Scottish Modeller - The Workbench thread!

[Robin Webster]

That's a very strong possibility. Based on the fantastic book wtitten by Terry Martin ( Halfway to heaven) he makes mention of modifications made to locos and rolling with no records kept by the shed/s.

Robin.

[Scottish Modeller]

I wonder if the issues with the coach are differences between 'official' drawings and what the workshop (Tindaria or elsewhere) actually built...

Hi Robin,

From past experience I doubt it - but who knows?

I had similar problems when I did my drawings for the card models of the DHR Coaches.

If it wasn't for contacts in and around Darjeeling I would never have known, I sent them my drawings and they came back to me with any errors I had created so that I could correct the drawings.

I would expect that the problem stems from assumptions that one side will be the inverse of the other - making that assumptions saves time and effort as you don't need to do a drawing for each side - draw one side then flip it over.

Anyway - I've made the decision and the coach as was done is now in pieces!

The roof, ends and most of one side are OK - just need the window, door and AC Compartment mods done.

The other side is the problem as the side needs cut into 4 pieces and the piecs repositioned to get as close to the real thing as possible.

As a result - I've resurrected my unfinished drawings for this coach type and will use that as a template to guide me.

I'll post the drawing up here once it's done.

Thanks
Phil H

[Scottish Modeller]

Hi all,

Drawings of coach sides as jpg - original drawing file is too large to put on here.

I've extracted the coach side drawings from one of my original coach drawings - no need to show any underframe/chassis bits for this one!

I'll print off a copy and use it as a template to cut the coach body up with.

Thanks
Phil H

[Scottish Modeller]

Hi all,

Still an ongoing work.....

Sometimes things don't quite work out how you expected them to!

Now, what did I think I was trying to do?

Anyway - cutting attemoted and failed - resin shattered whilst being cut.

This is what's left......

Phil H

[Robin Webster]

Unfortunately I was expecting that Phil! Is there anything that can salvaged and glued back together?

[Scottish Modeller]

Unfortunately I was expecting that Phil! Is there anything that can salvaged and glued back together?

Hi Robin,

It was my own fault - I made an error with blade selection for the jewellers saw - to deep a blade. If I had used a more shallow blade the stress would not have occured and caused the shatter.

I could put some of the bits back together, but is it worth it?

I was doing the cutting so that I could change the positions of the door on one side and make the AC Compartment window and vent the correct size on the other.

I'll use my drawing as a template over 40thou plasticard, then drill out and cut the windows to be the correct number and size.

Then its a case of sticking the full side in place - the coach ends and underside of the roof edge provide the best contact points to ensure a good solid join to be made.

I've started the sides already - on the drawing board having the windows positions scribed onto the plastic.

Doing it this way will also enable me to have the door set back from the coach side to the correct depth.

Thanks
Phil H

[Scottish Modeller]

Hi all,

While the PMW kits are filling up that workbench - other stuff is progressing on one of my other wrkbenches!

So - On the heavy metal workbench.....

DHR Heritage/Charter Train - Coaches

DHR have some stock that, rightly, in view of their ages, are classed as Heritage and/or Charter Train Coaches.

Thia project is to try and create that rake of coaches in 009

The rake will comprise the following:-

DHR 14 - 'Everest' Observation Car

DHR 149 - 'Tensing Norgay' Dining Car

DHR 124 - 'Himalayan Princess' - Inspection Saloon

Of these 14 and 149 are available as etches from Worsley Works

Hoever, 124 is more of a challenge as no kit is available, this one will be a scratchbuild project.

So, first on the workbench will be Everest with it's challenging roof profile, end shapes etc.

More to follow as things progress.

Thanks
Phil H

[Scottish Modeller]

Hi all,

The work on the PMW coaches and vns has carried on and, with the exception of the AC Coach, i have some completed models to show.

Still working on the couplings though!

A series of photos - coaches to start with!

DHR 2nd Class 364

Thanks
Phil H

Note.....

The model is not 100% correct as it has been modelled with the wrong sort of window - rounded corner type, where the real coaches have squared corner type.

This is a shame - especially when the model of 154 that has been done has the squared corner type.

More feedback for the makers.....

[Scottish Modeller]

Hi all,

More DHR - PMW Coaches (again).

DHR 154 - Coach-Luggage-Gaurd

Thanks
Phil H

[Scottish Modeller]

Hi all,

Bring on the vans!

DHR Type C Van

Thanks
Phil H

[Robin Webster]

Phil they really look good. I like the goods/ freight wagons in particular as i like to shunt my stock. I say that very loosely having not even progressed with what I have/ had started.
Stuff gets in the way and the moment is lost.
I would be interested to see what couplers you use to hook them up.
Now that I know through Julian that there is another option besides Greenwich couplers which would allow one to shunt I will looking into that.
Stay safe!
Robin.

[Scottish Modeller]

Hi Robin,

Comments as per your entry.....

Phil they really look good. I like the goods/ freight wagons in particular as i like to shunt my stock. I say that very loosely having not even progressed with what I have/ had started.

Yes - Freight stock can make a big difference to the appearance of a model. I have more vans to follow shortly.

Trying to ring the changes and getting the research right can take a lot of time and effort!

I would be interested to see what couplers you use to hook them up.
Now that I know through Julian that there is another option besides Greenwich couplers which would allow one to shunt I will looking into that.

I am still undecided on couplings - I have a conflict to get round.

I have looked at most of the options available, but....

a) I want to have couplings that look like the real things

b) I want couplings that work- but don't need them to be automatic

The problem is that going down the choices

a) makes the models look good, but are a pain to work with.

b) makes the models easier to work with but look wrong.

The DHR real coupling bars work fine and would also work on the models - IF they were not so small!

Thanks
Phil H

[Robin Webster]

I look forward to your choice.
A safe New year to you.

[Scottish Modeller]

Hi Robin,

As a follow up re couplings...

My take on making a coupling that is as near to the real DHR thing as possible.

As I said, they can be made, but are very fiddly to use - worse than 3 link and screw link in 4mm scale.

Thanks
Phil H

[Scottish Modeller]

Hi all,

OK - to divert my attentions from the coupling situation....

I have more DHR stuff in the building stages - coaches and freight stock.

Photos of progress to follow overthe next few days - waiting for paint to dry so that I can get some decals on.

Talking of decals....

DHR decals in 009 work out expensive even when the cost is split down to the individual stock items that need them.

The decals that are available are very good, but very limited in how/what they can be used for.

But, short of getting a printer that can print white, what is available is what you have to use.

Thanks
Phil H