TFW’s workshop

[DavidB]

It's a standard brassworker's pickle, the h202 takes out the pink copper look.

As most brass gets a coat of paint, removing the 'pink copper look' would seem unnecessary, so how important is the peroxide? Does it contribute to the effectiveness of the acetic acid or is it just a bleaching agent? Does the acetic acid work just as well on lts own?

Reading around, I notice some people add salt to the vinegar. Any comments on this?

 

[Ian@StEnochs]

Reading around, I notice some people add salt to the vinegar. Any comments on this?

Only worthwhile if you add some chips too!

Joking aside, I use this. ‘Picklean’ from Jewellery maker suppliers. Works well and for the sort of things we make, economical. I make a small quantity in a little jar whenever I need to silver solder. The solution stays active for around 10 days.

Ian

 

[Tim Watson]

Another question for those that know. I am currently fitting out the interior of the Coronation set. This will be the down summer departure at 4pm, having just left KX of course. Do we think that the tables have been laid with table cloths ready for dinner at that time - or their native colour?


I suspect they used local place mats in first class as cloths would not have easily adapted to the tables.

Tim

 

[DavidB]

Joking aside, I use this. ‘Picklean’ from Jewellery maker suppliers. Works well and for the sort of things we make, economical. I make a small quantity in a little jar whenever I need to silver solder. The solution stays active for around 10 days.

Oh Murphy!! I ordered from Cooksons on Tuesday and the package is coming tomorrow!!

 

[simond]

The legend “food grade” suggests to me that it’s citric acid, which is easily & cheaply available.

 

[Pete_S]

The legend “food grade” suggests to me that it’s citric acid, which is easily & cheaply available.

Yup:—

 

[Ian@StEnochs]

The legend “food grade” suggests to me that it’s citric acid, which is easily & cheaply available.

It is and it’s safe to use. I have experience of pickling copper boilers etc in dilute sulphuric acid when I was building live steam. Works much quicker but could be nasty and I wouldn’t recommend it for the domestic workshop.

Of course you can get Citric acid locally. However buying from Cookson along with other supplies, their piercing saw blades are good, in a small quantity makes sense to me.

 

[Fitzroy]

As most brass gets a coat of paint, removing the 'pink copper look' would seem unnecessary, so how important is the peroxide? Does it contribute to the effectiveness of the acetic acid or is it just a bleaching agent? Does the acetic acid work just as well on lts own?

Reading around, I notice some people add salt to the vinegar. Any comments on this?

I can’t answer regarding the salt: re the pinkness this is because the acid on its own leaches out the zinc and leaves the copper. I guess this would be useful when turning a brass chimney into a “copper capped” one before lightly polishing and painting where appropriate: but if you want it to look like brass then you need to use the peroxide as well.

 

[Tim Watson]

Another question if I may: I have these two images of the first class carriage interiors. The green image is clearly labelled ‘Coronation’ but I suspect the other is from the ‘West Riding’ set. Any views on this?


Our trip to New York has seen most of the interiors modelled with just the first class pair remaining, now we’re back in Blighty.


Tim

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

Another question if I may: I have these two images of the first class carriage interiors. The green image is clearly labelled ‘Coronation’ but I suspect the other is from the ‘West Riding’ set. Any views on this?

If anything I'd use the Coronation colour scheme as the West Riding is a later train introduced in 1937.

I have come across publicity photos of the interior of the Coronation and returning an earlier post they do not show table cloths in use on the scalloped tables. However, tablecloths may have been used fro evening dining.

https://flic.kr/p/2naDB7y

There is a photo of the Coronation 1st class interior on this website and the seating moquette appears plain.
Britain's Streamlined Expresses - Wonders of World Engineering

And this site has a link to the article about the Coronation in the August 1937 issue of the Railway Magazine More 1937 Coronation material courtesy of Nick Littlewood


However, in the publicity material for the West Riding the drawings show tablecloths were used on the 1st class scalloped and 3rd class tables on the West Riding.

https://flic.kr/p/2naqiuX

 

[Tim Watson]

Thanks Dave, Harris has descriptions of the train interiors, but the detail is a bit confusing.
I think I’ll stick with shades of green etc as per the second image.

Tim

 

[outatime]

There's a very good Video on YouTube regarding York Road station, filmed with proper lighting in 4K.
Lots of detail in the tunnels is visible, I hope this could be helpful for the model.

Regards
Bjoern

 

[Tim Watson]

Sorry for the delay in replying (a lot of family activities just lately). That is very useful, confirming what I have / am modelling. Especially useful to play it back at quarter speed and frame grab.

Tim

 

[Tim Watson]

After a year’s work, the Coronation set is now finished all bar tidying up, and a few details such as first class curtains and window bars on the observation car.


I took the opportunity to meet up with Mike Trice who was responsible for a great deal of the model, especially his 3DP of the beaver tail, at Hornby’s open day of the One to One collection.


The streamlining and finish of the carriage is outstanding.



I will post detailed photos when complete, on the MRC test tracks or CF when it is next up.

Tim

 

[Tim Watson]

Yesterday was the big day for the Coronation, running behind Dominion of Canada on the MRC test tracks.

DoC is flat out in this video running at 60mph. The only jobs now remaining is a little bit of tweaking of the roof weathering on the streamlined fairings, two tail lamps and shortening the coupling between DoC and carriage H. And a decent storage box.

It will be running at the Manchester show in December.

Tim

 

[Tom Mallard]

Wow Tim, this is absolutely fantastic work and what a beautiful thing! You must be in an extreme minority of individuals who have actually built and completed a full Coronation set...

Tom

 

[Tim Watson]

Thanks for the kind comments, Tom. In fact John Aldrick has made a set which runs on Peter Kirmond’s York; a case of you wait for one and two come along together… John has used the same 3DP beaver tail observation car (courtesy Mike Trice) and etched sides (but with simplified streamlining). The work in this set has been engineering the full streamlining as per the Hornby 4mm model.

The Beavertail now has lights. The window fitting was quite fun. First image shows tape in place for glazing bars.

The three ash trays can be seen through the window…


The tail lights have red brilliants in them so should twinkle nicely on CF.

Tim

 

[Tim Watson]

The main railway baseboards for CF are currently erected at Keen House for testing and working on. Mrs W’s yard is going to the Uckfield show (18-19/10/25) and the whole shebang will be at Manchester (13-14/12/25). This gives us a good opportunity to add some more details. Earlier in the summer, I was in touch with Tom at Trains & Terrains https://trainsandterrains.co.uk

Tom originally only made 4mm scale 3DPs but has now shrunk the range down to 2mm scale.

Being cheeky I asked him if he could make tin baths (visible in the foreground of the above picture), mangles and perhaps lawnmowers: as the first two would be ubiquitous in the back yards of our terraced London houses. A little while later they appeared.


The detail produced is amazing - zoom in on the images - and the bicycles even have spokes! The plastic used is remarkably resilient and whilst etchings may be a bit tougher there is no eye strain in construction; but painting will be fun!

I’ll post some pictures of the bits in situ: this technology will enable us to model scenes such as the Cally Market on the layout.


I have no commercial connection with Trains & Terrains, but highly recommended!



Tim