Reo Railbus

[MRail]

It's definitely growing on me!!
Like it.

 

[trammayo]

Thanks Rob. I think I'm at the like it or lump it stage

Yesterday afternoon, I decided to determine what needed doing to the rear platform. Some (if not all) of the Aristo Reo's have an awning. I cut a piece of thin card and found that I could squeeze it in place between the roof and the body moulding.

I hadsome striped cloth but the stripes were too broad and the fabric would fray when cut (or though I would have used PVA to prevent this if it had been suitable). I then remembered I had some craft paper about the same thickness as the card I'd tried.

I used Microsoft Word and built up a pattern using the shapes and grouped these shapes together, increasing line thickness, and changing the colour to a deep red.
It has come out rather dark on the red paper and I may redo it if I consider that the rounded edges are too large.

Colour isn't right - the pic was poor!

I could have gone for smaller scollops but I didn't know if I could cut them out cleanly.

I did ask SWMBO if she had any pinking shears but, alas, no.

My basic technique on cutting was to move the paper around as I cut, thus (hopefully) avoiding sharp angular changes of direction.

If I don't redo it, I'll varnish it both sides before gluing in place. The wood blocks set in the platform are where the vestibule doors fitted and are there to make it level again. I have cut a piece of wood for the rear beam and now need to either cut up the original platform railings (which would be a shame) or make up some "wrought iron-work".

The original;-

 

[playmofire]

The awning looks fine, Mick.

I look forward to seeing the wrought iron work.

 

[trammayo]

Thanks Gordon but I have just had another go (and feel a bit happier about it).
Nothing high tech, but after peeling the spuds, I had a kitchen moment. I remembered SWMBO had a set of different shaped pastry cutters!

She found them and I selected the largest square one and used it as a template to draw round. My cutting doesn't flow as neat as the large edges but I think the smaller scollops look more in proportion (and alow the awning to sit higher up). See what you and others think;-

 

[playmofire]

You're right, Mick. It's much more in keeping with the rest of it now.

 

[Madman]

Yes, your second attempt is much improved and looking the part.

 

[trammayo]

Thanks both of you. I've glued it in position after giving it a coat of varnish - used the matt spray (must be too heavy handed as it gained an opaque bloom) then painted it with acrylic.

Had a go at fashioning the handrails from 1.5mm brass. The scroll work will be done in three panels (if I don't make a dogs dinner of the job) and fitted as inserts.

Pic so far - with rear beam fixed in place and railing secured.

 

[playmofire]

You're a man of unlimited talents, Mick!

(And you're having better weather over there than we have had this afternoon!)

 

[trammayo]

I'll agree about the weather - must have reached 11C and blue skies all afternoon. Lovely sunset too.

 

[trammayo]

I had done a little work before I went across to the UK, mainly making up three frames to place in the railings for the 'wrought iron'.

I stripped some 6mm cable down and used one of the strands;-

Today, I gave some thought on how to make the scroll-work. I fist tinned a length of the wire before winding it on a 3mm diameter nail;-

Then I stretched the 'spring' to allow it to be cut;-

I cut at every 2nd loop;-

Then I formed one loop and twisted the other end before closing up the loops to make a figure of eight;-

So far, I've only made two just to try them in one of the end frames:-

This will be a long and tedious job but, when complete, a dab of flux and a hot iron should see the whole panel soldered together easily (fingers crossed).

 

[Madman]

Ingenious

 

[playmofire]

Mind bogglingly cunning!

 

[tramcar trev]

Give that man an extra 25 brownie points for lateral thinking....

 

[trammayo]

I think decuct at least 25 points.!!!!!!!

After waiting for it to warm up (for the last few days) - without having instant frozen fingers, I thought I'd continue from where I left off. I made the scrolls, fitted them in the frame - not brilliant - but I could tweek it (I thought).

Next apply some flux. I applied the sel-cleaning stuff and the brush picked up every idividual piece. Got things back together, tried holding in place by pressing down with piece of wood. Just too much of a fiddle. So the pic shows how far I'd got this morning before I go back to the drawing board.........

I'm going to butcher one of the original Aristo ends (below)......

Maybe I should have gone down this latter road in the first place?

 

[peterbunce]

Hi Trev,

You could do a simple design like the photo out of brass rod for the verticals to give some strength, and plastic rod for the cross pieces , plus some bits (have you a series of hole punches for the little discs? If not what about the 'hole punches for papers going into a binder?) quite easily.


The opening gates are easy - tiny piece of 4 thou metal (drink cans!) bent around the stanchion and gate. Fit a latch om the inside though - make it 'just' a tight fit and the gates then will stay shut, but 'openable'.

You've got to have the awning in multi (well 2) colors though!


Your Aristo end is pure Pullman, and the LNWR 'borrowed' the design for its first clerestory diners and sleepers as well.

Nice work - its looking very impressive

 

[trammayo]

Hi Peter,
I'll forgive you for calling me Trev!. I did make up the heavier brasswork to inset the "wrought iron" panels into over three weeks ago.....

.....but I have now discarded it in favour of the chop pictured below:-

I chopped it down, drilled and fitted a couple of SWBO's coloured dress making pins. The whole exercise, including touching up the paint, took 5 minutes!

And a gratuitous pic taking advantage of the sun...

My only reference for this build is an Aristo model for sale on John Prescott's web site which was kindly pointed out by a fellow Forum member.

I was going to make the awning red & white but the model pictured on the web site was just plain red. Without adequate knowledge of the original, I just resort to poetic license!

I've still loads to do but at least I can move on (if it doesn't freeze in my shed again!).

 

[beavercreek]

Well Mick, you have produced another really fine addition for your great layout. It really looks the biz and I think the 'chop' of the original Aristo part really makes it look a cracker at the rear.

 

[trammayo]

Thanks Mike - still got to wire it up etc. Needs front steps sorting, hand rails and door handles, radiator vents, bell and more. Also will fit interior and figures eventually.

Thought I'd have a go at R/C - bought some stuff off the Forum but I need to ask the question - how to do it etc. Will post seperately.

 

[tramcar trev]

I think decuct at least 25 points.!!!!!!!

After waiting for it to warm up (for the last few days) - without having instant frozen fingers, I thought I'd continue from where I left off. I made the scrolls, fitted them in the frame - not brilliant - but I could tweek it (I thought).

Next apply some flux. I applied the sel-cleaning stuff and the brush picked up every idividual piece. Got things back together, tried holding in place by pressing down with piece of wood. Just too much of a fiddle. So the pic shows how far I'd got this morning before I go back to the drawing board.........

I'm going to butcher one of the original Aristo ends (below)......

Maybe I should have gone down this latter road in the first place?

A trick I discovered when I was making my ornate traction poles was to a) tin the wire heavily before bending then b) apply the flux using a small 25ml pump spray bottle that had isopropyl in it, I like the CIGweld 965 flux, it works on everything. The bottle was "too good' to throw out then c) rather than use an iron I layed them out on a piece of flame proof sheet and used my trusty "chefs torch" to quickly go over them. The tinning was enough solder to hold it all together... Give the job a quick rinse in bicarb of soda.... Not much help to you now but there will always be a next time....

 

[playmofire]

Looks a great job, Mick. You can be proud of it!