Adams B4

I started the Adams B4 last night, a kit from Southeastern Finecast. It looks a good kit, both types of cab have been provided for. I was going to use the open cab ends and try and plate them in as they did after their stint at Southampton Docks. weather this is going to look right on the model remains to be seen. The wheels arrived this morning so all systems go. She will be 30093 as she was shedded at Bournemouth and there are loads of photo's of her in "Rails to Poole Harbour" by Colin Stone, Published by Oakwood Press.

 A bit more has been done on the B4 but am not really happy about the casting for the cross head. Think i might get some brass "U" section and make up one, complete with some brass rod for the piston. Looking at it i don't think it will be to difficult to do. The inner part of the cylinder was a casting as well but i have changed that for some brass tube.

So, i made this, lots of filling and some careful soldering. I think it's got to be a lot better and more reliable. Just the other side to do now,  here comes round two.

Yaeh, round two done. Cylinder block finished, new cross heads and piston rods made, have also connected up the connecting rods

Next job was some brakes, well they do come in handy from time to time. Talk about fiddly tho. At least doing it this way you can take them off should you need to get the wheels off.

The chassis has had it's guard irons fitted and a mount for the motor to sit on, I usually put a bit of insulation (from some odd electric wire) on top of the mount just to stop any vibration.

 Am pleased how it's coming along

Well, we all make mistake's, i was sure that Romford/Markitts crankpin bearings were 1.7mm diameter but alas they are 1.5mm. I have drilled the con rods out to big and now the chassis isn't very free running, locks up on every quarter of a turn. Waiting for some brass rod to fill in the excess. What's that saying....Measure twice, cut once.

 Chasses sprayed up and motor fitted.

3mm stuff

The mixed traffic magazine came through the door a couple of days ago ( He could of put it through the letter box) sorry!

Various articles
Scratchbuilding a GWR King,
An Atlas bullied,
Performing pick-ups,
Wantage Tramway,
As ever it's always a dam good read

Just thought i would show off these, They took ages to build but persevered and got there in the end.
  They came from an etch that was a good few years old, so i was told. The etches were very thin and needed a lot of strengthening up. All that i had was the sides and ends every thing else was made up from parts that are still available from the 3mm Society, battery boxes, dynamo's, wheels, Bogie castings etc.
  The floor was made from brass sheet, Sole bars from brass strip. Roof's, i made one and use it as a pattern to make a mould and cast them from resin complete with rain strip. The Torpedo vents are from 3SMR.

Painted with Phoenix precision paints in LSWR livery circa 1895

An Adams 02

Thought i would share this with you. South eastern finecast kit of their Adams 02

 It's coming along

It has a High level 80-1 gearbox with a mashima 1424 motor, Romford wheels when i finally found a set as Mr Romford doesn't make them anymore, Thanks to a good friend of mine

This was a bit of a bugger to paint, thought i would make it as a separate unit and drop it in after the loco had been painted
Their doesn't appear to be a regulator though, might see if i can fashion one, need a picture of a backhead lol

 Thought i would finish the backhead today. I made the regulater out of a piece of white metal and some brass wire and soldered in. The two dials that are above the backhead are made from two 2mm axle bushes with some 0.60 brass wire soldered to them to represent the two water pipes each side. there should really be 3 gauges but, no to small (eyes aren't what they use to be mate)

I am presently building a model of Parkstone Station. Progress so far is, i have built the goods shed, I found plans in an old Railway Modeller so this was the result

 Also the road bridge witch was a very ornate structure, bit of a bugger to make

 I can't fit the main line in so the layout will be come known as Parkstone goods, but this is the result on the model

We have lots to do yet. This is the state of the layout so far

The platform goods shed and bridge have been put in place.

The next project is to build a LSWR B4 And of coarse Mr George Jennings witch was a peckett W4. I shall post more as i build and how it was done.

Backscene cut out today so now i can make a start on the scenery at the station end.

Well, This is the first post so not sure where we will end up but will be posting all sorts of stuff on building kits etc.

This is interesting if your in to this sort of thing taken at our local

 Even the pullman carriage is painted in LSWR colours.