MER Vehicles

[dunnyrail]

A wee bit more progress with the wagon bodies for MER 23.

You need to keep in mind the pins in the picture are 1.5mm dia. and the photo has been significantly zoomed to show what the finish looks like.

Yes one of the stanchions moved during drilling, this end will be place in the centre next to the cab

Although the wood is a little burnt on the first stanchion I soldered the nut to the rivet the second one looks acceptable to me, I just need to keep the RSU time to a minimum and avoid over cooking things.

The nuts are actually just 1mm long pieces of 2.3mm square box section, I couldn't find a supplier for square nuts (yes children you can have a laugh) which the prototype has, so if I had gone with threaded bolts I'd have need to file every nut which I didn't relish.

This is my solution to the rivet challenge, £ wise it was this or 12ba bolts n nuts at 5-6 x the price, once cleaned up and painted I think I'll be happy with my chosen solution.

View attachment 294075

David

Cambrian do cosmetic nuts.

 

[Paul M]

Why solder? Could you not have used glue?

 

[Rhinochugger]

A lot later in the day than planned but timber work for both wagon bodies is complete, and a wee update to the chassis.

Wagon body floors have been screw fitted in place utilising new cross members.

Since find out a bit more information about the cab floor I have also added a bit more support for the cab floor.

Now all the seasonal domestic distractions have concluded I can hopefully get back to some undisturbed modelling ;-)

View attachment 293898

David

Yeah, it took me a while to figure out the model jump - from one of the tram carriages to vehicle No 23. Did a bit of Googling and it all became clear.

Talking about the bogie swap, was this the same vehicle that used to borrow a pair of bogies to go up Snaefell ??

 

[DafyddElvy]

Yeah, it took me a while to figure out the model jump - from one of the tram carriages to vehicle No 23. Did a bit of Googling and it all became clear.

Talking about the bogie swap, was this the same vehicle that used to borrow a pair of bogies to go up Snaefell ??

I've not heard of No. 23 going up Snaefell but you have nudged my curiosity cells.

Point noted about confusion regarding vehicle type being modelled, for now I'm focusing on No. 23 with some open wagons to follow.

David

 

[Rhinochugger]

I've not heard of No. 23 going up Snaefell but you have nudged my curiosity cells.

Point noted about confusion regarding vehicle type being modelled, for now I'm focusing on No. 23 with some open wagons to follow.

David

All I can remember is that something went up Snaefell occasionally on borrowed bogies

EDIT - no, it was Snaefell #7 Maria

 

[Fezwig]

All I can remember is that something went up Snaefell occasionally on borrowed bogies

EDIT - no, it was Snaefell #7 Maria

Yep, it was SMR 7 Maria, which now runs on the MER as 34 with the trucks from paddlebox 25 and a former hospital generator to provide power, had a few problems over the years, seems to be an Isle of Man thing not getting diesels to work, on the steam railway, the sort of "new" diesel has hardly run due to sorts of problems and now has the nick name "the Cabbage"

 

[Rhinochugger]

Yep, it was SMR 7 Maria, which now runs on the MER as 34 with the trucks from paddlebox 25 and a former hospital generator to provide power, had a few problems over the years, seems to be an Isle of Man thing not getting diesels to work, on the steam railway, the sort of "new" diesel has hardly run due to sorts of problems and now has the nick name "the Cabbage"

Yeah, they always had problems with Viking, and it spent most of its life with the engine covers removed to keep it cool

 

[dunnyrail]

Yeah, they always had problems with Viking, and it spent most of its life with the engine covers removed to keep it cool

Yes they should have stuck with the CDR Railcar twins, work well as light PWay haulers and could do some passenger work as well. One day perhaps they will be both working together again.

 

[DafyddElvy]

Yes they should have stuck with the CDR Railcar twins, work well as light PWay haulers and could do some passenger work as well. One day perhaps they will be both working together again.

Different railway, same track gauge but definitely different systems.

This thread is under the Tram forum heading, diesel train free zone here please ;-)

David

 

[Rhinochugger]

Different railway, same track gauge but definitely different systems.

This thread is under the Tram forum heading, diesel train free zone here please ;-)

David

Yebbut, didn't they do a bit of mix 'n' merge at the centenary?

I seem to remember something about one of the steamers going up the MER

We travelled a bit on the MER because the Snaefell was closed after they'd been a bit naughty with a couple of crossing incidents and the Safety Officer had shut them down - rather disappointing as we never got to ride up the mountain

 

[trammayo]

Didn't they swap the bogies of the Snaefell cars to get them to the Depot for overhauls?

 

[Fezwig]

Didn't they swap the bogies of the Snaefell cars to get them to the Depot for overhauls?

Yes Mick, they had a dual gauge siding at Laxey to do bogie swaps to take the Snaefell cars to Derby Castle, I think the last was done in the late 70's early 80's

 

[Fezwig]

Yebbut, didn't they do a bit of mix 'n' merge at the centenary?

I seem to remember something about one of the steamers going up the MER

We travelled a bit on the MER because the Snaefell was closed after they'd been a bit naughty with a couple of crossing incidents and the Safety Officer had shut them down - rather disappointing as we never got to ride up the mountain

Well they done all sorts over the years, IMR steam locos 2 Derby & 4 Loch helped build the Manx Electric and 15 Caledonia the build on the mountain (SMR). 4,15 & 1 Sutherland have all since run on the MER or "low road" from Laxey to either Doon Quay or Fairy Cottage. The generator used to power Maria/34 now, was first used to power MER Toastrack 32 on the steam railway, so a lot of crossover of traction over the years.

Back to you David and 23, but we may need to start an Isle of Man Tramway/Railway thread, there's a lot to go at

 

[dunnyrail]

Well they done all sorts over the years, IMR steam locos 2 Derby & 4 Loch helped build the Manx Electric and 15 Caledonia the build on the mountain (SMR). 4,15 & 1 Sutherland have all since run on the MER or "low road" from Laxey to either Doon Quay or Fairy Cottage. The generator used to power Maria/34 now, was first used to power MER Toastrack 32 on the steam railway, so a lot of crossover of traction over the years.

Back to you David and 23, but we may need to start an Isle of Man Tramway/Railway thread, there's a lot to go at

Or just IOM railways.

 

[Rhinochugger]

Sounds lke David's got an awful lot of model building to do

 

[DafyddElvy]

Well they done all sorts over the years, IMR steam locos 2 Derby & 4 Loch helped build the Manx Electric and 15 Caledonia the build on the mountain (SMR). 4,15 & 1 Sutherland have all since run on the MER or "low road" from Laxey to either Doon Quay or Fairy Cottage. The generator used to power Maria/34 now, was first used to power MER Toastrack 32 on the steam railway, so a lot of crossover of traction over the years.

Back to you David and 23, but we may need to start an Isle of Man Tramway/Railway thread, there's a lot to go at

Ah see I knew my words wouldn't be read as they were written, I have the same problem with my domestic services

No dirty diesel talk here, I didn't say anything about steam, steam is good, we can talk steam trams or steam locos used to aid in the building of the MER, but no dirty diesels .

My MNR modelling will be predominately limited to 7mm scale with the odd item of non passenger stock modelled in 15mm scale.

Diesels indeed, I thought sweary words weren't allowed

David

 

[DafyddElvy]

Sounds lke David's got an awful lot of model building to do

Yep, plenty to keep me occupied for a wee while, No. 23, then some non passenger stock, followed by Car No. 2 then 3 in as close as I can original condition.

I already have Groudle Glen Sea Lion in 7/8" scale which sits quite nicely size wise with 15mm scale trams, so I suppose maybe one of the MNR locos to haul some non passenger stock might happen if I am ever allowed to retire.

Trams first though (and no dirty diesels).

David

 

[Rhinochugger]

Yep, plenty to keep me occupied for a wee while, No. 23, then some non passenger stock, followed by Car No. 2 then 3 in as close as I can original condition.

I already have Groudle Glen Sea Lion in 7/8" scale which sits quite nicely size wise with 15mm scale trams, so I suppose maybe one of the MNR locos to haul some non passenger stock might happen if I am ever allowed to retire.

Trams first though (and no dirty diesels).

David

Yes, that was another minor whoops - we arrived on the island with one of the rail tour companies two weeks after Groudle Glen had shut down for the winter season

The big bonus was that on the first morning, while waiting for the MER to take us up to Laxey, SWMBO saw an advert for the Steam Railway Curry train, and booked a trip for one evening later in the week - great fun

 

[DafyddElvy]

As material of the correct size for the wagon body iron work strapping, I have taken the opportunity to use some of the stock of scrap I have to make the wagon strapping.

So another wee tool has been made to help file the strapping to the correct width. The material cut in 300mm ish lengths from scrap is placed in this wee do hicky, clamped and filled down to size, a wee bit of final touch up is done by hand to get it down to the precise width required.

I do like making wee things to make life simpler.

 

[dunnyrail]

As material of the correct size for the wagon body iron work strapping, I have taken the opportunity to use some of the stock of scrap I have to make the wagon strapping.

So another wee tool has been made to help file the strapping to the correct width. The material cut in 300mm ish lengths from scrap is placed in this wee do hicky, clamped and filled down to size, a wee bit of final touch up is done by hand to get it down to the precise width required.

I do like making wee things to make life simpler.
View attachment 294571

Sorry David not sure I fully understand this obviously useful jig.