Two very closely linked New Years resolutions, 1) do more modelling and 2) document it better. So here we go.
I've seen workbench posts on other forums and thought it would be a good idea to collect all of my modelling in one place, rather than starting a new thread for every thing as that gets in the way of 2) above.
Back in the days of youth, when I was in high school ten years ago, I built a Tichy Trains crane kit. As I model the Boston & Maine, I wanted the crane to reflect this ownership. Not having anything better (or a prototype photo) I stuck color Minuteman heralds intended for an RS-3 on the sides. That was good enough.
Now though I have found a prototype picture and it's time to revisit my earlier attempts. If we look at the prototype we can see that it looks quite like the model, except the sides get covered.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bmrrhs/10409821555/sizes/l .
Few bits of styrene later...
I did that to both sides with the tops left tall and then filed to shape.
I wanted to do something about the massive gap at the ends for the truck mounted couplers, so I made little pads of three pieces of 0.020" styrene, drilled, tapped, and glued.
Next up are the trucks. As far as I can tell these cranes had archbar trucks their entire lives. So lets built a pair of trucks.
Start off with 2mm Association part 2-398 "LNER Diamond Frame Boige Etch" Fairly straightforward to assemble, but tricky in spots.
Cut the main part from the etch and enlarge the holes to fit the bearings.
Cut out the frame with spring part and fold up (that's the tricky bit).
Then cut out the final frame piece. All three pictured together along with two bearings.
Stack then, using the bearings for location, and solder together.
Fit the axleboxes (the really tricky bit) and fold up to form a truck.
To mount them these little bars are included in the etch. Solder a 12BA screw to the bar and then glue it in the desired position on the model.
These can then be used to attach the trucks via a turned brass bearing and a tiny nut.
That's all for now,
Gareth
