HLR Ratiobash fleet

[invercloy]

I have to confess I don't know much about the CB&P, I'll go and look around the 'net for some information.

[berryr99]

Ref "Ratiobashing" - please can someone direct me to the articles in the News as I would like to try this

Thanks

Bob B.

[MickT]

Ref "Ratiobashing" - please can someone direct me to the articles in the News as I would like to try this

Thanks

Bob B.

Hi Bob,
The 2 articles I had published were:
Kitbashing Freelance Coaches pt 1 - Vol 33/4 Dec 2005 pages 11-12 & 14
Kitbashing Freelance Coaches pt 2 - Vol 33/5 Jan 2006 pages 6-8

There have been several other "ratiobash" coach construction articles in the News over the years and some quite recently if I remember but I'm afraid I don't have any details of which mags to hand. Perhaps someone with an archive type of knowledge may be able to add or complete?

Mick

[berryr99]

Thanks Mick,

I have located these in my "News" collection and will have a bash - pun intended !!

Bob

[invercloy]

I've been working on 5 out of the 9 coaches today.  I would have done them all, but I knew I wasn't going to have enough L section to do so.
At the start of work they were all basic shells with sides, end panels and floors all fitted together.



I then added some U channel section to represent a metal chassis, and all the L section I could for the footboards.  Flat plastic strip was added to the bottom of the floor to space the bogie mounts to the desired height.  Bogies are Five79 L&B fitted with metal Farish wheels - they run very nicely.


Here they are after adding all the footboards and bogies.


Panelling was added to the ends using microstrip, and the same material was used for the steps immediately beneath the doors.  Plasticard strip was fitted to represent seating too.

Not too bad for only a few hours work.  Building them in batches seems to help speed progress along.

Work still to do on this batch includes:
Fit L section truss rods
Alter some of the windows to show them open, or partially open
Fit steps and handrails to end panels
Fit pipework and details for lighting
Cut roof out of a batch of guiness cans I forced myself to empty + add details

I'll try and get these finished for Sparsholt, the remaining three that are awaiting more L section may get done too if time allows.

[Tigger]

They're looking excellent Tom.

[tedp]

You're making a lot of progress. Batch building is the way to go - I should have done so long ago. I still have a few parts in the box, should really follow your example!

[invercloy]

They're looking excellent Tom.

Thanks David, I'm pleased with them so far.

You're making a lot of progress. Batch building is the way to go - I should have done so long ago. I still have a few parts in the box, should really follow your example!

Its the first time I've batch built any stock, it seems to make it a lot quicker. 

[Tigger]

Its the first time I've batch built any stock, it seems to make it a lot quicker. 

Certainly is!  When I built the first coaches for the L&TR (except it wasn't called that at the time, the coaches pre-date the layout by some years!) I batch-built them and found it was an excellent idea.  I've followed the practice ever since.  It certainly proved its worth with all the slate wagons and the new fleet of 12 goods wagons I completed this winter was done similarly.

[invercloy]

I've got two loco bodies sat on my workbench which may be getting hacked around in a similar manner to be worked on as a batch, albeit a very small one.  More on that when I begin.

I'm hoping to add some of the steps and handrails to the end panels tonight.

[invercloy]

Well progress has been made.  End panels have been added from 40 thou and microstrip.  To these were added steps made from L section, and acetylene generators from square section.  Handrailing was fitted using brass wire.

This then drove me to drink, and I emptied a few cans of Guiness.  Or rather, I emptied a few cans of Guiness to make use of them for the roofs.  These were cut up using a scalpel, and then had PD gas lamp tops added, and microstrip rain strips.  The roofs are still loose in the photos, so may look a bit wonky in some places.







Only a few of the windows to 'open', the addition of some weight, and then it's off for painting.

[JulienW]

They look very good Tom.  I really should ressurect my own Ratio bash project using home cast resin ends...

[Tigger]

Looking excellent Tom.  Hope to see them 'in the flesh'!

[tedp]

I wonder at the use of tin cans for the roofs. I would have thought they are very difficult to cut cleanly, but obviously you have found a way round that. Do they keep their shape well? Mind you, this is coming from someone used to laminated card for roofs....

Good to see you're making a lot of progress. Hope to see the result next month.

[pilotfriend]

Ted, I think I started beer cans as roofs. They are very easy to cut with your wife's kitchen scissors and even can be fettled using a Dremel with sanding disc. The real advantage is that top end weight is minimised and the coaches roll a lot less. They do indeed keep their shape. All CG coaches have beer can roofs.