Sorry no posts for a while. Important work being done on wiring (still!) and getting the top level of the railway into place. Some reports of that will be coming soon.
I've also got on with another necessary but annoying task and upgraded my usual work platform to Windows 10. One problem is that where Windows 7 had a good basic photo editor, the facility in W10 isn't as good. It just seems to try to make one use as much space as possible! I've also been having problems with my mobile phone which had to be replaced.
For this post, I took the pictures back to the W7 box and edited them there. I try to not exceed 150kb for each picture. (I'm sure Richard asked for that at some point.)
A partial unpacking has taken place, so that I have some trains to run. My fitted freight is currently on the 'up' (as in southbound) line on the lower level, albeit hauled by nothing more than a re-numbered and slightly weathered Bachmann K3. Many of the vehicles were built about 30 years ago, and my modelling ideas, many of them inspired by the splendid contributors to this forum, have changed and I hope improved in the meantime.
So, here is a new build Parkside Dia 116 Van, with my version of it's underframe details.:
This seems to look adequate from the side, which is what I think matters.
You will see that:-
I have replaced the vacuum cylinder with a wider one than that provided in the kit. That seems to be to be too narrow compared with the drawings provided by the inestimable Mr Tatlow.
The solebars are set out by about 1mm plastic strip. This seems to overcome the tendency of the solebars to rotate inwards as the solvent dries, and prevent the wheelsets revolving freely.
I keep the plastic V hangers, and brake block assemblies, although they are drilled before assembly to take .5 (or less) brass wire to represent brake rigging. (I do have some brass etchings to use for when I build an 'important' vehicle, but my stock doesn't get handled that much once it is on the railway and the plastic seems adequate)
Once the additional rigging is added to the cross-shaft, I increase it's thickness (I think the originals were about 2.5 to 3" dia) using insulation from scrap electrical layout wire.
I'm quite fussy about the safety loops, because they are visible. The wheels do get 'locked in', but the loops can always be converted to hooks with snips - if required!. The loop between the V Hangers is made of wire (copper or brass depending on what scrap lengths are on my bench) flattened with one of my Grandfather's small hammers. I really dislike the moulded plastic versions of these which come with some kits (and RTR models).
But - here is what poor ignorant me did with underframe detail 30 years ago.
After a little careful work, it can almost be brought up to 'standard' as:-
Couplings are a necessary compromise for the nature of my railway and it's low level storage sidings. The new Parkside/Bachmann mounting blocks are much neater, but removing the older style was, I thought, too much of a nuisance for relatively small effect.