Julia's Workbench.

[Bob Essex]

Julia, my experience with these clip-in bogies is that fore-aft play is part of the downside of the basic design with some much worse than others. The only way to eliminate it is to use a different bogie design with a fixed central pivot above. That brings with it challenges of a different nature space wise for clearance in front of the pivot point for the worm placement and housing (often it’s where the cab will be). As said I struggled with these issues for years until I just basically threw the towel in and now use the complete Farish bogies as in my latest effort, the class 21.

Bob

 

[Osgood]

Re. boilers - just found this on file, thought this loaded LNWR wagon image might be of interest.

 

[simond]

I think I’d like some retaining chains on that…

 

[AJC]

I think I’d like some retaining chains on that…

Pretty clearly retouched out - look at the r

 

[Osgood]

Lettering doesn’t follow the boiler curvature.

 

[Heather Kay]

Pretty clearly retouched out - look at the r

Lettering doesn’t follow the boiler curvature.

Yeah, but Photoshop was still in its infancy in the 1920s. I mean, they didn’t add layers until version 3.

 

[-missy-]

Re. boilers - just found this on file, thought this loaded LNWR wagon image might be of interest.

View attachment 264534

Thank you for sharing that photo Tony, that is really interesting.

Im particularly intrigued by the bogies, they look very functional. I guess there is a huge hole in the floor too. I agree with the others about a weirdly lack of chains too.

Julia

 

[76043]

I think this photo is a montage of wagon and boiler, the boiler is surely sitting too low in that flat wagon as it would be crashing through the bogie pivots? The lighting of both items isn't quite right.

Don't forget it's an advert, so anything went and still goes. Treating any advert as a set of historical facts about railway operation is surely wrong?
Tony

 

[Osgood]

It is possible that it is a montage, but on balance I'm happy to accept it as an actual photo of a boiler having been loaded and photographed before chaining for the publicity shot, although that raises an interesting question (rabbit hole alert - see below).

The large lettering may have been painted on the boiler, but more likely (typical of the period) it was "written' onto the negative (the small lettering is deffo written on later as whoever did it couldn't be bothered to curve it).

The wagon is thoroughly recorded over 5 pages with G.A.s (to approx. 1/26 scale), diagrams and plenty of photos in LNWR WAGONS Vol.2 by LNWRS, pub. Wild Swan (you'll find in the Titfield bookshop).

Here's a teaser of the LMS wagon diagram showing the nature of the full-length heavy floor (hardwood) with central gap:



So:

Who was actually responsible for the chaining of loads like this when loaded in private premises by non-railway staff?
Did railway employees undertake the chaining?
If not I imagine a railway inspector would have to inspect and approve the chaining?

 

[40057]

The large lettering may have been painted on the boiler, but more likely (typical of the period) it was "written' onto the negative (the small lettering is deffo written on later as whoever did it couldn't be bothered to curve it).

I would think it more likely the small lettering on the boiler was presented like that so it was clearly legible. It’s an advert designed to convey information. That’s the primary purpose. At one stage in my life, I did a lot of leaflet and poster design. There are definite ‘rules’ for effective communication. Minimum sizes for lettering. Some typefaces easier to read than others, especially for the visually impaired. But also the behaviour of readers. Pictures are looked at first. Their captions will be the most read words on the page. So put your key messages in the pictures and captions: not a head+shoulders captioned ‘John Smith MP’, but an action photo captioned ‘Hard-working local MP John Smith’.

The boiler advert is quite a good advert in terms of getting its message across.

Martin

 

[Osgood]

Evidence of the load having been chained but the chains being retouched out are four chain anchoring rings mysteriously missing instead of hanging down like the unused centre one.

 

[76043]

I still think it's a montage of boiler and wagon, the converging perspective lines on the wagon end and the boiler fittings above it are wrong, plus there's something not right about the 'join' where wagon and boiler meet.

 

[-missy-]

Hello.

Not much has been going on recently hence the lack of updates. As usual, other things have taken away my time. Plus I have some 'other' distractions too which I may post about in the future.

I really wanted to put a post together in regards to lost wax casting. A conversation with @John Baker of Engine-ious models resulted in a set of wheel blanks for my 18000 engine.



I honestly have to say these are some of the nicest Brass castings I have ever seen. They are so clean! To say I am happy with them is an understatement. The next step now is to order the Steel rims from the 2mm Association and them machine the castings to fit. Its not going to happen quickly unfortunately as I am still trying to work out the new bogie gearing arrangement, but I have some things on order which will hopefully solve that little 'issue'.

All I can say is a huge thanks to @John Baker for being super helpful and doing such a brilliant job. A big thanks also to @Dan Randall and @Osgood for the contact. I cant wait to get some more artwork together for even more castings.

Julia

 

[John Baker]

@-missy- you're more than welcome! Glad I could be of help. It's a great little project you've got going here - I look forwards to seeing it progress

 

[Matt.S.]

oooo does this mean it might be possible to get some dinky little wheels for those of us inclined to build little locos?

(quietly stares at the NB shunter etch in my stash...)

 

[-missy-]

oooo does this mean it might be possible to get some dinky little wheels for those of us inclined to build little locos?

(quietly stares at the NB shunter etch in my stash...)

TBH Matt. My days of relying on 2mm Association wheels are long gone. Why should I settle for generic overscale wheels when I can make a set of prototypical wheels for a specific engine. This really does apply to anyone.

Julia

 

[Matt.S.]

You aren't wrong... and they aren't cheap wheels anymore.

With the current process a bit of variation should be possible.

 

[Nigel Cliffe]

You aren't wrong... and they aren't cheap wheels anymore.

With the current process a bit of variation should be possible.

I'm the one who draws the current 2mm shop wheels. I've had a few requests for a bespoke wheel over best part of a decade - different spoke counts, crank position/throw and spoke cross-sections. Those wheels were delivered. Process starts by asking the Sales Officer.

 

[Lawrence Boul]

You aren't wrong... and they aren't cheap wheels anymore.

With the current process a bit of variation should be possible.

I've got nothing to do with the 2mm Assn, but I do supply cast wheels. If you've got the wherewithal, doing your own wheels is not hard, and you get exactly what you want. BUT there's a lot of time etc involved in learning and achieving that, which most don't view as a cost (it being a hobby). If you are buying in wheels then there's an included margin that DOES account for those costs. If the 2mm shop can supply what you need, then I imagine they'll represent good value over the full cost of DIY. If your needs differ or you just like doing your own thing, then DIY is going to look attractive.

 

[John Baker]

oooo does this mean it might be possible to get some dinky little wheels for those of us inclined to build little locos?

(quietly stares at the NB shunter etch in my stash...)

If you can source steel tyres, I can provide you with cast brass centres. Either you can provide the 3D model and I'll print and cast them, or you can provide me with drawings/dimensions and I can do the 3D model work as well. Obviously this is the more expensive option, but an option nonetheless!
Cheers,
John