able to light all four coaches with LEDs to spare.

Rik

 

[dunnyrail]

The idea of using those Jackson Coaches for a Conversion is very sound as shown by your superb job. They are available on a regular basis and at bargain prices too. Just hope that we see more of the conversions that these can be put to when the knife (or saw) has been taken to them on this forum.
JonD

 

[bobg]

Taking longer than expected but the first coach is more or less finished.

Don't these things always?

Coming along nicely I would say.

 

[ge_rik]

The idea of using those Jackson Coaches for a Conversion is very sound as shown by your superb job. They are available on a regular basis and at bargain prices too. Just hope that we see more of the conversions that these can be put to when the knife (or saw) has been taken to them on this forum.
JonD

Hi Jon
I think these coaches offer quite a bit of potential for all sorts of bashes. The underframes and running gear are quite good (and tackle R1 curves with no problem) - the bogies are very similar to those on the W&LLR Pickerings which is what I first thought of bashing them into but the window frames were quite different.

Would be good to see if anyone else has bashed them.

Rik

 

[ge_rik]

Don't these things always?
Coming along nicely I would say.

Thanks Bob
I'm hoping that now I've done the first one, the other two will come together a bit quicker. I had to do a fair bit of re-fettling on the first coach and made quite a few co... mistakes along the way which is what consumed a lot of the time. The brake end is more challenging though as it has has recessed doors at the tail end instead of a balcony.

Rik

 

[ge_rik]

BTW - these are the LEDs I`m planning to use for the lighting. £3.99 inc. battery box (3xAA) and switch which seems quite reasonable.



Rik

 

[bobg]

You'll have a job on trying to hide that label! :-\

 

[gregh]

Those LEDs look brilliant for coach lighting. Especially getting the battery box included. Just have to be sure they work with 3 NiMH. Might even be too bright.

 

[bobg]

The first thing I would do is to take the label off the lights

Ooooh! And risk the wrath of the 'lable' Gods?

 

[ge_rik]

[

How long is the flex on the lights ? - just thinking it might be suitable for a rake of coaches rather than just one......

Hi Paul
There's a three foot lead between the battery box and the first LED but then there' s only 2" between each LED. So it would be possible to space them out in a rake of coaches but you'd have to extend the leads between each coach. The wire is single strand as well so not that flexible between coaches. For the period I'm modelling, I'm thinking I'll extend the leads between each LED to represent oil or gas lamps at intervals.

Those LED's look rather useful, are you able to post an link for them ?

I got mine from our local Wyvale Garden Centre, I think there are a few dotted around the country. It looks like these are the same ones - slightly cheaper and with free postage.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EZI-Warm-White-AA-Battery-Operated-Micro-Silver-Wire-20-LED-Fairy-Light-Xmas-/111422649682?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Night_Lights_Fairy_Lights&hash=item19f14eb552

As you see they run off three AA batteries but I was thinking of snipping them into short runs of five LEDs and putting a battery box under each coach. That would mean upping the resistor value to 33ohms - I think that would give a 10mA drop to dim the output. I'm sure someone (eg Greg) will correct me if I've got this wrong.

Rik

 

[ge_rik]

Ooooh! And risk the wrath of the 'lable' Gods?

Heaven forfend!
Rik

 

[bobg]

Well it plainly says "Do not remove this lable"

 

[PhilP]

What IS a lable, anyway? :

 

[bobg]

I didn't spell it, read the lable! :