Standard Gauge Baldwin Gas Mechanical

[Mancunian]

...

I'm pleased you're enjoying my little project. Despite me modifying parts of the kit, the build has been a real joy. Testimony to the skills of the designer of the kit methinks.
...

Mike

Do you think it would be possible to convert the 4mm kit that was mentioned earlier in the thread to P4 or is it too small for that?
Regards

 

[spikey faz]

Do you think it would be possible to convert the 4mm kit that was mentioned earlier in the thread to P4 or is it too small for that?
Regards

Anything is possible! It basically comes down to swapping out the narrow gauge axles for standard gauge axles and mounting the wheels and outside cranks accordingly.Nothing too technical, but I would probably struggle to do a similar conversion in 4mm/1ft. But, I'm just an enthusiastic amateur!

I believe the 4mm/1ft kit is out of production, but if you already have the kit then why not give it a go.

Mike

 

[spikey faz]

Getting there! Buffer beams are some 6mm x 2mm channel I had in stock. The buffers themselves are heavily butchered Slaters items.
I've arranged it so that the beams are bolted into place. This allows for the inevitable adjustment that will follow.



Once I'm happy with the alignment, additional bracing struts as per the prototype will be added. The hexagonal heads visible either side of the coupling hook will be ground off in due course.

Mike

 

[spikey faz]

I've more or less finished the front buffer beam. The bracing brackets were bolted in place initially to allow for fine adjustments. Then soldered up permanently.



I'm now trying to work out how to attach the rear buffer beam. Not as simple as it might first seem.

Mike

 

[spikey faz]

The rear buffer beam is done. There's a couple of M0.8 bolts to hold it on to the rear of the cab. Once fully aligned I'll add a bit of solder to firm things up. In the meantime the ability to bolt and unbolt the beam is handy as I need to work out how to make and add the additional bracing struts.




The addition of a driver will hide a multitude of omissions/sins!

Mike

 

[Mancunian]

Another episode of my favourite thread

 

[spikey faz]

Another episode of my favourite thread

Aw, cheers for that!

You never know it might be finished before Christmas!!

All the best
Mike

 

[Giles]

'Tis a joy to watch.....
However, the (new) rear buffer beam should be braced diagonally down or horizontally across to the mainframes, no matter how inconvenient to the driver. The cab sheetwork and the upstand supporting the beam wouldn't cope with much of a bump from any wagons. i'm sure i've seen an example, but needless to say i can't find it!
(I'm sure you have it in hand anyway....)

 

[Rob R]

Here Giles?
Apedale

 

[spikey faz]

'Tis a joy to watch.....
However, the (new) rear buffer beam should be braced diagonally down or horizontally across to the mainframes, no matter how inconvenient to the driver. The cab sheetwork and the upstand supporting the beam wouldn't cope with much of a bump from any wagons. i'm sure i've seen an example, but needless to say i can't find it!
(I'm sure you have it in hand anyway....)

Never fear Giles... 'Tis all in hand.

Mike

 

[Giles]

Strangely not the example I had in mind - but yes - absolutely!

 

[Giles]

Duplicate

 

[spikey faz]

One bracing bar done....three more to go!
Hopefully @Giles will approve.


Mike

 

[spikey faz]

The remaining three bracing bars are now complete and fitted.




The assemblies can still be unbolted to allow better access for painting.

You will note that I've chosen not to model the brackets that tie the bracing bars to the top of the chassis inside the cab. Too fiddly and I don't think it'll be seen in the gloom of the cab!

I can't imagine working in such a cluttered and confined cab could have been much fun. Respect to those who did.

Mike

 

[spikey faz]

I'm toying with the idea of replicating the cab roof cowling/visor that was added to the prototype at some point. I think the prototype has a slightly different cab height to the model, as the forward facing windows are rectangular whereas the model ones are almost square. This does seem to make the roof cowling/visor appear taller on the model. I've mocked up a paper version to see if I like it.



Mike

 

[spikey faz]

 

[RichardG]

Well I think it adds some character to the model, well extra character really, and certainly looks the part. So a thumbs up from me

 

[spikey faz]

Decision made. Sun visor is happening! Maybe some go-faster stripes as well?

As the fuel tank had to come off the roof to allow soldering to take place I temporarily placed it up front on the chassis. Similar to the pictures @King Crab posted.

It'd be fairly easy to reposition.

 Mike

 

[spikey faz]

I've added a little bit more metalwork to the cab in the form of what appear reminiscent of horse blinkers! I'm not sure what their purpose is, but I had to model them.


Initially I was just going to glue the buffers in solid (the easy option) but my conscience got the better of me. I couldn't see how I could easily get them to spring as I'd already soldered the buffer housing in place. But a chance encounter with a set of 4mm/1ft Maygib 23" industrial buffers on eBay provided the solution.
Hopefully the pictures below show what I did. Basically I reduced the Maygib buffer housing in diameter so I could just push them into the Slaters housings. In an ideal world I'd be doing all this on a lathe, but that isn't an option as I don't have one, so it was done with files and my trusty old Proxxon drill.


I'll fix them in place later with a drop of varnish.

Mike

 

[simond]

In an ideal world I'd be doing all this on a lathe, but that isn't an option as I don't have one

Go on, Mike, treat yourself. You know it makes sense!

my little Unimat was my second lathe purchase. I paid about £350 some 30 years ago.
It’s paid its way, and it’s probably worth the same, maybe a bit more, now.