Dapol's Class 73 and it's pick-ups.

Dapol and there Class 73 its a lovely model but it's pick-ups let it down. It's very sweet running but I have had no end of problems getting it to pick up power to the point it dosent come out very often.

Have I found a solution? Whether anyone else has come up with a solution, I wouldn't know, I didn't look.

I sat down with it last night to try and resolve the problem once and for all and, yes I think this works.

It does involve some soldering so I am not responsible if you end up melting gears etc.

Remove the bogie frames, they unclip from each end. It involves drilling Four 0.3mm holes in the chassis side frames a bit behind each wheel, you need some 'springyness' in the wipers. Bending up and pushing through some 0.3mm nickel silver wire through the holes and soldering it to the brass bar that runs along each side of the bogie.

Bend the wipers round. You just need them to rest against the wheel backs.

I bend a small kink on the ends so as not to grind a groove in the wheel backs.

Do all Eight replace the bogie frames and job done.

A sweet running Dapol Class 73.

Class 74 and it's bogies.

It's bogies, what more can I say. I just wasn't happy with the ones in the kit so I made some.

and with the body on.

There is still loads to do. Paint and weather them, it's turning in to a nice model.

It makes you realise what goes into a model.

Make a cup if tea, sit down and watch this video, you may never complain again why they are so exspensive. I know it's American but am sure the procedures are the same.

https://youtu.be/WoxtnAYGwrc

Class 74 from Silver Fox Models, it's still going.

This is turning into one of those on going projects.

Remember about the wheels from the last post.

I think I might have something sorted.

So, what have we done this week ? Well, we have sorted out the wheels and pick-ups on the trailing bogie.

For the pick-ups I picked up item number X8786, it just clips over the old centre boggie part.

I had to cut two slots for the wires.

I had to make some brass bushes to take up the slack on the Alan Gibson axles and wheels 1.6mm long.

The buffer beams have also been fitted with good old Araldite.

We sat her on her wheels well, it would be rude not to.

So, now we are on the parts that I have been dreading. Those bogie frames.

I'm just not happy with these as supplied at all.

After studying a lot of photographs I think I have something that looks a lot better. 2 3rds of one bogie complete, only 3 more to go.

The Class 74 continues but a disaster incured

The Silver Fox Models Class 74, I'm still at it. 

It has been painted and officially numbered, she is 74 001.

The roof grill and fan came from Extreme Etchings.

I have used class 74 grills as they are exactly the right size, I have a spare if anyone interested.

I also looked at the cab interior and working out a way of fitting the lights in.

Thought I would have a play with the lights. We have white ones.....

.....and red ones.

Chuffed to bits, thinking this is going rather well.

Next was the chassis.

Finding our centres, the instruction say "remove 25mm from the chassis"

I worked it out to be 23mm.

We need 27' bogie centers

just a trial.

Measuring is very important, only have one chassis, that old saying "measure twice cut once"

We have a chassis, just need some work on the ends as I am concerned about strength on the corners.

It's going well until, let's have a look at these Alan Gibson wheels and see if we can fit them to Hornby's axles with the gear wheel.

It shattered, so did the next one.

I thought the gear wheel was separate, it's not is it, it's part of the wheel hub moulding.

What I need now is one of these......

....on the left but with a 2mm hole.

Stuck now, anyone with a 3D printer.

Had enough now, time for tea.

and a video.

This one is interesting, it might make you think of the future and what's going to happen.

https://youtu.be/IWNr9PnR6DU

The Class 74 continues.

I thought I should post something as I have been trying to do regular posts on a Sunday night.

Can you guess why we are late this week ?

The Silver Fox Models Class 74 is turning into one of those long winded affairs, remember the Class 31, it went on for a few weeks didn't it.

I actually rather enjoy doing up old models and kits, trying to detail them and bring them up to today's standards.

I'm still waiting for a roof fan and grill, it's on its way.

Couldn't wait any longer, she has been painted

Buffer beam and jumper cables courtesy of Dapol, parts are avalable for there Class 73.

The front handrail is considerably thicker than the door handrails so .60 nickel silver wire for the front and .45 wire for the doors. I know the buffer beam looks Crooked it's not permanately fixed yet.

So then, has she got a running number yet ?

It just has to be 74 001 well I have a rather stunning photo of her in Poole yard.

There is a lot of waiting on parts for this one. EH shed codes transfers are on there way and some blinds/numbers for the SR headcodes. I am sure I had some.

We have also filed out the windows, only another 11 to do for the sides.

I have also gotten hold of a pair of these, it's going to have lights fitted as well.

From Bachmann very handy they are to.

One other small thing. I should really source a chassis for it. Oh yes, that's on its way as well.

I am keeping receipts for this one as I just keep hearing people complaining about how much RTR models are these days. It's not really in till you do this sort of thing, you realise how much goes into a model.

I shall write a list of all that it's costs and let's see.